Tag: AEW

AEW Dynamite Preview 6/22/22

The speculation surrounding Bryan Danielson’s health and his immediate future is expected to be put to rest on tonight’s “Dynamite”. AEW announced Danielson will address Sunday’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view and the “Blood & Guts” match being promoted for next Wednesday.

AEW is also promoting that we’ll hear from Christian Cage tonight. Cage turned on Jungle Boy at the end of last Wednesday’s “Dynamite” after Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus lost the AEW Tag Team Championship in a ladder match against The Young Bucks.

The following line-up is announced for tonight:

  • AEW Mid-Atlantic Championship Qualifying Match: Malakai Black vs. Penta Oscuro
  • Marina Shafir vs. Toni Storm
  • Chris Jericho & Lance Archer vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jon Moxley
  • Orange Cassidy & Roppongi Vice vs. Will Ospreay & Aussie Open
  • Bryan Danielson will address Forbidden Door and Blood & Guts
  • We’ll hear from Christian Cage

AEW Rampage Preview 6/17/22

The following line-up is announced for tonight’s episode of AEW “Rampage”.

  • TBS Championship Match: Willow Nightingale vs. Jade Cargill (c)
  • Dante Martin vs. Jon Moxley
  • Bobby Fish vs. Darby Allin
  • Austin Gunn, Colten Gunn & Max Caster vs. Bear Country & Leon Ruff
  • We hear from Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland

AEW Dynamite “Road Rager” Preview 6/15/22

AEW presents a special “Road Rager” episode of “Dynamite” tonight.

The AEW Tag Team Championship will be on the line in a ladder match. Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus will defend against The Young Bucks. The match was originally announced as a 3-way with The Hardys also challenging for the gold. However, The Hardys were pulled from the match after Jeff Hardy was arrested over the weekend and subsequently suspended without pay by AEW.

The following line-up is announced for tonight:

  • AEW Tag Team Championship Ladder Match: The Young Bucks vs. Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus (c)
  • All-Atlantic Championship Qualifying Match: Ethan Page vs. Miro
  • Hair vs. Hair: Chris Jericho vs. Ortiz
  • Dax Harwood vs. Will Ospreay
  • Dr. Britt Baker vs. Toni Storm
  • 20-on-1 “Class Action” Handicap Elimination Match: Wardlow vs. 20 Plaintiffs
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi and Jon Moxley face-to-face

Jeff Hardy’s Court Date Rescheduled

Jeff Hardy is set to be arraigned after being arrested and charged on three counts, including driving under the influence.

Hardy was arrested on Monday, June 13th, and was eventually released from jail after posting a bond of $3,500. Hardy was originally set to stand before a judge on Tuesday, but that hearing was rescheduled. The Volusia County, FL County Clerk’s Office records now list Hardy’s hearing as being scheduled for July 5th, at 2:30 pm local time.

Due to this being Hardy’s third arrest for DUI in the last ten years, under Florida law, he could be looking at up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Hardy was arrested on Monday morning after he was seen swerving along I-95 in a white Dodge Challenger. Dashcam footage shows that Hardy was clearly intoxicated in his encounter with law enforcement, and he failed a field sobriety test. Officers administered a breathalyzer twice and received readings of 0.294 and 0.291 respectively, both over three times the legal limit of 0.08.

Originally scheduled for a ladder match this Wednesday, All Elite Wrestling has suspended Hardy without pay and will not allow him to return without a proven commitment to sobriety.

Hardy signed with AEW earlier this year, after being released from WWE amidst a cloud of controversy about the wrestler’s mental and physical shape. Hardy was sent home from a live event due to erratic behavior and reportedly turned down an offer from WWE for rehabilitation before his release. According to Jeff’s brother Matt, while they offered, WWE didn’t feel the need for rehab was immediate, and that Matt agreed at the time.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Tony Khan Releases Official Statement On Jeff Hardy DUI And Status In AEW

Tony Khan and AEW have released an official statement on Jeff Hardy’s DUI and what will happen now with his contract in the company.

AEW has addressed reports that Jeff Hardy was pulled over and charged with a DUI just days prior to his scheduled match on Wednesday’s Dynamite. Speculation was that AEW would be distancing themselves from Hardy and clearly, Wednesday’s Triple Threat tag match is now no longer taking place as originally advertised, but on Tuesday, AEW President Tony Khan has released a statement about the incident and Hardy’s status with the company moving forward.

The statement reads as follows:

“We were able to resume contact with Jeff Hardy this afternoon. AEW does not condone Jeff’s alleged behavior. We’ve made it clear to Jeff we will assist him in getting treatment for substance abuse issues, which he has indicated he’s open to receiving. In the interim, he is suspended without pay, and he can only return to AEW upon successfully completing treatment and maintaining his sobriety.”

The statement goes on to share a help hotline number for anyone who might be dealing with or knows someone dealing with similar issues.

AEW removing him from the active roster and offering help is the key takeaway from this statement from Khan. That the most important thing is to help him get the treatment he clearly needs is glaring at this point. That Hardy has also acknowledged that he needs and is open to getting help is also important. He declined going into rehab when WWE told him it was accept treatment or be released from his contract.

