Lex Luger was one of several wrestling legends who were able to attend Sting’s final match and had a blast at the event. On a recent edition of the Busted Open Radio podcast, Luger made it clear that WWE had no issue with him attending, as long as he opted to keep off of the show.
“WWE is classy. They said you can go and everything, just don’t be on camera or be a part of the match. It was an incredible evening. A wonderful sendoff.”
“I love him to death but damn, he’s a different animal bro.”
Luger was similarly amazed by the work of the former AEW TNT Champion and said that Allin’s attempt to climb Mt. Everest later this month is “unbelievable.”
The Young Bucks are living it up as heels, and this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite was no different. Coming off their loss to Sting and Darby Allin at AEW Revolution, they took credit for retiring Sting. Then they took care of some business on live television.
Hangman Page beat up some referees after he failed to win the AEW World Title at Revolution. Kenny Omega has not been on AEW television for a while due to suffering from a bout with diverticulitis. It seems that the Young Bucks don’t care about their excuses, because they still laid down punishments for their former stablemates.
The Young Bucks Speak
During this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, The Young Bucks seized the spotlight in the ring, stepping up to address the audience in their roles as EVPs. Their purpose was clear: to convey their stance on Hangman Page’s recent altercation with AEW officials during Revolution, and this resulted in his suspension. However, their message extended beyond this initial incident to another one of their old friends: Kenny Omega.
The Young Bucks redirected their attention to Kenny Omega. They raised concerns about his absence from scheduled appearances, attributing it to purportedly baseless reasons. It’s worth noting that Omega is currently in the process of recuperating from diverticulitis. Nevertheless, in a bold move, they proceeded to announce Omega’s termination from his position within The Elite.
It should be noted that The Young Bucks said “The Elite” and not “AEW.” So, this wasn’t a termination from the actual company. Only time will tell how this plays out.
This is when Eddie Kingston came down to play the part of a babyface trying to take on the massive heel EVPs. That didn’t turn out too well for him, and he was jumped.
AEW has their eye on several people who could really do numbers for the company. It was reported last month that Tony Khan beat out WWE’s offer for Kazuchika Okada, and this week finally saw The Rainmaker’s debut, and he has a very Elite role.
Kazuchika Okada made his big return to AEW television, and this time he was not under NJPW contract. Now, Okada is All Elite, and this was a big surprise.
AEW’s Big Debut
During AEW Dynamite this week, The Young Bucks took the microphone in the ring, and they cut a promo as EVPs. They had something to say about Hangman Page assaulting AEW officials at Revolution, and he was suspended. That was only the beginning.
The Young Bucks then turned their focus to Kenny Omega. They said that he has missed all of his dates recently for no reason. Of course, Omega is still recovering from diverticulitis. Then they fired Omega.
Eddie Kingston then came out and he started something with The Bucks. This was followed by Nicholas and Matthew Jackson ganging up on Kingston. Suddenly, Kazuchika Okada’s music hit.
This was a massive shock as The Rainmaker made his way to the ring. Suddenly, it was very clear that he was not a babyface. Okada turned his aggression toward Kingston, and then The Young Bucks announced that he is the newest member of The Elite.
It turns out that Omega is out of The Elite, and Okada is in. The segment ended with a shocked crowd as the newest member of the AEW roster posed in the ring.
The Young Bucks and Okada got to be close friends while they were all being misused in TNA Wrestling years ago. Now, they have a chance to work with each other again.
WWE tried to get Okada, but AEW offered him a better deal. Now, he will get to do his thing in Tony Khan’s company. We will have to see what is next for him after linking up with The Young Bucks.
SEScoops will have more on this story as additional information is available.
AEW has lost a few people in recent memory, and others are reportedly on their way to the company. Now, we know that Jim Ross is not leaving the Land of All Elite.
Jim Ross is not leaving AEW. He signed a brand-new deal with the company. This was not a renewal, but a full new contract, and he seems very pleased with things.
Jim Ross’ New AEW Contract
During the latest episode of Grilling JR, Ross revealed that he has inked a new deal with AEW, as his previous contract was due to expire on February 14. He also commented on how smooth the whole process was.
“We wrote a new deal. We wrote a completely new deal. No extension. New contract. It was probably the quickest and easiest negotiation I have ever done in my career of 50 years. That’s all because of Tony Khan’s commitment to me as a broadcaster. He’s always been a fan of my work, which helps your cause when your boss is a fan of your work. We got a new deal.”
AEW may lose some people in the coming months, as Matt Hardy’s contract is up. We will have to see how everything pans out, but the landscape of Tony Khan’s company will not be losing JR.
What’s Next
Jim Ross is a WWE Hall of Famer who gave decades of his life to the pro wrestling business. He’s held positions all over the business as well, and now he will continue with AEW as an announcer for a long time to come.
Although Ross is not used as much as he once was with AEW, he seems to be content with what he is given. We know that JR isn’t ready to hang up his hat just yet, and this new deal with AEW will make sure of that.
SEScoops will have additional information on this story if it is made available.
AEW has lost a few people in recent memory, but they are also picking up a few stars as well. It seems that Matt Hardy’s time in AEW may be numbered at this point, as his deal is set to expire this month.
Matt Hardy recently made headlines when he showed his displeasure about how Sammy Guevara injured Jeff Hardy during their match on Rampage. Now, Matt’s contract is set to run out long before Jeff’s.
Matt Hardy’s Contract Situation
Sean Ross Sapp revealed on Fightful Select that Matt Hardy’s current contract with AEW is due to expire in March.
Initially signed in March 2020, Hardy’s deal was originally intended to align with his brother Jeff Hardy’s contract length. However, due to various factors such as injuries and inactivity, adjustments were made, resulting in an extension of Matt’s contract duration.
