Austin Aries made his NXT live event debut at Thursday’s event in Upper Darby, PA at the Tower Theater.
He teamed with NXT Champion Finn Balor against Samoa Joe and Baron Corbin in the main event. Balor and Aries were victorious. Balor had been out of action for several weeks due to a badly sprained ankle.
At Friday night’s NXT TV taping in Orlando, Florida, a well-known former TNA and Ring of Honor star officially made his debut. Former TNA World Champion Austin Aries appeared during the January 22nd taping, after being introduced to the crowd by William Regal. He ended up getting attacked by Baron Corbin as he was making his way to the ring, which is likely the start of a feud between the two. WWE has already published news of his debut on their official website.
Here are some videos and photos of his debut at the taping:
Former ROH and TNA champion Austin Aries will be in Pittsburgh this week and will undergo WWE’s medical screening process while he’s there, according to PWInsider.com.
Aries first met with WWE officials backstage at an NXT taping in Florida several months ago. This is the first time since then that there has been talk of Aries possibly joining the company. PWInsider reports that while nothing is signed yet, the two sides are in talks.
Austin Aries’ TNA contract expired on June 28, 2015. He remained on TNA TV until the fall due to how far in advance Impact was taped.
As noted, former TNA and ROH star Austin Aries is backstage at the NXT television tapings at Full Sail University this evening, however he isn’t the only former TNA star at the show.
It was rumored earlier this week that James Storm would be making his NXT return after debuting a few weeks ago. As it turns out, Storm is indeed backstage at the show and is expected to wrestle during tonight’s taping.
Finally, Storm’s former TNA World Tag-Team Champion partner Gunner is backstage at the show in Winter Park, Florida as well.
In the case of Gunner, much like Aries, it isn’t exactly clear what he is doing at the show and is in no way confirmed that he will be debuting for NXT tonight.
Former TNA and ROH star Austin Aries was spotted arriving at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida, the site of tonight’s NXT television tapings.
Aries, who has been part of both the TNA and ROH rosters during the 2015 calendar year, stopped briefly to sign a couple of autographs on his way into the building.
Although Aries is at the taping, his reason for being there is unclear and it is not confirmed that he will be part of the taping.
Make sure to visit SEScoops.com later this evening for spoiler results from the NXT television tapings.
UPDATE: Two more former top TNA stars backstage at the NXT television tapings this evening as well. Find out who by clicking here.
ROH issued the following press release today to announce the addition of Austin Aries to their Vegas Wild Card main event.
Former 2x ROH World Champion Austin Aries has just accepted ROH Match Maker Nigel McGuinness’ offer to replace “Mr ROH” Roderick Strong in the six man Vegas Wild Card main event on Friday, July 17. Not only will he be featured in his return to ROH in this huge main event, Aries feels he has been stifled long enough and is still scheduled to deliver his impact statement to ROH fans.
We’ve attempted to reach out to Undisputed ROH World & World Television Champion Jay Lethal, as well as his manager Truth Martini but neither has returned calls. Lethal has to be feeling the pressure, with everyone gunning for him and his championships. What are Lethal’s thoughts on the arrogant former 2x Champion Aries returning and being named his partner? Aries will also be facing off against another former 2x ROH World Champion in Jay Briscoe, who is hungry to regain the ROH World Championship and become the first 3x champion. What is Moose’s opinion on this change? According to his advisor Stokely Hathaway, “It is of no consequence who our partners are, victory is the only thing that really matters”. Can Briscoe, Castle & O’Reilly overcome the now immense odds? Must see only begins to describe this amazing main event!
SAM’S TOWN HOTEL & GAMBLING HALL
5111 BOULDER HIGHWAY
LAS VEGAS, NV 89122
DOORS OPEN 6:00PM / 7:30PM Pacific BELL TIME
Previously signed for the Las Vegas stop on the AFTERSHOCK Tour
VEGAS WILD CARD MAIN EVENT
Undisputed ROH World & World Television Champion Jay Lethal, Austin Aries and Moose vs. Jay Briscoe, Dalton Castle, and Kyle O’Reilly.
