Former AEW Women’s Champion Riho has not wrestled a match this year but latest reports suggest that she could be returning soon.
Dave Meltzer provided an update on the female star in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter. He claimed that she could be back as early as next week.
Regarding the possible plans for her return, Meltzer mentioned that Tony Khan could use her for ROH since the AEW stories all seem to be based around talents such as Britt Baker and Saraya.
Riho was the Inaugural AEW champion who won the title on the very first episode of Dynamite. She held the belt for 133 days before dropping it to Nyla Rose.
The former champion last wrestled during a SPW show back on November 25 last year. She competed in a triple threat match for SPW Queen of The Asia title.
Her last AEW match came on November 9 from Agganis Arena in Boston. She teamed up with Willow Nightingale to defeat Emi Sakura & Mei Suruga in a tag team match during a Dark: Elevation episode.
The reason behind Riho’s absence from the ring is unclear. We will have to see if the AEW star reveals any detail regarding it when she returns to the company.
AEW TV ratings have been on a decline the last few weeks. Many believe keeping Kenny Omega out of the World title picture and putting him in a predictable storyline over the trios title is one of the reasons behind it.
Amongst the reported WWE interest in signing The Cleaner, there has also been curiousity over how the former AEW champion himself feels about his current role in the company.
The AEW star commented on his current position during an appearance on the Swerve City podcast. Omega said that both him and The Young Bucks are comfortable with their current roles:
“We’re so comfortable in our own skin and where we’re at in wrestling. Whatever I’m required to do, even if it’s not be the focus or the star of the show, I feel I have something I can give that, wherever I am on the card.”
Kenny Omega explained that his current role is not about being the focal point of AEW programming. Instead, it’s about letting lose and having fun:
“I’m not supposed to be in this epic storyline encounter. No blood feuds right now. I’m in a position where, right now, we’re doing six-man tags, it’s supposed to be fun,”
Omega said that he trusts himself to deliver in different positions on the card. When his trust wavers, he has the Young Bucks to pick him up.
AEW President Tony Khan has called out Ariel Helwani on Twitter. This came after the reporter made an appearance on tonight’s episode of SmackDown.
Sami Zayn is set to challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed Championship at the Elimination Chamber PPV from his hometown of Montreal, Canada.
Tonight’s episode of SmackDown also aired from Montreal. WWE brought in Helwani who is from the city as well to interact with the crowd and promote the upcoming match.
Khan apparently saw Ariel’s appearance on the show and he called him a fraud on Twitter. Helwani responded to the AEW owner calling him a legend and saying that he can’t wait for their next chat:
“Thanks for watching, old friend! Can’t wait for our next chat. (Also, don’t listen to the snowman, Schiavone. You’re a legend in my books.)”
Thanks for watching, old friend! Can’t wait for our next chat.
(Also, don’t listen to the snowman, Schiavone. You’re a legend in my books.)
There has been tension between Helwani and Khan before. This came after the former interviewed TK in the fall of 2022.
He later went on record calling the interview with Khan ‘one of the most frustrating’ of his career. Helwani explained that Tony did not answer any of his questions and instead just focused on promoting his shows.
What do you make of this exchange between Tony Khan and Ariel Helwani? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
There is a big announcement coming from Tony Khan on next week’s episode of AEW Dynamite.
During this week’s episode of AEW Rampage, the segment was announced. As of this writing, it’s unclear exactly what the AEW/ROH President will have to say.
In addition to this announcement being revealed, All Elite Wrestling confirmed several matches for the show, including Orange Cassidy defending the AEW All-Atlantic Championship against Wheeler Yuta.
Matches Confirmed
The bout was set up on Rampage when they had a face-to-face confrontation during a backstage segment. Former AEW Tag Team Champions The Acclaimed will be in action when they take on Big Bill and Lee Moriarty.
AEW will follow up with Saraya facing Skye Blue. At the same time, Christian Cage will sit down with Tony Schiavone for an interview after returning this past Wednesday night on Dynamite by attacking “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry.
Bryan Danielson will do a promo segment about his upcoming Ironman Match with World heavyweight champion MJF at the Revolution pay-per-view event on March 5.
There will be a Tag Team Battle Royal to determine who will fill one of the two remaining slots in the Four-Way Tag Title Match at Revolution, as the only teams confirmed for the bout are Aussie Open, and Top Flight.
