Chappell Roan paid a little homage to lucha libre during her set at Lollapalooza, but the pop singer may have put herself in quite the predicament with Nyla Rose.
Roan, who has been catching the musical world on fire, came out dressed as a luchadora for her performance, complete with a drumset surrounded by a wrestling ring. She was also flanked by two female bodybuilders. The moment took place over the weekend and it caught the eyes of two AEW stars in Willow Nightingale and Nyla Rose.
Nyla Rose was a little more proactive about the wrestling aspect loosely indicating that she’d like to grapple with Roam in the ring and on a bigger scale at Wembley.
WWE was not without their musical acts this weekend as Jelly Roll played a huge role at SummerSlam. He kicked off the show with a rendition of “God Bless America” but then also chokeslammed Austin Theory later in the evening during a confrontation featuring him, Awesome Truth and Grayson Waller.
Chappell Roan has been a pop artist who has been out for several years, but her music has been greatly catching on as of recent including hit songs like “Good Luck, Babe,” “HOT TO GO,” & “Red Wine Supernova”.
Sammy Guevara has made his return to AEW TV after 6 months and proclaimed that he is not stuck in a vortex anymore.
The former AEW TNT Champion originally made his wrestling return during the August 1 episode of ROH. He saved Dustin Rhodes from The Dark Order.
The 31-year-old made his AEW return during the August 3 episode of Collision. He spoke with Rhodes and The Von Erichs (Marshall and Ross Von Erich) in a backstage segment.
Sammy noted that Dustin may not trust him due to his past record but he is looking to earn that trust. Guevara then stated that he had been stuck in a vortex for a long time and for the first time in 5 years, he was ready to be his own man:
The Spanish God reiterated his words about earning the trust of the wrestling veteran before saying that he wants to team with Dustin and Von Erichs.
Sammy Guevara Wants To Be His Own Man
Sammy Guevara had wrestled Jeff Hardy in a No Disqualification match during the February 14 episode of Rampage this year. His knee hit Hardy’s head during a spot in the bout and Guevara was suspended from AEW for not following the concussion protocol and stopping the match after this spot.
The young star has been associated with Chris Jericho in AEW since the early days of the company. He was one of the members introduced as part of Jericho’s Inner Circle faction during the premiere episode of Dynamite.
This partnership has continued on and off for the last 5 years but the latest promo from Guevara suggests that he has finally ended that association and he is ready to do things on his own.
AEW has been working hard to regain momentum after facing backstage issues in 2022 and 2023. Unfortunately, another backstage incident involving two of the company’s top stars has been brought to public light, posing a challenge for company president Tony Khan.
According to reports from the Wrestling Observer and Fightful Select, former AEW Women’s Champion Britt Baker has been suspended by AEW due to a backstage incident last month involving her, current AEW American Champion MJF, and his real-life partner and AEW broadcast talent Alicia Atout. The situation reportedly stems back to previously unresolved issues between the two talents, as the two are said to have had a “falling out” sometime in 2023.
Allegedly, Baker made comments about MJF inside the women’s locker room, which Atout, who was present at the time, overheard. This led to confrontations between Baker and MJF, Atout, and even AEW star Will Ospreay. Per Fightful, Human Resources was brought to investigate the situation, leading to Baker’s eventual suspension.
Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. returns to action RIGHT NOW against “The Shining Samurai” Hikaru Shida!
As of this writing, neither the parties involved nor the company itself have made any public comments on the situation. The suspension is said to have no effect on Britt Baker’s availability for AEW’s biggest pay-per-view of the year in ALL IN, where she is set to take on Mercedes Moné for the self-proclaimed CEO’s TBS Championship.
Britt Baker surprised All Elite Wrestling fans by making her return at the company’s cross-promotional pay-per-view Forbidden Door after a nine-month hiatus. On July 24th, Baker competed in her first match of 2024, taking on Hikaru Shida on AEW Dynamite. She stepped into the ring for the first time since September 2023.
AEW star Trent Beretta underwent neck surgery on Thursday to replace two broken screws from his previous neck fusion surgery (June 2021). He was reportedly injured at AEW Double or Nothing during his grudge match against Orange Cassidy.
quick little american neck surgery. turns out I wrestled so hard that two of the screws from my neck fusion broke. very cool. very tough. screws have been replaced. next I will be doing revenge. pic.twitter.com/43gcXvprvy
Beretta has unfortunately dealt with neck injuries dating back to his time doing motion capture work on the WWE 2K16 video game. During an appearance on Chris Jericho’s Talk is Jericho podcast last summer, he explained that while practicing some of his moves on a crash pad, another wrestler attempted and botched dragon suplex, causing Beretta to land on his head.
