Mercedes Mone has explained her decision to depart WWE abruptly. 

After having some creative differences with WWE management regarding her and Naomi’s Women’s tag-team title reign, the former Sasha Banks decided to walk out during an edition of Raw. She went on to join NJPW last year where she held the IWGP Women’s Championship. ‘The CEO’ eventually headed to AEW and she is all set to make her in-ring debut at the promotion.

Mercedes Mone told Cameron Hawkins of The Ringer why she decided to part ways with WWE. ‘The CEO’ explained that she doesn’t like to be ‘handcuffed’ and noted that she required that ‘change’ to grow in her career. 

“I don’t like being handcuffed. The only place to grow is with change, and I needed that change.” 

Mercedes Mone has been on the sidelines after she sustained an ankle injury during her match against Willow Nightingale at NJPW STRONG Resurgence last year. However, she is returning to the ring this weekend at AEW Double Or Nothing.

• Mercedes Mone Outlines Comeback Journey After Career-Threatening Injury

It seems that Mone is brimming with confidence despite being on the shelf for a year. She claims to be the greatest women’s wrestler of all time and vowed to show the fans who ‘The CEO’ is. She said:

“They haven’t really got to see the CEO. They know who Sasha Banks is, but the CEO, Mercedes Moné, [is] something they’ve never seen before, and I’m ready to show them. I’m the greatest women’s wrestler of all time, 100 percent.”

Mercedes Mone’s AEW in-ring debut

Mone will be making her in-ring debut for AEW and it also marks her return to the squared circle after the injury. She will be challenging Willow Nightingale for the AEW TBS Championship at this Sunday’s AEW Double Or Nothing pay-per-view. While speaking about the match, Mone said that she is excited for the match. However, she is quite nervous. She said: 

“I don’t want to put pressure on myself, because I’ve been doing this for 14 years. I have more excitement than pressure, but I am really nervous as well, just because it’s been a year since I performed, but being in the ring with someone like Willow Nightingale, I know it’s going to be absolutely everything I’ve ever dreamed of. We’re going to go out there and steal the show.”

Mercedes Mone is going the extra mile for her in-ring debut for AEW as she is training with a former WWE wrestler. Read more below:

AEW is preparing to celebrate its five-year anniversary, and there are numerous discussions within the company. The extensive roster has resulted in some talent not receiving the opportunities they believe they deserve.

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted that “AEW creative certainly has questions.” Significant financial investments have been made in certain talent who “has contributed very little.” This shift has led AEW from being “the fun place to work with the great backstage camaraderie when WWE talent for the most part were walking on eggshells.”

Now, the company has devolved into “a place with a lot of frustration from wrestlers making a nice and even great living but not getting anywhere near the ring time nor upward mobility hoped for.” This change reflects growing discontent among the talent.

AEW’s roster was already large, but the company has recently added even more wrestlers. This increase has only intensified the competition for television time. The limited hours of weekly programming cannot accommodate everyone, leading to dissatisfaction among those who are not featured as prominently.

Tony Khan has brought in some notable names over the past year, including Will Ospreay, Jay White, Mercedes Mone, and Kazuchika Okada. They only have so many hours of television every week, and this competition for screen time hasn’t gone over well.

AEW Double or Nothing will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26. SEScoops will have complete coverage of the event.

Eddie Kingston lost the NJPW Strong Openweight Title at Resurgence, the final of the triple crown. He also suffered an injury during that match, and the Mad King will be out for about a year.

AEW’s Eddie Kingston met with surgeons today and, due to the nature of his injuries, will likely not go under the knife to repair his ACL and meniscus tears until this July at the earliest.

Kingston relayed to PWInsider.com that he’s been advised that he’ll initially have to wait for his tibia fracture to heal and do some physical therapy before surgeons can then focus on his knee. After the surgery is completed, he’s been advised it will likely be ten months before he’ll be able to return to the ring. That would place his comeback, if there are no changes to the expected timeline, at May 2025.

Kingston told the outlet, “Not mad. I don’t give a f***. It’s what happens when you wrestle. Just gotta get f**king better.”

Kingston was scheduled to participate in the Anarchy In The Arena match at Double or Nothing this weekend in Las Vegas. He was set to join Bryan Danielson and FTR to face The Young Bucks, Okada, and Perry. Then plans changed, as Darby Allin was put in Eddie’s spot.

Allin has also been dealing with his own series of injuries. Following AEW Revolution, he broke his foot in a match against Jay White. Just a few weeks ago, he was hit by a bus in New York City.

We are hoping that Kingston can get back to 100% very soon. He is a huge force for AEW, and the company could certainly use him.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman could be nearing a return. This comes during a time when the roster could certainly use his star power. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful discussions have taken place about MJF making an on-screen return to All Elite Wrestling. Even if he’s not yet medically cleared to wrestle, Friedman’s command of the microphone make him a must-see attraction anytime he’s on television. 

You can never have too much star power on television and MJF would be a welcome addition as AEW heads into the summer season. Some changes to MJF’s presentation were reportedly discussed  AEW sources expect him back by Forbidden Door from Long Island. 

MJF has been out of action since December 30, when his record-breaking AEW World Title reign ended at World’s End. MJF’s last match saw him lose the AEW World Title to Samoa Joe at the December 30, 2023 event. 

Prior to his hiatus, he had been working with many injuries but was determined to finish his reign. Changes were already made to his creative due to Adam Cole’s injury.

MJF is still under AEW contract, and he will be for quite some time. It’s unclear if Maxwell’s last contract extension replaced his former deal, which would have expired on December 31, 2023. Either way, MJF is among the highest earners in AEW.

Bryan Danielson’s full-time wrestling career is slowly ending this year. He shared in 2023 that he plans to take a step back from wrestling more to spend time with his family. While he is still expected to continue his wrestling career, it’s unclear if he’ll make sporadically appear for AEW moving forward. 

