The Young Bucks surprised fans with their appearance at NJPW Strong Style Evolved, and the AEW EVPs weren’t afraid to get physical. The show saw Jack Perry and Konosuke Takeshita struggle to co-exist in their tag-team match, but were able to defeat Shingo Takagi and Yota Tsuji.
After the match, Takeshita and Perry ganged up on Takagai until Hiromu Takahashi arrived to fight them off. The Young Bucks then blindsided Takahashi with a superkick, though Perry seemed far from happy to see his fellow Elite allies and headed to the back.
Matthew and Nicholas Jackson discussed challenging for the IWGP Tag Team Championships at Wrestle Dynasty on January 5. The duo also took aim at Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi, with Nick saying the pair are injury prone after Matt pondered what happened to the pair.
— AEW?Jamie Hayter ??Skye Blue?TheOutrunners?? (@JaxIrvin) December 16, 2024
The Bucks will challenge Great-O-Khan and a mystery partner for the vacant tag team titles at Wrestle Dynasty. The titles are currently vacant after Henare suffered a knee injury, forcing him and Great-O-Khan to give up the gold. The match will be the first time the Bucks have competed since the October 20, 2024 edition of AEW Dynamite, when the brothers lost the AEW World Tag Team Championships to Private Party.
Wrestle Dynasty will be the first show of its kind and take place in Tokyo Japan on January 5, one day after NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19. The blockbuster show will feature talent from AEW, New Japan, Ring of Honor, CMLL, and STARDOM. Stay tuned for the latest on Wrestle Dynasty and The Young Bucks’ involvement with the show.
AEW presented an eventful episode of Dynamite: Grand Slam this Wednesday featuring the surprise debut of a former WWE star among other things. The company also taped Saturday’s Collision on the same night.
The show which will continue the two-night event featured Jack Perry holding an open challenge for the TNT title, Kazuchika Okada facing Sammy Guevara in an eliminator match, and more. Below are the complete spoilers for Collision: Grand Slam event from Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York:
AEW TNT Championship Open Challenge: Japanese wrestling legend Minoru Suzuki answered the open challenge. Perry managed to retain his title. The match was taped before Dynamite.
6 Men Tag Team Match: Chris Jericho, Big Bill & Bryan Keith defeated Mark Briscoe, Orange Cassidy & Kyle O’Reilly. Big Bill put Briscoe through a table, allowing Jericho to get the pin.
Singles Match: Brody King defeated Action Andretti. After King got the pin, The Righteous, and Lance Archer attacked Andretti and Top Flight. They brawled until officials pulled them apart.
Saraya’s Rule Match: Jamie Hayter defeated Saraya
Lumberjack Strap Match: Hangman Page defeated Jeff Jarrett
AEW Trios Tag Team Championship Match: Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta & PAC defeated Private Party & Komander.
MxM Segment: The tag team had a fashion runway with models and revealed a new version of Max Caster’s jacket. One of the models was revealed to be Billy Gunn however who attacked the duo. The Acclaimed showed up in the end of clean the house.
Triple Threat Match: Hologram defeated Beast Mortos and Dralistico after pinning Dralistico for the win. Once the bell rang, Rush led an attack with the other two opponents and took out Hologram.
AEW Continental Championship Eliminator Match: The Champion Kazuchika Okada defeated Sammy Guevara. Okada got the pin with the Rainmaker.
Apart from this, the night also featured a match between Jon Moxley and Darby Allin with WrestleDream implications. You can check out the result of the bout here.
Bryan Danielson considered his AEW World Championship win the greatest moment of his life for several reasons, but leave it to Jack Perry to put a damper on his celebration.
Danielson walked away from ALL IN the new World Championafter he made Swerve Strickland submit, a first in AEW, and on this week’s Dynamite, Bryan was looking for his first challenger, but not before he made a few things clear.
At first, Danielson teasedthat he may be retiring as champ, noting that he’s going to need neck surgery again soon and the promise he made to his daughter, but got Champaign, Illinois amped back up when he said he wasn’t done yet.
He planned to wrestle full time until he lost that title which he didn’t plan on doing anytime soon. That’s when Danielson issued a “first come, first serve” challenge to anyone in the locker room. Jack Perry appeared on the big screen and mentioned the two’s brief history with one another. Suddenly a reveal was made when Perry attacked Danieslon from behind and it was ‘The Scapegoat’ who stood tall to end the show.
Perry is indeed a surprise challenger for Danielson despite getting a definitive victory against Darby Allin at AEW ALL IN. With less than two weeks before AEW ALL OUT, many fans speculated that the quick feud would be against Christian Cage who won a future title shot at the PPV. Being a false father figure, Cage has a built-in story with Danielson considering how major of a plot Brie Garcia and his kids have been. However, that appears to be a feud further down the line.
More has come to light about plans for the recent AEW All In: London pay-per-view that ultimately didn’t make it to the show in Wembley Stadium.
Last weekend’s event saw The Young Bucks retain the AEW World Tag Team Championships against The Acclaimed and FTR. On Wrestling Observer Radio, it was reported that not only were the Lucha Bros. set to challenge for the titles in London, but they were originally planned to win the gold.
The Lucha Bros. haven’t competed for AEW as a team since the July 17, 2024, taping of AEW Rampage. Their absence from All In: London comes amid reports that the duo is wrapping up their time with AEW to jump to WWE. Their Death Triangle ally PAC won the AEW Trios titles in Wembley alongside Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta.
From the wild card team to now NEW #AEW World Trio's Champions! Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta & PAC!
Jack Perry retained the AEW TNT Championship at All In: London 2024 in a coffin match that went 10:40. The match was the second shortest bout on the main card, only being surpassed by Chris Jericho and HOOK’s FTW Championship battle which went 10:15.
The Observer adds that the TNT Championship match got several minutes cut off as the show had a strict 10 PM BST deadline. This explains why the pair went quickly into glass spots, rather than build up to such violent portions of the match. After the match, Sting made his first appearance since retiring to prevent Perry from setting Allin on fire.