It was noted that there have been discussions between the two sides about a new deal. At this time, it is unclear how far along those talks are, and how likely it is that a deal will be arranged.
Matt Hardy’s Time in AEW
Despite his lengthy tenure in the wrestling industry, the 49-year-old Hardy has seen limited in-ring action in 2024, with only one match under his belt thus far. However, his involvement in 2023 was more consistent, with over 40 matches both in and out of AEW.
Hardy’s wrestling career spans three decades, dating back to his matches against notable opponents such as Undertaker, IRS, and Razor Ramon in 1994. We will have to see what he does next, but his days in the Land of All Elite may be numbered.
SEScoops will have continued coverage of this story, and so many more, as additional information is made available.
With this being Sting’s final match, there were plenty of talks during the planning process, Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated reports. It is noted that everyone involved, including Tony Khan, felt it was very important for Sting to win the match, though the Icon himself disagreed. During the post-show media scrum, Sting admitted that he had some resistance to winning his last match and ending his career as a champion.
Reasons For the Finish
Sting wanted to lose so that he could give the major moment to the Young Bucks, in a sign of selflessness from the notoriously giving Icon. However, Khan and the Bucks believed that Sting deserved to go out on top and everyone agreed that the show called for a happy ending that would be best for AEW.
The report adds that the commentary team was not told what to expect and only a small group knew of the finish to the match in advance.
Tony Khan has a lot of plans for AEW, and that includes bringing in even more talent. He could have plans to debut someone this week, and it might break the pro wrestling world wide open.
Kazuchika Okada is reportedly on his way to AEW, and that debut may happen tonight. A new report says that he is in the United States, and only time will tell if tonight’s AEW Dynamite is his landing pad.
Major Debut on the Horizon
A major name is expected to make their full-time debut with the company, although details remain undisclosed. Tony Khan has hinted at exciting plans for AEW fans in the coming weeks, suggesting significant developments on the horizon.
According to PW Insider, former IWGP Champion Kazuchika Okada recently traveled to Los Angeles and is currently in the United States. It is widely speculated that Okada will be present at tonight’s Dynamite episode in Atlanta, potentially signaling a significant moment for the promotion.
Additionally, there are expectations for the debut of Mercedes Mone, formerly known as Sasha Banks, in Boston next week for the company’s Big Business special. With these developments on the horizon, anticipation is high for tonight’s Dynamite episode and the future direction of AEW.
AEW Dynamite For 3/6
Tonight’s AEW Dynamite promises to be eventful, with several notable announcements and developments anticipated. Among the highlights are scheduled matches such as Riho vs. Kris Statlander and Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher. Moreover, The Young Bucks have teased a “Huge Announcement,” adding to the intrigue of the evening.
They also added Hook vs Brian Cage for the FTW Title to the show in the afternoon. More matches should be expected as we approach the two-hour program.
SEScoops will have more coverage of AEW Dynamite, and everything else in the pro wrestling world. Check back often for more updates!
A new era of AEW Dynamite begins tonight on TBS. With Revolution 2024 in the history books, All Elite Wrestling rolls through Duluth, Georgia for two back-to-back nights of action at the Gas South Arena. After Dynamite goes off the air, they’ll take matches for Fridays Rampage. Thursday night, they’ll tape Saturday’s Collision.
The March 6, 2024 edition of Dynamite is being billed as a ‘Season Premiere’ and will feature a new logo, a new stage and new on-screen graphics.
New Logo and Graphics
AEW has been dropping hints about the new look for AEW Dynamite on television and on social media. First, it was the new logo:
At Revolution, they showed an on-screen graphic for tonight’s showdown between Will Ospreay and Kyle Fletcher, featuring the new Dynamite logo:
AEW Dynamite Preview (3/6):
Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher
Kris Statlander vs. Riho
Plus, fallout from Sunday’s AEW Revolution 2024 pay-per-view.
New Stage and Theme Music
AEW Dynamite has an all-new look for Spring 2024
Dynamite got a new stage as well, including the return of the “tunnels” that fans loved so much about the original Dynamite set. If AEW is looking to recapture the “feeling” of the company’s best times, this fresh coat of paint is a great start.
Furthermore, we’ve heard talk that AEW composer Mikey Rukus has crafted a rock-based song that could be used as new theme music for the flagship show.
AEW has a packed roster full of talent, but Tony Khan has never announced a hiring freeze. It’s anyone’s guess who TK may bring back next to insert some extra energy into the situation. Lio Rush seems open to the idea of having another run in the Land of All Elite.
Lio Rush, although his AEW exit was sudden and a bit controversial, will not say “no” to the idea of returning to Tony Khan’s company. Things just didn’t pan out the last time around.
Lio Rush in AEW
Lio Rush’s time with the promotion was brief, as he became a free agent following the expiration of his contract with AEW in February 2022. This took place shortly after he voiced his opposition to Tony Khan’s controversial tweet regarding Big Swole.
Rush garnered attention amid AEW’s controversy involving Big Swole. The latter criticized the company’s treatment of Black talent at the forefront and expressed disappointment in the lack of representation of individuals who resemble her among top executives behind the scenes.
He later made it very clear on Twitter/X that his contract was up on February 14, 2022, and he was off to his next venture.
Lio Rush Speaks On Possible AEW Return
While speaking to WrestlingNews.co, Lio Rush clarified that his tenure in AEW ended prematurely because it simply didn’t pan out. Regardless of the specific reasons, he acknowledged that sometimes in life, circumstances don’t align for various individuals and situations.
