SEScoops

Category: AEW

  • Mark Henry On Transitioning From WWE To AEW

    Mark Henry On Transitioning From WWE To AEW

    Mark Henry spent the majority of his wrestling career in WWE. He made his pro wrestling debut at the age of 24 for the brand then known as WWF. He went on to have a Hall Of Fame worthy career with the promotion. Henry only left the company last year, when he made his debut for AEW. Though according to the former world champion, this transition was not very hard for him because the crowds are the same everywhere.

    The World’s Strongest Man recently had an interview with The Hot FM’s Danny Ocean. He was asked if the transition from WWE to AEW was a big one. Replying to it, the former WWE star claimed that the companies change but the love for professional wrestling remains the same:

    “Not at all. The crowd is the crowd. The fans are the fans. The product is the product, the names change, the companies change, but the love for professional wrestling supersedes the company name.” said Mark Henry, “It just so happens that Tony Khan and the AEW brand, we want to do well by the fans.

    We want to do well by the crowds. We want them to have input. We want to please them” continued Henry, “Because ultimately they are the ones buying the tickets.  When you go to a nice restaurant, and you walk in, you don’t just wait for somebody to come up and say, ‘Hey, here you go. This is what you get.’ You want, what you want. And we try to give that.”

    Mark Henry currently works as a commentator and coach for AEW. Though he has been vocal about wanting a retirement match in the promotion. It would be interesting to see when exactly does that match take place.

    If you use any quotes from the article please credit SEScoops with an H/t for transcription

    Mark Henry: Tony Khan Got A ‘Raw Deal’ In Diversity Discussion
  • ECW Legend: I Think Brody King Will Do Well In AEW

    ECW Legend: I Think Brody King Will Do Well In AEW

    One ECW legend feels that Brody King can have success in AEW.

    It had been speculated that Brody would eventually make his way to AEW. After all, Brody is Malakai’s tag team partner in PWG, where the two hold tag team gold. Back in December, Cassidy Haynes of Bodyslam.net reported that Brody had signed with AEW.

    It all came to fruition on the Jan. 12 episode of AEW Dynamite. Brody made his AEW debut, attacking Penta El Zero Miedo and The Varsity Blondes on behalf of Malakai Black.

    https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1481452869626826752

    Tommy Dreamer Vouches For Brody King

    Taking to the Busted Open Radio show, Tommy Dreamer expressed his belief that Brody King will fit right in with the AEW roster.

    “Of course, big fan of Brody. We’ve had him on the show. Big fan of him personally. I think he will do well in AEW. He looks like he’s gotten himself in even better shape.

    “I know he used to be kinda heavy then he got super leaned out, now it looks like he’s filling out. You heard the reaction. The place knows who he is, the place reacted.

    “One of the better reactions for the crowd in Raleigh last night. But I liked it, I like him coming there.

    “I don’t know if [Malakai] Black needed anybody to help him or kinda can — I always look at when you bring somebody into a company it’s because they just need a change and I don’t think [Malakai] Black needed a change yet but it’ll be interesting to see what devastation these guys can do.”

    Time will tell if Brody and Malakai eventually set their sights on the AEW World Tag Team Championships. For now, it seems they’re content wreaking havoc on The Varsity Blondes.

    Please H/T SEScoops with a link if you use any quotes from this article

  • John Cena Doesn’t Watch AEW, Happy To See Competition

    John Cena Doesn’t Watch AEW, Happy To See Competition

    John Cena may not take the time to watch AEW but he does realize the importance of competition.

    Many consider Cena to be a WWE mainstay. While Cena has transitioned into the world of Hollywood, he’ll still attend a WWE event whenever he’s free to do so. “The Doctor of Thuganomics” knows that AEW exists and feels it benefits everyone in the wrestling industry.

    John Cena On AEW & Competition

    John Cena made an appearance on Barstool Sports’ Pardon My Take podcast and he revealed that he hasn’t been watching AEW TV (h/t Comicbook.com).

    “I haven’t watched AEW.”

    With that said, he explained why AEW’s existence is a good thing for WWE or any other promotion.

    “Competition brings out the best in us. For all time, going out there as a performer, I wanted to do the best I could possibly do and set the tone for wanting to be the best show between Raw and SmackDown and certainly have eyes on the segments I was on. I was fueled by a sense of internal competition. Not knowing what it’s like now to be in a market with a lot of different options, there are a lot of places to watch sports entertainment. That would only, for me, fuel me even more to be the best I can be.”

    There was a time when WWE had its NXT brand go head-to-head with AEW Dynamite. AEW consistently had better ratings so WWE moved NXT to a different night and gutted HHH’s vision of the brand.

    WWE is well-established and has been around for decades. It is still successful today. The company brings in a lot of money thanks to deals with the likes of FOX, USA Network, and Saudi Arabia.

    Still, it’s good for wrestlers in the United States to know that WWE isn’t the only company. AEW’s existence also benefits top wrestlers who want to test free agency. Now, popular stars nearing the end of their contracts in either promotion can potentially start a bidding war.

