SEScoops

Category: AEW

  • WWE Hall of Famer Praises Saraya (Paige) After Her Debut In AEW: “Always Been One Of My Favorites”

    WWE Hall of Famer Praises Saraya (Paige) After Her Debut In AEW: “Always Been One Of My Favorites”

    Saraya, formerly known as Paige in WWE, made her shocking debut for All Elite Wrestling at Dynamite: Grand Slam.

    The 30-year-old arrived in AEW following the 4-Way match for the AEW Interim Women’s Championship. Toni Storm successfully defended the title against Britt Baker, Serena Deeb, and Athena. After the match, Britt, Jamie Hayter, and Serena Deeb attacked Toni and Athena in the ring.

    Saraya then made her way to the ring to an enormous pop from the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium. AEW has announced that she will be addressing the crowd this Wednesday on Dynamite.

    Booker T Praises Saraya After Her Debut In All Elite Wrestling

    Two-time WWE Hall of Famer Booker T spoke about Saraya’s debut in AEW on his Hall of Fame podcast and noted that he predicted that she would return to the ring after WWE opted not to re-sign her.

    “Arthur Ashe Stadium, nice crowd, big pop. You could tell she was happy, you know, that smile was just radiating through the arena. So yeah man, I’m glad to see her back. Me personally, Paige has always been one of my favorites. She’s always been that chick, so I’m just glad to see her back seriously.

    The 57-year-old also discussed the time he got her in trouble for a joke on WWE Backstage and said he enjoyed working with her on the now-canceled talk show.

    “It was like a night off working with Paige. I remember getting her in trouble one night because I told her to introduce me as ‘The OG mother from the hood’. She got so much heat on social media man, people were blowing her up.I had to actually go out and defend her to say ‘come on I told her to say that’. That was all me. She wouldn’t have thought of anything like that.” [17:58 – 19:01]

    You can check out Booker’s comments and the entire podcast below.

    H/T: Sportskeeda Wrestling

  • Jon Moxley Set To Face NJPW Star Making AEW Debut In A World Title Eliminator On Dynamite

    Jon Moxley Set To Face NJPW Star Making AEW Debut In A World Title Eliminator On Dynamite

    AEW World Champion Jon Moxley will battle NJPW star Juice Robinson this Wednesday on Dynamite in a World Title Eliminator match.

    If Juice Robinson is able to defeat the champion on Dynamite, he will earn a future title shot, much like a Championship Contender’s match in WWE.

    Robinson is one of the only two men that have defeated Jon Moxley in 2022 so far. The other wrestler is former AEW World Champion CM Punk at All Out.

    AEW President Tony Khan announced the match on Twitter and noted that MJF can fight Moxley for the championship any time he chooses.

    In addition to MJF, Jon Moxley now has to worry about another wrestler on the AEW roster coming after his title. On Rampage: Grand Slam this past Friday night, Hangman Adam Page took a massive step closer to becoming a two-time AEW World Champion.

    Page hit Rush with a Dead Eye on the ring apron to win the Golden Ticket Battle Royal and ensure himself a shot at the title. It was announced that Jon Moxley will defend the AEW World Championship against Hangman Adam Page on Dynamite on October 18th. It will be a special Tuesday night edition of AEW Dynamite.

    What Has Been Announced For Dynamite (9/28)?

    Saraya, formerly known as Paige in WWE, made her shocking debut this past Wednesday at Dynamite: Grand Slam at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. AEW has announced that fans will hear from Saraya on Wednesday night.

    Chris Jericho is set to have a celebration with the Jericho Appreciation Society after defeating Claudio Castagnoli to become the new ROH Champion.

    World Title Eliminator: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Juice Robinson. Juice will earn a future shot at the AEW World Championship if he can defeat Jon Moxley.

    MJF will address the crowd. Maxwell appeared on Dynamite: Grand Slam and interrupted Tony Schiavone’s interview with Wheeler Yuta. Maxwell took several shots at Wheeler and the Blackpool Combat Club. He then brawled with Yuta, shoved Schiavone to the floor, and was helped by W. Morrissey of The Firm.

  • Health Update on Julia Hart After Scary Bump on AEW Grand Slam: Rampage

    Health Update on Julia Hart After Scary Bump on AEW Grand Slam: Rampage

    AEW’s Grand Slam special is now in the rearview mirror, with the promotion’s Grand Slam: Rampage edition taking place last night. The show, which took place from Arthur Ashe Stadium, opened up with the anticipated House of Black (Brody King & Buddy Matthews) vs. Darby Allin & Sting no-DQ matchup, with Julia Hart accompanying the HoB to the ring.

    The match was an all-out brawl that saw the daredevil Allin get busted open following an epic crash through a table alongside Brody King. Meanwhile the Stinger was left handcuffed to a chair as Matthews prepared to beat down the legend with his own baseball bat. Right before the attack the lights would go out and the fans in New York would be treated to their biggest surprise of the night, an appearance from Japanese legend, the Great Muta.

    Muta came to the ring slowly and looked as if he was about to attack Sting, who he had an intense rivalry with during the early portion of his career. However, Muta instead hit Matthews with a Dragon Screw before spitting his signature green mist in Matthew’s face, which caused him to back up into Julia Hart, who was standing on the apron. Hart was supposed to take the bump and fall through a table, but she seemed to overshoot her jump and instead came crashing onto the pavement.

