Ahead of tomorrow night’s AEW WrestleDream pay-per-view, Darby Allin and Aubrey Edwards were special guests at the Seattle Seahawks Vs. San Francisco 49ers game. Not only did the pair have fun at the game inside Seattle’s Lumen Field, but as seen in the footage, Allin ‘attacked’ a fan in attendance, leaving them laying on the ground after a single punch.

AEW was pleased to be represented at the game and shared the fan’s footage from the game. Unfortunately, Allin, fresh off crashing a child’s birthday party, wouldn’t prove to be good luck charms for Seattle as the Seahawks would lose to the 49ers 36-24.

AEW is in Washington for WrestleDream, which will take place at the Tacoma Dome. The show will be AEW’s second WrestleDream event, and the second pay-per-view from the company to come to the state (behind WrestleDream 2023 in Seattle.) On the card, Allin will take on Brody King as the House of Black member has answered the open challenge of the former TNT Champion.

AEW WrestleDream promises to be a monumental show for the All-Elite roster, with seven championship matches planned for the Tacoma Dome. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from AEW WrestleDream 2024, including breaking news and live results.

Britt Baker has provided an update on her health after missing her scheduled match on Tuesday’s Dynamite due to an illness.

The former Women’s Champion was expected to compete in a #1 Contenders match at the TV tapings. She was supposed to go up against Willow Nightingale but got pulled on the day of the show.

The AEW star took to Twitter and provided an update on her status late on Thursday. She thanked everyone who sent her well wishes in a video and revealed that she is dealing with strep throat:

“I still have a strep throt, but I sound way worse than I actually feel. I feel so much better now. Two days ago, I was dying, but now we’re good. I went to urgent care, got tested for strep, took antibiotics, got an IV shot. I’m good. I’m good. I’m on the mend.”

?? pic.twitter.com/XAxEqidpee

— Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. (@RealBrittBaker) October 11, 2024

• Details on MJF’s Next Movie, Stranglehold

Britt Baker Stuck At Home Without Emergency Supplies

The female star also revealed that the sudden change of plans caused some distress to her because of recent weather calamities in the US. Britt Baker didn’t stock up on emergency supplies and they were all gone by the time she realized she was staying home instead of traveling to Washington for the AEW show:

“For future reference, if you are in an area that could be affected by a hurricane, stock the fuck up. I messed up. I didn’t think I was going to be here. I was supposed to be at Dynamite in Washington, so I was like, I’m fine. No, change of plans.

I was stuck in Orlando. And there was no supplies by the time I realized that there was no gas, no water, nothing. All the essentials gone off all the shelves. So stock up in advance. Don’t be a dumb ass like me. And thank you, again, everybody who checked in and all the weirdos with your f*cking conspiracy theories, f*ck off.”

Britt was replaced by not one but three women in the match against Willow. Jamie Hayter, Saraya, and Nyla Rose all joined the bout, making it a fatal four-way.

Hayter was taken out of the match in the end due to interference from a returning Penelope Ford, and Nightingale won the bout after pinning Saraya. She will now face Mariah May for the women’s title at the October 12 WrestleDream PPV.

• MJF On Britt Baker: “I Don’t Have to Like All My Coworkers”

At AEW WrestleDream, Swerve Strickland will return to our screens in his first appearance since his brutal loss to ‘Hangman’ Page at All Out last month. Anticipation is high for the return of one of AEW’s most popular wrestlers, but what does Swerve Strickland have in mind for this weekend’s pay-per-view?

Speaking to No Contest Wrestling with O’Shea Jackson Jr. and TJ Jefferson, Swerve addressed his impending return, and was pleased that fans are hooked on what he has to say over a month after his last appearance.

“I wasn’t even on camera. There’s a lot I can address there. There’s a lot I can address with the current. There is a lot I can address with the future. born. There is a lot I can go into. Maybe the people are so enthralled and emotionally connected to me that I don’t even have to say much.”

When pressed further on what fans can expect at WrestleDream, Swerve added:

“You can always expect the next evolution of me with the subtleties. Maybe my hair is different. Maybe my look is different. Something is different. You’ll feel something different in the air… people are anticipating a return of who I am, what I have to bring and what’s different, what’s new, and what old things I ‘I’m going to address.”

One man who’ll be very interested in what Swerve has to say upon his return is MVP, who has arrived in AEW with the intent of managing Strickland. MVP recently brought in Shelton Benjamin as his head of complaints, and a business card with the ‘Hurt Syndicate’ branding has indicated MVP is seeking to start a faction, presumably with Swerve involved. While Strickland has yet to return to AEW programming, he has made clear he’s at least interested in hearing what MVP has to say.