Ahead of his upcoming match at AEW Double or Nothing on May 25, legendary commentator Tony Schiavone praised Danielson’s run with the company. On his podcast What Happened When, Schiavone spoke highly of Danielson and explained why he is one of AEW President Tony Khan’s best hires in the company’s history. 

“…Bryan Danielson was one of Tony Khan’s best hires as far as a talent is concerned for a number of reasons. Number one because of his performance and number two because he just has great ideas and he is a great leader and he also knows talent, said Schiavone.

He continued, “…He can pick out out talent. He can pick out guys that he thinks, ‘Hey, we need to use them a lot more, and so he is so valuable to this company for everything.”

What’s Next For Bryan Danielson?

‘The American Dragon’ will team with Darby Allin and FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) to take on The Elite (Jack Perry, Kazuchika Okada, Matthew Jackson & Nicholas Jackson) in an Anarchy In The Arena match. Danielson hopes to gain a victory for the ‘Babyface’ group as they try to humble The Elite. 

Although Danielson’s focus is on AEW Double Or Nothing, fans are monitoring the countdown to the end of his current run with the company. He has shared that his contract with AEW will expire before All In on August 25.

Danielson hopes to compete at the Wembley Stadium event and AEW WrestleDream on October 12. It’s possible Danielson can reach a new deal or an extension before shifting to being a part-time performer.  Regardless of what will come in August, all eyes will be on Danielson this weekend as he prepares to bring chaos against The Elite.

• Bryan Danielson: ‘I’m Fighting The Elite Because I Love AEW’

Wrestling icon Jim Ross was hospitalized on Thursday morning in Norman, Oklahoma. The 72-year-old WWE Hall of Famer says he was taken to the emergency room after having trouble breathing. He provided the following information on social media, citing “shortness of the breath.”

Unexpected trip to ER in Norman this morning.

Shortness of the breath.

That’s all for now.

— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) May 23, 2024

We’ll be sure to follow this developing story and will provide an update here when additional details become available.

Jim Ross has been with All Elite Wrestling since it’s inception. Once the lead announcer doing commentary each week, his on-screen duties have been greatly scaled back in recent years. He’s kept fans apprised of his various health ailments, including several falls and a courageous battle with skin cancer.

Jim also shared a photo of his daughters, who visited him in the hospital. He did not provide any health update, but his girls certainly love their father.

Dad and his two Angels!
They truly love their Daddy.
? pic.twitter.com/I9BrwxbC46

— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) May 23, 2024

Following his most surgery in February 2024, JR returned to the commentary booth on March 3, 2024 to call Sting’s retirement match at AEW Revolution.

Jim Ross’ contributions to the wrestling are incalculable. He’s the embodiment of a “living legend” and his ongoing health issues have uncerstandably been met with concern.

SEScoops extends our best wishes to Jim Ross for full and speedy recovery. 

Boomer Sooner!

Will Ospreay has only one goal in mind – to dethrone Roderick Strong and capture the AEW International Championship at AEW Double Or Nothing pay-per-view.

This week’s AEW Dynamite emanated from Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield, California. The show kicked off with Ospreay teaming up with Orange Cassidy and face Roderick Strong and Trent Beretta. In the final moments of the match, Wardlow interfered in the match and assisted Strong to pick up the win. Following the match, Strong and his Undisputed Kingdom teammates brutally assaulted ‘The Aerial Assassin’. The AEW International Champion hit Ospreay with the title belt as the English wrestler was busted open. 

In a AEW Digital Exclusive, Will Ospreay, who was still bleeding, delivered a passionate promo. He sent a stern message to his opponent at AEW Double Or Nothing. Ospreay boasted his endurance and asked if the attack was the best shot that Strong got. He said:

“You think I look pretty bad right now, right? No, this is nothing. Mate, I’ve been on four-day bender, had a bowl of Cocoa Puffs, got on a plane to Japan, called out the toughest guy, and whooped him in front of his wife and kids while I was smiling, bruv. You think this is the end, Messiah? What, you think that this scares me? [Slaps himself] Nah, I live for this, bruv. I flew all the way from England on a ten-hour flight, got transferred over to Bakersfield, and this? This is the best that you’ve got? My Messiah, am I meant to believe in you, man? Am I meant to believe?  No, man.”

Ospreay added that he believes in what goes down inside the squared circle when the bell rings. He said Strong’s actions have ‘bonded” him with that championship as his blood is on the title belt. The 31-year-old wrestler further declared that it’s his life mission to win the AEW International Championship at the upcoming pay-per-view this weekend. He said:

“The only thing that I believe in is bell-to-bell, internationally known, no one is better than me inside that ring, and now what you’ve just done, Roderick, what you’ve just done is it’s bonded me with that championship. My blood is on that championship. So now, it is my duty, it is my spirit that is bonded with that championship. So Sunday, in the perfect city to do it in, bet it all. Gamble your life on it, son. Because now, it is my life’s mission to take the International Championship away from you, come hell or high water. Nobody is better than Will Ospreay because I am on another level.”

EXCLUSIVE! After being left beaten and bloodied on #AEWDynamite at the hands of the Undisputed Kingdom, an INCENSED @WillOspreay has a final message for #AEW International Champion @RoderickStrong before their match at #AEWDoN! pic.twitter.com/SFw2AKAlun

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 23, 2024

Roderick Strong had captured the AEW International title by defeating Orange Cassidy at AEW Revolution in March. This will mark his second PPV title defense. He retained the title over Kyle O’Reilly at AEW Dynasty last month. 

At the same pay-per-view, Will Ospreay emerged victorious over Bryan Danielson in a match that was heavily praised. However, there were some concerning scenes following the match as ‘The American Dragon’ looked hurt after being hit with the Tiger Driver 91.

