Rob Van Dam has been associated with WWE for the past two decades, but his appearances might not be plentiful now. RVD made a surprising debut in AEW during the August 2nd episode of AEW Dynamite this year. That may have tainted his relationship with WWE.

During Marty Jannetty’s “Party with Marty” podcast, RVD hinted that his AEW debut might impact his chances of appearing at WrestleMania 40 in 2024. That is a shame, because the show of shows is going down in Philadelphia next year.

While RVD confirmed his presence at next year’s WrestleCon, he provided a somewhat elusive response regarding his WrestleMania 40 status, implying that there might not be a planned appearance. 

“Allegedly I got booked for an appearance, and then allegedly that appearance was canceled when I showed up on an alleged competitor’s TV program, and then allegedly I might be pre-booked — either way, I’m going to be there at WrestleCon!” 

WrestleMania 40 is set to take place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the former stomping grounds of ECW, sparking fan speculation about The Whole F’N Show being a natural addition to the festivities. If anything, Philly fans would love to chant “R-V-D” once again.

RVD never inked a contract with Tony Khan, and he was on a per appearance deal. He still made some waves in the pro wrestling world with that debut, as another WWE Hall of Famer graced an AEW ring.

We can only hope that RVD is included in WrestleMania 40 in some way, because Philadelphia really would be a great place to see him re-appear under WWE’s bright lights. If that booking is going to happen, RVD isn’t saying anything about it at this point. At least fans know RVD will be at WrestleCon.

AEW President Tony Khan is deeply passionate about professional wrestling, and that is what brought him to create his own company in the first place. Khan has also faced scrutiny for some questionable actions over the years, especially on social media. Recently, he found a measure of vindication with evidence supporting the existence of anti-AEW bots.

Tony Khan’s Tweet About Anti-AEW Bot Army

Last year, Tony Khan made an assertion that online AEW critics were paid trolls, or a coordinated bot army. He hinted at WWE’s potential involvement. This claim garnered criticism for its audacity, and its conspiracy theory centered nature.

‘An independent study has confirmed that much of the staunch anti-AEW online community aren’t real individuals, it’s a staff running thousands of accounts + an army of bots to signal boost them. Look closely, these aren’t real people. Who’d pay for such a *wildly* expensive thing?

Tony Khan’s prolonged ‘independent study’ of bots targeting AEW eventually yielded results. Khan even enlisted IT experts to offer a sophisticated explanation for the existence of anti-AEW bots.

https://t.co/EmCg35JT9a pic.twitter.com/72zCDaQF5D

— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) December 20, 2023

Proof of Anti-AEW Bot Army

A fan from a now-private X account shared photos revealing anti-AEW bots praising NXT, clearly fake Twitter users. Tony Khan responded to this evidence with a GIF of Tony Soprano expressing, his thoughts on the matter.

Well, I told you that.

AEW is wrapping up 2023 with as much momentum as they can get. They have also seen a few setbacks over the past 12 months. Either way, it’s hard to argue that there are many levels of social media engagement at work, all deigned to manipulate, persuade, and influence people with their own agenda.

Elon Musk said that he would put a stop to bots on X, but that may not be his #1 priority right now. If anything, Tony Khan is certainly appeased to see that his theory about anti-AEW bots has a bit more backup.

https://t.co/EmCg35JT9a pic.twitter.com/72zCDaQF5D

— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) December 20, 2023

AEW star CJ Perry recently provided a new update following her surgery. She revealed how the finger infection occurred. 

The Hot and Flexible one was recently scheduled to make an appearance at CMLL representing Andrade El Idolo. However, he was forced to miss the show. She also missed the December 16 edition of AEW Collision.

 Fans were worried about her health and over the weekend, Perry took to her social media account and pictures which revealed a finger infection, leading to a visit to the emergency room. 

The former WWE star went on to reveal that it required surgery and that she would be admitted to hospital.She revealed that the infection worsened and she even had to stay at the hospital for more than 50 hours.

Fortunately, CJ Perry underwent a successful surgery, and her real-life husband and AEW star Miro took to his Instagram and uploaded a photo of Perry at the hospital and said she’s recovering.

CJ Perry breaks her silence

The former Lana recently shared a positive update on her recovery. In a video clip posted on Instagram, Perry revealed that she got injured by a small splinter while backstage during an AEW show and she also urged the fans to be cautious of them because it can lead to a fatal infection.

“I have been in the hospital since Saturday, fighting a fatal infection that came from getting a small splinter backstage at work this past Wednesday. Please keep me in your prayers. And everyone really take care of any cuts you get. As small as a splinter can turn into a deadly infection. Love all of you guys and thank you to everyone who has reached out,” Perry wrote.

WARNING: Graphic content below:

Currently, Perry is serving as the on-screen manager of Andrade El Idolo and they have been involved in a storyline with Miro. We will have to wait and see how that progresses when she returns.

As she recuperates, we at SEScoops wish her a swift recovery.

CM Punk and Ace Steel were both involved in the Brawl Out situation after All Out 2022. That ordeal cost Steel his job with AEW, and less than one year later, CM Punk was fired over a different backstage fight. Since that event is in the past, we are getting even more information about the inner workings of the messy situation. 

Earlier this month, Ace Steel shared insights into his time working at AEW and the aftermath of his and CM Punk’s involvement in the “Brawl Out” incident. He is very proud of CM Punk’s WWE return, and was quite candid about that fact.

The former AEW producer disclosed that they had legal representation from Stephen P. New, known for advising Jim Cornette, ensuring their proper handling after the incident. Following Steel’s revelation, Cornette offered his thoughts on the matter during an episode of Jim Cornette’s Drive-Thru.

“We weren’t going to be the ones to jump in and broadcast everybody’s business. But since Ace has publicly gone on record there, yes, Ace Steel and CM Punk were represented at various points this year by Stephen P. New in various parts of their issues with their former employers.”