AEW WrestleDream 2024

AEW WrestleDream will take place on October 12 at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington, Swerve Strickland’s hometown. A stacked 10-match card, including seven title matches, will accompany Strickland’s return.

Fans in the US will have the choice of using B/R Live or Triller TV to watch WrestleDream, while fans outside the U.S. will use Triller TV. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from AEW WrestleDream including breaking news and live results.

The situation between Chris Jericho and MVP has already been hashed out since the latter joined All Elite Wrestling a couple weeks ago.

The most recent AEW signee has had a rocky relationship with Y2J in the last few years. There have been reports of the two having a physical altercation at a past edition of Jericho Cruise. An argument between the two at an AEW hotel had also been reported.

That’s why a lot of people wondered how things will play out when MVP made his debut for Tony Khan’s promotion during the Grand Slam special of Dynamite.

Fightful Select is reporting that the tensions have already been relieved after an initiative from the Hurt Syndicate Manager. According to them, MVP went directly to Jericho’s locker room on his very first day on the job.

While specific details of how the meeting went down are not provided, the belief in AEW is that things have been hashed out and there won’t be an issue between the two moving forward.

The two AEW stars have been seen interacting with each other backstage since then and MVP has been praised by people backstage for taking the initiative and addressing the issues up front.

While the backstage issues have been resolved, MVP’s debut is a matter of concern for the roster on screen. The former WWE star has teased the arrival of The Hurt Syndicate since his first appearance for the company.

With Shelton Benjamin having already joined the promotion, it’s only a matter of time before we see Bobby Lashley reuniting with the two. The arrival of this formidable trio that dominated Raw during the pandemic era is certainly a matter of concern for anyone finding themselves in a prominent position on AEW programming.

• MVP Says AEW Run Is ‘Quite Possibly The Final Chapter’ Of His Career

AEW is coming on Fox…but in Mexico.

Amid all the talks about Tony Khan’s promotion looking for a new platform for their third show, they have at least started a new relationship with Fox.

The Fox Sports Mexico account announced on Twitter early on October 10, that they have acquired the media rights for all three AEW shows, including Rampage:

“WE GET IN THE RING WITH AEW! FOX Sports Mexico acquires the broadcast rights to All Elite Wrestling, one of the most spectacular professional wrestling brands in the world.”

AEW’s Media Deals

After months of speculation, AEW finally announced their US media rights renewal deal with WarnerBros Discovery earlier this month. In addition to the TV shows, a Max deal to carry out AEW PPVs at a discounted price for subscribers was also announced.

The announcement, however, did not have any mention of Friday Night Rampage. It’s believed that the show is set to be cancelled after the current contract with WBD expires and the new deal kicks in.

The belief is that Tony Khan is looking to replace Rampage with a new AEW program dubbed ‘Shockwave.’ He’s shopping around different networks for the show and the name of Fox has been brought up repeatedly.

With SmackDown leaving Fox last month, the Network company has a slot open. An AEW show costing less money seems like a good option to replace the Blue Branded Show.

• Details On AEW’s Projected 2025 Profits Under New WBD Deal

Adam Copeland and Dax Harwood praised Tony Khan for donating towards the relief efforts after Hurricane Helene and the AEW President wanted to tip the cap back to his stars.

Speaking on the AEW WrestleDream media call, Khan mentioned how Copeland credited him for helping police with Starlink connections in those affected by Hurricane Helene and shared with the media something he believed Copeland wouldn’t want to be shared.

“Adam called me last week at backstage at Collision and he was with FEMA workers and he was working with them, he’s helping them. And they were digging bodies out and, and they were dealing with this terrible, terrible tragedy.”

After Copeland credited Khan for his charity, Harwood backed up Copeland’s story stating that all it took for Tony to contribute was “one ask.” Khan noted both stars were doing their part in North Carolina. Cash Wheeler set up a GoFundMe (donate here) for those in western part of the state that has nearly tripled the $25,000 goal.

“Adam and Dax and Cash and everybody chipping in on the relief efforts and the hurricane problem and as the damage and God forbid the loss of life and all these things start to become a reality, it’s terrible.”

Khan went on to note how busy he’s been with promoting WrestleDream and dealing with the travel issues stemming from Hurricane Helene, but seeing and hearing about all the damage puts matters in perspective and made clear that this past episode of Dynamite was certain to have an 800 number where fans could donate if they were able.

“I care about [AEW] so much what we’re doing and yet, I would be remiss not to bring the charitable aspect of this end of the show and to try to get people to donate…

“It wasn’t all about promoting AEW on TBS last night. It’s also about promoting hurricane relief and whatever we can do to help people.”