Over the next five to six years, that injury combined with the bumps he took in the ring led to severe symptoms that led him to undergo the fusion surgery in June 2021.
AEW star Mercedes Moné is speaking about her divorce for the first time.
Moné actively communicates with her fans on social media and via her official newsletter. In a has new video on her YouTube channel, the AEW TBS Champion shares the details about why she and Sarath Tan are separating.
“Tomorrow finally, after a long, long time, I’ll be finally signing my divorce papers.”
“I’m excited, happy and for me.. I’m just ready to be free. I’m ready to be free of not being afraid. For long, i’ve kept this secret because of how fast life has been going… I just didn’t want the outside world to judge or say anything, especially during a time while all of this is happeninG”
She credits Sarath with saving her life and being an incredible guy that she’s so thankful for.
“Sarath, my ex-husband now, we had such a great relationship, and he’s such an amazing, incredible guy, that I’m so thankful for, he’s another person that changed and saved my life.”
She’s excited to be free and to say that she’s finally getting a divorce. She recalls being asked about her marriage regularly during interviews and not knowing how to handle the subject. They had been separated for a long time, around December 2020. He moved out the following month while she was shooting The Mandalorian while trying to get into the main event of WrestleMania that year, so she was extra-concerned about her privacy at that time. Now, it’s time for her to begin the next chapter of her life.
AEW star Mercedes Moné and her husband Sarath Ton have filed for divorce (dissolution of marriage). They were married on August 4, 2016.
Varnado and Ton, a WWE costume designer best known as Mikaze, met in 2010. He’s credited with designing some of the most iconic outfits worn by her former persona, Sasha Banks.
According to records available at the Clark of the Circuit Cort and Comptroller of Seminole County, Florida, the divorce proceedings were filed Tuesday, July 30, 2024.
Nic Nemeth’s ‘Wanted Man’ moniker fits him like a glove these days as the reigning TNA World Heavyweight Champion. Nemeth has vowed to be a fighting champion, and he’s not just waiting for top competitors to call him out. The company is asking fans on social media who they want to see step up and put themselves to the test. Nemeth wasted no time chiming in with his own pick for a future challenger: AEW star Kenny Omega.
If his World Title win was any indication, Nemeth has made the most of his opportunities outside of WWE, fully embracing his free agency by wrestling on the independents, but also in New Japan Pro-Wrestling before finding more of a residence in TNA. Nemeth has also flexed his commetary and comedic muscles by staying busy in stand-up comedy and as a host on Busted Open Radio.
Omega vs. Nemeth would certainly draw some eyes as Kenny happened to have a memorable heel run as TNA World Champion during the global pandemic. Omega took on several challengers while champion after he defeated Rich Swann for the title. Omega’s timetable for an in-ring return is quite blurry as he’s been aiming to recover from a bout with diverticulitis.
TNA is currently working relationship with WWE, which is the biggest factor prohibiting this TNA vs. AEW dream match. We’ll follow up if Kenny Omega replies to Nemeth’s call-out.
Wrestling fans had a lot to enjoy at last weekend’s San Diego Comic-Con 2024 event. The top stars from WWE and AEW participated in discussion panels. We got a first-look at dozens of upcoming action figures. Even the blockbuster reveal that Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe to portray the iconic villain Doctor Doom featured elements of a wrestling angle
“New mask, same task.”
Robert Downey Jr. surprises Hall H to announce his return to the MCU as Doctor Doom. pic.twitter.com/j1SEjzse3p
Here are the pro wrestling highlights from San Diego Comic Con 2024:
WWE Panel
WWE stars CM Punk and Zoey Stark participated in the Mattel panel, which included a Q&A session with fans in the audience.
CM Punk talks Vince McMahon and Darby Allin
In an interview with Denise Salcedo, Punk discussed how much it meant to work with a rising star like Darby and considered him a great friend.
“Being a straight-edge kid, being the one that kind of lured CM Punk back to the ring and getting my first match back after six or seven years or whatever it was. That’ll always be my number one with a bullet because I think Darby is a talented kid and I was happy to share the ring with him. I think we told a nice little story.”