“So instead, he got some of Tony Khan’s money not to go to work — which seems to be a very habitual thing that a lot of people are doing with that company — but at least this was legally orchestrated in a manner befitting an accomplished attorney and barrister like Stephen P. New.” 

According to Jim Cornette, it was because of Stephen P. New’s representation that Ace Steel is able to live with “religious freedom“, having been, as Jim Cornette described, unable to do the job he was being paid for due to being interfered with and ostracized by officials in the company.

Ace Steel was initially terminated by AEW due to his role in “Brawl Out” following All Out 2022. He later returned to work, reportedly at CM Punk’s request upon his rejoining the company, only to be released shortly after Punk’s termination with cause following another backstage altercation. Steel humorously remarked that perhaps only his wife could reveal the truth about the events, teasing that the details might surface in a future “Dark Side of the Ring” documentary.

Jim Cornette certainly feels a certain way about how things went down with CM Punk and AEW. Cornette also didn’t forget to give plenty of love to his attorney friend, Stephen P. New in the process.

CM Punk is now in WWE once again, an event that many didn’t think would be possible. The stars aligned, and Punk returned. Now, we get to see what his fresh start looks like after returning home.

If you have a legal jam that Stephen P New might be able to help with, you can reach out by visiting this link.

Konnan has some sound advice for AEW President Tony Khan and it involves filtering through the haters.The luchador legend’s K100 colleague Disco Inferno was under the ire of Khan after Inferno told Khan that AEW needs a “reset” on X, to which Khan called the former WCW star an “irrelevant parasite.” 

“Just worry about the people that are supporting you and listen to the people that are giving you constructive criticism. You should be able to differentiate by now and listen to what they’re saying.”

Konnan asked Disco if he made that post on X during the airing of AEW Collision to which Disco said he posted it after the show was over. With that factored in, Konnan empathized with Khan’s energy and response.

“So he’s probably right fresh off the show with adrenaline and he’s like, ‘I put out this thing and Disco shot right at me even though I haven’t talked to him directly so now I’m going to get him back,’ and he’s getting over with the red meat, his base, cause he hates you.’”

Does AEW Need need a reset?

Disco added that his main point at AEW needing a reset was constructive criticism.

“He works for a professional football team, he works for a professional soccer team, I watch football, I watch the soccer games, and bro you’re writing three shows and I’ve written shows and anybody in the business that has done this before will tell you, ‘Dude you need help.’

That’s the major criticism! That’s it. Your ratings have kind of stagnated, you need help writing these wrestling shows because that’s a very difficult job to do to write one and maintain good ratings.”

Konnan adds that Khan is also handling talent, signing contracts, sitting in Gorilla and trying to work TV deals on top of that.

He says he could be working so hard that it stress him out and believes that if Khan and Disco actually met one another, they’d hit it off as friends because of their similar interests in sports and other topics. 

AEW star Kota Ibushi will not linger in the ring if he feels he’s no longer required.

In an interview with Pro Wrestling NOAH, Ibushi discussed his retirement and various other topics.

Ibushi mentioned that he’s not sure about when he’ll retire. He’s not someone who sets specific years to retire. His only consideration is if he can’t do it anymore or if there’s no more demand from his fans for his matches, then he’ll stop wrestling on his own.

Ibushi sees himself as someone who doesn’t want to stay longer than necessary and will leave when he realizes he’s not needed anymore.

“I am not the type to set my own time frame, so I want to do as much as I can,” Ibushi said. “But… well… if I can’t do it anymore, if there is no more demand, I think it’s the end. If there is no more demand, I ask them to cut me off immediately. I’m the type of person who says that if I find out, I’ll quit immediately.”

Ibushi reflected on the shoulder injury he sustained during the NJPW G1 Climax in 2021, admitting it made him contemplate retirement. He felt restricted in his movements compared to his usual performance level, which concerned him regarding fans’ expectations. Ibushi mentioned that if fans no longer wish to see him perform in that capacity, then it could mark the “end of the road” for him.

“So in my case, it could end tomorrow. It could be a year from now, or it could be ten years from now. I don’t know. When there is no more demand, it’s the end.”

Ibushi has also been involved as a commentator in martial arts broadcasts. He mentioned being a martial arts enthusiast and mentioned receiving frequent offers to provide commentary from the martial arts community.

Ibushi openly discussed his affection for junk food, evident from his social media posts. Despite being 41, he sees himself as still exploring and experimenting with his body, believing there’s more yet to be discovered. 

“The body and mentality are connected. People can’t live in a harsh environment all the time. You have to loosen up somewhere. That’s the only thing that everyone picks up on. That’s why people tend to think that I eat only hamburgers, or that I love junk food, but I eat only junk food,” he added.

Ibushi was last seen in the AEW ring in a Street Fight at AEW Dynamite on November 15, where he teamed up with Paul Wight and The Golden Jets to defeat The Don Callis Family. 

MJF is one of the most charismatic people in the pro wrestling business, and he’s been on WWE’s radar for a while. That doesn’t mean he’s jumping ship from AEW any time soon. Despite MJF’s recent claims, there is a belief within WWE that he is working the pro wrestling community regarding his contract status. 

Earlier today, AEW World Champion MJF participated in The SI Media Podcast and responded to a report about his contract status. He claimed that no new deal has been signed at this time.

Report Contradicting MJF’s Claim

A new report has confirmed our previous reporting that MJF has not engaged in discussions with WWE. Additionally, WWE internally holds the belief that Maxwell Jacob Friedman quietly renewed his contract with AEW some time ago.

Haus of Wrestling is now reporting that “One higher-up WWE source responded simply with ‘storyline.'” The report elaborated to say that word within the company is that MJF inked a new deal with AEW before he even returned to the company after his 2022 hiatus. 