Darby Allin isn’t holding back his feelings about Jack Perry and the infamous All In: London 2023 incident that reshaped Perry’s career. In an interview with Kenny McIntosh of Inside The Ropes, Allin didn’t mince words, calling Perry “ungrateful” for his actions at last year’s event.
“You think of 80,000-plus fans, and then you’re gonna go into business for yourself. There are literally people who would die for that opportunity, people who will never get to do that, and then you’re more focused on that.”
Perry’s ‘real glass’ comment during last year’s match with HOOK resulted in a backstage altercation with CM Punk that in the eyes of many, overshadowed AEW’s first stadium event. At the post-show media scrum, AEW President Tony Khan acknowledged that an incident had taken place but said he would not be taking questions on the matter.
Punk was released for his role in the altercation, and would return to WWE a few months later at Survivor Series in Chicago. While Perry was hit with a lengthy suspension, the incident has redefined the AEW TNT Champion as the ‘Scapegoat’ and his change of character has made him one of AEW’s top stars.
Jack Perry will defend the AEW TNT Championship against Darby Allin later today at AEW All In: London 2024. The pair will collide in a Coffin Match in what has become one of the most personal and intense rivalries in AEW today. AEW All In: London 2024 will take place from Wembley Stadium in London, England. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest from the show including breaking news and live results.
The AEW TNT Championship received a new look during the latest episode of AEW Collision, courtesy of reigning champion Jack Perry. The Scapegoat defeated Danny Orion in a non-title match during the show, spray-painted Orion’s face, and stuffed him inside a body bag after the match.
Perry then discarded his old TNT Championship belt into the bag and revealed a brand-new one. This redesign of the title has a worn, battle-hardened appearance, now featuring a darker shade and a spray-painted black finish with veiny leather detailing.
The AEW TNT Championship has undergone several design changes since its inception, with Cody Rhodes’ first design receiving criticism for not appearing finished. The completed version of the TNT Championship was unveiled in August 2020 under the reign of Brodie Lee. The title has also featured a white and green design held by the likes of Miro, and a purple and yellow design during the reign of Scorpio Sky.
What’s To Come?
Darby Allin is set to challenge Jack Perry for the TNT Championship in a coffin match at AEW All In 2024 in London, England. With intense animosity between these two rivals, fans can expect a brutally violent encounter in Wembley Stadium. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest on Jack Perry as we inch closer to All In: London 2024.
Posted August 17th, 2024 in AEW. Tagged: Jack Perry.
The August 14th episode of AEW Dynamite featured Darby Allin cutting a promo on the TNT Champion Jack Perry, who he will be facing for the title at the All In event at Wembley Stadium on August 25th. Allin then entered the arena for a matchup but was jumped by Perry, who viciously beat Allin into the backstage area and crushed him with a heavy metal door. Perry then aimed to smash Allin’s skull with a giant rolling crate, but security stopped him before he could cause any serious damage to his fellow AEW pillar.
Things didn’t end there. Perry then screamed into the camera, declaring that he wanted his matchup with Allin to be a Coffin Match. Moments later, Excalibur and Taz revealed on commentary that AEW President Tony Khan had approved the idea, making the match official.
Darby Allin and Jack Perry are beating the hell out of each other backstage ahead of their TNT Championship match at #AEWAllInLondon!
Allin is no stranger to Coffin Matches. In fact, he and Sting competed in a tag team Coffin Match against Christian Cage and Swerve Strickland one year ago at the 2023 AEW All In pay-per-view event, a match the former tag champions ended up winning. At the same event, Perry lost the FTW Championship to HOOK, then got into a real-life scuffle with CM Punk backstage.
Perry and Allin have been butting heads for months. The two crossed paths many times since AEW launched, most recently at AEW Blood & Guts, which is when the TNT title match was made official for All In.
Updated Lineup for All In 2024
Here’s the updated card for next weekend’s AEW All In: London pay-per-view from London’s historic Wembley Stadium:
Title vs. Career: AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland vs. Bryan Danielson
Mariah May vs. Toni Storm (c) for the AEW Women’s Championship
CEO vs. DMD: Dr. Britt Baker challenges Mercedes Moné for the AEW TBS Championship
Coffin Match: Darby Allin vs. Jack Perry (c) for the AEW TNT Championship
The Patriarchy vs. House of Black or The Bang Bang Gang for the AEW Trios Championship
Casino Gauntlet Match: Winner receives a future AEW World title shot
The AEW All In 2024 Buy-In kickoff show will also feature a mixed tag match:
Drew McIntyre’s photo with Jack Perry may have been deleted, but that didn’t stop the meeting of the ‘We Hate CM Punk’ club being referenced on RAW. The viral image was shared by McIntyre earlier this month and is of course in reference to Punk’s issues with Perry that resulted in Punk’s termination from AEW last year.
While the image was not featured on this week’s Raw, Michael Cold did bring it up as he spoke during Drew McIntyre’s entrance.
“Drew McIntyre was stirring up things this week… bringing up things from CM Punk’s past.”
Michael Cole: “Drew McIntyre was stirring things up on social media this past week…bringing up things from CM Punk’s past.” 😭 #WWERAWpic.twitter.com/ebjy3xjXkd
On Monday Night RAW, McIntyre met with CM Punk and Seth Rollins, as the former Universal Champion will officiate their upcoming match at SummerSlam. Rollins, fittingly decked in a black and white striped outfit, made clear that his rules will be in effect this Saturday in Cleveland, whatever they may be.
McIntyre and Punk’s feud has been a hit with fans, and has kept Punk a mainstay of WWE programming in spite of his injury. McIntyre has continued to make reference to Punk’s family, including his dog Larry who now has WWE merch of his own. Not to be outdone, Punk has had some choices words for Drew, and has repeatedly cost him matches for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Will their issues be resolved at SummerSlam, and what role will Seth Rollins play in the finish? Keep tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest.