Chris Jericho and Swerve Strickland are joining hands together for a musical night.

AEW announced that Fozzy, the heavy metal band whose lineup consists of vocalist Chris Jericho, will be performing before All In. The convert is set to take place on Friday, August 23, at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London, England, United Kingdom.

Wrestler Swerve Strickland and musical artist Flash Garments will be joining Fozzy on that night at the show.

You can check out the official performance below:

FOZZY have announced their hugely anticipated return to the UK capital with a date at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town. Promising an explosive Friday evening of rock and rap, the show kickstarts a weekend that culminates in the return of AEW (All Elite Wrestling) to London’s Wembley Stadium on Sunday 25th August.

If it’s not enough for fans to have FOZZY, with their heavy melodic groove and fronted by 8 time World Champion Chris Jericho headlining the night, fans will go crazy knowing that direct support comes from current AEW World Champion: Swerve Strickland. Swerve Strickland & Flash Garments will be performing their first concert as a rap duo in the UK.

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C7RODzcuU2X

Tickets to the show can be purchased from Ticketmaster.

AEW All In is set to take place t the Wembley Stadium in London on August 25, 2024. No matches have been announced for the event yet.

But before that, AEW’s next PPV is going to be the 2024 Double or Nothing, which will take place on May 26, 2024 during the Memorial Day weekend at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Paradise, Nevada. Thhe main event will see Swerve Strickland defend his AEW World Championship against Christian Cage. You can check out the full event card here.

The Young Bucks felt great dropping Tony Khan on his head.

The AEW EVPs have completely changed the perception about them in many ways since returning to AEW Programming after a short hiatus in January this year. The duo that have always been criticized for focusing on moves, have been doing some of the best character work of their careers.

The decision for them to be the team to wrestle Sting in his retirement match at Revolution was originally criticized by many fans. Not only did the brothers deliver the performance of a lifetime in this bout, but they have also taken the heat from it to become one of the hottest acts in the business.

One defining moment that helped them reach this status was when Matthew and Nicholas Jackson attacked their boss and AEW President Tony Khan during the April 24 episode of Dynamite. They beat Khan up with the help of Jack Perry and then laid him out using the ‘Tony Khan driver’

The AEW stars spoke to Sports Illustrated about this moment and said that it felt ‘dangerous and rebellious.’ Matthew Jackson claimed that he knew they had done the right thing when his phone lit up afterwards:

“The locker room gasped when it went down. Afterward, my phone lit up like a Christmas tree. It was probably the most feedback I’ve ever received for anything I’ve ever done, so I know it worked.”

The AEW EVP declared that it was something he had wanted to do since they first met with the Jacksonville Jaguars Executive:

“It was personally great for me, because I had fantasized many times about dropping Tony Khan on his head ever since I met him. I can remember many times watching him talk during production meetings, and my mind would wander to beating the hell out of him,”

We Kept An Eye On Him: Young Bucks

The Young Bucks also talked about the return of Jack Perry on AEW TV. The 26-year-old had been absent from AEW programming since his infamous All In scuffle with CM Punk in August last year.

When Perry first surfaced back on the wrestling scene in January, it was for NJPW and not AEW. Per the Bucks, they had been keeping an eye on the young star since then and giving him advice:

“We kept an eye on him the entire time he was gone and helped him navigate the situation–a familiar one that we had also gone through. We also talked him down a few times. We gave him advice on how to succeed in Japan.”

Jack Perry became the fourth member to join the new Elite after Kazuchika Okada when he returned to AEW in April. Speaking about taking the former Jungle Boy into their group, Bucks said that they had empathy for the young star for being treated unfairly:

“Jack unfairly ate crap for a very long time. So we had a lot of empathy for him, and we were very excited to help launch his comeback.”

The Elite have been running the company to their liking in recent weeks after adding both Okada and Perry to the group. Their dominance, however, will be challenged by Team AEW consisting of Bryan Danielson, FTR, and Darby Allin at the upcoming Double or Nothing PPV on May 26 when they meet in an Anarchy in the Arena match.

Darby Allin will compete at this weekend’s Double or Nothing 2024 pay-per-view, but his involvement was a very last-minute deal. 

The former AEW TNT and World Tag Team Champion will team with Bryan Danielson and FTR to take on The Elite (The Young Bucks, Jack Perry, and Kazucika Okada) at the sixth-annual Double or Nothing pay-per-view. The two sides will meet in the Anarchy In The Arena match in what will be Allin’s first time competing under the stipulation. 

• AEW Double or Nothing 2024: World Title Match Set

How Darby Allin Entered Anarchy In The Arena

Allin is replacing Eddie Kingston in the Anarchy in the Arena match after the Mad King suffered a leg injury during his NJPW Resurgence match with Gabe Kidd. Speaking to Fightful, Allin revealed that he was in the process of helping his dad move into his new home when he heard of Kingston’s situation. Allin himself contacted Tony Khan to see if he could be placed into the match. 

Khan told Allin that he had to be cleared to be in the match, a feat easier said than done given Allin’s litany of injuries in recent months. In addition to a foot injury suffered during AEW Big Business, Allin is also nursing a nose injury and was recently struck by a bus in New York City. 

• Darby Allin Hit By A Bus in New York, Makes It To Broadway Show

Despite his setbacks, Allin was able to get cleared and called Khan while he was at Yellowstone National Park with his dad. Allin added that anyone surprised to see him in the match should be given how last-minute his return to AEW programming has been. The popular wrestler may be cleared, but added that the remains in a lot of pain. He has yet to take a bump since his injury but has been training Steve ‘Son of Sting’ Borden Jr. how to wrestle.

Tony Schiavone and Taz have decades of experience in the wrestling business. Their chemistry is evident when they commentate for AEW, but a recent video offers a candid glimpse into their real-life relationship.

