Saraya Bevis, known professionally as AEW’s Saraya, and Ronnie Radke, the lead vocalist of Falling in Reverse, have ended their six-year relationship. According to TMZ Sports, the couple broke up late last year. Speculation about their split began over a month ago when Saraya notably did not post a birthday tribute to Radke on December 15, a gesture often made by public couples.
While the reasons for their breakup remain unclear, both maintain demanding schedules. Saraya is actively involved with AEW and other projects, while Radke’s band is heavily booked with gigs. During their time together, Falling in Reverse released the single “Zombified,” which Saraya adopted as her entrance theme in AEW.
Saraya has not appeared on AEW television since the October 8 episode of Dynamite, where she participated in a four-way AEW Women’s World Title Eliminator Match against Jamie Hayter, Willow Nightingale, and Nyla Rose. At the 11th annual Reality Television Awards in November, Saraya revealed she was taking a short break from AEW.
Atlanta is turning into a wrestling hotspot this winter, with multiple major promotions bringing their shows to the city starting this coming Monday:
WWE Raw at State Farm Arena on Monday, January 27, 2025 (Tickets)
WWE NXT at Center Stage on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 (Tickets)
AEW Dynamite at Gateway Center Arena on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 (Tickets)
MLW SuperFight 6 at Center Stage on Saturday, February 8, 2025 (Tickets)
With four major shows across three promotions in less than two weeks, wrestling fans in Atlanta will have plenty of opportunities to see their favorite stars live.
Wrestling at Center Stage
Ring of Honor at Center Stage (Photo: ROH)
Center Stage in Atlanta, GA opened in 1966 and has a rich wrestling history, having previously hosted WCW Saturday Night tapings and various other promotions, including Ring of Honor, TNA/Impact Wrestling, and WWE NXT.
Center Stage continues to be a popular destination for independent wrestling promotions in Atlanta. Recent events held there include GCW Mastermind (December 7, 2024), TNA Final Resolution (December 13, 2024), and Heels Have Eyes 4 (December 12, 2024).
Rrumors that her lack of TV time is related to her breakup with Adam Cole have been debunked. Keller asserted that AEW CEO Tony Khan has grown frustrated with Baker, resulting in her current absence, though he noted she would likely be brought back if circumstances change.
In response to these claims, Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer provided a different perspective. Alvarez reported that the rumors about Baker being finished with AEW are “blown way out of proportion.”
Britt Baker appeared in the Netflix series Cobra Kai
While it’s true that Baker is not being used and there are no imminent plans for her return, Alvarez emphasized that there is no indication she is done with the company.
Baker was last seen on AEW programming on the November 11th episode of Dynamite, where she defeated Penelope Ford in a singles match.
For now, her future with the promotion remains uncertain, but the conflicting reports suggest the situation may not be as dramatic as initially reported.
Britt Baker has not appeared for AEW since November 2024, when she defeated Penelope Ford on Dynamite. New details have emerged regarding her absence from television and her reportedly strained relationship with individuals within the company.
According to Wade Keller of PWTorch, Baker is “wildly unpopular in the locker room,” with one source stating, “no one ever wants to see her come back.” The report further claims that Baker has “always had a reputation for being difficult to work with,” but the situation has allegedly worsened in recent months.
In August 2024, Baker was briefly suspended from AEW following an incident with MJF related to his storyline involving Alicia Atout. Keller notes that a “specific situation recently,” separate from the MJF issue, was “the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
Ultimately, it will be AEW President Tony Khan’s decision whether Baker returns to the company—if at all. Keller’s report suggests that Khan “might have her in the same category as some other wrestlers where they just don’t get phone calls and don’t get called in.” Additionally, Keller clarified that Baker’s breakup with former boyfriend Adam Cole is unrelated to her absence from programming, despite speculation.
Baker’s situation is the latest in a series of backstage issues within AEW, which have cast the company in an unfavorable light. Rey Fenix recently alluded to “inhumane treatment” during his tenure under contract, implying that the company ignored his requests for medical assistance. Meanwhile, Ricky Starks, once considered a future top star in AEW, has not appeared on television since March 2023—a decision that has left both fans and Starks himself puzzled.
Baker was once the top star of AEW’s women’s division and held the AEW Women’s World Championship from May 2021 to March 2022. However, her future with AEW now appears increasingly uncertain as the women’s roster continues to flourish in her absence.
