Mercedes Mone just made her debut for AEW at Big Business in Boston, but she is already on her way to becoming the face of the company. Tony Khan certainly seems to think that she has all the makings it takes.

Tony Khan sees Mercedes Mone as a perfect candidate to be a face of AEW. He had plenty of reasons for this decision, and the fact that she was sitting right next to him only added to the moment. 

Mone is Over with Khan

Tony Khan sees Mercedes Mone as an ideal representative for AEW. He made this very clear as he also called her one of the greatest pro wrestlers in the world. 

Following her debut at Big Business last week, Khan and Mone participated in an interview with NBC Boston, where Khan highlighted Mone’s qualities as a wrestler, her charisma, passion for wrestling, and connection with the fans.

Mercedes, one of the greatest wrestlers in the world. She’s going to help bring in new audiences from all over the world. It’s such a great question, because I think not only is she going to come in as one of the faces of AEW, one of the top stars, but she’s also one of the best wrestlers, one of the most charismatic people, somebody who loves wrestling. And I’m so glad you asked, because to me Mercedes not only is somebody who loves the wrestling business, loves getting in the ring and wrestling, but loves the fans. And I think that’s what we’re all about in AEW, and I think that’s why Mercedes is perfect to be the face of AEW.

Mone in AEW So Far

Mone made her AEW debut by delivering a promo at the beginning of Big Business and later intervened to rescue Willow Nightingale from an attack. With her return to action, Mone is ready to compete in her first AEW match since recovering from an ankle injury in May 2023.

Her debut match date is yet to be announced by AEW. The former Sasha Banks is scheduled to appear on this Wednesday’s episode of Dynamite from Toronto.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more in the pro wrestling world, so keep checking back throughout the day for more updates and the stories you need.

Jack Perry is still with AEW, despite what may have been suggested, but fans should not expect to see him any time soon. 

Perry last appeared for AEW at All In 2023, where he lost the FTW Championship to Hook. This match, like much of the show, was overshadowed by the backstage confrontation Perry had with CM Punk. Their fight led to both men being suspended from AEW and Punk ultimately being released following his second suspension in less than a year. Punk has since gone on to return to WWE. 

Jack Perry Outside AEW

At NJPW Battle in the Valley 2024, Perry made a stunning appearance, his first in any wrestling company since AEW All In. Perry, clad in a “scapegoat” armband, tore up an AEW contract. This was a surprise to everyone, including the security. Guards at Battle in the Valley first thought Perry was a fan entering the ring, but were quickly told this was part of the show. 

Jack Perry’s Current Status. 

Perry’s appearance at the NJPW show understandably led many to believe his time with AEW had ended. On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer gave some clarification on Perry’s current status. The former FTW Champion is still with AEW but is simply not being used. 

Meltzer added that Tony Khan is still “really mad” at Perry over what transpired at AEW All In. The general gist of things is that Perry cost AEW CM Punk, who for his issues in AEW, is one of the biggest names the company had on its roster. With Punk not around, the lion’s share of the blame has fallen on the former Jungle Boy. 

Has Tony Khan Gone Too Far? 

Meltzer argued that Perry should have been suspended for a month or two and then brought back to programming. Instead, we are now seven months into Perry’s absence from AEW programming. Meltzer said that the punishment for Perry doesn’t fit the ‘crime’ he committed last August in Wembley. 

AEW President Tony Khan is well aware of how dangerous Darby Allin’s spots may be, but is confident that the wrestler always finds a way to do them safely. 

Since arriving in AEW, Allin has put his body on the line several times in spots far more dangerous than seen from others. At AEW Revolution 2024, a spot involving Allin saw the former TNT Champion fall off a ladder and go through glass panes. This spot has raised questions as to whether it was necessary in Sting’s final match and whether Allin goes too far with stunts like this, and if so, why AEW allows it. 

Tony Khan on Darby Allin

Sitting down with TV Insider, Khan addressed the spot in question. The AEW President began by touting the importance of safety, an attitude that extends to all on his roster. 

“It has to be something safe. Whenever a wrestler comes in and wants to try something, especially dangerous, I just want to know that there is a safe way to do it.”

Focusing on the former AEW TNT Champion, Khan pointed out that Allin makes sure to ensure he can survive whatever wild stunt he sets his mind to. 

“He is fanatical about finding a way to pull off the impossible and do these incredible, seemingly death-defying stunts. He always finds a safe way to pull them off. He always has a rationale for why he is able to do it.”

What’s Next? 

On this week’s AEW Dynamite, Allin was still selling the effects of the glass pane spot (though we have to wonder how much of it was selling.) This made the former champion an easy target for Jay White. While Allin tried to fight back, a missed Coffin Drop would seal his fate and White would get the win. 

Allin’s next big stunt will be his biggest to date but will take place outside the confines of an AEW ring. The daredevil is planning to begin his climb of Mt. Everest this month, which will of course mean that he won’t be appearing on AEW Dynamite. 

Fans of AEW will be very satisfied with what transpires on tonight’s ‘Big Business’ edition of Dynamite, Tony Khan has promised. 

AEW Big Business will be the first show of its name and has garnered a ton of buzz. Much of that buzz surrounds Mercedes Mone, who is expected to make her official AEW debut during tonight’s show. Mone, who has been on AEW’s pay-roll for some time, has hardly been subtle when it comes to her involvement in the show. 

Tony Khan’s Vow

While many see Mone’s debut as a done deal, AEW President Tony Khan has unsurprisingly not commented on the reports of her much-anticipated arrival. Speaking with Scott Fishman of TV Insider, Khan didn’t reference the Mone rumors by name but guaranteed a satisfying show. 

“I promise I will not disappoint the fans tonight. There has been an influx of huge names, and tonight is the biggest show yet.”

Khan also spoke about his roster, which he believes to be the best in wrestling, and is confident tonight’s show will showcase something very special. 

“I think that constant innovation and the perpetual strides toward always wanting to get better are a big part of the spirit of AEW. I think tonight’s Big Business show on TBS will showcase that innovation.”

AEW Dynamite – March 13th, 2024

Here is what fans can look forward to on tonight’s show. 

