Taz has returned to AEW TV after a couple months of absence.

The veteran wrestler and broadcast personality had been on hiatus from AEW programming after being attacked backstage during the Dynamite 5-year anniversary special in October.

Taz’s son HOOK continued the storyline in his absence, hunting the people who attacked his father. This led to him feuding with The Patriarchy when Christian Cage was revealed as the man responsible.

The wrestling veteran then returned to TV during the taped December 25 episode of AEW Dynamite from the iconic Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City:

The ECW Legend Taz, returns to commentary for AEW in NYC ? pic.twitter.com/PBZQyMyZpu

— Video Guy (@VideoGuyy) December 23, 2024

• AEW’s Taz Has “ZERO” Interest In Having One Last Match

In reality, the storyline attack was done to allow Taz to take time off for a total knee replacement surgery, a procedure he’d been putting off for some time.

Taz joined the AEW broadcast team full-time in January 2020, after previously having made multiple guest appearances for the company. He has been a regular on AEW TV ever since.

Apart from Taz’s return, the latest Dynamite episode featured a couple of big continental classic matches including a highly praised bout between Will Ospreay and Brody King.

The young prospect Toni Storm made her Hammerstein Ballroom debut in a match against Taya Valkyrie. Storm picked up the victory with a small package.

• Taz Thinks UFC Copied One of His Biggest Ideas

Shelton Benjamin is surprised by how well he has adjusted to life in AEW.

The wrestling veteran made his All Elite Wrestling debut during the Dynamite 5-year anniversary special in October. He reunited with his Hurt Business teammate MVP, establishing himself as a heel.

During a recent interview with Inside The Ropes, the former WWE star discussed his move from WWE to AEW. Shelton Benjamin noted that his biggest surprise has been the reaction of the fans:

“My biggest surprise is that the fans really appreciate what I bring to the table. I found that I have a lot of great chemistry with the guys I’ve been working. I feel like I’ve been having nothing but just great matches with pretty much everyone I’ve been in the ring with.”

• Shelton Benjamin Confirms Scrapped Plans For Hurt Business Reunion

The Biggest Surprise To Me: Shelton Benjamin

After joining the promotion of Tony Khan, Shelton Benjamin has gotten to share the ring with names such as Swerve Strickland, Kazuchika Okada, Sammy Guevara, and more.

Speaking about his experience working with his AEW rivals, the 49-year-old said that it’s a ‘pleasant surprise’ how well he’s been able to gel with the guys on the roster:

“Just the fact that I’ve been able to gel so well with guys who I never have worked with before and put on great performances, that has been the biggest surprise to me.

It shouldn’t be, because again, these are some of the best athletes in the world, some of the best professional wrestlers in the world. But it’s definitely a pleasant surprise.”

Shelton Benjamin also previously discussed his reaction to getting a big applause upon his AEW debut. You can check out his comments here.

• Shelton Benjamin Draws Avengers Parallel for AEW’s Hurt Syndicate

Second generation professional wrestling legend Dustin Rhodes has signed a new multi-year contract with All Elite Wrestling. The AEW-original says he’s grateful to Tony Khan for helping him rediscover his passion for the business after lazily it earlier in his career.

Rhodes shared on Monday that he didn’t anticipate his “One Last Ride” lasting this long but has cherished every moment of it.

AEW is his final career destination, describing it as “home” and a place where he feels respected, loved, and wanted. He pledges to continue working hard for AEW and pushing himself to new limits.

Rhodes expressed admiration and love for the AEW roster and the collaborative magic created in the locker room. Finally he thanked his family and fans for their ongoing support throughout his journey.

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has officially revealed two major events under the banner of “Maximum Carnage”, set to take place in January 2025. The announcement follows AEW’s recent trademark filings for terms like “Maximum Carnage”, “Maximum Mayhem”, and “Maximum Combat” with the United States Patent & Trademark Office, sparking fan speculation about potential new programming.

The first event, a live edition of AEW Dynamite, will be held on Wednesday, January 15, at the Andrew J Brady Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. The following night, Thursday, January 16, the same venue will host a taped episode of AEW Collision.

The Andrew J Brady Music Center confirmed the news via Twitter, unveiling the official event poster featuring AEW stars Swerve Strickland, Mercedes Moné, and hometown favorite Jon Moxley. These shows replace the originally scheduled Collision taping at the Broadbent Center in Louisville, Kentucky, for January 16.

AEW has not yet announced plans for the other trademarks, Maximum Mayhem and Maximum Combat, but additional updates on the Maximum Carnage events will follow as more details are released.

