Professional Wrestling legend Dustin Rhodes has been a part of All Elite Wrestling since its first Pay-Per-View event in 2019, where he faced off against his brother Cody Rhodes in the main event of Double or Nothing in Las Vegas. Since then, while his bother’s journey took them outside the company, Dustin Rhodes has remained steadfast in his commitment to mentoring and positively influencing the AEW roster.

After Cody Rhodes left the company in 2022, fans of both WWE and AEW have been speculating about Dustin’s potential return to his former employer. In the Summer of 2023, reports began circulating that Rhodes’ contract with Tony Khan’s promotion would expire in 2024.

On Tuesday, a post on X’s account spread a rumor that the former WWF Intercontinental Champion would be leaving AEW in September to either join his brother in WWE or retire from professional wrestling. In response, Dustin Rhodes clarified the situation. In a passionate response, Rhodes clarified that although his current AEW contract ends in September, he is not done with wrestling. More so, he noted that he hopes “all negotiations go well,” as he feels he’s having some of the “best matches” of his career.

“Wrong! Jeeze guys, do better. Yes my contract is up in September, and No, I am absolutely NOT DONE. Having the best matches of my life and hopefully, God willing I will get to retire on my own terms, respected with a full heart. Hopefully Negotiations go well because I am damn worth the world. The only things that matter to me are: taking care of my family first and foremost, and finishing up when I am ready, and how I envision my retirement. So hold off guys, This biz is my life and I love doing it for you, while still having fun and able. #KeepSteppin and thank you all for your continued love and support!”

While Rhodes is clearly far from done regarding in-ring competition, his acknowledgment of his contract’s expiration date will inevitably lead to more questions than answers. The Natural is a highly respected member of the AEW roster and one of the promotion’s most vocal supporters. Losing someone like that would be a major loss to any promotion, but especially a young one.

One could assume that WWE will always have an open-door policy for Rhodes, especially with his brother being the Undisputed WWE Champion.

Britt Baker may not have planned to be away from AEW TV for as long as she was, but her lengthy hiatus did allow her ‘stale’ character to freshen up.

Baker returned to AEW programming at last month’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view and confronted TBS/NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone. Since then, Baker has made it clear she wants a shot at the CEO, though Mone isn’t interested in the match. On tonight’s AEW Dynamite, Mone will defend her TBS title against Nyla Rose who accepted an open challenge made to every woman in AEW except Baker.

Related: More On AEW Dynamite 250: MJF Vs. Ospreay, Strickland Vs. Okada

Baker On Her Comeback

Before her return at Forbidden Door, Britt Baker hadn’t appeared on AEW programming since September 2023 as she was dealing with herniated discs and had suffered a Transient Ischemic Attack. Speaking to Renee Paquette on Close Up, Baker reflected on needing the time off to recover and why it helped her in much more than her physical health.

“It was time to let everything heal and just mentally, emotionally, get in tune with myself again because you do kind of lose yourself at some point. It felt like I was I was stale. I was stagnant with who I am as a performer and I needed time away to be reinvigorated again and to find myself again.”

This invigorated Baker will continue her pursuit of the TBS Championship, in spite of Mercedes Mone ducking her attempts to have a match. Some fans expect that their showdown will take place at AEW All In: London 2024, though that has not been confirmed yet. The August 25, show will be AEW’s biggest event of the year and therefore a fitting home for a match fans have discussed long before Mone became All Elite in March 2024.

For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SE Scoops.

A special 250th episode of AEW Dynamite takes place tonight from Little Rock, AK at the Simmons Bank Arena. Here is the match card for tonight’s broadcast on TBS:

• Champion vs. Champion: Swerve Strickland vs. Kazuchika Okada

AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland faces off against AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada in a high-stakes champion vs. champion match.

• AEW International Championship Match: Will Ospreay (c) vs. MJF

Will Ospreay defends his AEW International Championship against MJF, kicking off the show.

• TBS Championship Match: Mercedes Moné (c) vs. Nyla Rose

Mercedes Moné puts her TBS Championship on the line against the formidable Nyla Rose.

Plus, we will hear from Mariah May following her shocking attack on Toni Storm last week.

What Happened Last Week on AEW Dynamite?

Catch up on these highlights from the July 10, 2024 AEW Dynamite, featuring the finals of the men’s and women’s Owen Hart tournaments:

Bryan Danielson will join an ‘elite’ club at AEW All In: London 2024 when he challenges Swerve Strickland for the AEW World Championship.

Danielson earned the coveted title opportunity at AEW’s biggest event by winning the 2024 Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. Danielson’s road to Wembley saw him defeat Shingo Takagi in the first round before besting Pac and eventually ‘Hangman’ Adam Page in the finals.

More On Bryan Danielson’s Owen Hart Cup Tournament Win

Joining the Club

As pointed out by Dave Meltzer, Danielson will join a lucrative group of wrestlers, regardless of whether he wins or loses at All In. At the event, Danielson will become the fourth man to have competed at Wembley Stadium, Madison Square Garden, the Tokyo Dome, and Arena Mexico. Danielson will follow in the footsteps of Chris Jericho, Jon Moxley and John ‘Earthquake’ Tenta.

