AEW’s Fight Forever video game finally has an official release date.
It was announced today that Fight Forever will be released on Thursday, June 29. The game will be available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
The announcement was made via a video from Kenny Omega.
“Quite some time ago, we announced our first foray into the video game world: AEW Fight Forever,” Omega said. “We wanted to develop an arcade experience that was fun, easy to pick up and play but difficult to master. We believe that AEW and our partners with Yuke’s have created just that experience.”
Fight Forever is rated T for Teen due to blood, violence, language, mild suggestive themes, and use of alcohol and tobacco.
The following match types are included in the game: singles matches, tag team, three-way, four-way, Casino Battle Royale, falls count anywhere, unsanctioned lights out, and exploding barbed wire death matches.
Fight Forever also features a career mode, online multiplayer, and will have customizable wrestlers, move-sets, entrances, teams, and arenas.
In a press release, Tony Khan commented on the game’s upcoming release:
Since our initial announcement, fans worldwide have shown unbridled passion around the launch of Fight Forever, and AEW has proven through our exciting storylines and hard-hitting wrestling action that good things come to those who wait. With Fight Forever, Kenny and our world-class team have delivered an authentic, nostalgic feel of wrestling games past, along with the unmatched creativity that AEW brings to the table. It’s going to be cool to see our fans finally getting a fresh and much-needed alternative next-gen console wrestling game on June 29. AEW has the greatest fans on the planet, and I’m excited for them to experience this new way to engage with our stars.
The video game was first announced in November 2020. It’s in collaboration with Geta, Yuke’s, and THQ Nordic.
AEW’s upcoming video game reportedly has a release date.
Fightful Select reported on Friday that the game is scheduled to be released on June 27. Fightful said it heard from several retailers they were told the game would be released in late June. Additionally, Fightful reported that the official announcement regarding the game’s release date would be coming “over the next week”.
The game was originally announced back in November of 2020. The title of the game, as well as gameplay videos, were first shown last year. Originally set for release in 2022, the game was delayed, with Kenny Omega earlier this year citing the need to scale down the game’s content in order to obtain a Teen rating from the ESRB, which eventually they were able to get.
When released, Fight Forever will be available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Microsoft Windows, and Xbox One & Xbox Series X. The game was developed by Yukes, with THQ Nordic publishing.
A look at AEW’s changes coming up that will be announced over the next week with the debut of Collision, as well as a business analysis of rights fees as compared to WWE, different scenarios and different things that could be part of the new deal.
Full coverage of Backlash, including the booking, the show, Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia, Roman Reigns, business notes on the show, interest levels for the different events in a giant weekend of sports, PPV numbers, crossover between WWE and Alvarez fight, and the paradox of government money bringing WWE to cities and how that affects future hows in San Juan.
A full look at the AEW event at Wembley Stadium. We look at ticket sales, records, scalpers, the biggest shows ever in Europe, the biggest non-WWE shows in history, how viable is it regarding the all-time paid attendance records, and the three shows it has to beat, U.K. attendance records, differences in AEW & WWE ticket sale patterns, possible attractions for the show as well as opponents for he biggest matches and other London shows that weekend.
Full coverage of UFC 288, main event decision, what’s next for the top stars, business notes and match-by-match coverage.
A look at Dragon Gate’s Dead or Alive show
A look at the longest lasting U.K. headliners and Hall of Fame comments
The most detailed look at the ratings from the past week, with weekly placings, competition, and comparisons to one year ago, a well as how segments did
Wrestler goes for world title in two very different groups over a few week period
Konnan talks AAA U.S. TV negotiations
The politics behind the upcoming champion vs. champion match
Champion Carnival finals
How many tickets has Mercedes Mone moved for her next show
Early notes on All Together Now
Best of Super Juniors shows for this week
The most famous feud in Canadian football history, Angelo Mosca vs. Joe Kapp, and a detailed rundown
Former TNA & WWE star retires
Double or Nothing update
AEW booking team detailed
Crazy AEW PPV stat
Upcoming ticket sales to WWE & AEW shows
International TV numbers and streaming numbers
Aftermath of Omega vs. Moxley
Retired wrestler mentions being open to work Wembley Stadium as a farewell
Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
Tuesday Update
WWE
Interviews from last night’s Raw Talk, including Shinsuke Nakamura and The Judgment Day, The Way, and Imperium.