This week on Top Rope Nation, Kyle is joined by Frank Peteani of Pro Wrestling Torch for a full preview and predictions for this weekend’s WWE Elimination Chamber. Plus, thoughts on the narrative that AEW has a “babyface problem” and a look at the possible WrestleMania 39 card.
Each week, the video version of Top Rope Nation streams live to the SEScoops YouTube channel. You can join the live streams by subscribing to the channel and turning on notifications so you never miss a live broadcast. This will include a regular weekly edition of Top Rope Nation (typically Thursday nights), as well as reviews of all major WWE and AEW PLE/PPV shows.
On episode 285 this week, Kyle and Frank have a fascinating discussion on the possible directions that WWE could go with creative this weekend in Montreal at Elimination Chamber. Plus, is the AEW babyface roster actually too weak for a heel world champion?
You can watch the show via the embedded YouTube video at the top of this page. Additionally, you can listen to the audio-only podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever podcasts are found. You will also find an embedded audio player below.
Could Chris Jericho be reuniting with an old WWE ally and former Tag Team Champion?
Despite being best known for his work as a singles star, Jericho is no stranger to tag team competition, having held tag gold in the WWE on seven occasions.
In AEW, Jericho has aligned himself with others as part of the Jericho Appreciation Society, and before this group was a founding member of the Inner Circle.
A Giant Reunion
Chris Jericho may be the namesake for the Jericho Appreciation Society, but may soon be reuniting with Paul Wight.
This week, Jericho filed a trademark for ‘Jeri-Show’ the WWE team consisting of himself and Wight (then The Big Show,) that dominated from 2009 to 2010.
The full description of the filing can be read below.
Mark For: JERI-SHOW trademark registration is intended to cover the categories of entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests; Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, live appearances by a professional wrestling and sports entertainers; Entertainment services, namely, personal appearances by a professional wrestling and sports entertainers; Entertainment services, namely, televised appearances by a professional wrestling and sports entertainers; Providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; Providing online interviews featuring professional wrestling and sports entertainers in the field of professional wrestling and sports entertainment for entertainment purposes.
Jeri-Show
After failing to recapture the Intercontinental Championship from Rey Mysterio in 2009, Jericho entered the tag-team division, winning the Unified WWE Tag Titles with Edge at ‘The Bash.’
After Edge went down with an injury, Jericho introduced the Big Show as his new tag-team partner, and the pair enjoyed a 140-day reign as champions.
That reign ended at WWE: TLC 2009, when the pair lost a TLC match to D-Generation X, kicking off Shawn Michaels’ final championship reign.
While Wight has only had a handful of matches in AEW, the Giant has said he plans to be back in the ring very soon after healing up from surgery.
It was only a few months ago that Briscoe being under contract with AEW seemed impossible.
Due to comments made a decade ago by Jay, both men had been essentially blacklisted from AEW programming by WarnerMedia.
Jay apologized multiple times for his homophobic comments, which he stated were as part of his heel character and not reflective of his personal beliefs.
It has been said that by the time of his passing, Jay’s apology was considered 100% legitimate by the wrestling world, and he had the support of many LGBTQ+ wrestlers in the industry.
This week’s tapings of AEW Rampage saw a huge return from a former AEW World Tag Team Champion who has been out of action for weeks.
Friday’s Ramapge was taped immediately after the latest AEW Dynamite in Laredo, Texas, and saw names including Jon Moxley, ‘Hangman’ Adam Page, Britt Baker, and Mark Briscoe in action.
This week’s Dynamite saw AEW continue on the road to Revolution 2023, which will be headlined by AEW World Champion MJF vs. Bryan Danielson in AEW’s first Iron Man match.
Rampage Return
In the main event of the AEW Rampage taping, Dustin Rhodes defeated Swerve Strickland by disqualification when Parker Bordeaux got involved.
A post-match beatdown continued until Keith Lee made his return to AEW programming to even the odds.
Lee had been out of action for over a month after being attacked by Swerve, his former friend and tag partner, and the Mogul Affiliates.
The Limitless One was written off of TV with Swerve double-stomping a cinder block onto his former tag partner.
AEW Rampage
Keith Lee’s return to TV was just part of a stacked AEW Rampage this week, which we will be keeping spoiler free.
The show will feature AEW Trios Champions The Elite defending one more time against AR Fox and Top Flight.