“Vince being out of the picture probably illuminated the way,” he said. “That might have been one of the biggest things. That’s both ways, for everybody who is going to sensationalize a headline. It wasn’t me, it wasn’t him, there’s just a lot of history there. All of a sudden, one of us is removed from the equation, and I think it changed a lot of things.”
Punk also shared this photo of a backstage meetup with AEW’s Darby Allin and Brody King:
All the while this was going on Drew McIntyre was trolling his SummerSlam rival while in Nashville, making sure he got a photo-op with Jack Perry who was still cooling down from his AEW Blood & Guts battle.
AEW Panel
All Elite Wrestling ”maximized their minutes’ at the convention, with a Jazware panel that featured a big wrestling angle and a massive rollout of upcoming wrestling figures.
A skirmish occurred during the panel with all stars such as Swerve Strickland and Ospreay tried to break it up. The only man to remain neutral was Darby Allin who thought the two recent rivals should duke it out.
The CEO was in full villain mode as she was in a Poison Ivy from Batman cosplay and appropriately alongside her was her new enforcer, Kamille, who donned the mask and jacket of other Batman baddie Bane.
— Mercedes Moné Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) July 26, 2024
Wrestling Figures Galore
The reason wrestling had such a presence at SDCC was for the aforementioned line of figures both companies have in store and it’s quite a bit.
Mattel and WWE have several CM Punk figures set to release including a modern day version, but also the notorious Money In The Bank 2011 Punk blowing a kiss to Cena. Additionally, there is a variation of Punk wearing Randy Savage gear and the masked Straight Edge Society CM Punk.
There were tons of new & upcoming @Mattel@WWE Ultimates on display at San Diego Comic Con 2024! Which was your favorite? ?
Legends included in Mattel’s upcoming Monday Night Wars include Syxx, Curt Hennig, DDP, Ultimate Warrior, Big Bossman and Dusty Rhodes.
A lot of newer faces on the roster are getting the WWE figure treatment, including Zoey Stark, Jade Cargill, Ludwig Kaiser, Giovanni Vinci, Chase U and others.
???
Repost from @ZoeyStarkWWE • The little girl inside of me is still freaking out…I grew up playing with action figures and to FINALLY get one of my own is surreal! This also shows that I reached a stepping stone….BLESSED
AEW was far from resting on their laurels as plenty of special edition figures were revealed. A big release was a special pre-order of Mark and Jay Briscoe. There’s also a silver screen Toni Storm, House of Black three-pack and three eras of the recently retired Sting.
Will Ospreay has vowed to reclaim the AEW International Championship and restore honor to the title after MJF disrespected it.
Last week, MJF threw the title in the trash and introduced the AEW American Championship. ‘The Aerial Assassin’ now wants to bring back the AEW International Championship. During the latest edition of AEW Dynamite, ‘The Salt of The Earth’ hyped up America and proclaimed to be the American hero. Ospreay received a negative reaction from the crowd when he said that he would bring the AEW International Championship back.
In an AEW Digital Exclusive, ‘The Aerial Assassin’ reflected on the crowd’s response and said that he understood why the fans booed him. However, he is fighting for the legacy and history of the AEW International title. He said:
“I know I’m doing the right thing. I know that I am fighting for the legacy and the history and the lineage of the International Champion. It’s bigger than just than the flag that is on the belt, it’s bigger than the country. It represents not only my country, but Japan, America, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Europe, everywhere. It represents all of it, and yet I’m in this weird mind games battle right now where no one wants to boo the guy with a flag around his waist. But I understand, and I get it. I understand that there’s gonna be boos coming my way, but you need to understand that this bigger than just one country. It’s about all of us.”
He further stated that he will continue fighting for the belt for the ones who made the title significant and vowed to earn everyone’s respect. Will Ospreay made it clear that it’s his duty to ensure that he captures the AEW International title and restores honor. He said:
“I understand the American dream is something that is talked about, it’s unachievable, yet somehow I am doing. Somehow, they’re still cheering for me. Somehow, I am fighting a losing battle but day by day, I will gain everybody’s respect because they will understand that this is a battle worth fighting for. For everyone that has made that championship and for everyone that has made AEW the place to be, it is my duty, it is my due diligence to ensure that at Wembley Stadium, I restore honor to the International Championship. Trust me, America, I will not throw that championship in the trash like he did the International Championship. I will hand it back to Tony Khan, and I will say, ‘Keep it in a safe place.’ But the International Championship needs to be restored, and I’m the guy to do it.”
