Tag: AEW

WBD and AEW Shut Down Rumors Surrounding Brody King’s Dynamite Absence

Brody King’s absence from this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite quickly sparked speculation online — but both Warner Bros. Discovery and AEW are now firmly pushing back on the rumors.

The former challenger to MJF, who demolished the outspoken star last week to secure an AEW World Championship opportunity at Grand Slam: Australia, was noticeably missing from Wednesday night’s broadcast. That absence raised eyebrows, especially after Dave Meltzer reported that King had allegedly been pulled from the show at the request of Warner Bros. Discovery. According to the report, network officials were concerned King’s appearance could trigger more anti-ICE chants from fans, similar to the “F**k ICE” chants heard before his match with MJF.

However, WBD has flatly denied the claim.

In a statement issued to Wrestling Inc., the company made it clear they had no role in King’s scheduling.

“Warner Bros. Discovery did not have any involvement in Brody King’s upcoming AEW schedule,” the statement read. “Any speculation to the contrary is categorically false. Brody is scheduled to appear during the next AEW event, which will air this Saturday on TNT and HBO Max.”

When further pressed by Voices of Wrestling regarding the wording of the statement — specifically whether “upcoming” left room for involvement in King missing Dynamite — WBD reportedly reiterated that they had no part in his absence.

AEW also denied the rumors. According to Fightful Select, company sources stated that King’s absence had nothing to do with the network or last week’s chants. In fact, some within AEW reportedly said that Meltzer’s report was the first they had heard of such speculation.

So where was Brody King?

The answer appears far less controversial. PWInsider reports that King was among several AEW talents flying from LAX to Sydney, Australia, in preparation for Grand Slam: Australia. As a result, he was never scheduled to appear on Dynamite in the first place.

With King en route to Australia and a World Championship opportunity looming, it looks like this situation may simply be a case of travel logistics — not network interference.

All eyes now turn to Grand Slam: Australia, where King will look to capitalize on the momentum he built by steamrolling MJF and attempt to shock the world on an international stage.

Report: Warner Bros. Discovery Kept Brody King Off AEW Dynamite Over Fears of Anti-ICE Chants

A surprising backstage decision reportedly kept Brody King off this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite — and it may have had far more to do with corporate politics than creative direction.

According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, Warner Bros. Discovery made the call to hold King off the show following last week’s headline-making moment in Las Vegas. During that episode, King shocked viewers by defeating MJF in just over a minute. However, it wasn’t just the upset victory that grabbed attention. The live crowd broke into loud “F*** ICE” chants, which quickly made waves beyond the wrestling bubble.

Per Meltzer, WBD executives were concerned about a repeat of that scenario if King appeared again this week. The fear? That more anti-ICE chants could create unwanted controversy at a time when the company is reportedly navigating sensitive corporate matters — including a pending acquisition deal involving Netflix that would require regulatory approval.

Meltzer emphasized that the decision did not come from AEW President Tony Khan.

“This is from above,” Meltzer stated, noting that executives were wary of drawing negative attention that could complicate regulatory proceedings. He added that if not for the broader corporate landscape — particularly concerns about political sensitivities — the chants themselves may not have been treated as a major issue.

King has been outspoken in his criticism of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and has been active in fundraising efforts to support immigrant communities. That public stance, combined with last week’s crowd reaction, reportedly made his presence a potential flashpoint for another viral moment.

The situation is particularly notable because, from a storyline standpoint, a follow-up segment between King and MJF seemed like a logical next step after last week’s decisive result. Instead, the angle was paused — at least for now.

This development highlights the increasingly complicated intersection of wrestling, corporate oversight, and political optics. AEW has often presented itself as an alternative product with a more organic crowd atmosphere, but as the company continues to operate under a major media conglomerate, those raw live reactions can sometimes create challenges at the executive level.