Addiction is clearly an issue for Hardy and it appears to be something he needs help with. AEW requiring he get that help before being able to return to work is the right first step in this whole process. Whether he’s able to maintain his sobriety is another thing and the hope is that he can because there are a lot of fans pulling for Jeff and want to see him back and wrestling again in AEW.

For those who need help with substance abuse issues, please call 1-800-662-HELP.

Source: TheSportster

Backstage News On AAA TripleMania Main Event Plans Follow Jeff Hardy’s Arrest

AAA are still hoping to have Matt Hardy involved in the main event of TripleMania this weekend, according to Dave Meltzer on the latest edition of “Wrestling Observer Radio.”

The Hardy were scheduled to compete in the main event of the show this Saturday in Tijuana against Dragon Lee and Dralistico, but that match is now up in the air due to the recent news of Jeff Hardy being arrested for a DUI emerging. But, the company does still want Matt to be involved, and they would ideally like to find a new partner for him.

As of now, nobody has been determined for that, as it is short notice for someone to make that trip, but they have reportedly asked for a bunch of guys as AAA are hopeful of making this match work still. There is still no confirmation on the match happening though, including Matt’s status.

Jeff was reportedly bonded out of jail Monday evening with a $3,500 bond being paid via the assistance of a bail bondsman. He was previously slated to appear in court Tuesday at 1:30 pm ET, but that appearance is currently listed as “canceled.”

The Hardys were originally scheduled to compete at “AEW Dynamite” this week in a triple threat ladder match for the AEW Tag Team Championships, and the status of that encounter is still up in the air as well. The company has reportedly asked Warner Bros to pull all advertising of this match and Jeff in general, but no official statement has yet to be made by AEW or Tony Khan on this situation.

The lineup for TripleMania this weekend is as follows:

* The Hardys vs. Dragon Lee & Dralistico (This is currently up in the air)

* Ruleta de la Muerte Semifinal: Villano IV vs. Psycho Clown (The loser advances to the finals)

* Ruleta de la Muerte Semifinal: Blue Demon Jr. vs. Pentagon Jr. (The loser advances to the finals)

* AAA World Cruiserweight Champion Laredo Kid vs. Rey Fenix vs. Hijo del Vikingo vs. AAA Latin American Champion Black Taurus vs. Bandido

* Elimination Cage Match: Chik Tormenta vs. Sexy Star II vs. Reina Dorada vs. Lady Shani vs. La Hiedra vs. Lady Maravilla vs. Flammer vs. another competitor to be announced.

* Final Elimination Cage winners will face each other in a Mask vs. Mask Match

* TripleMania Cup: Competitors TBA

Matt Hardy Breaks His Silence On Jeff Hardy’s Arrest

Matt Hardy has issued his first statement since his brother Jeff Hardy was arrested yesterday morning in Volusia County, FL. Jeff was pulled over and later incarcerated following several charges which included his third DUI in ten years and on Tuesday his older brother took to Twitter to comment on the well-being of his brother.

“It was disheartening to hear the news about my brother yesterday,” Matt tweeted. “Recovery isn’t a linear process & I’ll continue doing whatever I can to help my brother be healthy. Being healthy & well is the most important thing for Jeff, his wife, his children & our family at this time.”

https://twitter.com/MATTHARDYBRAND/status/1536725719451160578

Jeff was bonded out of jail on Monday evening after paying $3,500 bond via the assistance of a bail bondsman. According to PWInsider, Hardy was slated for a court appearance later today, but that court appearance is currently listed as canceled.

The Hardys were set to participate in a three-way ladder match this Wednesday at “AEW Road Rager” for the Tag Team Titles against The Young Bucks and the Champions Jungle Express, but since Jeff’s arrest, that match has been pulled. In addition, it’s being reported that AEW has requested WarnerMedia to remove Hardy from any promotional material moving forward.

Matt and Jeff were also scheduled to compete at AAA TripleMania against Dragon Lee and Dralistico, but that match has also been pulled. Dave Meltzer is reporting that AAA would still like Matt Hardy to compete on the card and would ultimately like to find him a new partner to work with.

Jeff Hardy first showed up in AEW on the March 9 episode of “AEW Dynamite” in an effort to help his brother Matt. He has since competed in tag matches and was a singles participant in the Owen Hart Cup. The last match he worked was a tag team match against The Young Bucks at Double or Nothing.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Jeff Hardy Arrested For DUI, AEW Asks WarnerMedia To Remove Jeff From All Advertising

In a frustrating and concerning bit of news, AEW star Jeff Hardy was arrested Sunday night or early Monday morning for driving while intoxicated. This comes just days before he was set to compete in a Triple Threat Ladder Match on Dynamite with The Young Bucks and Jurassic Express and continues the long upsetting saga that is Hardy’s battle with addiction.

Hardy’s previous issues with alcohol or drug-related arrests are well documented. In March 2018, he was arrested for driving while impaired in Concord, North Carolina, He was arrested again in July 2019, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for public intoxication. In October 2019, he was arrested in Moore County, North Carolina for driving while impaired. For these latest charges — license charges are second-degree misdemeanors and the DUI is a third-degree felony — he is slated to appear in front of a judge for his first hearing on June 14 at 1:30 pm.

