Archive for the ‘AEW’ Category

“I Couldn’t Breathe” – Colt Cabana Says He Nearly Died After AEW Dynamite Match

Colt Cabana’s return to AEW Dynamite was a heartwarming moment but nearly turned tragic after the bout.

Cabana returned to Dynamite on the November 2, episode to challenge Ring of Honor World Champion Chris Jericho in a losing effort.

The match marked Colt’s first televised AEW match in close to a year, as fans (and many in AEW) suspects that CM Punk pressured Tony Khan to remove Cabana from TV.

Compression Socks

With this being such an important match in his career, Cabana wanted to be at his best for the match, but problems arose before the match got started.

On his Art of Wrestling podcast, Colt explained how his usual wrestling socks went missing, and in a rush, he brought compression socks to wear for the match.

“I put on my compression socks, my kneepads, and my boots. And what I don’t realize is that I have essentially made a tourniquet in the bottom half of my body. Essentially what I did was restrict everything. I remember vividly thinking, ‘I can’t feel my legs. I guess it’s just the nerves.'”

Cabana added that with the compression socks, wrestling boots, and kneepads cutting off flow to his legs, he was dealing with high blood pressure and low oxygen for most of the match.

Backstage

Cabana would be unsuccessful in dethroning Jericho but was grateful that the match did not go any longer than it needed.

Speaking on the podcast, Cabana said that after the match, he felt his body go rigid and that at first, nobody knew what was going on.

“I could not move. And as I made my way back to the trainer’s room asking for electrolytes and the trainer being like, ‘We’re not sure what’s going on.’ And me just saying, ‘I gotta get this stuff off of me, I feel so compacted.’ And I ripped my singlet off and it still didn’t feel like enough. And I couldn’t breathe, I felt lightheaded, and I had a headache and my head was pounding.”

“I couldn’t breathe, I felt lightheaded, and I had a headache and my head was pounding.”

Colt Cabana.

Fixing Things

Nobody knew what exactly was going on with Cabana, and unable to move, Colt had to ask the trainers to remove his ring attire.

The ROH star admitted he felt like a “schmuck” for asking for help being undressed, and it was only thanks to a passing reference to the socks that AEW’s medical team learned what was wrong.

“I say, ‘You know, I bought these compression socks last night.’ And then the eyes of the trainers are just like, ‘What?’ As I was asked to lay back for the next two hours while ice was put all over my body, I was educated as to why you should not professionally wrestle in front of 10,000 people and almost a million people at home in compression socks.”

Cabana’s return on AEW Dynamite was meant to be a ‘morale booster’ to the locker room but has reportedly made things worse between Khan and CM Punk.

h/t – 411 Mania

Watch: AEW Star Unmasks on Rampage

Dark Order battled The Butcher, The Blade, and Rush in the main event of the Black Friday edition of AEW Rampage tonight.

John Silver and Alex Reynolds were interviewed by Mark Henry before the match and 10 was noticeably absent. Silver and Reynolds then made their way to the ring but 10 still had not shown up for the match yet.

The Butcher, The Blade, and Rush controlled the match early but the camera cut to the entrance ramp. Evil Uno and Brodie Lee Jr. were waving 10 down the ramp. 10 rushed to the ring but made a shocking decision once he arrived in the squared circle.

10 (Preston Vance) leveled John Silver with a Clothesline and Rush capitalized with a Dropkick for the pinfall victory.

After the match, 10 ripped away at Evil Uno’s mask before throwing his own mask down in front of Brodie Lee Jr. on the entrance ramp. An unmasked 10 then posed with La Faccion at the end of AEW Rampage.

10 took to Twitter after the Black Friday edition of Rampage went off the air and stated that hearts were meant to be broken.

Brodie Lee Jr.’s mother, Amanda Huber sent a message to 10 and said that he let his true family down.

Former TNT Champion Brodie Lee handpicked 10 to be in the Dark Order faction. Amanda said that he made the wrong choice, 10 disagreed and said it was time for him to step out on his own.

I know what I’ve done. I didn’t sell my soul. I decided for once to look out for myself. Now it’s time to be great and unleash the true potential he always saw in me. #StillHandpicked

Matt Hardy says WrestleCade match with Jeff Jarrett Might Get ‘Controversial’

Every Thanksgiving weekend, WrestleCade is held in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It brings together wrestlers and fans convention-style with a wrestling show to boot. A new match has been added to the card in a co-main event: Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Jarrett.

On last week’s episode of The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy, Hardy alluded to his relationship with Jarrett (Jarrett brought it up on his on podcast, My World, a few days prior because workers gonna work). It’s professional, but they don’t care for each other. On this week’s episode, Hardy opened up more about their relationship.

Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Jarrett Could be ‘Controversial’

48a8ddefc61912ec2ab7a9eb89d78040

Of their match this weekend, Hardy predicts that someone will get hurt. “I’ve got a feeling when it’s all said and done, either this match is going to turn out really bad and controversial — which people would probably like if that happened, especially if our wives are around. They’re both going to be there, which is scary in itself — or maybe there’s some way we come out of this with some new found respect. I don’t know what direction it’s going to go. The biggest thing I can say is this match is going to be a wild card. This incident happened seven years ago, but its been four or five years of not associating with each other at all.”

Alba asked Hardy if this could go from a match to a fight because of the underlying animosity. “It weighs heavy on my mind. I just honestly don’t know what’s going to happen when we get into that ring.”