It remains to be seen how AEW will handle King’s return to television. If the Las Vegas crowd reaction is any indication, the issue may not simply disappear the next time he walks through the curtain.

For now, Brody King’s absence appears to be less about creative direction — and more about corporate caution.

Paramount Sweetens Hostile Takeover Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery Amid Netflix Battle – What It Could Mean for AEW

The corporate tug-of-war over Warner Bros. Discovery is heating up.

Paramount has officially submitted a revised offer in its hostile attempt to acquire WBD, aiming to counter Netflix’s existing agreement with the media giant. While the per-share price remains unchanged, the new proposal adds financial incentives designed to make the deal more attractive to shareholders — and raise the stakes in an already intense bidding war.

What Paramount Is Offering

Paramount’s amended bid keeps its original $30-per-share valuation intact but introduces a new $0.25-per-share “ticking fee.” This fee would accumulate for each quarter the deal remains unclosed after December 31 of this year, essentially rewarding shareholders if the transaction drags on.

In addition, Paramount is taking a bold step by offering to cover Netflix’s $2.8 billion termination fee should Warner Bros. Discovery walk away from its current agreement with the streaming giant.

For context, Netflix would face a massive $5.8 billion obligation if it were to back out of the deal on its own.

Paramount also claims it can address some of WBD’s financial concerns, including approximately $1.5 billion in fees tied to debt refinancing. According to the company, it has potential “solutions” in place to ease those burdens — another attempt to sway shareholders.

Where Things Stand with Netflix

Warner Bros. Discovery has responded cautiously, stating it will review Paramount’s revised proposal. However, the company is not changing its recommendation that shareholders approve Netflix’s offer.

Netflix recently adjusted its bid into a fully cash-based offer at $27.75 per share. Previously, the proposal included a combination of cash and stock options at the same valuation. The move to an all-cash deal was seen as a strategic play to strengthen Netflix’s position and reduce uncertainty.

Paramount, meanwhile, is urging shareholders to reject not only the Netflix agreement but also WBD’s planned spinoff of Discovery.

The AEW Factor

For wrestling fans, this isn’t just boardroom drama.

AEW’s future broadcast landscape is directly tied to Warner Bros. Discovery. According to recent filings, AEW would remain aligned with Discovery under the proposed spinoff structure, now referred to as Global Linear Networks. At the same time, AEW’s weekly programming and pay-per-view events are expected to continue streaming on HBO Max.

While none of the proposed corporate changes appear to immediately disrupt AEW’s current television and streaming setup, large-scale media mergers often bring long-term shifts in strategy, branding, and distribution priorities.

If Netflix ultimately acquires WBD, that could create intriguing possibilities regarding streaming integration and international reach. On the other hand, a successful Paramount takeover would reshape the media landscape in a completely different direction.

For now, AEW appears stable in its current arrangements — but the larger media chess match is far from over.

As this high-stakes battle between Paramount and Netflix unfolds, the ripple effects could extend well beyond Hollywood — and into the weekly world of professional wrestling.

AEW Dynamite Preview 2/11/2026

AEW Dynamite airs live tonight at 8pm ET on TBS and HBO Max from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.

  • AEW Women’s World Championship Strap Match: Kris Statlander (c) vs. Thekla
  • Kenny Omega and Swerve Strickland Face-To-Face Interview
  • TNT Championship Match: Tommaso Ciampa (c) vs. Kyle Fletcher
  • 3-Way Tag Team No. 1 Contenders Match: The Rascalz vs. Young Bucks vs. Wild Card Team TBA

AEW Collision Preview 2/7/2026

AEW Collision tonight at 8pm ET/7pm C on TNT and HBO Max

  • Parking Lot Brawl: Eddie Kingston, Ortiz & The Rascalz vs. Grizzled Young Veterans, Bryan Keith, & Big Bill
  • AEW TNT Championship: Tommaso Ciampa (c) vs. Claudio Castagnoli vs. Roderick Strong
  • #1 Contenders Match Qualifier: Young Bucks vs. GOA
  • Kevin Knight vs. Scorpio Sky
  • Kris Statlander reveals stipulation for AEW Women’s World Championship Match
  • MJF comments on AEW Dynamite loss