Austin Aries recently spoke with the folks at Busted Open Radio about a number of topics. Below are some of the highlights from the interview:
On the pro wrestling business changing and what could come of it: “It’s kind of important for the fans to remember that we are kind of in uncharted territories with wrestling. They’re seeing some business models changing, some ideas and thought processes maybe changing a little bit. You know, I’ve only been out of a contract with TNA for a little over a week and we deciding not to resign there at the time wasn’t really an indictment of TNA as much as the landscape in general and just really wanting to take some time and get a lay the land so to speak because there is a lot of great things going on. I haven’t ended my conversations with TNA and you could see me back there because they are maybe willing to bring some guys in that aren’t under exclusive deals and they’re seeing that the landscape is changing. I think everyone just has to kind of be patient and not jump to conclusions. I always see “He’s back signing with ROH”, and so people are still back in that old thought process of if a guy is going somewhere then he must be under lock and key … and as we saw as you alluded to with Samoa Joe showing up on NXT under, initially, a non-exclusive deal, that really changed the landscape and opened some doors that maybe hasn’t been opened before. I think it’s a really cool time … a really exciting time for wrestling. There is a contingency of people who have come into positions to make a difference, who are trying to do business the right way, and move the wrestling business forward … and I think we need to jump on those trains at full speed ahead because wrestling needs to be moved forward. Like I said, I’m out here in LA, with a talent management company, dealing with lots of friends in different avenues of entertainment … and it’s funny because they look at me in awe, and my colleagues in awe, at what we are able to go out there and do on a performance level. But then understanding the professional wrestling business end, they’re also in awe of that a little bit too because maybe we aren’t always put on the pedestal we should for what we go out there and do.”
On TNA dropping the ball on his title run: “I guess as frank as I can say it … somebody dropped the ball, and it wasn’t me. I was ready to run with it and somebody knocked it out of my hands from behind. I’m not sure where the decision was made, but I agree with your assessment and I think a lot of people agree with that assessment [that TNA had red hot momentum when they put the title on Aries]. You know, sometimes you have too many cooks in the kitchen, so to speak. At that time, that could have been the case of what was going on. You have different people fighting for different directions. All I wanted to do was to go on television every week and have the best god damn wrestling match of any company, anywhere. And we were poised to do that because we had all these fresh guys and matchups lined up that people wanted to see and the buzz was there and it was organic. Cowboy James Storm, he had earned a right for that championship title match and I kind of came along and maybe stole it from him … and I didn’t want to forget about him. I wanted to bring him back in the fold and give him the opportunity he had … I thought there was a lot we still could have done. And yeah, I’m disappointed I didn’t get the opportunity, but again… I don’t make those decisions. I take what decisions are made and do the best with them. I do feel that there was a lot more left on the table there that could have been done. And I think they may be a problem overall in wrestling … not just with TNA or any certain company. I think people tend to think that once a guy wins a championship, that’s when he’s made … and for me I always feel that’s when it begins. That’s when a guy has a real opportunity to cement himself as a superstar or as a top tier guy. But you have to be able to see that through and give the guy the opportunity to succeed or to fail on his own. That’s really all I wanted … was the opportunity to succeed or fail on my own. But plans change. Jeff Hardy came in … no one is going to discount Jeff Hardy and what he brings to the industry with his name value, his name recognition … so it had nothing to do with Jeff personally, I just felt like I didn’t get the opportunity to really help the company to the best of my abilities.”