In the video recorded at Dynamite, Schiavone playfully mocks Taz by imitating the way he used to wear a towel back in his ECW days. The original FTW Champion was known for taking to the ring with a black towel over his head, and Schiavone couldn’t resist himself.

Tony Schiavone mimicking Taz with his ECW towel on the commentary booth during last week's Dynamite. ?

This man is literally having so much fun at this place. pic.twitter.com/Eejhoe8Wt7

— Drainmaker ?? ? (@DrainBamager) May 22, 2024

This lighthearted moment also showed off the genuine camaraderie between the two, a dynamic that fans wouldn’t have imagined prior to AEW. When Taz caught a glimpse of his commentary partner, he had to chuckle.

Taz is a two-time ECW World champion. He competed for the promotion from 1993-1999. His son Hook currently wrestles for AEW.

Learn more about Taz’s wrestling career:

Adam Copeland is widely known for his accomplishments under the Edge moniker in WWE. As a member of The Brood, the WWE Hall of Famer popularized bloodbaths, and he brought that to AEW for the May 22 Dynamite.

During this week’s Dynamite, Malakai Black faced Roderick Strong in a highly competitive match. In the end, Black emerged victorious, but his night took an unexpected turn.

All rise for the #HouseOfBlack. Malakai Black faces Kyle O’Reilly tonight before his Barbed Wire Steel Cage Match for the #TNT Championship against Adam Copeland at #AEWDoN!

Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@MalakaiBlxck | @KORCombat | @RatedRCope pic.twitter.com/8GU12E90GJ

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 23, 2024

Following his win, the lights in the arena shifted to an ominous red, and music reminiscent of The Brood began playing. Although it wasn’t the exact Brood theme, it sounded strikingly similar. Suddenly, the ceiling opened above Malakai Black, and the House of Black leader was drenched in a crimson bath. While the liquid wasn’t real blood, it was convincingly realistic, leaving Black in a state of shock and anger.

Then the screen revealed Adam Copeland, standing with a look of satisfaction. This dramatic moment set the stage for their upcoming clash at Double or Nothing. The AEW TNT Title will be on the line in a barbed wire steel cage match, with Copeland putting his title on the line.

WTFFFFFF#AEWDynamite pic.twitter.com/Giu8DYJRUW

— Sebas ?????? (@Sebas_Bucks) May 23, 2024

You can find the card for AEW Double or Nothing below. We will have continued coverage at SEScoops.

• Roderick Strong (c) vs. Will Ospreay – Singles match for the AEW International Championship
• “Timeless” Toni Storm (c) (with Luther and Mariah May) vs. Serena Deeb – Singles match for the AEW Women’s World Championship
• Adam Copeland (c) vs. Malakai Black – Barbed Wire Steel Cage match for the AEW TNT Championship
• Jon Moxley vs. Konosuke Takeshita – IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Eliminator match
• Trent Beretta vs. Orange Cassidy – Singles match
• Chris Jericho (c) (with Big Bill) vs. HOOK vs Katsuyori Shibata – FTW Rules match for the FTW Championship
• Willow Nightingale (c) vs. Mercedes Moné – Singles match for the AEW TBS Championship
• The Elite (Kazuchika Okada, Jack Perry, Matthew Jackson, and Nicholas Jackson) vs. Team AEW (Bryan Danielson, Cash Wheeler, Dax Harwood, and Darby Allin) – Anarchy in the Arena match
• Swerve Strickland (c) (with Prince Nana) vs. Christian Cage (with Killswitch, Nick Wayne, and Mother Wayne) – Singles match for the AEW World Championship

This week’s AEW Dynamite featured a custom intro tied in with Warner Bros. Discovery’s new Mad Max movie, Furiosa. 

Tony Khan’s company is known for incorporating outside sponsorships, and this week was no exception. Throughout the broadcast, the new Mad Max film was prominently highlighted, creating a unique experience for viewers.

Commercials for Mad Max: Furiosa aired during every break, ensuring that the film stayed top of mind for fans. But the promotion didn’t stop there. Before Dynamite began, a special mash-up video combining elements of AEW Dynamite and Mad Max: Furiosa was released, further hyping the fans for both the show and the movie.

START YOUR ENGINES!

Dig into this Furiosa-inspired intro as #AEWDynamite is LIVE now on @TBSNetwork and @MadMaxMovie is in theaters this Friday! pic.twitter.com/4Ryapzj1n3

— AEW on TV (@AEWonTV) May 23, 2024

Mad Max: Furiosa is hitting theaters this Friday. Directed by George Miller, this new movie tells the story of young Furiosa who is taken from the Green Place of Many Mothers by a biker horde led by the warlord Dementus. 

The events of Furiosa serve as a prequel to those of Mad Max: Fury Road. Despite some timeline inconsistencies with the original Mad Max trilogy, Fury Road is considered a spiritual sequel or reboot of the earlier films. 

By integrating the Mad Max: Furiosa campaign into Dynamite, AEW can leverage its audience to create more buzz for the open. This strategic partnership not only entertained fans but also highlighted the synergy between AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery,

We are getting hyped for @MadMaxMovie in theaters this Friday with a special custom Furiosa-themed opening!

Don't miss a moment of the action when we're on the fury road to Double Or Nothing LIVE @ 8/7c when #AEWDynamite is on TBS pic.twitter.com/7biBe21sPY

— AEW on TV (@AEWonTV) May 22, 2024

AEW has a few key members of their roster on the shelf for one reason or another. This week on AEW Dynamite, the Death Triangle reunited for the first time in months.

The Bang Bang Gang, Jay White and the Gunns, have been enjoying their time in AEW as a heel faction. They needed a wheelbarrow to carry all of their gold to the ring. During the May 22 episode of AEW Dynamite, the trio took the ring.