  • AEW Wrestlers Worried About Their Spots According To Cary Silkin

    AEW Wrestlers Worried About Their Spots According To Cary Silkin

    Former Ring of Honor owner Cary Silkin recently visited backstage in AEW and spoke about the experience in an interview with Wrestling Inc. During the discussion, Silken said that some AEW roster members are worried about their spots. This is due to the influx of new wrestlers the company has signed recently.

    “There are so many guys there, so many guys. I am not going to bring up any names, but there were guys that were flown in to do nothing,” Silkin said. “It was a very good vibe. But since I’ve been around the back for 20 years, wrestlers are always unconfident, worried about their spot. I could feel that going on. Certainly not with a Bryan Danielson or Hangman Page, but there’s just a lot of people there.”

    Silken also spoke about the Ring of Honor roster now being free agents. ROH announced late last year that they would not be moving forward with exclusive contracts beginning in 2022. The promotion has announced a return to live events beginning in April, however.

    “I don’t know where all those people are going to land,” Silkin said of the ROH roster. “There’s just so much good talent. If we talk ROH for a second; [Matt] Taven, Dalton Castle, obviously The Briscoes, there are just so many names, Vincent, that have been working on their characters, Shane Taylor. These are solid people that if you or I were running a show, I think we’d want to have them.”

    So far, former ROH roster members Jay Lethal and Brody King have signed with AEW. The OGK, Matt Taven and Mike Bennett, have appeared in both Impact and the NWA. They were amongst a continent of ROH wrestlers who invaded Impact’s Hard to Kill PPV recently. The Briscoes are performing frequently with GCW as well.

    The full interview with Cary Silken can be listened to below:

  • Watch: Brody King Debuts on AEW Dynamite, Aligns With Malakai Black

    Watch: Brody King Debuts on AEW Dynamite, Aligns With Malakai Black

    Brody King is officially in AEW and he’s all in on the House of Black.

    For weeks, Malakai Black had been teasing bringing in a partner and many speculated it would be Brody. After all, the two are the current PWG Tag Team Champions. Together, they are known as Kings of the Black Throne.

    Brody King appeared and attacked Penta El Zero Miedo and The Varsity Blondes on behalf of Malakai Black on the January 12th episode of AEW Dynamite.

    The appearance confirms the report from Cassidy Haynes of Bodyslam.net back in December.

    King had been working for ROH before the company announced its hiatus. He had also been appearing on NJPW Strong.

    Brody King is officially signed with All Elite Wrestling. He’s declared, “THE WAR HAS BEGUN.”

  • VIDEO: Lance Archer Returns To AEW TV, Obliterates Hangman Page

    VIDEO: Lance Archer Returns To AEW TV, Obliterates Hangman Page

    Lance Archer is back and he just showed Hangman Page that “EVERYBODY DIES!”

    AEW World Heavyweight Champion Hangman Page made his way out to address fans when heel manager Lambert decided to spoil the party. Dan bashed Hangman and questioned his cowboy gimmick.

    Lance Archer Dismantles Hangman Page

    Lambert was interrupted by Lance Archer, who hadn’t been seen since October when he landed awkwardly on his head off a moonsault. It was a scary-looking mishap but Archer is healthy and back in the game.

    If you’ll recall, Archer had been feuding with Lambert and The Men of The Year before he suffered the injury. On the Jan. 12 episode of Dynamite, Archer sent Hangman Page crashing through a chair instead of Lambert.

  • AEW Extends Tony Schiavone’s Contract To 2024

    AEW Extends Tony Schiavone’s Contract To 2024

    AEW has extended Tony Schiavone’s contract. The promotion picked up an option to extend the deal by 2-years after it was originally set to expire this year. He is now under contract with the promotion until mid-2024. Schiavone originally signed with the company in August of 2019. He revealed the news on a recent episode of his “What Happened When” podcast.

    In addition to providing commentary on AEW broadcasts, Schiavone also co-hosts the AEW Unrestricted podcast with Aubrey Edwards. Schiavone also frequently hosts “Road to” and “Control Center” videos on AEW’s YouTube channel.

    Someone else who is likely happy that Schiavone is committed to AEW for the next 3.5 years is AEW Women’s World Champion, Britt Baker. Baker recently appear on the “In The Kliq” podcast and spoke about how important Schiavone has been to her success.

    “I will never be able to thank him for how much he’s helped me in all aspects of my life. He’s one of my best friends,” Baker said of Schiavone. 

    “Anytime there’s anything going on, good, bad, you know, he’s one of the first I call, first I talk to when I’m excited or to vent about [something] but just how he helped me, especially early on with those promos.”

    Britt Baker On How Important Tony Schiavone Has Been To Her Success

  • WWE Reportedly Interested In AEW Star Wardlow

    WWE Reportedly Interested In AEW Star Wardlow

    Wardlow’s winning streak will be put to the test tonight on AEW Dynamite. The big man will take on CM Punk, as a service to his employer, MJF.