On being a veteran in the business: “I don’t know what you guys are talking about, veteran presence, I’m a hot up and comer! In my head, I’m still like, “Wait till this wrestling world hears about me! I’m gonna take ’em by storm!” It’s funny … I guess I still don’t view myself like [a veteran]. I know I do have the time served now, but in my head I’m still that young upstart. It’s funny because I’ll read or I’ll people say, “Well, he’s passed his prime now … he’s over 35″. But I feel like I’m as good as I’ve ever been. I’m certainly wrestling smarter than I ever have. Listen, I know that I may have lost a half step, but I look back on those VHS tapes … because I am old … of my early days in wrestling and I had athleticism to spare. So, I have lost a half step but I think I’m maximizing what I have now and I’m better than ever. Understanding who I am. Understanding how I can be an asset for a promotion. And listen man, not everybody has to be on top. Not everybody has to be in the main event to make a main event impact. There are a lot of guys in TNA who embody that. They may be so good that it goes under the radar and people don’t understand just how good and how selfless they are. That is what I think that wrestling fans sometimes miss out on when they are watching or grading a match… the selflessness of certain wrestlers compared to other wrestlers. It’s easy to go in there and be about yourself and make yourself look like a star. But can you go in there and be selfless and can you go in there and make another guy look like a star, and then also make yourself look like a star? I think that there is value to that and I think that those guys eventually always make it to the top and the guys who are a little too selfish … they are gonna hit a certain point and they are going to get outed, so to speak.”
Ring Of Honor have confirmed that X2 ROH World Champion Austin Aries will be appearing in the ring during the July 17th show in Sam’s Town Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada.
They note that Aries has told officials that he wants to address the fans in Las Vegas but what he has to say isn’t clear.
A number of matches have already been signed for the Ring Of Honor event and can be seen by clicking this link.
– With all of the uncertainty regarding TNA’s future, the company is moving forward under the assumption that they will be remaining on Destination America beyond September.
According to a report at PWInsider.com, Destination America executives were at last week’s tapings in Orlando and will be meeting in New York City this week to discuss the future of TNA on the network.
– As noted over the weekend, Austin Aries’ TNA deal has expired. Aries will be appearing on the next several weeks of Impact shows, which were taped over the past several days.
Los Angeles-based talent management firm The Regime issued a press release on Monday announcing they are now representing the former TNA Champion.
“With the recent expiration of his TNA Entertainment contract, we consider Austin Aries to be among the hottest free agents in professional wrestling. We are very excited for the many opportunities that lie ahead for a man that is universally considered to be one of professional wrestling’s greatest entertainers. For all inquires regarding Austin Aries, including booking, publicity and more, please contact Josh Eldridge at Josh@regimeinc.com.”
Following Sunday night’s TNA Slammiversary, below is the updated lineup for this coming Wednesday night’s special “Bell 2 Bell” edition of TNA Impact Wrestling on Destination America.
TNA World Heavyweight Title
– Ethan Carter III vs. Kurt Angle
TNA Knockouts Title
– Awesome Kong vs. Brooke Tessmacher vs. Taryn Terrell
TNA Tag Team Titles 30-Minute Iron Man Match
– Austin Aries and Bobby Roode vs. The Wolves
Losers Must Disband
– The Beat Down Clan vs. The Rising
– At the TNA Slammiversary pay-per-view on Sunday night in Orlando, Florida, Global Force Wrestling owner Jeff Jarrett won the main event to become the new TNA King Of The Mountain Champion. After the match, the announcers speculated on whether Jarrett will return to TNA now that he has the new title, or if he’ll take it to GFW with him.
– Also at the Slammiversary show last night, Austin Aries defeated Eddie Edwards in a singles match where the winner gets to pick the stipulation for The Dirty Heels vs. The Wolves tag-team title match at the TNA “Bell 2 Bell” special on Wednesday. Aries ended up winning the match and announced that the match will be a 30-minute Iron Man match for the TNA Tag-Team Titles.
It looks like TNA’s roster is getting lighter as each day passes.
On Saturday, we reported that James Storm and Magnus asked — and received — their releases from TNA Wrestling. Additionally, Austin Aries, whose TNA contract recently expired, has also finished up with the promotion.