History at WrestleCade

maxresdefault34

Hardy and Jarrett’s history at WrestleCade goes back to 2015. Hardy put the WrestleCade championship on the line and Double J had some help from EC3. A guitar shot split Hardy’s forehead open. Hardy talked about how it was supposed to be just a basic, straight up match. “It was really shocking that I ended up dropping the WrestleCade title to him. Maybe that could’ve been a case of him being a better politician than I was at that time.”

“The guitar shot ended up filleting my head, leaving me in the hospital late at night. Left my wife there as well. That was the real big issue that kind of drove a wedge between us. It really kickstarted the issues we have. That was the start of it. There wasn’t a lot of ‘I’m sorrys’ or apologies. We did business and he just fucked off. And then I ended up going to the hospital to get my head stitched up. WrestleCade helped out and took care of me a little bit.”

“The fact that he split me open on this errant guitar shot, y’know it kind of ruins my night. Ruins my wife’s night as well. And there was very little remorse. There was no real sorrow over it. No apology. It’s like he didn’t give a shit. ‘I just split this guy’s head open. Fuck ’em. I hope I ended his career’ as he said on his podcast. And I almost felt like that was his mentality when that was going down.”

This incident caused him to lose all respect for Jarrett. Hardy does wonder if it was “a receipt for not going to TNA” and going back to WWE.

The match will be live-streamed on Title Match Network this Saturday. Jon Alba, Kevin Gill, and Veda Scott will be on commentary.

Dante Martin Injury Scare Update: “Doing Fine” After Close Call

AEW star Dante Martin is said to be “doing fine” after an injury scare at Wednesday’s AEW Rampage tapings. The 21-year-old high-flying phenom wrestles a high-risk style, but that comes at a steep price.

During a backstage segment on Dynamite, Top Flight challenged Ring of Honor tag team champions FTR to a match on this week’s Rampage, which was taped after Dynamite went off the air.

As seen below, fans on social media became concerned when fans in attendance noted that Martin was hurt during the contest.

https://twitter.com/TranquiloSZN/status/1595624999360004096

High Risk, High Reward

Top Flight has dealt with a slew of injuries since arriving in All Elite Wrestling. They’re looking to re-establish themselves as contenders for the AEW World tag team championships, so another injury is the last thing they need.

Speaking of the AEW tag titles, Anthony Bowens of The Acclaimed has provided an update on Martin’s status. On Thanksgiving, Bowens posted a photo of The Acclaimed and Top Flight with the caption, “Happy Thanksgiving from the House of Half Black.”

Twitter user @FrozennAngell replied to the photo and asked Bowens about Martin’s health. Thankfully, he had good news to share.

Catch Top Flight vs. FTR on this week’s AEW Rampage, which airs at a special start time of 4pm EST on Friday afternoon. “Uncle” Dax Harwood of FTR is excited for fans to see this first meeting of the two teams.

AEW Has Unofficial Time Limit For Interim Champions Vs. Vacating Titles (Report)

How long can a champion be a champion if they don’t defend their championship?

This year has seen AEW plagued with several prominent injuries, including to two of the promotion’s champions.

In June, then-AEW World Champion CM Punk announced his injury, and an Interim AEW World Championship was later won by Jon Moxley.

In September, then-AEW Women’s World Champion Thunder Rosa announced her injury, and the Interim AEW Women’s World title was won by Toni Storm.

Time Limit

During last night’s AEW Dynamite, it was announced that Thunder Rosa had agreed to relinquish her AEW Women’s World Championship.

This makes Jamie Hayter (who dethroned Storm at Ful Gear) the Undisputed AEW Women’s World Champion, despite Punk never vacating his title.

On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer explained the unofficial time frame to determine when a title will be vacated, or when an interim champion will be crowned.

“I think that’s kind of unofficially the mentality that if it’s a few months we’ll do the interim title, if it’s like six months, it’s too long.”

Dave Meltzer.

Storm’s Official Reign

It was at All Out that Toni Storm captured the Interim AEW Women’s World Champion, but the records have now been changed.

During Dynamite, it was confirmed by commentary that with Rosa vacating the title, that has retroactively altered Storm’s reign.

Now, Toni Storm is recognized as an official AEW Women’s World Champion and not an interim holder of the title.

With Storm’s official reign beginning at All Out, it is unclear if the September event is recognized as when Rosa’s reign ended, or if it officially ended this week.

Saraya Hid in a Closet Backstage Ahead of AEW Debut

AEW’s Saraya went to drastic measures to ensure her debut for the promotion would not be leaked online.

The British wrestler made her debut for AEW at the Grand Slam: Dynamite in September of this year, mere months after her contract with WWE expired.

At Full Gear, Saraya, now medically cleared, had her first match in five years, defeating Britt Baker.

Hiding

Saraya’s debut came as a shock to fans, as there had been no leaks or even reports that she was considering joining the promotion.

Speaking on the latest AEW Unrestricted, the former Paige recalled making sure that nobody would find out, saying she had to hide in a tech closet to avoid being seen.

“There was no toilet in there. There was no AC in there. There’s no mirrors. I was just like sweating, but I was like, ‘This is gonna be so worth it!’”

Saraya.

It has since been reported that WWE’s new regime did make an attempt to bring her back, even offering her the chance to wrestle again.