On last night’s Raw, Finn Balor was seen in the background as JD McDonagh walked off following an interview.
PWInsider reported due to their upcoming travel to Saudi Arabia, the May 26 edition of SmackDown will be taped this Friday.
A new WWE 2K23 update has added Candice LeRae and Mia Yim as playable characters. Dana Brooke’s music has also been updated, along with other stability and bug fixes.
A number of AEW-related trademarks were filed on May 11. AEW trademarked the term “Double Jeopardy”, Jay Lethal trademarked the term “Black Machismo”, and Ricky Starks filed a trademark for that name.
Other Wrestling
TMZ has picked up the story on Superstar Billy Graham being placed on life support.
Deadline reported that Batista will star and executive produce a new Lionsgate action comedy called “The Killer’s Game”. “Based on Jay Bonansinga’s same-name novel, The Killer’s Game follows veteran assassin Joe Flood (Bautista), who is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and authorizes a kill on himself to avoid the pain that is destined to follow. After ordering the kill, he finds out that he was misdiagnosed and must then fend off the army of former colleagues trying to kill him,” the report said.
Masha Slamovich will defend the GCW World Championship in a six-way match against Lufisto, Shazza McKenzie, Allie Katch, Maki Itoh, and Allysin Kay on GCW’s The Way I Am event on May 20 in Detroit.
GCW is opposing the name of AEW’s upcoming video game.
WrestlingInc reported Friday that GCW filed to oppose the trademark AEW Fight Forever on March 1. However, it requested a 90-day extension of time to formally oppose. The United States Patent and Trademark Office granted that extension the following day. According to GCW’s opposition appeal, they are asking for 90 days in order to investigate and confer with council. The document also said that GCW is currently “engaged in settlement discussions with applicant,” referring to AEW.
Responding to a fan on Twitter, GCW owner Brett Lauderdale wrote that “GCW has never, and will never ask for a dollar of Tony Khan’s money.”
GCW held a show in January of 2021 called Fight Forever, a 24-hour event. According to WrestlingInc, GCW filed their trademark for the Fight Forever name last year, a few months after AEW filed for theirs.
AEW Fight Forever still has no release date, most recently in part due to its ESRB rating and the need to scale back to avoid a M for Mature rating.. However, the ESRB has recently given the game a T for Teen rating, which AEW had been aiming for.
Kenny Omega has provided an update on the status of AEW Fight Forever.
On the Swerve City Podcast, Omega said that one of the issues that was keeping the game from being released was scaling down content in order to get a ‘Teen’ rating by the ESRB, which is the ratings system for video games in the United States. The game has since gotten that rating from the ESRB.
“It does suck because the rating has held us back a little bit because we really wanted to get it out,” Omega said. “The longer the time goes by, this finished product that we have of a game is just gonna be a little dated, right? Sure, a lot of the same people are going to be there, but some aren’t, and you’re going to wonder why ‘I’ve seen this guy on TV for weeks, why isn’t he in the game?’ It’s because the game has been done, but we’ve had to try to get our game in a position to be rated so that we can sell it. So now, I can positively say that we’re headed back in the right direction.”
According to the ESRB website, the game contains blood, language, mild suggestive themes, use of alcohol and tobacco, and violence.
The AEW video game was first announced in late 2020. Last year, the title of the game, Fight Forever, was revealed. The game will be released for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC.
PlayStation has released a new trailer for the upcoming AEW Fight Forever video game.
The trailer, which you can see below, features Jon Moxley, Hangman Page, Chris Jericho, and Britt Baker. They push the features of the game, which includes a deep career mode, create-a-wrestler, different match types including Lights Out, and weapons.
The final image of the trailer shown is what appears to be new box art. CM Punk, who originally was set to be on the cover of the game, is no longer on the cover as a result of his suspension in AEW following a fight that took place between him, Ace Steel, and The Elite following negative comments CM Punk made at the All Out media scrum. Recent reports indicate he and AEW are negotiating a buyout of his contract.
A release date for AEW Fight Forever has not been announced. It is set to be released for Xbox One, Xbox One Series S/X, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, and Switch. It is developed by Yukes and will be published by THQ Nordic.
