SEScoops

Category: AEW

  • Kenny Omega Receives Concerning News As His Pro Wrestling Future Remains Up In The Air

    Kenny Omega Receives Concerning News As His Pro Wrestling Future Remains Up In The Air

    AEW star Kenny Omega is yet to have surgery and a concerning report has emerged regarding his health.

    ‘The Cleaner’ is currently out of action for an indefinite period after he was diagnosed with diverticulitis following his match with Ethan Page. The former AEW World Champion was hospitalized immediately after the match. Omega was set to team up with Chris Jericho at AEW Worlds End but that match had to be scrapped off due to Omega’s absence.

    We had reported that Omega has a long road ahead for recovery. Now, it has come to light that his condition is bad enough that surgery could be risky at the time and a decision of the surgery is yet to be made.

    Update on Kenny Omega 

    Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio reported that the current plan is to monitor Omega’s condition for seven weeks before deciding on surgery. Meltzer has highlighted that during this period, Omega will receive no treatment, and after seven weeks, a decision will be made depending on his progress on recovery.

    Meltzer stated:

    “It’s going to be nothing for seven weeks and then in seven weeks, they are going to see how everything goes and, at that point, he’ll either need surgery or he… I don’t know how he won’t need surgery, but if he can heal. 

    Normally, you would have already done the surgery right away but his condition and everything was so bad that they could not risk the surgery at the time and now they are kind of just… it’s going to be in seven weeks he’ll either have the surgery or he won’t and then at that point we’ll see. He’s in a tough situation, I feel very bad for him. Until that happens, it’s a painful situation.”

    It is certainly a tough time for Omega, given his future is up in the air. Fans are hopeful that he’ll recover and get back inside the ring soon.

    We at SEScoops wish him a speedy recovery.

  • WWE & AEW Both Hope To Snag Kazuchika Okada’s Next Contract

    WWE & AEW Both Hope To Snag Kazuchika Okada’s Next Contract

    Kazuchika Okada was one of the biggest names in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, but his time with the company is ending. He is not retiring, so Okada will find another pro wrestling home. That brings up a couple obvious choices, but nothing is in stone yet.

    Kazuchika Okada leaving NJPW

    Okada will depart NJPW when his contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling concludes later this month, with potential moves to either WWE or AEW in early 2024.

    WWE has shown interest in Okada for some time, but he has never made his way there from NJPW. There is currently a perception that Okada was significantly underpaid during his tenure as a top star in New Japan Pro Wrestling, especially in comparison to potential earnings in the United States, whether with WWE or AEW.

    During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer brought up Okada’s current situation. At this time, he is still weighing his options, because he has a huge decision to make.

    “He’s gonna go to whoever makes the best offer. I’ve heard from people and talked to people who know him very well, who have talked to him in the last day or two. And he has not decided. It’s not like a secret. He just hasn’t decided yet. I know people in AEW who think they’ve got him.”

    “I know people in AEW who hope they’ve got him but don’t think they’ve got him. I know people in WWE who hope they’re gonna get him and who believe that..one person mentioned…..he wants the legacy, and it’s kinda like they’re like, ‘Well, maybe we can pay him less, but you can have your WrestleMania moment”. And again, what his goal is in his life, for some people that means more and either way he’s gonna make great money.”

    Both WWE and AEW presented proposals for Okada, and it was rumored that AEW had put forth a more compelling initial offer. Although no agreement has been finalized, both companies believe that they have a shot at securing the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion’s services.

  • Daniel Garcia: AEW’s Roster Are Very Happy To See WWE Succeed

    Daniel Garcia: AEW’s Roster Are Very Happy To See WWE Succeed

    While a portion of professional wrestling fans may be extremely tribal, those in AEW are happy to see its main competition, WWE, succeed. 

    Since launching in 2019, AEW has proven to be the biggest competition to WWE since the demise of WCW in 2001. When AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT competed in the Wednesday Night Wars, AEW’s flagship show would win the majority of battles over ratings. When the two shows went head-to-head last October, however, NXT earned a comfortable, decisive victory over Dynamite. 

    AEW Are Happy for WWE

    The topic of tribalism has been a hot-button issue since the launch of AEW, with Tony Khan’s recent outburst about Raw’s booking making headlines. In a recent interview with Adrian Hernandez, however, Daniel Garcia made it clear why AEW’s roster hopes to see WWE do well and vice versa. 

    “The fans are so AEW or WWE, they think the talent is like that as well. They think we hate each other and we don’t interact with each other. When it comes down to it, having both companies is great for all of us. It gets us all more money, it makes the product better. The competition is great.

    “We’re very grateful for WWE succeeding and I’m sure people at WWE, the talent, is very grateful for AEW being successful. All talent, for the most part, I think everyone gets along and interacts with each other.”

    Garcia competed on this week’s AEW Collision, where he defeated Buddy Matthews. He was attacked by the House of Black after the match. 

    One AEW star has called for less hostility among fans of AEW and WWE… 

    H/T – Fightful

  • Watch: Chris Curtis Walks Out To Adam Copeland’s Theme in Epic UFC 297 Entrance

    Watch: Chris Curtis Walks Out To Adam Copeland’s Theme in Epic UFC 297 Entrance

    The UFC may be allied with WWE as part of TKO Group Holdings, but it was AEW’s Adam Copeland whose theme was used at a recent event. 

    At last night’s UFC 297 event, Chris Curtis walked into his fight with Alterbridge’s Metalingus playing. Copeland has used the theme since a 2004 heel turn as Edge in WWE and has been able to keep using the theme as part of AEW following his debut at WrestleDream. 