Jericho Appreciation Society member Daniel Garcia will take on Ricky Starks as part of the latter’s feud with Chris Jericho.
AEW TBS Champion Jade Cargill will put her title and her undefeated streak on the line against Vertvixen.
On AEW Dynamite, “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry defeated Brian Cage. As he was going up the ramp after the match, the familiar music and countdown appeared on the screen. His mentor-turned-nemesis, Christian Cage, had returned.
Cage was still wearing a cast and shoulder sling when Perry came at him. Cage sprayed Perry with something in the face. He removed his arm contraptions in order to put “Jungle Boy” in the Killswitch Engage and left him laid out on the ramp.
The issue has also kept Bandido off TV. He hasn’t been on TV since losing to Bryan Danielson on January 17. Visa issues are also keeping Dragon Lee from debuting for WWE.
Thunder Rosa is back on the road with AEW for the first time in months due to an injury as she joined the Spanish announce team. There was a backstage meeting held with talent last week at Dynamite regarding Rosa’s return.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reports there was a locker room meeting for all of the women on the roster who were present at the show and those who were there said it was done as an effort to ease the tension between Rosa and the locker room due to several frayed relationships.
Making Amends
Those there stated that Rosa did a lot of “making amends” for several issues along the way during her previous run in promotion. Some talent had taken issue with how she handled things in the past and felt she made certain people on the roster come across as bullies.
There were also complaints about sandbagging and working stiff in the ring with Rosa. One talent stated that Rosa was met with some of that early in her AEW run, which had been rectified.
Some talent took issue with her not being on the road with AEW while traveling for other work and questioned the legitimacy of her injury, which Rosa addressed publicly.
Sources indicated that Rosa was happy to do commentary work and wouldn’t be wrestling immediately. Rosa is getting closer to being medically clear. One AEW management member stated the meeting was productive and hoped it was a “clean slate.”
Mick Foley has given some advice to AEW’s Darby Allin regarding his character.
Allin has been a fan favorite long before he signed with AEW, but he found further success and became more popular with fans when he signed with the promotion.
Allin is known to take risks during his match and put his body on the line, just like the WWE Hall of Famer.
Foley on Allin
Foley gave his thoughts on the AEW star while speaking on AdFreeShows.com, Foley is Pod.
“He’s a phenomenal athlete and he comes from the world of extreme sports. He’s like a cat and then he lands on his feet. He’s got incredible body control. But I think every performer has to find a different gear that they can go into as much wild stuff as I did. I was able to temper it with the promos and by shifting gears and injecting humor.
I think almost every guy with a long history, not talking about the guys who could go from territory to territory and basically recreate that same push each time, talking about the guys who had the long runs in WWE, WCW found another gear and that it often involved humor. And so Darby, I haven’t seen him in a couple of years or talked to him, but he’s a soft spoken young man and he probably should find a way to add layers to that character that doesn’t necessitate taking those risks all the time.”
Mick Foley reveals his concerns about Darby Allin to @adfreeshows fans:
“He probably should find a way to add layers to that character that doesn’t necessitate taking those risks all the time”
Dax Harwood’s future with AEW remains uncertain at this time, and the FTR member sure wants fans to think that a WWE return is coming.
Harwood joined AEW in 2020 alongside tag partner Cash Wheeler, after exiting WWE just a month earlier.
The Revival signed over their downside guarantees to WWE in order to be released without the standard 90-day non-compete clause.
WWE Return
December 2022 was hardly a great month for FTR, who lost the ROH World Tag Team Championships to the Briscoes, and the AAA Tag Gold to Dragon Lee and Dralistico.
At NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17, FTR lost the IWGP World Tag Team Titles, and are currently taking a break from all wrestling ventures.
On Instagram, Harwood shared an image from his home, and eagle-eyed followers spotted what appeared to be some WWE paperwork in the bottom-left corner.
On Twitter, Harwood shared the same image but cropped the WWE logo out.
Finally got my hands on @DrinkCazcanes! An Additive free tequila with a rich flavor profile.
FTR has stated that their AEW deals will expire this April, but it remains unclear whether this current hiatus will add time to their contracts.
The pairing of Harwood and Cash Wheeler certainly benefited under Triple H’s tenure as Head of NXT, leaving some to speculate on a return to WWE’s main roster now that the Game is Head of Talent and Creative.
What’s next for FTR?