AEW Games has commented on WrestleZone’s report, writing on Twitter: “The internet is buzzing about #AEWFightForever but
@AEWGames
is THE OFFICIAL source for all news and info related to #AEWFightForever. Hang tight for a new, exclusive AEW: Fight Forever update next Saturday, Nov. 19 during #AEWFullGear! This also seems like a good time to share that we don’t anticipate #AEWFightForever being part of any monthly gaming subscription services. AEW: Fight Forever will be available in store at your favorite retailers or online. Reserve your copy today at: https://aew.thqnordic.com”
Original story:
AEW’s upcoming video game, Fight Forever, will reportedly be available on Xbox Live Game pass at launch.
WrestleZone is reporting that the game, which does not have a release date, will appear on Xbox Game Pass on day one. The subscription service allows those who subscribe to download from a library of titles for a monthly fee at no additional cost.
The game was shown off at the GamesCon press conference earlier this year in Cologne, Germany, winning an award for Best Sports/Racing game. It was also shown at the Tokyo Game Show back in September. Kenny Omega is heavily involved in the game’s development, and will include a full creation suite and a variety of mini-games.
Fight Forever is being developed by Yukes, the former developer of the WWE SmackDown video game series, and is scheduled for release on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC. It will be published by THQ Nordic.
Job Listing: Onlamp php/mysql developer. Experience with vbulletin and drupal/WordPress a plus. Email [email protected] with subject PHP DEVELOPER with resume.
The lead story concerns AEW and WWE and the momentum changes, the current business environment for both companies, when momentum shifted and reasons, a listing of all the turns on AEW television of late, and goes into detail on the AEW issues with CM Punk & Adam Page, Eddie Kingston & Sammy Guevara, Thunder Rosa’s injury and it is real and so much more. It’s a major story and talks about the key things for AEW’s future as well as the talent meeting. Also in the issue:
Update on Clash at the Castle and All Out including business notes
Hot ticket sales for AEW & WWE shows
UFC 278 coverage in detail by Ryan Frederick
A fascinating historical piece on UK star Bert Royal and the Royal Brothers tag team, why they are so important in different aspects of the changes in UK wrestling in the 50s and 60s
How the pandemic has affected the Japanese wrestling business as compared to other sports and sports franchises, as well as the hierarchy of popularity and how it has changed from pre-COVID until today including the percentage increase or decrease in attendance of the major groups.
G1 Climax star ratings, as well as readers voted best match of G1 and G1 MVP
More on the New Japan and Stardom joint show
The death of Howard Brody and his contributions to pro wrestling
DDT Peter Pan show
Television ratings for the past week
Arena Mexico Grand Prix
Next major Stardom event
Next major New Japan matches around the country
Update on Dark Side of the Ring
One of the best wrestling announcers who never got a break looks to be leaving
A look at both nights of the RevPro 10 year anniversary shows
Time slot changes in October for Dynamite and Smackdown
Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
Monday News Update
Bryan and I will be back tonight talking Raw and all the latest wrestling news with Wrestling Observer Radio. You can send questions to the show to [email protected]
WWE released a video today on social media of Seth Rollins and Riddle brawling in the parking lot before the show in Pittsburgh. I thought that was pretty clever.
AEW sent out a few releases today for the PPV show on Sunday, including a Bleacher Report release for the streaming PPV and a joint release for Joe Hand Promotions for movie theater locations. The nine matches that are being advertised is all that is listed, with Bryan Danielson vs. Chris Jericho pushed in the main event spot on the top of the listings followed by Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland vs. The Acclaimed as second from the top in importance. They do say additional matches will be announced before Sunday but there’s not a hint of an AEW title match to be announced later, no names for the ladder match although they are advertising the winner gets an AEW title match. It looks weird to have an AEW PPV lineup with no title match main event nor any listing for Jon Moxley, CM Punk, Adam Page, Young Bucks, Kenny Omega nor others who one would expect would end up on the show in some form.
Raw is tonight in Pittsburgh with Kurt Angle on the show. The finals of the women’s tournament with Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah vs. Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky for the titles and Bobby Lashley vs. The Miz for the U.S. title are announced. The Usos and Sami Zayn are announced. Obviously the Rollins-Riddle thing will be followed up on.
Judgment Day is scheduled to go to Cardiff for the PPV. Most likely if they are in a match, it would be either Edge & Rey Mysterio vs. Finn Balor & Damian Priest of a trios mach with Beth Phoenix and Rhea Ripley added. Based on last week’s TV, one would think it is the mixed trios. One would think that angle and announcement should come tonight.
