Tag: AEW News

AEW World Champion Darby Allin makes surprise indie appearance

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Coming off his successful title defense against Sammy Guevara, Darby Allin made a surprise visit to indie promotion One Fall Wrestling.

The AEW World Champion showed up at 1FW’s television taping in McDonough, Georgia on Sunday, taking part in an angle where he laid out his protege Kiran Grey. Grey was standing over a group of wrestlers and got on the microphone to warn that the result would be the same for whoever walked through the curtain next. The lights then went out so Allin could make his entrance.

After ducking a chair shot, Allin punched Grey, gave him a Scorpion Death Drop, and followed with a Coffin Drop.

1FW is owned by AEW wrestler/executive QT Marshall, and Allin has appeared for the promotion before. He took the mic after laying out Grey and thanked all of the fans who came to the show.

“I just got off a plane from Collision last night, but I had to make a stop here,” Allin said. “And I’ll tell you why: I want to thank everybody that’s here today because this business starts in places like this. I want you to support all the people that you love in the back, follow their career, because you never know where it’s going to end up.”

Allin, a fighting champion since winning the belt from MJF last month, has a title defense against “Speedball” Mike Bailey coming up this Wednesday. A rematch between Allin and MJF is then scheduled for AEW Double or Nothing on Sunday (May 24). In order to get the match, MJF agreed to put his hair on the line.

Daily Update: Jim Ross, Finn Balor, Jelly Roll

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • Ted Turner’s legacy in sports
  • The history of pro wrestling on the Turner Networks
  • The skyrocketing success and rapid decline of WCW
  • The television heyday of Georgia Championship Wrestling
  • How Ted Turner first got involved in pro wrestling
  • Why Vince McMahon hated Ted Turner and how irrational it was at times
  • The local TV business in the early 70s
  • The 1972-74 Atlanta wrestling war, how it started and ended
  • The start of Gordon Solie and Tony Schiavone on TBS
  • The growth of TBS
  • The launching of CNN
  • How Vince McMahon got on TBS
  • Why McMahon and Turner had issues during their year working together
  • The role Jim Barnett played
  • The death of Mid South Wrestling
  • The death of Jim Crockett Promotions
  • The death of WCW
  • How Barnett manipulated the Crocketts getting on TBS
  • Vince McMahon’s cable power plays and Turner’s reactions
  • The signing of Hulk Hogan and rise of Eric Bischoff
  • Hall, Nash and Bret Hart come to WCW
  • How Bischoff nearly purchased WCW and how it fell through
  • A reprint of a 2001 article on the closing of WCW that Ted Turner himself read and praised
  • Reaction to the death of WCW
  • Numerous people react to the death
  • The tribute on AEW television
  • His exploits in other sports
  • Rupert Murdoch, Ric Flair, Jane Fonda, Tony Khan and others in sports comment on Turner’s death
  • Turner’s life after he lost control of the networks
  • His charitable work
  • Update on Tanea “Rebel” Brooks
  • A first look at how UFC is performing and its revenue driven vs. expense for Paramount
  • WWE cuts continue and are looked at
  • A crazy note about the income of just four of TKO’s top executives and how it compares to the pay for UFC and WWE athletes. This is absolutely shocking
  • Nick Khan’s new contract with TKO
  • Why so many cuts were made this year and more notes on the pay cuts
  • New Day bid farewell
  • WWE & UFC first quarter financials looked at
  • More talk regarding Middle East shows, Zuffa Boxing, and complaints regarding WWE and UFC
  • Backlash preview, business notes and odds
  • Notes on AEW Double or Nothing
  • New Japan Dontaku coverage
  • Nico Ali Walsh on Nick Khan’s testimony before Congress
  • NOAH big show notes
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings from the pro wrestling and MMA shows this past week
  • Fantastica Mania Mexico
  • CMLL vs. MLW at Arena Mexico notes
  • Grande Americano vs. Grande Americano
  • Lots of injury updates
  • Who in AEW was set for a major push that is now on hold
  • Champion Carnival down to final four
  • Cuatrero convicted in domestic violence case involving Stephanie Vaquer
  • Raja Jackson case coming to a close
  • Former WWE wrestler murder case makes pub again
  • Worldwide YouTuber numbers
  • Dana White talks McGregor’s return
  • Notes on Roman Reigns and his schedule
  • When did Nick Khan learn Vince McMahon was being investigate for sex trafficking
  • Janel Grant gets more public
  • Notes from WWE’s television contracts

This Week’s Back Issue

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Thursday Update

Finn Balor WWE Demon
Finn Balor competes at WWE WrestleMania 42. (Image credit: WWE)