    Curtis competed against Marc-André Barriault in a middleweight-division fight. After going the distance in three rounds, Curtis was awarded the victory by decision. Curtis’ wrestling fandom can’t be denied, as during a weigh-in, he hit a pose that fans of a certain Apex Predator may find very familiar. 

    Pro-Wrestling Themes in UFC

    Copeland’s theme isn’t the first wrestling tune to make its way to the world of UFC. Colby Covington has often used ‘Medal’, the theme synonymous with Kurt Angle in WWE, though the song was also used by Sgt. Slaughter and The Patriot. 

    At UFC 276, Israel Adesanya went one further, using an entrance based on The Undertaker. In addition to using the Phenom’s theme song, Adesanya wore an Undertaker-themed hat and solemnly walked to the cage with an urn. At that same event, Jessica Rose-Clark would walk to the cage for her fight to the theme of one of The Undertaker’s greatest rivals: Shawn Michaels. 

    Australia’s Jake Matthews didn’t bring a sledgehammer or water bottle to his fight at UFC 243 in 2019, but did walk out to Triple H’s ‘The Game’ theme. This tribute earned a reaction from the man himself, who described the entrance as “badass” in a tweet. 

    When the UFC returned to Calgary, Alberta in July 2018, it was fitting that Ion Cutelaba walked out to Bret Hart’s WWE theme. After winning over the fans with his Bret Hart shades, the Moldovan fighter would win in the cage. 

    For more information about UFC 297, click here to check out all the latest news, courtesy of MMANews.com

  • ‘The Bang Bang Scissor Gang’: Bullet Club Gold and The Acclaimed Form Supergroup On AEW Collision

    ‘The Bang Bang Scissor Gang’: Bullet Club Gold and The Acclaimed Form Supergroup On AEW Collision

    Bang Bang Scissor Gang will go down in the history books alongside the handful of supergroups that the pro wrestling world has witnessed.

    The recently formed group of The Undisputed Kingdom (Adam Cole, Wardlow, Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) had assaulted Jay White and The Acclaimed in the weeks leading up to the reveal of Adam Cole’s identity as The Devil at AEW Worlds End. This certainly gave a reason to The Acclaimed and Bullet Club Gold to unite and form a supergroup.

    While the two factions haven’t been on the same page in the past, they are united now and gave fans a reason to cheer about last night on AEW Collision.

    Bullet Club Gold and The Acclaimed unite to form The Bang Bang Scissor Gang

    On last night’s edition of AEW Collision, the newly crowned Ring of Honor Six-Man Tag Team Champions, Bullet Club Gold’s Jay White, Austin Gunn, and Colten Gunn had a segment to celebrate their victory over the Mogul Embassy on January 17’s AEW Dynamite where they became the new champs.

    Soon, AEW Trios Champions The Acclaimed (“Daddy Ass” Billy Gunn, Anthony Bowens, and Max Caster) interrupted them. It has been teased for weeks that they will unite to form a supergroup, The Bang Bang Gang. The Acclaimed had been pursuing them to and this time around, they would not leave the ring until they got their answer.

    This led to The St Louis crowd chanting “Bang Bang Scissor Gang.” Colten and Austin Gunn were ready to shake hands with The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn but Jay White stopped them. 

    The Bullet Club Gold then had a little chat before turning around and do the ‘scissoring gesture,’ thus officially forming the Bang Bang Scissor Gang. 

    Check out the video clip of the segment below:

    The new faction has reunited Billy Gunn with his sons, Austin and Colten Gunn. They were previously known as Gunn Club. 

    We will now have to wait and see how this storyline pans out.

  • Tony Khan Announces Return Of AEW Ranking System

    Tony Khan Announces Return Of AEW Ranking System

    AEW promised to present a different kind of pro wrestling when they opened their doors in 2019. One of the more innovative concepts, the rankings system, went away eventually. Now, it is coming back.

    The AEW Rankings System Returning

    The AEW rankings system used to come out every week, but then they stopped the practice. It became repetitive, and many fans started ignoring it, as did AEW with their storylines. 

    Tony Khan sent out a notice on Twitter/X that the AEW rankings system is returning. He was very excited about this announcement, and plans to make it a great 2024 for AEW.

    The Rankings are coming back to AEW going forward, starting this month! @AEW is having a very exciting January, and this is only the beginning of an amazing 2024 for AEW and our fans. Thank you all watching Saturday Night #AEWCollision right now on @TNTdrama !

    AEW Loves Keeping Records

    The AEW ranking system may have gone away, but they still keep track of records. Those numbers can be seen on any star’s name plate as they make their way to the ring.

    Since records go year-to-year in AEW, the start of 2024 can mark the return of that ranking system. They may have started at the end of January, but it’s better late than never.

    Now, with Tony Khan bringing back the AEW ranking system, a new year can start with a return to that old practice. We will have to see how they utilize it this time around to make it a bigger part of AEW programming. 

  • Why Top WWE Prospect Was Backstage At AEW Dynamite This Week

    AEW has brought in some of the best free agents that they can since their doors opened. The fact that Kamille was backstage at Dynamite this week certainly made a lot of people look her way.

    Why Kamille Was Backstage At AEW Dynamite

    Kamille is one of the biggest female names in the pro wrestling scene. Her debut for AEW did not happen this week, but she was around. This goes against the previous idea that she was WWE bound. 

    Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that Kamille was just around AEW Dynamite to visit friends. She lives in the area, as Dynamite took place at the North Charleston Coliseum in North Charleston, South Carolina. 

    Fightful confirmed that even though she was originally just around visiting friends, as she’s local to the area. However, that she did speak with several people of influence at the show.