A DAZN interview with FTR. Regarding the video game story of them not in the first release (as noted on last night’s Observer Radio show, they are likely to be in a later DLC release), they said it was no big deal.
Conrad Thompson will be doing a 9/3 at 1:30 pm. Eastern time show on FiTE.TV with Ric Flair, Eric Bischoff, Jeff Jarrett, Mick Foley, Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone raising Money for Steve McMichael, who is battling ALS.
Thanks to Jesse Scardina, Nick Alaimo, Jordan Sayle, Jesse Scardina and Alex Dudley for reports on the weekend WWE shows in Springfield, MA and Manchester, NH.
A couple of notes, a correction from yesterday’s report in that Raphael Assuncao is facing Victor Henry on 10/15, not Ricky Simon. Simon was Assuncao previous opponent.
Bellator announced hat the Vadim Nemkov vs. Corey Anderson light heavyweight Grand Prix final for a $1 million bonus and the division championship will take place on 11/18 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The show will also feature Patricky Pitbull Freire defending the lightweight title against Usman Nurmagomedov, who is 15-0.
Bellator also announced bantamweight Grand Prix tournament semifinal fights on 12/9 at the Mohegan Sun Casino with Raufeon Stots (18-1), the interim champion (champion Sergio Pettis is out with an injury) defending his title against Danny Sabatello (13-1) and Patchy Mix (16-1) vs. Magomed Magomedov (19-2).
Other Notes
WAR United We Stand on 9/10 in Lima, OH at the Empowered Sports Center.
Pro Wrestling EVE on Thursday at 229 The Venue in London features EVE champion Alex Windsor defending her title against Hikari Noa of Tokyo Joshi Pro, plus EVE International champion Laura Di Matteo defends against Skye Smitson. EVE champion Jetta & Charlie Morgan & Millie McKenzie face Emersyn Jayne & Lizzy Evo & Nina Samuels, plus Kanji vs. Alexxis Falcon.
Game Changer Wrestling has three shows planned for Japan which have all sold out.
FTR aren’t upset and don’t blame anyone for their removal from the AEW: Fight Forever video game.
It was reported yesterday that Dash Harwood and Cash Wheeler have been removed from the upcoming game. FTR spoke with GiveMe Sport recently and clarified that they have been told why they were removed and are not upset about it.
“For us, the only real issue was we were kind of blindsided by it. We found out not how you would expect,” Wheeler said. “When you find out something like that, something major, you’ve been taken out of a video game, your mind automatically assumes the worst. So, for us it was like, is this something we need to worry about? Should we read between the lines here? Were we not told for a reason? And now that we are aware, and now that we are out, what is that reason? Is it something we should worry about? We got an answer, it made a lot of sense, a very logical answer. We said, ‘oh, okay cool’ as long as we don’t have to worry about it, non-issue and that’s what it was.”
Wheeler didn’t reveal the reason they had been removed from the game but also expressed that they have known about this for several months.
“I don’t know why it just now became a headline but we’ve known about it for a while. We got answers on it awhile ago and for us, it’s not even an issue or thought about.”
Harwood then clarified that they are not upset and do not blame anyone for their removal from the game.
“We heard about this, I want to say maybe March. It was before the Briscoes match,” he said.
“We text Tony [Khan], talk to him, we text legal, or excuse me legal texted us and we talked with them for a bit. We got our answer and it was a non-issue. Like Cash said, we just wanted to make sure we weren’t doing something wrong.”
Wheeler continued to tell fans not to be upset about their removal but also teased there might be a chance to still use them in the game.
“If it helps kind of settle things, thank you for caring about us but please don’t be upset for us. It’s not an issue and there’ll be a chance to use us anyway, so thank you,” he said.
Job Listing: Onlamp php/mysql developer. Experience with vbulletin and drupal/WordPress a plus. Email [email protected] with subject PHP DEVELOPER with resume.