Working with Renee

Part of Saraya’s decision to join AEW stemmed from being able to work with her former colleagues again, as AEW is home to several ex-WWE talent.

During her tenure on WWE Backstage, the former Divas Champion worked with Renee Paquette, who joined AEW last month.

Speaking about the Canadian broadcaster, Saraya expressed her excitement to work with Paquette again.

“We’re all like bouncing ideas off each other, and she comes up with such good lines for my promo and for backstages. It’s like a whole unit.”

Saraya.

Like Saraya, WWE made an attempt to rehire Paquette under the new regime, the broadcaster has confirmed.

Those Close to CM Punk Were “Not Happy” With References on AEW Dynamite (Report)

CM Punk didn’t appear on this week’s AEW Dynamite, but his presence was certainly felt on Tony Khan’s latest episode on TBS.

Punk has been missing from AEW programming since All Out, due to the backstage fight that took place after the September Pay-Per-View.

With the third-party investigation into the matter concluded, the Elite have been brought back to TV, but it is believed that Punk’s days with AEW are coming to an end.

Dynamite

This week’s AEW Dynamite saw the Elite face AEW Trios Champions Death Triangle in the second match of their best-of-seven series.

Throughout the match, the Elite made reference to Punk and what happened at All Out.

At one point, Kenny Omega bit Pac’s arm, referencing Punk’s trainer Ace Steel biting his arm during the All Out brawl.

Later in the match, Omega would also use the GTS, while Matt Jackson would deliberately fail to hit a Buckshot Lariat, a move Punk messed up during his All Out bout with Jon Moxley.

The Death Triangle would win on Dynamite, going 2-0 in the best-of-seven series.

The Response

The Elite made plenty of references to Punk, despite Kenny Omega’s recent comments that people should move on from All Out.

Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said these digs did not go unnoticed by Punk’s camp.

“Man, I know that there are people close to cm punk. Boy were they not happy with that six-man tag.”

Dave Meltzer.

Punk has not publicly commented on this week’s AEW Dynamite at this time.

It has been reported that many in AEW have refused to work with the former World Champion again if he is brought back.

Ex-WWE Writer Calls AEW’s Jade Cargill a “Unicorn” of Pro-Wrestling

AEW TBS Champion Jade Cargill is a wrestler unlike any other in the industry today, according to ex-WWE writer Freddie Prinze Jr.

Cargill, who previously tried out for WWE, joined AEW in November 2020 and had her debut match in March 2021.

Teaming with Shaquille O’Neal to defeat Cody Rhodes and Red Velvet in her debut, Cargill remains unpinned and unsubmitted in AEW.

The Loss

In January of this year, Cargill added another impressive accolade to her young career, capturing the AEW TBS Championship.

At Full Gear, Cargill retained against Nyla Rose, and regained the championship title that Rose had stolen weeks earlier.

Speaking about Cargill on the latest episode of Wrestling with Freddie, the actor/wrestling pundit spoke about when Cargill’s first loss should happen.

“I really hope they give her a meaningful storyline, and I guess maybe, you save it until she loses [the AEW TBS Title.] And then it’s sort of her story of redemption. Maybe that’s what they’re waiting on.”

The Unicorn

Prinze is a big fan of Cargill but is not a big fan of the booking she has received in AEW.

Recently, the ex-WWE writer called her angle with Rose AEW’s “most ridiculous storyline” and is glad it has ended.

Speaking about the booking of the AEW TBS Champion, Prinze argued that Jade needs to be treated differently given how she is different from others on the roster.

Maybe some of y’all have enjoyed the storylines for her. But I just think when you have a unicorn you have to treat that beast differently than any other.

“Lions and tigers and bears are cool, but a Unicorn, a Minotaur, a Cerberus. They’re magic, and they’re treated that way in the stories I read as a kid. And that’s what Jade is, she’s a Unicorn.”

“When you have a unicorn you have to treat that beast differently than any other.”

Freddie Prinze Jr. on Jade Cargill.

Cargill and the Baddies have recently been at odds with rapper Bow Wow, with some expecting a match between the two down the line.

“F*** CM Punk! F*** The Elite!” Chicago Crowd Picks Sides On AEW Dynamite

This week’s AEW Dynamite may have been in CM Punk’s hometown of Chicago, Illinois, but not everyone in the Windy City is a fan of the former World Champion.

Punk hasn’t appeared for AEW since All Out, and was suspended after the show for his role in the backstage fight.

With the investigation into the matter concluded, it is believed that Punk’s time with the company is finished, with reports that AEW are seeking to buy out his contract.

Dynamite Chants

Even before this week’s Dynamite began, the Elite were expecting a feisty crowd, as the Young Bucks’ Twitter profile reflected.

Sure enough, the crowd was full of chants during the Elite’s match with AEW Trios Champions Death Triangles, as chants of “F*** The Elite!” were heard when Omega and the Bucks were on offense.

Some in Chicago did give a “F*** CM Punk” chant, and the suspended two-time former AEW World Champion was not on Dynamite.

Riling up the Crowd

Kenny Omega recently stated that he wants everyone to move on from All Out, but the actions during last night’s match tell another story.

During the match, Omega bit Pac on the arm, parodying Ace Steel biting him during the backstage brawl from the September Pay-Per-View.

Later in the match, Omega would also use the GTS, while Matt Jackson would deliberately fail to hit a Buckshot Lariat, a move Punk also messed up.

