Dustin Rhodes continues to be a force in All Elite Wrestling, showing no signs of slowing down. Having been with AEW since its inception, Rhodes’ passion for pro wrestling remains as strong as ever. His enduring love for the business has likely contributed to his impressive longevity in the ring. Earlier this month, he celebrated 36 years since his debut.

On the September 21 episode of AEW Collision, Rhodes and Sammy Guevara defended their ROH World Tag Team Titles in a Bunkhouse Brawl, a stipulation created by Dusty Rhodes in 1985. The duo took on Mike Bennett and Matt Taven of the Undisputed Kingdom in a brutal, hard-hitting contest.

The Natural Reflects on His AEW Journey

Following the victory, Rhodes shared his thoughts on social media, expressing his deep appreciation for AEW and the opportunity to continue performing at a high level. He remarked that his time in AEW has been “good for his soul,” and reflected on his five-year journey with the company, referring to it as his “One Last Ride.”

Guevara Reacts and Challenges Kazuchika Okada

The Spanish God celebrated the victory issuing a challenge to none other than Kazuchika Okada for an AEW Continental Championship Eliminator Match for the September 28 Grand Slam episode of AEW Collision. If Guevara secures a victory, he plans to challenge Okada for the AEW Continental Championship on AEW Dynamite’s 5-Year Anniversary show on October 2.

During the April 24, 2024, edition of AEW Dynamite, Tony Khan found himself the victim of an attack by The Elite, culminating with a spike piledriver by The Young Bucks that wrote Khan off of TV for months. While Khan has since made a full recovery and resumed his regular appearances for AEW, fans shouldn’t expect him to engage in any more physical confrontations.

Speaking to amNY Metro, Khan was asked if he has any interest in showing his mettle in the ring. While Khan is fiercely passionate about pro wrestling, The Elite has made the AEW President wary of future physical altercations.

“I didn’t step into the ring voluntarily. I would hope to avoid such physical altercations in the future.”

Khan’s injury, and the aftermath, were highlighted in NFL Films’ A Day in the Life of Tony Khan, which aired this week on FS1. He appeared wearing the neckbrace during the 2024 NFL Draft, and later auctioned off the brace for charity, raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to support the fight against childhood diseases.

Wrestling Authority Figures

Khan’s restraint from wrestling sets the AEW President apart from other executives with Vince McMahon, Eric Bischoff, and Paul Heyman all stepping in the ring over their respective careers. Some have even gone on to hold championship gold with McMahon boasting reigns as WWE and ECW World Champion, and even won the 1999 Royal Rumble. The former WWE Chairman, soon to be the subject of a Netflix docuseries, holds victories over Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Bobby Lashley, and even God.

Khan may hope to avoid physical altercations, but wrestling fans have learned time and again to never say never. While the idea of the AEW President lacing up a pair of boots may seem far-fetched, so did the idea of Shane McMahon join AEW until his meeting with Khan earlier this year. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on Tony Khan and whether the billionaire steps foot in an AEW ring as a competitor.

Since his WWE release in September 2023, Matt Riddle has competed for New Japan Pro Wrestling, AAA, MLW, and other promotions. One major company where fans have yet to see the Original Bro is All Elite Wrestling, though that could change if legendary commentator Jim Ross has his way.

On his Grilling JR podcast, Ross shared that he believes Riddle should be given an opportunity in AEW, but understands why Tony Khan may be hesitant to bring him on board.

“I would suggest that he’d be given a shot. I understand Tony’s reluctance because Matt has a little baggage. How much that baggage weighs, I don’t know, but I know he’s a very talented kid.”

Riddle’s ‘baggage’ includes being accused of sexual assault by Candy Cartwright in 2020, though she dropped her lawsuit against him in July the following year. Riddle was also notorious throughout his WWE run for stirring up trouble with other wrestlers including Brock Lesnar and Bill Goldberg. Shortly before his release, Riddle was involved in an incident at JFK Airport where he was reportedly intoxicated.

While Riddle recently met with Tony Khan, the Original Bro isn’t sure he made a good impression, stating “I don’t know if he likes me” during an interview with SI Takedown. With that in mind, AEW has worked with ‘problematic’ names before, including Ric Flair, so fans know not to count out the possibility of a Riddle appearance.

With Jim Ross advocating for Riddle, fans know to never say never to the former U.S. Champion doing something with AEW down the line. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on Matt Riddle and whether he one day competes in an AEW ring.

AEW veteran commentator Tony Schiavone has made it clear that he still feels excited when the former AEW World Champion Chris Jericho gets inside the ring.