AEW Dynamite Moment Goes Viral For “Fk ICE” Chants Overshadows Brody King’s Defeat of MJF – Ref Suggests He Waited To Ring Bell So Chant ‘Could Resonate’ –

On most nights, Brody King pinning AEW World Champion MJF in under two minutes would dominate the conversation coming out of AEW Dynamite. Instead, Wednesday’s show in Las Vegas is being remembered far more for what happened before the opening bell than the shock result that followed.

As MJF stood in the ring awaiting the start of the match, the crowd erupted into a loud and sustained “F**k ICE” chant aimed at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The chant immediately caught attention—not only because of its volume, but because it was allowed to continue uninterrupted until referee Bryce Remsburg finally rang the bell.

It turns out that delay wasn’t accidental.

In the early hours of Thursday morning, Remsburg responded on X to a viral clip of the moment, jokingly acknowledging his role in letting the chant breathe. “It seems like the referee may have waited to ring the bell so these could resonate longer?” Remsburg wrote. “Oh no. Whoops.”

Remsburg wasn’t the only one who appeared to step back and let the moment happen. On commentary, Tony Schiavone stopped speaking as the chant broke out, with Excalibur also staying silent until it ended. Notably, AEW made no visible effort to censor the profanity, which is often muted during live broadcasts when chants cross that line.

The chant itself reflects a broader wave of political protest that has recently surfaced within the wrestling world. ICE has faced heightened criticism following the reported deaths of two citizens in Minnesota involving ICE agents last month, and several wrestling personalities have used their platforms to speak out. WWE’s Becky Lynch previously made subtle comments aimed at the agency on social media, while former NXT General Manager Ava was far more direct in her criticism over the weekend.

Brody King, whose in-ring win was ultimately overshadowed, has been one of the most outspoken critics. He previously wore an “Abolish ICE” shirt during AEW Grand Slam: Mexico City and has helped raise funds for Minnesota families affected by ICE-related actions.

While King’s lightning-fast victory over MJF will still go down as a rare and surprising result, the night’s lasting image is the crowd-driven moment that AEW chose not to silence—adding another example of how wrestling crowds, and sometimes the performers themselves, continue to blur the line between the ring and real-world issues.

AEW referee Bryce Remsburg posted a follow up after receiving lot of attention:

“Will donate ALL proceeds from Cameos until 2/13 to Lancaster Neighbor Fund, who supports immigrants right in my city of welcome. Kindness onward.”

AEW Dynamite Preview 2/4/2026

AEW Dynamite airs live tonight on TBS and HBO Max from the Pearl Concert Theater at the Psalms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.

  • AEW World Championship Eliminator Match: MJF (c) vs. Brody King
  • AEW National Championship: Ricochet (c) vs. Jungle Jack Perry
  • Kenny Omega vs. Andrade El Idolo
  • Hangman Adam Page vs. Mark Davis

Chris Jericho Expands Acting Resume With Role in Apple TV Series Starring Nicole Kidman

Chris Jericho continues to prove there’s life beyond the wrestling ring. The AEW star and former multi-time world champion is set to appear in an upcoming Apple TV series alongside Hollywood heavyweight Nicole Kidman.

According to Elle, Jericho will be featured in the new series Margo’s Got Money Troubles, marking another notable acting credit for the veteran performer. While details about Jericho’s character haven’t been officially revealed, early promotional images offer a strong hint. One preview photo shows Jericho standing in the corner of a wrestling ring behind Kidman, who is dressed in colorful pink-and-blue ring gear while leaning against the ropes — suggesting wrestling will play at least some role in the storyline.