The latest TNA departures come from the Knockouts division, as both Awesome Kong and Taryn Terrell have also finished up with TNA.
Kong and Terrell’s contracts expired as of this weekend.
– There has been speculation for a while now that Austin Aries will be leaving TNA when his contract expires. The news can now be confirmed, as Aries finished up with the promotion at the television tapings tonight, losing to Rockstar Spud in a “Loser Leaves Town” match. The match will be airing on either the July 29th or August 5th edition of Impact Wrestling.
– As reported earlier today, TNA inducted Jeff Jarrett into the TNA Hall Of Fame at the Impact Wrestling television taping on Friday night. Below is a photo from the ceremony held at the tapings.
Following Wednesday night’s edition of TNA Impact Wrestling, new matches, and new participants for existing matches, were announced for this Sunday’s TNA Slammiversary pay-per-view at the Impact Zone in Orlando, Florida.
Below is the latest look at the official lineup for this Sunday’s pay-per-view event.
King of the Mountain
– Jeff Jarrett vs. TBA
Handicap Match
– Awesome Kong & Brooke Tessmacher vs. Jade, Marti & Taryn Terrell
Unsanctioned Match
– James Storm vs. Magnus
Winner Chooses Stipulation For Impact Tag Title Match
– Austin Aries vs. Davey Richards
– Ethan Carter III & Tyrus vs. Bobby Lashley & Mr. Anderson
– Robbie E vs. Jessie Godderz
– Matt Morgan vs. Bram
Make sure to join us here at SEScoops.com on Sunday, 28, 2015 for the best TNA Slammiversary 2015 live PPV results coverage on the web!
Ring Of Honor wrestler Roderick Strong recently spoke with Marc Madison of News Hub about a number of different ROH and TNA related topics. Below are some highlights from the interview.
On his training under Jim ‘The Anvil’ Niedhart: “It came about because my dad and dad’s buddy’s wife worked at a doctor’s office and she was actually the front desk receptionist. Jim Niedhart would come in there because it was his local physician and one day my dad’s buddy called him and said hey, do you want to be a pro wrestler and my dad was sure. My dad had an athletic background so even though he was a little bit of an older man about 38-39 years old, he was why not it would be a good hobby and was always about trying to stay in the best shape as he possibly can. I didn’t know who the trainer was at the time. Being a big wrestling fan and being so young 12 at the time, my parents were separated so my dad said I’m going to bring you to this practice but you have to be well behaved. I started freaking out when I realized exactly who it was and that I would be going there 3 times a week. Eventually from going and watching Jim just saw how excited I got about going. He eventually let me get in the ring and play around. It was just something from watching it visually and studying it so much that it I was able to do at the moment and something I saw that it was something I could do. He saw a little something in me.”
On working with Austin Aries and Alex Shelley: “It’s been noted that in Ring of Honor that it was Gabe Sapolsky’s idea of putting us together as a group and none of us really knowing each other, other than saying hello at different shows. We did that and it was as fantastic opportunity for me and the others. He thought we were ready for that but it says a lot about him (Gabe). We made history together as a team. The four of us together including Jack Evans helped to save Ring of Honor and it always holds such a special place in my heart.
In TNA, it was something where they saw how hot Generation Next was and they wanted to do something similar but I felt they wanted it as proactive and putting in themselves in people’s faces because we had some fantastic chemistry. I had fun doing it and the fact that every single one of them are great wrestlers. I can’t really complain being in the ring with those guys.”
– TNA executives held another conference call with talent on Monday. The call was described as a brainstorming session to come up with ways for TNA to better connect with their fans and raise their overall profile. According to one source, social media was talked about the most during the call.
– Regarding the TNA status of Austin Aries, one source claims his deal with the promotion is scheduled to expire the day after TNA Slammiversary, which would be June 29th.
– The following is a preview for Wednesday’s edition of TNA Impact Wrestling.