Danielson competed in MSG multiple times during his WWE career as Daniel Bryan. In early 2016, shortly after his retirement due to neck problems, WWE announced that a live event in the Garden would be ‘Daniel Bryan Appreciation Night.

Danielson competed in the iconic Tokyo Dome at Wrestle Kingdom 18 earlier this year, where he was defeated by Kazuchika Okada. Mere months later, he competed in Arena Mexico at a handful of CMLL shows. One such event saw him defeat Blue Panther in what the American Dragon called a dream match for him.

AEW All In: London 2024

All In: London 2024 will take place on August 25, from Wembley Stadium in London, England. The show will be AEW’s second event inside the massive arena after last year’s successful event. The matches announced for the show include:

• Swerve Strickland (c) Vs. Bryan Danielson (AEW World Championship)
• ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm (c) Vs. Mariah May (AEW Women’s World Championship)

Tony Khan Wants Bryan Danielson To Stay In AEW Forever

MJF mocked England’s heartbreaking loss to Spain in Sunday’s UEFA EURO 2024 championship game.

The former AEW World Champion battles Will Ospreay for the International Championship this Wednesday on the 250th episode of AEW Dynamite. MJF is back in full-blown heel mode, and mocking English football fans after this loss to taunt Ospreay may be a new low for him.

Ospreay joined his countrymen in showing his support for England on social media.

After England’s defeat, MJF couldn’t help but use it as an opportunity to play mind games with the disappointed champion. He says Englishmen “can’t win when put under pressure” and simply aren’t equipped to be athletes. He and Ospreay have been exchanging personal attacks for several weeks, but this latest insult shows that Friedman will stop at nothing to antagonize his opponents.

Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite 250th episode celebration will feature Will Ospreay vs. MJF, Swerve Strickland vs. Kazuchika Okada, Mercedes Mone vs. Nyla Rose and fallout from Mariah May’s attack on Toni Storm at the end of last week.

AEW wrestler Trent has been sidelined with an injury that has kept him from receiving a push that the promotion had in the works for him.

On the July 13, edition of AEW Collision, Trent was taken out by Orange Cassidy who used a monkey wrench to attack his former friend from behind. The pair have been feuding for months and Trent delivered an attack to Chuck Taylor back in May that has raised serious questions about Taylor’s future in the ring.

Chuck Taylor’s Career-Ending Injury Reportedly Legitimate

While Trent has been feuding with OC, the 37-year-old hasn’t competed since Double or Nothing 2024. That’s because Trent has been sidelined with an injury, Fightful Select reports. There had been plans for Trent to receive a push before the injury, but he hasn’t been cleared to compete for quite some time.

AEW’s Injuries

Trent is the latest AEW name confirmed for the injury list, a list that many believe is worryingly long. Other names out of action at this time include Adam Cole, Adam Copeland, Jamie Hayter, and ‘Switchblade’ Jay White.

A lot has been said about AEW talent getting injured and why (in the eyes of some) it seems more prevalent in the promotion compared to WWE. Some have chalked this up to a more hard-hitting, violent style in AEW, while others have suggested that a facility akin to WWE’s Performance Center would lower the rate of injuries.

Oddly enough, those at WWE believe AEW’s high injury rate stems from not wrestling enough. The belief among many is that the rigorous schedule of WWE allows for the bodies of Superstars to callus and grow more immune to bumps and scrapes in the ring. AEW has a more relaxed schedule which may see a wrestler compete once or twice a week, which those in WWE feel allows for too long a gap between matches to properly toughen up.

Trent Gets Admonished By Mama Sue Following Actions Against The Best Friends

Legendary wrestling announcer Jim Ross underwent another surgery this week. The 72-year-old from Norman, Oklahoma announced on Saturday that he’d undergone successful wrist surgery.

Ross has battled a series of health issues in recent years, which he’s documented in gory detail on social media. He was recently admitted to the emergency room with difficulty breathing, but went on to call some of the action at the AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door pay-per-view.

In addition to his work with AEW, Ross hosts the popular Grilling JR podcast.

SEScoops wishes Jim Ross a speedy recovery and good health.

QT Marshall won a bodybuilding competition on Saturday in Atlanta, GA. The AEW executive announced on social media that he won first place in a ‘classic physique’ event at the 2024 NPC Lenda Murray Atlanta Classic, presented by Wings of Strength.

Marshall has kept an active in-ring schedule this year, competing in Calgary, Alberta, Canada this past week for Ring of Honor and at last month’s AAA TripleMania XXXII pay-per-view from Tijuana, Mexico. He’s the reigning Heavyweight Champion of Florida’s Coastal Championship Wrestling.

Pro Wrestling & Bodybuilding

Pro wrestling and bodybuilding share a deep-rooted connection, as impressive physiques have been a selling point of the sport since its inception. This natural synergy has led many promoters and wrestlers to embrace bodybuilding, often competing in prestigious competitions and starting bodybuilding federations. Triple H, for instance, began competing in bodybuilding competitions as a teenager. John Cena’s eye-popping physique has been a hallmark of his wrestling persona, earning him features in various bodybuilding and fitness magazines. Trish Stratus transitioned from a successful career as a fitness model to becoming one of WWE’s most celebrated wrestlers.