Anthony Mackie was deeply impressed by the acting talent of AEW’s Samoa Joe, the 46-year-old actor revealed this week. Mackie and Joe both star in Peacock’s Twisted Metal series, which recently wrapped filming for its second season.

In a conversation with Abbott Elementary star Tyler James Williams for Variety’s Actors on Actors series, Mackie reflected on the unexpected talent Joe brought to the set.

“I was blown away by this dude from the first moment he stepped on set… He was acting his ass off.”

Samoa Joe portrays the physical embodiment of Twisted Metal’s iconic Sweet Tooth, while Will Arnett (BoJack Horseman, LEGO Batman) provides the character’s voice. Despite not speaking, Joe vividly conveyed Sweet Tooth’s twisted psyche through his physical performance.

“It was literally like he was doing Vaudeville-type shtick… I don’t think a veteran actor could have done what he did.”

Twisted Metal is based on the popular vehicular combat game series of the same name. The story follows John Doe (Mackie), who must traverse the post-apocalyptic United States to deliver a mysterious package. The cast also includes Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), with Neve Campbell (Scream) appearing in a recurring role.

In AEW, Samoa Joe was written off television in July after an attack by The Learning Tree, allowing him time to film Twisted Metal’s second season. Now that filming has concluded, speculation is mounting about Joe’s return to AEW. Fans may soon see the former World Champion back in the ring—and back on the mic—sooner than expected.

AEW Rampage, a staple of Tony Khan’s promotion for over three years, is going off the air, at least for the time being. During the December 22 AEW Dynamite tapings at the Hammerstein Ballroom, Tony Khan announced that AEW would be recording the final episode of Rampage “for the foreseeable future” and that this final episode is scheduled to air on December 27.

The announcement marks the conclusion of a show that debuted on August 13, 2021, as AEW’s second weekly program on TNT. Rampage made an immediate impact with its premiere, where Christian Cage defeated Kenny Omega to capture the TNA/IMPACT Championship.

A week later, Rampage delivered one of wrestling’s most iconic moments—CM Punk’s highly anticipated return to professional wrestling. This episode drew 1.126 million viewers, making it the highest-rated installment in the show’s history.

Despite its explosive start, Rampage would struggle to win over fans, wth a major factor being its challenging 10 p.m. ET time slot. The show was frequently preempted by NBA, NHL, and March Madness broadcasts, which impacted its viewership. Once Collision launched in June 2023, Rampage quickly became AEW’s ‘C-Show’ with important developments being kept for Collision or Dynamite.

What Else Happened During the AEW Dynamite Taping?

Suspicions arose about Rampage’s fate when it was reported that AEW’s new deal with Warner Bros. Discovery covered AEW Dynamite and Collision, but not the Friday show. Fans are now wondering whether this is merely a temporary hiatus as Khan alluded to, or if we’ve seen the last of AEW Rampage.

AEW taped the upcoming Wednesday episode of Dynamite earlier today at the iconic Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Below are the results, as reported by F4Wonline.com:

AEW Dynamite Results:

• AEW Continental Classic – Gold League: Will Ospreay defeated Brody King.
• AEW Continental Classic – Gold League: Darby Allin vs. Ricochet ended in a time-limit draw.
• AEW Continental Classic – Gold League: Komander defeated Claudio Castagnoli.
  • Post-match, the Death Riders (Jon Moxley, Wheeler Yuta, PAC, & Marina Shafir) attacked Komander. Jay White, Orange Cassidy, and Hangman Page intervened, making the save.
• AEW Continental Classic – Blue League: Kazuchika Okada defeated Shelton Benjamin.
• Toni Storm defeated Taya Valkyrie.
• AEW Continental Classic – Blue League: Kyle Fletcher defeated Daniel Garcia.

AEW also taped the final episode of Rampage, as the show is set to be canceled after this installment. Here are the spoilers for Friday’s broadcast:

AEW Rampage Spoilers:

• Chris Jericho defeated Anthony Bowens.
• Private Party (Zay & Quen) defeated Leo Sparrow & Alec Price.
  • Following the match, Action Andretti and Lio Rush confronted Private Party, leading to a brawl. Top Flight (Darius & Dante Martin) joined the fray.
• Thunder Rosa defeated Leila Grey.
• HOOK defeated Nick Wayne.
• Jon Moxley delivered a promo with Christian Cage looking on. He issued a challenge to anyone with grievances about his recent decisions.
  • Komander and Top Flight came out but were overpowered. Orange Cassidy and Willow Nightingale intervened, leading to Willow squaring off with Marina Shafir. Hangman Page, Jay White, and several other roster members joined, culminating in a chaotic brawl to close the show.

