Matt Hardy is teasing a new project that will start in 2022. He recently posted a short video to social media teasing this.
“In 2022 I’m starting a brand new project with a great team of people,” Hardy said. “I’m very excited to start telling some more stories and sharing some of my insight. Everyone knows I’ve led an extreme life and when it comes to wrestling, I think I’ve been a pretty extreme performer. And I feel I’m owed a lot of extreme credit for the cinematic rage after the whole Broken Universe saga. And I have a lot of extreme viewpoints and perspective on pro-wrestling and I’m very excited to start talking about these on a regular weekly basis.”
Hardy continued to say that there will be a very special announcement soon.
Matt Hardy also recently shared an update on his brother Jeff during a Twitch stream.
“Jeff is in the best place I’ve seen him in a very long time,” said Matt. “As far as the details of what went down on that evening, and in that match, I’ve talked with Jeff, I feel good about everything he said and that’s Jeff’s story to share. And he told me he will when he’s ready to.”
AEW is slated to hold its first quarterly special on TNT on January 8th, Battle of the Belts, from the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, NC.
AEW President Tony Khan has confirmed the length of the show after there had been speculation regarding whether it would be a one-hour or two-hour broadcast.
Dave Meltzer previously noted in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the show was expected to be about an hour-long on television and that’s the case. Khan confirmed the news during an appearance on Culture State.
“It’s a one-hour show. It’s a one-hour event, so I can’t put every belt on the line. It’s a great chance on a Saturday night to expand the reach of AEW by giving the fans great championship matches on a Saturday night, which is a night people love watching wrestling, especially for a big event. There is going to be big championship matches. I’m very excited about it.”
Ric Flair recently spent some time on his podcast talking about AEW’s Darby Allin. Flair had nothing but praise for the 28-year-old.
“There’s nothing you can say but good,” Flair said. “He’s a kamikaze pilot! When I watched him do that thing and dive off the rope backwards with his hands at his side, the first time I saw him do it I came out of my chair.”
Flair and Mark Madden continued to talk about the angle Darby Allin and Sting did with the Gunn Club.
“The thing I thought last week with Sting and Darby Allin and Billy Gunn and his boys, I thought it was fantastic. How proud do you think Billy Gunn is of those two boys, huh? And Billy looks like he’s 35 years old.”
“And he’s a very, very nice guy. Very humble,” Flair continued to say about Darby Allin.
Flair continued to mention that he hopes Darby Allin doesn’t suffer any injuries or mobility problems as a result of his in-ring style, however. He also noted that he once felt the same way about Mick Foley.
“I just hope that when he’s 35-years-old he can walk. That’s what I used to tell [Mick] Foley.”
Flair’s comments can be heard in the player below:
AJ Lee (AJ Mendez) recently took to Twitter to note that a movie she co-wrote has wrapped production. She worked with her long-time writing partner Aimee Garcia as well as comic book writer John Swetnam on the project. The film is titled “Blade of the 47 Ronin”. It is a sequel to 2013’s “47 Ronin” but set 300 years after the original.
The film is scheduled to be released next year on Netflix.
“Ancient Japanese Ronin warriors set 300 years after 47 Ronin, in a modern-day world where Samurai clans exist in complete secrecy,” reads an IMDB description of the film.
The original film was criticized for elements of white-washing but director Ron Yuan spoke to Variety about what will be different about this film.
“We need people who know the genres, people that know the history, people that can understand how to bring these stories, make it fresh and pop off the screen. Not like those old TV shows where every time there’s an Asian theme, or an Asian character, you hear the gong going ‘ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding dang’,” he told Variety. “None of that shit anymore.”
AJ and Aimee Garcia have partnered together on multiple projects. They co-wrote the comic book series GLOW vs. The Babyface. They also wrote a 4-part Dungeons and Dragons series as well. Their production company is named Scrappy Heart Productions.
The full EXCLUSIVE interview with @TheAJMendez has just dropped on the official WOW Wrestling YouTube channel. Find out what she told the Hot Tag with Izzy about her plans for WOW Wrestling!
AEW star Tay Conti deactivated her Twitter account over the past several days. The move comes after the Brazilian bombshell received harassment from fans onine.
Conti was targeted after Sammy Guevara announced the end of his relationship with Pam Nizio. Some fans accused Conti of breaking up their engagement, which prompted Guevara to issue a follow-up statement over the weekend.
Guevara clarified that his relationship with Pam Nizio ended back in October and had “nothing to do with ANYONE else.”
This shouldn’t have to be said… but my relationship with Pam ending had nothing to do with ANYONE else.
Pam and I broke up back in October and just now felt was the time to make it publicly known.
So please stop pointing fingers and looking for someone to blame.