Another higher-up source at WWE reiterated that they heard Friedman had re-signed last year and believe it happened before his return at AEW All Out 2022 as The Devil. They went on to say that Friedman is “locked in” and got a huge deal when he re-negotiated his contract with Tony Khan last year.

There are many reasons why MJF might not deluge his actual contract status with Tony Khan’s company. With his contract supposedly running up in 2024, along with AEW’s television rights, one has to assume that AEW wouldn’t want to hide the fact that they locked down their World Champion for years to come. 

SE Scoops’ Previous Reporting

This falls in line to what I have been told, and previously reported. There is no talk about the Great Bidding War of 2024 anymore for a reason. The internal belief within WWE is that a new deal between Tony Khan and MJF was signed a long time ago.

It’s uncertain why MJF would work his contract situation, but that is his story right now. We will have to see if his contract status creeps its way back into AEW’s storyline sometime next year.

AEW World Champion MJF recently confirmed that he hasn’t inked a new deal with AEW.

‘The Salt of The Earth’ has been quite candid about his contract status and heavily spoke about the “bidding war of 2024.” He is set to become a free agent on January 1st, 2024. He hasn’t mentioned the Bidding War of 2024 in a while, and fans have wondered about his future.

There have been rumors that MJF signed a new AEW deal that will keep him around for years. However, while speaking with SI Media, MJF said that fans leak things that they want to be true and gave examples of rumors about Cody Rhodes re-signing with AEW and CM Punk having a cordial relationship with Tony Khan, which weren’t true. He said that after AEW Worlds End pay-per-view later this month, he’ll assess his contract situation. He said:

“When stuff like that gets leaked out it makes me laugh because I remember something like Cody having secretly re-signed, then he showed up (in WWE). Something got leaked out about CM Punk or Tony Khan…I think fans leak out things that they want to be true. I love AEW, I wanna stay in AEW. for professional setting.”

When asked if he re-signed with AEW, MJF said:

 “Not yet”

MJF could join WWE

Cody Rhodes transitioned from AEW to WWE last year and many believed that several other stars would follow the suit. Soon, Jade Cargill also made a similar move this year and fans are still waiting for her official in-ring debut. It seems we can’t rule out MJF joining WWE. Even ‘The American Nightmare’ believes the same.

The AEW World Champion has teased signing with WWE from time to time. However, these teases have stopped since he turned babyface. 

In the past, MJF had a tryout for WWE as part of 2011’s Tough Enough. He also appeared as a security guard during a segment with Samoa Joe, which has been referenced several times.

We will now have to wait and see what the future holds for MJF. 

AEW World Champion MJF doesn’t believe that his persona could be watered-down in WWE, despite the PG nature of the Stamford promotion. 

MJF has often teased leaving AEW for WWE, though these references on TV have dried up with Friedman’s face turn. Speaking on the SI Media podcast, MJF was asked about whether he feels his character would be toned down in the event of a WWE move. 

“I just don’t know how the f*** you put a leash on me. And I swear to God that’s my honest opinion… I don’t know, I don’t think anybody can hold me back from being the monster that I am. I think my career trajectory in any company is going to be exactly the same.

“Do I think in some aspects AEW fits me more like a glove than anywhere else? Yeah, I do. Could an argument be made the other way around? Yeah, sure. These are all things that I have to think about. But I do know whatever company I pick, it will be because it feels right and it means the most to me. 

WWE has reportedly had its eye on MJF for some time, in addition to other AEW talent. Cody Rhodes recently said that he predicts MJF will join WWE one day, but stopped short of saying what day he believes that will be. In the interview, MJF wasn’t surprised that those in WWE are showing great interest in him. 

“It’s normal. Of course, you want MJF in your company. Who the f*** wouldn’t want me in their company? I’m the best thing going today. I’m the AEW World Champion. Nobody dresses like me. Nobody talks like me. Nobody looks like me. Nobody walks like me and nobody wrestles like me. 

“I take it as a compliment and I think the AEW fans should take it as a compliment too. Because that means that their World Champion, the face of their company, is a hot commodity.”

Whatever the future holds, MJF’s next title defense will come at AEW Worlds End next week against Samoa Joe. The show will take place on December 30, from the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. 

MJF was recently inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Click here to find out more. 

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

One night after competing for the ROH World Television Championship at ROH Final Battle, Bryan Keith received the opportunity to challenge for another title — Orange Cassidy’s AEW International Championship, to be exact.

While Keith’s title pursuits didn’t produce his desired outcome, he still has his eye on facing some more performers in both companies. During an interview with the To Be Someone Podcast, Keith revealed some of the names on his list of dream opponents, which includes representatives from NJPW, WWE, ROH, and AEW. 

“One of them is a guy named [Tomohiro] Ishii that wrestles with New Japan. The Stone Pitbull. I feel like his aura is everything that I try to emulate,” Keith said. “When he comes out, he may not be the biggest guy, and he’s not the fastest, not the strongest, but when he comes out, the song hits, you hear the dogs barking, you know you’re in for like a hell of a match. It don’t matter who he’s in there with. He could be in there with anyone, and there’s going to be a five-star classic. I draw heavy influence from him and guys like him …

He just has that aura about himself that I always try to portray because I’m not the biggest guy, I’m not the fastest, I’m not the strongest. I don’t do a bunch of flips or anything like that. I just got that Texas ‘I’m coming there and I’m gonna kick your ass’ feel, I want people to feel that, and I feel like he’s got that aura. Japanese strong style versus Texas strong style, that’d be a hell of a match.”

WWE, ROH, & AEW Dream Opponents

Within the landscape of WWE, Keith identified Finn Balor and AJ Styles as two other names he’d like to face one day. In assessing their work, Keith noted that both performers display a crisp arsenal of offense and defense in the ring. 