Britt Baker has been a cornerstone of AEW’s women’s division since its inception, solidifying her legacy as one of the company’s most successful homegrown stars.
The Pillar
As the first woman to sign with AEW in January 2019, Baker’s career has paralleled the promotion’s growth, earning her recognition as the “rock” of the women’s division over the past five years. From championship triumphs to historic matches, Baker’s contributions have been instrumental in shaping AEW’s identity.
Championships and Iconic Matches
Baker’s reign as AEW Women’s World Champion remains a highlight of her career, lasting an impressive 290 days between May 2021 and March 2022. During her time at the top, she defended her title against a diverse roster of challengers, including Nyla Rose, Kris Statlander, Tay Conti, and Riho.
Britt Baker was the top female wrestler in AEW during the promotion’s most successful period
In addition, her victory in the 2022 Owen Hart Cup Tournament further cemented her reputation as one of AEW’s most decorated talents. Beyond titles, Baker also made history as the first woman to main event AEW Dynamite in her iconic Lights Out match against Thunder Rosa, a bout widely regarded as a landmark moment for women’s wrestling.
Uncertainty
As AEW continues to evolve, Baker’s future with the company remains uncertain. Despite recent high-profile matches, such as her TBS Championship challenge against Mercedes Moné at All In London 2024, questions loom about her next steps. Regardless of what the future holds, Britt Baker’s legacy as an AEW original and a trailblazer for the women’s division is firmly established.
AEW fans witnessed the final chapter of The Acclaimed at AEW Collision: Maximum Carnage, as Anthony Bowens and Max Caster offically split. After weeks of escalating tension, Bowens turned his back on Max Caster, opting to align with Billy Gunn instead during the latest episode.
Reflecting on the end of The Acclaimed, Caster shared that his desire for personal growth and pointed the finger of blame squarely at Gunn.
“Anthony Bowens is my best friend for life. I know he’s hardheaded, and ever since he started listening to Billy Gunn, he’s been a real stubborn guy. Billy is a bad influence—has been since the ’90s.”
Caster shared that his efforts to grow led to him asking the group to quit scissoring, a request both Bowens and Gunn rejected. The self professed best wrestler alive compared his parting from The Acclaimed to a passenger fleeing a sinking ship.
“That life raft was me. I found self-worth, self-confidence. I love myself, and I think that’s a good thing.”
The Acclaimed began teaming in 2020 and Caster and Bowens captured the AEW World Tag Team Championships in 2022. The following year, the pair and Gunn won the AEW Trios Championships, titles the faction would hold longer than any other group. Now, Bowens and Caster will have to forge separate paths in AEW as one of the promotion’s most popular teams has come to an end.
Adam Copeland has revealed his idea for a perfect retirement.
The former world champion recently had an interview with Stephen Brunt on Up Close. He talked about things such as Hurricane Helene devasting his local area, growing up in Toronto, and more.
When asked about a retirement match, Copeland who now goes by the name Cope claimed that it’s going to be a big decision for him. According to him, he’d love to give the rub to someone younger and cement their position as a main eventer:
“That’s going to be the big decision for me. Who do I get in there with last? I’d love to get in with a young person and just try and strap a rocket to him and go, okay, in my last match, what can I do to try and get someone set up, or at least another block in the foundation to set them up to be able to take it further and further and further.”
The AEW star was then asked about the timetable for a potential retirement. He discussed missing more than 6 months of action last year after fracturing his tibia and claimed that it has extended his run:
“I don’t know. I’m thinking maybe two years, and being off with the broken leg is kind of extended that, right? So now this six months or whatever that I’ve been off it’s like okay I gotta tack that on now.”
Cope also noted that he doesn’t want to be that old guy who’s hanging on. He wants to work with someone who he feels can be the future of AEW and then call it a career.
Apart from this, the wrestling veteran talked about how Bret Hart set up a great example for him by helping him early in his career and taught him the value of giving back to the business.
Christopher Daniels has named the match he will like to be remembered for.
The Fallen Angle wrestled in what is expected to be his final in-ring performance at Collision this Saturday. He took on Hangman Adam Page in a brutal street fight, putting over the former AEW Champion one last time.
