Tag: AEW

Report – KENTA vs. CM Punk Being Discussed For AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door II

KENTA has reportedly been discussed for the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door II pay-per-view event, which takes place on June 25, 2023, at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

According to a report from Fightful Select, the “working plan” is for KENTA to work the show. In recent interviews, the former Hideo Itami in WWE has stated that he’d be open to working the show “if the money is right.”

As of this writing, there is no word on whether a deal to have KENTA appear on the pay-per-view event has been finalized. With that being said, both AEW and NJPW are working under the assumption that he’ll be wrestling on the show.

Finally, it is said that CM Punk may be his potential opponent. Of course, KENTA and CM Punk have been involved in a long online feud over Punk using KENTA’s finishing maneuver.

Source: eWn

AEW’s Bullet Club Gold Getting New Members ‘Imminently’

Fightful Select is reporting that Bullet Club Gold is set to get at least one new member imminently, though there’s no confirmation on who it may be. Former AEW World Champion CM Punk might be heading for a feud with the group after he returns to AEW programming for the debut episode of “Collision.”

The main event for the June 17 premiere of “Collision” is CM Punk and FTR versus Jay White, Juice Robinson, and Samoa Joe, but Fightful was unable to confirm whether or not Joe is or was planned to be a permanent addition to Bullet Club Gold. 

Back in Japan, Bullet Club “proper” recently made a number of additions at the recent NJPW Dominion event. United Empire’s Dan Moloney and former Young Lion Clark Connors both joined the David Finlay-led Bullet Club. Former Bullet Club member Tama Tonga is currently working in NJPW without a contract. With the previously expelled White wearing Bullet Club colors in AEW, former members like Tonga or the recently-expelled El Phantasmo are also possibilities.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Dynamite Preview 6/7/2023

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite from the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs, CO. at 8/7c on TBS.

Texas Tornado Tag Team Match: JungleHOOK (“Jungle Boy” Jack Perry & HOOK) vs. Dralistico & Preston Vance

  • AEW International Championship Match: Orange Cassidy (c) vs. Swerve Strickland
  • TBS Championship Open Challenge Match: Kris Statlander vs. Anna Jay A.S.
  • Ricky Starks vs. Jay White (FTR & Juice Robinson are banned from ringside)
  • Blackpool Combat Club (Wheeler Yuta, Jon Moxley, and Claudio Castagnoli) vs. CHAOS (Rocky Romero, Trent Beretta, and Chuck Taylor)
  • We’ll hear from AEW World Champion MJF
  • Tony Khan to announce main event for the debut episode of Collision

AEW Rampage Preview 6/2/2023

Tonight’s AEW Rampage on TNT at 10/9C.

  • AAA Mega Championship: El Hijo del Vikingo (c) vs. Komander vs. Dralistico
  • NJPW Strong Women’s Championship: Willow Nightingale (c) vs. Emi Sakura
  • NJPW TV Championship: Zack Sabre Jr (c) vs. Action Andretti
  • ROH Pure Championship: Katsuyori Shibata (c) vs. Lee Moriarty
https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1664602764813676546

Tay Melo Addresses In-Ring Future After Announcing Pregnancy

Tay Melo has assured fans that her in-ring career isn’t over despite her recently-announced pregnancy.

It was during AEW Double or Nothing 2023 that Melo and her husband Sammy Guevara announced that they are expecting their first child.

Despite several examples of wrestling moms, some have speculated that becoming a parent will end Melo’s in-ring career.

Taking to her Instagram Story, Melo refuted the idea that her in-ring career is over. She said,

“Definitely not, I don’t understand why everybody thinks my career’s gonna be over because I’m gonna have a kid. I’m gonna be out the same amount as someone that has like an ACL injury or surgery. I don’t understand. But, well, it’s not over, I’m coming back as soon as I can.”

Tay was later asked how she feels about putting her wrestling career on hold for the time being. She said,

“I don’t feel bad at all. Being a mom was always a dream of mine and I think it’s the perfect timing. And I feel like it’s gonna motivate me so much more to come back better and stronger. Imagine, just imagine with me, having a little one cheering for you in the crowd and you [turning to Sammy Guevara] holding a belt?”

Source: eWn

ROH TV Preview 6/1/2023

ROH will air a new episode of its weekly television show tonight at 7 pm ET on HonorClub. 

You can sign up for the streaming service here. Below is the lineup for the show: 

  • NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. (c) vs. Rocky Romero
  • ROH Pure Championship: Katsuyori Shibata (c) vs. Alex Coughlin
  • ROH Women’s World Championship: Athena (c) vs. Kiera Hogan
  • Kip Sabian & The Butcher And The Blade (The Blade & The Butcher) (w/ Penelope Ford) vs. Bryce Saturn, Jakob Austin Young & Shogun Jones
  • The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) (w/ Maria Kanellis-Bennett) vs. The Infantry (Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean)
  • Brian Cage vs. Willie Mack
  • Bandido, El Hijo del Vikingo & Komander vs. Spanish Announce Project (Angelico & Serpentico) & Jack Cartwheel (w /Luther)
  • Action Andretti & Darius Martin vs. The WorkHorsemen (Anthony Henry & JD Drake
  • Skye Blue vs. Trish Adora
  • Diamante vs. Promise Braxton
  • Stu Grayson & The Righteous (Dutch & Vincent) vs. The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds, Evil Uno & John Silver)

Fans Who Pre-Order AEW Fight Forever Will Be Able To Play More Than One Matt Hardy

“AEW Fight Forever” will be available to play on all major consoles come June 29, 2023. However, fans who pre-order the game will be able to play as Matt Hardy for free when it’s released later this month.