That wasn’t enough to satisfy some people, who continued to target Conti with negative messages on Twitter.
Tay Conti Statement
XPAND Marketing Agency, Tay Conti’s management team, issued a statement on Sunday addressing the situation:
”This is Tay’s management team writing to let you know Tay is doing good but will be stepping away from social media for a couple days.
In the meantime, we will be posting on Tays behalf throughout the week. This includes normal posts as well as some sponsored posts that we have already recorded earlier in the month that must be posted this week.
Thank you for reading, Happy Holidays from Tay & her management team!”
While it may be hard to believe today when one sees “Hangman” Adam Page on national television as the AEW World Champion, the popular superstar once suffered from severe social anxiety.
Page spoke about becoming AEW champion, his brief reign atop the promotion so far, and his early life struggles with anxiety during a recent appearance on Oral Sessions with Renee Paquette.
“I’m not a conversationalist, I don’t know,” Page began. “Anxious maybe, and maybe like… This is a story I’ve never told. In — I don’t even know if middle school, maybe high school age — I had super, super bad social anxiety, like diagnosed, medication social anxiety.
“But like, I can remember one time sitting at my desk, right, this was like, in the middle of taking a test or something and I could remember my whole body would like, turn flush red. I would start sweating, then I would become aware for, God knows what reason, like no one’s looking at me, this is happening to my body. So then, you know it gets like 10 times worse, what’s going on? Like, my eyes start watering, like I’m just sitting at my desk.”
The man who has been nicknamed the “Anxious Millenial Cowboy” went on to discuss how pro wrestling has helped him with his anxiety.
“I think wrestling helped me get out of that to an extent because, not that like, not that I had like low self-worth or anything like that,” Page explained. “But, like, wrestling was always my passion and where I felt comfortable, and what I like doing. Once I was able to do that and see some success in it, being surrounded by like 20 people to 200 people to 2,000 people, 20,000, like, as that grew, I think you get more comfortable with that and yourself.”
“I think wrestling helped me get out of that.”
Adam Page on overcoming anxiety
Hangman Page (Photo: Scott Lesh)
Page also discussed his rise in AEW since the company launched in 2019.
“I wouldn’t even talk about, at least, my journey to the AEW World Championship as some kind of ‘grand scheme’ that was hatched on day one or something like that, because it never was,” Page said. “At least to me, it was never that way. When AEW started, and I, you know, realized I was going to be suddenly, like, I was just the guy, like, losing all the Bullet Club multi-man matches. I was, you know, not to say a nobody, but I certainly wasn’t like ‘the main event guy’ who was suddenly going to be main-eventing the first-ever title match in AEW.
“I knew people wouldn’t buy it and it didn’t matter what I said, it didn’t matter what I did in the time between. It was too fast. It was too soon. I knew people might, they would be forgiving, they would go ‘oh yeah, okay okay,’ but I knew deep down they wouldn’t buy it. It felt like I got off on the wrong foot and I wanted to rectify that, and I felt like the only way you (Hangman) can is to be vulnerable and to, you know what I mean, let that loss and disappointment come out.”
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.
AEW star Sammy Guevara and fiancé Pam Nizio have revealed that they are no longer in a relationship. The news was announced in a social media post by Guevara.
The post that was made this Saturday afternoon was credited to both. Though as seen below, it doesn’t reveal the reason behind the decision:
“Since you’ve all given us so much love and support, we figured we owed it to y’all to let you know that we are no longer in a relationship. We still love each other and wish nothing but the best for one another.”
The couple had been together for 8 years and Guevara had proposed to Pam before the August 18 episode of Dynamite earlier this year.
The proposal that took place in Sammy Guevara’s hometown of Houston, Texas had been highlighted on Dynamite and the AEW star’s vlog as well.
However, Pam hadn’t been appearing on the YouTube blog for some time now which had made many wonder about the couple’s relationship.
Sammy Guevara is set to defend his TNT championship against Cody Rhodes at next week’s Holiday Bash special of AEW Rampage. This is a rematch of the first-ever match in the history of Dynamite.
Dax Harwood of FTR has invited ROH and GCW Tag Team Champions the Briscoes to Wednesday’s Dynamite. After FTR attacked Jay and Mark Briscoe at ROH’s Final Battle recently, Harwood took to Twitter to say that the Briscoes should come to next week’s AEW Dynamite in the Greensboro Coliseum.
“Hell no. We came in their house, beat the shit out of them, and made them more relevant in 4 minutes than they’ve been in the last 4 years. They should come the Greensboro and give us their payday from Final Battle. I’m sure I could almost pay my light bill with that money,” Harwood Tweeted.