Prior to this bout, Daniels appeared at the GalaxyCon event where he spoke to Copper Age Gold. The AEW Executive talked about things like his backstage job in the company, people coming to him for advice and more.
When asked which matches from his career he’d like to be remembered for, Christopher Daniels reflected on the classic encounter between him, AJ Styles, and Samoa Joe from TNA Unbreakable 2005 which is now considered the standard for triple threat matches by many:
“Well, honestly, I was talking about this at one of the panels today. It’s almost 20 years old, but the three-way match with AJ Styles and Samoa Joe, it’s by far one of the most talked about matches that people come up to me and mention in my career.
Like by far, head and shoulders above everything else. That’s the match people talk about when they come to see me. So, I like to be remembered for a match like that with two guys like Joe and AJ who are two of the greatest wrestlers to ever walk the planet. It’s a big deal to me.”
Apart from this, Daniels also named his three-way match with Bryan Danielson and Low Ki at the ROH debut show and his ROH World title victory over Adam Cole at the company’s 15th Anniversary Show as the two other bouts he’d like to be remembered for.
During the interview, Daniels also noted that January 2025 marks 31 years of his wrestling debut. During this time, the 54-year-old has wrestled for almost all major promotions with Hall of Fame worthy runs in both TNA and ROH.
Rumors continue to circulate that fans have seen the last of Malakai Black in an AEW ring, months after fans last saw the former Trios Champion on programming. On Instagram, AEW shared a hype video for Brody King, Buddy Matthews and Julia Hart. Not only did the video omit Black, but the caption avoided mentioning the House of Black stable by name, and similarly avoided mentioning the group’s namesake.
This interesting post comes amid reports that Black is finishing his time with AEW. On TV, Buddy Matthews has been encouraged to break away from Black’s control, and pursue a singles run in 2025. Brody King has filed a trademark for the term ‘Hounds Of Hell’ which many are seeing as a new stable name that demonstrates AEW is moving forward without Black being a factor in plans.
The Dutch wrestler last competed for AEW at November’s Full Gar pay-per-view. At the event, He teamed with Brody King for a fatal four-way tag team championship match but the duo were unsuccessful. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Malakai Black’s future in wrestling, as AEW continues to hint that fans have seen the last of the former NXT Champion in an AEW ring.
Tony Khan has acknowledged the legendary career of Christopher Daniels following what is believed to be Daniels’ final match in AEW. The AEW President took to social media to express his gratitude to Daniels, who faced Hangman Page in a brutal Texas Death Match at AEW Collision: Maximum Carnage.
Daniels was busted open early and, despite his resilience, was unable to withstand Hangman Page’s relentless offense. The match ended after Hangman delivered a Tombstone Piledriver on a chair, followed by a Dead Eye on another chair, and concluded with a Buckshot Lariat to the back of Daniels’ head, keeping him down for the 10-count. Adding insult to injury, Page also used the Angel’s Wings, a move Daniels used for years throughout his storied career, after the match.
Following the tapings of Collision earlier this week, it was reported that those in AEW were under the impression that this was Daniels’ final match. With Khan publicly praising Daniels for his efforts in his match with Page, it cerainly appears that fans have seen the last of the Fallen Angel in the ring.
Daniels’ lengthy career has seen him compete all over the world and is best known for his runs in Ring of Honor and TNA Wrestling. Though Daniels’ days wrestling are up, he remains a pivotal part of AEW as the company’s Head of Talent Relations.
An unlikely name has come into Tony Khan’s defence amid the drama surrounding Rey Fenix’s AEW status following Penta’s WWE debut.
The discussion about AEW extending Fenix’s contract picked up again on Saturday after the high-flying star posted a picture of himself on social media. The former champion was seen wearing a straightjacket in the photo indicating that he was being ‘restrained’ by the company.
Former WWE star Tom Pestock better known to fans as Baron Corbin came in support of Khan over the issue. Responding to a post suggesting that Tony should let Rey Fenix out of his deal, Corbin claimed that you need to honor your contract:
“If you sign a contract, you honor it. Would it have been okay if Tony didn’t pay him while he was hurt or out of action? The answer is no bc Tony signed the contract as well. You can’t switch teams after getting what you want and signing the contract.”
