Tag: AEW grand slam

AEW announces return of Royal Rampage battle royal

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The Royal Rampage returns this Friday.

Tony Khan announced on X that the battle royal will take place on Friday’s Rampage. The winner of the match will receive an AEW World Championship match at Grand Slam, which takes place on September 25 at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.

“This week means opportunity, excitement, emotion, + TOMORROW #AEWBloodAndGuts on Wednesday Night #AEWDynamite on TBS hours from now! Then join us on TNT, THIS FRIDAY #AEWRampage for the ROYAL RAMPAGE, winner gets a World Title shot in at Grand Slam!,” he wrote.

The previous Royal Rampage took place last July. Darby Allin won the match, earning a TNT title shot for All Out by last eliminating Swerve Strickland. He was ultimately unsuccessful in September, as Luchasaurus (Killswitch) retained the title. 

Royal Rampage will take place after Wednesday’s edition of AEW Dynamite, which will feature the annual Blood & Guts match. This year’s bout will have The Young Bucks, Kazuchika Okada, and Hangman Page take on Swerve Strickland, The Acclaimed, Darby Allin, and Mark Briscoe.

AEW officially announces Grand Slam date & ticket presale info

Posted on by Josh Nason

During Sunday’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, AEW officially announced both the date and ticket presale info for September’s Grand Slam.

The show will once again emanate from Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York, on Wednesday, September 25th. Per usual, they will air a live Dynamite and in a change, they will tape a two-hour Collision after the show as opposed to a two-hour Rampage.

The presale has kicked off already for fans in attendance at the UBS Arena on Long Island and will run through this Tuesday at midnight. The AEW website officially lists the pre-sale as starting on July 16th with a public on-sale date of July 18th.

This will be the fourth-such event at the famed tennis stadium: all in September.

The first one was held in 2021 with a featured bout between Kenny Omega and Bryan Danielson in addition to CM Punk’s first televised match since his departure from WWE nearly a decade prior. The event drew over 20,000 fans.

The second show was held in 2022 and featured Danielson vs. Jon Moxley for the then-vacant AEW World title, drawing nearly 14,000 fans.

Last year’s Grand Slam brought in 11,000 fans for a show that featured MJF defending his then-World title against Samoa Joe and then-ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli defending his title against Eddie Kingston.

AEW Grand Slam 2024 update

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A Ticketmaster listing may have revealed the date for AEW Grand Slam 2024.

The listing, which has since been taken down, stated that AEW is scheduled to make its return to Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City on Wednesday, September 25. The show would include a live Dynamite episode as well as a taping for that week’s Collision. The listing did not provide a date for when tickets would be going on sale.

Grand Slam has been an annual September tradition for AEW since 2021. If the listing proves to be correct, this will be the first time Collision has been part of Grand Slam. Rampage was taped in conjunction with Dynamite at Arthur Ashe Stadium each of the past three years.

Arthur Ashe Stadium is located in Queens and hosts the US Open tennis tournament every year.

Originally, AEW was planning to hold Forbidden Door at Arthur Ashe Stadium this year, but that didn’t end up coming to fruition. The Forbidden Door pay-per-view is instead taking place at UBS Arena in Long Island this Sunday (June 30).

Eddie Kingston on support from AEW fans: ‘I’m not used to this kind of love’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Eddie Kingston isn’t used to the kind of love AEW fans have been giving him.

Kingston won the ROH World Championship on Wednesday in Queen’s, New York at AEW Grand Slam. He told Sports Illustrated that the fans inside Arthur Ashe Stadium that night took the match from a “four to a ten.” 

“You know me, I’m always hard on myself,” said Kingston. “I think I always could have done better. But the crowd was the best part. I’m biased, but New Yorkers, they’re the best. They don’t just cheer for you, they fight for you. I saw it all the time at Yankee Stadium. It’s how we are.

“The match was fine, but the crowd made it feel bigger. They took it from a four to a ten.”’

“It feels great when the crowd cheers, but it makes me nervous,” he continued. “I’m not used to this kind of love. It makes me ask myself, ‘Why do they love me?’ Then I start doubting myself. It’s all part of my curse. But as long as people are fans of pro wrestling, that’s good enough for me.”

“Me, I’m the guy who grew up in Yonkers–I’m still that guy. So when people cheer for me, or want to take a picture with me, I get a little bashful. I don’t see the big deal. I’m just me. But I am blessed and lucky enough to do the dream job I’ve wanted since I was nine. I don’t see myself as a big deal. I’m still the kid from Yonkers.”

Kingston dedicated the match to the memory of Xavier, who passed away on August 16, 2020. Xavier was the second-ever ROH World Champion, having defeated Low Ki for the belt on September 21, 2002. 