• AEW World Championship: Samoa Joe (c) vs. Wardow
• The Elite vs. Eddie Kingston & Penta El Zero Miedo & Pac
• Darby Allin vs. Jay White
• Willow Nightingale vs. Riho
• Chris Jericho & Hook vs. Gates of Agony
• Mercedes Mone’s debut (expected)

AEW has a number of former WWE Superstars on their roster. It appears that they may be adding one more, but that doesn’t mean it will be a universally praised decision.

Shelton Benjamin was released from WWE in September last year, but he hasn’t signed with another company yet. He may just end up in AEW at this point, and Max Caster couldn’t keep his opinion to himself. Caster doesn’t think AEW needs Shelton.

Max Caster Reacts

It was previously reported that AEW is in talks with Shelton Benjamin. That would be a great get for Tony Khan, because Shelty hasn’t ended up anywhere else since his WWE release in September 2023.

Max Caster apparently heard this report, and he couldn’t keep his opinion to himself. While reacting to this new story about another former WWE Superstar who may be coming into the Land of All Elite, Caster posted on Twitter/X to let everyone know how he feels about things.

We Don’t Want Him

We don’t want him! https://t.co/klLXzTc5rF

— ''Platinum'' Max Caster (@PlatinumMax) March 11, 2024

What’s Next For AEW & Shelton Benjamin

Shelton Benjamin’s release was a surprise for many, because he is a veteran and has a ton of tools to offer any company he works for. At 48-years-old, Benjamin still has a lot of gas in the tank, and he just may end up in AEW soon enough.

For what it’s worth, there have been people in AEW pulling for Tony Khan to sign Shelton Benjamin since before WWE released him. So, he does have people on the roster who are on his side. 

AEW is looking ahead for their Big Business episode of Dynamite in Boston this week. March 13th’s episode will likely see the debut of Mercedes Mone for the company. It’s anyone’s guess how much longer fans will have to wait until Shelton Benjamin joins the mix.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and everything else that AEW is doing to gain headlines. Please keep checking back for more details on the stories you need.

Kazuchika Okada has been one of several big-name free agents AEW has locked down and Tony Khan is hoping it helps signifies a new era for the company, but could he have gone to WWE?

A new report from Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated states that there was a real consideration on Okada’s behalf to ink a deal with WWE. He especially loved the idea of being apart of WrestleMania, however, there were several factors coming to to play with him signing with AEW instead.

Okada has been friends with The Young Bucks for nearly a decade-and-a-half so that obviously came into play. Another added element is that Okada was not expected to relocate to the United States if he did sign with AEW.

Not only that, but The Rainmaker believes that he’ll be given the greatest chance at succeeding in AEW and has a lot of trust in AEW President Tony Khan.

Okada made his greatly-anticipated debut for AEW this past week on AEW Dynamite and did so in a memorable way, swerving the fans with an immediate heel turn. 

After The Young Bucks made several announcements following their loss at AEW Revolution, Eddie Kingston came out to confront the brothers. Matt and Nick Jackson began attacking Eddie when The Rainmaker entered, making it seem like he was there to help Kingston. However, he joined in on the assault and aligned with The Bucks, officially becoming a member of the Elite.

With him attacking Kingston and indicating an interest in his AEW Continental Championship, one would likely believe that it could be Okada vs. Kingston at AEW Dynasty on April 21 in St. Louis, MO.

Kevin Von Erich is all too familiar with what it takes to run a wrestling promotion and the wrestling legend credits Tony Khan for a strong ability to hit the reset button.

Speaking on the A2TheK, Von Erich talked about what he thought of AEW, who happened to showcase his sons, Ross and Marshall on their programming.

“I love those people. It’s a great company. I know this isn’t anything, but the catering was great! What good food. The people are really nice.

“Tony Khan is something else. Every company needs a guy like that. Somebody that loves the business. That can look at the business like it was his first day every morning. That’s that guy. I have a lot of admiration for him. The wrestlers, all great, old friends,”

The Von Erichs starting appearing on AEW programming back when The Iron Claw was being released in theaters. Marshall and Ross actutally recently appeared on an episode of AEW Rampage as they teamed with Dustin Rhodes in triple tag action.

The Von Erichs would certainly be a great fit for the upcoming AEW World Tag Team Title Tournament. Already in the mix is Orange Cassidy and Trent Barretta as well as the AEW EVPs, The Young Bucks, who inserted themselves into the equation. Both Ross and Marshall are former MLW World Tag Team Champions as they actually defeated Richard Holliday and MJF to become the champions. 

If you haven’t gotten to see The Iron Claw, we have several reviews on the site, including a recent write-up from B.J. Bethel.

H/t to Fightful for the transcription.

Kazuchika Okada is in AEW and is a heel, and this creative direction came from those at the very top of the company. 

The Rainmaker made his much-anticipated debut as an AEW wrestler on this week’s edition of Dynamite. While it has been rumored that he’d be joining WWE and potentially starting in NXT, it was reported last month that Okada had signed with AEW. His arrival on Dynamite came less than a month after Okada finished his lengthy career with New Japan Pro Wrestling. 

Kazuchika Okada Joins The Elite

Okada’s debut this week saw him tease aligning with Eddie Kingston who was on the show to confront the Young Bucks. Instead, Okada attacked Kingston, certifying his role as a heel and shook hands with the AEW EVPs. With Kenny Omega fired as a member of The Elite during the same segment, Okada has seemingly replaced the absent former World Champion. 

There was no hesitation in bringing in Okada as a heel, Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated reports. All parties involved, that being the Bucks, Okada, and Tony Khan agreed that being a heel was the better fit, especially given his original big run in Japan being as a playboy heel. The idea that he should start as a heel came directly from Khan. Multiple sources confirmed that Okada has immense trust in the AEW President’s vision. 

What’s Next?

Okada competed in a six-man-tag at this week’s AEW Collision tapings, which will air tonight. SI reports that all indicators are that Okada will feud with Kenny Omega once the Canadian wrestler is ready to wrestle again. 