If you sign a contract you honor it. Would it have been okay if Tony didn’t pay him while he was hurt or out of action? The answer is no bc Tony signed the contract as well. You can’t switch teams after getting what you want and signing the contract.
Baron Corbin also responded to some other objections to his remarks in the thread suggesting that there might be more to the story of Fenix and AEW than people know.
The former WWE star’s comments actually align with what the AEW star himself has suggested in the past. He’s previously claimed that a ‘huge injustice’ has been done to him and that he’ll get the chance to speak the truth one day.
Former WWE wrestler Tom Pestock, better known as Baron Corbin, stirred up conversation on Twitter by defending AEW President Tony Khan’s practice of extending wrestlers’ contracts to account for time missed due to injuries. Responding to criticism of Khan’s handling of talents like Rey Fenix, Pestock offered a detailed perspective on the nuances of wrestling contracts and workers’ rights, making it clear he was not angling for a job but instead contributing to an important industry discussion.
The debate began when a fan criticized Khan for not releasing Fenix, arguing that keeping him under contract without utilizing him actively was unfair. Pestock, however, countered with a pragmatic take, emphasizing the mutual obligations of contracts. “If you sign a contract, you honor it,” he wrote. “Would it have been okay if Tony didn’t pay him while he was hurt or out of action? The answer is no, because Tony signed the contract as well.”
If you sign a contract you honor it. Would it have been okay if Tony didn’t pay him while he was hurt or out of action? The answer is no bc Tony signed the contract as well. You can’t switch teams after getting what you want and signing the contract.
This set off a back-and-forth where Pestock clarified misconceptions about how contracts work in wrestling promotions like AEW, WWE, and Impact Wrestling. He pointed out that adding time to contracts to account for injuries is standard practice across the industry and not unique to AEW.
“Everyone who gets hurt gets injury time. Doesn’t matter if it’s WWE, AEW, or TNA. That’s part of it,” Pestock explained.
Everyone who gets hurt gets injury time. Doesn’t matter if it’s WWE AEW or TNA
That’s part of it.
And maybe fénix doesn’t want to work. Only him and Tony know that
Addressing Misconceptions About Fenix and Worker Rights
Several fans raised concerns about other aspects of Fenix’s situation, including merchandise sales and restrictions on working independent shows. Some suggested that taking down Fenix’s merchandise from AEW’s store was a petty move meant to freeze him out. Pestock countered by saying that Fenix is free to sell his own merchandise, implying the wrestler still has avenues for income while under contract.
Another point of contention was whether AEW actively restricts wrestlers from working elsewhere. While some fans claimed AEW talent like Ricky Starks had been barred from certain independent appearances, Pestock suggested that Fenix might have the option to work elsewhere if he chooses. “Correct, he is not prohibited from running other shows,” Pestock responded to a fan. However, he acknowledged that ultimately only Tony Khan and Fenix know the full details of their agreement.
On Setting Precedents and Workers’ Options
When asked whether Khan’s reluctance to release Fenix stemmed from a desire to avoid setting a precedent, Pestock did not directly confirm but seemed to dismiss the idea that Fenix’s departure would negatively impact AEW. He also speculated that the situation might not be as one-sided as it appears.
“Maybe Fenix doesn’t want to work. Only him and Tony know that,” he remarked.
Despite his defenses of AEW and Tony Khan, Pestock maintained an objective stance, describing his contributions to the discussion as purely conversational. Responding to accusations of “fishing for work” he quipped, “I don’t want a job, but nice try. I’m cool, trust me.” Pestock also admitted uncertainty about whether he would ever sign another wrestling contract, leaving the door open for future opportunities without committing to a return.
Insights on Wrestling Contracts and Workers’ Rights
The conversation highlighted Pestock’s interest in the legal and ethical dimensions of wrestling contracts. He emphasized the importance of honoring agreements while acknowledging the frustration fans and wrestlers might feel in certain situations. His commentary underscored a larger debate about the balance between protecting workers’ rights and maintaining the integrity of contracts in the high-stakes world of professional wrestling.
While the specifics of Rey Fenix’s situation remain unclear, Pestock’s perspective offered valuable insights into industry practices and shed light on the complexities of balancing business interests with individual freedoms in wrestling.
A popular faction will reunite in the ring for nearly five years tonight on AEW Collision, bringing together three members of one of wrestling’s most dominant stables of the past decade.
Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, & Roderick Strong will team up to reform the Undisputed Kingdom in a 6-man tag match against Shane Taylor Promotions (Lee Moriarty, Carlie Bravo, & Shawn Dean) at tonight on AEW Collision: Maximum Carnage.
This trio first rose to prominence as part of The Undisputed Era in WWE NXT, where they established themselves as one of the most successful factions in the brand’s history. During their run, they collected multiple championships including the NXT Championship, North American Championship, and dominated the tag team division.
The Undisputed Era ran WWE NXT for years
The group won an impressive 10 NXT Year-End Awards during their time together and stood out for their cohesion and in-ring chemistry. Whether competing in singles, tag team, or multi-man matches like WarGames (video below), they distinguished themselves with their technical prowess and coordinated offensive style.
Cole served as the group’s charismatic leader while O’Reilly and Strong brought elite wrestling ability that made them feared competitors. After their WWE run ended in 2021, the trio eventually reunited in AEW, where they’ve recently reformed as part of the Undisputed Kingdom. Cole has expressed confidence that he, O’Reilly and Strong could “run all of AEW without question.” He’ll have a chance to back up that claim in just a matter of hours.
Tonight’s match will reuniting the Undisputed Kingdom / Undisputed Era for the first time since 2020 marks a significant milestone in their collective journey from NXT to AEW. And as one group gets back together… Popular AEW Tag Team Breaks Up
All Elite Wrestling presents AEW Collision: Maximum Carnage tonight at 8/7c on TNT and streaming on Max.
This special event features a huge 12-man tag team main event, a Texas Death Match, and top stars in action including AEW World Champion Jon Moxley, Cope, ‘Hangman’ Adam Page and Kazuchika Okada.
The end of MVP’s career in the ring is in sight for the former WWE U.S. Champion, but he’s going to give his all while he can.
On Instagram, MVP shared that the “clock is taking on my in-ring career” and aded that “I don’t have much time left.” Ending on a positive not, MVP vowed to “give you everything I’ve got until I finally reach the final match.”
MVP made his AEW in-ring debut during this week’s Dynamite: Maximum Carnage, where he, Shelton Benjamin, and Bobby Lashley defeated Mark Briscoe and Private Party. This wasn’t just MVP’s first match for AEW, but his first wrestling match on a major televised promotion since competing on WWE Raw in July 2022.
There’s no word on when MVP will wrestle again for AEW, if at all, but the veteran has certainly proven himself as a manager in recent years. Recently, the Hurt Syndicate expressed their desire to hold the AEW World Tag Team Titles, currently held by Private Party. Lashley has also expressed a desire to become AEW World Champion, and after MVP led him to the WWE title in 2021, such a win remains a genuine possibility.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on MVP, as the AEW star is giving his all in the ring before he hangs up his boots for good.
Christopher Daniels is effectively retired from in-ring competition. At Thursday’s AEW Collision tapings for Saturday’s show, Daniels faced Hangman Page in a Texas Death Match, which is expected to serve as his final bout.
According to Fightful Select, Daniels had been looking for an opportunity to officially retire for quite some time.
Daniels made his mark on the independent wrestling scene, thriving in promotions like Ring of Honor (ROH) and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG). In ROH, he was a key figure in the company’s early days, delivering classic matches and rivalries with wrestling greats such as Samoa Joe, Bryan Danielson, and AJ Styles. Over his tenure, Daniels captured the ROH World Championship and became a multi-time ROH World Tag Team Champion.
During his time in TNA/Impact Wrestling, Daniels helped elevate the X-Division through iconic matches, including the renowned triple threat with AJ Styles and Samoa Joe. He won multiple TNA X-Division Championships and TNA World Tag Team Championships, with his tag team partnership with Frankie Kazarian (as part of Bad Influence) becoming a major highlight.
In 2019, Daniels joined AEW as part of SCU (SoCal Uncensored) alongside Kazarian and Scorpio Sky. Daniels and Kazarian went on to become the first-ever AEW World Tag Team Champions. Beyond his in-ring contributions, Daniels has also played a key role behind the scenes in AEW, working as a talent relations representative and producer.