Hell no. We came in their house, beat the shit out of them, and made them more relevant in 4 minutes than they’ve been in the last 4 years. They should come the Greensboro and give us their payday from Final Battle. I’m sure I could almost pay my light bill with that money. https://t.co/DBdnHPcJQ9
FTR have a scheduled match for the show. They are set to team with their Pinnacle stablemate, Maxwell Jacob Friedman. They’ll face Sting, Darby Allin, and CM Punk in trios action.
FTR recently appeared on Barstool Rasslin‘ with Brandon F. Walker. During the discussion, they spoke in regards to some of their plans for 2022 and mentioned the Briscoes specifically.
“I think we are going to be the first-ever two-time AEW Tag Team Champions. In 2022, we are going to get the titles back. We are going to have the title run that we should’ve had the first time,” said Wheeler. He continued, “…We are never going to lose those again. Rematch with the Young Bucks. Beat the sh*t out of The Briscoes. Hold titles everywhere.”
AEW star Darby Allin and NXT star Cora Jade are trending worldwide on Twitter after getting involved in a heated exchange earlier yesterday.
It all started when the former TNT champion made a post showing him skateboarding at a local park. This prompted a number of responses.
A fan suggested that Allin should have a skateboarding match with Jade, whose NXT character is also based around skateboarding.
Responding to the fan, Darby Allin fired some shots at the NXT star. He wrote: “Skating is a huge part of my life not a fake character for tv lol”
This led to Cora Jade firing back at the AEW signee, she wrote back: “Being a good person with no abuse allegations against me is a huge part of my life and not just a character I play on TV.”
Both the stars have since deleted their tweets, but social media has been eating up this inter-promotional spat.
Jade is referring to Allin being accused of sexual abuse by indie wrestler Hawlee Cromwell during the speaking out movement last year.
Jade is a friend of Cromwell and the two have previously teamed in the indies. Allin’s ex-wife Gigi Dolin, who is one-half of the current NXT tag team champions, has also feuded with Jade.
AEW has officially announced the very first match for their Battle of the Belts special event which will air on TNT at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on January 8th.
It was confirmed during AEW Rampage on Friday night that Britt Baker will defend the AEW Women’s Championship against Riho at Battle of the Belts in Charlotte, North Carolina at the Bojangles Coliseum.
You can see the official announcement graphic from AEW’s Twitter account below.
Riho had earned the title shot by defeating Baker back on the November 26th edition of AEW Rampage in a Black Friday Deal Match. At that point, we knew Riho would get a title shot but didn’t know when. That question has now been answered.
While no other matches have officially been announced for Battle of the Belts, many assume that Bryan Danielson will face AEW World Champion “Hangman” Adam Page on the show. This past Wednesday night, Page and Danielson had an all-time classic on Dynamite — a match which ended in a draw after 60 minutes. The two are understandably due for a rematch, and Battle of the Belts seems like the perfect opportunity.
The Battle of the Belts TNT special has the flavor of the old WCW Clash of the Champions events which aired on TBS between 1988 and 1997. Most are expecting the AEW show to have PPV level excitement behind it by the time we get there.
The event will be held at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte (formerly known as the Charlotte Coliseum and Independence Arena). The venue was home to several WCW events in year’s past.
According to the WrestleTix Twitter account, AEW Battle of the Belts has sold around 73% of the alotted tickets as of press time. That’s good for 4,583 tickets sold out of a setup that will be able to hold 6,240 fans. We’d expect a good majority of those remaining tickets to move over the next couple of weeks, especially if Page vs. Danielson is announced.
AEW Presents "Battle Of The Belts" Sat • Jan 08, 2022 • 7:00 PM Bojangles Coliseum, Charlotte, NC
Available Tickets => 1,657 Current Setup/Capacity => 6,240 Tickets Distributed => 4,583 (73%)
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.
Tony Khan has given his reaction to an article published by Fox News that brought up the Jacksonville Jaguars firing Urban Meyer as their head coach as well as AEW’s television ratings.
The article claimed that the Jaguars team owner and Tony’s father, Shad Khan, had a “rough 15 days of December” with the Meyer situation and AEW ratings “cooling off” since the big talent signings such as Bryan Danielson and CM Punk. The media outlet doesn’t cover pro wrestling very often and there’s no history of them covering AEW’s television ratings.
While Dynamite ratings have dropped off as of late compared to where they had been, the partial reason for that is due to the west coast feed airing the show live at 5 pm because of NHL coverage. Also, while the overnight ratings have been down, AEW’s DVR numbers continue to be strong.
Khan took to Twitter to give his reaction and first wrote, “Hey @FoxNews it’s amusing hearing you opining about @AEW ratings considering #AEWDynamite on Wednesday has beaten EVERY single @FoxNews show for 6 straight weeks! Here are the recent charts (including this week) to prove it. See you TONIGHT on @TNTdrama10pmET/9pmCT @ #AEWRampage.”