Their attention soon shifted to Pac, and they began berating the British star. Unexpectedly, Pac appeared on the entrance ramp, but he was not alone. Penta and Fenix were by his side, reuniting the Death Triangle. The faction has been absent as a trio for quite some time.

Fenix’s injury had kept him from competing alongside his brother and their partner, Pac. Now, they are back together. It didn’t take long for the Bang Bang Gang to make it clear that they didn’t want to fight that night.

They instead challenged a match for the AEW Unified Tag Team Titles. This set up a match for this Saturday at Double or Nothing.

It's ON!
Death Triangle challenges The Bang Bang Gang for the Unified Trios Championship THIS SUNDAY at Double or Nothing!

Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@BASTARDPAC | @ReyFenixMX | @PENTAELZEROM | @JayWhiteNZ | @coltengunn | @theaustingunn pic.twitter.com/hvvfrEveg6

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 23, 2024

The Death Triangle held the AEW Trios Championship for 126 days before losing to The Elite. Their defeat came in an Escalera de la Muerte, which was the seventh and final match in a Best of Seven Series for the championship in January 2023.

Las Vegas will once again host AEW Double or Nothing on Sunday, May 26, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena. You can find the card below.

• Roderick Strong (c) vs. Will Ospreay – Singles match for the AEW International Championship
• “Timeless” Toni Storm (c) (with Luther and Mariah May) vs. Serena Deeb – Singles match for the AEW Women’s World Championship
• Adam Copeland (c) vs. Malakai Black – Barbed Wire Steel Cage match for the AEW TNT Championship
• Jon Moxley vs. Konosuke Takeshita – IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Eliminator match
• Trent Beretta vs. Orange Cassidy – Singles match
• Chris Jericho (c) (with Big Bill) vs. HOOK vs Katsuyori Shibata- FTW Rules match for the FTW Championship
• Willow Nightingale (c) vs. Mercedes Moné – Singles match for the AEW TBS Championship
• The Elite (Kazuchika Okada, Jack Perry, Matthew Jackson, and Nicholas Jackson) vs. Team AEW (Bryan Danielson, Cash Wheeler, Dax Harwood, and Darby Allin) – Anarchy in the Arena match
• Swerve Strickland (c) (with Prince Nana) vs. Christian Cage (with Killswitch, Nick Wayne, and Mother Wayne) – Singles match for the AEW World Championship

Sting and Darby Allin’s bond continues even after the Icon’s unforgettable retirement back at AEW Revolution. Sting has kept a low profile since then, but we may not have seen the last of his bloodline. 

During a recent interview with Sean Ross Sapp for Fightful Allin said he’s helping Steve Borden Jr. follow in his father’s footsteps. Sting’s son has spent time at his house learning the basics of wrestling and working out in his ring. The full interview  drops this Thursday on Fightful’s YouTube. 

Sting’s son was so inspired by his father’s match at Revolution that he wanted to begin his own wrestling journey. Allin noted further that Steve had never considered becoming a professional wrestler before Revolution, but that event provided an intense emotional rush for him. When Sting asked if he’d help train his son, he jumped at the chance.

“Do not shame your dad, do not shame your dad, do not shame your dad”

*jumps* pic.twitter.com/WLGIq2WLYu

— Steven Borden (@flyborden) March 6, 2024

Sting’s Retirement

In March, Steve and his brother Garrett participated in an emotional farewell match for their father Sting. Sting and Darby Allin successfully retained the AEW World tag titles against The Young Bucks in a Tornado Tag match. Sting’s career ended with him celebrating as a champion, a final chapter that was worthy of his legacy.

Best tag-team partner I ever had. Thank you, @DarbyAllin! ?? pic.twitter.com/QsAKZ2WXty

— Sting (@Sting) March 10, 2024

As part of Sting’s entrance, Steve and Garrett dressed as different versions of Sting that fans had seen throughout the years. Garrett played the part of “Surfer Sting”, the babyface star that Sting portrayed in WCW, with Steve embodied “Wolfpack Sting”, when The Icon joined nWo Wolfpack. 

Sting’s face-painted sons even got physical in the match, hitting The Young Bucks with a flurry of their dad’s infamous Stinger Splash in the corner.

Generational Stinger Splash!

Order #AEWRevolution on PPV right now!
??: https://t.co/MpmTCyHt8n
?: https://t.co/Bc4ZSSvvNC@Sting | @DarbyAllin | @youngbucks pic.twitter.com/xUSk16SFdy

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 4, 2024

The Aftermath

Watch what happened after Sting’s retirement match at AEW Revolution 2024:

Tonight’s edition of AEW Dynamite will be one to watch as the All Elite roster sprints to the finish line at Sunday’s Double or Nothing 2024 PPV from Las Vegas. This go-home show will feature in-ring action from top stars including AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland, ‘birthday boy’ Bryan Danielson and Will Ospreay. Plus, we’ll hear from Mercedes Moné, IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Jon Moley and World Trios champions Bullet Club Gold. 

Nick Wayne vs. Swerve Strickland

AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland will get a taste of what awaits him at Double or Nothing when he faces off against Nick Wayne on Dynamite. Strickland will put the title on the line this weekend against Christian Cage. 

Bryan Danielson vs. Satnam Singh

In a battle of two very different opponents, Bryan Danielson will take on Satnam Singh. Danielson will compete at AEW Double or Nothing in the Anarchy in the Arena match but Singh could get the biggest win of his career tonight. 

HOOK vs. Bryan Keith vs. Katsuyori Shibata

With Chris Jericho on commentary, these three wrestlers will face off for a shot at the FTW Championship on the line. The victor will go on to face Jericho at AEW Double or Nothing. 