One of AEW’s most popular tag teams is no more following the events of this week’s AEW Collision. Tensions between Anthony Bowens and Max Caster of The Acclaimed came to a head during the tapings, with Bowens accusing Caster of letting his ego take over. Bowens then announced his decision to align with Billy Gunn, prompting Caster to declare the official end of The Acclaimed.
The on-screen issues between Bowens and Caster have been simmering for months. However, Bowens expressed confidence late last year that a breakup was unlikely. In a November interview with ROAR Around The Ring, Bowens stated:
“Max and I, we have a lot more stuff that we need to accomplish. I’m not particularly worried about anything that’s been happening.”
The Acclaimed joined AEW in 2020, initially appearing on AEW Dark before transitioning to televised programming. The duo achieved significant success, capturing the AEW World Tag Team Championship in September 2022 and holding the titles for 140 days before losing them to The Gunns in February 2023. Alongside Billy Gunn, they also became AEW Trios Champions, holding the belts for a record-breaking 238 days.
With The Acclaimed now dissolved, speculation surrounds the next steps for Bowens and Caster. Bowens has made his intention to team with Billy Gunn clear, while Caster has previously shown interest in the Hurt Syndicate’s recruitment efforts. Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates on Bowens, Caster, and their post-Acclaimed careers.
The first full-length trailer of Queen Of The Ring has been released, giving fans their closest look yet at the Mildred Burke biopic and the wrestling stars involved.
An official synopsis for Queen of the Ring reads:
“In a time when pro wrestling for women was illegal across the country, a small-town single mother embraces the danger to change culture as she dominates America’s most masculine sport, becoming the first million-dollar female athlete in history.”
Emily Bett Rickards (Arrow) stars as Mildred Burke, arguably the most prominent figure in women’s wrestling from the 1930s to the 1950s. Rickards isn’t the only notable name involved, with several prominent wrestling stars of the era being portrayed by modern-day talent, including:
June Byers (Played by AEW star Kamille): One of Burke’s most famed rivals. She became a three-time Women’s World Champion.
Debbie Nichols (Played by AEW star Britt Baker): A wrestling star of the era.
Clara Mortensen (Played by AEW star Toni Storm): A wrestler who later became an actor in Hollywoood.
Ethel Johnson (Played by WWE Superstar Trinity “Naomi” Fatu): A trailblazer of the era who became the first African-American women’s champion.
Queen of the Ring premiered at the Buffalo International Film Festival in October and is set to hit theaters in March 2025. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Queen of the Ring as the film aims to replicate the success of A24’s The Iron Claw.
AEW taped the January 18 ‘Maximum Carnage’ special of Collision from Cincinnati, Ohio this Thursday. The show featured several top stars such as Adam Page, Jon Moxley, and Kazuchika Okada in action. Below are the complete spoiler results for the episode:
Texas Death Match: Hangman Page def. Christopher Daniels: Weapons such as tables and barbed wire were involved and Daniels was left bloodied. Page pinned the former SCU member to pick up the victory.
Six Men Tag Team Match: Roderick Strong, Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly def. The Infantry & ROH Pure Champion Lee Moriarty
Tag Team Match: Brian Cage & Lance Archer defeated Top Flight – The duo of Action Andretti & Lio Rush showed up after the bell and attacked Top Flight following their loss.
Toni Storm Promo: Tony Schiavone interviewed the young rookie following her big win on Dynamite. She claimed that it was finally time for her to meet AEW Women’s Champion Mariah May ‘face to face.’
The Acclaimed Promo Battle: Max Caster and Anthony Bowens went back and forth on mic. Bowens told Max that he is a ‘cocky piece of shit.’ He claimed that he had everything it takes to be an AEW World Champion. Billy Gunn came out to try and talk some sense but he got berated by Caster. Max claimed that Billy only attached himself to the team so people would chant his name again. Max then asked Bowens to choose between him and Billy and Bowens chose Billy. An angry Caster then announced that The Acclaimed were done before walking out.
12 Men Tag Team Match: Cope, Powerhouse Hobbs, The Outrunners & FTR def. The Death Riders & The Learning Tree – Hobbs was apparently attacked backstage before the match and he initially didn’t show up with his other teammates. The Death Riders tried to kidnap Cope but FTR thwarted their attempt. The two groups then brawled away from the ring leaving the rest of the participants on their own. Powerhouse Hobbs came out selling his leg in the end. He got the hot tag and pinned Bryan Keith with a spinebuster for the win.