Jericho and Schiavone both have been in the pro wrestling business for decades. They were once a part of WCW back in the 90s. They then reunited in AEW following its inception in 2019. Over the years, ‘The Learning Tree’ has been criticized for being out of shape but Tony said that he enjoys watching Jericho perform in the ring.

Speaking on his podcast What Happened When, Tony responded to the critics. He spoke highly of the 53-year-old wrestler for his efforts in his performances and explained that being out of shape is understandable given his age. Tony Schiavone explained:

“I’m always pumped when Chris Jericho is in the event or is wrestling for us or is doing an angle because he’s so cool and I know he gets a lot of heat because a lot of fans say ‘Well, he’s not [in] the shape he used to be.’ Of course, he’s not. None of us are at that age, but I really enjoy everything he does and all the effort he puts into it.”

Chris Jericho recently locked horns with The Conglomeration’s Orange Cassidy on this week’s AEW Dynamite. The duo has reignited their feud and it doesn’t seem to end anytime soon. In the final moments of the match, Cassidy hit an Orange Punch on Jericho with a stack of quarters to get the pinfall. The former AEW World Champion was furious with the outcome and sent out a stern message to Cassidy.

• Chris Jericho Seeking Revenge On The Conglomeration

AEW President Tony Khan sat down with Going Ringside With The Local Station this week to discuss a variety of topics related to AEW. When asked about reports of the promotion reaching a new deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, Khan confirmed with absolute certainty that AEW will remain on TBS and TNT for the foreseeable future.

“It’s an exciting time for AEW, we’re coming into the future. But I can tell you that 100% AEW is moving forward with TBS and TNT. They’ve been great partners and you can count on us.”

On The Support of His Father

While Khan works alongside his father Shad with the Jacksonville Jaguars, it wasn’t until this year that the elder Khan appeared for AEW. While Tony wishes his father’s debut had come under better circumstances than his ambush by The Elite, the younger Khan said his father has always supported the promotion and it “means the world [to me] that he’s so bought into AEW.”

On Mercedes Mone

After appearing in the crowd at AEW All In: London 2023, Mercedes Mone officially joined AEW in March of this year at the Big Business: Dynamite. As TBS Champion and NJPW Strong Women’s Champion, Mone has proven to be a force to be reckoned with, one that Khan is pleased to be working with.

“I think she’s one of the greatest pro wrestlers in the entire world. She’s a huge, huge star, a huge signing for AEW… She’s just at the top of her profession right now.”

On The Retirement of Sting

At AEW Revolution 2024, Sting competed in his final wrestling match; teaming with Darby Allin to defeat The Young Bucks in an emotional send-off. Khan was unsurprisingly thrilled with how Sting’s last match went and called it one of the greatest moments of AEW’s entire five-year history.

Former AEW World Champion Samoa Joe is set to appear in the upcoming video game Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, the latest entry in the long-running Yakuza franchise. This was revealed during the September 2024 RGG Summit, hosted by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and Sega.

The game, which focuses on series favorite Goro Majima battling pirates, has already generated excitement among fans. Some sharp-eyed viewers noticed Samoa Joe in the game’s trailer, where he appears as one of the villains. His involvement in the game adds to the anticipation surrounding its release.

The trailer showcases fast-paced action and pirate-themed battles, with the protagonist Goro Majima washing up on Rich Island in Hawaii. After engaging in combat with pirates, Majima eventually becomes captain of his own ship.

The plot will revolve around key characters Madlantis and Queen Michelle, introducing a new setting and storyline within the Yakuza universe.

Samoa Joe is in good company as a pro wrestler appearing in this gaming franchise. The Great Muta, Kazuchika Okada and Tetsuya Naito have appeared in prior installments. Joe has a history of voice acting in video games, most notably portraying King Shark in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.

His most recent AEW match took place in July 2024, when he faced Chris Jericho in a Stampede Street Fight on AEW Dynamite. Outside of wrestling, Joe has been part of the production for the upcoming season of Twisted Metal, where he’ll reprise his role as Sweet Tooth.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is scheduled for release on February 28, 2025, and will be available on all major gaming consoles and PC.

Miro’s time with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) appears to be nearing an end, capping off a largely underwhelming run. The Bulgarian powerhouse joined AEW in September 2020, amid significant fanfare. Tony Khan’s upstart company had earned its reputation as chance for disgruntled WWE talent to reboot their careers with and enjoy greater creative freedom.