The lead story concerns AEW and WWE and the momentum changes, the current business environment for both companies, when momentum shifted and reasons, a listing of all the turns on AEW television of late, and goes into detail on the AEW issues with CM Punk & Adam Page, Eddie Kingston & Sammy Guevara, Thunder Rosa’s injury and it is real and so much more. It’s a major story and talks about the key things for AEW’s future as well as the talent meeting. Also in the issue:
Update on Clash at the Castle and All Out including business notes
Hot ticket sales for AEW & WWE shows
UFC 278 coverage in detail by Ryan Frederick
A fascinating historical piece on UK star Bert Royal and the Royal Brothers tag team, why they are so important in different aspects of the changes in UK wrestling in the 50s and 60s
How the pandemic has affected the Japanese wrestling business as compared to other sports and sports franchises, as well as the hierarchy of popularity and how it has changed from pre-COVID until today including the percentage increase or decrease in attendance of the major groups.
G1 Climax star ratings, as well as readers voted best match of G1 and G1 MVP
More on the New Japan and Stardom joint show
The death of Howard Brody and his contributions to pro wrestling
DDT Peter Pan show
Television ratings for the past week
Arena Mexico Grand Prix
Next major Stardom event
Next major New Japan matches around the country
Update on Dark Side of the Ring
One of the best wrestling announcers who never got a break looks to be leaving
A look at both nights of the RevPro 10 year anniversary shows
Time slot changes in October for Dynamite and Smackdown
Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
Sunday News Update
The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson( are now free agents as their Impact contracts expired. They haven’t signed a new deal after signing what I believe were the highest contracts in the company. Both are booked for upcoming NJPW shows, but legally could appear on either WWE or AEW programming as soon as this week. They finished up at the Impact TV tapings the past two nights in Dallas against The OGK (Tag Team title match) and Motor City Machine Guns.
As noted in the update yesterday, AEW Fight Forever won the Best Sports/Racing Game award at Gamescon 2022. It was very impressive to win over sports games that had ten or more times the budget that this game had.
On the flip side, it also came out that FTR are not in the video game. That is bound to stir up even more controversy at a time when AEW has been filled with it.
Goro Tsurumi (Takao Tanaka) passed away in Japan on Friday at the age of 73. He had a number of health issues and passed away from blood pressure issues and sepsis. He also had heart and diabetes related health issues. He wrestled for 43 years: IWE in Japan in the 70s, All Japan from 1982-90 where he was tag team partner with Rusher Kimura and Ashura Hara among others, and later SWS, IWA and tons of indie groups including DDT. He was also Ho Chi Lau, billed as Vietnamese, in Stampede Wrestling and managed by both JR Foley and KJ Wakamatsu. He wasn’t a major star but he was a good solid hard working wrestler. He worked all over the world including Europe and Mexico. He was a star in Mexico in the early 70s.
Hideki Suzuki won the A block in the N-1 tournament with a win over Go Shiozaki today in Kawasaki. Kaito Kiyomiya beat Satoshi Kojima. He and Katsuhiko Nakajima tied with 5-2 records in the B block but Kiyomiya beat Nakajima in their head-to-head meeting. The finals will be this coming Saturday night in Osaka at Edion Arena.
I wanted to note the passing of Hawaii historian George Beppu at the age of 79. He passed away in Brighton, CO, in October due to COVID, but the word just got out in wrestling circles through former Los Angeles photographer Dan Westbrook . He lived in California after wrestling and opened a Sambo’s and a Sweet Caroline’s shop. His photos were all over Ed Francis’ book 50th State Big Time Wrestling. He was also heavily involved in this historical site. He was a photographer and magazine writer who covered the great unique shows that Ed Francis put on in the 60s and early 70s. At one time, he also did the programs for the Francis shows. He was a correspondent for my old California Wrestling Report newsletter and an early subscriber to the Observer. He had moved in with his daughter’s family in recent years.
Today is an anniversary of two giant historical shows. 20 years ago today (August 28, 2022) was Pride Dynamite! at National Stadium before 70,000 fans (announced at 91,107) which featured all kinds of memorable fights including Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Bob Sapp and Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Mirko Cro Cop. They did a lot of fights regardless of weight class in those days which isn’t a good thing. This was the biggest crowd and gate in MMA history up to this point in time.
The other was on August 28, 1986, at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto: a WWE show called The Big Event, headlined by a match with Hulk Hogan vs Paul Orndorff. The show set the all-time pro wrestling attendance record as far as documented numbers with just over 64,000 in the building and more than 61,000 paid. It was really the success of this show that led to the idea of WrestleMania III at the Pontiac Silverdome. It was also the first $1 million gate in North America.