He followed up with a second tweet: “Thanks @FoxNews, I appreciate that you’ve highlighted @AEW ratings when #AEWDynamite on Wednesdays has beaten EVERY single show on your network for 6 straight weeks. Here are a few more charts, Twitter only let me attach 4 weeks worth to my last tweet! See you TONIGHT #AEWRampage”
The AEW President also shared charts from ShowBuzz Daily that shows AEW regularly beats Fox News programming in the key demo.
Thanks @FoxNews, I appreciate that you’ve highlighted @AEW ratings when #AEWDynamite on Wednesdays has beaten EVERY single show on your network for 6 straight weeks. Here are a few more charts, Twitter only let me attach 4 weeks worth to my last tweet! See you TONIGHT #AEWRampagepic.twitter.com/Ow0vUmLnBs
WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley believes Thunder Rosa is a one-of-a-kind talent.
Rosa signed with AEW back in July. She had been with the NWA on a per-date deal. Once she put pen to paper with AEW, it was the biggest opportunity in her pro wrestling career.
Thunder Rosa has gained plenty of steam over the past year. She constantly gets big crowd reactions and seems to be in prime position to challenge for the AEW Women’s Championship sometime in 2022.
Thunder Rosa & The ‘It’ Factor
Mick Foley appeared on Busted Open Radio and during a chat with Mark Henry and Dave LaGreca, he detailed why he thinks Thunda Rosa is a special talent.
“She strikes me as one of those really rare people who feels it every time she’s hitting the ring, and I mean, I’d like to say I felt it every time. I didn’t.
“Ric Flair did, Terry Funk did, and it’s a short list but she’s somebody that just like, oh man, lives, breaths wrestling and she’s just a super cool person.”
In the midst of a book tour to promote his Have a Nice Day! autobiography, Foley was joined by Thunder Rosa in San Antonio. Foley knew that Rosa was a draw and that much was evident during that tour appearance.
“She killed it. I said, ‘Yeah, set up a merch table.’ So, she killed it on merch which was really nice and she also — I mean she got the big pop.
“I think that was a big reason that we had such a big house in San Antonio. We had almost 300 people on a Monday and that’s on the very high-end for my shows.
“My shows usually [do] 150 to 200 and on a Monday, even as little as three years ago, I didn’t dare do a show on Monday because I thought, ‘Oh no, no I can’t compete with Raw,’ so I really think she puts butts in seats.”
Thunder Rosa is a semi-finalist in the TBS Championship tournament. She will meet Jade Cargill and the winner will move on to the finals.
The finals of the tourney will be held on Jan. 5. This will mark the debut of Dynamite on its new home, TBS. Rampage will remain on TNT and AEW will be running quarterly specials on TNT.
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Jim Ross and Michael Cole shared the commentary booth for many years. While the two are now in different promotions, they still share text messages occasionally.
On the latest episode of his Grilling JR podcast, the wrestling veteran discussed his relationship with various wrestling personalities including people such as Stone Cold Steve Austin, CM Punk, and more.
Speaking of his relationship with his former broadcast partner, Ross said that he exchanges text messages with Michael Cole during holidays, but the two haven’t talked in the last several years:
“I don’t know that we’ve talked in the last several years, we do engage in text messages here or there during the holidays. He’s got a great family, sometime this month, I’m sure we’ll exchange text messages but that’s the extent of it. He’s on the road a lot, he’s got a lot of responsibilities.
There’s that competitive nature that some people have with WWE and AEW, I don’t think Cole is in that league.” said Jim Ross, “I don’t think he cares. I say we text each other once or twice a year and I wish it were more, but it’s just hard.”
Tony Khan broke the news that there will actually be two Owen Hart Cup tournaments One men’s singles tournament and one women’s singles tournament.
Dr. Martha Hart, widow of the late Owen Hart, will be on hand to present trophies to the winners.
The finals of the men’s and women’s Owen Hart Cup tournaments will take place in May at the annual Double or Nothing pay-per-view from Las Vegas.
Additional details will be given next week on the Holiday Bash edition of AEW Dynamite. A video package will air on that show featuring Owen Hart from his days in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Khan thanked Rocky Romero for being instrumental in securing that footage.
You can listen to Tony Khan’s comments from Friday’s Busted Open here:
Tony Khan previously had this to say about AEW’s relationship with the Hart Family:
“AEW’s relationship with the Hart family dates back to our inaugural pay-per-view event, Double or Nothing in 2019, and Owen’s influence is still felt today,” said Khan. To extend his memory and his legacy even further through this agreement is a powerful and meaningful moment for the entire wrestling community.”