    Kamille’s Current Contract Status

    It was also noted that, as of January 19th, Kamille has not signed with any company yet. It was reported that overtures were made over the past couple of weeks to bring Kamille to WWE. However, that didn’t keep her from being backstage at AEW Dynamite on January 17.

    Kamille reportedly had a six-month option with NWA that could have extended into the first half of the year. Nevertheless, she chose not to exercise that option.

    What’s Next For Kamille?

    Kamille’s future is uncertain, but she is a top free agent in the pro wrestling landscape. Wherever she goes next, it is bound to draw headlines.

    The former NWA women’s champion is reportedly set to join WWE. The 31-year-old has been a free agent since January 1st, but that might not be the case for very long.

  • Darby Allin Recalls Almost Suffering A Horrific Injury On Dynamite: “We don’t play it safe”

    Darby Allin Recalls Almost Suffering A Horrific Injury On Dynamite: “We don’t play it safe”

    AEW superstar Darby Allin recently talked about almost suffering a broken neck at AEW Dynamite ‘Homecoming’ edition at Daily’s Place.

    Allin has made a name for himself with his breathtaking spots in his matches. He has captivated the fans with his high-risk maneuvers that thrill the fans. However, with it comes a line between a memorable moment and a career-threatening injury. He has managed to escape neck injury, which has put several stars on the shelf for good.

    The January 10th episode of AEW Dynamite saw a Texas Tornado Match in the main event, featuring Sting & Darby Allin against Konosuke Takeshita and Powerhouse Hobbs. The babyface pair secured the win but at the expense of some nasty bumps.

    A spot during that match saw Takeshita and Cage throw Allin across the ring by his hands and feet. The former TNT Champion hit the mat on the other side of the ring, catching his head under the bottom rope.

    Darby Allin comments on his risk moves

    Speaking on KSDK to promote AEW in St. Louis, Darby Allin recalled the incident and noted that AEW stars try to deliver the unexpected every week. He further revealed that he almost broke his neck due to the horrific spot.

    “The thing with AEW is, you can expect the unexpected. I mean that, I’m not just trying to sell anything. Every week, there is crazy shenanigans going on. Last week, I almost broke my neck. This week, we have so much crazy stuff. Literally, it’s something different every week. We don’t play it safe. I was in town, I saw this arch, and I kind of want to jump off of it.”

    Allin is a risk-taker and he looks far from stopping himself from showcasing his daredevillry whether it’s inside or outside the squared circle.

  • Jeff Jarrett Praises Samoa Joe For An Innate Ability In The Ring

    Jeff Jarrett Praises Samoa Joe For An Innate Ability In The Ring

    Jeff Jarrett believes Samoa Joe exemplified an innate ability that few possess, but the WWE Hall of Famer saw Joe’s talent back in TNA.

    In the main event of AEW Dynamite in Charleston, SC, Joe choked out HOOK in the main event to retain his AEW World Championship. It happened to be Joe’s first title defense and HOOK gave him a run for his money.

    If one were going by the live crowd reaction, Joe was tremendously over to start the fight, but two-thirds into the battle, Joe and HOOK got the audience completely over on the challenger’s side.

    Speaking on an episode of “My World,” Jarrett talked about how it takes a rare talent to be able to do that for their opponents. Joe did just as much during his undefeated streak in TNA.

    “My default answer was, ‘Joe can win and still help get guys over.’ That’s an art. That was taught to me in many different ways from my dad and Jerry Lawler, but it is so true, and if you can’t really do that, I don’t think you can really get to the next level. It’s easy to win and get yourself over. It’s even more difficult to win and get your opponent over, but Joe could do it.”

    How TNA Ended Joe’s Undefeated Streak In TNA

    Jarrett admitted there was no end in sight for Samoa Joe to lose to anyone in TNA, but then Kurt Angle came along and signed with the company.

    “…then that quick conversation to Orlando from Dave Hawk, who is Kurt’s manager, and said, ‘Hey man. I think you’ve got a shot if you want to have Kurt come on board ‘ and how all that came together, and then the Kurt and Joe trilogy.”

    Please credit My World and h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.

  • Jim Ross Reveals His AEW Contract Renewal Is Pending

    Jim Ross Reveals His AEW Contract Renewal Is Pending

    AEW veteran commentator Jim Ross has disclosed that he is yet to ink a contract extension with the promotion.

    Good Ol’ JR is certainly willing to stay with AEW for a long time to come and that is only possible if he pens a fresh deal. 

    Ross has been a part of AEW since 2019, which is years after his controversial firing from WWE. He has been a familiar voice in the world of pro wrestling and has called the action for AEW shows regularly. 

    Last years, rumors floated that Ross was looking to retire but the Oklahoma native shut down the claims. His contract expires on February 14 which is almost a month ahead of AEW icon Sting battles his final match on March 3 at AEW Revolution.

    Jim Ross wants to extend his contract with AEW

    Speaking on Grilling JR, Ross said that he’s happy the way the contract situation is developing and he’d love to announce his contract extension to the fans before February 14.

    “It seems to be that it just makes sense that the original two guys that called the very first Sting-Flair match if they were available and could still carry their share of their water, would be a good opportunity,” Ross said.

    “I mentioned it to Tony Khan. He loved the idea. My problem is not that. My problem is my contract is up February 14th, which I’ve mentioned ad nauseam…that event is in March. So we gotta take care of some business and I’m sure that we will. I feel good about where I’m headed with Tony and AEW. I’d love to have something to announce before the 14th, if possible.”