Four years later, and with much of that tenure spent off television, Fightful Select reports that Miro has officially requested his release from AEW. Creative differences were a significant issue in recent years.

A Promising Start That Fizzled Out

Miro went ‘All Elite’ in during the first year of AEW Dynamite, where he was introduced as Kip Sabian’s “Best Man.” He eventually dropped his ‘gamer bro’ image for a more serious persona, and was reborn as The Redeemer. He was a dominant TNT Champion for 140 days, until he was dethroned by Sammy Guevara. Unfortunately, the loss had a devastating affect on Miro’s career trajectory.

Contract Extension Amid Absence

While Miro’s original AEW deal was set to expire in the spring of 2022, he signed a four-year extension around that time, which could have kept him on board for two more years. Per Fightful, Miro is on a lucritive seven-figure contract, despite only competing in 11 matches since since December 2021 (and none this year).

Though Miro was sidelined by an injury, reports suggest he has been healthy for quite some time. Miro spoke with AEW officials earlier this year about getting a match with Jon Moxley, but that never materialized. Some saw the Casino Gauntlet match at All In: London 2024 as a chance to get Miro back in the mix on a big stage, but instead fellow WWE alum Ricochet was the big surprise there.

A Disappointing AEW Tenure

Miro’s time in AEW was a bust, despite wrestling fans’ excitement to see how far he’d go in a fresh environment. Miro did have some good matches and fun moments over the past few years (see below), but we’re optimistic the best is yet to come.

Miro’s Best Moments in AEW

Tony Khan has compared the difference between 2024 All In and All Out to a classic movie franchise.

The two AEW PPVs were held only two weeks apart but there was a stark difference in the feeling coming out of the two shows. Bryan Danielson was one of the featured stars for both these events but things changed completely for him in the few days between the shows.

The AEW President recently appeared on Busted Open Radio to talk about the upcoming Grand Slam special on September 25 as well as the company’s most recent PPVs. He mentioned how Bryan made his first appearance for the promotion three years ago at All Out and claimed that Danielson has completely changed his company.

Discussing the difference between this year’s All In and All Out, Tony Khan mentioned how Bryan Danielson went from living one of the greatest moments of his life to one of the worst:

“To talk about Bryan Danielson for a moment and the three-year anniversary—and like I said—to go from All In, which was one of the greatest moments of my life, to go to All Out, which was, I think, the juxtaposition…to say that for Bryan, I think All In was one of the great moments of his life, and then All Out probably one of the worst.”

Tony Khan Says AEW’s Future Is So Bright, He Needs Sunglasses

They Go So Well Together: Tony Khan

Khan compared the difference between the endings of the two shows to first two Star Wars movies, while also claiming that they go well together:

“I mean, you know, [for] Star Wars people, it’s New Hope and Empire Strikes Back. Um, but they were very different things, but they were both amazing, and they go so well together.

All In and All Out stand as two of our greatest pay-per-views, and I’m very excited going into WrestleDream about what’s happening in AEW. The future of the AEW World Championship is yet to be determined, but at Grand Slam, the future of AEW is at stake, and so much is on the line.”

The American Dragon picked up one of the biggest victories of his career at All In from Wembley Stadium. He won the AEW title for the first time and celebrated with his family and friends to end the show.

On the other hand, Bryan got betrayed by Jon Moxley and the other BCC teammates at All Out and he had to be carried out of the arena after a brutal beatdown.

The AEW World Champion has not been seen on TV ever since. Though Nigel McGuinness has challenged him to a match at next Wednesday’s Dynamite.

• Tony Khan Teases Creating A Shockwave After Latest Trademark Filing

Fans of All Elite Wrestling can look forward to a very bright future for the promotion, according to AEW President Tony Khan. Sitting down with Dave LaGreca of Busted Open Radio this week, Khan shared an analogy of just how bright the future is for his first wrestling company.

“I didn’t bring my sunglasses to the Sirius studio today, but the future is so bright, I need them.”

Khan went on to discuss the reported new deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, which is said to be worth $170 million a year. That figure was shared by Puck News and is considerably more than the promotion’s current $70 million-a-year deal.

“I have not done any of the leaking. With all due respect to the fine people at the Puck establishment and the Puck people, I didn’t talk to them. I know they have been reporting things that are very interesting.”

The Future of AEW

In the ring, AEW will host its first stadium event in Australia next February with its Grand Slam show, while the company’s first stadium event in the U.S. will take place on July 12, 2025, from Dallas, Texas. AEW will return to the UK in 2025 with its Forbidden Door crossover show with NJPW, and will return to London in 2026 for All In.