Within AEW and ROH, Keith is keen on squaring off with current ROH World Champion Eddie Kingston and former ROH Television Champion Samoa Joe. If he had to choose between them though, Keith would favor a match with Samoa Joe, whom he describes as one of his early wrestling influences.

“Samoa Joe’s the man. I’d love to wrestle Eddie Kingston, and Eddie Kingston is definitely a dream match for me, but Samoa Joe is legendary. Not the Eddie Kingston is not, but just Samoa Joe and what he’s done, what he means to me and the influence on me. I learned about Eddie Kingston later on in my career, whenever I was an older wrestler. So foundationally, I wasn’t really watching Eddie Kingston to grow up and be a better wrestler,” Keith said. 

“I was foundationally watching Samoa Joe, seeing him wrestle on TNA, seeing him wrestle on the Indies, Ring of Honor and stuff. He’s a guy that definitely influenced my style in the way I wrestle.”

A native of Houston, Texas, Keith has steadily built a name for himself in the southern independent wrestling scene, notably becoming the longest-reigning New Texas Pro Champion. 

Could Zac Efron one day compete in an AEW ring following the release of The Iron Claw? Don’t count it out according to the Greatest Showman actor.

The Iron Claw delves into the lives and numerous tragedies of the Von Erich wrestling family. The wrestling lineage began with Fritz Von Erich (real name Jack Adkisson,) and his sons would also find success in the squared circle. The Von Erichs are still a force in wrestling today with Marshall & Ross Von Erich competing to this day.

Zac Efron in AEW? 

Efron’s performance has been heralded by critics and we could soon see more of the star in the Squared Circle. In a recent interview with The Masked Man Show, Efron was asked about the possibility of stepping into the ring and named AEW as a possible destination.

“It’d be fun if we could get in there with some of the guys we worked with, with Chavo [Guerrero ]or even the Von Erichs coming back with AEW. I’d love to do something with them. If we had some time and prep and, especially if we were all out there together, that would be fun as hell. Who knows. Don’t count it out, that’s for sure.”

Chavo Guerrero worked as the wrestling choreographer for The Iron Claw, and was very impressed with Efron. The Von Erichs, represented by Kevin, Russ, and Marshall, appeared on last week’s episode of AEW Rampage which was fittingly filmed in Texas. The segment saw Kevin deliver the Iron Claw to Jake Hager. 

Check out SE Scoops’ official (spoiler-free) review of The Iron Claw by clicking here.

AEW star Chris Jericho recently responded to a fan who suggested him to take time off in order to give the fans a chance to miss him.

Jericho’s tag-team partner Kenny Omega is currently out of action for an indefinite period as he was diagnosed with diverticulitis following his match with Ethan Page. ‘The Cleaner’ was admitted to hospital immediately after the match and shared an update on his health condition.

It’s worth noting that Omega and Chris Jericho were set to compete in a tag team match at the AEW’s final pay-per-view of the year, AEW Worlds End. However, that match has been called off at the moment. 

As Omega is sidelined, a fan took to Twitter and opined that ‘The Demo God’ should take some time off and give the fans an opportunity to miss him.

Chris Jericho responds

The inaugural AEW World Champion had none of it and fired back at the fan. In a sarcastic response, Jericho made it clear that he will be present at AEW Dynamite this Wednesday.

“Great idea! See ya on Wednesday….”

Great idea! See ya on Wednesday…. https://t.co/5YpUawT5L8

— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) December 19, 2023

Chris Jericho is not only having a great time in AEW but he also has some outside projects. Most recently, it came to light that he will be reprising his role in the upcoming Terrifier 3. He had a cameo in Terrifier 2, and it has now been confirmed that he will make a comeback in the sequel of the movie.

Jericho was briefly featured in Terrifier 2 credits scene, which set up the next installment in the series. Terrifier 3 will hit the theaters on October 25, 2024.

All Elite Wrestling fans are looking forward to witnessing Sting’s last match of his legendary career. On November 29, it was announced that Sting’s retirement match would occur at AEW Revolution on March 3, 2024, at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex in Greensboro, NC. Although tickets went on sale to the general public on December 15, the event is doing very well. 

WrestleTix reported on December 17 that AEW Revolution has sold over 11,807 tickets and that the venue is set up for an attendance of 12,717. It’s reported that a little over 900 tickets are left, and on Ticketmaster, the lowest ticket price is currently $35. 

AEW Revolution
Sun • Mar 03, 2024 • 7:00 PM
Greensboro Coliseum Complex, Greensboro, NC

Available Tickets => 910
Current Setup => 12,717
Tickets Distributed => 11,807

+365 since yesterday's update. Continued movement for Sting's final match. Take note of the section that… pic.twitter.com/c9s21xDPCF

— WrestleTix (@WrestleTix) December 18, 2023

Although WrestleTix may have an estimated setup for the event, it is possible to open more seating. The Greensboro Coliseum Complex can hold over an attendance of 22,000.

The report shares that AEW has blocked off behind and the side of where the entrance will be set up. If more tickets are sold for the event, AEW could decide to make changes to accommodate more seating. It’s important to note that AEW hasn’t announced any matches for the show, except that Sting will have his final match. Despite not having an opponent yet, fans are very interested in being in attendance to see Sting compete in the legendary venue. 

The Importance Of Sting Finishing His Last Match At The Greensboro Coliseum

“The Icon” ending his career in the Greensboro Coliseum is fitting, as it was where he had his legendary match against Ric Flair. Sting faced “Nature Boy” to a time-limit draw at the NWA Clash Of The Champions on March 27, 1988. Although he lost, it was one of the highlight matches of Sting’s career.

Over 35 years later, Sting may have Flair in his corner to face an unknown opponent. AEW hasn’t shared who “The Icon” will challenge but is making a point to share that Sting has not been beaten since joining the company. 

Regardless of the opponent, AEW fans are showing their support for Sting and are looking forward to seeing him put the face paint on for the last time. 