    Hart Is Doing Just Fine

    While many fans were worried about Hart’s condition after her fall, they need not worry for long. Both Hart and King took to Twitter to reveal that Hart is not only doing just fine, but that her scary looking hat is also okay.

    King writes, “I just want everyone to know that TheJuliaHart’s Hat made it out safely. Thank you for your concerns.” Hart herself would then confirm this news with her own tweet. She writes, “Me and my hat are okay.”

  • Sting to Compete at The Great Muta’s Retirement Event in January 2023

    Sting to Compete at The Great Muta’s Retirement Event in January 2023

    AEW’s resident Icon Sting will be part of The Grea Muta’s final match after a legendary career next January.

    During this week’s AEW Rampage: Grand Slam, aiding Sting and Darby Allin in a no-disqualification tag team match against the Houe of Black.

    Muta hit the green mist on Buddy Matthews, giving Sting to hit the Scorpion Death Drop for the win.

    Post-match, Muta and Sting embraced in the ring.

    The Final Match

    The Great Muta’s appearance during AEW Rampage: Grand Slam came in the midst of a retirement tour for the Japanese wrestling legend.

    After the match, Pro Wrestling NOAH announced that Sting will be heading to Japan to participate in the Great Muta Final Bye-Bye show.

    The event will take place on January 22, 2023.

    The announcement notes that Sting “has decided to participate in the Yokohama Arena tournament” following Muta’s appearance on Rampage.

    Muta and Sting

    Muta would feud with Sting during his WCW tenure in 1989, capturing the NWA World Television Championship from the Icon in September that year.

    In 1991, the pair rekindled their rivalry at the WCW-NJPW cross-promotion Starrcade event in the Tokyo Dome, where Muta would again defeat Sting.

    The following year, the pair would team together in the Tokyo Dome to defeat the Steiner Brothers at WCW/NJPW Supershow II.

    After capturing the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in August 1992, one of Muta’s first title defenses would come against the Stinger that November.

    When appearing for WCW, Muta would often be on the losing end to Sting, coming up short against the WWE Hall of Famer at live events.

    Sting Speaks On Crazy Table Spot At AEW Revolution

  • Thunder Rosa On Saraya Arriving In AEW: “She’s A Star, She Has What I Want”

    Thunder Rosa On Saraya Arriving In AEW: “She’s A Star, She Has What I Want”

    AEW Women’s Champion Thunder Rosa was supposed to defend her title against Toni Storm at All Out but had to pull out of the match due to injury. She has not appeared on AEW TV since the Dynamite before the PPV on September 4th. Toni Storm is currently the Interim AEW Women’s Champion.

    On Dynamite Grand Slam, Toni defended the title against Britt Baker, Athena, and Serena Deeb in a 4-Way match. Toni emerged victorious but Britt Baker attacked after the match. Jamie Hayter and Serena Deeb joined the D.M.D. in the attack before Falling in Reverse’s Zombified echoed throughout Arthur Ashe stadium.

    Britt stood in the ring confused as the blood poured down her face from another busted nose incident. The name “Saraya” flashed on the screen and the crowd popped. Saraya (FKA as Paige in WWE) made her way to the ring to an incredible reaction from AEW fans as the heels retreated. Saraya then hugged Athena and Toni Storm in the ring to end the segment.

    Thunder Rosa Praises Saraya After Her Debut

    The AEW Women’s Champion was interviewed by Dave LeGreca on Busted Open Radio today and had some kind words to say about Saraya following her debut at Dynamite Grand Slam. She said that she is one of the stars that AEW helped create and she’s excited to have someone the caliber of Saraya to work with.

    “I hope she is completely cleared to wrestle. She is going to teach a lot of the girls a lot of cool stuff that otherwise they wouldn’t have the opportunity to do. Wrestling was her bread and butter for a long time and she knows the grind.

    Before she got signed, she was in the indies struggling just like everybody else. One of the things that Saraya has is that she has not changed her core. She continues to be the same person that she was before. I’m really interested to get to know her on another level.

    I know that fans are very excited to see her because they haven’t seen her wrestle in a while and they are very eager for that. Company-wise and ratings-wise, this is going to be great for ratings and going to be great for the women’s division. You cannot deny that.

    I want to come back a way that you guys have never seen me before and having Saraya there, I’m like ‘alright yeah’ there’s even more competition. Yes I’m on top, but when you have bigger sharks in the tank you better start eating because you have to get bigger than the shark that wants to take what you have.

    So, it is going to be very interesting. She brings a lot to the women’s division. She brings a brand, something that is needed in the division too. That you cannot deny. I know Tony does a lot of stuff because he wants ratings. We want to be number one. If you start something and you don’t want to be number one, don’t start it.”

    But for me as an athlete, for me as a champion, that is top competition right there, on every single aspect. Experience, persona, character, how well-known she is, she’s a star. She has what I want and I’m striving for.

    If you use any quotes from this article, please credit Busted Open Radio with a H/T to SEScoops for the transcription.

  • Saraya (Paige) Reacts to Report That Says she’s Not Medically Cleared to Wrestle Yet

    Saraya (Paige) Reacts to Report That Says she’s Not Medically Cleared to Wrestle Yet

    Saraya has responded to a recent report in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that she is not cleared to wrestle despite making her AEW debut this past Wednesday on Dynamite. 

    The former Paige made her AEW arrival following the fatal four-way match in which Toni Storm defeated Britt Baker, Serena Deeb, and Athena to retain her Interim AEW Women’s Title while saving Storm and Athena from being attacked by Baker, Jamie Hayter, and Rebel.