Despite this, the Death Triangle would win the match, going 2-0 in their best-of-seven series with The Elite.

Thunder Rosa Relinquishes AEW Women’s Championship, Jamie Hayter Named Champion on Dynamite

Jamie Hayter defeated Toni Storm at AEW Full Gear to become the new AEW Interim Women’s Champion.

Tonight on Dynamite, Renee Paquette interviewed Jamie Hayter before a Triple Threat Tag Team match. Renee announced that the Interim label is now more and Jamie is officially now the AEW Women’s Champion.

“AEW and Thunder Rosa have reached a mutual agreement, AEW management has been forced to ask Thunder Rosa to relinquish the AEW Women’s Championship. Thunder Rosa was a fighting champion for AEW, she’s willing to step aside and forfeit the title for the benefit of AEW. But more specifically for the benefit of all of the women in AEW.”

Former AEW Women’s Champion Thunder Rosa was scheduled to defend the title against Toni Storm at the now infamous All Out PPV but pulled out of the match due to injury.

She made the announcement on the Dynamite before All Out in a very brief backstage segment. After it was announced that she will be relinquishing the title, Thunder Rosa took to Twitter to comment on the matter.

Thank you #ThunderArmy for all the support and @aew for being there for me. Dream-like moments happened in this run, and this is not how I wanted to lose the championship, but you deserve a present champion; on to the next chapter.

Several AEW stars have commented on Thunder Rosa not being on television lately while recovering from a back injury. Thunder Rosa recently said on Busted Open Radio that Toni Storm, Britt Baker, and others can complain to those in charge backstage and she should be back in January.

They haven’t given me a time yet when I’m coming back. I’m saying it’s January, and I hope it is January.

Again, if Toni Storm disagrees with what’s decided in the back, that’s not my problem. That is not my problem, Toni.

If you have something to ask, you can go on my YouTube and watch my YouTube videos I have posted every time I’m in a doctor’s office, showing you and explaining what’s going on with me

MJF’s First Title Defense Set for AEW Dynamite: Winter is Coming

MJF’s first title defense is set for AEW Dynamite: Winter is coming next month.

Ricky Starks and Ethan Page battled tonight on Dynamite in the finals of the World Title Eliminator Tournament.

The finals were originally supposed to take place at Full Gear but the match was pushed back due to an injury to Ricky Starks. Ricky defeated Brian Cage in the semifinals of the tournament during the Zero Hour kickoff show at AEW Full Gear.

  • 11 Best Moments from AEW Full Gear 2022

Starks entered the match against Ethan Page tonight with his ribs heavily taped but still wanted to compete. Stokely Hathaway was ringside for the match but the referee kicked him out after he pulled Ethan out of the way of a dive through the ropes from Starks.

Ricky connected with three Spears during the match and the third one kept Ethan Page down for a three count. Starks has now earned a shot at the AEW World Championship at Dynamite: Winter is Coming on December 14th.

  • 5 Best Opponents for AEW World Champion MJF

Jon Moxley Confronted William Regal

William Regal betrayed Jon Moxley in the main event of AEW Full Gear 2022. Regal slid the brass knuckles to MJF and he bashed Jon in the head with them to capture the AEW World Championship. Regal announced that MJF will not be at tonight’s Dynamite because he’s filming a movie.

Jon Moxley interrupted and was about to attack Regal but Danielson stopped him. Moxley told Regal to run away and never come back. William exited the ring as Jon was irate to end the segment.

VIDEO: Jon Moxley “Scar’s” William Regal on AEW Dynamite

No, that’s not a typo. Jon Moxley literally channeled his inner Scar on AEW Dynamite after a tense conversation with his former mentor, William Regal.

giphy

Of course, Mox had good reason to be angry with the man’s man. William Regal did, after all, cost Mox the AEW Championship at AEW Full Gear.

So it stands to reason that Mox had a bone to pick with his former Blackpool Combat Club compatriot.

(Sidenote: Are they gonna keep calling themselves that now that nobody in the group is actually, like, from Blackpool? )

Regal opened AEW Dynamite and many thought he would explain his actions. He never did, however. And shortly after disappointing the crowd by telling them MJF would not be in attendance, ‘Wild Thing’ hit and the former champ made his way to the ring.

Mox was seething, but before he could tear into Regal, both verbally and physically, Bryan Danielson of all people came out to make the save.

Danielson plead with Mox not to hurt Regal, even referencing both Regal and Mox’s substance abuse issues, comparing them to the issues that Danielson’s father faced.

Danielson slapped Mox as well, and maybe it knocked a bit of sense, or at least compassion, into the man because Moxley gave Regal a choice, one that he literally couldn’t refuse.

“Lordship, I only want one thing from you,” Moxley told his former mentor. “I want you to run. Run far away. As far away as you can. And you never, ever come back. Right now. Walk. And keep on walking.”

And, with that final warning, Regal did just that.

William Regal NXT
NXT General Manager William Regal

Did William Regal ‘Run’ Out of AEW

Is he walking out of AEW? It’s possible. Rumors have suggested that, with his son wrestling on NXT (and, to a lesser extent, the debut of WARGAMES on the main WWE stage), Regal could be returning to WWE. This would certainly be a fitting, and poetic, way to write Regal off television.

He left as a villain. What more we could ask for?