    According to WrestleVotes, Wardlow has caught the attention of WWE officials. The company is interested in signing him away from AEW, if and when he becomes a free agent.

    “With his biggest match to date happening later tonight, I can confirm, without hesitation, that WWE will be extremely interested in luring Wardlow away from AEW when his contract is due. There are several people within World Wrestling Entertainment that LOVE his potential,” WrestleVotes Tweeted.

    Mr. Mayhem’s storyline employer, Maxwell Jacob Friedman, is also on WWE’s radar. Andrew Zarian of the Mat Men podcast recently said executives at both Fox and USA were interested in WWE signing MJF.

    ”It almost worked the corporate side of stuff on USA and even Fox,” said Zarian of MJF mentioning a bidding war for him in 2024. “It perked their ears like ‘hey, this guy is really good. Is his contract ending in 2024? Is that true? There have been conversations and I know WWE is very interested in him.”

    Wardlow’s Alliance with MJF Won’t Last Forever

    Wardlow is the hired gun of MJF, in AEW storylines. Over the past several months, AEW has teased that Wardlow is getting fed up with MJF and may break off on his own at some point.

    During a recent appearance on Busted Open, Wardlow said his agreement with MJF won’t last forever.

    “MJF and I, we strictly have a business relationship,” said Wardlow. “That’s all it’s ever been, that’s all it ever will be. 

    “He pays me to make sure his jaw isn’t wired shut and thus far, his win record and the fact that he’s still talking his sh*t every week I think I’ve done pretty well at my job. However, that contract isn’t forever and the way he treats people, we’ll see what the future holds with that.”

    Do you think Wardlow is a better fit for AEW or WWE? Let us know in the comments.

    Wardlow: My Contract With MJF Won’t Last Forever
  • CM Punk Blasts Autograph Hounds

    CM Punk Blasts Autograph Hounds

    CM Punk has once again blasted the people who chase celebrities for autographs in airports during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

    The AEW star shared his frustrations with such people in a tweet telling them that they need to stop frequenting airports to get things signed.

    This tweet prompted a fan to post a GIF of CM Punk during his AEW debut in Chicago last year where he is seen jumping into the crowd.

    The straight edge star responded to this tweet as well. He explained that the audience at the show had to show proof of vaccination to get entry into the arena:

    “Sure is me, you c–t. At a show. Post vax, pre omicron, had to show proof of vax to gain entrance. NOT STALKING ANYONE AT AN AIRPORT OR A HOTEL. How stupid are you?”

    This isn’t the first time CM Punk has targeted the fans for this type of behaviour in public places. He previously called out the autograph chasers during his infamous 2011 pipebobm promo.

    He said “At five in the morning at the airport, you try to shove it in my face so you can get an autograph and try to sell it on eBay because you’re too lazy to go get a real job.”

    Punk is scheduled to face Wardlow in a one-on-one match during this Wednesday’s episode of Dynamite from the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC.

    Bully Ray Thinks MJF Legitimately Pissed CM Punk Off
  • Chris Jericho’s ‘Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager At Sea’ Postponed Until 2023

    Chris Jericho’s ‘Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager At Sea’ Postponed Until 2023

    The fourth voyage for Chris Jericho’s Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager At Sea will have to wait another year.

    In a statement released on Tuesday, it was revealed that the March 2022 cruise has been pushed back until 2023. Among the factors listed as rationale for the decision were a quick turnaround time from the cruise that just took place in October, as well as the continued spread of Covid-19 and the state of the world currently.

    The fourth cruise is now scheduled for February 2nd through February 6th, 2023. The official statement on the cruise postponement reads as follows:

    “Chris Jericho’s Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea is an incredibly special event and that is because of our amazing cruisers!” the statement read. “Since announcing the event during the Triple Whammy in late October 2021 and gearing up to set sail in March 2022, we’ve heard overwhelming feedback from the Rager at Sea family. Members of this awesome community would love to attend but are unable to due to the current environment and the quick turnaround between cruises.

    “After compiling feedback and researching the options, we have made the decision to postpone the Four Leaf Clover to 2023. The Four Leaf Clover will now sail February 2-6, 2023 aboard Norwegian Pearl from Miami, Florida to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. We’ll spend the day on our very own private island (a new destination for the Rager at Sea!) where the beach is steps away, the food is free, and any purchased drink packages will be honored!”

    Of course, numerous wrestling stars have been part of Jericho’s cruise in the past. The second cruise in January 2020 featured a taping of AEW Dynamite on the ship itself. Reviews among fans and attendees of the previous Jericho cruises have generally been very positive.

    Check out the Top Rope Nation wrestling podcast for your weekly dose of pro wrestling talk featuring interviews, analysis and exclusive news: Apple – Spotify – YouTube.