While a return to AEW or even a return to WWE are two options, FTR’s future may take them outside of the ring, or at least off camera.
Both Harwood and Wheeler have expressed interest in possibly returning to the indies for a limited run away from TV.
Harwood has also said that he and Cash are looking at potential locations for a wrestling school, and they are considering a coffee shop project, as well as real estate ventures.
Cody Rhodes opened up on the fight between The Elite (Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks) and CM Punk at the AEW All Out pay-per-view last September.
The Elite have since returned to TV while Punk, who suffered an injury in the All Out main event, is still on the sidelines. AEW President Tony Khan has yet to comment on Punk’s status with the promotion.
Rhodes was one of the names that helped launch the promotion in 2019. While appearing on Monday’s episode of The MMA Hour, Rhodes commented on the Brawl Out incident.
The Next Day
Rhodes recalled waking up to 63 text messages and was worried that someone from AEW said something about him at the press conference.
Rhodes noted he still has a great relationship with The Young bucks and Omega. He admitted it was tested by them being younger executives and having different opinions on wrestling, but that made them work. He said they’re bonded forever because of that. He also had a great relationship with Punk and had dinner with him every week in AEW.
Rhodes went on to talk about his relationships with Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks, noting that it was indeed tested by their differing opinions on the sport of pro wrestling. Rhodes also talked about his relationship with CM Punk, noting that they had a great relationship despite not talking much.
“So when I watched it just from me sitting there, I was not — there was some people texting me. I remember somebody texted me, ‘Man, you’re the smartest guy in the room. I wanted to write back like, ‘F— you, man.’ I don’t feel that way. I feel this thing we built got damaged. I’m not putting any blame on anybody. Sorry, super Switzerland.”
The Brawl
Rhodes stated he doesn’t put any of the blame on anybody but didn’t like to see it.
“I just hated seeing that, because as the company grows, and I hope it continues to grow, I hope people remember the mission in the first place and why we were there. If you bring in people who don’t know the mission, then things like that can happen.
I’m not saying he didn’t know the mission or anything of that nature, but I was just bummed out. That’s how I felt, I was bummed out. because I have — you win the title, it’s a feather in your cap. You win the Royal Rumble, it’s a feather in your cap. Building an alternative wrestling promotion is definitely a feather in the cap. I don’t want that to be erased. I don’t want that to go away.”
“Plus, there’s not as many jobs in wrestling as people think. There’s about 1000 people who work there structurally, infrastructure and talent. I’m proud of them. I want to make sure they’re able to feed their families and that was a situation that was so big and heavy. I don’t think it was helpful. I don’t know, maybe you could make it helpful. Maybe you can do something with it. That’s how I felt.
No heat on Punk. No heat on Matt, Nick, Kenny, or Tony, I was just bummed out when I saw it. That’s not how we envisioned it. The spirit of ‘All In,’ if you ever lose the spirit, you’re lost. I think the spirit was gone in that moment, doesn’t mean can’t get it back, but it was just a bummer.”
Rhodes departed from AEW last year to make his return to WWE at WrestleMania 38. Rhodes will challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title at WrestleMania 39 this month.
Ricky Starks has made a name for himself as part of All Elite Wrestling, and now the wrestler is looking to leave his mark in the world of fashion.
Starks made his AEW debut in June 2020 answering Cody Rhodes’ TNT Championship open challenge and was signed after coming up short to the American Nightmare.
Starks has one reign as FTW Champion to his name, a win in the Dynamite Diamond Battle Royale, and won last year’s AEW World Championship Eliminator Tournament.
Fashion
Starks is always dressed to impress when he appears on AEW programming, and now has plans to launch his own clothing line.
On Twitter, Starks announced his clothing brand ‘Dream Palace’ and said it will be coming soon.
The former FTW Champion’s tweet got a response from Mark Henry, who expressed his support for the endeavor.
This is hardly the first time Starks has shown interest in the fashion world, as during a 2021 appearance on The Sessions with Renee Paquette, he cited Tom Ford, Alexander Wang and Gucci as his primary designers.
Wrestling with Fashion
Ricky Starks is by no means the only wrestler to set his sights on the fashion world.
In 2018, WWE Superstar Finn Balor began his own apparel line PE&K, while Chris Jericho launched his Painmaker line in 2020.