    Saraya is one of Baker’s dream opponents, something the former AEW Women’s Champion has said in a number of previous interviews. It appeared that AEW started a feud between Saraya and Baker once this angle occurred.

    Saraya Responds

    Saraya
    (AEW)

    Meltzer reported that “she had not been cleared as of very recently, which would explain not touching anyone, but [she] would like to be cleared.”

    Saraya did not confirm or deny what was reported by Meltzer but did tweet the following: “Ignore the dirt sheet clickbait. See ya Wednesday. #AEWDynamite.”

    AEW President Tony Khan also retweeted what Saraya had to say. 

    Due to spinal stenosis, Saraya hasn’t wrestled since 2017, which is the reason she hasn’t been given the all-clear. Although they were also informed they couldn’t wrestle because of spinal stenosis, wrestlers like Edge and Sting were able to receive medical clearance years later after retiring. 

  • WWE Sent Out Feelers to More AEW Stars Including FTR & Swerve Strickland (Report)

    WWE Sent Out Feelers to More AEW Stars Including FTR & Swerve Strickland (Report)

    Several AEW stars were contacted by WWE or those working with WWE about potential returns to the company.

    When these reports came out, former WWE stars were contacted by WWE talent relations, referred the contact to their attorney, and informed AEW management of the contact.

    The Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer previously reported that WWE contacted Malakai Black. Fightful Select reports that they heard from WWE sources that Black indicated to contacts in the company that he wished he was still there.

    For now, Black is effectively done with AEW, but with the inability to compete for WWE for an extended period. Several in AEW management initially had the impression that he wanted to go back to WWE, and there were higher-ups in AEW who were of the “if they want to go, let them” mentality.

    Malakai Black Wasn’t The Only One Contacted

    Malakai Black
    (JayLee Photography)

    The report noted that a source within WWE stated they heard that feelers were sent out to Cash Wheeler, Dax Harwood of FTR, and Swerve Strickland. 

    FTR has a while to go until their AEW contracts run out. They had spent years in the WWE system working with Triple H. Before they left WWE, the company made numerous efforts to re-sign them. 

    An AEW source added that “WWE had reached out in August to an AEW name who had been with the company since the start, but that even we’d be surprised to learn they reached out to.”

  • Bobby Fish Tried to Get Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly to Leave AEW for WWE (Report)

    Bobby Fish Tried to Get Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly to Leave AEW for WWE (Report)

    Bobby Fish tried to get his former stablemates – Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly to leave AEW to return to WWE, according to a report by the Wrestling Observer’s Ryan Frederick. 

    Frederick noted on the message board of the website that  Fish was trying to get them to ask for their AEW releases, but they told him. 

    The Report

    Bobby Fish
    (via AEW)

    “I posted it in the Bobby Fish thread but I know Fish was trying to get them to Cole and Kyle to ask for their releases to go back to VVWE and they both told him no. It’s possible Cole may have clued Tony [Khan] in. If he did, I doubt he was the only one. I’m sure Swerve was one of them who did so.”

    Fish left the promotion last month when his contract expired, and it was not renewed, while Cole and O’Reilly have several years left on their contracts. Both stars are currently sidelined with injuries as Cole has been out of in-ring action since Forbidden Door in late June, when he reportedly suffered a concussion. 

    Kyle is out of action after undergoing neck surgery, with his last match taking place on the June 8th Dynamite show. 

    Cole, O’Reilly, and Fish had a successful run as The Undisputed Era in WWE NXT before they had a stint as The Undisputed Elite together in AEW.

  • Latest on Saraya’s Medical Status After AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam Debut

    Latest on Saraya’s Medical Status After AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam Debut

    Saraya’s future in the ring within AEW remains unclear following her shock appearance at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam. 

    The former WWE Divas Champion parted ways with the company in July, when WWE opted not to renew her contract.

    Saraya has since made it clear that the decision to leave was not her decision.

    Career-Ending Injury

    Saraya hasn’t competed in any ring since a Boxing Day 2017 WWE Live event where she suffered an injury during a tag-team match.

    The match saw Paige, Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose defeat Mickie James, Sasha Banks and Bayley, in a repeat of the previous day’s Raw taping.

    In April 2018, Paige confirmed her retirement from in-ring competition and was promoted to SmackDown General Manager shortly after

    Medical Update

    WWE was hesitant to clear Saraya again due to her neck issues, and that may also be the case.

    In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that it is unclear if Saraya will wrestle in AEW. 

    It was pointed out how nobody touched Saraya during her appearance, which implies that she is still not medically cleared. 

    It was also reported that while in WWE, not only could the then-Paige not wrestle, but she was also not allowed to be touched or get physical in any capacity.

    Saraya was not cleared to wrestle in a very recent evaluation of her, though her condition may have improved since then. 

    Outside of AEW

    It remains to be seen if Saraya will get physical in AEW, but the former Superstar is getting back in the ring in her native England. 

    It has been confirmed that the first-ever NXT Women’s Champion will be a special guest referee at the upcoming Frightmare event for World Association of Wrestling.

    Saraya will officiate the match between her brothers Roy Knight and Zak Zodiac on October 15.

    World Association of Wrestling is based in Norwich, England, and run by Saraya’s family the Knights.