    Update on AJ Styles and His Future with WWE
  • Dustin Rhodes Wants To See More Women’s Matches On Dynamite and Rampage

    Dustin Rhodes Wants To See More Women’s Matches On Dynamite and Rampage

    Dustin Rhodes plays an important role backstage working as a coach with AEW’s women’s division. He recently sat down with Renee Paquette on “Throwing Down” and spoke about wanting to help the division get to a point where they are having multiple matches each episode of Dynamite and Rampage.

    “I want to get them to where they have two matches on Dynamite or Rampage,” Rhodes said. “It’s not fair, but we’re getting there and making leaps and bounds. The female talent coming in are very athletic and in some cases they are just as good, if not better, than some of the guys, and that’s awesome.”

    “I want them to get to the level that all the guys are at,” Rhodes continued. “They deserve that. Sometimes, it’s not fair that they don’t get those chances and now they are starting to get those chances.”

    “They are not there yet, but they’re getting there, and they want it now. When I teach them how to do something and they do it and you see this smile on their face, that’s the payoff for me,” Rhodes said.

    On last week’s edition of AEW Dynamite, the TBS tournament final match between Ruby Soho and Jade Cargill was the highest rated segment. It beat out even the AEW World Championship match between Hangman Page and Bryan Danielson.

    Cargill defeated Soho to win the inaugural TBS Championship. She is still undefeated in her AEW career. This week on AEW Dynamite, the scheduled match in the women’s division sees Hikaru Shida take on Serena Deeb. Shida leads the head-to-head series between the two 2-1.

    H/T to Fightful for the above transcriptions.

  • Cody Rhodes Touts Tully Blanchard For His Professionalism

    Cody Rhodes Touts Tully Blanchard For His Professionalism

    Tony Khan has said that the #1 thing he looks for in any talent while hiring is professionalism and Tully Blanchard is a great example of the same. The wrestling veteran has been in the industry for more than four decades.

    If he wants, he can sit back & relax and let others do the work for him. However, he has the old-school mentality of helping wherever he can. Even at 67 years old, he actively makes sure that his presentation on the AEW programming is unique.

    Cody Rhodes recently had an interview with Barstool Wrestling. Talking about the wrestling legend, Cody gave an example to prove how professional he is:

    “You wanna know how professional Tully is? Tully puts on his really cool sequined outfits or whatever he’s got that week and he’ll come into my office or he’ll check in with MJF. He’ll check in with others. He’ll say ‘hey, are you wearing something similar in terms of suit.’ Cause we do have a similar suit game.

    This is a guy who has no reason to be checking in with us. That’s our job. Tully can wear whatever he wants. But he is such as good wrestler. That’s such an old-school thing. He is going around checking with the boys.”

    During the same interview, Cody Rhodes also discussed his current character. He revealed whether he should be considered a heel or a face. You can check out his comments here.

    If you use the quotes from the article please credit SEScoops with an H/t for transcription

    Cody Rhodes on Flaming Table: “Maybe The Dumbest Thing I’ve Ever Done”
  • Cody Rhodes On If He Wants To Be A Heel Or A Babyface: “I Just Want To Be A Winner”

    Cody Rhodes On If He Wants To Be A Heel Or A Babyface: “I Just Want To Be A Winner”

    Cody Rhodes has developed a unique personality for himself on AEW TV. There are aspects of his character which are generally associated with babyfaces. However, he has also stated multiple times that he cares only about winning. That’s a mentality that is usually found in heels.

    The TNT champion recently had an interview with Barstool Wrestling. He was asked whether he would describe himself as a babyface or a heel. Replying to it, Rhodes mentioned his most recent shirt that promoted him as a winner. He claimed that the shirt sums up his character really well:

    “I think the shirt really sums it all up. I don’t have to be a babyface. I don’t have to be a heel. I just want to be a winner. I sincerely do. That’s the type of stuff I grew up on. In my household, we’re [New York] Yankees fans. Diehard Yankees fan.

    Here’s why. Because Dusty grew up in Tampa, Little Yankee Stadium is in Tampa. We are Tom Brady fans. We are a New York Yankees fans.” said Cody Rhodes, “We like winners and part of being a winner is a lot of people are gonna root for you to lose and I am okay with that.”

    Only caring about winning is generally a mentality that is found in the villains of the pro wrestling world. When asked about it, Rhodes claimed that it’s actually the wrestling mentality no matter how you look at it:

    “No, it’s wrestling no matter how you look at it. Whether you are so immersed in the suspension of disbelief or you are somebody who covers it from just the behind-the-scenes aspect [of] wrestling. The winning guys make the most money. The winning guys get the most opportunities. That is a real thing.”

    If you use any quotes from the article please credit SEScoops with an H/t for the transcription

    Cody Rhodes “Regrets Almost Everything” About Anthony Ogogo Feud
  • Jim Ross Suffers Nasty Black Eye After Falling (Photo)

    Jim Ross Suffers Nasty Black Eye After Falling (Photo)

    Jim Ross mentioned on Twitter Monday night that he suffered a black eye after falling while on his way to Charlotte, NC for the AEW Battle of the Belts special.