Team AEW was victorious over The Elite on this week’s edition of Dynamite in a brutal Blood and Guts match that left the heels with no choice but to forfeit.
Jack Perry and Darby Allin started the match for their respective teams and the TNT Champion maintained the advantage over Allin with a trash can and extension cord.
Jack Perry sends Darby Allin flying like a lawn dart!
Nick Jackson was the next arrival, giving the Elite a distinct advantage, and ROH World Champion Mark Briscoe was the first wrestler to bleed significantly after having his face scraped across the cage.
The #ROH World Champion Mark Briscoe has arrived to even the odds for #TeamAEW!
Matt Jackson was out next to join his brother but Anthony Bowens would change the complexion of the match. Bowens used scissors and stabbed Perry in the head, earning “You Sick F***” chants from the crowd.
The Scissor King, Anthony Bowens is here to reinforce #TeamAEW!
Kazuchika Okada, wielding a ‘Rainmaker’ street sign was next to enter the cage and Max Caster followed with a microphone and he retrieved a barbed-wire board from under the ring. This came back to haunt The Acclaimed as the Young Bucks sent Bowens into it, prompting “Holy S***” chants from the crowd.
In case things weren’t already violent enough, thumbtacks were introduced next and poured into Caster’s mouth. ‘Hangman’ Adam Page was supposed to arrive next but didn’t. Instead, the Cowboy waited for Swerve Strickland’s entrance so he could ambush the reigning AEW World Champion.
Hangman Adam Page only has his eyes on #AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland and now #AEWBLOODandGUTS begins!
Swerve was left locked out of the cage and Page, under the threat of being fired, got in the cage as demanded by Nick Jackson. Jeff Jarrett would help free Strickland’s trapped hand, allowing him to enter the cage.
Swerve and Hangman finally get their hands on each other!
Staple Guns were introduced via a briefcase that the Bucks had brought to the match. Despite this, Team AEW fought on with Darby Allin delivering a Coffin Drop to Jack Perry.
The finish of the match also involved Allin and Perry as the TNT Champion was handcuffed to the wall and took some kendo shots but refused to quit. Mark Briscoe followed with a chair shot to the head of Perry, but that still wasn’t enough. Allin then retrieved a gasoline can and threatened to see Perry ablaze. Fearing the loss of life of his ally, Matt Jackson gave in, awarding Allin a TNT title match at All In, and forfeiting Blood & Guts.
Darby Allin wants his TNT Championship Match at #AEWAllIn and will set Jack Perry ON FIRE to get it!
This year’s Blood & Guts certainly delivered the violence that fans have come to expect with the brutal stipulation. After months of having control, the Elite’s loss is a huge setback for the group, and could be a sign of things to come next month in Wembley Stadium.
Marko Stunt made a surprise return to All Elite Wrestling this week as the unlikely challenger to AEW TNT Champion Jack Perry.
On the July 6, edition of AEW Collision, Perry put his title on the line in an open challenge. The Elite member certainly didn’t expect his challenge to be answered by Stunt, who previously teamed with Perry (who competed as Jungle Boy) and Killswitch (then known as Luchasaurus) in Jurassic Express.
Former best friend & Jurassic Express team mate MARKO STUNT has answered the challenge!
Despite the loud reaction, Stunt was unable to dethrone Perry, who captured the TNT Championship at the recent AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door event. In a backstage interview later in the show, Stunt’s segment was interrupted by former ally Killswitch.
This match was Stunt’s first bout for AEW since September 2021. He would later be released from the company in June 2022. It remains to be seen if he’ll appear again in AEW but the interactions between himself, Perry, and Killswitch make clear that the past has not been forgotten.
Marko Stunt in All Elite Wrestling
Stunt made his AEW debut as part of a battle royal during the promotion’s inaugural pay-per-view, AEW Double or Nothing, back in May 2019. It wouldn’t be until December of that year that Stunt first tasted victory in an AEW ring when he and Luchasaurus defeated The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds and John Silver) on AEW Dark. Throughout his AEW run, Stunt competed in 49 matches and boasts a somewhat unfortunate 17-32 win/loss record
AEW had announced a ladder match at Forbidden Door after Adam Copeland had to relinquish the title due to his foot injury. Apart from Perry, the contestants for the bout included El Phantasmo, Mark Briscoe, Lio Rush, Konosuke Takeshita, and Dante Martin
The grueling match featured many brutal spots as expected. One highlight of the fight was when Takeshita landed a blue thunder bomb on Phantasmo through a pair of tables outside.
The ending of the bout saw Mark Briscoe hitting Takeshita with a chair as he looked to grab the title. Briscoe then sent the Japanese star crashing through a ladder and looked to win the match himself.
The Scapegoat, however, used a second ladder to send Briscoe crashing. He then took out Mark using repeat chair shots. The Elite member finally climbed the ladder and grabbed the TNT title to win the bout
Jack Perry wasn’t the only Elite member in action tonight at The Young Bucks and Kazuchika Okada faced the team of Anthony Bowens, Max Caster, and Hiroshi Tanahashi, collectively known as The Scissor Ace.
The Elite won this bout as well. The Continental Champion picked up the victory for his team after he blasted the NJPW President with a rainmaker for the pin.
AEW has started teasing the return of Hangman Adam Page after The Young Bucks announced that they will be introducing the wild card entry into the ongoing Owen Hart Tournament. Now we will have to see when Page actually makes his return.
The Elite’s Jack Perry may have been cooked during AEW Double or Nothing 2024 but that likely won’t keep the ‘Scapegoat’ out of action for long.
The spot in question took place during the show’s ‘Anarchy in the Arena’ main event match that saw The Elite defeat Team AEW (FTR, Bryan Danielson, and Darby Allin.) Amid the chaos, Allin used a flamethrower to burn Perry in one of the most violent spots of the show.