“It was cut short because it was cut short. I mean, it just didn’t work out. I say this quite often every time that it is brought up. Yeah, it just didn’t work out and it, but regardless of what those reasons are, things just don’t work out. You know, it’s like that in life for many things and for many people. If it was a different time period, if it was a different situation, if it was, yeah, all of these what ifs, but they weren’t what ifs. It was what was going on in the present time and in that time, things just didn’t work out.”
Lio Rush went on to say, “So you know, not to say that you’ll never see me there again or not to say that the relationship is bad or anything like that. I think it was just a period in time that it just didn’t work out for both parties, and we had to split ways.”
What’s Next For Lio Rush
Lio is still working on music, and he’s not retired from the ring either. He continues to impress whenever he’s booked. Hopefully, he can get back on a major television company again someday, because at 29-years-old, he still has plenty of time.
We will have to see if AEW brings Lio Rush back to the company. Tony Khan has a loaded locker room already at this point, but you never know what can happen in pro wrestling.
SEScoops will have more on this story, and many more, as additional updates are available. We also invite you to check out our Daily Drop for all the biggest headlines, tidbits, and other exclusive notes throughout the pro wrestling world!
AEW hasn’t seen Jack Perry compete since All In London, where he battled Hook in a controversial Zero Hour match. He may have been suspended due to the fight that broke out with CM Punk after that match, but Perry is now back in the ring.
Jack Perry has finally returned to the wrestling ring after a prolonged absence. This did not happen in an AEW ring, as the former Jungle Boy wrestled for New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
Jack Perry has showed up in mainland NJPW making his debut in the New Japan Cup… as literally a SCAPEGOAT.
Perry’s disappearance from the spotlight followed a highly publicized altercation with CM Punk during the AEW All In event last August. The fallout from the incident led to Perry’s suspension, while Punk was released from the company.
On a somewhat related note, CM Punk has since made a triumphant return to WWE, capturing the entire pro wrestling world’s attention with his historic comeback at Survivor Series. However, Punk’s comeback has been short-lived, as he is currently sidelined due to injury.
Jack Perry’s NJPW Match
Perry’s return to the wrestling scene went down during the NJPW Battle in the Valley event, where he made a dramatic entrance by attacking Shota Umino. In a symbolic gesture, Perry tore up an AEW contract and adorned himself with an armband bearing the word “Scapegoat.”
Making his debut in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Perry faced off against Shota Umino in a match as part of the New Japan Cup Tournament. Perry won that match as well, and now he will continue to make an impact in the tournament.
Following the match, Perry aligned himself with The House of Torture faction, adding another layer of intrigue to his comeback story. We will have to see what Perry does next, but it may not be in AEW.
Despite his successful return to NJPW, it remains uncertain when Perry will step back into the ring for All Elite Wrestling. Reports surfaced last year that his AEW suspension was already over, but he did not come back. Only time will tell what happens in this situation, but we will keep a close eye on his situation here at SEScoops.
Jack Perry took the help of Ren Narita to beat Shooter, EVIL and co. then came out to offer Jack Perry a spot in House of Torture. Jack then accepted the shirt and joined the faction.
Welcome to SEScoops: the Daily Drop, your go-to for the latest news and rumors in wrestling for Wednesday, March 6h. NXT Roadblock was last night. There is a lot of news to get to, so let’s get to it.
– John Cena revealed that WWE had plans for him to turn heel in his WrestleMania 28 program against The Rock. He even had new ring gear and music made for the change.
– An old WWE legend has been debunked. During A&E’s Biography on Sgt. Slaughter, it was confirmed that WrestleMania 7’s venue move happened because of poor ticket sales. I wasn’t due to more salacious reasons, like Slaughter has said for years.
– Sting’s son, Garrett, commented on playing his role at AEW Revolution. He wrote on his YouTube channel as an update: “Alright, it’s time for an update and a bit of a reveal. Last night, my dad, Sting, retired from his completely legendary pro wrestling career. My brother and I got to play a small part in his final match as younger versions of his character. I’ve got the American outfit, my brother has the red (or, Surfer Sting and Wolfpack Sting for any wrestling fans!) It was absolutely insane, and by far the coolest night of my entire life. The admiration and love from the fans toward my dad made me even more proud of him than I already am. So, this is obviously why I’ve been a bit absent the past month or so. I was largely focused on looking as good as possible for the show, so lots of hours that would have been spent grinding Destiny were instead spent in the gym haha. All that to say, thanks for being patient. I can’t wait to upload again soon, and I’ll for sure try to do a recap video that goes more in-depth on this weekend.”
– Sting’s other son, Steven, also commented on his appearance. He did so with a humorous post on Twitter/X where he expressed his inner thoughts before nailing that Stinger Splash at AEW Revolution.
“Do not shame your dad, do not shame your dad, do not shame your dad”
AEW Dynamite: Big Business will be hosted at Boston’s TD Garden on March 13th.
WWE NXT Stand & Deliver is slated for the afternoon of April 6th, just before the start of WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.
WrestleMania XL is set to take place on April 6th and 7th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a two-part event.
AEW is coming to St. Louis, MO with AEW: Dynasty LIVE on PPV on Sunday, April 21st at Chaifetz Arena
Backlash France is scheduled for May 4th at LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France.
WWE NXT Battleground is booked for May 26th at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, exclusively available on the WWE Network and Peacock.
WWE Money in the Bank will be held on July 6th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, followed by WWE NXT Heatwave on July 7th at the same venue.
WWE Bash In Berlin is marked for August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany.
Former AEW producer BJ Whitmer was facing second-degree burglary and first-degree strangulation charges, but that is in the past for him now. After accepting a plea deal, he has now received his sentence.
BJ Whitmer has been sentenced in relation to his arrest last year. He has received house arrest for 120 days, and five years of probation.