    He also mentioned that he will provide a cancer recovery update on Tuesday. You can check out the photo here: 

    Ross has had similar incidents in the past as in 2014 blog post wrote said the following:

    “I was treated for stroke-like symptoms for two days in the hospital in their stroke care unit. I don’t remember Tuesday morning whatsoever including driving myself to the OKC airport, my wife as in Vegas already as I had to stay behind and record a podcast, nor do I recall boarding the plane in OKC for Vegas. I presented Terry Taylor with a much deserved Iron Mike award at the CAC and have no memory of what I said. That’s scary. About a month ago I took a fall in our home that had me hitting my head on our wood floor but I no sold it and never mentioned it to my wife. I assumed that the loss of memory and lost days were a result of that. After enduring multiple MRI’s and numerous tests on my brain and heart it was determined that my prolonged use of Ambien as a sleep aid to combat my insomnia was the primary culprit of my issues. Ambien is a ‘temporary’ solution to insomnia but I have been taking it for years. Not good. The side affects of Ambien are scary, read about them, of which now I know. If you are taking it, I strongly suggest that you consult your physician. My meds have now been all adjusted and I am back on a healthy path of diet and exercise and, obviously, NO Ambien. The hallucinogenic issues with the drug are scary and I will never use that medication again.”

    In 2018, Ross also took a bump as his face hit the concrete, which resulted in bruises on his face, including a black eye. Best wishes to the WWE Hall of Famer on a speedy recovery.

  • Jim Cornette Rejects Kenny Omega’s Apology: “Piss Off”

    Jim Cornette Rejects Kenny Omega’s Apology: “Piss Off”

    There’s no love lost between Jim Cornette and AEW star Kenny Omega. The two had their latest online scrap this week, with Omega issuing an apology that was strongly rejected by the WWE Hall of Famer.

    It started when Cornette took issue with being mentioned by Omega in a tweet that was directed at someone. Omega originally said in response to someone who asked him to disavow Marty Scurll: 

    “Will you bump up Corny’s oxygen so he can maybe get through a podcast without wheezing through every word? It’s harsh on the ears from what I hear.”

    Cornette fired back: “not sure why Twinkletoes is referencing me in a completely unrelated conversation I’m not involved in, but he needs hobbies/attention. Hey dipshit, I’m not as harsh on the ears as your ballet routines are on people’s eyes, & I’m wheezing from laughing at your attempts to wrestle.”

    Omega revealed that he has been dealing with the effects of COVID-19. He then apologized by writing: “Shouldn’t have brought up any breathing issue. I, as well as many friends/acquaintances in other sports, are suffering due to Covid after effects. Not sure if you’ll accept, but I do apologize.”

    Realizing he may have taken things too far, Omega walked back his remarks about Cornette’s labored breathing.

    On Tuesday morning, Jim Cornette reacted Omega’s apology. Cornette says he wants nothing to do with Omega and his phony brand of pro wrestling.

  • Britt Baker On How Important Tony Schiavone Has Been To Her Success

    Britt Baker On How Important Tony Schiavone Has Been To Her Success

    AEW Women’s World Champion Britt Baker recently spoke on how important Tony Schiavone has been to her success. She was interviewed on the “In the Kliq” podcast when she made the below comments.

    “I will never be able to thank him for how much he’s helped me in all aspects of my life. He’s one of my best friends,” Baker said of Schiavone.

    “Anytime there’s anything going on, good, bad, you know, he’s one of the first I call, first I talk to when I’m excited or to vent about [something] but just how he helped me, especially early on with those promos.”

    When AEW first started, Baker was being portrayed as a babyface. She started to really find her stride shortly after turning heel, however. Tony Schiavone played a big role in her early heel promos.

    “When I first turned heel, I don’t know where I would be without him because it was — I was so nervous to be cutting these live promos as a bad guy, something I had never done before and I just always knew in the back of my head, ‘Hey, if anything goes wrong, I have Tony Schiavone here. Like, he’s pretty good at this. We’re gonna be okay.’ So just to have him there and along for the ride and just like this lasting friendship I have with him, I’m so thankful for.”

    Britt Baker and the Pittsburgh Steelers

    Baker, a noted Pittsburgh Steelers fan, seemed to have been stressed out last night when the Sunday Night football game almost ended in a tie, something that would have eliminated her Steelers from appearing in the playoffs.

    Baker headlined AEW’s Battle for the Belts event on Saturday night. She faced and defeated the #1 contender to her title, Riho. Currently, there seems to be some dissension brewing with her and her ally, Jamie Hayter that could potentially lead to a storyline rivalry between the two as well.

    H/T to Post Wrestling for the above transcriptions.