Jericho also took to social media to hype the project, expressing his excitement about working with such a high-profile cast. He noted that filming alongside Kidman and Nick Offerman was a blast and praised the ensemble as an “all-star cast.”

Margo’s Got Money Troubles stars Elle Fanning as Margo Millet, a 20-year-old woman whose life takes a complicated turn after becoming pregnant by her junior college professor. As financial pressures mount, Margo turns to OnlyFans — with marketing help coming from her estranged father, a former professional wrestler.

Nick Offerman portrays that father, Jinx Millet, a retired wrestler navigating his own past while trying to help his daughter survive. Kidman also plays a former pro wrestler and longtime friend of Jinx, further tying the series into the wrestling world. Michelle Pfeiffer rounds out the core cast as Margo’s mother, Shyanne, a single mom with her own complicated history.

The series is scheduled to premiere on April 15 on Apple TV. The first three episodes will drop immediately, followed by weekly releases for the remaining five episodes.

Between music, wrestling, and now another major television role, Jericho continues to show why he’s one of the most versatile personalities to ever come out of the pro wrestling business.

AEW Collision Preview 1/31/2026

AEW Collision live Saturday night 1/31/2026 at 8/7C on TNT and HBO Max from Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

  • TNT Championship: Mark Briscoe (c) vs. “Psycho Killer” Tommaso Ciampa
  • AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship: Babes of Wrath (c) vs. Sisters of Sin
  • AEW International Championship: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Adam Priest
  • The Rascalz (Desmond Howard & Zachary Wentz) vs. CRU
  • Darby Allin vs. Clark Connors

Why Tommaso Ciampa Ultimately Chose to Leave WWE for AEW

Tommaso Ciampa officially turned the page on his WWE career this week, making his surprise AEW debut on Dynamite and immediately sparking conversation across the wrestling world. Now, the former NXT Champion has opened up about why he felt the time was right to walk away from WWE and start a new chapter.

Speaking with Rick Ucchino of Sports Illustrated, Ciampa made it clear that his decision wasn’t driven by one single issue, but rather a culmination of factors that became clearer as his WWE contract neared its end. According to Ciampa, those final contract discussions naturally forced him to evaluate where he fit in the current wrestling landscape.

Ciampa compared his mindset to different eras of wrestling. He explained that if he had been wrestling in the 1990s, ECW would have been his destination. In the early 2000s, Ring of Honor would have been the goal — something he was fortunate enough to experience briefly. For the 2010s, his dream was NXT’s “Black and Gold” era, where he became one of the brand’s defining figures. But when looking at the 2020s, Ciampa said the answer became obvious: AEW.

Another major factor was creative freedom, particularly surrounding his “Psycho Killer” persona. Ciampa admitted he pushed for years to fully bring that character to life in WWE, but for various reasons, it never fully materialized the way he envisioned. That changed immediately upon speaking with AEW President Tony Khan and the creative team. Ciampa said the open collaboration and willingness to trust his vision played a huge role in his decision, and he’s already thinking months — even a year — ahead in terms of evolving the character.

Ciampa also addressed long-standing online criticism suggesting that his 2018 run represented the peak of his career. He strongly disagreed, stating that he feels better physically and sharper mentally now than ever before. According to Ciampa, his storytelling, psychology, and overall performance have reached a level he hadn’t previously achieved — and AEW gives him the platform to prove it.

Finally, Ciampa touched on his respect for The Briscoes, specifically Mark Briscoe, whom he’s set to face soon. Ciampa praised Mark as the ultimate babyface, noting his natural charisma and fire. Despite not sharing a ring in over a decade, Ciampa said the chemistry was instantly there the moment they locked eyes, promising fans that their upcoming match will “tear the house down.”

Ciampa’s AEW arrival isn’t just about changing companies — it’s about betting on himself at a stage of his career where he believes his best work is still ahead. If his confidence is any indication, the “Psycho Killer” era in AEW may just be getting started.