AEW and WWE were both interested in Kazuchika Okada’s services, but it was Tony Khan who pulled down the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Now Okada is a heel in AEW alongside the Young Bucks, and they are off to the races.

Although AEW didn’t really hype Okada’s impending debut, they had time to do so. For whatever reason, they declined to tease this huge moment in company history, so fans didn’t know that this week’s episode, a week before Big Business, would be anything special.

Tony Khan’s Plan for Okada

Kazuchika Okada shocked the pro wrestling world when he finally debuted for AEW during the March 6th episode in Atlanta. This was a huge surprise, but it was also something they had in the pipeline for a while.

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer remarked that Tony Khan had this plan in place for Okada months ago. It was still a secret, but the plan was certainly in place.

“The Young Bucks’ segment with Okada, that has been known for — not by me — but it has been known by the Young Bucks and Okada and Tony Khan for literally months. It was Tony Khan’s idea to do this a long time ago, like it was the show after Revolution.”

It was noted that they could have announced that the Young Bucks had a big surprise weeks ago. For some reason, they didn’t announce that the Bucks had any kind of surprise until the day of the show. That is when Okada rumors started really churning, but this was the plan for a long time.

What’s Next For Okada in AEW

We will have to see what Okada and The Young Bucks do together. This situation is seemingly setting up another Okada vs Kenny Omega match as well, whenever The Cleaner can get medical clearance.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of this story, and everything else going on in the pro wrestling world. Keep checking back for more details as additional updates are made available. 

Kazuchika Okada’s arrival in All Elite Wrestling has had the wrestling world talking following this week’s edition of Dynamite. 

On the most recent edition of AEW Dynamite, the Young Bucks were furious following their loss to Sting & Darby Allin at AEW Revolution 2024. The EVPs exercised their authority by suspending ‘Hangman’ Adam Page and firing Kenny Omega. 

This diatribe brought out Eddie Kingston, who was quickly joined by the debuting Okada. While the Rainmaker teased being on Kingston’s side, he attacked the AEW Continental Champion and shook hands with the Jackson brothers.

Wrestling World React to Okada’s AEW Debut

On Twitter, Matthew and Nicholas Jackson were pleased to share a photo with Okada and made clear that they were prepared to “change the world.”

Change the world. #theELITE pic.twitter.com/FgzUThTTXi

— Matthew & Nicholas Jackson (@youngbucks) March 7, 2024

Konosuke Takeshita made clear that he was paying attention to Okada, also known as the Rainmaker. 

Rain…

— Konosuke Takeshita (@Takesoup) March 7, 2024

AEW President Tony Khan took great pleasure in response to a tweet alleging that Okada was set to debut for WWE in January of this year as part of the Men’s Royal Rumble match. 

#AEWDynamite pic.twitter.com/R8s8aTpaDr

— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) March 7, 2024

Khan would also confirm Okada’s status by sharing the All Elite graphic while adding that the Rainmaker is a ‘business partner’ of Matthew and Nicholas Jackson. 

He is now business partners with @youngbucks in The Elite, and tonight it's official: @rainmakerXokada is ALL ELITE!
Welcome to @AEW, Kazuchika Okada!#AEWDynamite pic.twitter.com/LfPVLoWH1r

— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) March 7, 2024

Shinsuke Nakamura took to social media to express his surprise at Okada’s arrival in the All-Elite promotion. 

Shinsuke Nakamura reacts to Okada's arrival in AEW.

[Translation: "Really"] pic.twitter.com/JHPmxhRkQx

— Anutosh Bajpai || SEScoops || Wrestling News (@AuthorAnutosh) March 7, 2024

TNA Wrestling, who have often made use of Search Engine Optimization, shared a video of Okada taking on Generation Me (the future Young Bucks) during a TNA Xplosion match from 2010.

Check out Kazuchika Okada and Homicide vs. Generation Me from Xplosion in 2010.

Subscribe to TNA+ and watch all your favorite TNA matches HERE: https://t.co/SjpCtpS013 pic.twitter.com/nzALFANNYA

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) March 7, 2024

And Okada himself had a one-word greeting for the AEW fans and roster while sharing a graphic confirming that he is All Elite. 

Hello pic.twitter.com/gqLw8gyJGd

— Kazuchika Okada (@rainmakerXokada) March 7, 2024

AEW has a packed roster full of talent, but Tony Khan has never announced a hiring freeze. It’s anyone’s guess who TK may bring back next to insert some extra energy into the situation. Lio Rush seems open to the idea of having another run in the Land of All Elite.

Lio Rush, although his AEW exit was sudden and a bit controversial, will not say “no” to the idea of returning to Tony Khan’s company. Things just didn’t pan out the last time around.

Lio Rush in AEW

Lio Rush’s time with the promotion was brief, as he became a free agent following the expiration of his contract with AEW in February 2022. This took place shortly after he voiced his opposition to Tony Khan’s controversial tweet regarding Big Swole.

Rush garnered attention amid AEW’s controversy involving Big Swole. The latter criticized the company’s treatment of Black talent at the forefront and expressed disappointment in the lack of representation of individuals who resemble her among top executives behind the scenes.

He later made it very clear on Twitter/X that his contract was up on February 14, 2022, and he was off to his next venture.

Lio Rush Speaks On Possible AEW Return

While speaking to WrestlingNews.co, Lio Rush clarified that his tenure in AEW ended prematurely because it simply didn’t pan out. Regardless of the specific reasons, he acknowledged that sometimes in life, circumstances don’t align for various individuals and situations.

“It was cut short because it was cut short. I mean, it just didn’t work out. I say this quite often every time that it is brought up. Yeah, it just didn’t work out and it, but regardless of what those reasons are, things just don’t work out. You know, it’s like that in life for many things and for many people. If it was a different time period, if it was a different situation, if it was, yeah, all of these what ifs, but they weren’t what ifs. It was what was going on in the present time and in that time, things just didn’t work out.”

Lio Rush went on to say, “So you know, not to say that you’ll never see me there again or not to say that the relationship is bad or anything like that. I think it was just a period in time that it just didn’t work out for both parties, and we had to split ways.”