AEW World Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman is a Hall of Famer at just 27 years old.  On Monday, Dec. 18, the wrestling champion best known as MJF was inducted into The National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, in Commack, New York at the Suffolk Y JCC. 

MJF’s Induction Speech for the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame

When accepting his induction, MJF spoke about his pride in his religion and the significance of being honored by the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. He encouraged children to chase after their dreams no matter what and to never listen to people who doubt them.

“I’m so proud to be a Jew. Growing up, there was not a lot of people to look up to, as far as it went to the professional wrestling landscape,” said MJF. 

He added that he did look up to the likes of Paul Heyman and Goldberg, who are also Jewish. However, he joked that Heyman wasn’t an athlete and the former WCW World Heavyweight Champion never discussed being Jewish on TV and just made “Growling noises.” 

He added, “…So it’s really important to me that there’s going to be a crop of kids that are going to have somebody that they get to look up to.”

Friedman joins his family member in the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, NFL player Benny Friedman.

MJF Year In Wrestling

It has been a memorable year for MJF, as he has held the AEW World Championship throughout 2023. He won the title by defeating Jon Moxley at AEW Full Gear on November 19, 2022. While fans weren’t sure what to expect from him as a champion, MJF has had one of the best reigns in the company’s history. 

He’s successfully defended the title in high-profile matches against Bryan Danielson, Adam Cole, and Kenny Omega. The AEW World Champion also had the honor of main eventing the company’s biggest event, AEW All In, on August 27 in a sold-out crowd in Wembley Stadium in London, England. 

MJF defends the AEW World Championship against Samoa Joe at AEW World’s End on December 30 from Long Island’s Nassau Coliseum.

The latest achievement of getting inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall Of Fame is another great highlight for MJF this year. 

CM Punk is full of ideas, but not all of those inspirations will see the light of day. It seems that the Second City Savior had a very interesting idea for Lio Rush while he was in AEW, one that would have seen a familiar face manage the former Cruiserweight Champion.

CM Punk’s Big Idea For Lio Rush In AEW

In an interview with MuscleManMalcolm, Lio Rush shared a CM Punk-related pitch that would have delighted many fans of Danielle Fishel and pro wrestling.

This idea would have seen the Boy Meets World star managing Lio Rush. Sadly, that idea never came to fruition. 

“I’ve got a story with CM Punk; I definitely have a story with CM Punk. I remember me and CM Punk doing like the beginning of the show when we first all came in the building. And I remember seeing him sitting in the bleachers, and I just walked over and introduced myself to him. Told him how much I looked up to him as, you know, as a kid. I didn’t want to make him feel old, but I told him that I looked up to him. That I appreciate his work and his time in WWE.”

“A couple of months later, probably about a month or two later, he ended up coming to me with an idea. I don’t even know if I should say this, but I’m just gonna say it anyway. I remember he came up with an idea where he wanted Danielle Fishel to come into AEW to be my manager because we had that mutual friend in Danielle. So, yeah, that was an idea that came up that he wanted to talk to me about that never really came to fruition. But yeah, that’s my CM Punk story. I’ve got a couple of more, but maybe I’ll save it for a book one day.”

Topanga did not make her AEW managerial debut alongside Lio Rush, but it was a good idea at the time. CM Punk and Lio Rush are both no longer with AEW, as they departed for their own controversial reasons.

Danielle Fishel is known for her pro wrestling fandom. She’s been spotted at plenty of pro wrestling events, and has also recently hung out with Trish Stratus and Mick Foley at a public appearance. Even though Tony Khan didn’t give Fishel her manager license that time around, we have to wonder if she’d be up to take on the challenge down the line.

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C0Zx4tGJJzThttps://www.instagram.com/p/p:C0XMu1xJ2ld

CJ Perry took her time getting to AEW after her WWE release. Some fans wondered if her debut for Tony Khan’s company would even happen at one point. Now that she is All Elite, it appears she is forced to take a break from action.

CJ Perry’s Infection Problem

Over the weekend, CJ Perry posted pictures on social media, revealing an unexpected health challenge. The photos documented a finger infection, leading to an unplanned visit to the emergency room.

#CMLL Please keep me in your prayers I’m at the ER @vphcares. The infection from my small finger has gone up my arm. I am so sorry I had to miss last night and @AEW tonight. I look forward to debuting in Mexico with @AndradeElIdolo. Good luck @ToBeMiro and my client… pic.twitter.com/UcFAg9WLU2

— CJ Perry (@TheCJPerry) December 17, 2023

CJ Perry openly discussed how the health issue affected her professional commitments, causing her to miss the AEW Collision episode on December 16th and the CMLL show on Friday, where Andrade El Idolo was scheduled to perform. The included caption explained the situation, highlighting the severity of the finger infection.

Things Got Worse For CJ Perry

Now, it appears that CJ Perry’s situation got worse. The former Lana updated fans to let them know that she will require surgery to fix her problem.

I have been in the ER and hospital for over 50 hours. The infection has gotten worse, and I’m going into surgery tonight. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I love you all

I have been in the ER and hospital for over 50 hours. The infection has gotten worse and I’m going into surgery tonight. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I love you all ?? pic.twitter.com/P5JdwfQqu2

— CJ Perry (@TheCJPerry) December 19, 2023

We’re sending our best to CJ Perry, from everyone here at SE Scoops. This is a trying situation, but hopefully, she is in good hands with medical professionals.

Apart from her duties with AEW, CJ Perry also operates a premium content Brand Army account. You can check out the link to that paywall site here.

Nyla Rose & Serpentico may not be champions in AEW, but the pair ‘accidentally’ captured gold at a recent independent event. 

Taking to Twitter, Rose shared that she had been ‘forced’ to team with Serpentico at last weekend’s Pandemonium: Pro Wrestling’s Holiday in LA event. Not only was she forced to team with the masked wrestler, but Rose and Serpentico ‘accidentally’ won the promotion’s Tag Team Championships. 