FTR is considered one of the most talented tag teams wrestling today and has held gold in WWE, AEW, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and beyond. In 2023, the group faced a real-life obstacle, one that nearly spelled the end for the team of Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood.

Just days ahead of AEW All In: London 2023, Cash Wheeler was arrested and charged with one count of aggravated assault with a firearm. Wheeler had been in a ‘road rage’ and had flashed his gun to another driver but was still allowed to travel to the UK and compete at All In, where he and Harwood defeated The Young Bucks.

Speaking to Renee Paquette on AEW Close Up, Harwood revealed that Wheeler was ready to retire from wrestling after the arrest, as he didn’t want Harwood to get caught up in his arrest. Thankfully, Harwood was able to pull his friend away from the proverbial edge.

“He said, ‘I think I’m going to retire because I don’t want to subject you to any of this stuff that I’m going through’… . ‘I’m just going to retire. You don’t have to worry because your contract is with you. I’m going to leave wrestling.’ I had to talk him into not retiring.”

The case against Wheeler was dropped in May 2024 mere days before the AEW wrestler was due to stand trial. He has fortunately been able to avoid any more legal trouble since then and continues to cement his place as part of one of AEW’s greatest tag teams.

When SmackDown premiered on the USA Network, it did so with a new song, Neva Play, from Megan Thee Stallion and RM of BTS. It’s since been reported that Stallion had plans to collaborate with AEW TBS Champion Mercedes Moné before the award-winning had her song used for WWE’s blue brand.

In the latest edition of her Moné Mag, Mercedes said it was a mistake for her to tease the idea of collaborating with Stallion during a recent interview. The CEO insinuated that WWE must have caught wind of her plans to work with Megan and swooped in to prevent the popular artist from colluding with their competition.

“It could all be a coincidence, of course. But then, they don’t call me the blueprint for nothing.

In hindsight, I should have kept my mouth shut about it, but all you can do is live and learn.”

If WWE’s decision to work with Stallion did stem to nullify a potential Stallion-AEW partnership, then Moné is “flattered and honored” to still carry such influence in the promotion she left two years ago. While plans ultimately did not come to pass between herself and Stallion, the TBS Champion is happy to see Megan succeed.

“I’m still happy for her. She’s a great person and talent who will get exposure to the vast wrestling audience.”

As for Moné, she is coming off a successful title defense at AEW All Out against Hikaru Shida. Moné has promised “a lot more brewing” in her future, but whatever she has in store it won’t involve Megan Thee Stallion.

AEW star Chris Jericho wants retribution on Orange Cassidy and The Conglomeration.

Chris Jericho and Orange Cassidy have been involved in a feud for weeks. During the latest edition of AEW Dynamite, the pair collided in a singles match. In the final moments of the match, Cassidy took a stack of quarters from Jericho and hit the Orange Punch to secure the win. This marks Orange Cassidy’s first clash against Chris Jericho in four years and he has once again won the match.

In an AEW digital exclusive, Chris Jericho sent a stern warning to Orange Cassidy and called him a ‘cheater.’ The veteran star also made it clear that his feud with The Conglomeration is far from over. He said:

“You should be filming me. Filming Orange Cassidy, that cheater, after he beat me on Dynamite with a stack of rolled quarters in his hand. What is your problem with change, Orange? Now we know what you’re all about. So the Learning Tree has a lesson for you. The next time I see you or any of those dopey Conglomeration members that you call buddies, friends, pals, I’m gonna take this all out on the three of you with ‘The Redwood’ and ‘The Bad Apple.’ This is not the end of The Learning Tree versus The Conglomeration. Thanks, Orange, for being a low-life cheater. Shame on you. I should tell your orange mother what you did.”

The Conglomeration, which was formed a few months back, has become one of the most popular factions in the promotion. The faction consists of Orange Cassidy, Mark Briscoe, Kyle O’Reilly, Tomohiro Ishii, and Willow Nightingale.

By the looks of it, the feud doesn’t seem to end anytime soon.

In 2022, Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley began an on-screen relationship that would last until Dirty Dom’s betrayal of ‘Mami’ at WWE SummerSlam 2024. Away from WWE, Ripley recently tied the knot to her real-life partner Buddy Matthews who has had some choice words for the treacherous Mysterio.

During an Instagram Live stream, Matthews was asked about a potential showdown between himself and Dominik Mysterio. The former AEW Trios Champion was immensely confident, and suggested the only way Mysterio would have a chance was if Matthews was one of Dominik’s favorite foods.