  • Ruby Soho Comments On Moving In With Sarah Logan

    Ruby Soho Comments On Moving In With Sarah Logan

    Ruby Soho revealed in a recent interview that she is currently living with her former Riott Squad teammate, Sarah Logan. Soho is godparent to Logan’s child along with Viking Raider Erik. In a recent interview with the New York Post, Soho noted that she moved onto Logan’s farm in Ohio almost a year ago.

    “I tell a lot of people often I want you to picture that exact opposite of the lifestyle that you think I would live and that’s the lifestyle that I live,” Soho said. “It was a pretty easy decision. I moved here in I believe February, probably closer to March of last year. I am godmother to Sarah’s son, Cash, and she asked me to be as much as part of his life as possible.”

    Logan gave birth to her first child last February. She was in labor for 44 hours. The child is named Raymond Cash Rowe.

    “I love that little boy to death and she is one of my best friends, so it was an easy choice and I was able to find this farm in the middle of nowhere and I was able to get horses and I have a place for my dogs to run around,” Soho continued.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CLE-lEBJISw/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=3b415c4d-f2b3-4b30-9515-032a7d0f263b

    Soho made it all the way to the finals of the TBS title tournament. She lost to Jade Cargill in the finals on AEW Dynamite last week. Soho and Logan were members of the Riott Squad together in WWE beginning on November 2nd, 2017. Logan was released from WWE in the summer of 2020. Soho was released by WWE in June of last year.

  • Former WWE & Impact Star: “Of Course I Would Go To AEW”

    Former WWE & Impact Star: “Of Course I Would Go To AEW”

    Former WWE Superstar Taya Valkyrie is open to joining All Elite Wrestling.

    Vaklyrie recently wrapped up a short run with WWE, where she portrayed the character Franky Monet in NXT. She was released by WWE back in November already has a number of appearances lined up in the weeks ahead.

    During a virtual autograph signing for East Coast Autograph Auctions over the weekend, Valkyrie said “of course” she’s interested in joining AEW’s women’s division.

    “Of course, I would go to AEW, she said. “They are doing something different, a lot of my peers and best friends, my brothers Fenix and Pentagon are over there. Why not? We’ll see what happens.”

    Taya Valkyrie as Franky Monet in NXT (2021)

    Taya Valkyrie’s Future

    Taya Vaklyrie Valkyrie extensively in Mexico during the early part of her career. She worked for Impact Wrestling from 2017-2021 before a stint in NXT. She returned to AAA in December.

    The sky is the limit for Taya Valkyrie in 2022. She is a veteran performer that would be an asset to any locker room she joined. We could see her back in Impact, or in AEW.

    Over the weekend, Valkyrie expressed interest in working with AEW Women’s Champion Britt Baker.

    The free agency market for women’s wrestling has never been deeper. Aside from the incredible talent on the independent scene, talent released by WWE in 2021 include Valkyrie, Toni Storm, Nixon Newell (Tegan Nox), Athena (Ember Moon), Nia Jax and Mia Yim.

    Taya Valkyrie issued a lengthy statement after her WWE release that you can read here:

    Franky Monet (Taya Valkyrie) Releases Statement On WWE Release
  • (Spoilers) AEW Dark Tapings Results from After Battle of the Belts

    (Spoilers) AEW Dark Tapings Results from After Battle of the Belts

    All Elite Wrestling taped next week’s AEW Dark on Saturday night after the Battle of the Belts special from Charlotte, North Carolina

    Battle of the Belts was a 1-hour TV special, but fans in attendance got to see the rest of AEW’s champions compete in more than a dozen additional matches.

    The following matches were taped for next week’s AEW Dark:

    • Capt. Shawn Dean defeated Leon Cross
    • Anthony Ogogo defeated Baron Black
    • Red Velvet defeated an unnamed opponent
    • The Gunn Club defeated T.I.N. & Patrick Scott.
    • Tay Conti & Anna Jay defeated the Renegade Twins
    • Orange Cassidy defeated JD Drake
    • Dante Martin defeated Aaron Solo
    • Eddie Kingston defeated Joey Janela
    • Thunder Rosa defeated Kacy Foxx
    • Powerhouse Hobbs defeated an unnamed opponent
    • Daniel Garcia defeated Fuego Del Sol
    • TBS Champion Jade Cargill defeated Skye Blue in a non-title “Eliminator” match
    • AEW Tag Team Champions Jurassic Express defeated The Factory’s Nick Comoroto & QT Marshall in a non-title “Eliminator” match
    • AEW World Champion “Hangman” Adam and Dark Order’s Alan Angels & Ten defeated Matt Hardy, Isiah Kassidy & Serpentico.
  • Cody & Brandi Rhodes In Isolation With Family That Tested Positive For COVID-19

    Cody & Brandi Rhodes In Isolation With Family That Tested Positive For COVID-19

    Cody Rhodes was scheduled to face Sammy Guevara in a TNT title match tonight on AEW Battle of the Belts. He will have to miss the show, however, due to being in isolation with family that have tested positive for COVID-19. His brother Dustin will face Guevara in an interim TNT title match instead.