Perry was “100% OK” after the Anarchy in the Arena match despite the highly dangerous stunt, PW Insider reports. The former FTW Champion had done the same stunt in the past and AEW “jumped through every hoop” to make sure the stunt was done correctly and safely.
To pull off the stunt, Perry needed to cover himself in a flammable gel that would quickly burn up before the flames had a chance to burn him. The spot where he ‘knocked himself out’ crashing the bus was to take Perry off camera so he could gel himself up for the fire stunt.
Credit: Scott Lesh.
What’s to Come?
Perry not only recovered from his burning but also got the win for his team by pinning Bryan Danielson. This is arguably the biggest win of Perry’s career and comes after a unique period of time ever since his suspension at AEW All In: London 2023. Fans can expect the Elite to be celebrating on tonight’s episode of AEW Dynamite, though Perry may not be ready to get back in the ring with Darby Allin and his flamethrower anytime soon.
Bryan Danielson has compared the troubles of Jack Perry to his own WWE firing back in 2010 due to his actions during Nexus’ debut.
The former World Champion spoke to Sports Illustrated recently to discuss this Sunday’s Double or Nothing PPV from MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Bryan is set to team up with FTR and Darby Allin to face The Young Bucks, Kazuchika Okada and Jack Perry in an Anarchy In The Arena match at the upcoming event.
Speaking about his teammates and opponents, Bryan noted that he knows what FTR and The Young Bucks will be bringing to the table for this bout. He explained that they don’t know how Okada would fair in a chaotic match like that and the two young stars will be wild cards in the fight:
“I’m not sure what Jack Perry will bring to the match. Honestly, I’m a little scared of what Darby is going to bring to the match. How about that flamethrower on Dynamite?”
The Anarchy in The Arena match will be Perry’s first bout in AEW since his return to the company. Prior this, he wrestled for the promotion during the All In London event in August 2023 which led to his backstage altercation with CM Punk and subsequent absence that lasted almost 8 months.
Speaking about the troubles Perry has had to face in the past few months due to his scuffle with Punk, Bryan Danielson said that we’re all put into weird situations from time to time. He recalled one such situation he experienced firsthand when he briefly got fired from WWE in 2010:
“We’re all put in weird positions, some of our own making and some that have nothing to do with us, It’s all about how you react to it. When I got fired [by WWE in 2010] for choking Justin Roberts and spitting in [John] Cena’s face, it turned out really well for me. But even in the moment, when you lose a steady paying job, I knew I’d land on my feet. I haven’t spoken with Jack. Is he mad about it? The name ‘Scapegoat’ implies he is. I don’t know his mindset, at least not yet.”
The former World Champion noted that he hasn’t been around Jack Perry long enough to know how he will react to a match like Anarchy In The Arena. This is going to change when he steps in the ring with the 26-year-old this Sunday.
Bryan Danielson made his WWE main roster debut when Nexus attacked John Cena and destroyed everything at the ringside during the main event of the June 7, 2010 episode of Raw.
The 43-year-old was fired from the company for being too violent during the segment. Though he was re-hired by the officials not too long after. He made his return during the August 15 episode of Raw.
The Young Bucks felt great dropping Tony Khan on his head.
The AEW EVPs have completely changed the perception about them in many ways since returning to AEW Programming after a short hiatus in January this year. The duo that have always been criticized for focusing on moves, have been doing some of the best character work of their careers.
The decision for them to be the team to wrestle Sting in his retirement match at Revolution was originally criticized by many fans. Not only did the brothers deliver the performance of a lifetime in this bout, but they have also taken the heat from it to become one of the hottest acts in the business.
One defining moment that helped them reach this status was when Matthew and Nicholas Jackson attacked their boss and AEW President Tony Khan during the April 24 episode of Dynamite. They beat Khan up with the help of Jack Perry and then laid him out using the ‘Tony Khan driver’
The AEW stars spoke to Sports Illustrated about this moment and said that it felt ‘dangerous and rebellious.’ Matthew Jackson claimed that he knew they had done the right thing when his phone lit up afterwards:
“The locker room gasped when it went down. Afterward, my phone lit up like a Christmas tree. It was probably the most feedback I’ve ever received for anything I’ve ever done, so I know it worked.”
The AEW EVP declared that it was something he had wanted to do since they first met with the Jacksonville Jaguars Executive:
“It was personally great for me, because I had fantasized many times about dropping Tony Khan on his head ever since I met him. I can remember many times watching him talk during production meetings, and my mind would wander to beating the hell out of him,”
We Kept An Eye On Him: Young Bucks
The Young Bucks also talked about the return of Jack Perry on AEW TV. The 26-year-old had been absent from AEW programming since his infamous All In scuffle with CM Punk in August last year.
When Perry first surfaced back on the wrestling scene in January, it was for NJPW and not AEW. Per the Bucks, they had been keeping an eye on the young star since then and giving him advice:
“We kept an eye on him the entire time he was gone and helped him navigate the situation–a familiar one that we had also gone through. We also talked him down a few times. We gave him advice on how to succeed in Japan.”
Jack Perry became the fourth member to join the new Elite after Kazuchika Okada when he returned to AEW in April. Speaking about taking the former Jungle Boy into their group, Bucks said that they had empathy for the young star for being treated unfairly:
“Jack unfairly ate crap for a very long time. So we had a lot of empathy for him, and we were very excited to help launch his comeback.”
The Elite have been running the company to their liking in recent weeks after adding both Okada and Perry to the group. Their dominance, however, will be challenged by Team AEW consisting of Bryan Danielson, FTR, and Darby Allin at the upcoming Double or Nothing PPV on May 26 when they meet in an Anarchy in the Arena match.
Tony Khan rode a wave of attention when he wore a neck brace during the NFL Draft. He had plenty of chances to plug Dynamite this week, as he promised that fans will find out what is next in the obvious power struggle going on within the company.