“Dom and me would be one on half. Only way Dom would beat me is if I was a chicken tender and he was hungry.”

Matthews joined AEW the same year that Ripley and Dominik became an on-screen item, though this relationship wasn’t an issue for the real-life couple. In August of this year, Ripley said that there is “a level of respect” between herself and Matthews, and since he’s in the wrestling business, he knows that what airs on TV shouldn’t be taken as real.

What’s To Come?

Ripley will challenge Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan at WWE Bad Blood on October 5, in a rematch from their SummerSlam encounter. With Dominik Mysterio set to be in Morgan’s corner, the odds will be against the Australian as she intends to capture the title she was never beaten for.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on Rhea Ripley and WWE Bad Blood 2024, including breaking news and live results.

WWE is not the only company with stars whose contract is set to be up soon and latest report suggest that the current AEW deal of Dustin Rhodes is also close to expiration.

Dustin himself confirmed earlier this year that his contract with Tony Khan’s promotion was up in September and that he was nowhere near being done with wrestling.

With the wrestling veteran recently winning gold in ROH, many assumed that his status with the company may have changed.

Latest reports from Fightful Select indicated however that this is not the case and as of the All Out PPV on September 7, his deal was still set to expire in the fall.

• Dustin Rhodes Introduces His Nephews Wayne And Wyatt Rhodes

Dustin Rhodes In AEW

Dustin Rhodes has been signed to AEW since their very first show in Double or Nothing in May 2019. He faced his brother Cody Rhodes in a highly praised match at the show.

The 55-year-old has been an integral part of the company since then. He not only works as a performer but helps coach people behind the scenes as well.

While the former Goldust has not won any AEW titles during his run, he has had matches with the likes of CM Punk, Samoa Joe, and Kenny Omega proving that the promotion holds him in a high regard.

The AEW star has most recently been involved in a storyline with The Von Erichs and Sammy Guevara. He won the ROH Six Men Tag Team Championships with the Von Erichs during the AEW Battle of The Belts XI event in July.

Sammy Guevara helped save the trio from Dark Order upon his return to Television after 6 months. Guevara has since formed a tag team with Dustin and the duo has won the ROH tag team championship, making Rhodes a double champion.

The highly anticipated dream rematch between Will Ospreay and Ricochet has been made official for the October 2 episode of AEW Dynamite.

The company will be celebrating the 5-year anniversary of their flagship weekly show in two weeks time and they have begun to build up the card for the event.

Ospreay had told Ricochet last week that he needed to stack some wins up in order to challenge for the International Title and give fans the match they want.

This week’s episode of the Wednesday night show then saw the newest AEW signee picking up a singles win over The Beast Mortos with Vertigo.

Ricochet was approached by Will Ospreay backstage later on. The former NXT star revealed that Tony Khan has granted him a title shot against his ‘little bro’ at the upcoming show:

• Ricochet On Potentially Reviving The Prince Puma Character

The History of Ricochet and Will Ospreay

A rematch between the current AEW International Champion and the former WWE star has been teased ever since the latter made his AEW debut at the All In PPV last month.

These two stars have clashed a number of times in the indies. They first stepped in the ring with each other at back in 2013 during a RevPro show in the UK.

The one bout that everyone remembers, however, is their Korakuen Hall encounter back in May 2016. The NJPW match went viral for its fast-paced action and gravity-defying moves, dividing the opinions of wrestling fans all across the world.

The duo has not had a chance to dance together since 2017. Both the stars have gone through an incredible transformation since then. It’d be interesting to see how they fare against each other after so many years.

• Ricochet Reveals Triple H’s Parting Words, Leaves WWE Return Open

The Outrunners (Truth Magnum and Turbo Floyd) have proven to be a hit with AEW/Ring of Honor fans as of late, as fans can’t get enough of The Youngest Men Alive. Now, The Outrunners are set to show their talent out of the ring as part of ‘The Luchador: 1,000 Fights of El Fuego Fuerto.’

The pair have been confirmed for the podcast’s second season which will drop in winter 2024. A description of the podcast reads:

“The mighty Lucha Libre champion of Mexico City does battle in and out of the ring with deadly vampires, dangerous mobsters, and the ethical complications of maintaining a rigid moral philosophy. A biweekly fiction adventure series created by Daniel Valero Fletcher, starring a Latinx lead cast and special guest stars from the real world of professional wrestling.”

The Outrunners won’t be the only AEW names to appear for the latest season of The Luchador as Mina Shirakawa has also been confirmed.