    Cody recently took to Instagram stories to comment on both him and Brandi Rhodes being in isolation.

    “I appreciate everybody reaching out. Brandi and I are in isolation with family that have unfortunately tested positive for Covid. It’s been a scary time dealing with such a strong virus and the complications that can come with it. We are doing all we can to nurse and protect the family during this time. I will remain in quarantine as long as needed. Everyday is more encouraging. Thank you immensely for your support and respect for our privacy. Thank you to AEW for understanding and allowing me to be where I am needed today, and for still allowing the TNT Title to be represented. I look forward to being back soon. All the love in the world!”

    The updated lineup for tonight’s Battle for the Belts event includes Ricky Starks defending the FTW title against Matt Sydal. Britt Baker will still defend her title against Riho as scheduled. As previously mentioned, Dustin Rhodes will now face Sammy Guevara in a match for the interim TNT Championship.

  • Big Swole on Tony Khan’s Tweet: “I was very disappointed. Embarrassed, even.”

    Big Swole on Tony Khan’s Tweet: “I was very disappointed. Embarrassed, even.”

    Following her departure from AEW, Big Swole recently commented about AEW having a lack of diversity. This led to AEW President Tony Khan responding on social media and writing “I let Swole’s contract expire as I felt her wrestling wasn’t good enough.”

    Swole returned to her Call In Show recently and spoke about her reaction to seeing Tony Khan’s Tweet.

    “When I read the TK tweet, it was, not necessarily sent to me, but I got a text message saying, ‘Do not respond to him, it’s not worth it.’ At that time, I was already a little zooted because it was about to be New Year’s. I looked at it and I was like, ‘Wow, this is a lot,”” Swole said.

    “Overall, I’m very disappointed. A person with that pedigree should know how to respond in a way that doesn’t come off in the most negative way possible,” she continued.

    “I was very disappointed. Embarrassed, even. Embarrassed for the people that are there. I really couldn’t believe it. Did he even listen to the podcast? Obviously not because it went completely off the rails. You went completely to counting brown people. If was truly about counting brown people, I would be naming certain demographics.”

    https://twitter.com/SwoleWorld/status/1479553202764894214

    H/T to Fightful for the above transcriptions.

    Mark Henry Speaks On Big Swole and Tony Khan

    Mark Henry recently spoke about this matter on Busted Open Radio. According to Henry, Tony Khan got a raw deal in this discussion on diversity.

    “I feel like Tony got a really raw deal by what was said by Swole but also what was said about all these people jumping on the bandwagon and they didn’t know what the hell happened.”

    “You talk about a diverse workplace, man that place has got everything and I feel like the people in power, the highest-ranking officers are Tony and Megha [Parekh] and then you have people like myself and Shawn Dean who are both African-American people, people of color, that are working in the office,” Henry continued.

    “So, you mean to tell me that those people don’t count as being diverse?”

    Mark Henry: Tony Khan Got A ‘Raw Deal’ In Diversity Discussion
  • Jake Atlas Comments on Injury Suffered During AEW Rampage

    Jake Atlas Comments on Injury Suffered During AEW Rampage

    New AEW signee Jake Atlas has commented on the knee injury he suffered during this week’s AEW Rampage. The match was taped on Wednesday night following AEW Dynamite in Newark, NJ; it aired for the first time on Friday night on TNT.

    At the conclusion of the match, Atlas went to springboard off the top rope into the ring. He landed awkwardly on his knee, with the knee giving out under his weight. His opponent, Adam Cole, then went for a Panama Sunrise, but Atlas was unable to get to his feet for the move. Instead, Cole locked on a kneebar for a submission finish.

    Following the airing of Rampage, Atlas commented on his injury via Twitter.

    “I’m so freaking proud of that match. Thank you @AdamColePro for pushing me to give you ME. My knee will be just fine. Thank you guys for your concern. I won’t be gone long! #AEWRampage,” Atlas wrote.

    https://twitter.com/JakeAtlasReal/status/1479654945074913281

    Following the Rampage tapings, Atlas underwent an MRI and AEW officials were under the impression he would be alright in relatively short order. So far, that appears to be the case.

    Atlas signed with AEW following his debut last week at the AEW Dark Elevation tapings in Jacksonville. Atlas defeated Serpentico in that bout. After his debut match, AEW President Tony Khan came out on the stage to shake his hand, which was symbolic of the fact that he was offered a contract.

    Wednesday night was a rough nice for AEW when it comes to injuries. In the main event of Dynamite, Rey Fenix suffered a gruesome looking injury that was feared to be a broken arm in its immediate aftermath. However, luckily, it was revealed on Thursday that Fenix’s arm was not broken, making the injury not as serious as originally feared. AEW officials are currently expecting Fenix to be able to return within a few weeks.