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) is gearing up for its final pay-per-view event of the year, Worlds End 2024, set to take place on December 28 at the Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida.

As the event draws near, let’s take a closer look at the current ticket sales situation and what fans can expect from this highly anticipated show.

Read More – AEW Worlds End 2024 Live Stream: How to watch

Current Ticket Sales Numbers

As of the latest update, AEW Worlds End 2024 has distributed 5,133 tickets out of a current setup of 5,731 seats. 

This leaves approximately 598 tickets still available for purchase. The event has seen a steady increase in ticket sales, with 254 tickets sold in just three days leading up to the most recent report.

Ticket Pricing and Availability

Ticket prices for AEW Worlds End 2024 start at around $27, with an average price of $1,115. However, it’s important to note that prices may fluctuate based on demand and availability as the event date approaches.

Fans can purchase tickets through official platforms like Ticketmaster, but are advised to act quickly as AEW events are known to sell out rapidly.

Read More – AEW Worlds End 2024 Tickets: Availability, price and more

Potential for Expanded Seating

While the current setup accommodates 5,731 seats, there is potential for expansion. The Addition Financial Arena has previously hosted larger wrestling events, such as AEW Revolution 2022, which had an attendance of 8,359. 

Fans in New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom gave Ricochet a frosty reception during the latest episode of Collision, where he faced Will Ospreay in the Continental Classic. While Ospreay’s entrance was greeted with streamers—a traditional show of respect—Ricochet’s arrival was met with a less-than-welcome gesture: fans throwing toilet paper.

The incident visibly angered Ricochet, who retaliated by hurling a roll back into the crowd. Meanwhile, Ospreay found the moment hilarious, laughing from outside the ring and bowing to the fans who hurled the paper in the first place.

The crowd’s disdain didn’t stop there. They booed Ricochet after he stumbled while attempting to step onto the ropes, to which Ricochet responded with a one-finger salute.

Despite the jeers, Ricochet ultimately secured a victory by executing a Spirit Gun on Ospreay, taking advantage of a distracted referee. This win placed Ricochet in joint-first position in the Gold League with nine points.

Ricochet’s recent actions certainly fuel rumors of a heel turn, with hints of a potential alliance with the Hurt Syndicate. Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates on Ricochet as he navigates his role in the Continental Classic and his contentious relationship with fans.

Birtt Baker has revealed what she’s been doing on her time off from AEW.

The former Women’s Champion has not wrestled for AEW since the November 13 episode of Dynamite last month. She defeated Penelope Ford at the show.

The D.M.D. appeared in a new video on DDP’s YouTube channel. When asked what she’s been up to, Britt Baker revealed that she’s actually been busy filming some stuff:

“I’m filming some fun stuff, can’t wait to tell everybody what it is. It’s on the down low for now but it’s really exciting and it’s cool, it’s really cool. I think people will be really excited about it.”

• Britt Baker Talks Rollercoaster Year After Injuries And Adam Cole Split

I’m Off The Road Right Now: Britt Baker

When the wrestling legend asked her if she’s learning new things during this time, Baker explained that she is doing things to become a more well-rounded pro wrestler while she’s off the road:

“Yeah definitely, it’s kind of a whole new world. Obviously, our world is very special but we have so much more to learn I think to make yourself more well-rounded pro wrestler, learn as much as you can.

[I’ve] been training more [in] stunts, martial arts just everything I can cause I’m off the road right now. Until I come back, I’m like ‘Let’s cook up on this time off.’”

Britt Baker previously appeared on the American reality show Bar Rescue with Adam Cole. She was also recently featured on the sixth season of Kobra Kai.

• Britt Baker Reveals How Her ‘Cobra Kai’ Role Was Years in the Making

A Mercedes Mone title match has officially been added to the Worlds End PPV.

This week’s episode of AEW Collision from the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC featured a singles match where Kris Statlander took on Penelope Ford. In an interview before the bout, Statlander called out Mone for a TBS Title rematch at the upcoming PPV.

After Statlander defeated Ford, the current champion appeared on the ramp. She accepted Kris’ challenge for the Worlds End match, claiming that she’ll defeat the New York native once again.

Kris Statlander unsuccessfully challenged Mone for the title at the Full Gear PPV last month. It was also the last show for Kamille’s association with the TBS Champion. The former NWA star ended her partnership with Mone on the following Dynamite and she has not been seen on AEW programming since then.