Kyle O’Reilly vs. Malakai Black

Black hopes to gain momentum heading into Double or Nothing when he faces Kyle O’Reilly. This weekend, Black will challenge O’Reilly’s ally AEW TNT Champion Adam Copeland in a barbed wire steel cage match.

Toni Storm & Mariah May vs. Saraya & Harley Cameron

Ahead of her Women’s World Title match with Serena Deeb, ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm will team with Mariah May to face Saraya and Harley Cameron. Storm and Saraya are no strangers as they were part of the Outcasts with Ruby Soho. 

Will Ospreay & Orange Cassidy vs. Trent Beretta & Roderick Strong

Ospreay will face Roderick Strong for the AEW International Title at Double or Nothing while Cassidy and Beretta will face off in a “wrestling match.” Tonight, the two sides will be at odds in a tag-team match. 

Final Hype for Mercedes Moné vs. Willow Nightingale

In a rematch a year in the making, Mercedes Moné will face AEW TBS Champion Willow Nightingale at Double or Nothing. With tensions at their highest between the two, fans will get a preview of their upcoming match on Dynamite. 

Here’s the latest Control Center for a more in-depth look at what we can expert when AEW comes through Bakersfield, California:

SEScoops is your destination for everything pro wrestling. Stay tuned over the next few days for our comprehensive coverage of AEW Double or Nothing 2024.

Eddie Kingston wants to push back against pro wrestling tribalism and did just that on his Instagram profile.

Kingston is notorioiusly out of this weekend’s AEW Double Or Nothing Anarchy In The Arena match with a fractured tibula, and tears in his ACL and meniscus.

The injury has not hampered Kingston’s love for the one true sport, however as he’s clearly an active watcher of all wrestling. That’s all kinds of indicated on his latest Instagram post.

While on YouTube, Kingston happened to share a screenshot of Asuka, adding the caption that the Damage CTRL member is “One of my modern day favorites.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C7PRly2uahl

• Eddie Kingston Has Another Major Setback With Injury

Kingston suffered his devastating injury during his unsuccessful NJPW Strong Openweight title defense against Gabe Kidd at Resurgance. The Elite took Kingston out in an attack after the match, which opened up a spot to be filled for Double Or Nothing. The surprise entrant to fill in for Kingston will be Darby Allin, who returned in the closing moments of last week’s AEW Dynamite.

Kingston isn’t the only member of the AEW roster to tip the cap to WWE names. Kenny Omega recently praised Triple H for being a “body guy” and using that physical presence to his advantage. 

Although they also worked together, Ricky Starks recently just went to bat for CM Punk, saying that he was sick of the tribalism that continues to go down in pro wrestling.

Transversely, former AEW EVP Cody Rhodes has taken plenty of opportunities to credit some of his former colleagues.

All Elite Wrestling superstar Mercedes Moné puts in extra work at the gym as she prepares for her in-ring debut. The ‘CEO’ will have her long-awaited rematch against AEW TBS Champion Willow Nightingale for the title at AEW Double or Nothing on May 25.

The rematch against Nightingale marks Moné’s first match since she suffered an ankle injury in their first encounter at New Japan Pro Wrestling Resurgence on May 21, 2023. The former IWGP Women’s Champion has shared that the injury was so severe it could’ve ended her career. Luckily, she recovered and will be motivated to get her revenge at the upcoming AEW pay-per-view. 

Ahead this very important matchup, Moné has shared that she’s training with former WWE superstar Sidney Akeem (FKA Scrypts).

I’m ready for my bottle of champagne ? ???? after #aewdon @scryptswwe pic.twitter.com/809bsVsC00

— Mercedes Moné Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) May 21, 2024

Moné has been honing her skills and shaking off the last traces of ring rust at the House of Champions Pro Wrestling Training Center in Seminole County, Florida. 

7 days till Double or Nothing!
Moné always wins ?https://t.co/DzyZk2xohr pic.twitter.com/tUVHRgTbdQ

— Mercedes Moné Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) May 19, 2024

Ready for the Moné?! ?

We’re a week away from my in-ring debut at AEW’s Double or Nothing! Make sure to grab your tickets here:https://t.co/gPs2lVJ1dA pic.twitter.com/21AJFtDFr1

— Mercedes Moné Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) May 19, 2024

Mercedes Moné & Sidney Akeem’s History

Longtime WWE fans may recall that Akeem has worked with Moné. He started his WWE career as Reginald, working for Carmella as a sommelier/ ringside manager in 2020. During this time, Carmella was involved in a feud with Moné, and Akeem would get involved in trying to aid his client unsuccessfully. 

Akeem also competed against Moné in a losing effort on the January 22, 2021, WWE Friday Night Smackdown episode. 

After the feud with Carmella ended, Akeem and Moné teased working together. However, Moné felt she didn’t need him, and they went their separate ways. 

 WWE recently decided not to renew Akeem’s contract after it expired on June 1. He has since started to look for opportunities on the independent wrestling scene. It’s interesting timing that Akeem and Moné have reunited as he prepares for his next career path, and she looks to avenge her last defeat. Akeem debuts for Game Changer Wrestling next month.

It seems in the end, they’ll need each other to accomplish their next career goals. For Moné, she’ll need to be at her best if she hopes to dethrone Nightingale at AEW Double or Nothing. 

Arn Anderson’s advice to young talents like MJF is to focus more on building moments instead of doing more moves. The wrestling veteran recently had an interview with WrestleBinge for Sportskeeda and spoke about topics including Cody Rhodes meteoric rise to the top of WWE.

During the interview, Arn was asked why he thinks today’s matches are not as memorable compared to the matches of the past. The AEW star explained that back in the day they used to build a match around just one big moment:

“You know why? Because we built a match around one big thing usually that would occur during a match. Today’s mentality is do a bunch of just spectacular, which it is, athletically unbelievable things and string them all together. The problem with that is, to the naked eye there I just saw six unbelievable things, but I don’t remember what was third, second, fourth because it’s just too much. In the old days we had to make everything mean something because you had to do that every single day, sometimes for 365 days a year.”