EXCLUSIVE! Former Champion Will Ospreay is determined to restore HONOUR back into the INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP at Wembley Stadium when he faces ‘American Champion’ MJF!@WillOspreaypic.twitter.com/Xkb48oSAZy
During the 250th edition of AEW Dynamite, MJF dethroned Will Ospreay and captured the AEW International Championship. They fought in a gruesome match that lasted an hour. In the final moments of the match, MJF laid out Ospreay with his Dynamite Diamond Ring before pinning him for the win.
AEW International Champion MJF will now defend his title in a rematch against Will Ospreay at AEW All In: London 2024 on August 25 at the iconic Wembley Stadium.
Earlier this summer, rumors began circulating about Shane McMahon potentially joining All Elite Wrestling (AEW). These rumors were initially sparked by comments on Jim Ross’ Grilling JR podcast, where the possibility of McMahon joining AEW was discussed.
AEW CEO Tony Khan later stated that McMahon would be “welcome” in the promotion, fueling speculation about this potential collaboration.
Shane McMahon and Tony Khan: The Arlington Meeting
According to a report from Fightful Select and WrestleTalk, Shane McMahon and Tony Khan recently met for the first time in Arlington, Texas.
The meeting took place in an airport, where they discussed the possibility of McMahon joining AEW. This meeting occurred on Monday, July 29, marking a significant step in the ongoing rumors.
Details of the Meeting
The meeting was described as a preliminary discussion, with both parties exploring potential opportunities. A surreal photo surfaced online to legitimize this story, showing McMahon and Khan in a conference room together, with Khan seated and McMahon standing.
Khan appeared amused in the photo, while McMahon had a more serious expression. As of now, the talks are in the early stages, and sources within AEW had not been briefed on the details of the meeting as of Tuesday.
Shane McMahon: “We Had a Great Meeting”
McMahon would issue a statement following the ‘leak’ of the meeting to Bully Ray of Busted Open After Dark, which was read on air:
“Tony and I were connected through a mutual friend and we had a great meeting. We talked about many things, but mostly about our shared love for the business and the rewards and challenges of working with family. I congratulated him on the five-year anniversary of AEW and look forward to see how he evolves the business moving forward.”
So, who was the mutual friend that linked up Shane McMahon and Tony Khan?
— Mercedes Moné Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) July 31, 2024
The Latest
As of writing, there is no confirmation that McMahon has signed any sort of the deal with All Elite Wrestling, although there is clearly interest from both sides.
We will update this page as and when more information becomes publicly available.
CM Punk wasn’t a fan of the ‘ugly’ AEW All In footage being aired, but believes it showed that he remains a top draw in that promotion. The footage in question was broadcast on the April 10, edition of AEW Dynamite and sparked debate among fans and wrestling insiders as to whether it was the right call.
“It felt really ugly, but then I was like, showing that footage isn’t going to help them or hurt me, so whatever. Being a top draw in two different companies is pretty wild. Thanks, guys.”
Matthew & Nicholas Jackson breakdown their history with FTR.
At the time, Tony Khan said that airing the footage was all part of an effort to give a great show for the fans. Many found the claim dubious, believing that Khan’s real motivation was payback after Punk’s comments on AEW during the MMA Hour, in which he claimed Khan was not a “real boss.” The kayfabe reason behind the footage being shared was that the Young Bucks wanted to justify why they lost to FTR at All In, and shared that they’d been distracted by dealing with the backstage altercation.
The footage did prove to be a boon for AEW in terms of ratings, as the April 10, Dynamite 819,000 viewers, a 9% increase over the previous week and the highest Dynamite rating of 2024 since February. However, airing the footage could not see AEW cross the 1 million viewer threshold, leaving fans to still question whether sharing the footage had been worth it after all.
Shane McMahon has given a statement on his meeting with Tony Khan after the pair were spotted together in a meeting in Arlington, Texas. It has been reported that the pair met to discuss possibilities moving forward and that Khan has been open to speaking with McMahon for some time.
On Busted Open Radio, Bully Ray delivered a statement from Shane on the meeting:
“Tony and I were connected through a mutual friend and we had a great meeting. We talked about many things, but mostly about our shared love for the business and the rewards and challenges of working with family. I congratulated him on the five year anniversary of AEW and look forward to how he evolves the business moving forward.”
A photo of Shane and Khan have been shared online. On Twitter, AEW TBS Champion/NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone took credit for the viral image.