AEW Worlds End Updated PPV Card

The new title match is the 8th match officially confirmed for the upcoming show. Below is the updated AEW Worlds End match card:

• Continental Classic Semi-Finals and Final
• Dynamite Diamond Ring Match: MJF (c) vs. Adam Cole
• AEW World Championship Fatal Four Way Match: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Orange Cassidy vs. “Hangman” Adam Page vs. Jay White
• Tijuana Street Fight For AEW Women’s World Championship: Mariah May (c) vs. Thunder Rosa
• AEW International Championship Match: Konosuke Takeshita (c) vs. Powerhouse Hobbs
• AEW TBS Championship Match: Mercedes Mone (c) vs. Kris Statlander

AEW Worlds End 2024 will be taking place on Saturday, December 28, from the Addition Financial Arena in Orlando Florida.

AEW is gearing up for Worlds End on December 28 in Orlando, Florida, with one of the most personal matches set to happen being Adam Cole Vs. MJF. During the December 21 episode of AEW Collision, the two exchanged heated words with MJF taking the personal nature of their feud to a whole new level.

MJF took the microphone first, delivering sharp jabs at Adam Cole. MJF mocked what he perceives as Cole’s physical fragility, remarking that even a small bump, a gust of wind, or a cavity could take him down. Adding to the sting, MJF referenced Cole’s personal life, alluding to his recent breakup with Britt Baker, claiming that Cole may even need to find a new dentist.

MJF’s barbs didn’t stop there as he continued to mock the “crack bay-bay,” in reference to Cole’s recent weight loss. In response, Cole accused MJF of using political influence to secure a spot in AEW for Alicia Atout and highlighted MJF’s two hair restoration surgeries.

These barbs touched on some very real issues for both men, with Cole confirming back in October that he and Baker are no longer together. Earlier this year, Baker was suspended following a backstage incident with Cole, in which she took issue with Cole’s girlfriend Alicia Atout being in the women’s locker room. MJF allegedly punched a wall over the incident, just before his grueling hour-long match against Will Ospreay on the July 17 episode of Dynamite.

MJF On Britt Baker: “I Don’t Have to Like All My Coworkers”

Cole Vs. MJF will come one year after the former was revealed as the Devil at Worlds End 2023. With matters growing even more personal this week, fans can expect a brawl like no other next week at AEW’s final pay-per-view of the year.

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) is set to close out 2024 with a bang at their final pay-per-view event of the year, Worlds End. This highly anticipated show will take place on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at the Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida. 

As fans eagerly await this thrilling night of professional wrestling action, here’s everything you need to know about how to watch AEW Worlds End 2024.

Read More – AEW Worlds End 2024 Tickets: Availability, price and more

Event Details

Worlds End 2024 is scheduled to kick off with the Zero Hour pre-show at 6:30 PM ET (11:30 PM UK time). The main card will begin at 8:00 PM ET (1:00 AM UK time). This gives fans plenty of time to settle in for an evening of entertainment.

Live Streaming Options

For those looking to catch all the action live, AEW offers several streaming options:

• TrillerTV: Fans in the United States, Canada, and select international markets can stream Worlds End on TrillerTV.
• PPV.com: This service is available for viewers in the United States, Canada, and certain international regions.
• Traditional Pay-Per-View: Cable and satellite providers in the United States and Canada will also carry the event.

The pay-per-view is priced at $49.99, offering fans full access to this star-studded event.

International Viewing

For international fans, TrillerTV and PPV.com remain the primary options for live streaming. Mexican viewers have the additional option of watching through Fox Sports.

What to Expect

Worlds End 2024 promises to deliver exciting matches and potentially game-changing moments. The event will feature the semi-finals and finals of the Continental Classic tournament, adding an extra layer of anticipation to the proceedings.

As AEW’s final pay-per-view of the year, Worlds End 2024 is poised to set the stage for an exciting 2025 in professional wrestling. Whether you’re streaming from home or attending live, this event is not to be missed by any AEW fan.

Chris Jericho believes AEW shows moving to smaller venues in 2025 will help the company’s growth and make the product hot again.

After spending most of 2024 battling with low ticket sales, Tony Khan hinted that they’ll be changing their strategy for 2025. During the Full Gear media scrum last month, the AEW president had said that he wanted to find markets and buildings ‘where it’s going to be packed and red hot.’

Chris Jericho was asked about Khan’s comments during a recent interview with Z100 New York. The current ROH World Champion was there to promote ROH’s Final Battle PPV from Hammerstein Ballroom and he explained that smaller venues that are packed with fans can change the entire vibe of the shows:

“I think the worst thing you could ever do is to kind of in any business overprice yourself or overextend yourself. We’re at a place where to go to some of the middle-size venues not in every city but in some of them, it’s a very smart move.

For many reasons but most importantly just the vibe of the fans. Like you want to put 10,000 people into an arena and if you can, you do. If you’re down to 5,000 but you go to a 4,000-seat arena, it increases demand.”