    Ross has stated that the contract talks are still in the same place and believes that it would be apt if he and Tony Schiavone call Sting’s last match. He said:

    “We’re still at the same place right,” Ross said about his contract talks. “I gotta get there contractually to be able to pull that off. I’m not using it as a leverage ploy. It just seemed like it makes sense.

    I think the best booking is booking this logically and having JR and Schiavone call the match to me seems logical. So we’ll see how it all works out. It’s going to work out the way it’s supposed to be and we’ll see how it goes from there, but I’m happy with the way things are moving along.”

    Recently, during the main event of AEW Dynamite ‘Homecoming’, Jim Ross made his return to the commentary booth and joined the regular team of Tony Schiavone and Excalibur. They went on to call the match which featured the team of Sting and Darby Allin facing  Konosuke Takeshita and Powerhouse Hobbs.

  • Newly Signed AEW Star Will Have To Change Gimmick To Avoid Legal Issues

    Newly Signed AEW Star Will Have To Change Gimmick To Avoid Legal Issues

    AEW has inked deals with a number of talented wrestlers over the last twelve months, and many of them kept their personas, or simply built onto a pre-existing idea of their character. One star is set to see a gimmick change, but the extent of that alteration is uncertain.

    AEW Signs New Star

    Tony Khan has successfully secured a new deal for someone who will now be working for both All Elite Wrestling and Ring of Honor. Black Taurus, who has experience in AAA, Impact Wrestling, and so many more destinations, has previously competed under the AEW and ROH banners. Now locked into a contract. 

    In the past month, Taurus engaged in three title matches against El Hijo del Vikingo for the AAA Mega Championship, two of which occurred within the AEW/ROH events.

    Taurus has also made appearances for TNA Wrestling since 2019. However, with this new contract development, he is now making a transition. 

    AEW Star’s Gimmick Has To Change

    As reported by Luchablog, who is a reliable source for luchador news, Taurus and Tony Khan have reached an agreement for his services. It’s worth noting that due to AAA’s ownership of the ‘Black Taurus’ name, the wrestler will need to undergo a character and name change to avoid potential legal complications. 

    This precautionary step is particularly crucial, given AAA’s previous legal dispute over the Luchasaurus mask, which was eventually settled. The report indicates that Taurus is ready for these alterations to his character.

    It is unclear how much Khan will have to tweak Black Taurus’ presentation, but he can’t keep that gimmick he’s been using since 2018.

  • Sammy Guevara Sidelined With An Injury After Scary Bump

    Sammy Guevara Sidelined With An Injury After Scary Bump

    Chris Jericho has revealed that Sammy Guevara has sustained an injury that is likely to keep him on the shelf.

    Guevara has been missing out on in-ring due to multiple injuries in the recent past. Last year, he suffered a concussion during WrestleDream pay-per-view event. During a trios tag match, Guevara joined forces with Konosuke Takeshita and Will Ospreay to face off Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega, and Kota Ibushi. This battle culminated with Guevara pinning Chris Jericho.

    Sammy Guevara injured

    The former TNT Champion has yet again suffered an injury on last week’s AEW Battle of the Belts IX. Ricky Starks and Big Bill put their AEW World Tag Team Championship on the line against Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara in a Street Fight. 

    In the final moments of the match, Guevara dived off a lighting rig onto Starks. However, Powerhouse Hobbs pulled Starks out of the way to make the save and Guevara crashed onto the floor as Starks pinned him for the win. It seems that it was at this moment, ‘The Spanish God’ sustained an injury. Here’s what Chris Jericho said:

    Sammy Guevara eyeing to be cautious in the ring

    Sammy Guevara has high-flying moves in his arsenal but they are quite risky to execute. A slight mistake could lead to injuries. Though he attempted a risky move this past week, Guevara had previously stated that he would be more cautious with his high-flying spots in the ring now that he and Tay Melo are parents. 

    The couple recently welcomed their first child, a baby girl Luna. Guevara could not be happier to be a dad but given his new role as a father, he needs to be more cautious.

    Speaking on the Insight podcast, Guevara spoke about how becoming a dad will likely change his wrestling style. He said:

    “It’s pretty cool for sure and now it’s got me thinking differently just in wrestling. Because I’m used to doing all the ‘I’m Crazy ‘ stuff but now I’m like, yeah, I guess I can’t be that crazy anymore… I don’t know if we’re going to dial it back but I think we’ll be more selective with how and when we do the crazy stuff.” 

    The details of the injury are yet to be disclosed but fans are hoping that it won’t keep him away from the squared circle much longer.

    We at SEScoops wish Sammy Guevara a speedy recovery.

  • The Young Bucks Are Tired Of “Self-Serving Superficial, Cancerous Superstars”

    The Young Bucks Are Tired Of “Self-Serving Superficial, Cancerous Superstars”

    The Young Bucks didn’t hold back in their comments on this week’s Dynamite, which some believe was about a certain Chicago-Made punk. 

    During last week’s Dynamite, the Bucks returned to programming following a hiatus and had a staredown with Darby Allin and Sting. While not confirmed, it is believed the Bucks will face Allin and the Icon at AEW Revolution 2024. The March pay-per-view will mark three years since Sting’s wrestling debut for AEW and will see the WWE Hall of Famer’s last match. 

    The Young Bucks Are Tired

    On this week’s Dynamite, the Bucks demonstrated their new, serious personas, which falls in line with 2023 reports stating that the pair would have a darker side upon returning. In a sit-down interview with Renee Paquette, the Bucks spoke about how AEW has changed under their watch, and how that change occurred. Matt said: 

    “We did lose our way, it was like the culture shifted and toxicity creeped into the locker rooms, and the perception of the company, it was just different. I think I know why. We started to lean on yesterday’s self-serving, superficial, cancerous superstars.”