The show’s first season launched in 2021 with a five-episode run and saw guest appearances by Danhausen, Raven, Luchasaurus, Colt Cabana, Effy, Lufisto and more. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on The Outrunners as they prepare to demonstrate their talents outside of the squared circle.

Nigel McGuinness has revealed the real reason he retired from pro wrestling back in 2011 and it once again emphasizes the importance a company like AEW has for the betterment of pro wrestling.

The AEW star spoke to TV Insider for a new interview following his long-anticipated in-ring return after 13 years at the All In 2024 event. He wrestled in the Gauntlet match at the show. Competing against the top talent of the company, Nigel showed why he was considered one of the best back in the day.

During the talk, McGuinness was asked about his return to the ring and if he was thinking about his previous injuries while taking a bump again. The 48-year-old claimed that he didn’t think much of it before mentioning how there is a lot of misinformation on why he was forced to retire:

“There is a lot of confusion and misinformation. The truth of the matter is when I stepped away from wrestling, it was purely because I couldn’t make a living as a wrestler anymore. I could have gone back to Ring of Honor and wrestled that style, but I wouldn’t have made enough money to even afford health insurance, let alone save for the rest of my life.”

• Make No mistake, Nigel McGuinness Is In It To Win It all

Little Did I Know: Nigel McGuinness

Nigel McGuinness recalled how WWE had passed on signing him because of an old injury and he didn’t want to go back to TNA because of past differences. Without the presence of an alternative like AEW, he had no other option to make a sustainable living in wrestling.

The former World Champion revealed that he agreed to the 2013 The Last of McGuinness documentary partially because he was hoping that it would catch on and someone would tell the rest of his story. Little did he know that it would be over a decade before it happened:

“Little did I know it would take until now with Tony Khan and AEW. I didn’t step away because of concussions. I didn’t step away because of hepatitis. I was perfectly okay to wrestle. So it’s all not a factor going in.”

Apart from this Nigel McGuinness also said that he has been training for an in-ring return for over 18 months, ever since he found out about the first AEW All In event from Wembley Stadium in 2023.

Nigel has challenged Bryan Danielson for a match at the upcoming Grand Slam special of Dynamite on September 25. The match has not been confirmed yet as the AEW World Champion is not cleared for action.

• Nigel McGuinness vs Bryan Danielson Feud Explained

Bryan Danielson has revealed that his current neck issues are very similar to his issues leading up to his career-defining WrestleMania XXX victory and subsequent retirement.

The AEW World Champion recently had a lengthy interview with Justin Barrasso of Undisputed. He talked about things such as how his priorities in life have changed, the AEW title belt being one of the heavyweight he’s ever held and more.

During the interview, Bryan recounted the similarities between his famous WrestleMania victory and his win at All In 2024 including things such as having a great opponent and the support of fans.

Another thing that’s unfortunately very similar for Bryan is his battle with health issues leading up to the big event. He remembered how in December 2013, only months before the Show of Shows the doctors had told him that a neck surgery was inevitable:

“I was able to get through WrestleMania. I’d been getting this horrible, shooting nerve pain down my right arm. But as long as I still had strength in my right arm, that meant I didn’t need surgery yet.

• Best Bryan Danielson Matches of All Time: ROH, WWE, AEW and more

I Didn’t Have Strength To Turn The Key: Bryan Danielson

While Bryan Danielson was able to get through the big Mania match despite hiccups, the former WWE star’s symptoms worsened right after. He remembered the time he didn’t even have the strength in his arm to turn on his car:

“So I won the title, and the day before my first title defence, which was like a falls-count-anywhere match, I got into my car to make the drive. When I went to unlock my car door, I didn’t have the strength to turn the key and unlock the door. That was a bad sign.”

Bryan noted that his current health issues are very similar and that he’ll have to undergo surgery sooner or later, it’s just a question of when:

“So the neck issues are very similar. Sooner rather than later, I’ll need neck surgery. I’m not losing strength, so I don’t need it just yet.”

The current AEW star defeated Randy Orton and Batista in the main event of WrestleMania XXX to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. His reign however was cut short due to injuries. While Bryan continued wrestling for another year, he had to take time off frequently due to his condition and he eventually stopped wrestling altogether for 3 years.

Nigel McGuinness has challenged Bryan Danielson for a match at the upcoming AEW Grand Slam event from Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York on September 25, 2024. The match is currently not confirmed because Bryan’s health status is up in the air.