Martha Hart issued this statement on behalf of the Owen Hart Foundation regarding the Owen Hart Cup Tournament(s) and its decision to partner with All Elite Wrestling:
“The Owen Hart Foundation is extremely pleased to partner with AEW in this wonderful joint venture to honor Owen’s substantial international wrestling career and the lasting influence he and his craft has had in the sport.
AEW’s Owen Hart Cup Tournament serves as a tremendous tribute to Owen and provides an incredible way for professional wrestling enthusiasts to celebrate his work in a most fitting way.
We trust that Tony Khan and his amazing AEW team will do a brilliant job with this highly anticipated project. This OHF/AEW partnership is my special gift to all of Owen’s magnificent loyal fans who forever remember him and his inspiring repertoire of talents.”
Darius Martin has spent the majority of this year on the shelf recovering from an injury, but he is grateful to get the best support he can from AEW. The AEW star recently had an interview with Jon Alba on One-On-One. During the talk he provided an update on his recovery, claiming that he is feeling pretty good:
“I’m feeling pretty good, just moving around, taking it day by day, trying to get the clearance again, working my way up and building the strength again, you never want injuries, but I’m thankful it came at a time where I am fortunate enough to have this deal with AEW.”
Martin continued by saying that AEW has been great to him during his recovery. Darius said that he really feels the love and support from the company. He then praised Tony Khan as a boss who values his employees:
“I’m still on the road, they’ve still been paying me. I’m still lucky enough to have that job and financial security because of AEW. It’s a great place and Tony Khan is an amazing boss who really values his employees and treats us like human beings. Tony is the best.”
Darius Martin last wrestled on AEW TV during a Dark episode back in February 18. He underwent ACL surgery on April 22. In his absence, his brother and Top Flight partner Dante Martin has made a name for himself in the singles division. He wrestled MJF for the Dynamite Diamond Ring during the Winter is Coming special.
AEW originally had plans for a former WWE tag team to be a part of Chris Jericho’s Inner Circle instead of Jake Hager but they had to nix the idea.
The Bellator star was the most recent guest on the AEW Unrestricted podcast. He discussed things such his signing with AEW and more.
During the talk, Hager also revealed that Gallows and Anderson were originally considered to be a part of the Inner Circle. However, the plans had to be changed when the duo re-signed with WWE:
“I think what happened was, Gallows and Anderson possibly were going to be in The Inner Circle, but they re-signed.
So I got bumped up or I came into the picture, however you want to phrase it. Chris told Tony he wanted me for the job and the rest is history.”
Chris Jericho officially introduced the world to Inner Circle featuring himself, Jake Hager, Santana & Ortiz, and Sammy Guevara during the second episode of Dynamite on October 9, 2019.
The Good Brothers were a part of the WWE roster at the time. Though they didn’t remain there for long after this and the duo were released months later in April 2020. They have since joined Impact Wrestling.
All Elite Wrestling tag team FTR have shared their plans for what they want to achieve next year.
FTR appeared on Barstool Rasslin‘ with Brandon F. Walker to discuss future opponents and plans for 2022. They mentioned unfinished business with teams like the Young Bucks, Proud and Powerful, and the AEW Tag Team Champions The Lucha Bros. FTR also revealed that they want to go to New Japan Pro Wrestling to try to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship.
When asked what 2022 holds for them, Cash Wheeler responded with two opponents in mind.
“I think we are going to be the first-ever two-time AEW Tag Team Champions. In 2022, we are going to get the titles back. We are going to have the title run that we should’ve had the first time,” said Wheeler. He continued, “…We are never going to lose those again. Rematch with the Young Bucks. Beat the sh*t out of The Briscoes. Hold titles everywhere.”
FTR’s Dax Harwood Thoughts for 2022
Dax Harwood followed up after Wheeler shared their plans for next year. Harwood talked about how he wants FTR to prove they are one of the best tag teams of all time.
“I think ultimately for 2022, for me specifically, a legacy is something that I’ve wanted to leave, and I talk about it all the time in our interviews. Ultimately that’s what I want to do is continue to build on legacy,” said Harwood. He continued, “I know for a fact that I can’t do things like Ray Fenix or Nick Jackson, and because of my limitations, we can’t have the athletic matches that they can. There is a difference between having great tag team matches and being a great tag team. And I think 2022 going forward just proving that we can be in that same conversation as Arn and Tully, Midnight Express, Rock and Roll Express, that’s my goal for 2022.”
FTR’s AEW Contract Status
Harwood expressed urgency in accomplishing his goals because of FTR’s AEW contract status. FTR signed a multi-year contract with AEW on July 29, 2020. While Harwood didn’t say, their AEW contract could expire in 2023.