• Chris Jericho Visits Childhood Street in Winnipeg Named After Him

It Just Makes The Product Hotter: Chris Jericho

The wrestling veteran discussed how AEW has been the ‘cool promotion’ for the majority of its existence. Per Chris Jericho, creating demand with smaller venues can help them regain some of their lost charm:

“It just makes the show that much more exciting and it translates so much better on TV. So I think right now with all of the different choices that people have to buy tickets to go to shows, I think we’re smart to moving to some of these like you mentioned different sized venues.

Because it just makes it cooler and we have always had the cool factor in AEW, especially when we started and then going into the pandemic, coming out of the pandemic. I think one way is the supply and demand. If you have this many tickets for sale and they’re gone. It just makes the product hotter and you can just continue to grow.”

Chris Jericho successfully defended the ROH Championship against Matt Cardona at Final Battle but he was confronted by a returning star afterward. You can check out more about it here.

• Details on Chris Jericho’s Next Film “Dark Match” Coming In January 

Dax Harwood has explained why the upcoming Dynamite taping from Ashville is special.

The January 1 Dynamite: Fight For The Fallen special will mark the start of a new era for AEW. As part of their new TV deals, the show from Harrah’s Cherokee Center in Asheville, NC will be simulcasted on Max for the first time ever.

Harwood who hails from North Carolina himself explained why the taping is so special during a new interview with 3NTWrestling. He revealed that it’s the first entertainment show coming to the city after it was devastated by Hurricane Helene.

The AEW star noted that Khan could have taken the show to a bigger city to make a better impression on first-time watchers but helping Ashville was a priority for him. He went on to reveal how the AEW President had previously helped the relief efforts for survivors of the natural disaster on their one request:

“A lot of people don’t know this, but Tony called. We talked to Tony, myself and Adam [Copeland]. We talked to Tony. He said, ‘What do you need from me?’ He had already donated a ton of money.

Adam said, ‘Well, we’ve got these Starlinks. These huge Starlinks that they’ve donated here. Elon Musk has donated here, but we don’t have the small Starlinks to go out into the woods, to go out to the top of the mountains, so we can find people and give them cell service. So we can communicate with.’

Tony without any hesitancy, if that’s even a word, he sent hundreds of Starlinks to Asheville, North Carolina, on his own dime. He made sure that that was something we were able to do to find people who were lost.”

• Dax Harwood Comments On Four-Year Anniversary With AEW

Dax Harwood also noted how his tag team partner Cash Wheeler had also set up a GoFundMe and collected over $70,000 to help the relief efforts at the time. Harwood himself was on the ground helping people at the time of need as well. He and Adam Copeland were assisting FEMA workers with search and rescue.

FTR have challenged Death Riders to a fight at the upcoming Dynamite episode and teased that they won’t be coming alone. While Dax did not provide any update on his mystery partner during the talk, the tease coincides perfectly with reports of a former world champion’s imminent return.

As AEW approaches the new year, they will be getting back one of its top stars who has been absent from television. 

Adam Copeland has been sidelined for several months with a broken leg, sustained during a daring dive off a steel cage at Double or Nothing. During his recovery, Copeland worked on a film project and was medically cleared to return to action several weeks ago.

During Wednesday’s episode of AEW Dynamite, FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) announced their plans to confront the Death Riders on the January 1, 2025, edition of Dynamite. This episode will be taking place in FTR’s hometown of Asheville, North Carolina.

FTR has a score to settle after being attacked by the Death Riders on the December 14 episode of Collision. While the duo will be medically cleared to wrestle at Fight for the Fallen, they hinted that they wouldn’t be coming to the January 1 showdown alone. 

This has led to speculation Copeland may join them due to his alliance with the tag team and him living in the area.  According to Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp, Copeland’s return is expected imminently. 

Fans are buzzing about the possibility of Copeland teaming with FTR, especially in their shared hometown, which would undoubtedly make for an unforgettable moment in AEW history.

Kenny Omega is inching closer to his return to AEW television, as hinted at during Wednesday’s episode of AEW Dynamite. A new hype video aired, teasing Omega’s comeback, with commentator Excalibur stating, “We hope to see him back in AEW very soon.”

Omega has not wrestled since December 2023, following a diagnosis of diverticulitis and subsequent surgery. His in-ring return is confirmed for Wrestle Dynasty on January 5, where he will face Gabe Kidd. According to Fightful Select, the match was approved by AEW CEO Tony Khan, who viewed it as a goodwill gesture to strengthen the company’s relationship with New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW).