What’s Next For Lio Rush

Lio is still working on music, and he’s not retired from the ring either. He continues to impress whenever he’s booked. Hopefully, he can get back on a major television company again someday, because at 29-years-old, he still has plenty of time.

We will have to see if AEW brings Lio Rush back to the company. Tony Khan has a loaded locker room already at this point, but you never know what can happen in pro wrestling.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and many more, as additional updates are available. We also invite you to check out our Daily Drop for all the biggest headlines, tidbits, and other exclusive notes throughout the pro wrestling world!

Darby Allin and Sting won the main event of AEW Revolution on Sunday night, and it was quite a showcase. Although many are talking about Sting’s last match, a lot of attention was taken by Darby Allin’s death defying leap through glass.

CM Punk and Jack Perry’s big All In brawl was due to Perry using real glass when Punk advised against it. Apparently, real glass is a trend in AEW, because Darby Allin used it to make some big waves and cut his back to pieces in the process. Jonathan Coachman saw this, and he doesn’t care whether it upsets AEW fans if he drags the spot.

One of the craziest spots I've ever seen in my life pic.twitter.com/dxtoXwYPbu

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) March 4, 2024

Viral Reaction To Coachman

Fans were not very happy to see what Jonathan Coachman said on Twitter/X. Many AEW loyalists went at Coachman in return, and you can check out a few of those tweets below.

I have said sane, on podcasts and here.

Darby is playing with fire and could get seriously injured.

He is also flicking permanent accumulating damage on his body.

My point was that Coachman doesn’t give a shit and was pretending to for the sake of podcasts. https://t.co/sZy6X1Yv7w

— Matt Koon (@mattkoonmusic) March 5, 2024

https://twitter.com/DoublePlayDre/status/1764777259846471930

Coachman doesn’t understand competition as a form of storytelling, of course he needs Darby Allin explained to him. ?

— Chainsaw Charlie Enthusiast (@ChainsawTerry69) March 4, 2024

Why be genuine when you can just punch down for money?
Let’s be honest, how often does coachman get mentioned these days, even negatively? He needs an audience and attacking AEW is the easiest way to get all parties to notice.

— JJ (@Jamildo2) March 5, 2024

Reaction to Darby’s Dive

The Coach saw Sean Ross Sapp’s video of Darby Allin’s insane dive at Revolution. The clip included glass breaking and fans going crazy. Everything ended with Allin on the ground, and that was all it took to create a viral clip.

When Jonathan Coachman saw the clip of Darby Allin’s big leap, he couldn’t resist but to comment. He said that, aside from Mick Foley, nobody in WWE did that kind of thing in the past. There is a reason for that as well.

While he painted a picture of the true damage to the situation, Jonathan Coachman also begged for someone to teach Tony Khan and AEW’s writing team to craft a storyline that didn’t require this level of ultra violence.

Ok AEW army come after me. This is bananas and SO unnecessary. Can someone please teach the writers and Tony Khan that if you tell a good story you don’t have to do that crap and damn near kill yourself. Other than Mick Foley find any videos of a top star from WWE doing anything this reckless. I am all about getting talked about after a show but my god. If he hits one of those chairs he could have paralyzed himself and broken his back. Tell a story and make the fans care. Then this won’t have to happen or even be talked about doing.

Ok AEW army come after me. This is bananas and SO unnecessary. Can someone please teach the writers and Tony Khan that if you tell a good story you don’t have to do that crap and damn near kill yourself. Other than Mick Foley find any videos of a top star from WWE doing anything… https://t.co/MlTyTazVzq

— The Coach (@Thecoachrules) March 4, 2024

After The Dive

Darby Allin only needed 12 stitches to repair his back after that leap. He was okay to finish the match, and he was around for Sting’s post-match speech. 

It seems that he is going to be okay, with his Mount Everest adventure still in line. Only time will tell when he does something like that again, but you never know what Allin will pull off.

SEScoops will have more on this story if additional information is ever available about Darby Allin’s insane dive.

Tony Khan has made clear that Ricky Starks is still “All Elite.”

Starks has not been seen on television since losing the AEW World Tag Team Titles to Sting and Darby Allin.This weekend rumors surfaced that Starks contract with AEW was set to expire, and that he could be headed to WWE soon.

During the post AEW Revolution press conference, Tony Khan confirmed that the wrestling star was not a free agent just yet. Khan said he was completely unaware of the reports but did note that Starks was absolutely still with the company:

“No, Ricky’s definitely still under contract in AEW so I haven’t seen that but obviously we were doing Revolution today so it came out very good.

“Ricky was a big part of Sting’s run. He was Sting’s first match in AEW teaming with Brian Cage against Darby and Sting at Revolution three years ago and then to come back here three years later, of course Ricky and Big Bill, I’m very grateful.”

Khan said Starks and Big Bill were great tag team champions and mentioned how thankful he was for what Starks has done for Sting.

“I’m very excited about having him here. He’s definitely a part of AEW.”

While TK confirmed that Starks has not left AEW yet, there is no shortage of speculations about his future when the former champion’s contract finally comes up.

There is a very good possibility that Ricky Starks can make the leap to WWE considering he is close friends with Cody Rhodes and it was actually “The American Nightmare” who recruited Ricky to AEW after his time with the NWA. 

You can check out the full Revolution media scrum below:

Sting will wrestle the final match of his career at AEW Revolution. He will tag with Darby Allin against The Young Bucks with the AEW World Tag Team Titles on the line. That will be a huge moment in North Carolina, but is also something that Tony Khan may have wanted to stall a bit.

AEW already has another date booked for Wembley Stadium. It turns out that Tony Khan tried to convince Sting to prolong his retirement a bit so he could go out at the famous venue.

Tony Khan Wanted Sting To Stick Around

In a recent interview with PWI’s Collete Arrand, Sting revealed that Tony Khan expressed a desire to extend his career, possibly even seeing him retire at prestigious venues. However, Sting was mindful of the toll wrestling took on his body, especially with a new generation of talent waiting to make their mark. Despite the allure of prolonged success, Sting acknowledged the limitations of pushing his body beyond its capacities.