Antonio Inoki, 79, appeared today on a national broadcast in Japan of the TV show 24 Hours — an annual show that does positive stories about those who are handicapped. Inoki’s health has been bad for some time and he’s now wheelchair bound. There is talk in Japan of another IGF show, which is the promotion he’s named after and the frontman for.
Regarding Google searches for the week, there was no pro wrestling at all and no UFC since yesterday was a rare Saturday without a show. There were two boxing related searches this week. Celebrity KSI, who did two fights against overmatched guys, was No. 3 in the country with 500,000 searches yesterday. On Thursday, Mike Tyson had 50,000 based on the new Hulu series on him that is getting a lot of talk.
WWE’s A&E shows tonight:
8 PM: Rey Mysterio
10 PM: WWE Rivals: Rey Mysterio vs. Eddy Guerrero
11 PM: Smack Talk with Rey & Dominik Mysterio
ABC was heavily pushing ads for Family Feud tonight with the Mysterio family vs. The Miz family. It’s crazy that as timing would have it, Rey’s bio on A&E goes head-to-head with the show.
They have broken up the combo packs for AEW tickets in Chicago. Previously all the All Out tickets were tied into combo packs as the individual show tickets sold out as soon as they were put on sale. As of this morning there were 716 individual tickets to the PPV out.
Results from last night’s WWE house show bout in Springfield, MA — their first time in the city in three years:
Usos b Street Profits to keep the tag titles clean
Ciampa b Cedric Alexander clean. Alexander’s shoulder was taped up
Bobby Lashley retained the U.S.title in a three-way over A.J. Styles and Theory when Lashley pinned Theory with a spear.
Iyo Sky b Asuka with an akward finish. The ref counted the pin with both in the ropes. Bianca Belair was advertised and it was never announced in the market but she was pulled to do an appearance at a college football game. Becky Lynch was advertised but obviously she’s injured. Rhea Ripley was advertised but not there.
Kevin Owens b Chad Gabe
Gunther kept the IC tile over Ricochet. Very good match, crowd was behind Ricochet.
The main event was scheduled as Drew McIntyre & New Day vs. Sheamus & Ridge Holland & Butch. They announced McIntyre was pulled due to the angle shot Friday night. Actually they are trying to rest him up with a legit back injury going into the Clash at the Castle show. So it was a three-on-two match until McIntyre showed up and hit Butch with a Claymore kick for the win.
McIntyre said he was given the option to take the weekend off but he didn’t want to miss this show and then he and New Day closed with a dancing routine. McIntyre cut a promo encouraging people to watch Clash at the Castle. (thanks to Jordan Sayle)
The same crew runs in Manchester, NH, tonight and we’re looking for reports on that show to [email protected].
“Alpha Female” Jazzy Gabert vs. The Ava will be a first round match for the IWGP Women’s title tournament at Royal Quest in London. Originally there were going to be four women wrestlers in the international bracket and four in the Japanese bracket. Now it’s down to three as the Gabert/Ava winner will face another woman. On the Japanese side, the highest placing wrestler in the Five Star tournament from Stars, Donna Del Mondo, Oedo Tai and Queen’s Quest will be in the four-women tournament. The finals are set for 11/20 following the semifinals on 10/23.
WWE
A great BT Sports Clash at the Castle preview video on Drew McIntyre:
Paulo Costa underwent surgery on Thursday after breaking his hand in the much-talked about fight with Luke Rockhold that took place last weekend in Salt Lake City.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Chris Daukaus will be on the 10/1 show in Las Vegas.
Raphael Assuncao vs. Ricky Simon has been scheduled for 10/15.
Michael Johnson vs. Marc Diakiese is scheduled for a 12/3 show.
Other Notes
Spike Trivett won the Progress title today from Big Damo, who had just won the title earlier this month.
Hugo Saving, the AAA television announcer, and El Pro fe, who had a major feud with him in Puerto Rico in 1987, are billed as having the last match of their feud on 11/5 for the Robles Promotion in Mexico.
Former UFC star Vitor Belfort will have a boxing match against Hasim Rahman Jr., on 10/15 in Sheffield, England. It will be part of a double celebrity boxing style main event called DAZN X Series 002. The other big match on the show will be announced later.
IWR on 10/27 in Monroe, MI.