Following the TNA Tag-Team Championships being vacated by The Wolves due to an injury sustained by one-half of the former champions — Eddie Edwards — the belts will be up for grabs, as eight teams will compete in “Tag-Team Gold” to determine who advances to an Ultimate-X match to crown the new champions.
The “Tag-Team Gold” themed edition of Impact Wrestling airs tonight on Destination America with the following matches taking part on the show:
– The Hardy Boys (Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy) vs The Revolution (James Storm & Koya)
– Dirty Heels (Austin Aries & Bobby Roode) vs. The Bro-Mans
– Mr. Anderson & Rockstar Spud vs. The BDC (Low Ki & Kenny King)
– Ethan Carter III & Bram vs. Tigre Uno & Jay Rios
With that in mind, Jeff and Matt, The Hardy Boys, have released a new video promo (which you can watch at the top of this page) regarding tonight’s “Tag-Team Gold” edition of Impact Wrestling.
Make sure to check back here at SEScoops.com later this evening for a complete Impact Wrestling report.
– After making their in-ring debuts on last night’s edition of TNA Impact Wrestling, Eli Drake (aka Shaun Ricker) and Micah (aka Camacho) have been added to TNA’s roster. The two, along with Drew Galloway, make up “The Rising” stable in TNA.
– The TNA Tag-Team titles have officially been vacated by The Wolves. On next Friday’s edition of Impact Wrestling, eight teams will battle for a spot in Ultimate X to crown the new champions. The teams involved will be The Hardys, James Storm & Khoya, Ethan Carter III & Bram, Rockstar Spud & Mr. Anderson, Austin Aries & Bobby Roode, Micah & Drew Galloway, Kenny King & Low Ki and BroMans.
– Below is a video preview for next week’s edition of Impact Wrestling on Destination America:
https://youtu.be/DusrUInc2w8
– TNA recently posted the following vignette for the upcoming debuts of Jade (aka Mia Yim) and Marti Belle.
– Samoa Joe’s final match on Impact Wrestling will air on the March 20th edition of the show. Joe will be featured in a match against Austin Aries, which was taped back in January in London, England.
– The Friday, March 6th edition of Impact Wrestling drew 421,000 viewers for the initial airing on Destination America. The immediate replay of the show drew an additional 162,000 viewers, for a combined 583,000 viewers for this week. By comparison, last week’s show drew 502,000 combined viewers.
We’re all familiar with the WWE. It’s the most profitable and prevalent wrestling organization in the world, and the primary focus of our coverage here at SEScoops. However, what about the rest of the wrestling world?
I decided to compile a list of 25 non-WWE wrestling matches that every fan should see. In order to qualify, each match had to meet three conditions:
An organization other than the WWE put on the match.
The full-length match is available on YouTube.
The match is something every wrestling fan should see.
The matches are listed at random and not ranked. The intention here isn’t to inspire debate regarding where a match should be placed on the list, but simply to provide fans with the opportunity to catch up on some classic matches they may have missed over the past few years. Already seen every match on the list? Relive your favorite moments again. Never seen a single one of the matches? You’ve got hours of material at your disposal, so sit back and enjoy.
25. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 9)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xy7KkH7NdY
24. Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan) vs. Jushin Thunder Liger (Ring of Honor Weekend of Thunder 2004)
23. Prince Devitt (Finn Balor) vs. Davey Richards (NJPW Circuit 2010 New Japan Alive)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXyAM9-9gHc
22. Ricochet vs. Kyle O’Reilly (IPW 10th Annual Super Junior Heavyweight Tournament)
21. The American Wolves vs. The Briscoe Brothers (Indypendence Day 2008)
TNA taped some fight scenes in the streets of New York City at the Impact Wrestling television taping in early January. A segment is scheduled to air on Friday’s edition of the show that was taped outside with the idea of presenting a street fight between Bobby Lashley and MVP.