“I know a lot of people miss him,” said Kingston. “I miss him. His family misses him. We celebrate a lot of the past, and we should celebrate him, too. He’s the second champion ever. Let’s put some respect on him.”

Wrestling Weekly: New WWE SmackDown TV rights deal & talent cuts

Posted on by Victor Sosa

On a new Wrestling Weekly, Les Thatcher and I look at the latest WWE roster cuts and their new tv rights deal for SmackDown. We also chat about this past Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite Grand Slam.

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

Wrestling Observer Live: All the news on AEW injuries, Smackdown to USA, WWE cuts, Grand Slam

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with TONS to talk about including WWE Smackdown going to the USA Network, the pros and cons, what it could mean for RAW and NXT, the injuries at AEW Grand Slam plus the full TV report, WWE main roster and NXT cuts, and tons more. A packed show as always so check it out~!

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Wrestling Observer Radio: Moxley and Cole injured, Grand Slam recap, Rampage Friday, tons of news

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including injuries coming out of AEW Grand Slam, a full recap of the show, the death of Bart Sawyer, ratings, Rampage spoilers for Friday and so much more. A packed show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:

Start: Adam Cole, Jon Moxley injured

4:55: Bart Sawyer passes away, new Observer yearbooks coming out

12:50: Utami Hayashishita, Vikingo injury updates, Randy Orton seen at the WWE Performance Center

16:50: Ratings

25:52: UFC this weekend, other UFC notes

32:49: AEW Dynamite Grand Slam recap (contains Rampage spoilers)

54:16: WWE NXT recap

1:02:09: AEW Rampage spoilers

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Number one contenders match set for AEW Rampage Grand Slam

Posted on by Ethan Renner

A four-way match to determine the number one contenders to the ROH Tag titles is among the new items announced for AEW Rampage Grand Slam.

The Kingdom (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) vs. The Hardys (Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy) vs. The Righteous (Vincent & Dutch) vs. Best Friends (Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor) will take place at Rampage Grand Slam with the winners earning a shot at Adam Cole & MJF’s ROH World Tag Team Championship at AEW WrestleDream on Sunday, October 1. The new match was announced during Wednesday’s Dynamite Grand Slam. 

Another bout has been added to the Rampage Grand Slam lineup, as Skye Blue will face Julia Hart in a women’s division contest. 

Mike Santana in singles action was also newly announced for Friday’s episode. 

The three new bouts join a lineup that already includes an ROH World Six-Man Tag Team title match, an AEW World Trios title bout, a mixed trios bout, plus Sting & Darby Allin teaming against Christian Cage & Luchasaurus for Friday’s show. 

Rampage Grand Slam is being taped Wednesday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York City to air Friday at 10 p.m. Eastern time on TNT in a special two-hour episode. 

The announced card for Rampage Grand Slam: 

  • ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship: Mogul Embassy (Brian Cage, Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona) defend against The Elite (The Young Bucks & Hangman Page)
  • AEW World Trios Championship: The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) & Billy Gunn defend against Dark Order’s Evil Uno, Alex Reynolds & John Silver
  • ROH World Tag Team Championship number one contenders match: The Kingdom (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) vs. The Hardys (Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy) vs. The Righteous (Vincent & Dutch) vs. Best Friends (Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor)
  • Sting & Darby Allin vs. Christian Cage & Luchasaurus
  • Orange Cassidy, Hook & Kris Statlander vs. Matt Menard, Angelo Parker & Anna Jay
  • Skye Blue vs. Julia Hart
  • Mike Santana in action

Wrestling Observer Live: AEW Grand Slam, NXT TV report, ratings and more

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including AEW Grand Slam tonight and Friday, NXT TV review with Becky wrestling in the main event, Smackdown and Collision ratings and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Two Grand Slam eliminator tournament matches made for AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Josh Nason

The tournament to determine the challenger for AEW World Champion MJF at this month’s Dynamite Grand Slam has its first two matches.

In a meeting of mentor vs. trainee, former TNT Champion Darby Allin will take on Nick Wayne in a quarterfinal bout on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite.

Wayne has been by Allin’s side since officially signing with AEW this summer, teaming with each other twice. However, Wayne has been upset with Allin making peace with AR Fox so quickly after Fox briefly aligned with Swerve Strickland and bloodied up Wayne in a recent attack at his home. After Strickland fired Fox from his group prior to All In, Allin came out to aid Fox from an attack and make amends.

The other match will see Roderick Strong against Trent Beretta.

Strong has made it known to former friend Adam Cole that he doesn’t like his recent friendship with MJF and wants to win the tournament to defeat him. Beretta’s profile has increased in recent weeks following an anything goes three-way on Dynamite, a parking lot brawl on Rampage, and Stadium Stampede at All In.