IWF has its 25th anniversary show on 10/8 at North Arlington High School in New Jersey with Tony Atlas and Gillberg.
Rob Van Dam vs. Dante Martin headlines First Wrestling on Saturday night at the Mall of America, the famous site of the debut episode of Nitro. It will be the first time pro wrestling has been at the Mall in 17 years. The show is already sold out.
Bill Behrens ([email protected]) is taking bookings for a ton of talent, including Flip Gordon, Chris Masters and Joe Hendry (who has a U.S. working visa and will be regularly in the U.S.).
For those in Chicago this week, AAW has a Thursday show at the Logan Square Auditorium with Josh Alexander vs. Masha Slamovich for the Impact world title, Christi Jaynes vs. Billie Starkz for the women’s title, Jah-C & ACH vs. Alex Hammerstone & Ace Perry, Ace Austin vs. Davey Vega for the Heritage title, Silas Young vs. Brayden Lee, Gringo Loco vs. Dante Leon vs. Mike Bennett vs. Laredo Kid, Levi Everett vs. Ren Jones and Aussie Open & Zachary Wentz vs. Manders & Gnaris Garvin & Rich Swann.
Paul Sosnowski noted to us that Will Ospreay and Rey Fenix have had three singles matches: September 2, 2016, at BOLA which I was at, March 31, 2077 for RevPro and April 20, 2019 for Fight Club Pro in the UK. Kenny Omega and Ospreay have wrestled once, as noted on AEW television, a singles match on December 11, 2015 at PWG All-Star Weekend.
Evil Uno and Colt Cabana have revealed new details about AEW: Fight Forever.
They were on-hand at Gamescom in Germany on Wednesday and went live on Twitch with new footage of the game.
In-game footage of Kenny Omega vs. Adam Cole with Aubrey Edwards officiating was shown. Uno discussed the game’s controls and noted that they are similar to past wrestling games with strike, grapple, strong strike, and strong grapple options. Blocking and reversals are performed by using the left and right bumper buttons. A momentum bar is shown at the bottom of the screen and players are able to use signature moves when it’s filled.
Other notes from the stream:
A “deep career mode” was confirmed. Players will go “on the road” with AEW in this mode and select a manager as well.
The controls were described as “easy to learn but hard to master.”
Kick-outs and escaping submissions are done through button-mashing as opposed to mini-games.
There are 40 different weapons that are useable in the game. Characters can grab them from under the ring.
The rating of the game is 16+ and blood will be included.
“In the future sometime,” “soonish” and “stay tuned” were all responses given to questions about when the game will be released.
Mixed-gender matches are possible. Wrestlers can also be placed in matches against themselves. CPU vs CPU matches will also be possible.
Online play was referred to as “a big part” of the game.
You can modify most things including entrances, ring attire, and arenas.
Original music by Max Caster is featured in the game.
A website and teaser promoting the upcoming AEW: Fight Forever video game have been released.
The official website from THQ Nordic contains new information about the game as well as features of its Career Mode.
“AEW: Fight Forever’s deep career mode highlights the fun and personality of an All Elite Wrestler’s life on the road. Players can create and develop their own wrestler who joins the AEW roster and appears in matches and stories over an event schedule. Points are earned by winning matches and fulfilling certain objectives which can then be used to enhance their wrestler’s stats,” the website reads.
The website also revealed that wrestlers, move-sets, entrances, and arenas in the game will be customizable.
“AEW: Fight Forever’s wide range of customization options include wrestler attire and appearance, move sets, entrances, teams and arenas.”
Kenny Omega and representatives from Yuke’s and THQ Nordic were also quoted in a press release about the game.
“One of the first things I did after signing with AEW was to ask Tony Khan to let me help assemble the best gaming team on the planet, to make the best wrestling game ever,” said Kenny Omega, EVP of AEW and former AEW World Champion and AEW World Tag Team Champion. “Well, we just landed the perfect finisher by partnering with global publishing and distribution powerhouse THQ Nordic for AEW: Fight Forever. The THQ brand has long been synonymous with wrestling games – there is simply no more qualified partner to bring AEW: Fight Forever to the millions of wrestling fans the world over.”