There had been some internal discussion about Omega making his AEW return at Full Gear. However, sources claim that no concrete plans were ever set for the event. Reports now suggest that Omega is likely to make an appearance in AEW before traveling to Japan, possibly as soon as the World’s End pay-per-view on December 28. While his exact role remains unclear, there is optimism within AEW about his impending involvement.

Fans are eagerly awaiting Omega’s return, both for his match at Wrestle Dynasty and his eventual return to AEW, which promises to be a major moment for the promotion.

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) have announced a new media rights agreement that will make AEW’s programming available across more platforms. Beginning January 1, 2025, AEW content will expand to include streaming on the Max platform in addition to traditional TV broadcasts.

Key Highlights of the New Agreement

Continued Broadcasts on TBS and TNT

AEW Dynamite will remain on Wednesdays on TBS, while AEW Collision stays on Saturdays on TNT.

Streaming on Max

U.S. subscribers of Max will, for the first time, have the option to stream Dynamite and Collision live, with episodes available on-demand after their initial broadcast.

Content Library Expansion

Max will add AEW’s content library, including episodes of Dynamite, Collision, Rampage, and pay-per-view events from 2019 through 2024. The rollout will include highlights such as Dynamite’s inaugural year and the most recent two months of programming.

Special New Year’s Events to Launch the Partnership

• AEW Dynamite: Fight for the Fallen: Premiering on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET, this special event will air live on TBS and Max from Asheville, NC. Proceeds will support Hurricane Helene relief efforts in the region.
• AEW Collision: The first Saturday broadcast under the new deal will air live on January 4, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET from Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, NC, on TNT and Max.

Pay-Per-View Integration on Max

Starting later in 2025, AEW pay-per-view events will also become available on Max. Additional details, including pricing, will be announced closer to the launch.

This agreement is a significant move to increase AEW’s accessibility and integrate its content into Max’s slate of live sports and entertainment programming.

Variety, the long-running magazine covering the entertainment industry, named All-Elite Wrestling owner Tony Khan and several members of WWE parent company TKO, including Nick Khan to its “Dealmakers 2024” in an article published on the magazine’s website on Wednesday.

Khan, AEW and the TKO board were one of the few non-agency or law firms named to the Dealmakers list this year, which included Audible and several lobbying and entertainment law firms.

Tony Khan was credited with AEW’s new three-year deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, five years after the company aired its first show on WBD television.

In October, five years to the week after Khan launched professional wrestling promotion AEW as a direct competitor to Vince McMahon’s long-dominant WWE, he closed a multi-year media rights deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, worth a reported $185 million a year, that calls for AEW’s shows and events to be broadcast on TBS and TNT and stream on Max. The company is now valued at more than $2 billion, making it the third-most-valuable combat sports company in the world.

Ain’t bragging if it’s true: “Our new arrangement signifies that AEW will make history as the first professional wrestling promotion to simulcast events weekly on top cable channels and a top streaming platform,” says Khan.

The article called 2024 a year where “deals weren’t as plentiful or as rich, but necessity being the mother of invention, often more innovative.”

Longtime World Wrestling Entertainment executive and president Nick Khan, along with fellow TKO executives Ariel Emanuel, Mark Shapiro and Andrew Schleimer, were also named. Variety cited the Endeavor’s 2023 acquisition of WWE and WWE’s deal with Netflix.

Last year, Endeavor merged Ultimate Fighting Championship with World Wrestling Entertainment under the TKO Group Holdings banner. In January 2024, TKO’s leadership quadrumvirate closed a $5.2 billion, 10-year deal to make Netflix the exclusive home of WWE’s flagship show “Raw” in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Latin America and other territories beginning in January 2025. As part of the pact, Netflix will be the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S. from that date forward, giving roughly 80% of international territories immediate access to 100% its content, with the rest of the globe filling out their WWE lineups as outstanding deals expire.

“While the money is extraordinarily important, the downstream impact and ancillary benefits to being with the distributor and just south of 300 million homes globally was something that got us very excited,” says Schleimer.

Other members of the list included:

• Akin Gump Strauss Hauer and Feld, the second-largest lobbying firm in the U.S.
• Alter Kendrick and Baron, music lawyers who closed $1 billion in publishing and mater recording acquisitions in 2024.
• Audible’s executive team
• Perry, Plashuk, Lefebvre and Hill of Covington and Burling, law firm specializing in entertainment acquisitions
• David Wright Tremaine, litigation law firm now advising on major entertainment projects
• Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein Lezcano Bobb and Dang, entertainment law firm
• Nina Shaw of Del Shaw Moonves Tnaka Finkelstein Lezcano Bobb and Dang
• DLA Piper, Hollywood legal firm
• Francisco Arias of Fifth Season
• Fox Rotschild, lawyers and talent reps

The magazine credited those on the list for maneuvering the economic ups and downs of the streaming bubble, COVID-19 and inflation, as well as strikes by the writers and actors unions.