If you’d like to donate to any of the non-profits on the ground for those in North Carolina, below is a screenshot of the QR codes presented on AEW Dynamite.

Chris Jericho is taking a big fat victory lap after All Elite Wrestling (AEW) secured a new multi-year media rights deal with Warner Bros. Discovery. After several months of wrestling pundits spewing doom and gloom about AEW’s long-term prospects, Jericho says they’ve made those “experts” look like idiots.

The Learning Tree appeared on Busted Open Radio on Wednesday and touted the importance of there being more than one thriving major wrestling promotion.

“I think we proved a lot of so-called ‘experts,’ and we made them look like idiots. We knew what was going on with this. The landscape changes constantly. numbers go up and numbers go down, but the overall demo of what AEW brings to the table as a live sporting event is invaluable.

We knew it was something that people would want to be involved with. Warner Brothers Discovery didn’t want us to go anywhere, and you can see, $185 million a year for a company that has only been going five years. That’s never happened before. Ever.”

– Chris Jericho

Jericho’s comments come amid growing speculation about AEW’s future, particularly in light of their new lucrative deal with Warner Bros. Discovery. He emphasized that AEW’s rapid growth and success have proven the naysayers wrong, while setting the stage for an exciting new chapter.

“Obviously, WWE is the gold standard. They didn’t have a deal like that five years in. With all the growing pains, good and bad, that AEW has, we’re still such a young company. That showed we have a real commitment.

We’re not going anywhere. Tony Khan is not going anywhere. I’m not going anywhere, much to people’s chagrin. Neither is the rest of the company. It’s going to be a really great next three to five years.”

– Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho, formerly known as “The Ocho” to signify his eight World Title reigns, looks be become The Nueve this Saturday night when he challenges Mark Briscoe for the Ring of Honor Worlds Championship at AEW WrestleDream.

The card of AEW WrestleDream 2024 continues to grow with exciting two-out-of-three falls match set to take place this weekend. On Twitter, Tony Khan shared that Hologram will take on the Beast Mortos at WrestleDream. Hologram was attacked by the Beast Mortos and the new LFI on this week’s Dynamite and hopes to get a manner of revenge this Saturday.

AEW WrestleDream 2024

AEW WrestleDream will be the promotion’s second WrestleDream event and take place from the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington. The show will be the second AEW pay-per-view in the state of Washington, after last year’s WrestleDream in Seattle.

Here is the card for AEW WrestleDream 2024:

• Mark Briscoe (c) vs. Chris Jericho (with Big Bill and Bryan Keith) (Ring of Honor World Championship)
• Darby Allin vs. Brody King
• Hologram vs. The Beast Mortos (2 Out of 3 Falls)
• Jack Perry (c) vs. Katsuyori Shibata (AEW TNT Championship)
• Will Ospreay (c) vs. Ricochet vs. Konosuke Takeshita (AEW International Championship)
• The Young Bucks (Matthew Jackson and Nicholas Jackson) (c) vs. Private Party (Zay and Quen) (AEW World Tag Team Championship)
• Mariah May (c) vs. Willow Nightingale (AEW Women’s World Championship)
• “Hangman” Adam Page vs. Jay White
• MxM Collection (Mansoor and Mason Madden) vs. The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens and Max Caster)
• Bryan Danielson (c) vs. Jon Moxley (with Marina Shafir) (AEW World Championship)

Swerve Strickland will also make his return to AEW programming in his first appearance since his brutal loss to Swerve Strickland at All Out. MVP has shown interest in managing Strickland who is expected to give a response to the Hurt Syndicate leader.

Fans in the US will have the choice of using B/R Live or Triller TV to watch WrestleDream, while fans outside the U.S. will use Triller TV. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from AEW WrestleDream including breaking news and live results.

As AEW’s highly anticipated WrestleDream 2024 event approaches, wrestling fans are buzzing with excitement about what looks like a stacked card. Set to take place on October 12th, this pay-per-view should give us some top-tier matches on the night.

Let’s dive into our predictions for the main matches, with a special focus on the headlining AEW World Championship clash between Bryan Danielson and Jon Moxley.

Read More – AEW WrestleDream 2024 Start Time: US, Australia, Europe and more

Main Event: AEW World Championship Match

Bryan Danielson vs. Jon Moxley

The centerpiece of WrestleDream 2024 is undoubtedly the AEW World Championship match between Bryan Danielson and Jon Moxley. These two Blackpool Combat Club members have a storied history, dating back to their epic encounter at Revolution 2022. 