AEW stars make their return on Dynamite

After Orange Cassidy successfully defended the All-Atlantic Championship against Jake Hager, the lights went out. Instead of being Very Evil Danhausen, the lights came up to reveal Julia Hart surrounded by smoke and red lights.

The camera cut back to the ring to show House of Black take out Best Friends, Rocky Romero, and Cassidy. The Factory was happy to see this until they got attacked too. Security attempted to stop them to no avail. Malakai Black told the members of the House of Black to please rise.

House of Black Members Took Time Off

House of Black

Back in September, Malakai Black took time away from AEW. Due to a reported non-compete clause, fans speculated he was trying to go back to WWE. Black broke his silence to say he wasn’t leaving and just taking time off.

Shortly after, Buddy Matthews also stepped away from AEW to “recalibrate”. Brody King and Julia Hart confirmed that they were still in AEW, but weren’t used as much. During Full Gear, a vignette was shown of House of Black hinting at their return.

AEW World Champion MJF Takes Shot At Conor McGregor Before Dynamite

AEW Dynamite airs in just a few minutes but MJF has already made some news before the show.

Maxwell captured the AEW World Championship in the main event of AEW Full Gear 2022. The PPV aired live from the Prudential Center in New Jersey this past Saturday night.

Jon Moxley appeared to have the match in control but everything changed when William Regal showed up ringside.

MJF pulled out the Dynamite Diamond Ring he had previously vowed not to use as a weapon in the match but Regal scolded for it. The 26-year-old threw the ring to the outside but then the Gentleman Villain made a shocking decision.

Regal betrayed Jon Moxley and turned his back on the Blackpool Combat Club. He slid the brass knuckles into the ring and MJF used them to bash Moxley over the head to become the new AEW World Champion.

MJF Responds to Conor McGregor

MJF has traded some trash talk with Paddy Pimblett and now has responded to UFC legend Conor McGregor. The AEW World Champion referred to Pimblett as a “dollar store Conor McGregor”.

Conor took to Twitter and said that Paddy is still worth millions and he doesn’t know who MJF is.

A dollar store Conor is still worth millions! Let’s go young Paddy Pimb! Don’t know who this other clown is.

MJF responded and vowed to f*ck Paddy up and do the same to McGregor. Maxwell referred to Conor as a “roided leprechaun” in the Tweet.

I’ll f*ck the Conor clone up. Then I’ll wipe my ass with the original. Stay in your lane you roided up leprechaun. You can’t hang with the@AEW World Champion. #Betterthanyou

“Let It Go” – Kenny Omega’s Message to Fans About AEW’s All Out Brawl

Kenny Omega asked fans to “let go” of the issue involving CM Punk in his first interview since returning to AEW television as The Elite had been suspended following the events of All Out in September.

Punk ripped The Elite, Colt Cabana, and Hangman Page at the All Out media scrum before a brawl broke out that also involved Ace Steel, who has since been fired by AEW. 

Omega spoke with Justin Barrasso of SI.com days after Full Gear, where The Elite returned and acknowledged that they are not able to disclose additional information about the incident. 

Moving On

Nearly 3 months after All Out, Omega says there will be aspects of the backstage altercation that the involved parties will never be able to address publicly. He wants fans to move on and focus on the pro wrestling stories they’ll be telling in the ring.

“There are things no one can talk about, so I’d encourage people to let it go.”

– Kenny Omega

He added, “I encourage people to move away from it because there is no information to be released. Though I cannot talk about it, I do want the fans to know I still want the best for pro wrestling.”

After CM Punk’s press conference, Omega and The Young Bucks went to Punk’s locker room, where an altercation went down. Punk’s future with the company is up in the air although he is reportedly in talks with the promotion about buying out his deal. 

“This isn’t Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks against CM Punk. It is people trying to show off their craft. You can boo Kenny Omega, or the Young Bucks, or CM Punk, but I hope people don’t forget we’re human beings struggling to show our art.”

Visit Sports Illustrated to read their full interview with Kenny Omega.

Omega and the Young Bucks (The Elite) are currently involved in a Best of 7 series with AEW World Trios Champions, Death Triangle. PAC and the Lucha Bros. won the first match at Full Gear last weekend. They lead the series 1-0, with the second match scheduled for tonight’s Dynamite from Chicago, IL.

Darby Allin Added to The Great Muta’s Retirement Match

Darby Allin is heading to Japan to take part in The Great Muta’s retirement match.

On Wednesday, Pro Wrestling NOAH confirmed that Muta will team with Sting & Allin in his retirement match on Sunday, January 22, 2023, although their opponents have yet to be announced.

“Great Muta Final Bye Bye” is the name of Muta’s retirement show that is being held at the Yokohama Arena and will air live via Wrestle Universe and Fite TV.

The match will be Keiji Muto’s final bout as the Great Muta character as Muto will have his last match at the Tokyo Dome on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.

The Dream Team

Darby Allin
(via AEW)

Sting previously told Sports Illustrated that he was trying to get Allin to come with him for Muta’s final match after Muta appeared on an episode of AEW Rampage this past September by helping to save Sting & Allin during a tag team match against The House of Black’s Brody King & Buddy Matthews.

Muta will wrestle WWE star Shinsuke Nakamura at NOAH’s The New Year 2023 on Sunday, January 1, 2023. 

This past Saturday night at AEW Full Gear pay-per-view event, Allin and Sting beat Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal in a tag team match. 