You can watch the full interview with Arn Anderson here:

‘You’ve Got Only One Body’

Later in the discussion, the Four Horseman original was asked for his thoughts on Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF). Anderson first said that the former AEW Champion has unlimited potential. He then advised MJF and others to protect their bodies in the ring.

“I think MJF is unlimited in what he can achieve in this business as long as…You gotta take less chances in this business than a lot of these guys take and I’ve seen him do things. Were they spectacular? Yes. Were they athletic? Yes. Were they incredible? Yes. But did they particularly need it? and I’m using him as an example but it’s kind of across board. You just don’t beat your body up, you only got one, to the point that before you know it, you’ve had a brilliant five-year career.”

Many wrestlers have spoken about having a “bump card,” a term used to describe the finite number of bumps a wrestler can take throughout their careers. You take a bump, you ‘punch’ the card. If you don’t take care of your body, your bump card will fill up and your career can be cut short.

MJF lost the AEW World Championship to Samoa Joe at the Worlds End PPV in December 2023. He was supposed to start a feud with Adam Cole who cost him the title after the show but the Salt of The Earth had to take time off due to a shoulder injury.

The former champion reportedly underwent a surgery and currently there is no timetable for his return. He spoke with Jason Solomon for SEScoops just before Worlds End and detailed the injuries he was working through at the time.

Tay Melo is working hard towards making a return to in-ring competition after giving birth to a baby girl in November 2023. 

Melo and fellow All Elite Wrestling star Sammy Guevara welcomed their daughter Luna in the world last year and shared the joyous news on social media. The couple went viral at AEW Double or Nothing 2023 in May of that year by announcing during the show that they were expecting. 

• Sammy Guevara Will Be More Selective of “Crazy” Spots Now He’s a Dad

Fans have not seen Melo return to AEW since she became a mom. Taking to Twitter, the Brazilian wrestler shared that she is happy to be back in the ring and with a lot of patience, she will be ready to return in the future. Melo added that she has a new body post-pregnancy but she is working every day to get stronger. 

So happy to be able to be in the ring again. With a lot of patience I’ll get ready to be back, it’s a whole new body & I still feel so week inside..
I got frustrated a couple times, had to hold my tears and keep going. My body was my baby’s home for 40 weeks and now I’ll get…

— TAY MELO (@taymelo) May 21, 2024

Melo hasn’t wrestled since March of 2023 with her most recent match being a tag team match for NEW Wrestling that saw herself and Guevara defeat Encore and Tiara James. Her most recent match for AEW was back in January 2023. This AEW Rampage bout saw herself and Annaj J-A-S lose to Ruby Soho and Willow Nightingale. 

Wrestling Moms

Tay Melo isn’t the only wrestler who is on maternity leave. Last November, Alexa Bliss and Ryan Cabrera welcomed their daughter Hendrix into the world. Bliss has not competed since the WWE Royal Rumble 2023 Premium Live Event. 

Jessie McKay, formerly Billie Kay, gave birth to her son Cooper in December 2023. Her tag-team partner Cassie Lee gave birth to her and Shawn Spears’ son Austin the following month. 

After previously suffering a miscarriage, Carmella gave birth to her and Corey Graves’ son Dimitri in November 2023. The former WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion has been dealing with some nerve damage since the birth. 

It remains unclear when AEW fans will next see Keith Lee in the ring, but the former World Tag Team Champion is appreciative of the report he has received. 

The Limitless One hasn’t competed since the Holiday Bash edition of AEW Collision in December 2023, where he defeated Brian Cage. Taking to Twitter, Lee shared his thanks to those who have wished him well either publicly or in private. 

I don't spend a lot of time with social media these days.

But I wanted to make sure I popped on here to give thanks to many of you…

The ones who reach out privately. The ones who tweet publicly. The ones who share positive things.

I see you. I thank you. I appreciate you.

— Loving Lee (@RealKeithLee) May 19, 2024

Keith Lee In All Elite Wrestling

Lee joined AEW in 2022, mere months after he was released from WWE following an impressive NXT run and mixed tenure on the main roster. That same year, Lee and Swerve Strickland captured the AEW World Tag Team Championships. Their 70-day title reign ended at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam in September 2022 at the hands of The Acclaimed. Lee would briefly feud with Strickland who has since gone on to become AEW World Champion. 

Much like his final days in WWE, Lee’s AEW tenure has seen him miss plenty of in-ring time due to health issues. Lee was set to face Strickland at AEW Worlds End but these issues forced the Limitless One to be pulled from the show. 

• Swerve Strickland Is Done Waiting For Keith Lee After Worlds End

In January 2024, Lee disclosed that he had undergone a double surgery that has kept him out of the ring ever since. There’s currently no timeframe on when Lee will be expected to return. We here at SE Scoops are wishing him all the best in his recovery. 

Mark Henry’s time with All Elite Wrestling could be over within a matter of days unless a new contract between the two parties is reached. 

Henry’s contract with AEW is set to expire this month, Fightful Select reports. The WWE Hall of Famer and former World Heavyweight Champion signed with AEW in 2021 and made his debut as part of that year’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view. Since joining, Henry has worked as an analyst, coach, scout, and mentor for AEW. On-screen, the bulk of Henry’s work has been as an interview/personality as part of AEW Rampage. 

Neither Henry nor AEW President Tony Khan have openly discussed what the future holds for Henry at this time. When not appearing for AEW, Henry can be found hosting the Busted Open Radio podcast alongside fellow WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray and a cast of other names from the industry.