    Check out the Top Rope Nation wrestling podcast for your weekly dose of pro wrestling talk featuring interviews, analysis and exclusive news: Apple – Spotify – YouTube.

  • Changes Announced To TNT Championship Match At Battle Of The Belts

    Changes Announced To TNT Championship Match At Battle Of The Belts

    Cody Rhodes has been pulled from his scheduled title defense against Sammy Guevara at the upcoming Battle Of The Belts event due to a medical issue.

    AEW announced during this week’s episode of Rampage that the current TNT champion has been pulled from the upcoming show because he is not medically cleared to compete.

    The company confirmed that his brother Dustin Rhodes will be replacing Cody in the match against Guevara at Battle Of The Belts. The winner will be crowned the Interim TNT champion:

    AEW did not provide any further detail on the matter. So it’s hard to say what’s the exact issue Cody is facing or how long he will be out of action.

    This leaves the fate of the interim TNT champion in question as well. We will have to see when the winner of this match gets to face Cody Rhodes.

    Dustin Rhodes has not wrestled a singles match since the October 23 episode of Dynamite. Bryan Danielson defeated him in the first round of the AEW title eliminator tournament during the show.

    AEW Battle Of The Belts is the first of the four Saturday Night Specials the company will be producing this year. It will be taking place from the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina on January 8.

    Tony Khan Confirms AEW Battle Of The Belts Length
  • Ric Flair Isn’t A Fan Of AEW Rotating Talent Off TV

    Ric Flair Isn’t A Fan Of AEW Rotating Talent Off TV

    Ric Flair doesn’t like the idea of AEW talents getting some downtime on a regular basis.

    AEW often rotates talent in order to keep things fresh on television. Some have criticized WWE for booking the same matches on a weekly basis and having the same stars on TV.

    Ric Flair has a different take and actually believes WWE having the same stars as they did five years ago is beneficial.

    Ric Flair Sounds Off

    On an episode of Wooooo Nation UNCENSORED, Ric Flair said he thinks AEW should strike while the iron is hot and refrain from rotating its stars too often.

    “Well, you can become a star for a short period of time but to me, especially if you’ve just lost a big match, you need to be back on it the next day.

    “Unfortunately, I think today some of the kids when they get to a match where it’s a big finale they want time off. I don’t agree with that either.

    “I think they need to be on TV, the stars that want to be the players. It’s the same ten people right now in WWE that it was five years ago. It’s good, that’s how you build your brand.”

    Of course, when it comes to injuries these things simply can’t be helped. For example, there’s was concern about Miro being off TV for too long but as it turns out he’s been going through a hamstring injury as reported by Fightful Select.

    What do you think? Do you agree with Ric Flair and feel AEW is rotating its talent off TV too often? Do you side with AEW and believe it’s a good way to keep things fresh? Let us know in the comments!

    Please H/T SEScoops with a link if you use any quotes from this article

  • Mark Henry: Tony Khan Got A ‘Raw Deal’ In Diversity Discussion

    Mark Henry: Tony Khan Got A ‘Raw Deal’ In Diversity Discussion

    Mark Henry believes Tony Khan was the victim of people going overboard on the issue of diversity on social media.

    Big Swole, a former AEW wrestler, got people talking when she expressed her belief that her peace was being disrupted in the company. Specifically, Swole had gripes with what she feels to be AEW’s lack of diversity and black representation.

    Things spiraled when Khan made a post saying Big Swole wasn’t offered a new contract with AEW because he felt she wasn’t good enough in the ring. Many criticized Khan as they felt he brushed off Swole’s criticism in favor of hurling shots.

    Mark Henry Speaks Out

    Mark Henry believes that social media dwellers overreacted to Khan’s post and took a side without looking at the facts. Taking to Busted Open Radio, Henry praised AEW for its diversity both on TV and behind the scenes.

    “I feel like Tony got a really raw deal by what was said by Swole but also what was said about all these people jumping on the bandwagon and they didn’t know what the hell happened.

    “They just took a side because somebody said something about diversity, which they implied it being race. Let’s break it down real quick as far as diversity.

    “You start talking about diversity in the work sector at AEW, Tony Khan is a man of color and so is — and when I say a man of color he’s not black.

    “Black is a person of color, you have Asian, you have Pan, you have the Indian influence, you have the Middle Eastern influence, the Spanish influence in the company.

    “You talk about a diverse workplace, man that place has got everything and I feel like the people in power, the highest-ranking officers are Tony and Megha [Parekh] and then you have people like myself and Shawn Dean who are both African-American people, people of color, that are working in the office.

    “So, you mean to tell me that those people don’t count as being diverse?”

    As far as Khan’s dig at Swole’s wrestling ability, Henry said he sees it as an eye for an eye situation. He believes Tony did what he felt he needed to do to stick up for the company.

    Khan says he’s got something cooked up in 2022 as far as diverse representation goes. The AEW boss says this plan has been brewing long before Swole’s public rant.

    Please H/T SEScoops with a link if you use any quotes from this article