Alexa Bliss’s journey is particularly inspiring, as she credits bodybuilding with helping her overcome an eating disorder. Her dedication to the sport led her to compete in the Arnold Classic and become a certified pro bodybuilder by the age of 20. Bianca Belair and Montez Ford have both competed in bodybuilding in recent years, showcasing their dedication to maintaining peak physical condition. In November 2023, Montez Ford announced he’d overcome body dysmorphia to win his first bodybuilding competition.

Bodybuilding requires incredible discipline, strength, and determination, but it’s even more impressive for the pro wrestlers who have dabbled in bodybuilding and excelled at the highest level in a sport that demands much more than just looking good on stage. Their ability to combine the physical rigor of bodybuilding with the athleticism, charisma, and performance skills required in pro wrestling that truly sets them apart.

Photos: Bianca Belair Impresses in Bodybuilding Competition

It seems there’s no love lost between Darby Allin and Brody King.

Allin was involved in a hilarious incident during a recent concert. A video clip surfaced on social media in which fellow AEW wrestler Brody King’s band God’s Hate was performing. The House of Black member could be seen on stage when Allin rushed at him. The powerhouse retaliated as he easily picked up Allin and threw him into the crowd. Check out the video clip below:

The rivalry between Darby Allin and Brody King has been well-documented. They have locked horns inside the squared circle a handful of times. Their Coffin Match that transpired on Quake by the Lake edition of AEW Dynamite in 2022 still remains one of the memorable bouts.

Darby Allin’s return

Allin had been away from AEW TV since his last match when he teamed up in a loss with FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) and Bryan Danielson against The Elite (Jack Perry, Kazuchika Okada, Matthew Jackson & Nicholas Jackson) in Anarchy In the Arena Match at AEW Double Or Nothing in May 26. 

‘The Daredevil’ made his return on the latest edition of AEW Dynamite and surprised the fans. It seems that he has his sights set on The Elite. During the show, The Elite’s cameraman Brandon Cutler was seen backstage. However, he had half of his face painted in the style of Darby Allin, who attacked him. He eventually took the camera and sent a stern warning to Jack Perry and the EVPs, Matthew and Nicholas Jackson.

• Tony Khan Has Faith That Darby Allin Will Perform Insane Stunts As Safely As Possible

CJ Perry is all done with All Elite Wrestling. The former Lana in WWE had a (very small) cup of coffee in AEW and her time with the company is already over. Speaking with USA Today at the 2024 ESPY Awards, Perry was direct and to-the-point regarding her status.

“[My] time with them has just finished.”

She was quietly released in April 2024, according to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful. Perry first appeared in AEW as Miro’s wife, but the former WWE power couple announced their separation shortly afterward.

During her time in WWE, Lana was popular as the heel valet to Miro’s Rusev, but creative changes drastically altered the course for both stars. Lana later took on a role similar to Maxxine Dupri’s current portrayal as a valet turned wrestler.

Before joining AEW, Perry was vocal about the company’s misuse of her husband, Miro. AEW arguably mishandled the debut of “The Bulgarian Brute,” presenting him as an affable babyface rather than capitalizing on his “monster heel” persona.

Both Perry and Miro have been absent from AEW programming for months. Miro has shared on social media that he has been back in his home country of Bulgaria. While Perry was still with AEW, photos surfaced of her attending several events with the current AEW World Champion, Swerve Strickland.

Perry joins several former WWE women now under the AEW banner, including Saraya, Ruby Soho, Mercedes Mone, and Toni Storm. Among these, Saraya and Storm are arguably the company’s top two women’s acts, though Saraya has been miscast. Soho has also faced challenges, though she is currently away from programming due to her pregnancy.

RELATED: CJ Perry Says Social Media Has Hit Her Mental Health Hard Following Separation with Miro

CJ Perry’s time as part of All Elite Wrestling has come to an end with the manager being pulled from the company’s official roster.

Speaking to USA TODAY Sports at the 2024 ESPY Awards, Perry said her “time with them has just finished.” Perry made her AEW debut at All Out 2023, coming to the aid of her then-husband Miro. Perry hasn’t appeared at all for AEW in 2024 and now her time with the company is up.

Removed From The AEW Roster

AEW’s roster website no longer has Perry in any of its various categories, confirming her exit from the company. Miro, who similarly has not appeared in any capacity for AEW in 2024, still has his profile on the website.

CJ Perry As A Manager

Unlike her WWE run as Lana, Perry never competed for AEW and instead worked solely as a manager. In the interview, Perry said she’s now eligible to join any wrestling promotion and hopes to continue being a manager.

“I’m really focused on finding talent and cultivating them and helping them become the best wrestler, champion possible. I guess you could say I want to be the Paul Heyman.”

When asked to compare WWE and AEW, Perry said that AEW is much more sport driven and she appreciates how the company means more high-profile jobs in wrestling. With that said, Perry also had plenty of praise for WWE, calling the company “the greatest franchise in the world.”

Wrestling fans are still reeling from the closing scenes of this week’s AEW Dynamite, which saw Mariah May attack Toni Storm.