“…We don’t have much longer on these current contracts. I don’t know what’s going to happen from there. But we have a short amount of time to accomplish what we want to accomplish,” said Harwood. He continued to list goals, “…Like the IWGP Tag Team Championship, obviously two-time AEW Tag Team Championship. Proving that we are the best.” He also boasts that FTR is the only tag team that has faced great tag teams from WWE and AEW but wants to challenge more.
FTR is currently in a feud with Sting and Darby Allin, and they are still chasing the AEW Tag Team Championship. It’s also unclear if NJPW has discussed bringing in the tag team for future events. Regardless, FTR has made their plans clear that they want to defeat the best tag teams in AEW and accomplish many goals in 2022.
Bully Ray believes Bryan Danielson played a pivotal role in getting his match with Hangman Page to the one-hour mark.
On the Dec. 15 Winter is Coming special episode of AEW Dynamite, Page put his AEW World Heavyweight Championship on the line against Danielson. The title match opened up Dynamite and fans got even more than they bargained for.
A winner wasn’t determined as the match went to a 60-minute draw. It is widely considered to be a late contender for Match of the Year.
Danielson’s Role In Time Limit Draw
It’s no secret that Bryan Danielson is world-class but Bully Ray believes “The American Dragon” has an ability that very few possess.
On Busted Open Radio, Bully explained how Danielson’s “phantom gear” helped bring Hangman Page to the finish line.
“I think the props to Hangman is the fact that he was able to keep up with Danielson. I can just hear the AEW fans now, ‘Oh, what is Bully Ray talking about?’ Bryan Danielson has what’s called the phantom gear.
“The phantom gear was invented by Kurt Angle. It’s this sixth gear that very, very, very few have. It’s the ability to go deep into a match where most guys are blown to the gills and then go faster.
“Go smarter, go harder, go everything, and Danielson has it. There were times in that match where I saw Hangman, he needed to take an extra breath which is totally fine. He’s in deep water with Danielson once you get past that half-hour mark and now you got another half-hour to go.
“If you’re not used to that it’s brutal, brutal! It’s brutal on the mind first because you know you’re breathing heavy and I’m not saying that Hangman was breathing heavy, I’m just saying he needed to get a breath.
“You looked at Danielson and he looked fresh as a daisy. Danielson, smart worker, allows Hangman to get that breath, takes Hangman, boom hits that next gear. Allowing Hangman to take that extra breath allows Hangman to hang with him in that next gear.”
Hangman has already had some classics under the AEW banner. His title victory over Kenny Omega at Full Gear back in November was highly praised.
There was also the tag team title match featuring Page and Omega vs. The Young Bucks at Revolution back in Feb. 2020, which garnered a slew of praise.
As for Danielson, he’s been on quite the run. Since entering AEW, he’s had some certified bangers with the likes of Omega, Minoru Suzuki, Eddie Kingston, Page, and more.
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Serena Deeb was once a member of CM Punk’s Straight-Edge Society faction in WWE. They are now both members of the AEW roster. Deeb was recently interviewed by Wrestling Inc. and noted that Punk has helped her career in multiple ways.
“We have a great relationship, we obviously go back a long way and we did some really good business together over the years,” Deeb said. “I met Punk in, I want to say 2005 at OVW when he first reported there and Paul Heyman was booking the show and Punk was his guy.”
Deeb continued to say that Punk played a role in helping her get into the Shimmer and Ring of Honor promotions.
“Punk was the driving force behind getting me to Shimmer for the first time, which at the time was, as a female wrestler, that was the indie that you aspire to go to because that was the best. From Shimmer that got me to Ring Of Honor. Punk really guided me and really helped support me in getting to all these places before WWE.”
CM Punk, Serena Deeb, and the Straight Edge Society
During the January 22nd, 2010 edition of WWE SmackDown, Deeb appeared as a fan in the crowd. She jumped the guardrail and made it known she wanted to join Punk’s Straight Edge Society faction. As an initiation, the group shaved her head. Deeb also spoke about her time in the group during her recent interview.
“I think because we had that great relationship and that friendship and that foundation, we had chemistry already just from all of that. It translated on-screen. I constantly get tagged on social media and people still love The Straight Edge Society and it was over a decade ago, it’s crazy. I love having him in the locker room.”
Serena Deeb On Advice She Receives From CM Punk
Deeb also spoke about how she regularly goes to CM Punk for advice on her matches. She believes everyone in the AEW locker room should do the same.
“He’s somebody I think all the guys and all the women should be asking for feedback. I ask him. I ask him to watch my matches, he doesn’t always get the chance to because he’s doing a million things on the show.”
Deeb continued to praise CM Punk’s ability to tell stories in the ring. She even noted that we might see a reunion between them somewhere down the line.