Tony Khan opened this week’s AEW Dynamite via satellite from Jacksonville, Florida. As he was explaining that he couldn’t be in Winnipeg due to The Elite’s actions last week, his feed got choppy and cut out. Matthew and Nicholas Jackson appeared in a production truck and made it clear they were in charge of the broadcast. They explained Khan can’t fire them due to a ‘founder’s clause’ in their AEW contracts. Since they’re the highest ranking officials at the show, they’re in charge and rolled a customized Dynamite opening video package featuring only The Elite.
Later in the show, Jack Perry explained his actions against Tony Khan last week. He said he did what was best for AEW in this “new era” as the Winnipeg arena filled with “CM Punk” chants.
"We are entering a new era under The Elite" – Jack Perry
Kenny Omega took the ring during the final segment of AEW Dynamite. After explaining his ordeal with diverticulitis, The Cleaner admitted that he couldn’t watch AEW television for the longest time. The former AEW World Champion stated that he’s not done wrestling, and he will do whatever it takes to return.
Then he brought up The Jackson Brothers, saying that they don’t call the shots by themselves in AEW, because the Best Bout Machine is still an EVP of the company. Kazuchika Okada made his way to the ring after that, as fans chanted “holy sh*t” before either of them said a word.
Okada said, “I’m sorry Kenny, I’m the best bout machine now” right before Jack Perry jumped Omega from behind.
Although Omega mounted a bit of a comeback, Perry whacked him in the gut with a steel chair, sending him down to the mat. The Young Bucks soon came down to nail him with an EVP Trigger. FTR ran down for the save, chasing The Elite off, but the damage was done. AEW signed off Dynamite this week with Omega laying in the middle of the ring. When Rampage started immediately afterward, they led Omega off on a stretcher. After the initial assault, The Elite stopped EMTs from loading Omega onto an ambulance. They then tipped over the stretcher while Kenny was strapped in, adding insult to injury.
Tony Khan says The Elite has ignited a “power struggle” in AEW and the company plans to have a new “highest-ranking official” onsite for Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite. The Elite shocked the pro wrestling world last Wednesday by attacking Tony Khan one night before his participation in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Jacksonville Jaguars owner generated a ton of media attention for the neck brace he wore at the Draft to sell the effects of the unconscionable attack he sustained.
During an interview with SEScoops correspondent Scott Fishman for TV Insider, Khan said how lucky he is to work with the NFL and appreciates all the concern about his condition. He said he won’t be present for Wednesday’s Dynamite from Winnipeg, but he’s worked remotely in the past throughout the pandemic. The big question is, who will be on top of the totem pole in his absense?
“We all have experience working outside the office. During the lockdown, we got used to meetings on Teams and Zoom. I’ll still be overseeing AEW and managing the show remotely.
As for who will be the highest-ranking official onsite, stay tuned Wednesday. It will certainly be addressed this week on TBS. This power struggle that is happening in AEW.”
As Kevin Nash spoke about on his podcast this week, Tony Khan fired CM Punk when he felt physically threatened. The Elite have taken things much farther than Punk did. What repercussions will they face, if any?
TK Welcomes Kenny Omega’s Return
Kenny Omega is advertised to make his AEW television return when they go to Winnipeg. As another EVP of the company, this could throw a wrench in the Young Bucks’ plans. After all, they did fire him from The Elite a few weeks ago. This will be a big moment for AEW, and Tony Khan is also very excited about that, as he continued plugging the upcoming episode of Dynamite on TBS.
Omega has been out of action due to a diverticulitis attack, one that reportedly required surgery. Although The Cleaner is far from his in-ring clearance, he won’t miss Dynamite in his home city. Khan says, “I can’t wait to have Kenny Omega back in AEW. It’s the perfect time for Kenny to return. I know Kenny Omega has been recovering at home since he was fired from The Elite by The Young Bucks last month. It’s the perfect time for Kenny Omega to return on May 1.”
AEW Dynamite Preview (5/1)
You can find the current lineup for the May 1 episode of AEW Dynamite below.
Chris Jericho vs. Shibata
Adam Copeland vs. TBA
Mariah May vs. Serena Deeb
Kenny Omega’s TV return
Due to a scheduling conflict with the NHL Playoffs, AEW Rampage will air at a different time this week. A three-hour event will air this week on Wednesday, May 1, with a live Rampage following Dynamite. Also, AEW Collision will not broadcast on May 4, due to this conflict with the NHL. AEW’s Saturday night show is set to return to its regular time slot on Saturday, May 11.
Last week’s 4/25 AEW Dynamite from Daily’s Place finished with a a controversial angle that fans are still talking about. Jack Perry made a surprise return and attacked AEW President Tony Khan. The Elite joined in, Perry is now part of the heel faction and there are immediate parallels with the early days of the nWo. After Shad Khan’s son took a microphone shot to the gut followed by a Tony Khan Driver, The Elite stood over their boss in victory. The Young Bucks’ new alliance with Kazuchika Okada and Jack Perry has nWo vibes and the memes have been plentiful on social media.
On this week’s Kliq This podcast, Nash and co-host Sean Oliver reviewed AEW Dynasty and AEW Dynamite, including the controversial angle that led Tony Khan to wear a neck brace for the 2024 NFL Draft. While giving Khan grief for selling a padded microphone shot, Nash compared the segment to WCW’s infamous Finger Poke of Doom (Wikipedia) angle. During a match against Hollywood Hogan on WCW Nitro (January 4, 1999), Nash laid down for Hogan, handing over the WCW title in what’s seen as a low-point for the declining company.
Dynamite viewership was under 700,000, down from the previous week and the lowest since October 2023. Nash fired, back, “Thank God, because they missed the finger poke of doom at the end of this motherf****r.
Neck Brace
Tony Khan went on to sell that attack during both nights of the NFL Draft by wearing a neck brace. He appeared on the NFL Network, where he compared WWE to Harvey Weinstein. Nash didn’t love everything he saw on AEW television this week, but he credited Khan for selling the injury and keeping kayfabe alive with the neck brace.