Now, they’re set to reignite their rivalry in what promises to be a hard-hitting, technical masterpiece. Moxley has been on a tear lately, delivering intense promos and issuing threats to Danielson and AEW as a company in general. 

The American Dragon, not to be outdone, has been rallying fan support, asking crowds if they want to see him “kick Moxley’s f*cking head in” and bringing back the intensity he had during his ROH days. 

Prediction: While both men are capable of walking away with the gold, our prediction leans towards Bryan Danielson. His recent momentum makes him the slight favorite to retain the AEW World Championship in a match that’s sure to be an instant classic.

Read More – AEW WrestleDream 2024 Live Stream: How to watch

Other Major Matches

AEW Women’s World Championship: Mariah May vs. Willow Nightingale

This match presents an interesting clash of styles between the Mariah May and the powerhouse Willow Nightingale. 

Both women have been making waves in AEW’s women’s division, and this championship opportunity could be a career-defining moment.

Prediction: Willow Nightingale to capture her first AEW Women’s World Championship in an upset victory.

AEW International Championship: Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet vs. Konosuke Takeshita

This triple threat match has the potential to steal the show. With three of the most athletic and innovative wrestlers in the world today, expect a fast-paced, high-flying spectacle.

Prediction: Will Ospreay retains in a match filled with jaw-dropping spots and near-falls.

ROH World Championship: Mark Briscoe vs. Chris Jericho

The veteran Chris Jericho takes on Mark Briscoe in what should be an emotionally charged contest for the ROH World Championship. Briscoe will be looking to honor his late brother Jay by retaining the title.

Prediction: Mark Briscoe overcomes the odds and defeats Jericho to retain the ROH World Champioship.

AEW TNT Championship: Jack Perry vs. Katsuyori Shibata

This match pits the young upstart Jack Perry against the hard-hitting legend Katsuyori Shibata. Expect a physical contest that blends Perry’s athleticism with Shibata’s strong style.

Prediction: Jack Perry retains after a grueling battle, earning Shibata’s respect in the process.

Undercard Highlights

Hangman Page vs. Jay White

Two former world champions collide in what could be a show-stealing encounter. Both men have something to prove as they look to climb back into the world title picture.

Prediction: Jay White picks up a controversial win, setting up a longer feud with Hangman Page.

Darby Allin vs. Brody King

This David vs. Goliath matchup promises to be an intense battle. Allin’s never-say-die attitude will be put to the test against the monstrous Brody King.

Prediction: Darby Allin scores an upset victory through his resilience and high-risk offense.

A world championship run may not be in the cards for Claudio Castagnoli at this stage of his career but he is not bogged down by this.

The former WWE star has remained one of the most popular wrestling stars in the sphere for the last decade. With his unparalleled skills in the ring, many veterans have expressed their amazement at the 43-year-old never getting a run at the top.

Many expected things to change when Castagnoli left WWE for AEW in 2022 but with the current depth of the Elite roster, it seems unlikely that Claudio will get a run with the world title anytime soon if at all.

Though he doesn’t seem to take this prospect negatively. During a recent interview with The Takedown, Claudio explained that everyone in wrestling should aspire to be a world champion. He has realized, however, that the single-minded focus on it could be detrimental sometimes:

“Everybody should aspire to be the World Heavyweight Champion. I think I may have realized as I’m getting older, that that single-minded focus can actually be a big detriment to me. Not everybody is the main character. Not everybody can be the hero of the story. So to me, it is how can I make the most impact?”

Claudio later explained that he is grateful to have blessings of names such as Bryan Danielson and Mick Foley who believe he should be a world champion, but he feels that he doesn’t need a belt to be a champion.

The Swiss star has been making an impact on AEW TV recently since joining Jon Moxley in his new quest to rid the company of its problems.

Claudio turned on his longtime friend Bryan Danielson at All Out 2024. He has since become part of the new faction led by Mox, alongside Marina Shafir, and PAC.

• AEW WrestleDream 2024 Live Stream: How to watch

AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson had plenty to say after this week’s Title Tuesday of AEW Dynamite went off the air in Spokane, Washington.

In the main event of the show, Danielson and Wheeler Yuta defeated Pac and Claudio Castagnoli, continuing Danielson and Yuta’s feud with their former Blackpool Combat Club allies. After the match, Danielson fought Jon Moxley to the back but reemerged to save Yuta from a beatdown by Pac, Castagnoli, and Marina Shafir.

Speaking after AEW Dynamite with Tony Khan by his side, Danielson appreciated the incredible audience in Spokane. Bryan asked the crowd if they like Wheeler Yuta, which earned a huge cheer, as did his question about whether they want to see him beat Moxley at WrestleDream. The loudest cheer was saved for Bryan’s final question as he asked the fans “Do you want to see me kick Jon Moxley’s f***ing head in?!” which earned a ‘YES!’ chant from the audience.