NJPW, WWE, AEW & Stardom Talent to Compete at Wrestle Kingdom in 17 (Report)

Talent from four of the biggest promotions in the world will come together for Wrestle Kingdom.

The show, scheduled for January 4, 2023, will be the seventeenth Wrestle Kingdom event, New Japan’s biggest annual event.

Next year’s show will mark the first time since 2019 that Wrestle Kingdom will take place on one day.

Karl Anderson

Earlier this week, it was reported that WWE Raw Superstar Karl Anderson will defend his NJPW Never Openweight Championship at the World Tag League/Super Junior Tag League finals on Wednesday, December 14.

Anderson was previously scheduled to defend his title at NJPW Battle Autumn but instead competed at WWE Crown Jewel, which took place the same day.

In an update from Fightful Select, it is reported that NJPW and WWE have agreed that next month won’t be Anderson’s last match in Japan, and that he will work the Tokyo Dome.

Sources who spoke to Fightful said Gallows and Anderson have “always been penciled in” to compete at Wrestle Kingdom, despite reports of tension.

Gallows and Anderson had committed to working these dates for New Japan before their WWE returns in October and before leaving Impact Wrestling in August.

The Four

Having (at least) two WWE Superstars compete at Wrestle Kingdom is a huge deal, but just part of a stacked show.

Of course, New Japan’s own talent will be competing at the show, but so will names from AEW and Stardom.

AEW’s Kenny Omega will challenge IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay.

KAIRI, who recently became the first IWGP Women’s Champion, will defend her title against fellow STARDOM wrestler Tam Nakano.

Marina Shafir Wants the AEW Women to Get a ‘Real Opportunity’

On the latest episode of “The Sessions with Renee Paquette”, Marina Shafir discussed coming from MMA to professional wrestling, her time in NXT AEW.

For months, Shafir has been paired with the Vicious Vixens, Nyla Rose and Vickie Guerrero. She has wrestled mostly on Elevation and Dark. A couple months ago, “The Problem” was given the opportunity to cut her first promo in AEW. It was all over the place and didn’t flow. It didn’t go over well with the audience at all.

Shafir talks about her struggles of the last few months and says she hasn’t been happy. Her moment at Bloodsport meant a lot to her and she wants to get back to that feeling. “I know there’s more to me and I’m not doing myself any service and like the reason I had that (Bloodsport) is because I was so happy. I was happy at home, I was happy with myself. I know I worked hard. I had nothing to fucking lose. I refuse to sell out. I refuse to fucking give somebody something I know I don’t have. Humble me, like I’m ready like, just– that’s the only way you’re going to get that respect, right?”

Marina Shafir Wants ‘Real Opportunities’ for the Women

marina shafir 2

“When I approach this stuff, I really want to work with people really bad. I don’t want to work with Serena easy. Mercedes easy. Athena — holy shit — we’d beat the shit out of each other. Fuck, like give me Britt. Give me Jamie. Give me — no fuck that, give me Kiera, give me Diamante. Give me all the girls that are like are also in that bubble who want to like, break that ceiling. I want all those girls because everyone has something to offer, not just one fucking person. And I want for the women, I feel like once we get back to understanding how to like seriously lean on each other and how to trust, it’s going to be what it is.”

Paquette points out that there’s only so much TV time and people are stuck in a rock and a hard place. Shafir replied, “that’s fine. Give us a real opportunity. I used to say this shit all the time when we used to have these locker room meetings (in NXT)…I had only been in the business six months. If they had tomatoes and eggs, they would’ve thrown that shit at me. (…) I said ‘we are not each other’s competition, we are not trying to fucking kill each other. We are in competition with that locker room over there. And you know who’s in that fucking locker room? My husband. But, you know what? Fuck ’em. I want to be in the spot that he’s in. And I’m after his ass.”

Shafir ends with, “I only worked my ass off in pure marital arts. I didn’t go to a fucking professional wrestling seminar. Sorry. I’m so sorry. I will. Send me to one, send me to 50. I would love to. But, I’m sorry your feelings are hurt because I didn’t do what you had to do.”

Toni Storm Injured at AEW Full Gear

Toni Storm suffered an injury when she dropped the AEW Interim Women’s World Championship to Jamie Hayter at this past Saturday’s AEW Full Gear pay-per-view event.

During the bout, Storm was hit in the face with an elbow that busted open her nose and she was bleeding. AEW kept Storm strong in the finish as there was outside interference by former AEW Women’s Champion Britt Baker. 

The Injury

Collage Maker 02 Aug 2022 11.53 AM
Fitness Gurls

In the end, the finish saw Hayter send Storm into an exposed turnbuckle and hit her finisher for the win. As seen below, Storm shared a photo on her Instagram Stories of her broken nose: 

https://twitter.com/deadpoolburner0/status/1595101431329357824

Storm won the Interim Women’s Title at All Out by beating Hayter, Britt Baker, and Hikaru Shida in a fatal 4-way bout. All Out was originally slated to feature Storm challenging Women’s Champion Thunder Rosa. However, Rosa is currently on the sidelines with a back injury. 

Throughout her reign as the Interim Champion, she had publicly talked about Rosa being on the sidelines and AEW President Tony Khan not stripping her of the championship. Tony Khan did the same with CM Punk, who was injured in his first reign as the World Heavyweight Champion as the AEW President doesn’t like the idea of stripping a champion. 