“The neck brace. The neck brace the following day at the Jaguars. I got to give a little respect to this because I don’t think the NFL or anyone that watches the NFL and not wrestling is going to give a sh*t, but the attempt to do some crossover, respecting the product where he wore the neck brace the next day, it’s a commitment.”
Tony Khan discusses taking the TK Driver from the Bucks and compares WWE to Harvey Weinstein pic.twitter.com/borodQ1GiF
Nash took issue with the fact that CM Punk got fired for roughing up his boss, so how is he going to handle The Elite?
“I just don’t see what it does unless Tony comes back and fires the Executive Vice Presidents for attacking him. He fired.. he got rid of Punk. You can’t have a storyline that shows, a couple weeks earlier, they showed the Punk/Perry altercation, which was nothing.”
Tony Khan and AEW are influenced by pro wrestling history. This new incarnation of The Elite (just one week in) is already drawing comparisons to the nWo, so it was an attention-grabbing segment. Hopefully The Elite sparks a similar level of excitement as Hollywood Hogan, Scott Hall and podcast host Kevin Nash did in 1996.
Chicken salad. That’s what Tony Khan and AEW did on this week’s Dynamite by maximizing whatever you can after airing the ALL IN footage. And depending on how they continue to handle it, there could be more to come in the form of Jack Perry..
The greater contingency of fans (especially on social media) will be quick to make WCW 2000 comparisons once more or say TK is riding down the Russo electric rail of irrelevancy, but that final segment of Khan being beat down was more Paul Heyman than Russo. Instead of focusing on the weakness that was the footage, the spotlight was shined on a strength from an unexpected source, usurping product’s perceived misfire weeks back.
Was Khan’s selling questionable? Yes. Was wearing low-rise socks on a night where you were getting piledriven a bad choice? Absolutely, but what AEW did is address “the other guy” in the room at Wembley in Tony Khan.
Good or bad (leaning more towards bad), the decision to air the footage has already been made and AEW had to wear that albatross like a necklace, but Tony remained adament that he didn’t feel that way. When asked about the criticism of airing the footage, Khan stated on the pre-Dynasty media call that ratings would be the true fan reaction to what we got weeks ago courtesy of a security camera.
The ratings did pop that week with Khan saying TBS was pleased, but numbers crashed back down to earth the week after. Khan’s company was still left wading in the standing water of it’s “nowhere near a fight” footage. Then Dynasty had the Scapegoat Tarzan swing in after spending months away from AEW. Even if Perry was previously a Jungle Boy, his reemergence into the product alone would not drain the swamp from stagnancy.
I previously wrote that Khan can be the leader AEW needs by getting out of his own way. On Wednesday, he ripped the Band-Aid off, with the Neosporin being three big letters that he and the whole country are quite familiar with.
Even more than CM Punk and Perry, Khan was the most talked about person after airing that footage. He’s addressed it several times in interviews since then, but on Wednesday Khan took another risk by bringing that Charlie Brown storm cloud right out to Daily’s Place and making himself part of the storyline.
Like Lucy, The Young Bucks and Perry held the football, and unlike Charlie Brown, TK (albeit awkwardly) kicked it through the uprights by leaning to his strengths: his NFL ties. Roger Goodell and gang were the unexpected deux ex machina in this situation as Khan not only had his father saunter out to close the show, but got the NFL buzzing about the angle too, right before the NFL Draft kicks off this weekend. It will be even better if TK sells the attack to the gills with a neck brace and a bottle of Pepto by his side while he sits by the phone.
Perception be damned, Khan coming out doesn’t seem to be a Vince McMahon or Dixie Carter move in getting himself over. Unlike the other two, Khan didn’t utter a word during the segment, but just displayed his eagerness and excitement to reinstate Perry. He was the focus of the segment, but moving forward, I’m willing to bet that the whole story will not be. He was just a way to get to where they’re headed.
Will ripping the Band-Aid off bring AEW back into a 2019 rhythm that fans got so enamored with? Of course not. That’s something that will require consistency and focus, something that AEW has never excelled at on a weekly basis, but they arguably got themselves back in the game with some outside help.
Now Tony Khan and his product is on the clock. Happy Draft Day.
Jack Perry is once again on AEW programming, and bringing back the ‘Scapegoat’ may be a decision AEW President Tony Khan lives to regret.
Perry made his return to the airwaves during AEW Dynasty. The former FTW Champion interfered in the AEW World Tag Team Championship ladder match and would cost FTR the match to the Young Bucks. This marked Perry’s first AEW on-screen appearance (in person) since AEW All In in August of 2023.
On the April 24, edition of Dynamite, Perry was spotted arriving at the show with the Elite, furthering the idea that there was some sort of alliance between the two sides. Later on, it was revealed that Perry and Khan would come face-to-face in the ring.
During this segment, Perry admitted that he and Khan hadn’t seen eye to eye, but they agreed that they wanted the best for AEW and the future. Having said that, Perry offered a truce to bury the hatchet with the AEW CEO and asked to reinstate him.
Khan agreed but the moment they shook hands, Perry attacked the AEW President. The Elite, consisting of the Bucks and Kazuchika Okada then came to the ring. While it appeared they wanted to stop Perry from inflicting further damage, they also joined in on the attack on Khan.
AEW Dynamite went off the air with the Elite and Perry standing tall while officials and Khan’s father Shahid checked on the injured AEW President. This segment was quite the change for Khan, who unlike Vince McMahon and other higher-ups in WWE, had for the most part avoided being involved with AEW’s on-screen angles.
It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out in the coming weeks, especially with Kenny Omega’s return to AEW TV set for next week’s Dynamite. No doubt the EVP will have plenty to say about the Bucks, Okada, and Perry after what transpired this week.
Welcome to the Daily Drop for Tuesday, April 23, 2024. WWE brought another episode of RAW this week, and there is a lot to talk about as we get this week started.