Impact Wrestling’s Al Snow also remains the co-founder of the popular “Collar X Elbow” clothing brand while Randy Orton announced the launch of his SLTHR apparel line on Instagram in 2020.
Lance Archer was a key wrestler in the early days of AEW, particularly the Pandemic Era at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville.
Back in 2021, Archer suffered a neck injury against Eddie Kingston. He did a moonsault from the top rope and landed on his head. He returned to TV in January 2022. Archer went to Japan to compete in the G1 a few months later.
Lance Archer’s Frustrations
(via AEW)
On Sunday, Archer tweeted “51 days since I laced up my boots last! NOT by choice!”
51 days since I laced up my boots last!
NOT by choice!
— The Murderhawk Monster Lance Archer (@LanceHoyt) February 12, 2023
Archer hasn’t wrestled since December 23, 2022 for New Japan. Suzuki-Gun had their final match in an 8-man match against each other. Prior to that, Archer had been competing in the World Tag League as Minoru Suzuki’s partner.
The “Murderhawk Monster’s” last AEW match was on November 18, 2022. He lost to Ricky Starks in the first round of AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament. Prior to that, he had mostly been relegated to Elevation and Dark, except for competing in the AEW World Title #1 Contendership Grand Slam Golden Ticket Battle Royal.
Judging by his tweet, creative (in either AEW or NJPW) has nothing for him. His manager, Jake “The Snake” Roberts recently made his return to the company. He was named a special advisor to AEW Together, their outreach program.
AEW President Tony Khan has claimed that WWE is partaking in contract tampering by speaking to several stars under All-Elite deals.
Since being founded in 2019, AEW and WWE have been at odds, as seen with the Wednesday Night Wars which saw Khan’s promotion emerge victorious.
The two promotions have occasionally aligned, with Khan allowing AEW talent to appear via video to celebrate John Cena’s 20th anniversary on WWE’s main roster last June.
Contract Tampering
Multiple names from AEW once called WWE home, though Vince McMahon was able to bring back AEW EVP Cody Rhodes in April 2022.
Speaking on the Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, Tony Khan said he’s consistently approached by talent who claim WWE are speaking to them. Here’s what he said, courtesy of POST Wrestling:
“I can’t really comment on what their (WWE) internal struggles, internal strife’s are because I don’t work there and I’m not there. I can only speak to the challenges we’ve had.
“I got a lot of wrestlers come to me and allege that WWE reached out to them to tamper with their contracts and ask them to break their contracts. I can’t confirm that specifically. I can only tell you what the wrestlers have come to me and said.”
Tony Khan.
Khan didn’t name who WWE has allegedly contacted, but called the action “very disturbing.”
On WWE’s Radar
There’s no shortage of prominent names that WWE would love to snatch away from AEW and use to draw viewers to their own product.
In January 2022, it was reported that WWE had shown interest in Wardlow, and have also reportedly shown interest in Brian Cage.
The biggest name WWE has reportedly shown interest in is AEW World Champion MJF, who has teased leaving to join WWE when his AEW deal expires on January 1, 2024.
All Elite Wrestling World Champion MJF recently had a hilarious encounter with a female fan in El Paso, Texas. After winning against Konosuke Takeshita in this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, a female fan approached MJF and asked him to sign her chest.
MJF recounted this interaction in a tweet, where he called the female fan a “skank” and said that he was close to signing the female fan’s chest. However, she did not have a sharpie on hand. MJF said “You were this close to getting your t*****s signed you stupid b***h!” to the female fan and began to walk away.
The other fans with her came to the rescue and yelled that they have a marker. Hearing this, MJF returned to do the autograph signing. However, the AEW World Champion noticed that someone was recording the whole interaction, and he decided against signing the female fan’s chest and simply walked away.
In his tweet, MJF wrote, “Some skank in El Paso tried to get me to sign her breasts outside the arena. Multiple people recorded it. Still hasn’t made its way to twitter. Prob cuz people in El Paso don’t know how to use technology.”
Some skank in El Paso tried to get me to sign her breasts outside the arena. Multiple people recorded it. Still hasn’t made its way to twitter.
Prob cuz people in El Paso don’t know how to use technology.
MJF is known for being one of the best heels in the professional wrestling industry today. His interactions with fans go viral as he always stays in character even when outside the ring.
When it comes to the ring, MJF will face off against Bryan Danielson in the first sixty-minute Iron Man match for the AEW World Championship on March 5 at Revolution 2023.
