Tag: AEW

Mercedes Mone Reportedly Under Contract To AEW, Will Debut At ‘Big Business’ In Boston

Tony Khan’s latest big announcement officially branded the upcoming March 13 episode of “AEW Dynamite” as “Big Business,” following up on a tweet from the official TD Garden account earlier today. According to Fightful Select (and as anyone with a shrewd eye may have gleaned from the graphic), this special episode will feature the AEW debut of Mercedes Mone.

The report, from both Fightful and Andrew Zarian of “Mat Men Radio,” specified that Mone, formerly Sasha Banks in WWE, has been under contract with AEW since “at least early January,” and though other debut dates had been considered, Wednesday’s announcement in conjunction with the debut in Mone’s hometown of Boston has been finalized for weeks.

From a contract perspective, it was previously reported by Fightful that WWE confirmed talks in late December with the former Women’s Triple Crown and Grand Slam Champion ,but that they weren’t able to come to terms. Prior to that, Mone appeared on screen in the crowd at AEW All In in August, leading to speculation that she might debut for the company soon after, but nothing materialized there, either.

Khan called the event “one of the most important nights ever in AEW and a night that the entire pro wrestling industry will remember,” before a graphic promoting the event adorned the screen. On the lower left hand side, underneath the TD Garden logo, the word “BO$$TON” (dollar signs and all) was right there for all the world to see, making this very much “announcing a debut without actually announcing a debut” as Khan and AEW have so memorably done before.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Sting And Darby Allin Win AEW World Tag Team Championship On Dynamite

Sting will seemingly retire in All Elite Wrestling a champion, though Matthew and Nicholas Jackson did their best to take out “The Icon” following his win with Darbin Allin on Wednesday’s episode of “AEW Dynamite.”

Sting and Allin, an undefeated team, faced off against Big Bill and Ricky Starks for the titles in the main event. The match was billed as a tornado tag and saw both teams immediately go to the outside, with Sting waiting to hit a drop on their opponents from a set of steps high above the actual ring ropes. Bill and Starks regained control, however, and sent both Sting and Allin out of the ring. 

Sting battled back in the match after Big Bill had the legend wrapped up in the ropes. Starks attempted to hit “The Icon” with his own Scorpion Death Drop, though Sting was able to kick out with the help of Allin. Allin hit a Coffin Drop to Big Bill, and Sting was able to get Starks into a Scorpion Death Lock for the win. Following the match, Matt and Nick (now going by their “government” names of Matthew and Nicholas Jackson) beat down the duo of Sting and Allin, foreshadowing what is widely expected to be their match at AEW Revolution — a match which, presumably, will now be for the tag titles. The Bucks also took out Sting’s sons who was in the ring to celebrate with their father. It will also be the final match of Sting’s career, as he announced back in October.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Dynamite Preview 2/7/2024

AEW Dynamite will air live tonight on TBS from the Footrpint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

  • Tony Khan will make a big announcement
  • AEW Tag Team Championship – Tornado Tag: Ricky Starks and Big Bill (c) vs. Sting and Darby Allin
  • Konosuke Takeshita vs. Chris Jericho
  • Swerve Strickland vs. Hangman Adam Page. The winner will receive an AEW World Title opportunity at Revolution on March 3.
  • Blackpool Combat Club’s Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli and Bryan Danielson vs. CMLL stars Mascara Dorada, Hechicero, and Volador Jr.
  • AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator Match: Toni Storm (c) vs. Red Velvet. Deonna Purrazzo will be on commentary

AEW’s Chris Jericho Set To Star In New Psychological Thriller “Self Storage”

According to a new report from Variety, AEW star Chris Jericho is teaming up with author and filmmaker Jay Bonansinga for a new psychological thriller “Self Storage.” Jericho will also have a key supporting role in the film.

Variety also notes the film is based on Bonansinga’s 2016 novel with the same name.

Per the report, the synopsis of the film will center around a heroin-addicted father and his son who accidentally lock themselves inside a self-storage unit. Surviving will depend on a battle with demons both real and manufactured by drug withdrawal.

The lead character named John Fitzgerald is scheduled to be played by Lew Temple (“The Walking Dead,” “The Devil’s Rejects”). Bonansinga, who previously directed the short “City of Men” (1988) and feature “Stash” (2007), will direct from his own script.

“Self Storage” will be executive produced by Jericho’s Babyface Assassin Productions and alongside Bonansinga, Jeff Siegel for Delirium Tremens, and Jason Cherubini for Dawn’s Light.

Source: WrestleView

AEW Collision Preview 2/3/2024

Tonight’s AEW Collision live on TNT from the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg, TX

  • Bryan Danielson vs. Hechicero
  • Proving Ground Match: Eddie Kingston vs. Bryan Keith

AEW Rampage Preview 2/2/2024

Tonight’s AEW Rampage on TNT.