    “Massive Chills! Love You” – WWE Hall of Famers React To Saraya (Paige) Debut At AEW Dynamite Grand Slam
  • Update on AEW Running a Show in the UK

    Update on AEW Running a Show in the UK

    AEW wrestlers and management have teased going to the UK for a big show. That plan is still in place. 

    The show’s location has always been set in stone. AEW President Tony Khan’s family also owns Premier League football (soccer) team Fulham FC, where they play at Craven Cottage stadium in London. The stadium can hold around 25,000 people.

    Date for AEW’s UK Debut Show

    Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the plan is still for AEW to visit the UK and to do a show at Fulham’s Craven Cottage stadium.

    Meltzer wrote: “Right now, it still looks like next summer at the earliest for a U.K. debut at Craven Cottage, the home of Fulham.”

    The promotion has yet to run shows outside of North America. With WWE’s recent Clash at the Castle show and the event’s success, AEW wants to run the market. 

    All Elite Wrestling recently held its second Grand Slam event in New York City at Arthur Ashe Stadium that did a $1 million gate. The promotion will venture outside of the United States when they hold Dynamite and Rampage events from the Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in October. 

  • MJF Joins the Ranks of Pro Wrestling’s Highest Paid Stars

    MJF Joins the Ranks of Pro Wrestling’s Highest Paid Stars

    Maxwell Jacob Friedman is making big money as part of his renegotiated contract with All Elite Wrestling. MJF has been with AEW since it was founded in 2019 and was not widely known prior to joining Tony Khan’s promotion. As a result, he wasn’t earning the same level of money that world famous stars like Chris Jericho and John Moxley were able to command.

    The 26-year-old from Plainview, Long Island has proven himself to be an exceptional talent whose mic skills put him in an elite class of all-time great talkers such as Roddy Piper and Paul Heyman. He’s one of the hottest acts in all of professional wrestling, but wasn’t making main event caliber money until recently. All the while, he watched Tony Khan open the vault to sign people like CM Punk, Bryan Danielson and Adam Cole to lucrative deals.

    MJF recently appeared on The MMA Hour podcast to promote AEW Grand Slam. During his discussion with host Ariel Helwani, MJF revealed that he recently sat down with Tony Khan and they hashed out a revised agreement that he’s very satisfied with.

    How Much Does MJF Make?

    MJF boasted to Ariel Helwani that he was able to get Khan to give him a huge raise without having to extend the time frame of his current contract. He’s set to become a free agent on January 1, 2024, a date that will kick off the Bidding War of 2024.

    He intends to let his contract lapse, enter free agency and then let AEW and WWE duke it out to secure his services. He’s sure to score a blockbuster deal at that time, but won’t have to wait until 2024 to become a millionaire.

    MJF is now one of the highest paid stars in AEW and makes seven figures, according to the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The Observer had this to say about MJF’s new deal with AEW:

    Based on things we heard, it’s was more than $1 million per year.

    Only a few people in the industry make over a million dollars per year and MJF is almost certainly the youngest person on this short list. It is rare for a wrestler to re-negotiate their contract mid-way through its term. However, as MJF will tell you, he’s a generational talent.

  • WWE Hall of Famer Mocks CM Punk For Claiming He’s Tired At 42-Years-Old: “Shut The F*ck Up”

    WWE Hall of Famer Mocks CM Punk For Claiming He’s Tired At 42-Years-Old: “Shut The F*ck Up”

    WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash spoke about the brawl between CM Punk and The Elite at the All Out media scrum on a recent episode of his Kliq This podcast.

    Co-host Sean Oliver read a comment from a fan that suggested that CM Punk simply just snapped and that we are all human. Kevin responded by poking fun at CM Punk’s comments at the press conference when he said he was old, tired, and works with children.

    “At 42 years old, you know, I mean Phil (CM Punk) is tired. Phil’s tired, he’s beat up.”

    Sean noted that Kevin Nash was in the ring when he was 55 and the 63-year-old brought up his promo with Punk on RAW following WWE SummerSlam 2011.

    “I was in the ring at 55 when he was cutting the promo on me ‘click click I can hear your knees and LOL thought you were dead.’

    That mother f***er cut that promo on me and he sits there at 42 years old, f***ing I guess in retrospect when I actually like thought about him like, he didn’t lose his sh*t, that’s toxic f***ing shock.

    He didn’t pull his tampon out. He’s f***ing got toxic shock syndrome. I thought about that and I googled him. I said forty f***ing two, dude didn’t wrestle for 10 f***ing years!

    It’s like a 75′ El Dorado with 102 miles on it. Mother f***er don’t tell me you’re tired. Don’t tell me you are 75. Shut the f*** up.”

    Kevin also laughed at the idea of Pat Buck and Chris Daniels getting suspended because of the altercation. Big Daddy Cool did compliment CM Punk for being a pro during his matches before the All Out brawl and claimed he saw a lot of himself in the disgruntled star.

    “His run got cut short you know, basically politically. He just had too much f***ing heat. Deserved, I mean, I see a lot of me in him. I’m not going to speak for him but he’s a little bit of a pr*ck. He had the number of how many shirts he sold that day I’m sure so he can throw that in somebody’s face if he had to.”

    If you use quotes from this article, please credit the Kliq This podcast and give a H/T to SEScoops for the transcription.