At this point, some fans are saying he should be done getting chances, but most fans are simply concerned for Jeff’s well-being. That he’s continued to struggle is not a good sign and some are looking back at WWE’s offer to get him into rehab as something he potentially should have accepted instead of leaving and having his WWE contract terminated.

This is clearly becoming an issue for Jeff and one that perhaps requires immediate intervention. He seems unable to overcome these alcohol issues and his health is far more important than a single wrestling match or his run in AEW. WWE seemed to recognize he needed help and gave him an ultimatum. Perhaps AEW will do the same if they recognize this is an issue that needs addressing immediately.

UPDATE:

We might not be seeing Jeff in AEW for a while.

The details of the arrest, and what comes next for Hardy, remain unclear. A three-way tag team ladder match in which both Hardy Boyz were supposed to compete was slated to take place on Dynamite this week. That match has been removed from AEW’s social media ads, and apparently the promotion has now asked WarnerMedia to remove Hardy from all AEW advertising.

Although there has been no official statement from AEW on the Hardy situation just yet, The Wrestling Observer reports it has asked WarnerMedia to stop advertising the veteran effective immediately. While that doesn’t necessarily mean there won’t be a ladder match on Dynamite this week, it almost definitely means Hardy will not be a part of it.

AEW isn’t the only promotion that will be sweating the status of Hardy right now. He and his brother Matt are also supposed to be competing in a big time match at Triplemania for AAA this weekend. Another match that seems likely to be altered ahead of the weekend with FTR prime candidates to step in. They’re the AAA Tag Team Champions after all.

The news that Hardy has once again been arrested for driving while under the influence has sparked a number of conversations since it broke. Some have questioned whether this has been going on for months and WWE was in the right to try and get Hardy to agree to rehab. The vast majority of fans are just hopeful this latest incident will finally be the last, as sooner or later, Hardy is going to seriously hurt himself or, even worse, someone else.

Source: TheSportster

Lets all pray that Jeff finally accepts and gets the help he really needs.

AEW Rampage Preview 6/10/22

One of the most celebrated in-ring performers of his generation and an eye-popping pro wrestling prospect will make their AEW in-ring debuts on tonight’s episode of “Rampage”.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Will Ospreay will be in a trios match alongside Aussie Open against the Ring of Honor World Tag Team Champions FTR and Trent Beretta. Ospreay, Aussie Open, and their United Empire stablemate Aaron Henare attacked Beretta and FTR on Wednesday’s “Dynamite”.

Ospreay is a former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion in NJPW and is almost universally recognized as one of the best professional wrestlers in the world today. Ospreay is also the leader of NJPW’s United Empire stable, which added Aussie Open late last year. Kyle Fletcher and Mark Davis are rising stars in the world of tag team wrestling. They joined NJPW in April after building their reputations in Australia and Europe.

The following line-up is announced for tonight:

  • Eddie Kingston vs. Jake Hager
  • Kris Statlander vs. Red Velvet
  • FTR & Trent Beretta vs. Will Ospreay & Aussie Open
  • The in-ring debut of Satnam Singh, teaming with Jay Lethal
  • We hear from Hook and Danhausen

Chris Jericho And MVP Clashed In A Hotel After Dynamite This Week

Apparently Chris Jericho and MVP was involved in a heated verbal altercation.

The Wednesday Night War might have come to an end when NXT moved to Tuesdays nights, and there might be friends on both sides, but there is still a healthy competition between WWE and AEW. While some wrestlers might not care which side is doing better than the other and mean it, others very much do. That was reportedly made evident in a hotel lobby during the early hours of Thursday morning after Dynamite this week.

According to Wrestling Observer‘s Dave Meltzer, Chris Jericho and MVP came to verbal blows in a hotel in Houston, Texas. “Jericho was talking to Matt Hardy and MVP shows up. Most people didn’t know what was up and thought he was kidding around until it became clear he wasn’t kidding,” Meltzer explained. Apparently the argument may have hinged on an issue between the two that dates back 18 months.

Apparently no punches were thrown, nor was there a physical altercation of any kind, but it seems likely that might have been the case had the two not been separated. “Nothing bad happened even though it was a tense situation. Jericho did tell him that he doesn’t fight jobbers when he got in the elevator ad MVP was screaming it in the lobby,” Meltzer went on to say.

Jericho and MVP will have shared a WWE locker room in the past, but not for a very long time. By the time MVP returned for his latest stint in WWE during the 2020 men’s Royal Rumble, Jericho had already become All Elite. In fact, it has been more than 12 years since the two were in the same match together. Coincidentally, that match was the 2010 Royal Rumble.

As for why the two of them don’t get along to the point that they openly fought, at least verbally, remains unknown. What would happen if the two of them had been allowed to fight, that’s anyone’s guess. MVP seems like a pretty tough guy, but apparently Jericho once managed to restrain Goldberg backstage, so he’s definitely not someone you’d want to mess with if it can be avoided.

Source: TheSportster