  • AEW Tag Team Champions Ricky Starks & Big Bill vs. Dark Order (John Silver & Alex Reynolds) in a non-title match
  • Willow Nightingale vs. Queen Aminata
  • Mistico, Volador Jr, Mascara Dorada & Hechicero vs. Matt Menard, Angelo Parker, Matt Sydal & Christopher Daniels
  • Orange Cassidy & Best Friends promo
  • Private Party (Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy) vs. Top Flight (Darius & Dante Martin)

AEW Schedule Reportedly Changed Due To Upcoming Sporting Event

Since its launch in August 2021, “AEW Rampage” has often been taped immediately following “AEW Dynamite” on Wednesday nights, with a few live episodes occurring on Fridays. During that time, not once have “Dynamite” and “Rampage” ever aired live, back to back, something that appears likely to change this March.

Taking to X Thursday morning, Andrew Zarian reported that “Dynamite” and “Rampage” will each air live on March 20. This is due to the upcoming “March Madness” NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, which will begin on March 19, and will be aired across CBS and Warner Brother Discovery networks TNT, TBS, and truTV, including games that Friday on March 22, “Rampage’s” usual timeslot.

https://twitter.com/AndrewZarian/status/1753062420665258364

While this is not the first time “Rampage” has been pre-empted due to sports coverage, it will be the first time it has caused the show to air on another night. Previous pre-emptions had seen “Rampage” move timeslots to earlier on Friday, including several times last year when the NHL playoffs aired on TNT. At this time, it remains unclear whether March 20 will be the only time “Rampage” will change days, or if it will do so again a week later, as the NCAA Tournament reaches the Sweet Sixteen.

The March 20 “Rampage” will be part of AEW’s second tour of Canada, with both “Dynamite” and “Rampage” taking place in the Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto. The Canadian tour is only part of what promises to be a big March for the promotion, which kicks off the month with AEW Revolution on March 3 in Greensboro, North Carolina, a show that will feature the final match in the legendary career of Sting.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW’s Jim Ross Announces He’s Undergone Successful Cancer Surgery

AEW commentator Jim Ross has disclosed that he has successfully undergone cancer surgery on his right hip and thanked everyone for their support.

The WWE Hall of Famer announced on X that the procedure went well.

“Had cancer surgery this morning on my right hip. All went well. Thanks for all your love & support! 🤠💕”

The legendary pro wrestling commentator has had to deal with a few health issues over the last few years. He was previously successfully treated for skin cancer back in 2021, while he suffered a bad fall last year, which gave him a black eye. Ross has also had to deal with a spike in his blood sugar levels and a leg wound which troubled him, especially when traveling. The AEW commentator stepped away from commentary duties last November but made a brief return when the promotion visited Oklahoma. He made his return to the commentary booth on the December 20 edition of “Dynamite,” calling the main event match between Jon Moxley and Jay White. 

In a recent episode of his podcast, he promised to keep fighting and get past the health issues that he has been facing lately. Ross, who joined AEW in 2019, was initially a part of the “AEW Dynamite” commentary team and later joined the “AEW Collision” broadcast team. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

The Official AEW Rankings For January Released

All Elite Wrestling released the official rankings for January following Wednesday night’s episode of AEW Dynamite.

You can check out the updated AEW rankings below:

MEN’S DIVISION:

World Champion: Samoa Joe
TNT Champion: Christian Cage
1. Swerve Strickland
2. Hangman Adam Page
3. Adam Copeland
4. Jon Moxley
5. Roderick Strong

WOMEN’S DIVISION:

Women’s World Champion: Toni Storm
TBS Champion: Julia Hart
1. Deonna Purrazzo
2. Thunder Rosa
3. Hikaru Shida
4. Skye Blue
5. Mariah May

TAG TEAM DIVISION:

World Tag Team Champions: Ricky Starks & Big Bill
1. Sting & Darby Allin
2. John Silver & Alex Reynolds
3. Bryan Danielson & Claudio Castagnoli
4. Private Party
5. Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta

TRIOS DIVISION:

World Trios Champions: The Acclaimed & “Daddy Ass” Billy Gunn
1. Bullet Club Gold
2. The Hardys & Mark Briscoe
3. Dark Order
4. FTR & Daniel Garcia
5. House of Black

Backstage Update – Kazuchika Okada In Talks With WWE, AEW Confident About Signing Him

Kazuchika Okada’s contract with NJPW expired at midnight Japan Standard Time, making him a free agent.

Pro Wrestling Tees announced that Okada’s shirts will be pulled from the site, which caused fans to speculate about the future of the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.

Fightful is reporting that Pro Wrestling Tees pulling Okada’s merchandise is connected to the expiration of his NJPW contract.

Additionally, while Okada was still technically under contract with NJPW, the Bushiroad promotion was said to be “very understanding” with the 36-year-old wrestler negotiating with other companies since he made it clear he won’t be re-signing. Things are reportedly amicable between both sides.

There have been talks between WWE and Okada. According to certain WWE talents, Okada has spoken to roster members to gauge his potential offers, learn more about WWE’s approach, and help decide his future.

It is to be noted that WWE has not put any creative plans in place for Okada, and no pitches have been made in this regard.

AEW has been fairly confident about signing Okada. In fact, Tony Khan was so confident that AEW put tentative plans together for Okada’s potential debut. AEW has reportedly made a “substantial offer” to Okada.

Barry Bloom is representing Okada and acting as his agent.

Despite the expiration of his NJPW contract, Okada still has some New Japan dates he will be finishing up next month including a final match with Hiroshi Tanahashi scheduled for NJPW’s The New Beginning in Osaka on February 11.

Source: eWn