First off, Becky Lynch is the new WWE Women’s World Champion. She won a battle royal in the main event of RAW this week, defeating Liv Morgan as the last competitor. Since Rhea Ripley already promised to come after her title upon her return, it looks like we may have a WrestleMania 40 rematch waiting for us down the line.
Let’s get into today’s edition of the Daily Drop!
WWE:
Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Trick Williams – NXT Championship Match
Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Tatum Paxley – NXT Women’s Championship Triple
The D’Angelo Family (Tony D’Angelo, Channing ‘Stacks’ Lorenzo & Luca Crusifino) vs. No Quarter Catch Crew (Charlie Dempsey, Damon Kemp & Myles Borne) – Six-Man Tag Team Match
Sol Ruca vs. Blair Davenport – Beach Brawl
WWE Releases: Although Xyon Quinn and Von Wagner never made it to RAW or SmackDown, their releases came down from the main roster. They were both free agents, so this was not an NXT call. It also makes us wonder whether they will be under 90-day non-compete clauses, since NXT releases only require a 30-day waiting period before they can appear for another company.
Dominik Injured: Dirty Dom showed up on RAW this week in a sling. That was a big surprise, and he was pulled from his scheduled match. Although he did appear on television, Dom did not get physical. It was later confirmed that not only was Dominik Mysterio injured, but he was also pulled from action on the European tour for an undisclosed injury.
QR Codes Continue: There was another QR Code during RAW this week, and fans are intrigued. This week’s tease also included a blatant reference to Bray Wyatt and Uncle Howdy within the hidden messages. Obviously, WWE is planning something big for this angle, and we’re here for it.
This is the video revealed after solving the clue associated with tonight’s QR Code!
Some of Max Caster’s freestyles have been really clever, but this is another one that’s in such bad taste. Where’s the judgement? #AEWDynastypic.twitter.com/eQ7iJ6MTg8
PVZ’s AEW Status: Former UFC fighter Paige VanZant is not with AEW anymore. She may still appear on the company’s roster page, but Dave Meltzer confirmed during Wrestling Observer Radio that she didn’t want to be a pro wrestler, so she is no longer All Elite. For the record, VanZant is making a killing with her NSFW OnlyFans content.
Scapegoat Spotted: Footage of Jack Perry in the AEW Dynasty crowd before his big return to television started making the rounds online. He walked around with a popcorn bucket with a Sting mask on for a minute before rushing the ring. As you can hear from the voices behind the camera, they were certainly not fooled by Perry’s disguise.
Tony Khan says airing the All In footage helped explain Jack Perry’s absence from AEW TV ahead of his return to the company at tonight’s AEW Dynasty PPV.
Perry had been suspended from AEW following his altercation with CM Punk at the All In event in August 2023. He stayed away from wrestling for over 5 months before resurfacing at NJPW’s Battle in the Valley show this past January.
On the post-Dynasty media scrum, Khan was asked if the footage helped Jack Perry feel like a bigger star during his return at the PPV. Tony first mentioned how ‘The Scapegoat’ had a great run in NJPW before his comeback tonight which helped generate some buzz for him:
“Well I’m really excited about a lot of things happening in AEW. I think Jack Perry’s return got a lot of excitement and got a huge reaction. Again, I mentioned we were in Chicago. It was a great night for the company when Jon Moxley became the IWGP World Champion. I got to watch Jack Perry’s return to American wrestling in New Japan Pro Wrestling.
He got a massive star reaction at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Windy City show and I think he’s been doing great work in New Japan Pro Wrestling. When you go over do an excursion and have a great run like he had in the New Japan Cup and a great performance like he had against Shota in Chicago. I think that had a lot to do with it.
We Made The Bold Call: Tony Khan
Speaking about the All In footage, Tony Khan admitted that it did heighten the circumstances around Jack Perry’s return to his promotion:
“I do think we made a bold call in the run up to this match. Really it heightened the circumstances and I do think it added to the presentation of the moment of Jack Perry’s return tonight at AEW Dynasty. The pay per view was a home run. I think a lot of people felt like it was a great return.
Also I felt like it was important to explain partially where Jack’s been because the last time we saw him on AEW television was at Wembley Stadium. He went through the curtain. We never saw him again since, so I did feel like some responsibility to the viewer given I knew Jack was going to return to AEW that we explain where he’s been.”
AEW Dynasty featured the finals of the Tag Team Title tournament between FTR and The Young Bucks. A Man in Sting mask interfered in the bout at the very end and helped The Bucks secure the victory over their opponents. The security quickly grabbed the mystery man and Jack Perry was revealed when they removed the mask.
Jack Perry has not been seen on AEW television since All In, where he faced Hook in a Zero Hour match for the FTW Title. Not two weeks after AEW finally aired Perry’s fight footage with CM Punk backstage from All In, he made a shocking return during Dynasty.
Perry made his return during the Saint Louis pay-per-view to help the Young Bucks beat FTW for the AEW Tag Team Titles. The former Jungle Boy’s presence was felt near the end of their ladder match.
During the closing moments of the match, Jack Perry attempted to interfere by pushing Dax off the ladder but was halted by security. Thanks to this distraction, Nick managed to climb the ladder, grab the championship titles, and secure a win for The Young Bucks.
At the AEW Dynasty pay-per-view in the Chaifetz Arena in St Louis, The Young Bucks competed against FTR in a ladder match for the vacant AEW Tag Team Championships. Those titles haven’t had owners since Sting and Darby Allin relinquished them following The Icon’s retirement.
As the match continued, Matt Jackson pushed Cash Wheeler from the top of a ladder using Dax Harwood as support. Nick then hit a 450 splash from the top rope to the floor, sending Cash through a table. Dax applied a piledriver to Matt on a ladder, and Nick followed with a springboard into a sunset flip powerbomb.