The BJ Whitmer Incident
Whitmer faced charges of second-degree burglary and first-degree strangulation stemming from an incident on June 4, 2023. Allegedly, he entered his former girlfriend’s residence, awaited her return, and then assaulted her.
According to the police report, Whitmer grabbed the victim by the throat and threw her onto the couch, where he proceeded to strangle her. The victim later described the ordeal to the media as a fight for her life.
Opting for an Alford plea, Whitmer acknowledged there was sufficient evidence for a conviction but maintained his innocence. This plea also allows him to clear the felony from his record after five years. He has been sentenced to five years of probation and 120 days of house arrest.
BJ Whitmer’s Sentencing
Esteemed journalist B.J. Bethel shared news of Whitmer’s sentence on X, stating that the former AEW producer and ROH wrestler received five years of probation and 120 days of home incarceration for the charges related to his ex-girlfriend.
Former AEW producer, ROH wrestler B.J. Whitmer received five years probation and 120-day home incarceration in connection the strangulation and criminal trespass charge he faced involving his ex-girlfriend last summer.
Former AEW producer, ROH wrestler B.J. Whitmer received five years probation and 120-day home incarceration in connection the strangulation and criminal trespass charge he faced involving his ex-girlfriend last summer.
Whitmer’s Alford plea indicates his assertion of innocence while acknowledging the evidence against him. The prosecution’s decision to offer this plea was influenced by significant discovery provided during the case, prompting a reevaluation of their stance.
AEW Severed Ties
Following his arrest, AEW terminated Whitmer’s contract on June 12, 2023. In their statement to the media, they emphasized that such behavior is intolerable within the organization and offered support to those affected by Whitmer’s actions.
SEScoops will have more on this story if additional updates are available.
AEW has gone through a few changes since the company’s inception. Now, fans will have to get used to a new logo.
AEW had a big reveal today on social media, as they revealed the new logo for Dynamite, ending the nearly five-year reign of the previous logo. Naturally, fans have given it a mixed reaction so far.
New AEW Dynamite Logo
The company revealed that the March 6 episode of Dynamite would mark the beginning of a new season for the program. This announcement came along with the new logo reveal.
The March 6, 2024 episode of AEW Dynamite is set to occur at the Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia. Currently, only one match has been confirmed for the event, featuring Will Ospreay facing off against Kyle Fletcher in singles competition. We will have to see what else they add to the card with the fallout after Revolution.
With rumors of Okada’s impending arrival, you never know what will happen next. We do know that Ospreay, someone who has experience with Okada, and has a lot of eyes on him as a recent addition to the AEW roster, will be shown front and center along with this new logo.
AEW Dynamite Logo 2024
Comparing To Previous Logos
AEW Dynamite has seen a couple logos already. The very first was from the paint-splatter era, and it still holds nostalgia for some fans. This was the logo from the beginning of the program, as many consider it OG.
OG AEW Dynamite Logo
The second logo was a bit sleeker. They got rid of all the splashy colors and went with a simpler approach. That logo will now be replaced by the new version that AEW unveiled today.
Updated AEW Dynamite logo
What’s Next For AEW
Tony Khan seems to be preparing for an eventful week for AEW, as he recently confirmed the introduction of a new set for Dynamite during the March 6 episode. In a recent tweet, Khan also hinted at significant plans for both sets of AEW tapings in Atlanta.
We will have to see if the new AEW logo is more than just a fresh coat of paint. If anything, some fans have high hopes after seeing this new logo’s design.
SEScoops will have more coverage of AEW, and the rest of the pro wrestling world. We also invite you to check out our Daily Drop to get the latest on every big story, exclusive information, and tidbits that you may have missed along the way.
AEW has their own way of handling things, and it appears that their disciplinary committee has handed down another suspension. This time, Sammy Guevara is getting some time off due to a recent botched spot.
Sammy Guevara and Jeff Hardy wrestled on the February 16 episode of AEW Rampage (taped 2/14). Guevara has been a Jeff Hardy fan for many years, as evidenced by him sharing this photo of the two together from well over a decade ago in the days leading up to their match.
Unfortunately, the match did not go as planned. Both competitors are known for their high-impact offense and know associated risks. This fateful encounter would leave Hardy with a broken nose and Guevara with a suspension (and a middle finger salute from one of the most decorated tag teams in wrestling history.)
Sammy Guevara and Jeff Hardy crossed paths many years before they’d meet in the ring
The Incident & The Suspension
Mid-way through the match, Hardy was injured and became disoriented. Instead of giving Hardy sufficient time to to get checked out, Guevara climbed the top rope and executed his signature Shooting Star Press on Hardy. As seen below, Guevara botched the landing and inadvertently kicked Hardy in the face.
According to a report from Fightful Select, this was a violation of AEW’s concussion safety protocols and Guevara has been suspended accordingly.
The Suspension & Aftermath
Sammy Guevara attempted to apologize to Jeff Hardy after the match, but that also did go as planned.
Hardy was visibly upset and understandably so. A fan who was in attendance for the match captured this footage of the post-match altercation. Guevara extends his hand in an effort to make amends, but the Hardys weren’t having it.
Guevara wrestled one match since his bout with Hardy, a no-disqualification loss to Powerhouse Hobbs on the 2/24 episode of AEW Collision.
Jeff & Matt Hardy not happy with Sammy Guevara last night at the #AEWRampage tapings after after Sammy kneed Jeff in the face doing a Shooting Star Press. pic.twitter.com/n1IV3NUQje
AEW’s disciplinary committee is comprised of Bryan Danielson and two attorneys, according to Tony Khan on last week’s AEW Revolution media call.