As he reflected on his journey, Sting experienced a range of emotions. While there was a sense of sorrow at the thought of leaving wrestling, there was also a profound sense of liberation. He recognized that it was time to bid farewell to professional wrestling, yet he remained open to embracing the next chapter of his life, whatever it may bring.

“It’s funny, because I was the guy who did not want to get into pro wrestling. I didn’t even know what pro wrestling was when I got started. But I ended up being a pro wrestler, and at the beginning, I was an introvert, the last guy that you’d want to get up there and entertain in front of hordes of people. But it blossomed into what it blossomed into. I’ve had a lot of fun. I’ve enjoyed the fans and cannot thank them enough.“

“After all of these years, having walked through the curtain thousands of times, I’m still a nervous wreck when I go out there, and it gets pretty overwhelming to try to perform at a high level at my age, even in a short match, even if it’s a six- or eight-man tag. Tony (Khan) was actually trying to get me to stay longer, maybe retire at Wembley. But it gets tougher and tougher every time you go out there, and you have all of these young guys who are ready to play—there’s only so far you can push it. It’s kind of sad, of course, but, at some point, you just have to do it. There’s a part of me that’s sad, but there’s another part of me that’s relieved. It’s bittersweet, but I’m looking forward to it.”

The pro wrestling world has spoken out in a big way to give Sting his flowers. You can find a ton of those responses and reactions to his retirement at the link below.

AEW All In London

All Elite Wrestling returns to Wembley Stadium in London, England on Sunday, August 25 for AEW All In London 2024. The pay-per-view event showcases top wrestlers of the current era. Tickets for this event are currently available for purchase.

That event will have some big matches, but Sting won’t be wrestling on the card. 

SEScoops will have more information on this story as additional information is available. 

AEW President Tony Khan will always appreciate what Sting has done for AEW, as made clear in a statement ahead of tonight’s AEW Revolution 2024 event. 

At tonight’s show, Sting will compete in his final wrestling match. The Icon announced in October that he planned to retire at AEW Revolution 2024, three years on from making his wrestling debut for AEW at the same event. Sting and Darby Allin will defend the AEW World Tag Team Championships against Matthew and Nicholas Jackson, formerly known as the Young Bucks.

Tony Khan on Sting

The prospect of Sting’s retirement has led to countless wrestlers and fans reflecting on their favorite moments from the Icon. Taking to Twitter, Tony Khan gave a heartfelt statement about Sting.

“Tomorrow night, Sunday, March 3, the Greensboro Coliseum in North Carolina will be packed for AEW: Revolution, and fans from around the world will be watching live on pay-per-view to witness the well-deserved sendoff for professional wrestling’s most enduring icon: @Sting.

“Sting first contacted me about All Elite Wrestling in 2020, expressing interest in a comeback. Seizing the opening, I convinced him to make a surprise return to TNT, 25 years after his first appearance on the network, at AEW Dynamite: Winter Is Coming.

“Sting in AEW would fit like a glove. The Stinger had kept himself in incredible condition, and for his return to the ring, I recommended a partnership that grew to be a bond far stronger than any wrestling hold. In our early phone conversations about a comeback, I told Sting that I saw a great deal of him in a tremendous young wrestler named Darby Allin, and I thought that they could be a great team, although I never imagined what close friends they’d become outside the ring as well. Sting’s surprise arrival in AEW kicked off a mentor-protégé relationship with Darby Allin, which led to a tag team street fight at AEW: Revolution 2021 against Team Taz, Ricky Starks and Brian Cage, as Sting stepped in the ring again for the first time in years. Sting and Darby continued teaming in exciting matches for years to come on TNT and TBS, leaping off of stages, balconies, and ladders with reckless abandon as they accumulated an undefeated record. Finally, they captured the AEW World Tag Team Championship, and they went to bask in the glory of a victory celebration with Sting’s family, only to have the timeless moment stolen in an abominable attack by AEW’s jealous EVPs, Matthew and Nicholas Jackson, going against everything that the company is meant to represent when they desecrated a legend and hurt Sting’s loved ones. And now, at AEW: Revolution, this Sunday, 3 years after the comeback began, it all comes down to one last grudge match, The Final Showtime: Sting and Darby Allin defending the AEW World Tag Team Championship against Matthew and Nicholas Jackson, the Young Bucks. Before we all gather on Sunday to witness the culmination of one of the greatest runs in wrestling history, the AEW locker room and Sting’s family wanted to share their favorite memories in tribute to The Icon himself. We cannot thank him enough for everything he’s given us over his nearly 40-year career.”

Tomorrow night, Sunday, March 3, the Greensboro Coliseum in North Carolina will be packed for AEW: Revolution, and fans from around the world will be watching live on pay-per-view to witness the well-deserved sendoff for professional wrestling’s most enduring icon: @Sting.… https://t.co/TflJpVh21p

— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) March 2, 2024

AEW Revolution 2024

AEW Revolution will take place on Sunday, March 3, from the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC. Here is how the card currently stands.

• Sting and Darby Allin (c) (with Ric Flair) vs. The Young Bucks (Matthew Jackson and Nicholas Jackson) (AEW World Tag Team Championship)

• Orange Cassidy (c) vs. Roderick Strong (with Matt Taven and Mike Bennett) (AEW International Championship)

• “Timeless” Toni Storm (c) (with Mariah May and Luther) vs. Deonna Purrazzo (AEW Women’s World Championship)

• Eddie Kingston (c) vs. Bryan Danielson (Continental Crown Championship, If Bryan loses, he must shake Kingston’s hand)

• Will Ospreay vs. Konosuke Takeshita

• Christian Cage (c) (with Killswitch, Mother Wayne, and “The Prodigy” Nick Wayne) vs. Daniel Garcia (AEW TNT Championship)

• Wardlow vs. Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Lance Archer (Meat Madness)

• FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) vs. Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley and Claudio Castagnoli)

• Samoa Joe (c) vs. “Hangman” Adam Page vs. Swerve Strickland (with Prince Nana) (AEW World Championship)

Sting surprised fans as he lowered from the rafters during his final appearance on AEW Dynamite. After that went down, plenty of fans were discussing things, and Owen Hart’s name was brought into the conversation. It seems that Tony Khan knew this was coming.