  • “There’s Something About Sadie Sink” – MJF Gushes Over Stranger Things Star & Answers Questions From Fans

    “There’s Something About Sadie Sink” – MJF Gushes Over Stranger Things Star & Answers Questions From Fans

    Maxwell Jacob Friedman has quickly become one of All Elite Wrestling’s most popular stars and made the media rounds to promote AEW Grand Slam. He stopped by Barstool Sports for an interview on Wrasslin’ and appeared on Barstool’s Answer The Internet.

    After his “pipebomb” promo on the Dynamite after Double or Nothing, MJF went missing from AEW television for months. The 26-year-old returned at All Out to win the Casino Ladder match and had a stare-down with former AEW Champion CM Punk. MJF has a guaranteed title match at a time and place of his choosing.

    He appeared on Barstool Sports’ Answer The Internet and answered questions on a wide variety of topics.

    Which celebrity would MJF most like to see in a sex tape?

    “My brain immediately goes to a grotesque place because I can look at any woman naked if I want to now. God invented the internet. So I think I’d want to see someone like gross and fat. I want to see Oprah. That would be rad.“

    Would you rather have your porn search history shared with your Twitter followers or your parents?

    “Dude, post it on Twitter, I don’t give a sh*t. I don’t talk to my parents. They f***ing suck.“

    Should you lock a dog out of the room when you’re having sex?

    “So I have a cat, love my cat. The cat’s name is Piper. When it’s go time, when it is time for the fiancé to hop on the maximum ride, love Piper to death but Piper is going out the door. Because it gets loud, it gets sweaty, and it’s not a safe environment for any pet.”

    Who is the hottest celebrity you’d have a chance with if they got to know you?

    “Sadie Sink. There’s something about Sadie Sink. And maybe it is because I got like a redhead thing, but there is SOMETHING.“

    Kevin Clancy (KFC) of Barstool wondered if Sadie would like MJF if she met her and the AEW star joked “Stranger Things have happened”. Sadie Sink plays Max in the massively popular Netflix show Stranger Things.

    Please credit Barstool Sports with a H/T to SEScoops if you use quotes from this video.

    You can check out all of MJF’s NSFW responses in the video below.

  • Toni Storm on AEW’s Women’s Division: “It’s Going to Change the Entire Game”

    Toni Storm on AEW’s Women’s Division: “It’s Going to Change the Entire Game”

    Toni Storm believes the AEW Women’s Division is primed to ‘change the entire game.’

    Although Storm is only the Interim AEW Women’s World Champion, she is invested in the permanent history of the AEW women’s division and wants to see it grow. 

    Toni Storm’s Vision

    Toni Storm

    While speaking with TV Insider, Storm talked about the future of the division:

    “It’s a story as old as time. Women’s wrestling struggles to get the same amount of time as the guys. We are put in a different position, but I really do believe we are headed in the right direction. We’ve got a locker room full of really hardworking and talented women that I believe are the future. It’s going to change the entire game. I think we’re going to overcome and get more time and see more emphasis on ourselves. But we’re doing the hard work. I’m very confident in this entire division.”

    Storm stated that she’s proud to be at the top and will do whatever it takes to push it to where it needs to go. 

    “I’m proud of everyone back there. “I’m choosing to be positive. I think, little by little, there will be more emphasis on us in AEW. We just need to keep breaking down that door. I also think consistency is what will get us there.”

    Storm successfully retained the Interim AEW Women’s World Championship on Wednesday night at the Dynamite: Grand Slam event in a fatal 4-way match against Athena, Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D., and Serena Deeb.

  • What Was The Original AEW ALL OUT PPV Main Event Going To Be?

    What Was The Original AEW ALL OUT PPV Main Event Going To Be?

    Last night’s AEW Grand Slam Dynamite saw Jon Moxley capture his third-world title under the AEW banner, a definite departure from the company’s original booking plans following a number of issues with former champion, CM Punk.

    The Second City Saint broke his foot shortly after winning the world title from Adam Page at May’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view, which was going to kickstart a renewed Summer of Punk, and would have seen him walk into ALL OUT 2022 holding the top prize. While Punk managed to reclaim the gold at ALL OUT from Moxley, the original booking plan would have seen him face one of his most recent rivals.

    CM Punk vs. MJF III Was Originally Going To Headline ALL OUT 2022

    According to Dave Meltzer from the Wrestling Observer, Punk was originally going to be defending the AEW world title against MJF. This would have been the two top stars third meeting, with each holding a victory over the other. MJF handed Punk his first loss on Dynamite thanks to an assist from Wardlow. Punk would get his revenge at Revolution in a critically acclaimed Dog-Collar matchup.

    It was not specified in the report whether MJF’s temporary hiatus would have played out the way it did on television. MJF has since won the Casino Ladder Match, and has the right to challenge for the AEW world title whenever he pleases.

    Stay tuned.

  • Next Challenger for Jon Moxley’s AEW World Championship (Spoiler)

    Next Challenger for Jon Moxley’s AEW World Championship (Spoiler)

    The next challenger for the AEW World Heavyweight Title, currently held by Jon Moxley, has been revealed. 

    Moxley’s first title defense will come in his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, on a special live Tuesday edition of Dynamite set for October 18th. 

    AEW President announced to the live crowd at Grand Slam on Wednesday that the Golden Ticket battle royale winner taped for Friday’s Rampage will get their title opportunity on this upcoming Dynamite episode. 

