Tag: AEW

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

AEW Dynamite Preview 1/31/2024

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite will air live on TBS from the UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, LA.

  • Jon Moxley vs. Jeff Hardy
  • Dealer’s Choice: Swerve Strickland vs. an opponent that will be chosen by Hangman Page (Samoa Joe will be on commentary)
  • Dealer’s Choice: Hangman Page vs. Toa Liona
  • Deonna Purrazzo vs. Taya Valkyrie (Toni Storm will be on commentary)
  • Chris Jericho vs. ROH World Television Champion Kyle Fletcher

AEW Collision Preview 1/27/2024

AEW Collision Live tonight on TNT at 8pm ET. Tonight’s show is being held at the Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City, Louisiana.

  • Escape The Cage Elimination Match: FTR & Daniel Garcia vs. House Of Black
  • AEW International Championship: Orange Cassidy (c) vs. Komander
  • Bryan Danielson vs. Yugi Nagata
  • Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli vs. Shayne Taylor & Lee Moriarty
  • Mariah May vs. Lady Frost
  • Proving Ground Match: Eddie Kingston vs. Willie Mack
  • Serena Deeb vs. TBA

AEW Rampage Preview 1/26/2024

Tonight’s AEW Rampage on TNT.

  • Jon Moxley vs. Lee Moriarty
  • International Championship number one contender’s match, winner faces Orange Cassidy on Collision: El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Komander vs. Kip Sabian vs. The Butcher
  • Anna Jay vs. Ruby Soho
  • Konosuke Takeshita vs. Christopher Daniels

AEW Dynamite Preview 1/24/2024

AEW Dynamite will air live tonight on TBS from the Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia.

  • AEW World Trios Championship: The Acclaimed (Max Caster and Anthony Bowens) and “Daddy Ass” Billy Gunn (c) vs. Mogul Embassy (Brian Cage, Toa Liona and Kaun)
  • Minoru Suzuki vs. Adam Copeland (Tony Khan announced on social media that this match will air commercial free)
  • Hangman Page vs. Penta El Zero Miedo
  • Jeff Hardy vs. Swerve Strickland
  • Wardlow vs Trent Beretta
  • Thunder Rosa vs. Red Velvet
  • “Timeless” Toni Storm and Deonna Purrazzo face-to-face
  • Sting and Darby Allin to speak

Seth Rollins Provides Injury Update On WWE Raw, Vows To Defend Title At WrestleMania

Monday’s episode of “WWE Raw” kicked off in a familiar way with Seth Rollins’ music and the crowd joyfully singing along, but things quickly took a somber tone, with Rollins announcing that an MRI showed that he suffered a Grade 2 MCL tear and a partially torn medial meniscus in his left knee. With surgery, that would mean a 3-4 month recovery period, which would cause Rollins to miss WrestleMania 40 — although it sounded like Rollins hadn’t committed to the doctors’ prescribed timeline as far as that goes.

Before the champion could detail his plan of action, he was interrupted by GUNTHER’s music and the WWE Intercontinental Champion hit the ring with his Imperium allies. After a promo from GUNTHER, Rollins said Imperium should have let him finish, because he “doesn’t give a damn what the doctors tell [him]” and he intends to keep his promise to take the title into WrestleMania, and do everything in his power to walk out with it. GUNTHER made it clear that he plans on winning the Royal Rumble and announced his intentions to choose Rollins as the titleholder that he would then go after.

The news was not a total surprise, as Rollins’ injury during last week’s title defense against Jinder Mahal was spotted in real time, with his legs taking more of the impact on a moonsault than he would have liked. Word got around soon after that it was indeed a legitimate injury, and we awaited word from the man himself tonight to see where things would go. As of this writing, whether WWE actually keeps the World Heavyweight Championship around Rollins’ waist in hopes that he’ll be back in time for the Showcase of the Immortals remains to be seen.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Collision Preview 1/20/2024

Tonight’s AEW Collision Live on TNT from the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, MO.

  • Adam Copeland Open Challenge
  • Claudio Castagnoli and Bryan Danielson vs. Eddie Kingston and Ortiz
  • Buddy Matthews vs. Daniel Garcia
  • Jon Moxley vs. Shane Taylor
  • Thunder Rosa in action