    Many fans have seen this comment as a nod to CM Punk, who the Bucks would butt heads with in AEW. The Bucks and Punk would be on opposite sides during the infamous AEW All Out 2022 brawl that would see all three men (and others) suspended. 

    Not only does Punk fit the ‘Superstar’ moniker given his recent return to WWE, but the “cancerous” line is seemingly a knock at the Best in the World. Chris Jericho would call Punk a cancer following the All Out fight. Shortly after, WWE’s Seth Rollins would use the same verbiage when calling for Punk to stay away from WWE. 

    Fans Respond

    You can check out some of the responses by fans to this week’s promo below:

    https://twitter.com/SolitaireRose/status/1747805769142055109

    Despite Rollins’ warning, Punk did return to WWE, which Rollins wasn’t happy with… 

  • Samoa Joe Marks First AEW World Title Defense With Win Over HOOK

    Samoa Joe Marks First AEW World Title Defense With Win Over HOOK

    The AEW World Championship reign of Samoa Joe is off to a strong start following a hard-fought victory over HOOK on this week’s Dynamite. 

    Joe has held the gold since December 30 when AEW held its first Worlds End pay-per-view. At that event, Samoa Joe won the AEW World Championship from MJF, ending the latter’s record-breaking reign. After the match, Adam Cole would be revealed as the Devil with Matt Taven, Mike Bennett, Roderick Strong, and Wardlow as his minions.

    Samoa Joe Vs. HOOK

    In the main event of this week’s Dynamite, Joe defended his gold against HOOK. Thanks to a sponsorship from the new Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League video game (in which Joe voices King Shark), the match aired commercial-free. 

    Joe dominated early on, and would put HOOK through the announce table, though the second-generation wrestler responded by flipping off the champ. This earned HOOK a powerbomb onto the apron, though he was able to make it back to the ring. 

    HOOK mounted a comeback and was able to kick out of a Muscle Buster at one, to the surprise of Joe and the crowd. In the end, the Coquina Clutch sealed the win for the champion, but Joe looked shocked at how much it took to put HOOK away.

    After the Match

    Despite his defeat, HOOK refused to stay down and trash-talked Joe after the match. This earned the FTW Champion another beatdown. Before more damage could be done, ‘Hangman’ Adam Page and Swerve Strickland arrived on the scene and Joe walked away. Both Page and Strickland have made it clear they intend to challenge Joe for the AEW World Championship when the time is right. 

  • Mark Briscoe Brings Jay Briscoe’s Children to Dynamite on One Year Anniversary of His Death

    Mark Briscoe Brings Jay Briscoe’s Children to Dynamite on One Year Anniversary of His Death

    One year ago, the wrestling world was stunned by the death of Jay Briscoe (Jamin Pugh). He and his brother, Mark, were 13-time ROH Tag Team Champions. They last competed together just a few weeks earlier at ROH’s Final Battle. 

    At the time of the accident, Jay had his daughters in the car with him. Youngest daughter, Jayleigh, sustained serious injuries. She had to wear a neck brace and an external fixator for several weeks.  

    Gracie had back surgery the morning after the accident. Following surgery, she needed outpatient rehab five days a week. Last February, a family friend stated that Gracie was walking with assistance, although she didn’t have full movement below her knee. 

    On Dynamite, the Pugh family was in the audience. Mark came out to talk about the anniversary of his brother’s death. 

    “My nieces were in the truck with them. Tragically, they told my oldest niece they were injured severely. They told my oldest niece, ‘you’ll never walk again.’ However…dammit. God is on the throne! We Dem Boyz, dammit! We won’t stop because we can’t stop! We ain’t going nowhere! We thank every one of y’all from the bottom of our heart and we love y’all, man. God bless y’all.”

    Briscoe embraced his nieces and nephew, Gannon. 

    Over the last year, Mark has been wrestling primarily as a singles wrestler. He has called this his rookie year as a singles competitor. Mark splits his time between AEW and his beloved ROH. 

  • Kota Ibushi May Need Additional Surgeries After Knee Procedure

    Kota Ibushi May Need Additional Surgeries After Knee Procedure

    Kota Ibushi put his body through a lot during his years in NJPW prior to signing with AEW. Sadly, his time in AEW started off with an injury, and now he could need even more work done.

    Kota Ibushi Will Need More Work After Surgery

    Kota Ibushi was set to have surgery on January 17th. He had that operation and afterward, he took to social media to give fans an update.

    While posting to Twitter/X, Kota Ibushi revealed that he is recovering after his latest operation. Now, he needs to worry about what is next, which includes a pesky bad shoulder.

    Sorry for the late report. It looks like the ligament was completely torn (another spot was already little to begin with) and is now completely immobilized in a cast up to about below the knee. The next step is to see what will happen to the left side, and the right side will go for 2 weeks. My shoulder is not in perfect condition and I intend to fix everything this time. I apologize for the inconvenience. I will think about the rest in various ways.

    How Kota Ibushi Was Injured

    Tony Khan’s roster has seen a few big names go down for an extended period of time. Pro wrestling always comes with risks, but Ibushi is one of the best in the world when he’s on his A-Game. Hopefully, AEW will get a good run with Ibushi before everything is said and done.

    Kota had a match against Naomichi Marufuji at NOAH The New Year, during which he sustained an ankle injury. Following the conclusion of the match, he faced difficulty standing and was subsequently transported to the hospital. Pro Wrestling NOAH disclosed that he received a diagnosis of a right tibiofibular ligament tear and a right ankle lateral ligament complex injury.