Hello @DarkSideOfRing boooooydo I have a story for yall!!!

Not only was I FORCED to tag with @KingSerpentico at @ProPandemonium

…. But we accidentally won the NEW tag team championships ???
When can we cover this please ??

— Rizzie McGuire? (@NylaRoseBeast) December 18, 2023

Serpentico shared a photo of himself and his unlikely tag team partner, questioning if they can coexist as a duo. 

CAN WE COEXIST?!

??? pic.twitter.com/DjL5qIS8bC

— Viper Perabo ???? (@KingSerpentico) December 18, 2023

Septentico was hardly thrilled with teaming up with Rose. In a separate tweet, he questioned why Rose was more interested with tweeting on her phone during their match rather than helping him out. 

WHY WERE YOU TWEETING DURING THE MATCH https://t.co/EzVTqLcuZs

— Viper Perabo ???? (@KingSerpentico) December 18, 2023

Nyla Rose & Serpentico

Rose and Serpentico have had a long-running feud that dates back to a segment in which Rose threw some burgers while Serpentico was hungry. Serpentico has even accused Rose of being part of a ‘conspiracy theory’ to keep him off of TV, claiming the former AEW Women’s World Champion is in the ear of Tony Khan. The pair often take shots at each other on Twitter, as seen in the posts below.

Things I hate:

Serpentico
Elden Ring
Cole slaw
wipes that just won’t end
when you gotta fart in the middle of getting it
Serpentico
Being rushed
Black licorice

— Rizzie McGuire? (@NylaRoseBeast) July 11, 2022

wore this the entire day at #AEWDynamite last week cause SNAKEMAN wanted everyone to know the truth pic.twitter.com/jtReWC6H8V

— Viper Perabo ???? (@KingSerpentico) July 3, 2022

Nyla Rose joined AEW in 2019. She is a former AEW Women’s World Champion and the first openly transgender World Champion of a major wrestling promotion. Serpentico debuted for AEW in March 2020. He won his first match for AEW in July of that year and made his AEW Dynamite debut that December in the Dynamite Diamond Ring Battle Royal. 

Bandido has had a challenging year, as his career is put on hold in All Elite Wrestling. He is currently dealing with a wrist injury. However, he has shared that he recently underwent another surgery. 

The AEW talent started dealing with visa issues this year, making him inactive for the company until the Spring. Bandido returned to the company on the April 26 episode of AEW Dynamite to take on Orange Cassidy for the AEW International Championship. 

The return made fans hope he would be a featured talent on the roster. Unfortunately, he broke his wrist on June 16 in a match against Konosuke Takeshita at AEW Rampage. He shared the news of his injury on Facebook and that he would need surgery.

The former Ring of Honor World Champion would have surgery on July 6 and was speculated to make his return to AEW in September. However, the wrist didn’t heal properly, and Bandido was forced to have his second surgery.

On December 16, Bandido shared on social media that the surgery was a success and thanked his supporters, notably AEW President Tony Khan. He didn’t share his timetable for a return to action, but he expressed gratitude for what Khan did for him.

“… A very special mention
@TonyKhan for all the attentions that he’ve had to me and my family THANK YOU VERY MUCH,” wrote Bandido.

2nd surgery was successfull In first place a wanna say thank you to God for always keep with me! To @AEW workers and fans!! who always support me!! and in a very special mention @TonyKhan for all the attentions that he’ve had to me and my family THANK YOU VERY MUCH pic.twitter.com/mC1knyAHJ9

— Bandido?? (@bandidowrestler) December 16, 2023

How Soon Can Bandido Make A Return To AEW?

It’s unclear when Bandido will start rehab, but he’s likely to want to ensure he can fully recover before wrestling again. 

The expectancy to recover from a broken wrist is estimated to be between 6-8 weeks after surgery, according to Angela M. Bell, MD, who shared her medical advice for Medical News Today. Bandido could start the rehab process soon and look to regain strength in his hand for the next two months. After dealing with two surgeries on his wrist, he may take his time coming back and possibly return by April. 

Regardless, Bandido is on the road to recovery and will likely want to be at 100 percent ready to make an impact in AEW next year. 

All Elite Wrestling superstar MJF is having the best year of his career. He started the year as the AEW World Champion and may potentially hold the title heading into 2024. MJF has also received acclaim for his matches against Bryan Danielson, Adam Cole, and Kenny Omega. 

While MJF has achieved accolades in wrestling, he will soon be honored by the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. 

The AEW World Champion shared on social media a poster announcing that he will be inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame on December 18. MJF is open about his religion and has also been referenced in AEW, notably the MJF Re-Bar Mitzvah segment. 

In the post on Twitter, MJF said that getting inducted was “An incredible honor.” The induction ceremony will occur at Suffolk YJCC in Commack, New York. It’s unclear if the event will be recorded or streamed live. However, the poster shared that fans can attend the ceremony. 

The event is interesting as MJF prepares for his upcoming title defense against Samoa Joe in a rematch at AEW Worlds Collide on December 30. 

When Will MJF’s Next Appearance Be On AEW TV?

MJF is currently dealing with several injuries heading into his match with Joe at AEW Worlds Collide. The champion hurt his hip during his title match against Jay White at AEW Full Gear on November 18. He also shared and deleted a post on Twitter on November 27 that he had a torn labrum in his left shoulder. 

His last appearance for the company was on the December 6 episode of AEW Dynamite. The company did an angle where he was taken out backstage by “The Devil.” Since his attack, he hasn’t been seen on TV. 

He is still slated to defend his title against Joe at the upcoming pay-per-view, but it’s unclear if he will appear ahead of the event. He’s currently not advertised for the December 20 episode of AEW Dynamite, but it’s possible that could change.