Speaking of pre-taped segments, TNA flew Austin Aries, Magnus, Robbie E., Rockstar Spud and Velvet Sky to TNA Headquarters in Nashville to tape the “Feast or Fired” briefcase reveals on January 13th. This was done in an attempt to avoid having the reveals leaking onto the internet.
– There have been some rumors lately regarding Austin Aries potentially parting ways with TNA. Despite the rumors, it’s being said that Aries has actually signed a new deal with the company. Aries confirmed on social media that he will be working the upcoming TNA Impact Wrestling television tapings in New York City in early January for the shows that will air on Destination America.
– Below is the video preview for this week’s edition of Impact Wrestling, which will take a look back at 2014.
Brimming with a fighting spirit and a take-charge attitude, TNA Triple Crown Champion wrestler Austin Aries issues a challenge in a new ad for peta2, PETA’s youth division: “I Want You to Try Vegan!” The ad, available here, goes on to point out that everyone who goes vegan saves the lives of more than 100 animals every year and protects their health and the environment. “Try going vegan,” reads Aries’ ad, “I dare you!”
As a five-time TNA X Division Champion, TNA World Heavyweight Champion, and TNA World Tag Team Champion, Aries takes home win after win on the strength of plant-based nutrition—and in a video interview with peta2, whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat,” he explains why. “[I]t doesn’t feel right to exploit other living creatures for my pleasure,” Aries says, “because I’m proof that you don’t need those things to sustain yourself. You have a choice.”
Athletes who ditch meat report health benefits across the board, including increased energy, strength, and stamina. Delicious, nutrient-rich vegan foods provide all the protein and complex carbohydrates that athletes need in order to excel in every aspect of life, including in the ring. And of course, vegan meals also spare animals immense suffering on factory farms, in slaughterhouses, and on the decks of fishing boats—and vegans decrease their carbon footprint, as the meat industry is a major producer of the greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change.
Aries is part of a long list of athletes and other celebrities—including UFC fighter Thiago Alves, pro surfer Tia Blanco, mixed martial arts fighter Jake Shields, Dave Navarro, Ty Lawson, and Metta World Peace—who have teamed up with peta2 to promote kindness to animals.
The following are highlights of a new Sports Vibe interview with TNA Knockout Gail Kim:
When you began your first stint with TNA back in 2005, did you imagine there would be such a great Knockouts division seven years later?
I just knew I wanted to wrestle and I wanted the company to have a women’s division. Never did I imagine that we would have such a great and talented amount of girls. I love our division now because everybody has something different to offer.
Who has been the toughest opponent you’ve come up against in TNA?
The toughest physically I would say is Taryn Terrell. I worked with Taryn in WWE and there we never really got to showcase what we could do. We never really developed a women’s division to what we have here. I never knew what to expect from her. She told me she loved physicality but I’ve never met anybody who wanted to go to that level. That was the first time in fourteen years that I was blown away. We’ve had a great chemistry since we started wrestling each other regularly.
TNA is putting heavy emphasis on expanding its international image. What was your view on taking Bound For Glory to Tokyo?
I think it was a great idea. We’ve never done a pay-per-view in Japan before. I know from my experience that the fans are different because they clap more and are less rowdy than in the United States. So it’s always interesting and it translated different on television. I think real true wrestling fans appreciated the idea. Wrestling is huge in Japan so to see a different style matched with the American style was great.
The likes of Ethan Carter III, James Storm and Austin Aries have all publicly opposed the return of the six-sided ring. What are your thoughts on bringing it back?
People don’t like change. I was fortunate enough to wrestle in that ring before so I knew it was going to take time to get used to. We’re still getting used to it. But honestly, we left it to the fans and it was certainly an overwhelming decision. I think it makes us different but at the beginning when we got it back, we could feel it physically on our bodies. Luckily, we have a great ring crew and we addressed the issue by working on it for us. It’s great now and it’s just a matter of getting used to where you are in the ring. I honestly think in a couple months nobody will realise.
Check out the complete interview at SportsVibe.co.uk.