  • Samoa Joe Names Three Wrestling Stars Who “Hit Like A Truck”

    Samoa Joe Names Three Wrestling Stars Who “Hit Like A Truck”

    Samoa Joe is known to be a hard-hitter, but the AEW World Champion named three other names who pack their own special kind of power. However, none of them hit as hard as he does.

    In light of his first World Title defense this Wednesday on AEW Dynamite, Samoa Joe spoke with Chris Mueller of Bleacher Report to talk about his one-on-one fight with HOOK. Joe previously had some good praise for the young AEW star and did just as much in this interview too.

    Mount Rushmore of Hardest Hitters in Wrestling

    The champ was asked about who he would name as the hardest hitters in wrestling. Joe named two Japanese legends before naming three modern talents that devastate with their own power.

    “The list is a Mount Rushmore of some of the most dangerous people in the world,” he said. “You start from [Kenta] Kobashi and [Mitsuharu] Misawa. Young Wardlow. He hits like a truck. Brock Lesnar hits like a truck. Roman Reigns hits like a truck.”

    There’s tons of people around the sphere of wrestling who all hit hard, and I’ve felt all that power, but they don’t hit as hard as me.”

    Reigns and Lesnar have had their fair share of championships, but the AEW World Title is the first World Championship Joe has held since his TNA days. 

    Since he defeated MJF for the championship at World’s End, Joe has laid out a new format as to who will be deemed as appropriate for challegning for his AEW gold. To him, wins and losses matter and his first challenger HOOK has an impressive record worthy for his challenge.

  • Andrade El Idolo’s Expected WWE Return Was A Interesting Process

    WWE has seen several returns over the last couple of years. Triple H brought back several people that Vince McMahon either released or he let their contract expire. Now, all signs point to Andrade’s return.

    Andrade’s Expected WWE Return

    Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that Andrade el Idolo has concluded his time with All Elite Wrestling, and has reached an agreement with WWE. This was said to be a “roller coaster” situation.

    Initially Andrade signed to a two-year deal with AEW, the inclusion of injury time extended his contract. So, his contract was stretched to the end of the year.

    AEW talent noted Andrade’s transparency regarding his contract status, as he did not hide anything backstage. El Idolo made it clear that his deal would conclude in or by the end of 2023. Despite there was a brief time when he reportedly expressed intentions to stay with AEW and consider another contract, towards the end of his run, he informed fellow wrestlers of his decision to return to WWE.

    Some within AEW even anticipated his appearance on WWE programming shortly after his departure. They were surprised that he hasn’t debuted yet. With the Royal Rumble coming up on January 27th, that could very well be a landing pad for his return as well.

    Reasons Behind Andrade’s AEW Exit

    Although Tony Khan left the door open for Andrade’s return publicly, individuals working closely with Andrade found the process frustrating, with him revealing days before World’s End that he was concluding his time with AEW.

    Additionally, it is reported that Charlotte Flair advocated for Andrade’s return to WWE, and Andrade himself had suggested that AEW link up with Ric Flair.

    WWE has not confirmed Andrade’s return to the company just yet, but the general belief is that he is coming back to television. The former NXT Champion may be back on RAW or SmackDown very soon.

  • ‘Double Surgeries’ – AEW star Keith Lee dealt another setback

    All Elite Wrestling superstar Keith Lee’s year is off to a rocky start. He suffered a setback last month when he had to pull out of a match against Swerve Strickland at AEW World’s End due to an injury. While fans have been hopeful he would return to action soon, he won’t be able to compete for a while. 

    In a statement written to Nick Hausman, Lee shared that he is set to undergo two double surgeries. AEW star seems to admit that he didn’t need surgery for 19 years of his career, but unfortunately, it was his time. 

    Hausman transcribed the following quotes he received from Lee. 

    “Took roughly 19 years…. but I guess it’s my turn,” wrote Lee. He continued, “Time to get fixed. Here’s to double surgeries. Certainly, one way to start 2024.”

    It’s unclear what the specific injury Lee has to get fixed or how long he is expected to be out of action. The update from the AEW superstar is unfortunate, as it seemed like he was recently building momentum in the company.

     Lee started gaining traction by winning a mixed eight-person tag team match at AEW WrestleDream on October 1, 2023. He continued to be featured for both AEW and Ring Of Honor, including competing in a loss against Samoa Joe for the ROH World Television Championship. In his last three matches, he won three consecutive matches, and AEW was ready to feature his long-awaited rematch with Strickland. 

    At this time, it’s unclear if the company plans to continue with the program when he eventually returns. 

    Could AEW Continue the Feud Between Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland

    Although the feud between Lee and Strickland is unresolved, Strickland has moved on to another big storyline. He is in the mix to compete for the AEW World Championship and is involved in a feud with “Hangman” Adam Page. 

    On the January 10 episode of AEW Dynamite, Strickland shared his intentions to challenge for the world title before Page interrupted him. AEW may have another match planned between Page and Strickland as they look to end their rivalry. While it’s unclear if Strickland will get another win and move on to challenge for the championship, AEW seems to have plans for him.

     Lee’s primary focus for the foreseeable future will be to recover from injuries. If he can return fully healthy, he can build momentum again, and the company can restart his feud with Strickland.

    Although the timing of the injuries is unlucky, AEW fans will support Lee and look forward to him returning to the ring at 100 percent. 

     

  • Samoa Joe: CM Punk-Jack Perry Fight Was “A Little Bit Of An Incident” And Nothing More

    CM Punk & Jack Perry fought backstage at AEW All In 2023, but the pair did not have some epic showdown according to Samoa Joe. 