May defeated Willow Nightingale to win the 2024 Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. She had a tough road to victory, defeating three former AEW champions (Hikaru Shida, Saraya, and Nightingale) en route to winning the tournament. Just moments after winning the tournament, she showed her true colors and left her former idol in a pool of her own blood.

During a conversation with veteran journalist Justin Barrasso for SI.com, May shed light on this shocking situation. Now that she’s secured a title shot at AEW All In: London 2024 and shattered Toni Storm, it’s time to finish the job.

Mariah May gave us a look into her twisted mentality on AEW Dynamite, but her plan for August 25 is also disturbing.

“My mother will be there at All In. She’ll watch me from the front row as I destroy what’s left of Toni Storm.”

– Toni Storm to SI

May told Barrasso that her lifelong dream since she was a little girl was to come to American and wrestle on television. Today, she’s involved in one of wrestling’s most engaging storyline’s and she’ll challenge for the AEW Women’s World title at Wembley Stadium.

More on Mariah May & Toni Storm

AEW has released footage new of Mariah May and Toni Storm from backstage at AEW Dynamite following May’s betrayal:

Mariah May is one of the top women’s wrestlers in the world and has been a vital part of the AEW roster since her arrival back in November 2023. However, many wrestling fans who primarily consume WWE content aren’t familiar with her work and this guide aims to help change that.

May has been in the industry for quite some time, and her early run alongside Toni Storm and then turning on her ‘mentor’ is just a small part of what she has accomplished in the industry. We’ll be going over all all of the questions that fans are asking about the All Elite Wrestling star and 2024 Women’s Owen Hart Tournament winner.

Wrestling Career

Early Days in Japan

Mariah May’s wrestling career took a significant turn when she ventured into the Japanese wrestling scene. In 2022, she made her debut in Japan with World Wonder Ring Stardom, one of the most prestigious women’s wrestling promotions in the world. Her debut came at Stardom’s Dream Queendom 2, where she aligned with Mina Shirakawa and former WWE NXT UK Superstar Xia Brookside to form the faction known as Club Venus.

May’s time in Stardom was marked by notable achievements and memorable matches. She quickly established herself as a formidable competitor, donning the persona of Sexy Dynamite Princess. One of her early highlights was participating in the Cinderella Tournament 2023, where she advanced to the second round before being eliminated by Mai Sakurai.

AEW

Mariah May, a top free agent in wrestling with interest from both WWE and AEW, signed with All Elite Wrestling in November 2023. Upon her debut, she expressed admiration for AEW Women’s World Champion “Timeless” Toni Storm, which led to a well-crafted storyline where Storm adopted May as her protégé. Storm’s character work flourished, with May serving as the perfect counterpart. As they transitioned from heels to tweeners due to fan support, their dynamic evolved, culminating in memorable moments like May adopting Storm’s old persona and a romantic angle with Mina Shirakawa.

May’s journey saw her win the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament, earning a match against Storm for the AEW Women’s World Championship. In a dramatic twist, May turned on Storm after her tournament victory, attacking her with the Owen Hart Foundation title belt. This betrayal set the stage for a highly anticipated showdown at AEW’s biggest event of the year, All In, at London’s Wembley Stadium.

Personal Life

Who is Mariah May’s Husband?

Mariah May is married to British pro wrestling star Danny Duggan. Duggan has appeared for a number of companies in the UK, including PROGRESS, where he was part of the Do Not Resuscitate stable alongside Spike Trivet, Chuck Mambo, William Eaver and Drew Parker.

Mariah May Instagram

Mariah May is quite active on Instagram under the handle @MariahMayx. Her account is a mix of personal insights, professional updates, and glamorous photoshoots.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ???? Mina Shirakawa (@mina_shirakawa)

Mariah May YouTube

In addition to her wrestling career, Mariah May has a YouTube channel where she shares a variety of content, including vlogs, wrestling insights, fashion tips, and gaming videos.

Is Mariah May Tiffany Stratton?

Mariah May and WWE’s Tiffany Stratton have often been compared by fans due to their similar looks and wrestling styles.

Stratton, addressing these comparisons in an interview with ComicBook Nation, stated: “Just because we have the same coloured hair it does not mean that we look alike or we stealing each other’s gimmicks or styles.

“I get compared to so many other people, Trish Stratus, Charlotte Flair. Honestly, I think everyone is on their own path, and I think Mariah May is amazing. She’s such a great wrestler, she’s gorgeous.”

WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has explained why he believes Adam Copeland (formerly Edge in WWE) didn’t need to execute the high-risk dive off the cage at the AEW Double Or Nothing pay-per-view in May.

‘The Rated R Superstar’ performed a scary dive off the top of the cage on Malakai Black through a table. The dangerous move cost the veteran as he landed awkwardly on his legs, fracturing his tibia. However, he managed to finish the match and retained his AEW TNT title.