Both in WWE and AEW, the trio of MVP, Bobby Lashley, and Shelton Benjamin have been a dominant force, first as the Hurt Business and now as the Hurt Syndicate. Now, Shelton Benjamin has compared the faction to another dominant group in entertainment: Marvel’s The Avengers.

On the AEW Unrestricted podcast, Benjamin made his comparison to the superhero group, which includes Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer.

“MVP is clearly Tony Stark, I would like to say I’m somewhere between Thor and Captain America, but Bobby is clearly The Hulk [laughs]. That is the dynamic that I like.”

In both movies and comics, The Avengers boasts a large roster, and the Hurt Syndicate could soon be adding names to its ranks. Shortly after MVP’s arrival in AEW, he handed business cards to Mercedes Mone and The Acclaimed’s Max Caster, though neither have officially joined yet.

Much like The Avengers, which features an ever-expanding roster in movies and comics, the Hurt Syndicate appears poised to grow its ranks. Shortly after MVP’s arrival in AEW, he handed business cards to Mercedes Moné and The Acclaimed’s Max Caster. However, neither has officially joined the faction—at least not yet.

Recently, Ricochet hinted at aligning with the group, even teasing a heel turn during last week’s Dynamite. On this week’s episode, Ricochet’s attempt to ingratiate himself with the faction backfired when the business card previously handed to him by MVP was torn up. Despite this rejection, MVP and his allies left “The One and Only” unharmed, teasing that Ricochet’s hopes of becoming a member may not be entirely dashed.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates on the Hurt Syndicate and their evolving recruitment efforts.

AEW’s MJF cemented his place on the naughty list during the “Holiday Bash” edition of Dynamite with sharp comments about Santa Claus. Sporting Hanukkah-themed attire, MJF made his entrance at Washington’s Entertainment and Sports Arena, wasting no time in dismissing the local crowd—and the Washington Wizards.

While declaring he’s no Scrooge, MJF said this was the most wonderful time of the year because Hanukkah is approaching. For those who don’t celebrate, he added that Santa isn’t real and unapologetically doubled down. The crowd responded with chants for Kris Kringle.

Switching gears back to wrestling, MJF mocked Adam Cole, referring to him as a “starving, freakishly small child.” Promoting AEW’s World’s End pay-per-view, MJF shared a QR code for ticket purchases, sarcastically vowing that proceeds would help “put Cole out of his misery.”

Despite MJF’s taunts, Adam Cole managed to get the upper hand. Appearing on the titantron, Cole revealed he had spoken to Tony Khan and would settle their feud at World’s End. To drive his point home, Cole ambushed MJF with a surprise superkick in the ring. Though the Salt of the Earth escaped before Cole could deliver the Panama Sunrise, the message was clear.

MJF and Cole will clash at next week’s World’s End pay-per-view, marking the one-year anniversary of Cole’s shocking reveal as the Devil. Stay tuned to SEScoops for breaking news and live results from World’s End.

Kenny Omega is set to make his highly anticipated return to in-ring action. The former AEW World Champion, who has been absent from wrestling since December 2023 due to a diverticulitis diagnosis and subsequent surgery, will step back into the ring at Wrestle Dynasty on January 5, where he is scheduled to face Gabe Kidd.

Despite the excitement surrounding Omega’s return, some fans have voiced their disappointment that his first match back is with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) rather than AEW. With AEW currently facing challenges in maintaining fan interest, many believe Omega’s return could have been a significant boost for the promotion. As one of AEW’s top stars, Omega’s presence could attract much-needed attention and potentially reinvigorate AEW’s business.

Addressing these concerns, Omega has stated that he doesn’t feel AEW “needs him right now” and is unwilling to take opportunities away from other talent who have been actively contributing to the roster during his absence.

During this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, a new hype video teased Omega’s return to AEW. Commentator Excalibur added to the anticipation, stating, “We hope to see him back in AEW very soon.” Fans can watch the video below.

It’s Wednesday, and you know what that means. AEW Dynamite is back tonight at 8/7c live on TBS from Washington, DC.

Tonight’s Dynamite features an action-packed lineup, including PPV-caliber matches featuring some of the company’s top competitors.