    The infamous brawl would take place after Perry’s kick-off match with HOOK, in which the former Jungle Boy referred to using real glass. Punk, who has previously made clear his opposition to using real glass, would confront Perry about the comment, resulting in a fight.

    Samoa Joe On All In Brawl

    Much like the brawl at AEW All Out 2022, the fight at Wembley Stadium would dominate headlines and in the eyes of many, would overshadow AEW’s historic international event. Despite threatening to quit AEW on the spot, Punk would compete in the All In main-card opening contest against Samoa Joe. In a recent interview with ESPN, the reigning AEW World Champion played down the notion that the fight between Perry and Punk was some massive spectacle. 

    “There was a little bit of an incident. We got it broken up. We went out there and wrestled, man. That’s the gist of it. Everybody wants it to be a lot more than what it is, but that’s what it was. And to speak any more on it would be pointless unless you’re trying to get a scorecard and stuff — but trust me, it wasn’t that type of a fight.”

    What Happened Next? 

    After a brief investigation, Tony Khan made the call for Punk’s AEW contract to be terminated. Ahead of a Collision taping in Punk’s native Chicago, Khan explained to the fans that he was fearing for his life backstage at All In. Punk would return to WWE at Survivor Series: WarGames 2023 and has since been one of the promotion’s top Superstars. 

    Jack Perry, like Punk, was suspended following AEW All In. While his suspension reportedly ended months ago, Perry has not returned to AEW programming. Instead, Perry recently debuted for NJPW where he tore up an AEW contract. 

  • Dustin Rhodes Says His Legacy Isn’t Goldust, AEW or Championships. It’s His Sobriety

    Dustin Rhodes Says His Legacy Isn’t Goldust, AEW or Championships. It’s His Sobriety

    Dustin Rhodes has accomplished plenty in the world of professional wrestling, but his consistent sobriety is the veteran’s greatest accomplishment.

    Rhodes is perhaps best known for his WWE tenure as the bizarre Goldust but has also competed for WCW and other promotions. In 2019, Rhodes joined AEW as a wrestler and also works as a coach for the promotion.

    Like many wrestlers, Rhodes has faced struggles and dealt with addiction to alcohol and substances. In an episode of The Sessions, Rhodes shared that medicating to recover from a 1996 injury would set him down a destructive path. Thankfully, Rhodes has been able to overcome addiction and has proudly been sober for over 15 years.

    Dustin Rhodes on his legacy

    Speaking to veteran sports journalist Justin Barrasso for Sports Illustrated, Rhodes noted his sobriety as the most long-lasting accolade he has.

    “My sobriety, that’s my legacy. And I understand it’s OK to have bad days. There will be better ones. Life has been an incredible teacher. I’ve learned a lot, and I plan on being clean and sober for the rest of my life.”

    Rhodes also reflected on his years of addiction and the toll it took on him and his career.

    “I wasn’t seeing clearly back in the day, and I paid for it heavily. Sometimes, I’m still trying to prove myself, even when I don’t need to. I came out the other side. The devil is still sitting here, right on my shoulder. All’s I need to do is walk with him. But each new day, I tell him, ‘No, I’m going to be good today.’ So I’m not going to drink. I’m not going to do drugs. I have my sh– together, and I’m fixin’ to get on with my life.”

    Rhodes will face Christian Cage for the TNT Championship on tonight’s AEW Dynamite. The match will be the first singles encounter between the two veterans since 2003.

  • Hook Apparently Fires Back At Jinder Mahal Ahead of AEW World Title Match

    Hook Apparently Fires Back At Jinder Mahal Ahead of AEW World Title Match

    AEW superstar Hook recently took a shot back at WWE star Jinder Mahal ahead of the biggest match of his career.

    Recently, AEW President Tony Khan attacked WWE for booking Jinder Mahal in a World Heavyweight Championship match on Raw. Khan argued that Mahal’s dismal win/loss record means he shouldn’t be competing for the title. Fans reacted negatively to this, citing Abadon’s abrupt push in the TBS title picture and Hook’s push in the AEW World Championship picture. 

    Tony Khan was enraged after seeing a tweet from the USA Network that made no mention of either Khan or AEW. The aforementioned post was a reaction to Raj Giri’s Tweet about the NXT Championship bout between Mahal and Rollins in 2012. The USA Network questioned about the Cagematch rating for the match which Khan took as a dig at him. 

    Tony Khan made an argument in that post that Hook, who has a 28-1 record, is also deserving of a World Title shot.

    The Modern Day Maharaja took note of the Tweet by Tony Khan and acted like he didn’t know who Hook was. 

    Hook responds

    FTW Champion Hook, who is inactive on social media, has responded to Jinder Mahal in a new promo hyping his AEW World Championship match against Samoa Joe on Dynamite this week.

    In the video clip, the 24-year-old addressed the pressure that comes with the title match against Joe. He also questioned his own identity which is apparently a dig at Jinder Mahal.

    “So who’s the pressure on tomorrow? I mean, is there really anything that I have to lose?
    And also (bites into a slice of pizza), I’m not big enough to compete with Samoa Joe. Eh, but I am getting some calories right now (holds up pizza), so who knows.
    Then again, who the f**k am I anyway?
    24 hours Joe, I’m coming for that world title.”Sa

    This will mark Samoa Joe’s first AEW World title defense after winning the title at AEW Worlds End pay-per-view and we will have to see how this match pans out. 

  • Samoa Joe: “HOOK Is Quite The Dynamic Little Athlete”

    Samoa Joe is quite intrigued for his upcoming title fight against HOOK. The AEW World Champion will put his newly acquired hardware on the line against the FTW Champion in what will be Joe’s first defense of the belt.