The semifinals take place this Saturday on Collision. 

MJF will face the tournament winner at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York, on Wednesday, September 20th.

Here’s the current lineup for Indianapolis, Indiana:

  • Chris Jericho & Sammy Guevara vs. Aussie Open (Mark Davis & Kyle Fletcher)
  • Grand Slam World title eliminator tournament: Darby Allin vs. Nick Wayne
  • Grand Slam World title eliminator tournament: Roderick Strong vs. Trent Beretta
  • Hangman Page promo
  • MJF promo

AEW makes Grand Slam official for September

Posted on by Josh Nason

AEW Grand Slam will officially return to Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York, on Wednesday, September 20th.

The company briefly alluded to it on Wednesday’s Dynamite and released the details with a tweet later on. The news was first broken by our Andrew Zarian earlier today.

As has been the case in the past, the show will feature a live Dynamite followed by a Rampage taping. In the initial tweet AEW sent, they announced tickets will go on sale Saturday, July 22nd but the graphic stated Friday, July 28th which is in line with what their tickets page states.

It will be the third-such edition of Grand Slam — the first pro wrestling event to take place in the historic venue. The first one in 2021 marked AEW’s first-ever stadium show, drawing over 20,000 fans for a $960,000 gate. Last year’s event surpassed the $1 million gate number with just under 14,000 in attendance.

AEW Grand Slam returning this September

Posted on by Josh Nason

AEW will bring their now-annual Grand Slam event back to Queens, New York, this September, according to Andrew Zarian.

Zarian tweeted Wednesday that Wednesday, September 20th is the date both the live Dynamite and taped Rampage will emanate from Arthur Ashe Stadium — home of the U.S. Open for tennis.

It will be the third-such edition of Grand Slam — the first pro wrestling event to take place in the historic venue. The first one marked AEW’s first-ever stadium show when it debuted in 2021.

It has yet to be officially announced by the company, but it was one year ago today they confirmed the date and announced the on-sale for the second Grand Slam.

The first edition drew over 20,000 fans with the gate falling just short of $1 million ($960,000) while last year’s event surpassed the $1 million gate number with considerably less fans (13,800 fans, 12,600 of them paid).

The event will be the third in a busy four-week stretch for AEW as they head to London’s Wembley Stadium for All In on August 27th followed by All Out the next week in Chicago during Labor Day weekend followed by Grand Slam.

Wrestling Observer Radio: AEW in the Bay Area, Rampage & SmackDown

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I are back on Wrestling Observer Radio going over the news in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Topics include:

  • News of AEW coming to the Bay Area
  • AEW Dynamite and WWE RAW ratings going up against heavy network competition
  • Dave’s latest two-month analysis on WWE and AEW business
  • WWE & Hulu
  • Thoughts on Rampage and SmackDown
  • Jon Moxley vs. Juice Robinson
  • Early WON HOF discussion

Click on the link below.

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Wrestling Observer Live: The White Rabbit

Posted on by Jim Valley

It’s Wrestling Observer Live with Jim Valley. 

The clues to the “White Rabbit” on SmackDown lead to another show. These clues need to be more than just promos for the next episode, otherwise WWE risks fans turning on this angle. So far, it’s turned out to be just a carny trick in the digital age. Fans need to be rewarded for their time, not used. 

Plus, a monologue from three weeks ago turns out to be prophetic when it comes to the CM Punk controversy, The Great Muta and Bobby Fish make surprise appearances on AEW and IMPACT respectively, the lineup for EXTREME RULES so far, and more. Check it out.

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September 26, 2022 Observer Newsletter: AEW Grand Slam, Roman Reigns vs. Logan Paul announced for WWE Crown Jewel

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

AEW did three title changes as part of its now annual Grand Slam show on 9/21 at Arthur Ashe Stadium, which also drew its fourth $1 million gate since late May.

While AEW will likely never top the Brodie Lee tribute show as the best episode of Dynamite in history, the combination of the title changes, five title matches, and taking advantage of the atmosphere and hot crowd made this among the best episodes in the history of the show.

Jon Moxley beat Bryan Danielson to win the AEW title and has set up defenses against Adam Page on a Tuesday, 10/18 show in Cincinnati (because TBS will be airing Major League Baseball playoffs on 10/19) and likely following up with a defense against MJF on 11/19 at Full Gear at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Page got his title shot winning a Battle Royal on the Rampage part of the taping. Either guy could have won this match and it would have been fine, although my gut felt like right now Moxley vs. MJF has a better dynamic than Danielson vs. MJF, which is the next PPV direction.

Subscribers can read this week’s issue here.