“The dude’s a master storyteller. I mean he blows my mind with some of the stuff he does. He’s clearly one of the best to ever do it and we have a great relationship. We talk every week and everything is great and yeah, we might see a reunion one day.”
The full interview is available in the player below:
Last night on Dynamite, Maxwell Jacob Friedman referred to CM Punk as the “New Ryback” during a promo. MJF was commenting on how Punk has been undefeated while facing a string of underwhelming opponents in underwhelming matches when he made the comment.
Ryback took to social media last night to respond to MJF’s comments.
“Thanks for the shoutout MJF. Now you have your big chance at being an enhancement talent working with an underwhelming opponent,” Ryback Tweeted.
MJF’s comment about Punk being the “new Ryback” comes on the heels of a line Punk used on him during their promo battle in Chicago. Punk referred to MJF as a “less famous Miz” during that show. The reference to Miz on Dynamite was then alluded to by Edge on the following week’s RAW.
“You have people on other shows saying your name just to get a cheap reaction. You live rent-free in a lot of heads,” Edge said to Miz.
"YOU have people saying your name just to get a cheap reaction. You live rent-free in a lot of heads." – @EdgeRatedR
Ryback was signed to WWE in 2005 after impressing WWE officials on Tough Enough. In 2010, he would be one of the members of the Nexus faction that invaded WWE. He was once rated as high as #13 in the PWI Top-500 rankings. Ryback is a former Intercontinental Champion and won 5 Slammies from 2012-14. He was released in 2016.
Ric Flair watched the AEW Dynamite “Winter Is Coming” on Wednesday night and came away impressed by the championship match.
The 16-time world champion took to Twitter to praise both AEW World Champion “Hangman” Adam Page and challenger Bryan Danielson for their efforts.
Flair wrote, “I’ve Done So Many Hour Draws, Some Great, Some Average! Tonight, You Gentlemen Set A New Bar!! The Wrestling World Can Learn From @theAdamPage & @bryandanielson! CONGRATULATIONS! WOOOOO!”
I’ve Done So Many Hour Draws, Some Great, Some Average! Tonight, You Gentlemen Set A New Bar!! The Wrestling World Can Learn From @theAdamPage & @bryandanielson! CONGRATULATIONS! WOOOOO! @AEW#AEWDynamite
Flair was hardly the only legend and outside observer to praise the bout; the match is already being talked about as perhaps the greatest singles match in the brief history of AEW. It seems to be at least on par in fan’s eyes with the great Danielson vs. Kenny Omega draw that occurred at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Dynamite back in September.
AEW announcer Jim Ross, who is currently off television as he receives cancer treatment, also had high praise for the match.
“I didn’t say he wasn’t a good worker. When Hunter put him over at [WrestleMania 30], that made him,” Flair said. “He’s a very talented kid, don’t misunderstand me, but you have to have one match, one place, one day, somewhere that makes you who you are. Hunter, who only wrestles once in a while, came out and the match started off slow but they ended up having a world-class match.
“He’s a hell of a performer, I don’t see him as being Kenny Omega. As a babyface, he’s not Ricky Steamboat. As a heel, he’s not me. If that pisses people off, they have to live with history.”
Flair continued his assessment of Bryan by talking about WrestleMania 30.
“They (Triple H and Danielson) tore the joint down,” Flair said. “That is the night that made Bryan. I like him a lot personally. He’s got a style…he’s not AJ Styles by any means. He’s a little bit smaller than AJ. He’s not AJ Styles.”
“That is the night that made Bryan.”
Ric Flair on WrestleMania 30
Flair continued, “I like his conditioning, he works hard, he’ll do anything and sacrifice his body at all odds. He’ll throw himself around and take incredible bumps. He’s a hell of a hand. You’re asking me who is good and who is great. He’s very good. As a babyface, it’s more believable. He can sell his ass off so when he’s making a comeback, it’s more fun to watch him make a comeback against bigger guys. It’s harder for me to believe he’s going to hold someone down. As a babyface, who is just average size but loaded with talent, I much prefer to see him fighting from underneath.”
What do you think? Was Flair attempting to walk back his earlier comments following the great match on AEW Dynamite? Let us know in the comments section below.
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It appears Brody King is All Elite.Cassidy Haynes of Bodyslam.net has brought word that King is on his way to AEW.
The report notes that one source was told over Thanksgiving weekend that his contract was a “done deal.”
It’s been said that shortly after word broke of ROH “reconceptualizing,” Brody ended up putting pen to paper with AEW.
Brody King’s Role In AEW?
(via Mikey Nolan Photography)
On the Dec. 15 Winter Is Coming special episode of AEW Dynamite, Malakai Black was seen in a segment where he appeared to introduce someone to the House of Black.