    Speaking with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, Joe talked about how he thinks HOOK is an excellent match-up for him, but the heel also said it in a fashion that could certainly be taken as back-handed.

    “This typifies what I want to see during my reign–I want these first-time matchups with something at stake. Hook is quite the dynamic little athlete, and he’s been doing his best to make his case. His record speaks for itself, and we’re going to find out if he’s the truth or not.

    “It takes about 29 other athletes to equal something approximating me, so this will be a good little test,” said Joe. “We’ll find out where we’re at.”

    The fight got a good deal of stir on social media as AEW President was heavy in defending the match-up against his critics and notoriously factored Jinder Mahal into the equation.

    This match-up isn’t just intriguing to Samoa Joe, however. Rob Van Dam recently mentioned on his “1 Of A Kind” podcast that he’s thinks it’s going to be beneficial for both Joe and HOOK. He also stated that he believe HOOK has what it takes to be a top star in pro wrestling. RVD mentioned that the bout could end in the two exchanging handshakes and that could be a possibility, as Joe envisions his father Taz in some well-regard.

    “That no-nonsense attitude, destroy-at-all-costs, that’s who he was. That’s who I am. Now it’s exemplified in an athlete like Hook, so let’s get in the ring and go.”

  • Lexis King: I Spent So Much Of AEW Run Doubting My Worth

    Lexis King: I Spent So Much Of AEW Run Doubting My Worth

    AEW may have proved to be pivotal in the career of Lexis King, but the NXT Superstar experienced the worst case of self-doubt of his career while he was ‘All-Elite.’

    King signed with WWE NXT last year shortly after his tenure with AEW came to an end. King made his in-ring debut for WWE at an NXT live event and has quickly become one of the most prominently featured stars on the roster. 

    Lexis King on His Self-Doubt

    King has quickly become a top guy in NXT, in stark contrast to his tenure with AEW. On the latest edition of the Insight podcast, King spoke about making his WWE NXT TV debut and how he’d felt in AEW. 

    “It [his WWE NXT TV debut] was great. I was just sitting in it and I’m backstage thinking ‘Is this real?’ I spent, and this isn’t a knock on anybody, but I spent so many months of my career at the previous company, just second-guessing myself. Am I really any good? Am I worth it? A lot of self-doubt. And just to see how my career has done a total 180 since then [is incredible].

    “I went from just sitting in the back and filming a few dark matches in Orlando here and there. Six-minute tag matches, barely getting in the ring and feeling the canvas to now, I’m sitting on a throne, making my entrance. In the biggest wrestling company in the world, they have this confidence in me. And it fuels me, now I have confidence in myself.

    “Hell, they gave me the name King! It doesn’t get any better than that. So just to feel that 180 and go out there and perform with a certain level of grit and attitude. You know, I’m going to prove everyone one wrong, everyone who didn’t believe in me, It’s a dream come true.”

    While King feels he is thriving now that he’s part of WWE NXT, the second-generation wrestler wanted to make it clear he doesn’t resent AEW or his time with the company. 

    “There’s no ill-will [towards AEW] but it’s just sort of that mindset. I put myself in that mindset. Nobody else put me in that. I just put myself in that mindset of ‘What’s going on here?’ That self-doubt. And I kept griding. Like I said I moved back home. I kept grinding, going to the local [wrestling] school. Trying to find out what makes me tick as a performer. And just the experience living there, the experience I gained traveling with AEW made me the performer I am today.”

    King has been embroiled in the storyline surrounding Trick Williams’ mystery attacker from months ago. The former AEW star has implicated Trick’s longtime ally Carmelo Hayes as the culprit.

    Lexis King recently had a unique request for his fans… 

    For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SE Scoops.

  • Powerhouse Hobbs on Tony Khan’s Tweets: “It’s His Company, He Believes in Us”

    Powerhouse Hobbs on Tony Khan’s Tweets: “It’s His Company, He Believes in Us”

    Tony Khan may cut loose on Twitter from time to time, but Powerhouse Hobbs believes it only demonstrates his boss’ dedication to AEW. 

    In the days leading up to this week’s Raw, Khan fired off a series of tweets, outraged at the booking of Jinder Mahal in a World Heavyweight Championship match. Khan’s comments would be mocked by fans online, with some pointing out AEW talent who have been thrust into title matches after lengthy breaks from programming. 

    Powerhouse Hobbs Reacts

    Khan has never shied away from letting his views known on social media, which hasn’t gone unnoticed by the AEW roster. In a recent interview with Adrian Hernandez, Powerhouse Hobbs shared his two cents on Khan’s online activity.

    “It’s his company. He believes in us, and you know, if you believe in something, speak your mind. If you’re 100% sure on it, speak your mind. If you’re 99% sure on it, don’t speak on it. He’s 100% sure and he’s speaking his mind. He believes in his company and he believes in us.”

    Tony Khan on Social Media

    Khan’s outburst about Jinder Mahal is hardly the first time the AEW President has run his mouth on social media. Ahead of the Tuesday Night War of October 2023, Khan made a series of disparaging remarks about WWE’s gold brand. Khan labeled Triple H and Shawn Michaels “bald a**holes” which made it all the more embarrassing when NXT decisively beat Dynamite in the ratings. While NXT soared to its third-highest viewership of all time, Dynamite hit its lowest viewership in close to two years.

    Khan has claimed that an anti-AEW ‘army’ of bots bash the product on social media. In 2022, Khan suggested that only WWE would pay for such a wildly-expensive army of bots, but gave no hard evidence of this being the case at the time.