    Hangman Page is Next

    Hangman Page
    (via AEW)

    Hangman Page won the match that included Rush, The Butcher, The Blade, Dark Order, Private Party, Danhausen, Dante Martin, Penta El 0 M, Brian Cage, Ari Daivari, Lance Archer, Daniel Garcia, Cole Carter, Best Friends, Jake Hager, Dalton Castle, Lee Moriarty, Matt Hardy, and Jay Lethal. Page last eliminated Rush to pick up the win.

    Moxley regained the title on Wednesday night with his win over Bryan Danielson in the finals of the Tournament of Champions after CM Punk was stripped of the title. 

    With Page getting the opportunity ahead of MJF, who also holds a title shot due to his Casino ladder match win at All Out, the belief is MJF will cash in that chip at the Full Gear pay-per-view in Newark, New Jersey, in November. 

  • AEW Rampage: Grand Slam Spoilers (Airing Sep. 23)

    AEW Rampage: Grand Slam Spoilers (Airing Sep. 23)

    All Elite Wrestling will present a special 2-hour “Grand Slam” edition of AEW Rampage this Friday night on TNT. These matches were taped Wednesday night after Dynamite from Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing, New York.

    The tapings saw rapper Action Bronson making his pro wrestling in-ring debut, a Battle Royal to determine Jon Moxley’s next challenger for the AEW World Championship, an Unsanctioned Lights Out Match and more.

    • Chris Jericho, Jim Ross, Excalibur and Jim Ross are on commentary.
    • Tony Khan announced the winner of the Golden Ticket Battle Royal later in the show will challenge Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship on the special Tuesday, October 18th edition of AEW Dynamite. (Pre-emption due to Major League Baseball playoffs)
    • Sting and Darby Allin def. House Of Black (Buddy Matthews and Brody King) in a No DQ Match.
    • Action Bronson and FTW Champion Hook def. Jericho Appreciation Society’s “Cool Hand” Angelo Parker and “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard.
    • Jade Cargill def. Diamanté to retain the AEW TBS Championship.
    • TNT Champion Wardlow and ROH World Television Champion Samoa Joe def. Tony Nese and Josh Woods.
    • Jungle Boy def. AEW World Trios Champion Rey Fenix.
    • Eddie Kingston def. Sammy Guevara, but the decision was reversed and Guevara was awarded the win.
    • “Hangman” Adam Page won the Golden Ticket Battle Royale to become the new #1 Contender to the AEW World Championship.
    • “Absolute” Ricky Starks def. Powerhouse Hobbs in an Unsanctioned Lights Out Match.
  • William Regal Weighs In On a Blackpool Combat Club Heel Turn

    William Regal Weighs In On a Blackpool Combat Club Heel Turn

    William Regal isn’t interested in a Blackpool Combat Club heel turn but isn’t against the idea either.

    The group came together earlier this year, with the name being the brain-child of Jon Moxley, not Regal as many believe.

    The BCC consists of AEW World Champion Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta with Regal serving as manager.

    Couldn’t Give a Jot

    William Regal is no stranger to being a heel, but isn’t fully on board with returning to his darker routes.

    Speaking on the appropriately titled ‘Gentleman Villain’ podcast, Regal said that the group isn’t looking for cheers or boos from fans.

    “None of us [in the Blackpool Combat Club] could care less, a mere jot, whether we’re booed or cheered. If people cheer us, great. If they boo us, great. We’ll lean into that.

    William Regal.

    Speaking about the group being booed at All Out, where Moxley faced home-town hero CM Punk, Regal enjoyed the experience.

    “Going out with Jon Moxley the other week and getting booed out of the building in Chicago, like music to my ears. I haven’t had that for a long time, since I was 41 or 42 [Regal is now 54 years old.]

    “Like Music to my Ears.”

    William Regal on being booed at AEW All Out 2022.

    “It was wonderful because that’s what I thrive on. The word on the tin. Villain. I like getting it. I went out of my ways to get boos and I haven’t. Because after a while in WWE when I was still wrestling, people were cheering me because I think they were just happy I was still alive [laughs.] I wasn’t dead!”

    A Future Heel Turn?

    Regal spent years of his career as a villain, hence the title of his podcast, but believes his days as being a character are behind him.

    When asked by co-host Matt Koon if he could be a villain again, Regal said he could, but hopes to avoid the turn, believing it would take the focus off others.

    “You have no idea. If I ever have to do that again [I am ready.] This is going to be a weird thing to say, but I hope it doesn’t.

    “The only reason I hope it doesn’t is not because of me. I hope it’s the person I’m walking out with who’s getting the boos if they want them, and it’s not about me.”

    On this week’s AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam, Moxley defeated fellow BCC member Bryan Danielson to win his fourth AEW World Championship.

    For use of these quotes please give a h/t to SEScoops.

    William Regal Addresses Reports of Backstage Drama in AEW
  • AEW is Going Through “Addition by Subtraction” After All Out Controversy

    AEW is Going Through “Addition by Subtraction” After All Out Controversy

    All Elite Wrestling is dealing with its share of problems at this time, following the events of AEW All Out.

    After the September 4, Pay Per View, CM Punk had explosive comments for several people on the roster, including AEW’s Executive Vice Presidents The Elite.

    Backstage, a fight broke out, which Punk is believed to have instigated and thrown the first punch.

    The Meeting

    Despite these issues, AEW has not slowed down with its content production, with last night being the AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam special.

    According to a report from Fightful, the meeting was held in the afternoon, hours before AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam went live.

    It was not confirmed who spoke, but it is reported that the meeting was considered a ‘pep-talk’ and was said to be “very positive.”