• Powerhouse Hobbs Names Mark Henry As His ‘Wrestling Dad’

One More Match?

Henry hasn’t competed since WWE’s Greatest Royal Rumble 2018 Premium Live Event where he was part of the titular match won by Braun Strowman. His most recent singles match came on the February 13, 2017, edition of Monday Night Raw, where he was also defeated by Strowman. While the World’s Strongest Man has teased a return to the ring for one last match, he has said he doesn’t know what it’d take to make such a match a reality. 

As a veteran of the industry, Henry brings plenty to AEW even if he never has this proposed final match. It remains to be seen if the World’s Strongest Man will remain All-Elite or if his three-year tenure with AEW will end later this month. 

Unfortunately, Eddie Kingston will likely be out of action for a very long time despite the initial thought that he’d be back in a few months.

After reporting that Kingston was planning to return by AEW ALL IN in London, Kingston not only has a fractured tibula, but he has a torn meniscus and a torn ACL. While at NJPW Strong Resurgance, Kingston lost his Openweight Championship to Gabe Kidd at the event and suffered said injuries. 

Kris Statlander was another star to tear her ACL and meniscus. The injury had her out for months on end and only just recently made her return.

The Young Bucks and Jack Perry attacked Kingston following the fight, effectively taking him off television for the foreseeable future. Over the weekend, Kingston posted a photo of himself on Instagram in a massive leg boot. Before his injury, Kingston was a triple crown champion before losing his other titles to Kazuchika Okada and Mark Briscoe.

• Eddie Kingston Doesn’t Regret His “Whatever” Attitude to WWE Tryout

Kingston was slated to be involved in the Anarchy In The Arena match at Double or Nothing this weekend in Las Vegas. He was set to join Bryan Danielson and FTR to face The Young Bucks, Okada and Perry. However, AEW pivoted in the closing moments of last week’s Dynamite as they replaced Kingston with a returning Darby Allin. 

Allin had suffered his fair share of injuries recently as of well. Following AEW Revolution, he broke his foot in his match against Jay White. Then just a few weeks back, was hit by a bus in New York City. 

Jon Moxley has made it clear that he has a strong hatred for X (formerly known as Twitter).

Wrestlers put their lives at risk to entertain the fans. However, some critics never shy away from crossing the limit and hurl insults at them on social media platforms including Twitter. Irrespective of the topics, users on Twitter always share their opinion on the happenings in the world which Moxley is not a fan of and prefers staying away from the platform. 

During an appearance on Hey! (EW) the reigning IWGP World Heavyweight champ expressed his distaste towards Twitter. Mox reckoned that the platform brings the worst out of everyone and the worst medium for people to interact. He suggested everyone to get rid of the application and dump it in the garbage. 

“I don’t like Twitter, it’s hard to escape because everything that’s in the news, about any subject, is about something, somebody said or did on Twitter, so it’s impossible to escape. I feel like Twitter particularly is like, it brings the worst out of everyone, and it’s the worst way for people to interact, it’s terrible. I think everyone should drop it. I think my advice to the entire world would be, get off that f***ing thing. Take it off your phone. Throw it in the garbage.”

Jon Moxley on Twitter/social media:

“I don't like Twitter, at all. It's hard to escape it. I feel like Twitter particularly brings out the worst out of everyone. It's the worst way for people to interact. It's terrible. Everyone should just drop it.

I will keep it for… pic.twitter.com/LIO3RGpfS3

— Drainmaker ?? ? (@DrainBamager) May 19, 2024

It seems that staying away from Twitter has helped Jon Moxley to focus more on his career and distance himself from toxicity. He recently captured the IWGP World Heavyweight title at NJPW Windy City Riot. He has already retained his title by defeating the likes of Powerhouse Hobbs and Shota Umino. His next title defense will take place against Evil at the Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall on June 9.

• Jon Moxley Fires Warning to NJPW Roster After IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Win

He is also set to battle Konosuke Takeshita in an IWGP World Heavyweight title Eliminator match at Double Or Nothing pay-per-view on Sunday, May 26. Should Takeshita defeat the champ, he would receive a title match at a later date.

Ahead of the massive matches, he made a comeback to a wrestling promotion. Read more below:

Chris Jericho may be one of wrestling’s most popular stars, but he wasn’t surprised by the hostile response he received at the AEW Dynasty pay-per-view. 

While Jericho, a heel, was supposed to receive a negative response, the chants from the crowd in St. Louis went much further than a typical reaction. Throughout the match, the crowd hurled “Please retire!” and “Go home, Jericho, go home!” chants at the veteran who has been with AEW since the very start. The St. Louis crowd also loudly booed when he defeated HOOK to capture the FTW Championship.

• Fans Turn On Chris Jericho With His FTW Title Win At AEW Dynasty

Jericho Sees Things Coming

Many fans watching at home were taken aback by the negative response to Jericho’s presence at the show, but Chris himself wasn’t shocked, Fightful Select reports. According to those close to the current FTW Champion, the crowd reaction during the match was almost identical to the way he described it to them ahead of time.

AEW Dynasty is not the first time that the crowd have severely turned on Jericho. In the days prior to AEW Worlds End, it was alleged that Jericho had been inappropriate years earlier with Kylie Rae, with some believing an incident between the two would explain Rae’s abrupt exit from AEW in 2019. In response, fans chanted “Kylie Rae” and “NDA” at Jericho during his tag-team match on the show. After the event, Tony Khan said he would not speak on unverified rumors. 

What’s to Come? 

Since capturing the FTW Championship, Jericho has formed an alliance with Big Bill that has ended Bill’s previous tag team with Ricky Starks. On the most recent AEW Collision, HOOK defeated Johnny TV in an FTW Title Contenders Series match.  

• Chris Jericho to Star in Horror Film ‘Dark Match’ Set in 1980s Pro Wrestling