Guevara was suspended from AEW back in 2020 and required to undergo sensitivity training. The disciplinary measures were handed down after ‘inappropriate’ comments he made about Sasha Banks/Mercedes Mone during a 2016 podcast appearance resurfaced.
Guevara has also He’s also had serious backstage issues with Eddie Kingston and Andrade, who recently returned to WWE. It’s unclear if either of those situations resulted in a formal suspension, or if any of these prior situations factored into the severity of this latest suspension.
Darby Allin and Sting won the main event of AEW Revolution on Sunday night, and it was quite a showcase. Although many are talking about Sting’s last match, a lot of attention was taken by Darby Allin’s death defying leap through glass.
CM Punk and Jack Perry’s big All In brawl was due to Perry using real glass when Punk advised against it. Apparently, real glass is a trend in AEW, because Darby Allin used it to make some big waves and cut his back to pieces in the process. Jonathan Coachman saw this, and he doesn’t care whether it upsets AEW fans if he drags the spot.
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) March 4, 2024
Viral Reaction To Coachman
Fans were not very happy to see what Jonathan Coachman said on Twitter/X. Many AEW loyalists went at Coachman in return, and you can check out a few of those tweets below.
I have said sane, on podcasts and here.
Darby is playing with fire and could get seriously injured.
He is also flicking permanent accumulating damage on his body.
My point was that Coachman doesn’t give a shit and was pretending to for the sake of podcasts. https://t.co/sZy6X1Yv7w
Coachman doesn’t understand competition as a form of storytelling, of course he needs Darby Allin explained to him. ?
— Chainsaw Charlie Enthusiast (@ChainsawTerry69) March 4, 2024
Why be genuine when you can just punch down for money? Let’s be honest, how often does coachman get mentioned these days, even negatively? He needs an audience and attacking AEW is the easiest way to get all parties to notice.
The Coach saw Sean Ross Sapp’s video of Darby Allin’s insane dive at Revolution. The clip included glass breaking and fans going crazy. Everything ended with Allin on the ground, and that was all it took to create a viral clip.
When Jonathan Coachman saw the clip of Darby Allin’s big leap, he couldn’t resist but to comment. He said that, aside from Mick Foley, nobody in WWE did that kind of thing in the past. There is a reason for that as well.
While he painted a picture of the true damage to the situation, Jonathan Coachman also begged for someone to teach Tony Khan and AEW’s writing team to craft a storyline that didn’t require this level of ultra violence.
Ok AEW army come after me. This is bananas and SO unnecessary. Can someone please teach the writers and Tony Khan that if you tell a good story you don’t have to do that crap and damn near kill yourself. Other than Mick Foley find any videos of a top star from WWE doing anything this reckless. I am all about getting talked about after a show but my god. If he hits one of those chairs he could have paralyzed himself and broken his back. Tell a story and make the fans care. Then this won’t have to happen or even be talked about doing.
Ok AEW army come after me. This is bananas and SO unnecessary. Can someone please teach the writers and Tony Khan that if you tell a good story you don’t have to do that crap and damn near kill yourself. Other than Mick Foley find any videos of a top star from WWE doing anything… https://t.co/MlTyTazVzq
Darby Allin only needed 12 stitches to repair his back after that leap. He was okay to finish the match, and he was around for Sting’s post-match speech.
It seems that he is going to be okay, with his Mount Everest adventure still in line. Only time will tell when he does something like that again, but you never know what Allin will pull off.
SEScoops will have more on this story if additional information is ever available about Darby Allin’s insane dive.
MJF is one of AEW’s pillars, and Tony Khan certainly doesn’t want to lose him. That being said, there is a whole pro wrestling world who would be very interested to see if the Salt of the Earth could excel in another environment.
When John Cena and MJF were caught having a little chat at The Iron Claw premiere, fans didn’t know what to think. It turns out that Cena was suggesting to MJF that he join a different team in the future.
Cena Tells All
John Cena and MJF made headlines when they had a chance to meet at The Iron Claw premiere. The two had a bit of a conversation, and everyone was wondering what was said. Now, we have a much better idea.
While speaking to Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Cena revealed that during their encounter, Cena found MJF to be remarkably courteous and professional, contrary to any initial assumptions he might have had. He expressed regret for any misconceptions and commended MJF for his professionalism. Despite the potential for theatrics at the movie premiere, MJF conducted himself admirably.
John Cena went on to say that he had a couple interactions with MJF that night. First off, he apologized to him for not knowing how professional he would be. Then Cena made a comment to MJF about trying to get him to play for a different team down the line.
“Sports entertainment is a finicky business, and again, there’s a lot of chances to make moments. This is one of their top performers for AEW and I don’t know if I’m going to be the target of a moment. I’m just going to support my friend in a movie. He couldn’t have been nicer. He couldn’t have been more cordial. We met each other and I got pulled away to take some pictures and then we were about to go do everything else before I even got to you, and I was like, ‘Hold on. Give me two minutes.’ I shook his hand. I said, ‘Man, I’m so sorry. Excuse my ignorance, I didn’t know what to expect from you today. You are a class act. I can’t believe you’re as professional as you are. That’s just my ignorance. I’m sorry I had that judgment. I want to thank you for being so special. Thanks for making my night.’ Then we got back and I was able to talk to him more and I kind of was like, ‘Maybe we can get you to play for the right team one day’, and all that. There’s no denying the fact that he’s doing good work and I don’t think that I should ignore that. Honestly, I was floored by his professionalism. Where it would have been an easy target at a wrestling movie premiere to have yourself a moment, and we did have a moment, and it was one that the internet paid attention to. It was one where I was hoping that this person that I met, I could once bet on like, ‘Man, oh, we just get you over here. That’d be awesome’ but it was great. It was great to meet a professional, classy, driven young man.”