Unexpectedly, Jack Perry, disguised in a Sting mask, tried to interfere by pushing Dax off the ladder but was stopped by security. Despite this, Nick was able to climb the ladder and retrieve the championship titles, securing victory for The Young Bucks in this challenging ladder match.
The Young Bucks spoke highly of Perry, referring to him as a Scapegoat, before they aired the CM Punk fight footage. Now, Perry is back in the AEW fold, and all signs point to a continued alliance with the heel EVP team, who are now the first three-time AEW Tag Team Champions in company history.
Jack Perry is gearing up for a return to AEW following the company’s controversial decision to air footage from his backstage altercation with CM Punk from last year’s All In London PPV from Wembley Stadium.
During the NJPW Windy City Riot pay-per-view event at the Wintrust Arena on April 12, 2024, Shota Umino defeated Perry in a match that lasted just over 15 minutes. This marks the Scapegoat’s final NJPW match for the foreseeable future.
Jack Perry’s next appearance will be for AEW and it’s expected “imminently,” according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
All Elite Wrestling returns to pay-per-view this Sunday for AEW Dynasty.
Perry’s AEW Hiatus
Jack Perry and CM Punk were both suspended following their All In Brawl last year. Punk was later fired, and he has returned to WWE since then. Perry, whose suspension lapsed some time ago, never returned to AEW television.
Tony Khan was reportedly still irritated with Perry, as he saw him as the reason AEW lost CM Punk. With Perry’s return to AEW on the horizon, it will be interesting to see how Khan works this into the story.
Some notable moments for AEW took place during the 4/12 NJPW Windy City Riot show in Chicago, including Jon Moxely winning the IWGP World Heavyweight Title. That event also marked Jack Perry’s last NJPW match for a while.
The match between Jack Perry and Shota Umino received the strongest crowd reaction. Fans brought signs to the event, both supportive and critical of Perry, and there were many chants directed at him during the contest. Perry embraced the heel role, as the crowd was filled with chants of “scapegoat” and singing “Oh, cry me a river” toward Perry.
He also entered the ring surrounded by security in riot gear, displayed a flag with the Chicago symbol to further provoke the crowd. And he wore a jacket saying “Cry me a River,” for good measure.
Kenny Omega has said that sometimes, a backstage fight or two is what it takes in wrestling for wrestlers with grievances to let it all out.
Since 2022, the topic of backstage fights has cast a dark cloud over AEW, of which Omega is an Executive Vice President. Speaking about All Out 2022 during a recent Twitch stream, Omega admitted that he is of the belief that sometimes, a fight is needed to let things out, but admits this isn’t the right stance in 2024.
“I’ve played a lot of contact sports and I’ve gotten into jiu-jitsu and boxing and mixed martial arts… Sometimes emotions will get the best of you and people will want to throw hands. I am unfortunately, or fortunately a believer of it, I think that if it’s decided ‘Hey, this is the best way to solve things’ and you can shake hands after and move on after, I’m actually a believer of fighting.
“I am and it sounds terrible to say and that’s why, don’t make me an EVP in 2024. You can’t do that stuff anymore. I just feel that sometimes that’s how you have to settle things. Sometimes.”
AEW All Out 2022’s backstage fight, now known as ‘Brawl Out,’ would not be the last backstage fight, as Jack Perry and CM Punk would get physical at AEW All In: London less than a year later. Footage from the fight was recently aired on AEW Dynamite though many believe the move to ‘stick it’ to Punk has backfired on Tony Khan.
During the stream, Omega didn’t mention the All In fight or Khan’s decision to air the footage directly, but said that such fights aren’t meant to be shown on screen.
“I don’t mean you have to settle it and then it be shown on screen to everyone or people have to brag online about who won [or] who lost. No, it’s not for that purpose. It’s for the purpose of getting that stuff out that you need to get out.”
Ultimately, AEW has aired the footage from All In and that can’t be undone. Many now believe though that AEW and Khan are regretting the decision, as many videos of the footage shared online are being flagged by the promotion.
As for Omega, he is continuing to recover from diverticulitis and it remains unclear when he will be back in the ring. We’re continuing to wish him a full and speedy recovery.
For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SE Scoops.
Jack Perry’s AEW future remains uncertain, but the former Jungle Boy was able to poke fun at CM Punk during a recent appearance in Chicago, IL.
During the April 10, episode of Dynamite, AEW made the bold decision to air the backstage altercation between Perry and Punk from All In: London 2023. Many have criticized the move as unnecessary with many arguing releasing the footage has done more damage to AEW’s reputation than CM Punk’s.
At the NJPW Windy City Riot event in Chicago, Perry took on Shota Umino. Before the two locked up though, the self-professed ‘Scapegoat’ arrived with security and the flag of Chicago. Perry also wore a jacket emblazoned with the message ‘CRY ME A RIVER.’ It was this comment during his All In: London match with HOOK that led to Punk confronting him backstage.
CRY ME A RIVER!
É assim que Jack Perry faz a sua entrance em Chicago, a crowd está maluca!!! Tivemos vários cânticos de 'CM PUNK'#njriotpic.twitter.com/mBFV4v2FRS
As for the match, Perry would hold his own against Umino but was ultimately defeated by the Japanese wrestler who used a Death Rider. After the match, Perry offered Umino a handshake, which Umino accepted.
What’s to Come for Jack Perry?
Some believe that releasing the All In: London footage could mark the start of Perry’s return to AEW programming. With that said, Tony Khan was recently said to still be mad at Perry over what transpired, with the belief that Perry ‘cost’ AEW CM Punk, who has since returned to WWE.
Khan may not be pleased with Perry referencing the backstage fight, despite it being Khan’s decision to release the footage this week in the first place. AEW has been flagging videos of the fight and having them taken down. Some believe this is a sign AEW & Khan are regretting airing the backstage altercation.
Outside of AEW, Perry has continued to make a name for himself as the ‘Scapegoat,’ which plays off the notion of him being unfairly blamed for All In: London. He has been appearing for New Japan as part of the House of Terror.