Moxley and Danielson will do battle over the AEW World Championship at WrestleDream this Saturday. Moxley and the BCC (sans Yuta) turned on Danielson at AEW All Out with Moxley attempting to suffocate his former friend with a plastic bag. With the AEW World title (and potential free comic books for fans) on the line, expect Danielson and Moxley to hold nothing back in their efforts to obtain the richest prize in All Elite Wrestling.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from AEW WrestleDream including breaking news and live results from this Saturday’s event in Tacoma, Washington.

Before the Fifth Anniversary edition of AEW Dynamite, Taz announced he’d be stepping away from the commentary booth to undergo total knee replacement surgery, following an ambush in a parking lot. In actuality, this is a procedure Taz has been putting off for some time, but the Human Suplex Machine has at last gone under the knife.

On Twitter, Taz gave fans an update, sharing that the surgery went well but “now the work begins.” The veteran wrestling personality shared his dismay that he wasn’t given room 13, his signature number. Taz also promoted the ‘Title Tuesday’ edition of AEW Dynamite.

With Taz still out of commission, Jeff Jarrett filled in during this week’s Dynamite, one week after Nigel McGuinness filled in for Taz on the Fifth Anniversary of Dynamite. Dynamite also saw HOOK backstage say he’s tired of chasing whoever attacked his father. Just then, Kip Sabian stumbled into HOOK, quickly denying any involvement before walking off.

Moments later, Christian Cage, accompanied by Nick Wayne and his mother, approached HOOK. Cage remarked that they’re both family men and that he recently lost Killswitch to a serious medical situation and offered HOOK condolences regarding Taz’s injury. As Cage and his entourage walked away, HOOK was left fuming.

A promo with Cage aired last week immediately after HOOK’s, and this, alongside Cage’s history of attacking father figures has left many to point the finger of suspicion at the Canadian. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on this mystery and to learn whether it was Cage who attacked Taz or if somebody else did the dirty deed.

Penelope Ford made her return to AEW programming after a long hiatus during tonight’s Title Tuesday edition of Dynamite from Spokane Arena in Spokane, Washington.

A Women’s Championship #1 Contenders match between Britt Baker and Willow Nightingale had been scheduled for this week’s episode of AEW’s flagship show.

When Baker was unable to make the bout due to illness, Tony Khan replaced her with not one but three names including Jamie Hayter, Saraya, and Nyla Rose.

During a spot in the bout, Hayter took a chair from Saraya’s hand and beat the former champion with it. Saraya retreated outside and Hayter followed but Harley Cameron stopped her from using the chair again.

Jamie Hayter sent Cameron crashing into the barricade in response. Penelope Ford then appeared out of nowhere and hit Hayter with a chair. Jamie started chasing Ford to the back, essentially removing herself from the match:

Penelope Ford’s Absence

Penelope Ford has not been seen on AEW programming for some time now. She last wrestled for the company way back in February 2023.

Ford and her husband Kip Sabian opened up about suffering a miscarriage in March of that year. Sabian also made his return to TV very recently.

After Penelope’s interference, Willow Nightingale managed to win the match. She sent Saraya flying through a table with a Death Valley Driver and pinned the former WWE star for the win.

Willow will now be challenging the AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May at the upcoming WrestleDream PPV on October 12.

WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam made a surprise return on the September 13, episode of SmackDown, as part of the blue brand’s premiere on the USA Network. Interestingly, The Whole F’n Show” has made sporadic appearances in AEW since last year, despite being under a WWE Legends deal.

On the February 21, episode of AEW Dynamite, Van Dam teamed up with ‘Hangman’ Adam Page and HOOK to face Samoa Joe, Swerve Strickland, and Brian Cage. His most recent AEW match took place on the April 20 edition of AEW Collision where he won a four-way elimination match against Isiah Kassidy, Lee Johnson, and Komander.

In a recent interview on the Cheap Heat Productions Podcast, Rob Van Dam confirmed that despite his AEW appearances, he is under a WWE Legends deal. The former WWE & ECW Champion added that this deal will naturally limit his involvement with AEW.

“The first time that I talked to Tony Khan about doing this (working with AEW), a factor was that I still have a WWE Legends deal. So, my use to AEW would be limited as far as they can’t put me on video games, action figures, stuff like that and so, you could say it’s limited on both ends or you could say I got both ends going, best of both worlds or you could just say RVD does whatever he wants.”