Brody King is expected to join Malakai Black as a member of the House of Black in AEW. It would come as no surprise as Malakai and Brody are tag team partners in PWG.
Back in October, Malakai teased bringing Brody to AEW.
Brody has been seen working for ROH and NJPW. In particular, he’s been appearing on a lot of shows on NJPW Strong in North America.
While Brody has yet to capture gold under the NJPW banner, he is a former ROH World Tag Team Champion. He’s also held the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Titles.
In PWG, he holds one-half of the tag team gold with Malakai Black.
Bryan Danielson and “Hangman” Adam Page had one of the best singles matches in the brief history of All Elite Wrestling on Wednesday evening. The two men opened up AEW Dynamite in a match for the promotion’s world championship; it ended up going the distance, lasting a full 60 minutes and ending in a draw.
This will undoubtedly lead to a rematch between the two, potentially at AEW’s first TNT special (Battle of the Belts) January 8th. Will that lead to Danielson’s first reign as AEW champion? While I wouldn’t bet on that at this time, Bryan may become the promotion’s champion at some point down the line.
In advance of his big match with Page on Wednesday night, the former WWE Champion spoke with Sports Illustrated about the bout, and the topic of AEW’s championship belt design came up. Bryan is no stranger to changing up wrestling promotion’s title belts; he famously changed the WWE Championship during his 2019 reign to a more eco-friendly version of the belt.
“I do not understand why we are still making anything out of animal skin,” Danielson said. “We don’t need to. The synthetic fibers are just as good-looking and just as durable as leather, and we don’t harm any animals. I don’t know if I’d go all the way to the hemp and naturally fallen oak [like the “The Planet’s Champion” belt], but I’d love to get that changed.”
Bryan Danielson Came Up Short Wednesday Night
As previously mentioned, Danielson failed in his bid to become AEW World Champion on Wednesday night. That being said, he was given considerable offense in the bout with Page. Bryan worked over Page for the good majority of the 60 minute match until Page made a hot comeback near the conclusion.
Page hit a Dead Eye and followed that up with a Buckshot Lariat in the ring. He then went to the outside to flip over the top rope and hit the full-on version of his Buckshot Lariat finisher. However, the referee called for the bell immediately after he hit the move as time had expired.
When do you want to see Bryan Danielson and Adam Page have a rematch? What did you think of Wednesday night’s match? Let us know in the comments section below!
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.
The highly anticipated match between Bryan Danielson and Adam Page took place on the special Winter is Coming episode of AEW Dynamite on Wednesday night as “Hangman” made his first title defense as AEW World Heavyweight Champion against the former WWE star.
The match from Garland, Texas at the Curtis Culwell Center opened the show and went to an-hour draw, which means Page retained the title and this leads to the possibility of a rematch happening.
Danielson dominated the early parts of the match before Page made a comeback including a moonsault off the top rope to the floor. Page got busted open after being sent into the ring post. Page did take a dive from the top rope through a table on the floor.
Page won the AEW World Championship from Kenny Omega at the Full Gear pay-per-view on November 13 while at the same event, Danielson defeated Miro in the finals of an AEW World title eliminator tournament. Because Danielson won this tournament, he earned a title match.
Page earned the shot at the title to make him champion by winning a Casino Ladder Match on Dynamite’s second anniversary episode on October 6th. At last year’s Winter is Coming, Omega defeated Jon Moxley to win the AEW World title and held it until losing to Page at Full Gear.
Danielson joined AEW in September after making the decision to not re-sign with WWE and he made his promotional debut at the All Out PPV event.
Wardlow knows that he won’t be by MJF’s side for eternity.
MJF has been relying on the assistance of Wardlow but he doesn’t always treat his bodyguard with respect. In fact, there have been numerous times where Wardlow appeared to be on the brink of snapping due to MJF’s passive-aggressive tone.
Nonetheless, Wardlow remains by MJF’s side. With that said, the leader of The Pinnacle would be wise to watch his back.
Is the Split Inevitable?
During an appearance on SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio, Wardlow said that his relationship with MJF has always been solely business but the deal won’t stick around 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.”
“I will be the future CM Punk, the future Bryan Danielson…I’m gonna be above and beyond that, because look at me.”
– Wardlow
Working Hard to be Wardlow
Wardlow (Photo: AEW)
Wardlow is undoubtedly in tremendous shape. He admitted that maintaining his physique is no easy task.
“It’s a full-time job. It truly is the hardest part of this job is dieting and maintaining this type of shape. You have to cook your meals and you have to pack them with you and you have to travel with meals.”
“If it’s time to eat in the middle of a flight, sorry everyone around me I’m opening up a container full of rice and ground beef or bison or salmon and everybody’s gotta deal with it cause it’s time to eat. You have to do what you have to do.”