— Mercedes Moné Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) July 31, 2024
Shane McMahon And AEW
It was claimed by Conrad Thompson earlier this year that McMahon had spoken to some in AEW about the possibility of joining Tony Khan’s first promotion. It was later clarified that Shane was not making a formal pitch to join AEW and was simply stating that it would be an interesting moment in wrestling. Tony Khan has said he has a lot of respect for Shane and appreciates his work as both an in-ring performer and an executive.
McMahon hasn’t been seen on WWE television since WrestleMania 39 when he made a surprise appearance for an impromptu match against The Miz. This was McMahon’s return match to WWE after being fired the previous year for reportedly causing backstage chaos at the 2022 Royal Rumble event.
Could Shane McMahon be All-Elite after all? Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest on this developing story.
Bryan Danielson is putting his pro wrestling career on the line at the AEW All-In pay-per-view later this month.
The American Dragon was cutting a promo on the July 31st AEW Dynamite, where he told the fans that his contract with the company was officially up tomorrow. He then reminded everyone of the promise he made when he first joined AEW back in 2021, which was to ‘Kick Some Heads In,’ and win the AEW World Championship. Danielson stated that at All In, he would finish that promise.
That brought out the AEW World Champion, Swerve Strickland. Swerve told Danielson that he also said he would win the company’s top prize, managed to do it in less time, and even beat opponents that Danielson had previously lost to. He called Danielson one of the best of all time, but that he was “one of a kind.” Swerve’s rant ended after whispering to Danielson that he wouldn’t be walking out of All In because of the beating he was about to endure.
Danielson refused to let Swerve walk away that easy. He then declared that he would retire from the sport forever if hedidn’t win the world title at AEW All In.
Danielson earned the opportunity against Swerve by winning the 2024 Owen Hart Memorial tournament. He’s unsuccessfully challenged for the world title multiple times, including against MJF, Adam Page, and Jon Moxley.
AEW All In takes place on August 25th from Wembley Stadium in London, England. Bryan Danielson vs. Swerve Strickland: AEW World Title vs. Career is set to be the main event.
Get ready for AEW Dynamite tonight at 8/7c live on TBS from Greenville, SC at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. We’re just three weeks out from AEW All In: London and the full-speed-ahead build continues.
Scheduled matches for AEW Dynamite tonight include:
Will Ospreay vs. Lance Archer
Hangman Adam Page vs. Darby Allin
Willow Nightingale vs. Kris Statlander
Plus, we’ll hear from Bryan Danielson live as well as the Mercedes Moné.
Danielson has his sights on Swerve Strickland and raising the AEW World Championship sky high as fans chant “YES! YES!” to close out the show at Wembley Stadium. Swerve recently praised Danielson as the Greatest of All Time, a gesture that puts unique dynamic on this high-stakes contest.
Meanwhile, it’s the CEO the one hoping to hold on to her gold and fend off Dr. Britt Baker. After their altercation at San Diego Comic Con 2024 last week, can AEW officials maintain order until August 25?
Enjoy the show tonight and head over to our AEW News section for more.
No, you didn’t misread that headline: Former WWE Executive and Superstar Shane McMahon, had a private meeting with All Elite Wrestling President Tony Khan. The meeting took place at a private airport in Arlington, Texas, according to WrestleTalk and Fightful:
Shane McMahon in AEW
This surreal development comes just over a month after rumors circulated that Shane McMahon was interested in joining AEW. Former WWE and current AEW commentator Jim Ross mentioned in mid-June that he had received information that McMahon had expressed some interest in collaborating with AEW.
McMahon hasn’t been seen on WWE television since WrestleMania 39 when he made a surprise appearance for an impromptu match against The Miz. Unfortunately, the Shane-O-Mac would suffer a torn quad moments following the opening bell.
In a recent interview with SI’s Justin Barrasso, Tony Khan spoke about the possibility of Shane McMahon joining AEW and expressed great respect for McMahon:
“I heard the rumor he might be interested. I’ve never met Shane, but we have a lot of mutual friends…I have a lot of respect for him as an executive and a professional wrestler. Shane is always welcome in AEW.”
Shane McMahon appearing for All Elite Wrestling would be as much of a “never say never” moment as there is in wrestling. One of the only comparisons is when the Prodigal Son appeared on the last episode of WCW Nitro in 2001. It would also be a direct shot across the bow, as his brother-in-law Triple H currently serves as Chief Content Officer of AEW’s biggest rival promotion, WWE.