MJF’s Contract Situation
MJF’s contract situation is a very interesting one. Many believe that he inked a new deal with AEW in 2022 prior to his return from hiatus. Others are not so sure, because he claims that no contract was signed.
I asked people throughout WWE about the possibility of MJF signing. The overall belief is that he is still under a contact with Tony Khan, and that is not going to change any time soon.
We will have to see what the future holds. Right now, MJF is enjoying a break from AEW television, after a long run as World Champion. His body is healing, but you never know what he will decide to do so he can get everyone talking about him again.
Sting’s in-ring career may now be in the rearview mirror, but his legacy continues to live on.
On Sunday night, the 64-year-old competed in what would be his final professional wrestling match in the main event of AEW Revolution. There, Sting, along with Darby Allin, successfully defended the AEW World Tag Team Championships against The Young Bucks (Matthew and Nicholas Jackson) in a tornado tag team match.
A Thank You To ‘The Icon’
Following Sting’s victory, several wrestling personalities weighed in on social media to pay homage and share positive memories of “The Icon.” One of those was Sting’s colleague, and former AEW Tag Team Champion, Anthony Bowens.
As evidenced by the throwback photo posted to X (formerly Twitter), Bowens is a long-time fan of “The Icon,’ even going as far as donning Sting-inspired facepaint when he was younger. Bowens also credits Sting with sparking his love for professional wrestling.
“Thank you Sting. My love of this sport started with you,” Bowens wrote. “Your support and confidence in me has meant the world. There’s a saying you should never meet your heroes, but I’m so glad you proved that to be false. You’re the f***ing man. Thank you for everything.”
Thank you Sting. My love of this sport started with you. Your support and confidence in me has meant the world.
There’s a saying you should never meet your heroes, but I’m so glad you proved that to be false. You’re the fucking man.
In addition to sharing a locker room with Sting, Anthony Bowens also received the opportunity to wrestle him. On the January 19, 2022 episode of AEW Dynamite, Bowens and Max Caster (together known as The Acclaimed) faced off with Sting and Allin in tag team action.
The ending of the contest saw Allin sidestep while Bowens charged toward a previously exposed turnbuckle. After laying out Bowens with a flipping stunner, Allin then nailed him with a Coffin Drop for the win.
Darby Allin wrecked himself at AEW Revolution. He took a bold dive off a ladder onto the floor, but his target moved, and he went through a sheet of glass, cutting himself to ribbons in the process. It seems that he’s all fixed up now.
Despite the fact that fans saw Allin bleed like a stuck pig on live pay-per-view, his damage wasn’t terrible. It turns out that he only needed 12 stitches to fix him up.
Sting and Darby Allin, AEW Tag Team Champions, defended their titles against The Young Bucks at AEW Revolution last month. During the intense bout, Darby Allin took a brutal dive from a ladder through a glass panel, resulting in significant injury. Despite the risky move, Sting and Allin managed to retain their titles in the main event, securing Sting’s retirement with an undefeated streak.
Following the match, Wrestling Observer Radio‘s Brian Alvarez revealed that Darby Allin required only twelve stitches for his injuries sustained during the match. This news may surprise fans who anticipated a more severe outcome given the nature of the spot.
“The update from the pay-per-view is that Darby Allin needed 12 stitches. That is crazy. I saw his back. I thought it was gonna be 12,000 stitches, but he needed 12.”
Dave Meltzer then noted that there were tons of little cuts on Darby’s back. So, “by the time the match went for a while all the blood from those cuts was all over the place, but it wasn’t like it was slashed from top to bottom like that.”
This gotta be one of the most insane things I've seen in modern wrestling. I hope Darby Allin is ok. What a fucking badass. pic.twitter.com/fggN2y88mh
It turns out that they didn’t need a ton of attention to fix Darby Allin up. Regardless, he is now on her way to climb Mount Everest at this point.
It will be interesting to see how AEW books Allin from this point on. His time with Sting is over, and now he is going to be on his own at this point. Only time will tell what kind of dangerous spot he does next, but he’s not done with his pro wrestling career by a long shot.
SEScoops will have more on this story if there are additional updates.
Ringside footage of Darby Allin’s insane swanton from the top of the ladder through chairs and glass. #AEWRevolution
Welcome to SEScoops: the Daily Drop, your go-to for the latest news and rumors in wrestling for Tuesday, March 5th. We had WWE RAW last night, and it was quite a show. There is a lot of news to get to, so let’s get to it.
– John Cena may have teased a 17th World Title run. While speaking to Chris Van Vliet, he said, “My next one. I have often said that the time is coming for me to hang them up and I’m not lying when I say, but it’s not tomorrow. It’s probably soon but not tomorrow, so you never know.”
– The NXT brand is presenting Roadblock tonight on the USA Network. They have quite a card ready, and you can check it out below.
Carmelo Hayes vs. Tony D’Angelo: Singles match to determine the #1 contender for the NXT Championship at Stand & Deliver
Dijak vs. Joe Gacy: Asylum match
The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) (c) vs. Lyra Valkyria and Tatum Paxley: Tag team match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin (c) vs. Chase University (Andre Chase and Duke Hudson) (with Riley Osborne): Tag team match for the NXT Tag Team Championship
– Lance Archer teased that his AEW contract may be coming up soon. While speaking to Wrestling Purists, he said, “I mean, there could be some renegotiations pretty soon (for my AEW deal) but, everything’s good right now.”
– Deonna Purrazzo addressed her recent loss on Twitter, confirming that she tapped out Toni Storm and breaking her silence on the surprising defeat. She said, “Toni Storm tapped out. That is all.”