Although it’s unclear when he’ll appear for AEW, fans can see MJF get inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall Of Fame next week. 

AEW is missing several stars already, and they did not plan to have Kenny Omega out of action at all. The Cleaner’s sudden medical emergency will cost AEW another top star, during a time when they need that star power more than ever.

Kenny Omega received a diverticulitis diagnosis, affecting AEW’s plan for the World End 2023 pay-per-view scheduled on Saturday, December 30th, 2023, at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Long Island, New York. At this time, we do not know how Tony Khan will book around Omega’s medical situation. 

The Truth Behind Kenny Omega’s Recent Health Scare

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer spoke about Kenny Omega’s situation. Apparently, Omega thought that his diverticulitis was a hernia acting up again on him. Thankfully, he sought out medical assistance, because they discovered the root of his issues.

“I did not hear if he had surgery yet on it. But he was rushed to the hospital on Friday. He had been in a lot of pain, and he thought what happened was, as you probably all remember, that he had the hernia [in 2022] that was really, really bad, which caused him that long period off. And he had been hurting really, really bad. And he had presumed it was a hernia. He had had bloating, which he presumed was [another hernia], and he thought he may have messed up his diet somehow and was eating something wrong. He kept training on it, working on it. Did the match with Ethan Page [on last week’s Collision]. He was hurting really bad on Wednesday when he did the promo with Jericho [on Dynamite].”

“By that point, it was really bad. So he went to the hospital and found out he had diverticulitis. It was in a really bad situation. I mean, in the sense of, if he had not gone in another day or so, it could have been horrendous. He’s I guess he’s fine. I heard from him, and just kind of said that, like, he was in pain, had had trouble sleeping, but he just thought it was the hernia acting up again.”

“And once he found out it was and he said, [it] could have been really, really bad complications. I don’t know how long he’s going to be out, and I don’t think anyone does. It was a very, very serious situation by the time he got to the hospital,” Meltzer stated.

What’s Next For Kenny Omega in AEW?

The AEW World Tag Team Champions, Ricky Starks & Big Bill, were initially set to defend their titles against The Golden Jets at Worlds End. Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega’s team was just heating up, but now they are forced to take a break.

There is no return timetable for Kenny Omega right now. We’re sending out our best, so hopefully he can heal up fast and get back to the ring without any more complications.

SE Scoops will have continued coverage of Kenny Omega’s medical situation as more information is made available. 

Bryan Danielson may no longer be a WWE Superstar, but that didn’t stop him from using an old WWE catchphrase of his after this week’s AEW Collision. 

This week’s Collision saw the roster of AEW continue on the road to Worlds End, which will take place in Uniondale, New York on December 30. In the AEW Continental Classic, Claudio Castagnoli defeated Andrade El Idolo to earn three points. Eddie Kingston defeated Daniel Garcia to earn three points. Garcia is still competing but has already been statistically eliminated as he has yet to score a single point. 

Bryan Danielson After AEW Collision

In the main event of this week’s AEW Collision, Bryan Danielson defeated Brody King to earn three points in the Blue League. After the show, Danielson received a loud YES! chant from the crowd, and Bryan admitted he’s not allowed to do that anymore. Thinking better of it, Danielson decided to join in with the YES! chant and thanked the fans for coming out to the show.

After Collision ended, Garland started chanting YES! so Bryan Danielson said "what the hell, I'm not allowed but who's gonna stop me" and then did the YES! chant himself.

Best part? The camera crew actually recorded it. Haha, incredible. pic.twitter.com/XxrMrXXqUL

— Drainmaker ?? ? (@DrainBamager) December 17, 2023

This victory gives Danielson a total of nine points, putting him in joint first place in the Blue League, alongside Andrade El Idolo. In the Gold League, Jon Moxley is in first place with 12 points, while Swerve Strickland and Jay White currently have nine points. 

What’s Next? 

Next week will see the final points-based matches in the AEW Continental Classic. On December 27, AEW will host its Dynamite: New Year’s Smash event, in which the first and second place of each league will face off. The winners of those matches will face off at AEW World End to determine the first AEW Triple Crown Champion. 

Tony Khan has been at odds with WWE for years, but the AEW/ROH President believes standing against the Stamford promotion is worth the fight. 

It was in 2019 that Khan launched AEW, which has proven to be the most significant competition to WWE since the demise of WCW in 2001. In March of last year, Khan added Ring of Honor to his collection. It was reported at the time that WWE had its sights set on acquiring ROH as well, though reportedly only wanted the promotion for its media library. 

Tony Khan is Ready to Fight

Khan has been competing with WWE for some time now but is hardly the first figure to stand against Vince McMahon’s empire. Speaking on the post-ROH Final Battle media scrum, Khan addressed competing for the Sports Entertainment juggernaut. 

“It’s worth the fight, and I love the fight. I’m never gonna stop fighting. No matter what happens, no matter how things change. It’s the fight Jim Crockett fought, Verne Gagne, Ted Turner and so many other people that tried.”

Khan was happy to look at those who’ve competed against WWE in the past, while also noting how AEW is different. During the media scrum, Khan compared the success of AEW to that of WCW. 

”The numbers we’re doing for our tickets are not only comparable to what WCW was doing in the mid 90s, but in many cases better. So our numbers are better per show than in WCW 94 and right on 96 and 95.”

Khan’s next big show will come later this month with the first AEW Worlds End event. The show will take place on December 30 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. 

Tony Khan’s pro wrestling companies are nearing a contract renewal period for both AEW and ROH. Naturally, there are a lot of rumors about the subject, especially since WWE is reportedly walking to Warner Brothers Discovery as well.

CM Punk reportedly helped to facilitate discussions between WWE and Warner Bros Discovery for a potential deal involving Monday Night RAW. Speculation arose about the possibility of WWE RAW moving to TNT or TBS, while AEW might find a place on the Discovery Channel, or another platform entirely.