Rob Van Dam joins a growing list of wrestling legends, including DDP, Victoria, Jesse ‘The Body’ Ventura, and Armando Estrada, who have recently signed WWE Legends contracts. Fans are eager to see when the high-flying icon will make his next WWE appearance.

Former World Champion Swerve Strickland is set to make his AEW return very soon.

The Premier Athlete has not been seen on AEW TV since he suffered a gruesome loss at the hands of Hangman Adam Page in their unsanctioned match at All Out.

The company finally confirmed Swerve’s return on this week’s episode of Dynamite. They announced that Strickland will be making an appearance at the upcoming WrestleDream PPV on October 12:

• AEW’s Swerve Strickland Makes DC Comics Debut in Batman #153

What’s Next For Swerve Strickland?

Prior to his loss to Adam Page, Strickland had suffered another major defeat at All In. Bryan Danielson ended his 126-day-long reign as the AEW World Champion and saved his career in the process.

That means the former champion has a long road ahead to build himself up again if he plans on pursuing the world title he lost.

There is also the question of The Hurt Syndicate looming around. MVP expressed the desire to work with Swerve upon his AEW debut a couple of weeks ago.

Shelton Benjamin has also made his debut for the company as MVP’s business partner and the debut of Bobby Lashley is highly anticipated.

With all the new players in town, it’d be interesting to see how Swerve will interact with them and if they’ll prove to be friends or foes for the former NXT star.

• Swerve Strickland Reveals How Shawn Michaels Influenced His Current Success

Amid growing speculation about his future in pro wrestling, Daniel Garcia has made his return to AEW television.

Garcia was first spotted in the parking lot during this week’s show, where Renee Paquette approached him and asked about his absence, given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding his future. Garcia stated that he would rather explain in the ring in front of the fans.

With his contract set to expire this month, Garcia has yet to re-sign with AEW. WWE has reportedly shown strong interest in bringing him on board. After being written off AEW television, Garcia made his unexpected return during the AEW All In London 2024 pay-per-view event, interfering in the match between MJF and Will Ospreay for the International Title.

Contract Status

During All In London, Garcia shocked the crowd by costing MJF the match. At All Out, he briefly aligned with MJF before turning on him and laying him out. Following this, Garcia was once again taken off television, sparking speculation that AEW might not feature him again until he commits to a new deal.

As of now, neither AEW nor Garcia has publicly commented on his contract status.

All Elite Wrestling presents a special Tuesday edition of AEW Dynamite tonight on TBS at from the Spokane Arena in Spokane, WA.

This episode promises major action and will serve as the final build for the highly anticipated WrestleDream pay-per-view, coming up this Saturday.

One of the biggest highlights of the night will be a blockbuster tag team match featuring Bryan Danielson & Wheeler Yuta against PAC & Claudio Castagnoli. Additionally, fans can look forward to a Women’s Title #1 Contenders Match between Britt Baker and Willow Nightingale.

Confirmed matches for 10/8 Dynamite

Dynamite will overlap with the second hour of WWE NXT on The CW Network. This marks the first time in a year that AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT will go head-to-head.

• Bryan Danielson & Wheeler Yuta vs. PAC & Claudio Castagnoli
• AEW TBS Champion & NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Moné vs. Emi Sakura
• AEW Women’s Title #1 Contenders Match: Britt Baker vs. Willow Nightingale
• HOOK demands answers regarding the attack on Taz
• Brody King and Darby Allin to meet face-to-face

Highlights from last week’s AEW Dynamite:

In October 2022, Maria Kanellis-Bennett arrived in AEW alongside her husband Mike and Matt Taven, shortly after exiting Impact Wrestling. As well as AEW, the trio have also appeared and competed for Ring of Honor, but Maria’s time working with Tony Khan may be ending within a matter of days.

On Instagram, Maria shared an update on her retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy, sharing that she has been consulting with a surgeon and will undergo an operation soon. Maria was diagnosed in July of this year after a mass was found on her adrenal gland.

Addressing her AEW future on Instagram, Maria shared that her contract is due to expire on October 31 and despite reaching out to AEW about whether she’ll be re-signed, “I haven’t heard anything yet”. Maria said she’s trying not to dwell too much on her health concerns or her worries about her AEW future, but is instead getting into the ‘spooky season’ by setting up some Halloween decorations.

With over 20 years in the wrestling business, Maria has proven herself in a variety of roles from being an in-ring talent to an interviewer to a manager of other wrestlers. Ultimately, it will be Tony Khan’s decision as to whether Maria is presented with a new contract, and if so, her choice as to whether she’ll remain with AEW/ROH or try herself in a different promotion. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Maria and other contracts in the world of professional wrestling.