AEW Dynamite: Big Business will be hosted at Boston’s TD Garden on March 13th.
WWE NXT Stand & Deliver is slated for the afternoon of April 6th, just before the start of WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.
WrestleMania XL is set to take place on April 6th and 7th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a two-part event.
AEW is coming to St. Louis, MO with AEW: Dynasty LIVE on PPV on Sunday, April 21st at Chaifetz Arena
Backlash France is scheduled for May 4th at LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France.
WWE NXT Battleground is booked for May 26th at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, exclusively available on the WWE Network and Peacock.
WWE Money in the Bank will be held on July 6th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, followed by WWE NXT Heatwave on July 7th at the same venue.
WWE Bash In Berlin is marked for August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany.
This is hardly Allin’s first death-defying stunt in an AEW ring, but it may have been his most dangerous spot of all time (to date!) Taking to Twitter, former WWE personality Jonathan Coachman blasted the spot as unnecessary. Coachman acknowledged that his opinion will hardly go down well with AEW’s “army” of fans.
“Ok AEW army come after me. This is bananas and SO unnecessary. Can someone please teach the writers and Tony Khan that if you tell a good story you don’t have to do that crap and damn near kill yourself. Other than Mick Foley find any videos of a top star from WWE doing anything this reckless. I am all about getting talked about after a show but my god. If he hits one of those chairs he could have paralyzed himself and broken his back. Tell a story and make the fans care. Then this won’t have to happen or even be talked about doing.”
Ok AEW army come after me. This is bananas and SO unnecessary. Can someone please teach the writers and Tony Khan that if you tell a good story you don’t have to do that crap and damn near kill yourself. Other than Mick Foley find any videos of a top star from WWE doing anything… https://t.co/MlTyTazVzq
Sting is not interested in being a manager on AEW programming, but is open to talks with Tony Khan about a backstage role. As for the AEW World Tag Team Championships, they have been vacated and a tournament will determine the next set of champions.
In late 2020, Sting made a surprise return to wrestling television, as he officially came aboard All Elite Wrestling and firmly aligned himself with Darby Allin.
While Sting has claimed numerous singles championships over the years, the bookends of his historied career are marked with tag-team gold. On the closing end, Sting boasted an AEW Tag Team Championship reign with the ever-fearless Darby Allin. Looking back on their three-year partnership, Sting believes Allin elevated him just as much as he elevated Allin.
“I hope, for Darby, that he’ll be remembered for being in a tag team with Sting, one of the veterans who pretty much did everything under the sun in wrestling for so many different wrestling organizations. And that was the goal, to try to elevate him, but I’m telling you, he elevated me. It went both ways,” Sting told Pro Wrestling Illustrated. “And I want to be remembered for this time as Darby’s tag team partner, for sure.”
Commonalities
Despite being at different points in their careers, Sting feels he and Allin shared similar backgrounds, especially with the circumstances surrounding their respective starts in professional wrestling. Through these commonalities, Sting and Allin were then able to establish a deep connection both in and outside of the ring.
“I don’t know if we’re kindred spirits, per se, but we have a lot in common in the wrestling world, with how our careers started,” Sting said. “We didn’t have a way to get into wrestling. We didn’t have an uncle or a father or a friend; we both slept in our cars, and that was our address. We both know what it’s like to get the tiny little payoffs and pretty much starve out there while making a name for yourself.”
“And then there’s what we have in common, like the painted face and the willingness to take risks. Darby blows me out of the water, but I was one of the first guys my size to take running dives over the top rope and to the floor.”
Sting and Allin’s journey together culminated at AEW Revolution, as they successfully defended the AEW Tag Team Championships against The Young Bucks in a tornado tag team match. This match also served as Sting’s official retirement match.
With Sting hanging up his wrestling boots, AEW President Tony Khan recently announced that new tag team champions will be crowned in an upcoming tournament.
Santana has been around since the early days of AEW, as he and Ortiz’s debut was an early surprise for the company when they joined the Inner Circle. Santana was the adamant one behind a Proud n Powerful breakup, and now he is no longer in AEW.
There have been issues between Santana and AEW for a while. Now, it has been confirmed that his removal from the company’s roster page on their site meant an official departure.
Santana Is No Longer All Elite
Fightful Select has confirmed that Mike Santana is no longer with AEW after his removal from their roster page. The separation between Santana and AEW reportedly occurred last week.
Mike Santana has not been present backstage at AEW events for several months, and sources close to him have indicated his departure from the company following his removal from the AEW roster page. He made his return to AEW on the August 23, 2023, edition of AEW Dynamite after being sidelined for over a year due to a torn ACL sustained during the Blood & Guts match in June 2022.
His last appearance for AEW was in the Stadium Stampede match at AEW All In, after which he began a feud with his former tag team partner, Ortiz. Santana emerged victorious against Ortiz on the October 27 episode of AEW Rampage but has not competed for the company since.
What’s Next For Santana
Despite his departure from AEW, Santana has remained active on the independent circuit, participating in events such as House of Glory’s Reckoning on March 2, where he successfully defended the HOG Heavyweight Championship against Penta El Zero Miedo. Additionally, he has appeared for promotions like C4 and Beyond Wrestling.
Santana and Ortiz joined AEW in 2019 amid significant anticipation, given their status as four-time IMPACT World Tag Team Champions and other achievements. They were known as LAX in Impact Wrestling and worked well with Konnan.
During Santana’s time with AEW, he was prominently featured as a member of the Inner Circle alongside Chris Jericho, Ortiz, Sammy Guevara, and Jake Hager. Although the group disbanded during Santana’s injury hiatus, he briefly reunited with Ortiz, despite personal differences, for the Stadium Stampede match.