Will we see Shane McMahon attempt an on-screen hostile takeover of AEW? Will AEW fans get to see Shane McMahon and Darby Allin have a contest to see who can do the most death-defying dive? These might be premature questions now, but one’s that are not out of the realm of possibility after today’s developments.
Skye Blue will be out of action for the foreseeable future after the talented AEW and Ring of Honor performer underwent ankle surgery this week. On social media, Blue’s partner, Kyle Fletcher shared that Blue had gone under the knife and asked fans for their support.
— Kyle Fletcher ?????????? (@kylefletcherpro) July 30, 2024
Blue faced Hikaru Shida during an episode of AEW Collision earlier this month but their match was stopped when Blue suffered an injury. This occurred when Shida hit a crossbody to Blue outside of the ring and Skye was seen in pain when she landed. The referee immediately called for medical attention and after a commercial break, it was decided that the match had to be called off.
Blue had to be carried to the back by medical officials as fans chanted her name in a show of respect. On Twitter, Tony Khan confirmed that she had suffered an ankle injury while Fletcher shared a photo of her recovery at home.
we got her home everyone, doctor Kyle on the clock
AEW Dynamite has been the flagship program for All Elite Wrestling since the company’s inception back in 2019. The show has been running weekly since October 2019 and has produced over 250 original episodes.
Upcoming AEW Dynamite Events
Here are all of the upcoming AEW Dynamite shows as confirmed by the company:
August 7, 2024: Winston-Salem, NC
Event: AEW Dynamite/Rampage Venue: LJVM Coliseum Time: 7:30 PM ET Tickets:Buy Tickets Details: AEW Dynamite and Rampage will rock Winston-Salem with a double taping on Wednesday, August 7th.
August 14, 2024: Norfolk, VA
Event: AEW Dynamite/Rampage Venue: Chartway Arena Time: 7:30 PM ET Tickets:Buy Tickets Details: Norfolk’s Chartway Arena will host AEW’s Dynamite and Rampage on Wednesday, August 14th.
August 21, 2024: Cardiff, Wales
Event: AEW Dynamite/Collision Venue: Utilita Arena Cardiff Time: 18:30 GMT Tickets:Buy Tickets Details: AEW crosses the Atlantic to Cardiff, bringing Dynamite and Collision to the passionate wrestling fans in Wales on Wednesday, August 21st ahead of All In from Wembley.
August 28, 2024: Champaign, IL
Event: AEW Dynamite/Rampage Venue: State Farm Center Time: 6:30 PM CT Tickets: On Sale: July 12 Details: The company heads to State Farm Center in Champaign, IL on Wednesday, August 28th for a double taping of Dynamite and Rampage.
Bryan Danielson’s days as a WWE Superstar may be a thing of the past, but the American Dragon could be screaming YES! once again soon. A patent for “YES! YES! YES!” has been filed by Danielson, records from the U.S. Patent and Trading Office website reveal. The filing also includes an image of Danielson from his WWE days wearing a shirt with the phrase in question amid a sea of “YES!” signs.
The YES! Movement
Though originally part of a 2011-2012 heel turn for Bryan in which he’d over-celebrate every single win, “YES!” became a hit with fans. The single-word chant became as associated with Bryan as ‘What’ was with ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin and even broke outside the world of pro wrestling. The chant became a fixture of non-wrestling sporting events, in a testament to how popular the chant, and the man behind it, had become.
Danielson will have plenty of reasons to say “YES! YES! YES!” should he emerge victorious at AEW All In: London 2024. The August 25, event will see Danielson challenge AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland. Danielson earned the opportunity by winning the 2024 Owen Hart Men’s Tournament. Danielson recently shared that his current AEW deal will expire on August 1, but it has been reported that he will continue to make appearances for AEW past this expiration date.
Reports about Lucha Brothers’ Rey Fenix suggest that his contract with AEW is running out later this year.
Earlier this year, reports emerged that Penta El Zero Miedo’s AEW contract is set to expire this year and that he has drawn interest from WWE. It has been reported that Penta’s contract with AEW will end between August and September of this year.
Pentagon not the only one whose contract is expiring, according to a new report by Fightful Select It’s come to light that his brother and tag partner Rey Fenix’s contract with AEW is also set to expire soon. Similar to Penta, Fenix is also expected to have interest from WWE.