Owen Hart’s name trended on Google after Sting was lowered from the rafters. That stunt was nixed on a weekly basis after Hart’s tragic death at Over the Edge in 1999. Tony Khan reached out to make sure this was okay beforehand.

Tony Khan Contacted Martha Hart

Sting made what could potentially be his final descent from the rafters during the latest episode of AEW Dynamite.

Although Sting’s use of the entrance sparked discussions about its associated risks and potential insensitivity, Fightful Select reports that AEW and Tony Khan took proactive steps. They reached out to Martha Hart, Owen Hart’s widow, to discuss the spot and obtain her approval.

Martha ultimately gave her blessing for the entrance to proceed, leading to its inclusion in the show. In the end, Sting’s rafters stunt was a boost of nostalgia, and it was also approved by Owen Hart’s widow.

Sting utilizing the entrance led to some reference the dangers associated with the entrance and perceived insensitivities. However, we’re told that AEW and Tony Khan actually called Martha Hart in preparing for the spot to confer with her. Martha ended up giving her blessing, which is why the entrance happened.

That marked Sting’s first rafter drop since his entrance at TNA Slammiversary in 2007. Prior to that, his last one was in WCW back in 2000. Following the tragic passing of Owen Hart in May 1999, Sting had used this entrance sparingly.

Dr. Martha Hart and AEW have worked closely in the past. She agreed to let the company put out the first official Owen Hart merchandise in years. Now, they have a good relationship, and the company has run two Owen Hart Classic tournaments so far.

What’s Next For Sting in AEW.

Sting’s last match will go down at AEW Revolution this Sunday, live on pay-per-view. He will team with Darby Allin to take on The Young Bucks with the AEW World Tag Team Titles on the line.

SEScoops will have coverage of the event, just in case there are any big headlines. You never know what Tony Khan will book for the company’s next outing, which is likely to get a boost of interest because it is Sting’s last match.

AEW Revolution 2024 Card:

• Sting and Darby Allin (c) (with Ric Flair) vs. The Young Bucks (Matthew Jackson and Nicholas Jackson) in a Tornado tag team match for the AEW World Tag Team Championship, marking Sting’s retirement match.
• Orange Cassidy (c) faces Roderick Strong (with Matt Taven and Mike Bennett) in a Singles match for the AEW International Championship.
• Samoa Joe (c) defends against “Hangman” Adam Page and Swerve Strickland (with Prince Nana) in a Three-way match for the AEW World Championship.
• “Timeless” Toni Storm (c) (with Mariah May and Luther) takes on Deonna Purrazzo in a Singles match for the AEW Women’s World Championship.
• Eddie Kingston (c) squares off against Bryan Danielson in a Singles match for the Continental Crown Championship, with the stipulation that if Danielson loses, he must shake Kingston’s hand.
• Will Ospreay and Konosuke Takeshita collide in a Singles match.
• Christian Cage (c) (with Killswitch, Mother Wayne, and “The Prodigy” Nick Wayne) defends the AEW TNT Championship against Daniel Garcia in a Singles match.
• FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) battles Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley and Claudio Castagnoli) in a Tag team match.
• Chris Jericho faces Wardlow, Powerhouse Hobbs, Lance Archer, Hook, Brian Cage, Magnus, and Dante Martin in an All-Star Scramble match, with the winner earning a future AEW World Championship match.

Miro has been out of action from AEW for a while, and that only adds to the growing trend of The Redeemer missing television for the company. This time, he has a very good reason for being out of action, even if Tony Khan may not be 100% aware.

Although Khan recently stated that he wanted to book Miro for a match at AEW Revolution, it seems that he was not clued in to the Bulgarian star’s physical situation. Apparently, Miro is injured, and he has been since last year.

Miro Speaks On AEW Absence

During a media call for AEW Revolution, Tony Khan shared insights about initially planning for Miro and Keith Lee to participate in the Meat Madness match at Revolution. However, these plans were scrapped due to the unavailability of both wrestlers.

Miro saw a tweet about what the AEW President said as a fan posted, “Tony Khan on the Revolution media call confirms that Miro and Keith Lee were supposed to be in Meat Madness before the match was cancelled, as they’re both unavailable at this time.”

In response to Khan’s comments, Miro took to Twitter to shed light on his absence, revealing that he has been nursing an injury since September of last year, and he underwent medical treatment in January. He clarified that Khan was unaware of his injury until then, but he did not disclose the nature of his affliction.

”I’ve been injured since September and i got medical attention in January. Sorry he wasn’t aware of it.”

I’ve been injured since September and i got medical attention in January. Sorry he wasn’t aware of it https://t.co/xNxFjzu5iS

— Miro (@ToBeMiro) March 1, 2024

What’s Next For Miro In AEW

Miro has been a member of the AEW roster since 2020. He has also held the TNT Title during his tenure, but has seen limited success beyond that. We will have to see if he can stay healthy and active on AEW’s roster long enough to get himself into another title picture.

Following Miro’s victory over Andrade El Idolo at AEW Worlds End last year, where CJ Perry’s betrayal played a pivotal role, Miro has been noticeably absent from AEW television. Now that Miro has spoken on the matter, we have to wonder how much more time he has left to wait.

SEScoops will have more on this story for any updates as additional information is made available. 

All Elite Wrestling is looking to increase their workload in 2024. They’re off their busiest year to date with more pay-per-view events, a total of eight. After a recent AEW media call, fans should expect to see more this year and beyond. 

In preparation for AEW Revolution on March 3, AEW President Tony Khan held a media call to answer questions and promote the show. Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer asked Khan if he had an idea of how many PPVs he wanted to have this year and if he believed the company could come close to being profitable. 

Khan touted the success of their PPV schedule last year and the growth of their schedule since they began in 2019. However, he believes nine events would be great for the company.

“…I believe we have the capacity to increase,” said Khan. He added, “…I want to be open and honest, I can see this year being nine to ten, and I think nine is a good sweet spot. It feels like that’s about the right number, and I don’t want to make a huge change or increase, but definitely, eight was incredibly successful, and I don’t want to do anything totally different, but I do see an opening for nine probably, maybe ten, but nine feels like a great number for us right now.”