As the new IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, Nic Nemeth is looking to make a significant mark in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Once he fulfills that quest, though, Nemeth is keen on rekindling a rivalry with one of his former WWE colleagues, who is now a prominent player in AEW.
In a recent interview with Monopoly Events, the former “The Most Wanted Man” expressed his desire to wrestle “The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson for the first time outside of the WWE setting. Nemeth and Danielson — who were previously known as Dolph Ziggler and Daniel Bryan, respectively — shared the ring on over six-dozen occasions while under the WWE umbrella.
Wanted Man Wants The American Dragon
Due to the creative constraints placed on them at the time, though, Nemeth isn’t sure if their matches ever lived up to their true potential.
“I’d like to be back in [the ring] with Daniel Bryan too, without WWE saying he has to win and protecting him,” Nemeth said. “I want to go one-on-one with a guy that everybody treats as one of the best of all time and in the world and I go ‘You’re not better than me, not by a long shot.’ So I want to fight him one-on-one while everybody watches and goes ‘Oh right, I guess Nic’s pretty good too.’ No, I’m freaking great at this.”
“I would absolutely love that. I have a long list of some Japanese legends that I want to get into because I want to test myself, but man, when I come out on the other side of that, I’m looking for Daniel Bryan. I’m going headbutt him right in the head, knock him down, choke him out, tap him out. You name it, I can’t wait.”
Since departing from WWE in September 2023, Nemeth is now one of wrestling’s hottest free agents. Aside from his work in NJPW, Nemeth has also landed opportunities in TNA Wrestling, Game Changer Wrestling, and the World Wrestling Council.
Given that NJPW and AEW have a well-established partnership, it is possible that Nemeth could also find himself in the territory of AEW and compete in his first non-WWE match against Danielson.
Sunday’s match between Eddie Kingston and Bryan Danielson may have been contested for a trio of championships on paper, but in reality, it meant much more.
Danielson challenged Kingston for the Continental Crown Championship (ROH World, NJPW STRONG Openweight, and AEW Continental Championships) at Revolution 2024. The contest stipulated that if Danielson lost, he’d have to shake Kingston’s hand out of respect. In the weeks leading up to this face-off, ‘The American Dragon’ demonstrated repeated signs of disrespect toward Kingston, such as spitting in his face and flipping him off.
Danielson later revealed that his disregard stemmed from his belief that Kingston had fallen into several bad habits, and never lived up to his true potential. After Kingston defeated him at Revolution, though, Danielson came to a pivotal realization.
“I thought it would hurt me more than anything to shake Eddie’s hand and say that I respect him.” Danielson said in a post-match promo. “But there was a moment in that match where I knew I f***ed up his wrist. I’m good at that. I’m good at f***ing people up. And I know exactly how hurt he was, and he fought through it. There was this just this internal moment, this internal click that me not respecting Eddie, it wasn’t Eddie.”
Danielson Says The Underachiever Has Finally Realized His Potential
Though it may have taken longer than expected for Kingston to push past some of his struggles, Danielson is proud that he eventually did. In that same vein, Danielson is also proud of himself for seeing through his own “bull****” so he could give Kingston the nod that he well-deserved and earned.
“All the things that we said about Eddie 20 years ago, about how much potential he had, about how he needed to work harder, about he needed to do this, and how he needed to do that, and how he needed to change his bad habits, and all of that. It took him a while, but he f***ing did it.
Here I was holding on to this petty bull****, and I realized it might have taken him longer, but the things that he’s battled through and the things that he’s struggled through, I should have given him my respect a long time ago.”
Eddie Kingston Is Grateful
For Eddie Kingston, the element of respect is all he ever wanted from his peers.
While championships are great resume boosters, Kingston believes that one’s legacy is truly based on the amount of respect one garners from their cohorts. In his case, he was specifically aiming to impress the Blackpool Combat Club members — Bryan Danielson, Jon Moxley, and Claudio Castagonli.
“I don’t care about promoters. No offense to the Twitter fans or fans that came out there. I appreciate y’all, but what I care about is the respect from the boys, because at the end of the day, you guys are the ones that are going to be talking about me,” Kingston told Danielson.
“Whether I was good, whether I was bad, whether I was a waste or not. I don’t want to get too emotional, so I’m gonna get out of here. I just want to say thank you, Bryan. Dude, thank you for everything.”
Darby Allin walked into the AEW Revolution press conference not knowing that he already had a match lined up at Big Business in Boston on March 13.
Before Allin and Sting made an unexpected appearance at the Revolution media scrum, Tony Khan revealed that he already had plans in place for the daredevil Darby.
First, Khan made it known that the AEW World Tag Team Championships would now be vacated after Sting and Darby defeated The Young Bucks to retain the gold and that a tournament would be held to determine the new champions.
Secondly, Tony Khan then made it known that Darby Allin would be a big match at Big Business as he’ll take on Switchblade Jay White in singles action.
Much to Tony Khan’s surprise, it was almost immediately after when Sting and Darby Allin showed up at the scrum. Tony told Darby that he just revealed his upcoming match, but Darby Allin had no clue who his opponent was. Sting and Allin addressed the media for about 15 minutes until Khan dropped the news to Allin that he’d be facing White. Despite having a stitched-up bloody back due to the insane ladder and glass spot, Allin was still eager to go one-on-one with Jay White.
Allin mentioned how he purposefully showed up to the scrum to show everyone that he was okay and doing fine after the insane bump he took. Sting jokingly noted that took his fair share of table crashes in his last match too, but showed appreciation to The Young Bucks and Darby Allin for the effort everyone gave.