Speaking on The Outbound Life podcast, ‘The Hulkster’ raised questions on Copeland deciding the spot. Hogan believes it wasn’t required given Copeland’s legendary status. Copeland is in the latter stages of his career and Hogan wondered why he decided to take such a risk. Hulk Hogan then highlighted that wrestlers perform such high-risk moves to win over the fans and gain popularity. However, Copeland already has an established fanbase he didn’t require to perform the move. Here is what Hogan said:

“I watched Edge [Copeland] jump off the cage the other night. I haven’t talked to him yet, but trained professional. Twilight of his career. Jumps off the top. Please explain that to me. He’s over. Most guys who do that, go up and do it because they are not over enough. Edge was over. To do that, I just don’t get it. I haven’t called him yet. I was going to call him last night, but I fell asleep. I just want to know, ‘Please explain that to me. You’re over like a son of a gun. You didn’t need to do that. You didn’t need to go up there.’

He added:

“If you’re going to go up there, it doesn’t mean anything, unless you do something better than Mick Foley did. Mick Foley got thrown off the top of the cage and hit the table. If you’re going to beat Mick Foley, you have to get thrown off the top of the cage with no table. I just didn’t get it. It didn’t mean anything because Edge was so over. So over. He didn’t need that.”

Adam Copeland’s injury

Taking to social media, Copeland confirmed that he sustained a fractured tibia. He successfully underwent surgery. He dropped an update on his Instagram where he could be seen on crutches. Copeland was stripped off of his TNT title due to the injury and he is currently recuperating. It will take several months before he gets back inside the squared circle.

• Adam Copeland Attempting A New Wrestling Move Every AEW Match

AEW President Tony Khan would love the chance to host his brand of pro wrestling in the Hammerstein Ballroom, which he believes would make a lot of sense.

Speaking to SportsGrid, Khan was asked if AEW would be interested in hosting an event that for years was synonymous with Extreme Championship Wrestling.

“I think that’s a very interesting idea. I’ve never been to the Hammerstein Ballroom. I’d love to do it. I’ve seen great shows there. I think it’s a great venue. I’ve never been. We also have these amazing relationships around New York. For the right event, on the right night, it could make a lot of sense. I’d imagine it would sell out very quickly because it’s not the biggest room, but it is a fascinating setup and a cool looking room. It has great acoustics and is a lot of fun from everything I’ve seen on television. I’d love to check it out in person. It’s a great idea. The Hammerstein Ballroom could be a cool venue sometimes. I haven’t thought much about it, but it’s an awesome idea.”

The Hammerstein Ballroom

The Ballroom was opened in 1906 and renovated in 1997 and has become synonymous with professional wrestling. ECW held several events at the venue including the company’s final two pay-per-views, Massacre on 34th Street in December 2000 and Guilty as Charged in January 2001. When WWE revived ECW, the 2006 and 2006 One Night Stand events were held at the Ballroom.

RVD Explains What Made Iconic John Cena Match Special

The venue has also played host to events from Ring of Honor, including Death Before Dishonor 2008 and 2011, as well as most Final Battle events. In 2014 and 2017, ROH teamed with New Japan for their ‘War Of The Worlds’ event inside the famous arena. More recently, GCW hosted its The Wrld On GCW event in January 2022, and the event set a record attendance for the Hammerstein Ballroom.

AEW and ECW

Khan’s idea of running a show making sense rings true given that AEW has often been compared to ECW. With its more envelope-pushing levels of violence, AEW has proven to be quite the alternative to WWE, just as ECW was to the WWF before and during the Attitude Era. It remains to be seen whether AEW will enter the Ballroom, but if so, expect a raucous New York crowd should that event take place.

Bully Ray Says AEW Reminds Him Of ECW

Jeff Jarrett the former tag-team partner of Owen Hart has been able to get a little bit of closure this year by competing in the 2024 Men’s Tournament.

AEW recently concluded its third-annual Own Hart Foundation Tournament which saw Bryan Danielson and Mariah May emerge on top. Jarrett competed in the tournament but was eliminated in the first round. Speaking this week, an emotional Jarrett addressed what the tournament has meant to him.

“More the 25 years ago when I sat in that seat in St Louis and to gather my thoughts, never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would get this opportunity… I miss him each and every day but tonight not only helps me have a little closure but it gives me extreme pride and I’m incredibly grateful for AEW, for Tony Khan, and for you Martha for persevering, for carrying on the spirit of Owen.”

Oje Hart, Owen’s son, was also present for the interview, and spoke about how much the tournament has also helped him process the loss of his father.

“A lot of time has gone by since he’s gone but I’ve actually never felt closer to him since doing these things. So it’s good for me too it’s really hitting hard, really hitting me.”

Jarrett may not have won the tournament, but merely being able to compete has done the veteran wrestler a world of good. And even 25 years later, it’s clear that the legacy of Owen Hart and all he achieved as a wrestler and a person will never be forgotten.

Fans shouldn’t expect to see Samoa Joe on AEW programming for the foreseeable future, but there’s a very good reason for that.

During the July 10, edition of AEW Dynamite, Joe faced Chris Jericho in a ‘Stampede Street Fight.’ Jericho’s use of a forklift would result in Joe no longer being able to compete and the match was called off with the Learning Tree being declared the winner. Joe was seen being taken away in an ambulance later in the show.