Is CM Punk ready to forgive The Elite over what happened at AEW All Out 2022, or is Punk hoping to be forgiven?
Once AEW’s top star, Punk has been suspended from AEW for his comments and actions after the now-infamous September 2022 Pay-Per-View.
Out of all the names suspended from AEW following All Out, Punk is the only person whose future with AEW remains unclear.
Forgiveness
As Punk made abundantly clear during his All Out post-show media scrum tirade, he has had issues with Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks.
The two-time former AEW World Champion has accused the three (currently in their second reign as AEW Trios Champions) of spreading false stories about him.
On Instagram Stories, Punk shared a video about forgiveness in which it is said that forgiveness does not excuse someone to hurt you again.
Though the video has since expired, a fan shared a clip on Twitter.
Half the fun of being a fan of something/one for me is (over) analyzing everything that is put into the public.
CM Punk just shared this. Does forgiveness mean, he has no ill will but he ain't coming back (to AEW)? Or does forgiveness mean he returns, isolated from the problems? pic.twitter.com/Y4N01mK66n
Tony Khan has refused to speak about Punk in all interviews since his suspension, which also resulted in the Chicago-Made star being stripped of the AEW World Championship.
It has been reported that Punk is seeking a buyout of his AEW contract, something that Tony Khan is in no hurry to grant, believing he could jump to WWE.
Chris Jericho called Punk a “cancer” following his actions at All Out, and WWE’s Seth Rollins used similar verbiage last month when asked about the controversial star.
It has also been reported that people from both WWE and AEW are under the impression that Punk returning to either company is a bad idea and that he will only cause more trouble.
Punk himself has yet to publicly comment on his AEW status.
Tony Khan has signed the AEW Tag Team Champions The Gunns to new contracts.
This week’s episode of AEW Dynamite featured a controversial main event that left a lot of fans unhappy as Austin and Colten Gunn beat The Acclaimed to win the AEW World Tag Team Championships.
The title change was a surprise as many fans weren’t expecting it as The Acclaimed has been protected in recent months and is one of the most over acts in the entire promotion.
The Deal
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported today that both Austin and Colten have re-signed with the promotion and will remain with them for the foreseeable future, although specific details of the terms were not given. Fightful was able to confirm that they have signed multi-year deals with AEW.
Austin signed with AEW in January 2020 while Coten was never given an official ‘All Elite’ announcement when he joined his father, Billy, and brother, Austin, on television.
Although not confirmed, it’s likely All Elite Wrestling will book a rematch between the two tag teams for the gold at AEW’s next pay-per-view event, Revolution, which takes place on March 5.
AEW President Tony Khan has addressed potentially expanding its pay-per-view calendar in the future, especially if a streaming deal comes to the promotion.
Khan was asked about this topic while doing an interview on the John Chuckery Show. For Khan, he feels the focus should remain on AEW’s big five events (Double or Nothing, All Out, Full Gear, Forbidden Door, and Revolution) as he sees those as the flagpole AEW events.
“Well, we’ve been able to really make the events keep that super special feel, where there is so much anticipation building up to Revolution, Double or Nothing, Forbidden Door now, and of course, All Out and Full Gear,” said Khan. “I think that with the current model we have, which is a la carte pay-per-view, true pay-per-view like so many of us grew up with, it makes a lot of sense. The price is about $49.99, and if somebody’s going to give us that $49.99, I would like them to feel like they’re getting a show they’ve really looked forward to for a long time and are getting maximum value.”
Expansion
Khan did state that should a streaming offer come along he would consider expanding the PPV calendar, but the events mentioned above would still be considered the big five.
“I think for us right now, the way we’re doing pay-per-view makes sense, but if the right offer came along on streaming to expand the calendar, that’s something we have the capacity to do. I would only want to do it if we can make sure that we keep Revolution, Double or Nothing, Forbidden Door, All Out, and Full Gear as premium, top-end events like they are right now.”
AEW holds its Revolution pay-per-view event on March 5, 2023. Transcribed by Fightful
Jade Cargill has been protected and pushed as a top star in AEW since signing with the promotion in 2020, where she was used in a top angle right out of the gate.
She made her in-ring debut by teaming with NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal in a win over Cody Rhodes and Red Velvet on an episode of AEW Dynamite in March 2021.