Toni Storm says she wants to ‘follow in the footsteps’ of Mariah May.
The AEW rookie picked up the biggest win of her short career this past Wednesday on Dynamite. She won the Casino Gauntlet Match to earn the right to challenge for the AEW Women’s Title at Grand Slam in her home country of Australia.
The newest AEW star talked about her win and her upcoming match with the current champion Mariah May in an interview with The Takedown. Storm mentioned that she hasn’t gotten a chance to meet May backstage yet and admitted that she’s super intimidated by the former Stardom star:
“Best in the business today. She’s the real deal. I’m not gonna lie, I’m super intimidated. I hope I get an opportunity to show some respect. I hope she doesn’t think I’m rude for not coming and saying hello.
I’ve never really met a star so big before and I’m just such a huge fan of her work. I’ve seen stuff she’s done since Stardom. I mean, it’s just insane. I just wanna be like her. I wanna follow in her footsteps.”
While the “Rockstar” does not remember meeting May, ‘The Timeless’ Toni Storm has a long history with the current Women’s World champion. Mariah May made her AEW debut as a protege of the Golden Era star back in 2023 and she eventually turned on Toni to win her first title in the company.
It’d be interesting to see what length Storm goes to follow the footsteps of her idol and if the upcoming match helps her remember the forgotten past between the two.
Rapper and actor Action Bronson, who made his professional wrestling debut at AEW Grand Slam 2022, recently revealed that his experience backstage left him with mixed feelings. Despite his enthusiasm for wrestling and his performance alongside HOOK, Bronson described the backstage environment as “cliquey” and suggested that his plans to return to the ring were met with little interest.
One Match and Done?
Action Bronson teamed up with AEW star HOOK at Rampage Grand Slam 2022 in Queens, New York, where they defeated Matt Menard and Angelo Parker. The match, set in Bronson’s home borough, was expected by many to be a one-off event. However, during a recent interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, Bronson expressed that he was open to more matches but claimed AEW never reached out to him for a follow-up.
“You know what they do. They don’t call you back. I never got called back. There was an angle there. I’m ready right now. I’m ready for whoever.”
Action Bronson says AEW dropped the ball with him wanting to wrestle again
Weird Vibes, Cliquey Atmosphere
When asked about his backstage experience at AEW, Bronson initially gave a positive response before admitting he found the environment uncomfortable.
“Actually, no. I enjoy the act. I don’t like the…the backstage is weird over there. It’s just weird. It was just like everyone’s cliquey… You could tell it was weird vibes,” he explained.
Bronson also suggested that his opponents, Matt Menard and Angelo Parker, were hesitant to take certain moves during their match, such as top rope splashes and face-busters, likely due to his lack of formal wrestling training. This creative limitation may have added to his frustration with the experience.
Action Bronson is willing to step back into the ring, and named Bad Bunny as a possible opponent, his comments indicate that a return to AEW is not the cards.
AEW Grand Slam: Australia, the promotion’s first event in the country, will not be a pay-per-view, but instead a TV special by Tony Khan’s promotion.
The show will air on TNT and stream for free on MAX at 8pm EST on Saturday, February 15. The show will replace that week’s edition of AEW Collision. The show will take place in Brisbane, Australia at 5:30pm local time, which is equivalent to 2:30 AM Eastern Time, meaning the show will air on a tape delay. On AEW Dynamite: Maximum Carnage, Toni Storm punched her ticket to Australia by winning the Casino Gauntlet Match. The AEW ‘rookie’ will challenge Women’s World Champion Mariah May in a rematch from All In: London 2024.
AEW’s Australian event won’t be the only wrestling show on February 15. That same night, WWE NXT will host its Vengeance Day event from the Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington, D.C. Later in 2025, WWE and AEW will clash again when WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event on July 12 coincides with AEW All In: Texas, the promotion’s first U.S. stadium-sized event.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on AEW Grand Slam: Australia, as the promotion’s first event in the country continues to take shape.
AEW Dynamite took an emotional turn this week, as MJF evoked Owen Hart during his in-ring segment with Jeff Jarrett. During a tense promo, MJF suggested that Jarrett was leveraging his friendship with the late Owen Hart to maintain relevance on screen.