During a post-ROH Final Battle Media scrum, AEW President Tony Khan was questioned about the relationship between AEW and Warner Bros Discovery. Khan emphasized that AEW and Warner Bros Discovery maintain a strong and positive association.

”Ring of Honor, we haven’t had recently as many, but we’ve had really good conversations about AEW, even in recent days, I’ve had really good talks with Warner Brothers Discovery. We’ve been with them for several years, it’s a really exciting time for AEW.

We’re performing incredibly well for Warners Brothers Discovery and we’re a very strong relationship. With media rights and all the things coming up, everyone has to do their due diligence. It’s just part of the TV business. Where we stand, we stand in a position for AEW to have a huge growth year in 2024. There are a lot of really exciting things happening that I know Warner Brothers is excited about, that we’ve talked about.

It’s a great relationship and it’s going very very well for us and part of the TV business, for both sides, is doing their due diligence and that’s just a part of sports and television, really. Being part of the NFL and Premier League, I’ve seen that process play out with certainly different TV networks looking at different sports and the sports looking at different TV networks. I’ve been part of this multiple times in the NFL.”

What’s In The Future For Tony Khan’s Television Shows?

We will have to see what the future holds for Tony Khan’s companies. Nick Hausman previously reported that Tony Khan turned down talks for ROH to end up on The CW, because he wants to bring both AEW and ROH to the table as a package deal when the time comes to talk about new television contracts.

This is certainly an interesting situation, especially if WWE is in play right now. Tony Khan is not going to sell things, even if there are issues. At this time, it appears that things are going very well between WBD and Tony Khan, according to him.

2024 will be a very interesting year, especially with so much at stake when big television deals are on the table. Keep checking back with SE Scoops for more updates.

Kenny Omega and the rest of The Elite inked new deals with AEW just a few months ago. It appeared that Omega would be someone that Tony Khan could rely on, and he was getting consistent spotlights. Now, The Cleaner has pulled the plug on his own AEW run.

Kenny Omega’s Injury Announcement 

Former AEW World Champion Kenny Omega revealed on X that he is now out of action indefinitely. He revealed a photo of himself in a hospital bed as well, so it appears that he is being tended to.

Although Kenny Omega did not reveal the nature of his injury, it seems serious enough to pull him from action now. In his message, which he didn’t sugar coat in the slightest, Omega encouraged fans to watch wrestling until he returns.

I can’t really sugar coat this. I’m out indefinitely. I tried to keep pushing past the pain for as long as I could until it became too much. Luckily doctors caught me when they did. I’ll be here so in the mean time, please enjoy wrestling!

Kenny Omega’s absence from AEW will be a huge blow for them to take. At this point, The Cleaner was involved in a tag team program with Chris Jericho. Now, the Golden Jets will have to wait. 

I can’t really sugar coat this. I’m out indefinitely. I tried to keep pushing past the pain for as long as I could until it became too much. Luckily doctors caught me when they did. I’ll be here so in the mean time, please enjoy wrestling! pic.twitter.com/kn9ZKUgSls

— Kenny Omega (@KennyOmegamanX) December 15, 2023

What’s Next For AEW Without Kenny Omega

This announcement comes days after AEW added Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho vs Ricky Starks and Big Bill to the Worlds End card, where the AEW World Tag Team Titles will be on the line. This match will need to be changed now.

AEW has suffered many injuries, and big blows, to their roster over the last year. It appears that Tony Khan will have to figure out an alternate booking situation for one of the two matches he’s booked for Worlds End on December 30th so far. 

UPDATE: Reason For Kenny Omega’s AEW Absence

Sean Ross Sapp reported on X to say that Kenny Omega was suffering from an illness last week. It was not disclosed what he was dealing with, but he still pressed on and wrestled against Ethan Page. He was later diagnosed with diverticulitis. 

We’re told Kenny had been ill throughout the last week, even ahead of his match with Ethan Page. He still did the match and the promos, and sought medical attention after, where he was hospitalized and diagnosed with diverticulitis.

We're told Kenny had been ill throughout the last week, even ahead of his match with Ethan Page.

He still did the match and the promos, and sought medical attention after, where he was hospitalized and diagnosed with diverticulitis.

Get well soon to Kenny. https://t.co/CUEBOh7iso

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) December 15, 2023

Keep checking back with SE Scoops for more updates on Kenny Omega’s situation. 

MJF may be the top name in All Elite Wrestling, but the resident Scumbag of wrestling hasn’t forgotten where he came from. 

The reigning AEW World Champion began training to be a wrestler in 2014 as part of the Create A Pro Wrestling Academy run by Brian Myers and Pat Buck. This week, Create a Pro’s Wrestling promotion held its Frostbite 2 event. MJF decided to make a surprise appearance at the show and earned a thunderous response from the fans. MJF even got a cheer after simply saying “hello” to the crowd as seen in the clip below. 

SURPRISE @The_MJF #Frostbite2 pic.twitter.com/2oJSxU9rtb

— Create A Pro NY (@CreateAPro) December 15, 2023

After his time training with Create a Pro, MJF would compete for CZW and later make his name in MLW. He signed with AEW in 2019 and captured the AEW World Championship at Full Gear 2022. 

What’s Next for MJF? 

MJF will defend the AEW World Championship later this month at the first AEW Worlds End event. MJF will defend against Samoa Joe at the event, but will not be entering the match at 100%. Whether MJF retains the title at Worlds End or not, his tenure as an ROH World Tag Team Champion could come to an end soon. Tony Khan recently shared that he’s considered stripping MJF & Adam Cole of the titles. Due to Cole’s injury, Better Than You Bay Bay has only defended once as a team since winning the gold at AEW All In. 

Could MJF one day be known as a WWE Superstar? Cody Rhodes thinks it is certainly possible. Click here to find out more.