AEW understandably wants to retain the Lucha Bros. and negotiations have been ongoing. Unless AEW makes an offer they can’t refuse, Fenix and Pentagon may want to enter free agency and see if they can start a bidding war and raise their final contract value.
Rey Fenix and Penta El Zero Miedo have been among the AEW originals since 2019. The Lucha Bros have held the AEW World Tag Team Championships and the brother duo pair are also former AEW World Trios Champions with Pac.
Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix have performed across various prominent promotions including AAA, CMLL, TNA, NJPW, MLW, and more. While the list misses WWE, there is a huge possibility that the duo might make their presence felt in the Stamford-based company. Recently, a handful of former AEW stars such as Jade Cargill, Dragon Lee, Ethan Page, and Lexis King (Brian Pillman Jr.) have joined WWE and The Lucha Bros could follow suit.
Bryan Danielson is set to challenge Swerve Strickland for the AEW World Championship at AEW All In, but there’s a new report that highlights his health status before this big match.
The American Dragon’s recent comments about AEW doctor Doc Sampson advising him to refrain from wrestling until All In were based in reality according to Fightful Select. Bryan is not in optimal health, and has is being advised to limit his physical activity in the ring until the event on August 25. The report indicates that the plan for Danielson to be in the main event at All In has been in place for quite some time. However, due to his current condition, several pre-All In plans involving Danielson have been shelved.
We know Danielson’s AEW contract expires August 1 and Tony Khan is working hard to keep his 2024 Owen Hart Cup tournament winner under the ‘All Elite’ banner for years to come. In a recent video, Danielson confirmed the date of his AEW contract expiring.
“That’s true. August 1st, actually,” he said. “Next Thursday. My wrestling contract is up. Which also happens to be my son’s fourth birthday. I’m not saying this, like Tony talked about this in an interview, so I feel comfortable talking about it. I’m not MJF in this like trying to use my contract to be like ‘give me all the money!’. Yeah, my contract is up August 1st.”
The report notes that Danielson is expected to remain with AEW in a part-time capacity even after his contract expires. He is well-liked backstage and serves as a close advisor to AEW President Tony Khan, who expressed his hope that Danielson will stay with the company “as long as humanly possible.”
AEW: All In takes place Saturday, August 24, 2024 at London’s Wembley Stadium.
All Elite Wrestling has received a substantial tax credit from the state of Ohio, in a move that could see AEW establish itself in the Buckeye State. This week, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced over $35 million in state tax credits for film, television, and Broadway projects. Of the 17 entities that will benefit, AEW is the only wrestling promotion listed and will receive $1.275 million in tax credit. In a statement, Governor DeWine shared his excitement for what’s to come.
“Ohio is an ideal location for entertainment production; we offer big city backdrops, small town appeal, and everything in between. We’re happy to welcome these productions – and the economic impact they’ll bring – to Ohio.”
This news for AEW comes at an interesting time given that WWE are mere days away from hosting its annual SummerSlam event in Cleveland. Shortly before WWE announced that the Biggest Party of the Summer was coming to the city, the promotion received $1.68 million in tax credits to WWE through the state’s Motion Picture Tax Credit program.
AEW and Ohio
All Elite Wrestling first arrived in Cleveland, Ohio for its 17th episode of Dynamite that took place in January 2020. The company returned in September 2023 to host its 13th episode of Collision. Several names from AEW call Ohio home include former World Champion Jon Moxley, former TNT Champion Wardlow, and the unfortunately injured Shane Taylor.
AEW has brought a mainstream alternative to WWE across the United States and beyond and Ohio could be the home of a future AEW event soon judging by this tax credit incentive. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest on AEW and where its future events will take place.
Konosuke Takeshita has taken the mantle as a leader of Strong Style Wrestling after being bequeathed the honor by an undisclosed mentor in America. Speaking during the ongoing G1 Climax after his victory over HENARE and Jeff Cobb, the AEW star spoke about being entrusted with the intracicies of Strong Style Wrestling.
“I have a mentor in America. That mentor has entrusted me with leading the wrestling world, entrusted me with Strong Style. Who’s my mentor? Can’t tell you yet. YeaOh!”
Though Takeshita didn’t name his mentor in America, fans have been led to believe it could be WWE Superstar Shinsuke Nakamura. Not only is Nakamura known as the ‘King of Strong Style, but he used ‘yeaoh!’ as a signature phrase during his lengthy time with New Japan. The hand gesture Takeshita used at the end of the promo also appeared remiscient of the former WWE NXT Champion. Earlier this year, Nakamura and Takeshita were seen together with the All-Elite talent sharing a selfie with a ‘fan’ online.