    This is the latest meeting for the promotion after a talent-wide meeting was held last month to address reports of talent being unhappy.

    A meeting was held earlier this month following the controversy following AEW All Out.

    Addition by Subtraction

    The meetings held by AEW so far have been received positively by attendees, and it’s reported that the mood backstage has begun to improve.

    One veteran AEW talent said the backstage atmosphere recently has been a lot more relaxed since All Out and the post-show incidents.

    Another talent added that the locker room at the last three tapings has been the best it’s been in a while.

    One source said that AEW is going through a process of “addition by subtraction;” making the promotion better by the removal of some members of the roster.

    It is unclear who this source is referring to, though CM Punk, Kenny Omega, the Young Bucks and Ace Steel have all been removed from programming.

    Tony Khan Makes Big Announcement After Grand Slam, AEW Title Match Set For Upcoming Dynamite

  • Tony Khan Makes Big Announcement After Grand Slam, AEW Title Match Set For Upcoming Dynamite

    Tony Khan Makes Big Announcement After Grand Slam, AEW Title Match Set For Upcoming Dynamite

    AEW President Tony Khan addressed the crowd after Dynamite Grand Slam went off the air.

    He announced that the winner of the Golden Ticket Battle Royal on Friday’s episode of Rampage will battle Jon Moxley for the AEW Championship on the October 18th edition of Dynamite.

    It will be a special Tuesday night episode of Dynamite on the 18th airing from the Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, AEW Champion Jon Moxley’s hometown.

    Moxley lost the Interim Championship to CM Punk at All Out. However, Punk had to vacate the title due to an injury as well as the brawl with The Elite during the media scrum.

    In the main event of Dynamite Grand Slam, Jon Moxley battled Bryan Danielson for the vacated AEW Championship. The two Blackpool Combat Members gave it everything they had, but in the end, Moxley captured the title once again by putting Danielson to sleep with the Bulldog Choke. William Regal stood in the ring as Bryan Danielson put the belt around Moxley’s waist after the match.

    Here are the comments from Tony Khan and you can check them out in the video from Solomonster below.

    “At this year’s first Tuesday night Dynamite, October 18th, in Cincinnati, Ohio. The winner of the Grand Slam Golden Ticket Battle Royal will get a shot at the first-ever three-time AEW World Champion, Jon Moxley, if he is still the champion on that Tuesday.

    Everybody is coming back to their seats, we are about to get started for Rampage. Justin (Roberts) you want to fire things up and get everybody going?!”

  • “God I’m Freaking Cool” – MJF Sends Message To His ‘Devil Worshippers’ After AEW Dynamite Grand Slam

    “God I’m Freaking Cool” – MJF Sends Message To His ‘Devil Worshippers’ After AEW Dynamite Grand Slam

    MJF made his presence felt throughout the show tonight during AEW Dynamite Grand Slam.

    Former ROH Pure Champion Wheeler Yuta was set to be interviewed by Tony Schiavone but Maxwell immediately interrupted. The Casino Ladder match winner did a Ric Flair strut as the crowd in Arthur Ashe popped.

    MJF verbally beat Wheeler down and insulted Bryan Danielson and Jon Moxley ahead of their title match. Maxwell brought up William Regal’s addiction issues and got a slap to the face from Wheeler Yuta. MJF delivered a headbutt to Yuta and then shoved poor Tony Shiavone to the floor.

    Yuta attacked MJF but The Firm’s W. Morrissey (FKA as Big Cass in WWE) grabbed Yuta from behind. AEW security then showed up and separated everyone to end the segment. MJF then watched from the crowd as Jon Moxley defeated Bryan Danielson to become the AEW Champion. Maxwell earned a future title shot at a time of his choosing by winning the Casino Ladder match at AEW All Out earlier this month.

    MJF Thanks His ‘Devil Worshippers’ After AEW Grand Slam

    Maxwell took to Twitter after Dynamite Grand Slam went off the air to put himself over some more. The 26-year-old said that his “Devil worshippers” were out in full force tonight and noted how cool he is.

    “My Devil worshippers were out in full force tonight with their pitch forks in hand. God I’m freaking cool.”

    The Firm Helps MJF Win The Casino Ladder Match At All Out

    The Casino Ladder match kicked off AEW All Out and the match ended in a bizarre fashion. A bunch of masked individuals rushed to the ring and attacked the participants. It was then revealed to be Stokely Hathaway’s stable, The Firm, and they retrieved the chip suspended above the ring.

    A man in a devil’s mask then entered the match as The Joker (the final & mystery participant in the Casino Ladder match). Stokely handed the chip to the masked man and they exited the ring.

    After CM Punk defeated Jon Moxley, it was revealed that MJF was the man in the devil’s mask and he had a stare-down with the former champion to close the PPV. MJF and Jon Moxley have shared some harsh words in recent weeks and it will be interesting to see when Maxwell chooses to have his title match.

  • AEW & WWE Stars React To Saraya’s Debut At Dynamite Grand Slam

    AEW & WWE Stars React To Saraya’s Debut At Dynamite Grand Slam

    Saraya made her stunning debut at AEW Dynamite Grand Slam tonight in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

    She arrived after Toni Storm retained the AEW Interim Women’s Championship by rolling up Britt Baker in a Fatal 4-Way match. After the match, Britt Baker, Rebel, Serena Deeb, and Jamie Hayter attacked the champion and Athena.