AEW wrestler Darby Allin recently showed up at a random birthday party and had some fun time teaching the kids his finisher, Coffin Drop.

The former TNT champion posted pictures and videos on social media. He dropped pictures posing with the young fans as well as a video of him jumping off a ledge onto a large inflatable bag and teaching the kids how to perform the Coffin Drop.

For those who are unaware, Coffin Drop is Darby’s finisher in which he jumps off the top turnbuckle facing away from the ring onto a lying opponent. Another variation sees him hitting the move on a standing opponent.

Darby Allin had been in pursuit of the AEW World Championship and earned a title shot after winning the Royal Rampage match in July. However, Allin ended up losing the opportunity when he got involved in a feud with Blackpool Combat Club.

AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson was recently attacked by Jon Moxley, who has his sights set on the title. ‘The Death Rider’ challenged Darby Allin for a match with his title shot on the line. Allin ended up losing the match and thus the title opportunity.

Allin recently issued an open challenge for AEW WrestleDream. Following his win over Johnny TV on the October 5th edition of AEW Collision, House of Black’s Brody King attacked Allin and told him he accepted the challenge.

Since arriving in AEW in March 2022, Swerve Strickland has risen through the ranks to become one of the company’s very top stars. Now, the first-ever African American AEW World Champion has taken a huge leap out of the ring and into the world of DC Comics.

Strickland features in his own story in Batman #153, the latest issue from the Caped Crusader of Gotham City. The story not only covers Strickland’s rise through the ranks of AEW, but also his military upbringing, his time in Lucha Underground, and his championship reigns. On Twitter, Strickland shared his excitement over his appearance in the comic book.

Strickland’s appearance in Batman #153 comes after AEW and DC Comic partnered at San Diego Comic-Con in July of this year. At the convention, AEW hosted a Ride Inside The Ring And Beyond panel which included Strickland, Will Ospreay, Toni Storm, and others speaking about their experiences as part of Tony Khan’s company.

AEW & DC Comics

In 2019, AEW and DC Comics teamed up, thanks in part to both companies being partners of Warner Bros. Discovery. This partnership saw artist Howard Porter (The Flash) draw several AEW talent. Chris Jericho, Jon Moxley, ‘Hangman’ Adam Page, Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus, Nyla Rose, Cody and Brandi Rhodes, The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega. and Awesome Kong all received the comic-book treatment as part of this partnership.

Now, Swerve Strickland can add his name to those in AEW who have received DC’s seal of approval. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on Swerve Strickland as the former World Champion remains a top name in All Elite Wrestling.

Eric Bischoff, the former WWE executive and wrestling industry veteran, has recently shared his thoughts on the possibility of AEW’s rumored new show “Shockwave” airing on FOX. Speaking on his 83 Weeks podcast, Bischoff expressed strong skepticism about the likelihood of such a deal.

Bischoff’s Stance on AEW and FOX

Bischoff didn’t mince words when addressing the rumors, stating emphatically that AEW landing on FOX’s broadcast network is “a fantasy.”

He pointed out the significant disparity between SmackDown’s viewership on FOX and AEW’s current ratings for shows like Rampage and Collision:

“Does anybody in their right f*cking mind think that FOX Network is going to go, ‘Well, we couldn’t make SmackDown work with two and a half million viewers. But man, that Rampage or that Collision show, hmm! And this new one they’re coming out with, let’s do that.’ I understand why Swerve did it. He got excited, he’s emotional. He’s doing what he should do. But that was a bad take. I don’t see it, no. And to think that it could happen is a reflection of lack of information and knowledge, aka ignorance.”

Criticism of Swerve Strickland’s Comments

The discussion was sparked by recent comments from AEW wrestler Swerve Strickland. While Bischoff acknowledged Strickland’s enthusiasm for promoting his company, he criticized the wrestler’s suggestion that FOX might replace SmackDown with an AEW product

Viewership Comparisons

Bischoff highlighted the stark contrast in viewership numbers:

• SmackDown on FOX: Approximately 2.3-2.5 million viewers per week
• AEW Rampage and Collision: Around 300,000-400,000 viewers per week

He argued that it would be illogical for FOX to replace a show drawing over 2 million viewers with one that struggles to reach even a quarter of that audience.

AEW commentator Taz is expected to miss TV time as he is set to undergo knee replacement surgery.

On this week’s AEW Dynamite, a storyline began in which Taz was assaulted by a mystery attacker in the parking lot ahead of the show. Nigel McGuinness replaced him on the commentary desk alongside Excalibur and Tony Schiavone. It was reported that the storyline was developed to write Taz off the programming as he’s set to get full knee replacement surgery. Taz then announced the same on social media.