MJF Challenges UFC Star to Show Up at an AEW Event

MJF has became one of the hottest acts in All Elite Wrestling this year after going public about his unhappiness regarding his contract status with the promotion earlier this year. 

MJF has been a top heel for the promotion since signing with AEW in 2019 and wrestled some of AEW’s biggest stars, such as Chris Jericho, Jon Moxley, and Cody Rhodes.

MJF has expanded his friends circle to the MMA world. He recently traded words with UFC fighter Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett.

The Exchange

MJF on AEW Dynamite

The exchange led to Pimblett challenging him when AEW goes to England next year for a Dynamite event. MJF claimed that Paddy’s, “dollar store Conor McGregor talking, Will from Stranger Things looking’ ass would not last two seconds in the squared circle. 

MJF wrote, “Unlike you I’m 100% natural and I’m also 100% original. Unlike you. You’re dollar store Connor McGregor talking, Will from strangers things looking ass wouldn’t last two seconds in my world. #Betterthanyou See you in London.”

MJF is coming off one of the biggest wins of his career as he defeated Jon Moxley to win his first-ever AEW World Championship in the main event of the Full Gear pay-per-view event. 

The fallout from MJF’s title win, William Regal turning on Moxley to aid MJF to secure the championship victory, and more will take place this Wednesday night on Dynamite. 

“Egos” – Marina Shafir on Why Four Horsewoman Dream Match Never Happened

The “egos” of certain Superstars in WWE squandered the much-anticipated dream match between WWE’s Four Horsewomen and the Four Horsewomen in MMA.

In May 2018, Marina Shafir signed with WWE, alongside fellow MMA alum Jessamyn Duke.

Aiding Shayna Baszler in NXT, the trio was considered part of the Four Horsewomen of MMA, alongside Ronda Rousey.

Egos

For years, WWE fans hoped on an eight-woman tag match, which would have pitted the Four Horsewomen of MMA against Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks, Charlotte Flair, and Bayley.

Of course, the match never happened, and on the latest episode of The Sessions, Shafir gave her reason why.

“Egos were at play. I’ve learned that there are too many f***ing cooks in the kitchen sometimes. In more ways than one.”

Shafir didn’t name which Superstar had an ego that stopped the match happening, but didn’t hold back when addressing WWE’s Four Horsewomen of wrestling.

“I just feel like professional wrestling was a little more exclusive back in the day. It wasn’t about politicking. It was really just about showing respect and not kissing ass.”

Transition

Before coming to WWE, Shafir made her name in MMA, and formerly competed for Invicta Fighting Championships in the women’s featherweight division.

Shafir’s last fight would come in 2015, three years before signing with WWE, and the Moldovan wrestler had an interesting analogy for knowing she needed to fight again.

“You know that feeling when you need to go pee? I felt like I needed to f***ing pee but I couldn’t go. It just felt like I had this internal pressure to go [and wrestle] and I couldn’t do it.”

Shafir would only have six sanctioned matches for WWE before her release in the summer of last year.

Release

Shafir hadn’t competed on WWE programming in close to half a year by the time of her release, but this was something the wrestler was trying to change.

On the show, Shafir said that she was constantly trying to prove herself to WWE, which proved to be difficult given she wasn’t being booked.

“I was in the best shape of my life [when I got released.] And it threw me through a loop, because I consistently asked for more pressure… Just use me. There was something going on with Jess and Shayna was doing her own thing. Use me. Give me that experience, I’m not afraid of failure.

“You see the great ones. They’ve been put in those positions for a reason, because they have failed, and they then learned.”

Bad First Start

For many WWE Superstars, their early days with WWE will see them get endorsed by Triple H, who has shaken hands with countless wrestlers to welcome them to the company.

Shafir never got such a photo, which remains a sticking point for the Moldovan fighter all these years later.

“I felt like I never got a proper introduction. I can f***ing talk about this now. You know the photos, when you get signed to NXT with Triple H and he’s shaking the hand? I never got that photo. And that just sat with me. I wanted that f***ing photo. It meant a lot to me.”

“I wanted that f***ing photo. It meant a lot to me.”

Marina Shafir on not getting the WWE welcome photo with Triple H.

Since her release, Shafir has since joined AEW, where she has challenged for both the Women’s World title and TBS title, but won neither championship.

New Trademark Filings Reveal Future Plans for Chris Jericho

New trademark filings by Chris Jericho provide an inside look at what to expect from AEW’s most reinventive performer.

Last week (November 16), Chris Irvine, Inc filed three new trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. According to the USPTO database, Jericho and attorney Michael Dockins applied to trademark the names:

  • Christory
  • This Day in Christory
  • Seltzer Man

Christory in the Making

The ‘Goods and Services’ usage descriptions for these new trademarks include:

  • Entertainment services, namely, continuing video programs featuring professional wrestling, music, and popular culture accessible by means of computer networks, websites, video, web-based applications, and mobile phone applications
  • Entertainment services, namely, continuing video programs featuring professional wrestling, music, and popular culture distributed via various platforms across multiple forms of transmission media
  • Conducting of entertainment events in the nature of live stage shows discussing professional wrestling, music, and popular culture; Entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests; Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer
  • Entertainment services, namely, live appearances by a a professional wrestler and sports entertainer

Chris Irvine, Inc. holds trademarks to dozens of names and terms used by Jericho, including Chris Jericho, A Little Bit of the Bubbly, The Painmaker, The Ocho, The Wizard, Jericho Appreciation Society, Sports Entertainer, Million Viewer Man, Corazon De Leon and Mimosa Mayhem.