Since that match, she has gone on a lengthy winning streak and booked strongly as the TBS Champion, the only champion in the history of the title after she beat Ruby Soho in 2022.
However, she has yet to face any top-tier AEW talent, something she is looking to change. Cargill expressed her interest in wrestling for the AEW Women’s Title while speaking with Liam Crowley of ComicBook.com.
Bigger Goals
“I’m just going to give these ladies some time before I want to go for the big belt. That’s something that I want to accomplish. I want to go for the main belt, I know that’s for sure.”
Jade also shared her desire to mix it up with stars such as Britt Baker, Saraya, and Toni Storm.
“I wouldn’t say so soon because right now I’m just focused on getting reps and getting better. Having longer matches, better feuds, and actual storylines. However, I believe it’s time for me to start having storylines with a Britt Baker, or Jamie Hayter, or a Saraya, or Toni Storm and working those storylines. I know I can do it. I have the charisma to do it. If you stand me next to any of these ladies, the work, the look and the aura of who I am speaks for itself.”
This week on Top Rope Nation, the crew discusses a wild week in both WWE and AEW. Primary topics on the show include Cody Rhodes’ much-talked about promo from WWE Raw, a spectacular edition of AEW Dynamite (with one major flaw), and a mailbag segment to close things out.
Each week, the video version of Top Rope Nation streams live to the SEScoops YouTube channel. You can join the live streams by subscribing to the channel and turning on notifications so you never miss a live broadcast. This will include a regular weekly edition of Top Rope Nation (typically Thursday nights), as well as reviews of all major WWE and AEW PLE/PPV shows.
On episode 284 this week, Ryan and Justin get into talking about Cody Rhodes’ prospects as a possible long-term babyface champion following WrestleMania. Plus, a discussion on what worked and didn’t work on Dynamite, as well as the plans for AEW Revolution. The mailbag segment includes questions on the best wrestling stage designs in history, guilty pleasures as a wrestling fan, AEW house shows, and much more.
You can watch the show via the embedded YouTube video at the top of this page. Additionally, you can listen to the audio-only podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever podcasts are found. You will also find an embedded audio player below.
EJ Nduka has some options regarding what he wants to do with his wrestling career.
The former WWE star worked the AEW Dark tapings on January 28 in Orlando, Florida, where he made his debut for the promotion. His loss to Konosuke Takeshita aired this week on Dark.
In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that Nduka was offered a full-time AEW contract after the match. As of this writing, there is no word yet on if Nduka has signed the contract.
MLW aired his match with World Heavyweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone in a Last Man Standing main event for the MLW Underground premiere on REELZ.
Free Agency
His contract expired last month, but he went forward with finishing up with the promotion at the February 4th tapings. He is still one-half of the MLW World Tag Team Champions with Calvin Tankman. Their match with Juicy Finau and Lance Anoa’i of The Samoan SWAT Team is slated to air soon.
According to multiple reports, Nduka also has interest from MLW, WWE, and those in Japan. MLW officials have praised EJ in the past, while the former WWE star previously credited the promotion for giving him a chance when he needed it.
The former NXT star was let go in May 2021 after having been with the company since 2019. He made his MLW debut the following month when his non-compete clause expired.
CM Punk could be back on our screens within a matter of months if AEW wants him back that is.
The two-time former AEW World Champion has been suspended since September’s All Out Pay-Per-View, following his comments on the post-show media scrum and the fight.
Punk is now the only person suspended to remain suspended, with everyone else being brought back, or in the case of his trainer Ace Steel, fired from AEW.
Getting Medically Cleared
During his AEW World Championship victory over Jon Moxley, Punk suffered a torn triceps, which made the decision to strip him of the title much easier for Tony Khan.
On the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that Punk is mere months away from being cleared to return.
A torn triceps usually takes eight months to fully recover from (unless your name is John Cena) which would put Punk’s return in early May 2023.
Not Wanted
Of course, it’s not the injury that has had fans believing Punk’s time in AEW, and possibly in wrestling, is over.
It has been reported that Punk is seeking a buyout of his AEW deal, something that Tony Khan is in no hurry to grant, believing he could jump to WWE.
Chris Jericho called Punk a “cancer” following his actions at All Out, and WWE’s Seth Rollins used similar verbiage last month when asked about the controversial star.
It has also been reported that people from both companies believe Punk returning to AEW or WWE is a bad idea and that he will only cause more trouble.