“Unfortunately, I will be out for awhile. I’ll be having total knee replacement surgery very soon. Talk to you guys down the road.”

Earlier this year, Taz was informed that he required both of his knees and both of his shoulders replaced. The pro wrestling legend had stated that he was going to keep trying regenerative procedures and dealing with the pain. However, he will now go under the knife.

Taz said that the issues were not from bumps he took in the ring. However, it was caused due to heavy weight training during his career. Taz was last seen on AEW when Hook officially retired the FTW Championship at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam and presented it back to his father. On this week’s edition of AEW Dynamite, Taz’s son Hook delivered a promo and said that he will avenge the attack on his father.

Here’s the updated match card for next weekend’s second annual AEW WrestleDream pay-per-view event:

1. AEW World Championship: Bryan Danielson (c) vs. Jon Moxley.

2. AEW International Championship: Ricochet vs. Will Ospreay (c) vs. Konosuke Takeshita.

3. TNT Championship: Jack Perry (c) vs. Katsuyori Shibata.

4. Open Challenge by Darby Allin.

5. ROH World Championship: Mark Briscoe (c) vs. Chris Jericho.

6. ROH World TV Championship: Atlantis (c) vs. Brian Cage.

AEW Wrestledream 2024 will be held on Saturday, October 12, and broadcast live on pay-per-view.

New reporting from POST Wrestling’s John Pollack and Brandon Thurston (Wrestlenomics) on the independent contractor misclassification lawsuit against AEW provide a rare look into AEW’s talent expenditures and the significant financial implications of potentially reclassifying their wrestling and non-wrestling talent as employees.

The Lawsuit

Former AEW announcer Kevin Kelly and The Tate Twins have filed a lawsuit against All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and others, alleging defamation and breach of contract following their departures from the company. Central to the case is a challenge to AEW’s classification of its talent as independent contractors rather than employees. The plaintiffs aim to void the arbitration clauses in their contracts and seek class-action certification for the lawsuit. Kevin Kelly’s attorney, Stephen P. New, has been outspoken in advocating for reform in the pro wrestling industry regarding talent classification.

AEW’s Response and Legal Maneuvers

AEW is actively working to move the case to federal court. As the legal battle unfolds, the lawsuit brings to light previously undisclosed details about AEW’s talent compensation and the financial burdens the company would face if forced to reclassify its talent as employees.

Talent Compensation and Financial Insights

Over a two-year period, AEW paid 290 individuals, including both wrestlers and non-wrestling talent, more than $60 million under independent contractor agreements. This breaks down to an average of $207,000 per individual, though compensation likely varies widely, with top stars commanding multi-million-dollar contracts.

If AEW were required to reclassify its talent as employees, the company would face significant financial obligations beyond current payouts. AEW would be liable for a 9.95% tax, totaling over $5.97 million, and would incur additional employee benefits costs of $18,125 per individual annually—resulting in approximately $5.26 million in yearly expenses.

Legal and Financial Implications

Beyond taxes and benefits, AEW would also need to cover legal fees, estimated at about 30%, leading to projected expenses of $14.59 million. This sum substantially exceeds the $5 million threshold established by the Class Action Fairness Act (CAFA), which allows for federal jurisdiction, which may be perceived as more favorable to defendants.

For further analysis of the AEW misclassification lawsuit:

This week, AEW confirmed a new multi-year multimedia rights deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, the culmination of lengthy discussions between the two sides. Starting in 2025, AEW pay-per-views will be available on Max at a discounted rate per event while Dynamite and Collision will continue to air in their current time slots on TBS and TNT.

Variety initially reported that the deal is valued at upwards of $150 million per year, though this number appears to be conservative. Dave Meltzer reports that the deal is actually worth $555 million over three years, or approximately $185 million annually, not including revenue from PPV events.

AEW is estimated to earn $95 million in additional revenue from the deal, Meltzer adds, which would leave AEW within a profit window of between $61 million to $76 million in 2025. It’s added that this window could be slightly lower if attendance, merchandise sales, or pay-per-view sales decline in the coming years.

In recent years, AEW has seen a worrying record of declining attendance figures, though has a reason for sticking with large arenas. Similarly, AEW has seen a fall in its ratings, with this week’s fifth anniversary of Dynamite seeing a drop from last week’s episode (702,000 to 680,000 according to PW Torch) despite a stacked card including multiple title matches.

It’s worth considering that these are estimated figures, and since AEW is not a publicly traded company, they are under no obligation to disclose their real numbers. Nevertheless, these figures certainly paint a bright future for AEW, Tony Khan, and the company’s roster of talented individuals.