Confirmed matches and segments:

• Six-Man Tag Team Match: The Death Riders (Jon Moxley, Wheeler Yuta, and PAC) take on Jay White, Orange Cassidy, and Hangman Adam Page.
• TBS Championship Match: Mercedes Moné defends her title against Anna Jay.
• Continental Classic Matches: Will Ospreay faces Darby Allin in the Gold League, while Shelton Benjamin takes on The Beast Mortos in the Blue League.
• MJF Appearance: MJF is scheduled to address the audience.
• FTR Speaks: Following a recent attack by the Death Riders, FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) will respond live.
• Tag Team Match: Hook and Katsuyori Shibata battle Christian Cage and Nick Wayne.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest AEW news as the road to Worlds End on December 28 continues.

Championship Street Fight And More Confirmed For AEW Worlds End

What Happened Last Week on AEW Dynamite

Ahead of tonight’s Dynamite, get caught up on what happened last week.

AEW Dynamite: Winter is Coming 2024 Results
December 11, 2024 from Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center

• Jon Moxley & PAC def. Orange Cassidy & Jay White via DQ when Hangman Page interfered.
• Adam Cole def. Kyle O’Reilly to earn a match against MJF at AEW Worlds End.
• It was announced that Jon Moxley will defend the AEW World Title against Adam Page, Orange Cassidy, and Jay White at AEW Worlds End.
• Ricochet def. Brody King in a Continental Classic Gold League match.
• Mariah May def. Mina Shirakawa to retain the AEW Women’s Championship. Thunder Rosa appeared during the main event, followed by a surprise appearance by Toni Storm in her original attire

Tony Khan has revealed Matt Cardona helped put together Chris Jericho’s recent GCW appearance.

The Deathmatch King is set to challenge Y2J for the ROH title at the upcoming Final Battle event on December 20. After Cardona made multiple appearances on ROH TV to build the bout, Jericho returned the favor with an appearance at the December 15 GCW event. Wearing an AEW shirt, he interfered in the match between Matt and Effy, attacking both the indie stars.

The AEW President was asked about this appearance by Bill Pritchard of WrestleZone during the Final Battle media call. Tony Khan explained that Cardona helped put the whole thing together and he was happy to send Jericho:

“Matt helped put that together, Matt asked me about it, and obviously, I was happy to send Chris to promote the match that is happening on ROH as part of the double main event.

With Matt appearing there, and this being a title match, it made sense to do something to promote. It’s very much along the lines of things we’ve done with other matches along the ways over the years.”

• ROH Final Battle 2024 Predictions

This appearance comes as an interesting turn in the AEW-GCW relationship. When Ricky Starks was abruptly pulled from the GCW shows, many speculated that Effy’s comments about Shad Khan were the reason behind it.

With Tony Khan allowing Jericho to work with Effy during his GCW appearance, however, the question now is if the problem was on Starks’ end and if his promo about not being used in AEW was the reason for the action.

• ROH Final Battle 2024 Card: Jericho vs Cardona and More

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) is set to close out 2024 with a bang as they present their highly anticipated pay-per-view event, AEW Worlds End. Scheduled for December 28, 2024, at the Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida, this event promises to be an unforgettable night of professional wrestling action.

Read More – ROH Final Battle 2024 Live Stream: How to watch

Ticket Availability

Tickets for AEW Worlds End 2024 are currently on sale and can be purchased through various platforms. Fans can secure their spots to witness this exciting event live by visiting Ticketmaster, the official ticketing partner for AEW events. It’s advisable to act quickly, as AEW events are known to sell out rapidly due to high demand.

Ticket Prices

The pricing for AEW Worlds End 2024 tickets varies depending on seating location and package options. According to Vivid Seats, ticket prices start at around $27, with an average price of $1,115. However, it’s important to note that prices may fluctuate based on availability and demand as the event date approaches.

Event Details

AEW Worlds End 2024 is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM, with doors opening at 6:00 PM. The event will feature a star-studded roster including Jon Moxley, Chris Jericho, Mariah May, Mercedes Mone, MJF and many more stars. 

Getting to the Arena

The Addition Financial Arena is located at 12777 Gemini Blvd N, Orlando, FL. Fans can use navigation apps like Waze for real-time driving directions. It is recommended to arrive early to avoid traffic and secure parking. The arena has several parking garages nearby; however, be prepared for potential delays when exiting after the event due to high volume.

Nearby Hotels

For those traveling from out of town, several hotels offer convenient accommodations:

• The Celeste Hotel: Located just 1 mile from the arena. Use code “UOF” for discounts.
• Residence Inn by Marriott: Approximately 1.9 miles away.
• Courtyard by Marriott: About 2 miles from the venue.
• Towneplace Suites by Marriott: Also around 1.8 miles distant.

These hotels often provide special rates for event attendees when proof of ticket purchase is presented at check-in.