• Bryan Danielson First Chose ‘Final Countdown’ As A Joke

Kota Ibushi is set to make his return to GLEAT for their show in Osaka on October 6th. GLEAT has announced on social media that Kota Ibushi will be competing at the show against an opponent to be announced soon. A (translated) GLEAT tweet reads:

Back at Edion Arena Osaka for the first time in about three years
Participation decision
Kota Ibushi’s heart is burning

This marks one of the first matches he’s had since making his in-ring return. Ibushi recently competed for GLEAT in July 2024 in an exhibition match against Daisuke Sekimoto at their Tokyo Dome City Hall show.

Ibushi fought back after suffering a right tibiofibular ligament tear and a right ankle lateral ligament injury at NOAH The New Year 2024 in January. The former IWGP World Champion had been on the shelf due to the injury and missed almost a year of in-ring action.

Kota Ibushi’s last appearance in AEW took place November 15 episode of Dynamite last year. He teamed with Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, and Paul Wight to defeat Brian Cage and The Don Callis Family in an eight-person Street Fight.

Ibushi, who called AEW his home, remains under a contract with the promotion. Tony Khan’s promotion also allows him to compete in GLEAT as part of their collaboration.

GLEAT is a relatively new promotion that was established on August 20, 2020, by LIDET Entertainment. GLEAT combines elements of martial arts and traditional strong-style pro wrestling. AEW’s newest member Ricochet is also scheduled to compete at the show on October 6th.

Earlier this month, AEW filed a trademark for ‘AEW Shockwave’, exciting fans with the prospect of another weekly show from Tony Khan’s promotion. AEW Shockwave could provide a bolt of excitement into the company’s weekly schedule, but it will also reportedly mark the end of one of AEW’s current programs.

AEW Rampage will not be continued, a source informed the Wrestling Observer, and instead, AEW Shockwave will serve as the promotion’s third weekly show. The new show is expected to be shopped around to FOX, who recently finished their relationship with WWE, as well as other networks.

John Ourand notes that AEW is pitching another package “primarily” to broadcast channels, which would include ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Telemundo, Univision, The CW, and ION. The CW will soon be the home of WWE NXT and the gold brand will make its debut on the network on October 1, with a stacked show in Chicago, Illinois.

AEW Rampage

Rampage launched in 2021, close to two years after AEW Dynamite hit screens in October 2019. While the show received a strong start, including the debut of CM Punk, Rampage quickly fell in terms of significance as AEW’s main storylines were kept to Dynamite. This pseudo-irrelevancy became the case even more in 2023 when AEW launched Collision, with Rampage becoming the least important of AEW’s weekly shows when it comes to developing storylines.

AEW’s TV Deals

AEW’s current TV deal with WarnerBros Discovery is scheduled to expire later this year and the company’s media rights has been a hot topic among fans. Tony Khan has teased some big announcements for the company including saying that AEW was “here to stay” on TBS and TNT.

AEW’s new deal with WBD is said to be in the ballpark of $170 million a year, according to Ourand. The deal will see AEW shows airing on TNT, TBS, and TruTV twice a week, leaving open the possibility of Shockwave appearing on FOX after SmackDown’s recent exit from the Network.

Current AEW TV deals are believed to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $70 million, so this ballpark figure is a huge boost for Tony Khan and his promotion. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on AEW and its future on TV.

AEW’s new TV deals are expected to be announced any day now and if latest reported numbers are to be believed, it will mark a clear success for the company.

John Ourand of Puck News recently provided some inside information on the negotiations between the wrestling company and its TV partners, once again noting that the package is close to being finalized.

According to him, it’s expected to be a four-year deal with three guaranteed years and WBD having the option to extend the contract by another year. The number of $170 million a year that’s been floated is ‘apparently in the ballpark’ according to Ourand.

The deal with see AEW shows airing on TNT, TBS, and TruTV twice a week. It’s part of a strategy from WBD CEO David Zaslav to make the latter two networks more valuable and sport-oriented. This comes after WBD lost the NBA media rights bid to Amazon.

The report makes no mention of the highly anticipated Max streaming deal but they note that AEW is also pitching another separate package to broadcast channels. Though there is no timetable for when the company will start pushing that deal.

This is in reference to the company trademarking ‘AEW: Shockwave’ for a new entertainment show which is rumored to be airing on Fox after SmackDown left the network to return to USA.

The current AEW TV deals are believed to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $70 million per year so if true, the new numbers would be a huge success for Tony Khan’s promotion.