When Can AEW Add Their Ninth PPV On Their 2024 Schedule?

Given their success last year, the slight increase to nine PPV seems reasonable. It’s worth noting after AEW Revolution on March 5, 2023, the company held a PPV every month except for April and July. 

It’s possible AEW could add a PPV in either of the months and keep a similar timetable for events they had last year. The company recently filed a trademark for AEW Dynasty, which fans believe could be the name of a new event. If true, this would give AEW their ninth PPV show and potentially help them have a financially successful year. 

Khan also noted in the media call that he is also running Ring Of Honor and plans to host three streaming events. The brand is set to have ROH SuperCard Of Honor on April 5, which could rule out AEW having a PPV event that month.

Regardless, it seems Khan already has plans in motion for a ninth event and is looking to host 12 PPVs this year combined from two of his organizations. It’s an ambitious goal that he hopes fans will want to support. 

Members of the AEW roster are said to be “very frustrated” with management to the point that some are refusing to do what has been written for them. 

Since launching in 2019, AEW has aimed to be an alternative to WWE, which saw plenty of chaos backstage during the Vince McMahon administration. During the most recent episode of Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alvarez shared that there’s growing resentment among the roster. 

“A lot of people are very frustrated because they don’t find out the Tuesday before. Some people do, some people will know what they’re doing because there are a couple of matches usually advertised in advance. But most people are showing up the day of the show and finding out if they are doing anything or not.”

Alvarez added that some AEW stars flat-out refuse to do what is requested on them and usually, Tony Khan relents, forcing plans to be changed at the last minute. 

“People don’t want to do something and Tony doesn’t make them do it. There’s a lot of this… I hear about this every single day. Trying to put together these shows is just a whirlwind.”

What’s Next for AEW? 

AEW’s next major event will be this weekend’s Revolution pay-per-view in Greensboro, North Carolina. This show has seen changes, with the Meat Madness match being put ‘on ice’ and replaced with the All-Star Scramble match. Tony Khan has said that the Meat Madness bout is postponed due to injuries. Lance Archer, Wardlow, and Powerhouse Hobbs were all announced for Meat Madness and will all compete in the All-Star Scramble. 

If you use any quotes from the article please credit SEScoops with an H/t for transcription

AEW is well-equipped to handle any allegations of misconduct brought to its disciplinary committee, according to company President Tony Khan. 

In the wake of Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE, there has been a spotlight on how allegations of misconduct are handled in the wrestling industry. Grant alleges that she was sexually abused and trafficked by the 78-year-old billionaire. McMahon had denied all allegations but resigned from WWE in January of this year. 

AEW’s Allegations

In late 2023, Chris Jericho was accused of acting inappropriately with Kylie Rae four years earlier, which allegedly led to her abrupt exit from AEW. At the following Worlds End event, Jericho faced hostile chants from fans addressing the allegations. Speaking on the post-show media scrum, Tony Khan he said he took accusations of sexual harassment seriously, though many felt choosing to wear Toni Storm’s silly glasses and hat undermined his point. 

Tony Khan Comments

Speaking on the media call ahead of this weekend’s Revolution pay-per-view, Khan addressed how AEW can handle allegations of misconduct. 

“We have trained professionals on the disciplinary committee, including two attorneys and Bryan Danielson. And they’re different backgrounds, and that’s the idea to have people from different backgrounds. And different experiences in wrestling, which is certainly its own unique business with its own unique set of challenges. 

“And they would be looking out against all misconduct claims, and we’ve tried to train them up to do their best. I think, to really whatever the situation is, in terms of misconduct, to do whatever it takes to ensure the well-being of the wrestlers, which is first and foremost here above everything else.”

AEW Revolution will take place this Sunday, March 3, from the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. 

Earlier this year, Tony Khan forgot that a former WWE Champion is always in line for a title shot, at least according to Raw Superstar Jinder Mahal. 

In January of this year, Mahal entered a feud with Seth Rollins which saw the pair headline Raw in a World Heavyweight Championship match. While Rollins would retain, the injury he suffered during the match has kept the Architect out of action ever since.

Tony Khan’s Beef with Jinder Mahal

In the days running up to the match, AEW President Tony Khan gave a barrage of angry posts about the booking of Mahal. Khan’s issue was that Mahal hadn’t won many matches in the run-up to the title match. The AEW President did not take kindly to fans questioning the booking of certain stars on his roster who had been similarly thrust into title opportunities. 

Jinder Mahal on Tony Khan

Khan’s outburst against Mahal made the former WWE Champion the talk of the wrestling world over a handful of says. Speaking to The Gorilla Position, Mahal was asked for his thoughts on the AEW President. 

“I think Tony Khan is forgetting I’m the Modern Day Maharaja, former WWE Champion, and being a former WWE Champion, I should be number one contender anytime I want. The Royal Rumble happened a week after that.If you notice, I wasn’t in it because I didn’t feel there was a need.

“The Modern Day Maharaja wants a title match, he can just get one. It’s okay. Overall, it’s great. It caused a lot of buzz, and I appreciate the competition because it makes everybody better.”

What Came Next? 

After his defeat to Rollins, Mahal has resumed his position on WWE’s totem pole. He has not competed on Raw since the loss. He has traded wins with Ricochet at live events and his only TV appearance over the past month was on an episode of WWE Main Event earlier this month. 

H/T – Fightful

On the latest episode of AEW Rampage on February 23, we saw the renaming of the Young Bucks’ Meltzer Driver.

During the event, Matthew and Nicholas Jackson squared off against Jonny Lyons and Cappuccino Jones, executing their signature move, the Meltzer Driver, which has been rebranded as the Tony Khan Driver.

Young Bucks’ finisher is now called the Tony Khan Driver.

pic.twitter.com/K1kHpEgJ8P

— Fightful Wrestling (@Fightful) February 24, 2024

The Meltzer Driver, a springboard somersault spike kneeling reverse piledriver, has been a staple move for the team since 2014.