What is Strong Style?
Strong Style Wrestling blends real fighting moves into a pro-wrestling performance to make the various strikes look as legitimately painful as possible. The term dates back to Antonio Inoki who was billed as a strong style fighter in New Japan for matches where he’d fight kickboxers and martial artists. Inoki used this style for his 1976 fight with Muhammad Ali that was watched by an estimated 1.4 billion people.
Swerve Strickland knows Bryan Danielson is one of the best to ever do it, but he claims that despite his long career, The American Dragon has never met anyone like him.
The two AEW stars are set to square off at the biggest possible stage in the upcoming All In event from Wembley Stadium in London on August 25. Bryan has earned the right to challenge for Swerve’s World Title after winning the Owen hart Cup Tournament.
The AEW World Champion spoke about the upcoming bout in a new interview with Sports Illustrated. He first acknowledged the illustrious career of his opponent, saying that Bryan is a first-ballot Hall of Famer:
“Bryan’s not just experienced, he’s the greatest of all time. That’s who I’m going up against–a first ballot Hall of Famer. I’ve never faced anyone like him. But he’s never faced anyone like me.”
Special Breed Of Danger
Though despite this being the toughest challenge of his reign yet, Swerve Strickland is ready to give it all. According to him, he’s a special breed of danger that the former WWE star has never encountered before:
“Bryan told me I’m a special breed of talent, I’m also a special breed of danger. I know we wrestled before, but he’s never faced me like this. Bryan is facing me after my Texas Deathmatch against Hangman Page. He’s facing me after I beat Will Ospreay–and Christian Cage and Samoa Joe. I’m a different beast. I can’t wait for him to see it.”
Another thing that makes the upcoming match interesting is the AEW status of Bryan Danielson. The wrestling veteran has confirmed that his last full-time contract with the company expires on August 1.
While the former WWE star is not expected to leave Tony Khan’s promotion anytime soon, there is much speculation on what his next deal will look like.
With his health being a concern as well, it’s possible that the 43-year-old may take a long break from wrestling after the Wembley event.
Sammy Guevara made a surprise return to pro wrestling at Sunday’s Ring of Honor tapings. The Spanish God did a run-in to save Dustin Rhodes from the Dark Order, marking his first appearance in the past five months.
— That Guy from Wrestling in the Middle?? (@5StarBasile) July 28, 2024
Guevara’s absence was due to a suspension following an in-ring incident with Jeff Hardy during a match on February 16th, where Hardy suffered a broken nose and concussion. Guevara continued the match despite Hardy’s condition, violating concussion protocol.
The suspension was lifted earlier this month. Now that he’s back in Ring of Honor, Sammy Guevara is expected to be factored into AEW’s creative plans soon.
AEW American Champion MJF will be in for a hostile reaction when he defends the star-spangled strap next month in the United Kingdom. On Twitter, MJF shared that he will defend the title at Revolution Pro Wrestling’s Summer Sizzler event against Michael Oku. The show will take place at York Hall in London, England on August 11.
MJF didn’t hold back in his announcement that was aired at Rev Pro’s Live in Coventry event. Michael Oku has MJF’s “undying hatred” given that Oku has the respect of Will Ospreay. The AEW star added that the UK is a “third-world country” a well as the “worst country in the world.” Channeling the spirit of the Boston Tea Party (an event from December 1773 that MJF claimed he remembers,) the AEW mainstay made clear he would fight the British and did not care about being disrespectful.
MJF introduced the American Championship as a replacement for the AEW International Title he won from Will Ospreay during Dynamite: 250. In addition to being as patriotic as it gets, the title includes a dig at the UK with one side plate reading “Better than Will [Ospreay] and the UK knows it.” After their hour-long war on Dynamite, Ospreay and MJF will face off again at AEW All In: London 2024 next month.
Although MJF isn’t interested in being kind to the UK, the UK has been kind to the reigning AEW American Champion. MJF has competed six times in the UK, according to Profight data, and boasts a respected 4-2 win/loss record. Both of MJF’s last two matches in the UK came at All In: London 2023 and saw him win the ROH World Tag Titles with Adam Cole and retain the AEW World Championship against Cole.
Posted July 28th, 2024 in AEW. Tagged: MJF, Rev Pro.