• Tony Khan Teases Creating A Shockwave After Latest Trademark Filing

All Elite Wrestling is home to several Hispanic wrestlers who wow fans each week with their skills in the ring. This past weekend, AEW kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month in style by presenting a special Lucha Libre match before the Jacksonville Jaguars’ home opener.

In an electrifying tag team contest, Sammy Guevara and Hologram defeated the team of The Beast Mortos and Matt Taven in a two-out-of-three falls match. This win makes Hologram 10-0 in AEW after debuting for the promotion earlier this year.

AEW President Tony Khan addressed the crowd beforehand, expressing AEW’s dedication to celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and the Jaguars’ success.

This match wasn’t the only way Jaguars fans got to see the stars of AEW as Wardlow, Harley Cameron, and reigning Women’s World Champion Mariah May were in attendance at the game. This marked a rare appearance for Wardlow, who hasn’t competed for AEW since the Big Business: Dynamite in March of this year.

Despite the influx of AEW talent at the game, the Jaguars lost to the Cleveland Browns 18-13. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from the world of AEW as the company continues on the road to its Grand Slam: Dynamite special.

Wheeler Yuta has said that Claudio Castagnoli’s attack on AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson reminds him of his aunt, who passed away due to COVID-19 complications before AEW All Out.

In a backstage interview with Lexi Nair on last night’s AEW Collision, Yuta addressed Blackpool Combat Club members Jon Moxley and Castagnoli’s attack on Danielson at last week’s AEW All Out. Yuta said that he could not believe BCC’s actions.

During the attack, Yuta was held back by PAC and the former had to helplessly watch them put a plastic bag around the World Champion’s head to suffocate him. Yuta stated that while watching Danielson getting attacked, he imagined how his aunt had to struggle to find breath in her final moments. He said:

“It was really rough day for me Saturday. Before the show, I found out that my aunt in Japan had passed away. She passed away from the complications due to COVID-19 and I just kinda know that in her last moments, she was struggling to find breath. That’s really all I could think about when I watch that happen to Bryan[Danielson].”

The former ROH Pure Champion said that ‘The American Dragon’ was doing the best he could. However, Yuta didn’t share details out of respect for Danielson and his family. He also opened up about Blackpool Combat Club members and said that he hasn’t spoken to them since the incident.

Bryan Danielson will face his longtime rival Nigel McGuinness at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam on September 25th at Arthur Ashe Stadium. While it was speculated that ‘The American Dragon’ would be unable to compete, it has been clarified that he will indeed compete at the show, facing his arch-rival.

• Nigel McGuinness vs Bryan Danielson Feud Explained

Thunder Rosa, the former AEW Women’s World Champion, is sidelined with a concussion.

She last wrestled on the August 31 episode of AEW Collision, competing in a match with Hikaru Shida, Serena Deeb, and Queen Aminata.

Rosa mentioned the injury on Busted Open Radio, and shared her expert advice about the importance of taking concussions seriously. Professional sports have come a long way with concussion awareness and the dangers of traumatic brain injuries. However, some athletes still feel the pressure to continue.

She warned athletes to stop their physical activity and take precautions.

Rosa expects to be out for a few weeks, with no confirmed date of return date.

Don’t expect to see Matt Riddle in AEW anytime soon.

The former WWE star was one of the hottest commodities in pro wrestling when he was released from the Endeavor-owned promotion last year. Unlike most who leave the company, however, there has never been any rumblings about the Superking of Bros joining their biggest rival.

Riddle recently gave his own reason for not wanting to make the move, stating that he wanted to avoid the pressure of live TV for a while. Though it might not be the only reason why we haven’t seen the former US Champion in AEW.

According to Fightful Select Tony Khan has not shown any interest in bringing the former UFC Champion in through the years. The fact that AEW talents work with Matt Riddle only in Mexico and almost never in US Indies further suggests that the AEW President doesn’t want to associate his brand with the controversial star.

• Matt Riddle Believes He Can Have An RK Bro Like Run With WWE Hall of Famer

Matt Riddle’s Post-WWE Career

The 38-year-old was released from his WWE contract in September last year, following a viral incident at the JFK Airport. He has been active in the indies ever since and regularly competes for promotions such as MLW and NJPW.

By his own admission, Riddle took a lot of indie dates after his departure from WWE. The scheduling conflict is the reason why he hasn’t appeared on TNA programming despite having talks with the company.

Though the former champion is not hopeless about his future in wrestling. He believes that if CM Punk can be welcomed back into the fold, then a WWE return for him is not completely out of the question either.