Furthermore, AEW Games has released a trailer for “Fight Forever” to promote Hardy’s inclusion. The teaser features the veteran wrestler as his “Broken” and Hardy Boyz personas, both of whom will be included as playable characters in the game. Both iterations of the wrestling veteran even sit down to play the game in the trailer.

https://twitter.com/AEWGames/status/1664255668025425928

It’s worth noting that the trailer states pre-ordering the game is the only way to get Hardy added for free. However, it remains unclear if he’ll be available as a downloadable character at a later date. Of course, it’s been speculated that some top AEW stars will be left out of the upcoming release. FTR was reportedly dropped from “Fight Forever” last year, but they’re expected to feature as DLCs down the line. Jake Hager, Isiah Kassidy, Jeff Hardy, and The Acclaimed may also have missed the first cut, but the full roster is expected to be confirmed very soon.

The good news, though, is that Eddie Kingston and the Young Bucks have been confirmed for “Fight Forever.” They join a list of names that includes Chris Jericho, Britt Baker, MJF, Kris Statlander, and many more. Interestingly, Cody Rhodes is also expected to be part of the game, despite leaving AEW to join WWE last year.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Tony Khan Confirms CM Punk Return For AEW Collision Debut

Tony Khan took to the TBS airwaves during Wednesday night’s “Dynamite” to announce that former AEW World Champion CM Punk will indeed be featured on the “Collision” debut on June 17 at the United Center in Punk’s hometown of Chicago, Illinois. The announcement was met with a mix of cheers and boos from the live crowd in San Diego, California.

Tony Khan Confirms CM Punk Return For AEW Collision Debut
Vivien Killilea/Getty Images
BY ROSS W BERMAN IV/UPDATED: MAY 31, 2023 9:19 PM EST
With “AEW Collision” on the horizon, one question has lingered in the minds of AEW fans, when will CM Punk return to the company?

Tony Khan took to the TBS airwaves during Wednesday night’s “Dynamite” to announce that the former AEW World Champion will be featured on the “Collision” debut on June 17 at the United Center in Punk’s hometown of Chicago, Illinois. The announcement was met with a mix of cheers and boos from the live crowd in San Diego, California.

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Wrestling’s Secret Signals Explained (And Why This One’s Alarming)
Punk had long been rumored as returning to the company, with his difficulties with some members of the locker room creating the necessity for “Collision” and what is rumored to be a roster split for AEW. Khan had been tight-lipped about Punk’s possible return, even as he continued to tout the “Collision” premiere. The announcement that the show would take place in Chicago’s United Center, the location of Punk’s AEW debut, further fed the speculation that Punk would be returning to action.

“AEW Collision” will air on Saturday nights at 8 PM ET on TNT and run two hours, making it the second major show for AEW behind its flagship program “Dynamite.”

Punk has not been on AEW programming since his infamous tirade after AEW All Out in September of last year that led to a backstage brawl between Punk, Kenny Omega, Matt and Nick Jackson, Punk’s friend and trainer Ace Steel, members of the AEW talent relations staff, and Punk’s dog Larry. Omega recently downplayed rumors of animosity, seemingly making light of the situation during his feud with the Blackpool Combat Club. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Dynamite Preview 5/31/2023

AEW Dynamite will air live tonight on TBS and emanate from the Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl San Diego State University in San Diego, CA.

  • Fallout from Double or Nothing
  • AEW CEO, President and General Manager Tony Khan is scheduled to make an announcement about the debut of Collision.
  • Adam Cole and Britt Baker vs. Chris Jericho and Saraya
  • Promo segment with Don Callis and Konosuke Takeshita
  • The return of TBS Women’s Champion Kris Statlander to Dynamite

AEW Star Matt Jackson Provides Update On Bicep Injury, Explains Not Choosing Surgery

This past Sunday saw Matt Jackson of the Young Bucks compete in an Anarchy in the Arena match, pitting The Elite against the Blackpool Combat Club at AEW’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view. It was Jackson’s first match back since partially tearing his bicep in a trios’ title match back in March, with the AEW star confirming (via Instagram) that his arm has fully healed, and in far less time than initially anticipated.

“I got hurt about 10 weeks ago, literally on day one of the beginning of a very important story that we started,” Jackson wrote. “I was told there was a good chance I wouldn’t be cleared to perform again for 6-7 months after surgery. … I opted not to do surgery, but rather try other therapeutic options that’d get me back quicker.” Though he said he doubted the decision at points, Jackson chose physical therapy and other techniques rather than surgery. In the end, he was able to return quicker, and the AEW star says that his arm feels great in the aftermath of the highly-physical match.

The former AEW World Tag Team Champion continued to play a prominent part on AEW television despite his injury, furthering the storyline between The Elite and their BCC rivals on a regular basis. Last month, an update on Jackson’s injury cited stem cell procedures and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy as two of the reasons for the AEW star’s quick recovery progress.

“A few days removed from my first match back, my arm is great,” Jackson continued. “My strength is completely back [and] I couldn’t be happier. Everything else on my body, including my foot? Not so much.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.