With this attack, Samoa Joe has been written off TV but there’s a very good reason for that. This attack will give the former AEW World Champion the necessary time off to film Twisted Metal’s second season, PW Insider reports. Filming will start later this month and last until October. However it’s reported that there will be breaks during shooting meaning Joe may return before the October date.

Twisted Metal

Twisted Metal is based on the popular vehicular combat video game series of the same name and premiered in July 2023. Joe plays series favorite Sweet Tooth, while Will Arnett (Bojack Horseman, The LEGO Batman Movie) provides the voice of the character.

WWE Auditions

Samoa Joe is the only pro-wrestler attached to the show but that was nearly not the case. WWE’s very own Omos, Cedric Alexander, and Apollo Crews auditioned for the role of Axel in the show, PW Insider reports. Axel made his game debut in Twisted Metal 2. The show is moving ahead without any WWE talent being cast for the role.

All Elite Wrestling and DC Comics will prove to be quite the dynamic duo in an upcoming partnership set to be announced at San Diego Comic-Con.

San Diego Comic-Con 2024 will kick off from the ‘City in Motion’ on July 25 and run until July 28. AEW will make its presence felt at the event with a panel on July 25. A description for AEW’s Ride Inside The Ring And Beyond reads:

“After record-setting attendance inside Wembley Stadium and their biggest year ever, All Elite Wrestling continues to rise from the seeds of a wrestling revolution sewn in 2019 to a powerhouse global phenomenon that’s now home to some of wrestling’s biggest names. This year Comic-Con will be the intersection of major announcements across different fandoms, including a DC Comics partnership and an Adult Swim on-the-ground brand integration. In celebration of their five-year anniversary, AEW stars Swerve Strickland, “Timeless” Toni Storm, Will Ospreay, Orange Cassidy, Britt Baker, and Darby Allin take you inside the ropes for an all-access look at the evolution from a renegade upstart to one of the most watched weekly programs on television.”

At this time, there’s no word on what this partnership with DC Comics will entail, though some are predicting a line of comic books based on AEW talent. The panel in question will take place in Room 6BCF on Thursday, July 25, 2024 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm PDT. More information about the panel and other SDCC events can be found here.

AEW Stars Come to Archie Comics with New Variant Covers

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.

Professional Wrestling & Comic Books

With wrestlers donning colorful outfits and fighting for good, evil, or somewhere in between, it’s no surprise that the worlds of wrestling and comic books have often been linked. Before realizing that with great power comes great responsibility, Peter Parker tried to make his name as a pro-wrestler before becoming the heroic Spider-Man.

Several wrestlers have been the subject of comic books including The Undertaker, Mankind, ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, Chyna, and The Rock. The Attitude Era staples were part of WWF’s team-up with the now-defunct Chaos! Comics publisher. In the early 1990s, WCW had its own deal with Marvel while The Ultimate Warrior published his own line of comics under his own ‘Warrior Productions’ label. In more recent years, WWE published their own series of comic books with BOOM! Studios.

Britt Baker may have her sights set on AEW TBS/NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone, but Nikki Garcia has her eyes on the DMD.

Baker made her return to AEW programming at Forbidden Door by confronting Mone following her win over Stephanie Vaquer. On the subsequent Dynamite, Baker shared the serious medical issue that has kept her out of the ring since September of last year. Baker also made clear that she plans on challenging Mone though the CEO isn’t keen on the idea.

Mercedes Mone Offers Open Challenge To Everyone Except Britt Baker

Nikki Garcia Wants Britt Baker

Prior to her recent hiatus, Baker had established herself as one of the top women in AEW. When Britt appeared on the Nikki & Brie Show, the conversation turned to a possible match between Baker and the former Nikki Bella.

Britt: It’s right here for you. Do you want it? Because I’m right here, if you need an opponent. 

Nikki: I would come out of retirement for you. 

Britt: I would love nothing more. 

Nikki: You know what? This is my one thing: Doing a comeback, because I do wanna do a comeback in a few years…

Nikki’s most recent match was as part of the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble which was won by the returning Ronda Rousey. Whilst the WWE Hall of Famer hasn’t competed since then, she has shown interest in joining AEW in the past. Of course, it would be up to Tony Khan whether a deal is offered to Garcia, but if that is the case, Baker is waiting for the longest-reigning WWE Divas Champion.

In the meantime, Garcia will continue to grow her media profile outside of the squared circle. The WWE Hall of Famer was recently announced for season three of the hit series The Traitors U.S. in which celebrities will try and decide which members aren’t telling the truth. Garcia has also appeared on Dancing With The Stars (where she met her now husband) and it remains to be seen if one more match is in her future.

Blood & Guts is one of the most dangerous stipulation matches in professional wrestling. It’s AEW’s take on War Games, the double-cage, anything-goes team warfare match originated by the late ‘American Dream’ Dusty Rhodes in the 1980’s.

AEW introduced Blood & Guts in 2021, and has run the match each year ever since on a special-themed edition of AEW Dynamite. The match returns this year on Wednesday, July 24 from Nashville, TN. AEW Blood & Guts 2024 will feature Team Elite against Team AEW.