“I am both gratified and excited to have the opportunity to work with AEW – who is breathing new life into the pro wrestling industry – and the THQ Brand, with whom we have created an entire era of pro wrestling games,” said YUKE’S president and CEO Yukinori Taniguchi. “Using the expertise we have cultivated over the years, we are taking on this project with the ultimate staff from the YUKE’S Development Team in order to recreate AEW’s appeal within a video game to the highest degree. We hope that fans will enjoy experiencing the most cutting-edge technology, and the next evolution, in pro wrestling gaming.”
“Kenny’s incredible vision for AEW: Fight Forever is informed by his wrestling pedigree both inside the ring and on the controller,” said Executive Producer Reinhard Pollice, THQ Nordic. “Combine that vision with YUKES’ unparalleled wrestling game development history is resulting in an AEW experience that draws heavily on the arcade feel that first won wrestling gamer hearts more than two decades ago.”
On Tuesday, the game was made available for pre-order on Amazon for PC, Xbox, PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch. Its price is listed as $59.99 USD. No official release date has been confirmed, although it is listed as December 31, 2022, on Amazon.
The first-ever AEW console video game is now available for pre-order.
The game can be purchased on Amazon for PS4, PS5, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch. A release date of December 31, 2022, is listed.
A description of AEW: Fight Forever lists the following features:
Combines nostalgic arcade wrestling feel with innovative All Elite Wrestling finishers and offensive moves
Talent roster combines biggest legends to enter the ring pus brand new, high-flying AEW stars!
Single, tag-team, 3-way, 4-way, ladder, Casino Battle Royale, Falls Count Anywhere, Unsanctioned Lights Out, Exploding Barbed Wire Death and online co-op multi-player matches!
Online co-op multi-player!
Tag team matches feature a sequence of team maneuvers performed with simple commands
The price is listed as $59.99 USD for all consoles and PC.
“Developed by YUKE’s Co, Ltd., creators of numerous, multi-million unit selling wrestling games, AEW: Fight Forever combines that nostalgic arcade-wrestler feel with innovative All Elite Wrestling finishers and tandem offensive moves. All Elite Wrestling is currently taking TNT and TBS networks by storm every week with their Rampage and Dynamite shows, featuring some of the biggest legends to enter the ring plus a stable of brand new, high-flying, AEW talent. AEW: Fight Forever brings the best of the best from that talent roster together in one game! Online co-op wrestling is going completely next level in Fight Forever with Tag Team matches that feature sequences of team maneuvers performed with simple commands. A deep career mode, wrestler customization, signature AEW arenas, multiple match types and more match types than you can count, including some good ol’ fashioned, unsanctioned fun, all await!”
AEW: Fight Forever will be released on PC in addition to consoles.
Evil Uno hosted a Twitch video on Wednesday and revealed more information about the game as well. He confirmed it will be titled “AEW: Fight Forever” as Tony Khan stated during the company’s show in Pittsburgh last month. Uno also revealed the game will be available on PC in addition to consoles.
In-game footage of Kris Statlander wrestling Nyla Rose with Aubrey Edwards as referee was shown. Statlander’s model in the game was as her “Galaxy’s Greatest Alien” gimmick.
Previous in-game footage featured Darby Allin, Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, Hikaru Shida, and Jungle Boy.
According to a report from Fightful, the video game is expected to be released in September. The roster size is believed to be around 50 wrestlers.
While not officially confirmed, Owen Hart will possibly be included in the game. In a press release last September, AEW revealed its collaboration with The Owen Hart Foundation will allow for, “the production of unique and original Owen Hart merchandise, including specified retail goods as well as the upcoming AEW console video game.”
Tony Khan has revealed that “AEW: Fight Forever” will be the title of his company’s upcoming console video game.
The AEW President addressed the live crowd in Pittsburgh on Wednesday and confirmed the name. The company filed to trademark “AEW: Fight Forever” last month.
Khan also asked fans in attendance to participate in chants to be recorded for the game. Ring announcer Justin Roberts then led the crowd in a series of chants for FTR, Aubrey Edwards, Cash Wheeler, Dax Harwood, Jeff Hardy, Sting, Adam Cole, and Adam “Hangman” Page.
While no official release date for the game has been revealed, a report from Fightful Select recently stated that it could be released as early as September.
AEW is working with Yuke’s, a video game developer based in Japan, to produce the game. The studio had previously worked on the WWE 2K franchise up until 2018. According to an article published by Forbes last year, AEW has put in an eight-figure investment into developing the video game.