The name of the move pays homage to wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer, whom the Jacksons affectionately refer to as “Uncle Dave.” They share a close relationship with the journalist, which inspired them to name the wrestling move after him.

When Meltzer’s father, Herbert, passed away in 2017, The Young Bucks honored him at the G1 Special in USA by introducing a new version of the Meltzer Driver. They named this move the Herbert Meltzer Driver as a tribute to his memory.

The Young Bucks ‘apologize’ to Tony Schiavone in a hilarious way

On Dynamite last week, the Young Bucks fined Tony Schiavone $1000 for using a tone and asking questions that didn’t sit well with them. This led to a minor altercation that resulted in Schiavone falling down.

To make amends, the brothers wanted to apologize to him on Rampage. The Young Bucks offered Schiavone a $25 Amazon gift card as a gesture of apology.

Young Bucks gave Tony Schiavone a $25 Amazon Gift Card as an apology. ?

If you know, you know. LOOOOOOOL. pic.twitter.com/W0MANnTvI4

— Drainmaker ?? ? (@DrainBamager) February 24, 2024

In case you’re not aware, this is a reference to CM Punk distributing Starbucks gift cards to the AEW locker room. As per Dax Harwood, Punk purchased Starbucks gift cards for all members of AEW’s women’s division. He also distributed these cards to members of The Pinnacle before working with MJF.

Punk had also delivered a speech about making money together, and his enthusiasm for working with everyone in AEW.

Tony Khan recently talked about the reason why AEW keeps running larger venues.

The arenas where AEW Dynamite shows are held have a capacity far exceeding the attendance they typically draw. Dynamite typically garners around 3,000-4,000 attendees, with 4,000 being on the higher end. However, the arenas hosting these shows can accommodate up to 10,000 or more spectators.

In the case of the February 21 AEW Dynamite episode held at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, attendance was notably low, with fewer than 3,300 tickets sold. This occurred despite the venue’s capacity to hold over 10,000 spectators, as reported by WrestleTix.

Addressing this in an interview with YouTube channel GV Wire, AEW president Tony Khan revealed why the promotion does this, and it all comes down to marketing.

“It depends on the market and the time. A lot of times, those arenas have a lot of big advantages like email lists and marketing and they are a destination venue for shows. It depends on the market and the timing. Certainly, bigger arenas do have a lot of advantages. They have a lot of sale contacts and really good marketing resources.”

Khan was asked if there is a disadvantage to not using the entire arena for AEW shows, he replied that using a bigger arena is better to reach certain customers.

“It depends. They have a better chance of outreaching to certain customers than other venues.”

AEW’s annual event with NJPW, known as the Forbidden Door, is reportedly scheduled to be held at New York City’s Arthur Ashe Stadium. This would be the company’s third stadium event, despite facing challenges with attendance. However, AEW shows strong performance in terms of pay-per-view sales.

Jennifer Pepperman was not out of the pro wrestling realm for long.

Pepperman just made her exit from WWE not even a week ago and now Soap Opera Network has discovered that Tony Khan has signed her to a new deal with AEW.

Pepperman was the longest-tenured female member of the creative team with WWE, being with the company since 2017 as she earned the role of Senior Writer. However, Pepperman’s recent exit was voluntary and not an internal choice. Now she will be announced as AEW’s new Vice President of Content Development.

The latest AEW hire also has “outside wrestling” creative cred, as she’s a three-time Emmy winner.

Tony Khan issued a statement, expressing his excitement for adding Pepperman into the mix.

“Adding Jennifer Pepperman’s brilliant mind to the AEW team opens the door for exciting new ideas and will help us build upon the incredible stories currently developing on the road to AEW Revolution across our three weekly shows on TBS and TNT, and the effects of Jennifer’s arrival in AEW will be felt for many years in the future. We’re thrilled to welcome her today, and I look forward to her creativity and collaboration with our team across the board in what will be AEW’s biggest year yet, and beyond.”

In the past, Khan has mentioned that he’s had a lot of talents involved in the creative process of developing the shows, but the addition of Pepperman marks the first official hire for a creative role with AEW.

SEScoops‘ own Aaron Varble reported on Feb 15th that the general belief within WWE was that Jennifer Pepperman already had a job lined up for her. We will have more updates as they are made available. 

I was told that Jennifer Pepperman's departure from WWE was "totally unexpected" to those backstage. She will be missed too.

There is a belief that she already has a job lined up elsewhere.

— Aaron (@AaronVarble) February 15, 2024

Tony Khan says AEW has weathered several storms this week and claims it hasn’t been this wild since the pandemic era.

Khan had some thoughts before Wednesday night’s episode of AEW Dynamite took place and only had two primary matches listed ahead of of the show with two other matches featuring Toni Storm and Deonna Purrazzo not having respective opponents. 

That may have been an early indicator of Khan’s laments about the week who posted the following on X before Dynamite blew up on Wednesday.

“Tonight’s #AEWDynamite, NEXT on TBS, will be presented with up to 5 minutes overrun! This has been one of the most hectic weeks for injuries + unexpected unavailability that I can recall in AEW, especially since the pandemic era. Tonight will be a wild night on TBS Network!”

Tonight's #AEWDynamite, NEXT on TBS, will be presented with up to 5 minutes overrun!

This has been one of the most hectic weeks for injuries + unexpected unavailability that I can recall in @AEW, especially since the pandemic era.

Tonight will be a wild night on @TBSNetwork!

— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) February 22, 2024

Dynamite this week takes place in Tulsa, OK, but there is no word as to who Khan is referring to regarding injuries and unavailability. 

The two main matches listed for the program ahead of time was the headline trios match between Samoa Joe, Swerve Strickland and Brian Cage going against Hangman Page, HOOK and Rob Van Dam. The other match listed was Jon Moxley and Claudio Castagnoli going up against FTR which opened up the show.

Toni Khan and Deonna Purrazzo were listed on the Dynamite graphic for singles matches, but were both listed as “in action” rather than an actual opponent.

Khan and AEW are no strangers to injuries affecting their match cards. Names like Bryan Danielson, Adam Cole and CM Punk getting hurt have drastically changed major matches in the past.