The first four Blood & Guts matches have featured only men, but is there a specific reason for this? Tony Khan appeared on the Battleground Podcast this week and said there’s no policy preventing a Women’s Blood & Guts match. In fact, he thinks it’s a great under as long as there’s a good story to support it.

“At some point, it would be great to have a women’s Blood & Guts match,” said Khan. “I think you need a lot of people [involved with] the story, and a lot of healthy people,” Khan said. “We have a great roster that we’re building up, and I think our women’s roster is stronger than it’s ever been right now today and I’m really excited about that. So, if we ever get to the point where we’ve got enough people tied together and the story makes sense, I think it would be great.”

5th Time’s A Charm?

There has never been a Women’s Blood and Guts match. Blood & Guts 2024 will feature two teams of male competitors, just like the first three.

• The inaugural Blood & Guts match (The Inner Circle vs. The Pinnacle) took place on May 5, 2021, after being delayed from its original March 2020 date due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The second Blood & Guts match (Jericho Appreciation Society vs. Blackpool Combat Club, Eddie Kingston, Santana, and Ortiz) occurred in June 2022.
• The third and most recent Blood & Guts match (The Golden Elite vs. Blackpool Combat Club, Konosuke Takeshita, and Pac) was held on July 19, 2023, at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

Several women on the AEW roster have expressed interest in participating, including Willow Nightingale and Skye Blue. WWE regularly features women’s Money in the Bank and WarGames matches. As we saw at the conclusion of this week’s AEW Dynamite, they’re not exactly preventing the women from getting as bloody and violent as the men. The question of a Women’s Blood & Guts match is about when it will happen, not if it will happen.

Stephanie Vaquer became one of the most talked-about free agents in professional wrestling following her release from CMLL and NJPW, and she has now seemingly signed with WWE.

Here is everything you need to know about the latest WWE signee.

Read More – Stephanie Vaquer Gone From CMLL & NJPW Amid WWE/AEW Interest

Who is Stephanie Vaquer? Early Life and Career Beginnings

Born on March 29, 1993, in San Antonio, Valparaiso Region, Chile, Stephanie Vaquer, whose real name is Stephanie Beatriz Vaquer, began her wrestling training at a young age.

She trained under prominent wrestling figures such as Paul Slandering, Gran Apache, Ricky Marvin, and Villano IV, making her professional debut in February 2009.

Rise in Lucha Libre

Vaquer’s talent quickly shone through in the world of Lucha Libre. She competed in various promotions, including Alianza Universal De Lucha Libre (AULL) where she won the AULL Women’s Championship.

Her performances led her to be signed by Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), where she won multiple championships, including the CMLL World Women’s Championship and the CMLL World Women’s Tag Team Championship.

Major Achievements and Wrestling Style

Championships and Accomplishments

Stephanie Vaquer has held numerous titles throughout her already impressive career. In addition to her CMLL accolades, she captured the NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship, which she held before losing it to Mercedes Mone at the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2024 PPV event.

Stephanie Vaquer Finisher

Vaquer’s signature and finishing moves include the Package Backbreaker, Cross Armbreaker, and the Dragon Screw Legwhip, which have earned her respect and admiration from fans and peers alike.

Recent Highlights

AEW and NJPW STRONG Appearances

As noted, Stephanie Vaquer made headlines at AEW’s Forbidden Door 2024 event, where she faced Mercedes Moné in a champion vs. champion match.

Although Vaquer dominated much of the match, Moné emerged victorious, securing the NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship.

This match was reportedly a major reason why WWE decided to show interest in signing her, as she arguably had one of the best matches of the night against a former WWE Superstar in Mone/Sasha Banks.

Stephanie Vaquer Boyfriend: A tumultuous situation

Vaquer’s personal life has seen its share of challenges, including a highly publicized domestic violence incident involving her former partner, Cuatrero.

Will Stephanie Vaquer go to WWE?

The big question after Vaquer’s release from CMLL is where she will be heading next. According to the latest reliable reports, she is in fact headed to WWE.

All Elite Wrestling isn’t holding back with their 250th episode of Dynamite with a stacked card already announced for the July 17, show.

Close to five years after the first episode of Dynamite in October 2019, AEW will celebrate its milestone figure next week from the Simmons Bank Arena in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The crowd will not only get to watch the 250th episode of Dynamite, but AEW will also tape the July 19, edition of Rampage at the show.

MJF Vs. Will Ospreay

On the July 10, edition of Dynamite, MJF, fresh off last week’s heel turn, had some verbal barbs for Will Ospreay. MJF belittled the “flippy guy” and said he’s seen countless wrestlers like Ospreay come and go throughout his career. MJF then announced his plans to challenge Ospreay for the AEW International Title next week. Ospreay, who was in the ring, accepted the challenge.

Swerve Strickland Vs. Kazuchika Okada

It will be champion vs. champion next week when AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland faces AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada. Strickland appeared following Bryan Danielson’s victory in the Owen Hart Men’s Tournament and spoke about his challenger for AEW All In.

Strickland also revealed that he will be on Team AEW against the Elite for the upcoming Blood & Guts match. Strickland ended his promo by challenging Okada for a match for Dynamite 250 that has been made official, and added that All In will be Bryan Danielson’s ‘final countdown.’