“What really makes me mad is that just because you were best friends with Owen Hart, you think you’re owed a grand finale.”
Jarrett had remained calm against MJF’s earlier barbs but this comment rattled the WWE Hall of Famer. However, this time, Jarrett snapped, landing a decisive right hand on MJF. Security and Jarrett’s crew rushed to separate the two, with MJF narrowly escaping the ring and nearly coming face-to-face with Karen Jarrett.
Jarrett had some choice words of his own for MJF in their promo, including labelling the former AEW World Champion a leech and stating that “I was MJF before you were MJF.” Jarrett recently shared that he is on his final contract as an in-ring talent, and plans to capture the AEW World Championship before he retires from competition.
Owen Hart’s tragic passing at WWF Over the Edge 1999 remains one of wrestling’s darkest moments, over 25 years after his fall. Nevertheless, the legacy of the Rocket carries on, with AEW hosting its annual Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Jeff Jarrett and his bitter feud with MJF.
Toni Storm is set to challenge for the AEW Women’s World Championship, currently held by Mariah May, in a highly anticipated matchup. Storm earned her #1 contender spot on this week’s episode of Dynamite, held at Broadbent Arena in Louisville, KY, by winning the Casino Gauntlet Match. The bout featured a strong lineup, including rising star Megan Bayne, but Storm emerged victorious to secure her place at the top.
This storyline adds an intriguing layer, as Storm has reverted to a past gimmick as part of a narrative where she is portrayed as having dementia, with no memory of her prior accomplishments. The history between Storm and May adds further drama, as Storm previously lost the AEW Women’s World Championship to May at All In: London before taking a hiatus.
With her victory, Storm now has the opportunity to reclaim the title at Grand Slam Australia. The event will take place on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Brisbane, Queensland, marking a significant milestone in AEW’s international expansion.
Samoa Joe made his return to AEW television during Wednesday’s episode of Dynamite. After HOOK faced Christian Cage in a hard-fought match, Cage, alongside Nick Wayne, attacked HOOK. Joe, accompanied by Katsuyori Shibata, ran out to make the save, ending the segment with a show of force.
Joe had been absent from AEW programming since July 2023, when he was written off television following a brutal street fight against Chris Jericho on Dynamite. In that match, Jericho, aided by Big Bill and Bryan Keith, used a forklift to drive Joe through a wall, resulting in the bout being stopped. HOOK was notably absent, having been sidelined after a fireball attack from Jericho the week prior. Katsuyori Shibata was also missing from the event. Following the match, Joe was stretchered out and loaded into an ambulance to signify his temporary departure from AEW.
Joe’s hiatus was due to his commitment to filming the second season of Peacock’s hit series Twisted Metal, where he portrays Sweet Tooth, a fan-favorite character from the classic PlayStation franchise. The show, starring Anthony Mackie, Stephanie Beatriz, Tahj Vaughans, Chelle Ramos, and Michael Carollo, became Peacock’s most-binged original in its first week. It ranked among the platform’s top three original series of all time. In December 2023, Peacock announced the renewal of Twisted Metal for a second season.
Kenny Omega made his highly anticipated return to AEW in-ring action on the January 15th episode of Dynamite, following a battle with diverticulitis and subsequent surgery. Omega defeated Brian Cage in the opening match with the One-Winged Angel, despite interference from The Don Callis Family.
The match incorporated storytelling around Omega’s health struggles, with Cage targeting his abdomen to highlight his past issues. After the match, the Don Callis Family jumped Omega, only for Will Ospreay to run down to make the save.
Omega helped Ospreay take out the heels before turning around and locking eyes with both guys, talking trash to each other. AEW International Champ Konosuke Takeshita came out to take out Omega. The numbers got the best of Omega and Ospreay.
This marked Omega’s first AEW match since December 2023, when he defeated Ethan Page on Collision. While recovering from his health setbacks, Omega briefly re-entered the ring on January 5th at Wrestle Dynasty, defeating Gabe Kidd after executing a Kamigoye and the One-Winged Angel.
Omega’s return to AEW programming came earlier at Worlds End, where he presented the Continental Championship to Kazuchika Okada, the winner of the Continental Classic. The moment teased a potential future clash between Omega and Okada, possibly at All In: Texas.