Expect to see “Seltzer Man” and “This Day in Christory” on AEW programming some time in the near future.

AEW Roster Don’t Buy Tony Khan’s Recent Claim About CM Punk (Report)

AEW President Tony Khan is adamant that CM Punk did not force or pressure him to remove Colt From AEW TV, but the wrestlers aren’t buying it.

After Punk’s arrival to the promotion in August 2021, Cabana, once Punk’s best friend, stopped appearing on Dynamite and Rampage.

Earlier this month, Cabana had his first AEW TV match in close to a year, unsuccessfully challenging Ring of Honor World Champion Chris Jericho.

Doubt

Given that Cabana’s return came amid reports that AEW will release Punk, it’s not surprising that many believe he only vanished from TV because of Punk.

Speaking at the Full Gear media scrum, Khan denied that Punk requested Cabana’s removal, saying he “never asked for that.”

Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio Dave Meltzer said that many in AEW are skeptical of Khan’s claim.

“CM Punk is, and he’s always been, very adamant that he had nothing to do with it. Tony said that Punk has had nothing to do with it… that story is not going to change publicly one way or the other.

“The skepticism, and it’s vehement from a lot of people, as far as the skepticism of that story. So it’s not like that thing has been settled in the eyes of, I can’t say all the talent, but a lot of the talent [are skeptical.]”

“A lot of the talent [are skeptical.]”

Dave Meltzer on AEW’s roster doubting Tony Khan saying CM Punk did not influence him.

“Even today, I just got something that was just like, ‘Can’t you just see? Isn’t it obvious?’ It’s not like they’re speculating, they believe that they know the story. That’s basically that, I’m sure that one will never go away.”

Plans

After Cabana’s return, it was reported that his appearance was a ‘morale booster’ for the AEW roster following what transpired at AEW All Out.

Unfortunately for Khan, Colt’s appearance on Dynamite has made things worse with Punk who remains adamant that he did not influence Khan.

At this time, it is believed that Punk is still under contract, with merchandise of his being sold by AEW within the past week.

Jade Cargill Confronts Rapper Bow Wow at Miami Meet & Greet (Video)

Fresh off her title defense at AEW Full Gear, TBS Champion Jade Cargill has confronted popular rapper Bow Wow.

Footage from Pierre Pope’s Instagram Story shows Cargill, Grey and Hogan yelling at the rapper who was meeting fans at the  FTX Arena in Miami, Florida.

Before things could get physical, security quickly escorted Cargill, Keira Hogan and Leila Grey, away from the rapper.

https://twitter.com/mcedeslynch/status/1594583226567344128

Cargill and Bow Wow

In October of this year, Bow Wow said that he’d love to get a spot on the All Elite Wrestling roster, and hopes Tony Khan will make it happen.

On Twitter, the rapper and Cargill have taken shots at each other, as seen in the tweets below.

A Match in the Works?

Cargill and Bow Wow didn’t come to blows in Miami, but a match between the two may indeed be the plan.

Earlier this month, the undefeated AEW TBS Champion took to Twitter to say that she wants a match with a man at some point.

While AEW may be hesitant to book Cargill Vs. Bow Wow, it is possible that a mixed-tag match could be booked, if a deal is reached.

Cargill made her AEW in-ring debut last year, teaming with Shaquille O’Neal against Cody Rhodes and Red Velvet.

The match was originally going to be Cody and Brandi Rhodes teaming up, before the former AEW chief Brand officer announced her pregnancy.

In February of last year, Bow Wow expressed a desire to wrestle (albeit for WWE) and said he would attend Rikishi’s wrestling school.

Freddie Prinze Jr. is Glad AEW’s “Most Ridiculous Storyline” is Finished

AEW TBS Champion Jade Cargill retained her title at last weekend’s Full Gear Pay-Per-View, and Freddie Prinze Jr. couldn’t be happier.

In the third match of the night (sixth if you include the Full Gear Zero Hour Pre-Show) Cargill retained against Nyla Rose defeating the ex-AEW Women’s World Champion in eight minutes.

A month prior to the match, Rose had stolen the AEW TBS title and had taunted the undefeated Cargill on social media.

Ridiculous

While many fans found Rose’s antics with the TBS Championship to be hilarious, Freddie Prinze Jr. hasn’t been among them.

On the latest episode of Wrestling With Freddie, the ex-WWE writer blasted the storyline, calling it “week after week after week of nonsense.”

“I’m very excited to see this stupid, ridiculous storyline between Nyla Rose and Jade Cargill finally get squashed and put to bed… In what world of combat sports would one fighter be able to steal the title of another one and not have to give it back. This is the most ridiculous storyline.”

Freddie Prinze Jr.

Prinze insisted that his criticism is not at Cargill or Rose, who he considers impressive wrestlers, but the storyline itself.

Fantasy Booking

As an ex-WWE writer, Prinze knows all about booking decisions and gave his suggestion for the storyline.

If he was writing for AEW, Prinze would have had Rose steal the title, and Cargill complain to AEW President Tony Khan.

Khan would have forced Rose to hand the title over almost immediately after stealing it or risk losing her job with the promotion.

h/t – Wrestling Inc.