Mercedes Mone In Action

At Forbidden Door, Mercedes Mone became a double champion and the CEO is ready to take on (almost) all comers. On Twitter, Mone said that she will defend her titles in an open challenge on AEW Dynamite 250. This challenge can be accepted by anyone, with the exception of Britt Baker.

AEW star Chris Jericho recently addressed his potential retirement from professional wrestling, stating that he will know when it’s time to hang up his boots.

Appearing on the McGuire on Wrestling podcast, Jericho opened up about retirement from in-ring action, revealing that for now, he hasn’t thought about it.

The current FTW Champion is an active member of the AEW roster, leading the stable The Learning Tree. For now, Jericho doesn’t seem like he’s going to stop anytime soon in the ring.

Chris Jericho on John Cena’s Retirement Announcement

Speaking of retirements, one wrestler who is in fact going to retire soon is John Cena, who recently announced his farewell tour.

On the same podcast, Jericho was asked to share his thoughts about Cena’s retirement tour.

Jericho added that fans know this is going to be it for Cena, as he’s not the type to say anything lightly. “I’m sure it’s going to be a really great year-and-a-half for Cena fans and for John Cena himself,” he added.

Cena made his surprise return at WWE Money in the Bank, where he announced his retirement. It is not yet known when and where his final match will take place, but we will see him in action at major events such as Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and WrestleMania.

The latest tapings of AEW Collision saw some huge developments, including some champions in the All-Elite company being stripped of their titles.

The Collision taping took place after the July 10, edition of AEW Dynamite. That show saw the finals of the Men’s and Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournaments. In the men’s tournament, Bryan Danielson earned a shot at the AEW World Title at All In by defeating ‘Hangman’ Adam Page. In the women’s tournament, Mariah May defeated 2023 winner Willow Nightingale, earning a shot at the Women’s World Championship. After the match, May attacked Toni Storm and left her ‘mentor’ in a bloodied heap on the stage.

AEW Collision Spoilers [7/13/2024]

Here are the spoilers for the July 13, edition of AEW Collision: 

• Konsuke Takeshita defeated ‘Dynamite Kid’ Tommy Billington. Post-match, Don Callis welcomed Billington into the family only to get a “Kiss my Ass!” in response. Callis’ family attacked Billington before FTR made the save.
• Austin Gunn, Colten Gunn, and Juice Robinson defeated three enhancement talents (London Lightning, Michael Allen Richard Clark, and Shaun Moore). Acting EVP Christopher Daniels then stripped the Gunns and Robinson of the Unified Trios Titles, not allowing them to use Robinson instead of the injured Jay White. Christian Cage came out and expected that he, Nick Wayne, and Killswitch would be awarded the titles. Instead, a match for the vacant titles will take place at a later date.
• Roderick Strong (w/Matt Taven, Mike Bennett) defeated Dalton Castle (w/Truth Magnum, Turbo Floyd). There was an unfortunate botch near the end of the match as Strong caught Castle with a knee to the face. The referee hesitated with his count even though Castle did not kick out and the match was awarded to Strong. The Undisputed Kingdom seemed unsure what was happening and Castle was motionless in the ring for ten seconds after the pin, with some fearing he was knocked out.
• Nyla Rose beat local wrestler Ava Lawless
• “Top Flight” Dante Martin and Darius Martin (w/Action Andretti) beat Lee Moriarty and Anthony Ogogo (w/Shane Taylor).
• Skye Blue defeated Harley Cameron
• Matt Taven and Mike Bennett defeated Orange Cassidy and Kyle O’Reilly. Trent Beretta attacked Cassidy after the match.

Mariah May is on the road to Wembley after winning the Owen Hart Women’s Cup, and has split from Women’s World Champion ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm.

In the finals of the 2024 Owen Hart Foundation women’s tournament, May defeated last year’s winner Willow Nightingale on Dynamite. May advanced to the finals by defeating Saraya in the first round and Hikaru Shida in the semi-finals, both of whom are former AEW Women’s World Champions. Willow’s path to the finals saw her defeat Serena Deeb in the first round and her former ally Kris Statlander in the semis. Statlander and Stokley Hathaway would get involved in the finals to try and cost Willow the match.

With this victory, May has earned herself an AEW Women’s World Championship match against ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm at AEW All In. After the match, Storm seemed happy for her ‘understudy’ to win, seemingly predicting an easy title defense next month. On the ramp, May attacked Storm with the Owen Hart Foundation Championship and Luther also took a beating from the British wrestler.

On commentary, it was suggested that this had been May’s plan the whole time and that her loyalty to Storm was never genuine. Whatever the case may be, May now has a golden opportunity next month in her home country.

Bryan Danielson Wins 2024 Owen Hart Tournament, Earns AEW All In Title Shot

AEW All In 2024

AEW All In 2024 will take place on August 25, from Wembley Stadium in London, England. The show will be the second AEW All In event, and the third All In event overall. Tickets for the show went on sale on December 1 and the event will be AEW’s second pay-per-view to take place outside the U.S. AEW All In 2024 was confirmed immediately following last year’s AEW All In event.