    Falling in Reverse’s “Zombified” blasted through the speakers and Saraya’s name flashed on the screen. The crowd erupted as the inaugural NXT Women’s Champion made her way to the ring.

    Saraya Breaks Silence, WWE & AEW Stars React To Her Debut At Grand Slam

    Shortly after AEW Dynamite Grand Slam went off the air, Saraya simply posted “hi” on Twitter and it has already garnered thousands of likes.

    Former WWE personality Renee Paquette (Renee Young) reacted to Saraya’s debut and wondered if we can all just take a moment.

    Sonya Deville and Bayley, Mickie James and CJ Perry (FKA as Lana in WWE) also reacted to the 30-year-old’s return to wrestling.

    AEW star Kip Sabian also reacted on Twitter and welcomed Saraya with kind words.

    “14 years later. Welcome @Saraya, my friend.”

    Paige Exits WWE

    WWE opted not to re-sign Paige on earlier this summer and her contract expired on July 7th. The Anti-Diva had not competed in the ring as an active competitor since a neck injury at house show in 2017. She teamed with Absolution (Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose) against Bayley, Mickie James, and Sasha Banks.

    She spoke about WWE’s decision to not renew her contract on a Twitch stream in June and said the following:

    “I’m appreciative of WWE,” she said. “I really am. They helped me so much they got me a therapist when I had drinking and alcohol issues. They kept me a long time even after my neck surgery, sitting on my ass. I felt like I had so much left to give there as someone who can cut a decent promo and do a managerial role. It is what it is.” H/T F4WOnline

  • Saraya (Paige) Debuts at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam

    Saraya (Paige) Debuts at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam

    Saraya (Paige) is All Elite as the former WWE star made AEW debut on Wednesday’s episode of Dynamite following the fatal 4-way match that saw Interim Women’s Champion Toni Storm retain her title over Britt Bake, Serena Deeb, and Athena. 

    Following the match, Baker was going to attack Storm. Jamie Hayter came out to join in on the beatdown along with Deeb on Storm and Athena. This is when Saraya made the save by walking out, and the heels got out of the ring. She got an insane pop and told the crowd this was her house.

    Tony Khan officially welcomed Saraya to AEW with the official All Elite graphic.

    The wrestling world had a lot to say about Saraya’s AEW debut. Renee Paquette, Mickie James, Bayley and Sonya Deville are just some of the WWE and AEW stars who reacted to the historic moment.

    AEW & WWE Stars React To Saraya’s Debut At Dynamite Grand Slam

    Saraya wrote the following on Twitter about her AEW debut and thanked her boyfriend Ronnie Radke for letting her use his song Zombified a her AEW entrance music.

    She also posted a photo of herself backstage at Grand Slam before her big appearance.

    Paige has not wrestled since December 2017 due to her having spinal stenosis. Her in-ring career ended after she took a bad bump on the back of her neck during a six-woman tag team match. She officially retired from wrestling in April 2018 due to a neck injury.

    This past July, Paige announced that the decision to not renew her WWE contract was made by WWE and she wanted to stay with the company. 

  • What Happened With Jon Moxley After AEW Dynamite Grand Slam Went Off The Air

    What Happened With Jon Moxley After AEW Dynamite Grand Slam Went Off The Air

    Jon Moxley competed against fellow Blackpool Combat Club member Bryan Danielson in the main event of AEW Dynamite Grand Slam to crown the new AEW Champion.

    It was a back-and-forth matchup that saw Moxley kick out of Danielson’s running knee and escape the LeBell Lock. Moxley hit a Deathrider on the entrance ramp and got Bryan back into the ring but too much time had passed and The American Dragon kicked out at two.

    Moxley reigned down elbow strikes and then captured the AEW Championship by applying the Bulldog Choke until Danielson passed out.

    What Happened After AEW Dynamite Grand Slam Went Off The Air?

    After winning the AEW Championship once again, Jon Moxley addressed the crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

    Here are Moxley’s comments and you can check it out in the video below.

    “Let me tell you this, I am now once again the AEW World Champion. It is among one of the best things that I will ever do but it is not even near the top of the list. This championship doesn’t define me. Being a good man, being a good father, being the kind of man people can look up to, that is what defines me.

    But when it comes down to the best wrestling promotion on this planet. Blood, sweat, tears, passion. This belt doesn’t define me, but I define this belt!”

  • Jon Moxley Wins AEW World Heavyweight Title

    Jon Moxley Wins AEW World Heavyweight Title

    Jon Moxley vs. Bryan Danielson headlined the 2022 AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam event on Wednesday night from New York City at Arthur Ashe Stadium with the Vacant AEW World Championship on the line. 

    The match got plenty of time, with MJF watching from the grandstands and laughing as the match ended when Moxley choked out Danielson with a rear-naked choke. 

    How We Got Here

    On last Wednesday’s Dynamite, Moxley and Danielson won the AEW Grand Slam Tournament of Champions semifinal matches. With their victories, they advance to the finals.

    In the opening match of the show last week, Moxley defeated Sammy Guevara. Following Jericho’s crossface submission, Danielson defeated Jericho in the main event. Moxley entered the ring after the contest, and they exchanged looks. Danielson then offered his hand, and Moxley shook it as the show came to a close.

    Following CM Punk’s suspension from the organization for a backstage brawl between himself & Ace Steel and Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks that occurred after AEW All Out, the AEW World Championship was declared vacant. Punk was also recently sidelined after undergoing surgery for a torn tricep.