WWE

  • Finn Balor told Stephanie McMahon that, while he loves Japan, he doesn’t think he wants to wrestle there full-time again before the end of his career:
    • I always kind of imagined myself going back to Japan to finish my career in Japan. I didn’t want to leave Japan, but I kind of wanted to roll the dice with WWE and give it a try. And like, if I had a year at NXT and then it didn’t work out, I would have happily went back to Japan.
    • I like how everything [in Japan] is just exactly as you see it. There’s no bullsh*t. Like, people are straight with you. It’s ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers. Everything’s clean, organized. Maybe I was immune to the politics because I didn’t speak the language so good. So I was kind of ignorant to that stuff, you know? And obviously, when you look back on any time, romantically, you always kind of hold that up.
    • I fell in love with Japan, but I don’t want to go back to wrestling in Japan, I don’t think. I’d love to go back to Japan and spend time there. When we go back with WWE, it’s absolutely incredible. To perform for WWE in Japan, that’s the dream.
    • Maybe we can set up an NXT Japan. [Triple H] might need a right-hand man to run it. Me and Shinsuke [Nakamura] I think would do a good job over there, right? God, that would be incredible. Go back to my dojo training days.
  • DJ Bootleg Kev shared that his friend Jelly Roll was “very self aware” that fans would not like him getting involved in the Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton WrestleMania 42 story:
    • I’m pretty comfortable in saying this. I’m really close to Jelly Roll — he was very self aware that he was being pushed into a storyline that he probably didn’t need to be pushed into. And he was pushing, he was being very vocal about wanting to be involved in a storyline that is still playing out currently that was more comedic.
    • And he was like, ‘Guys, if you put me into this thing, I promise you it’s going to cook. It’s going to f**k.’ I was there at SmackDown in Phoenix and I heard him having these convos with certain people at WWE. And they still decided to – and, look, if you’re him, you’re like, ‘Hey man, if you’re going to push me into the main event of WrestleMania, I’m not going to say no. But I don’t think people are going to [like it].’ And then to me it wasn’t even him so much, the McAfee thing was like – it was just weird. It just made no sense.
  • US Weekly asked Cody Rhodes how he would feel about his daughters Liberty and Leilani becoming wrestlers:
    • I would say the same thing my dad said, which was cool. ‘You can go into it, but you have to be the best.’ And that’s easier said than done, but I think they could certainly do it, those two.
  • Jimmy Hart, Diamond Dallas Page, and Fallon Henley have recorded interviews for future episodes of Rhodes’ “What Do You Wanna Talk About?” podcast.
  • DDP posted some photos from WWE Headquarters after spending the day there yesterday for the podcast.
  • Jake Paul claimed that TKO has “major beef” with him over the back and forth he’s gotten into with UFC boss Dana White:
    • From my side, I’m just having fun. And the fact that one of the biggest organizations in the world, the TKO Group, has this major beef with me – they won’t even let me be in my brother’s WWE matches because they hate me so much. And so it’s pretty wild how much under their skin we are. And to me, yeah, it’s just been a fun journey. I enjoy sh*t talk. I like when people make fun of me. I’m easy to make fun of. You know, I’m able to make fun of myself, so the beef to me is just fun and entertaining for everybody.
  • Gunther shared a video working out in the gym with Ilja Dragunov.
  • Italian YouTuber Enry Lazza has an interview with Gunther.
  • Sami Zayn appeared on Huge Pop! with Donnie DaSilva and Jimmy Korderas.
  • Ethan Page was the guest on Complex’s Graps podcast this week.

Other Wrestling

  • On his Grilling JR podcast, Jim Ross said he plans on being in New York for AEW Double or Nothing on May 24:
    • I tell ya, AEW’s TV shows, and I know people expect us to ballyhoo it, to put it over – it’s easy to put it over when it’s good. And their TVs lately have been very good. And what they’re doing with Darby, they’re not doing anything more important on their television than featuring Darby Allin and letting us support him and get behind him and all that stuff. So he’s very resilient, and I like his approach a lot. So we’ll see how that materializes over the next few weeks. I plan on being in New York in a couple of weeks. And I’m excited about this card. It’s loaded, man. It’s got some good sh*t on it.
  • During an interview with Bootleg Kev, Swerve Strickland recalled seeing WWE star Oba Femi at the gym and telling Femi that, if it were up to him, Femi’s debut would have been winning the WWE Championship:
    • I met Oba at the gym and I said, ‘If I had the pen, your debut would be winning that belt.’ I was close because his debut was against Cody. And [Femi] was like, ‘How did you do this, man?’ I was like, ‘I just call it how I see it, it’s you, bro.’
  • Strickland gave his thoughts on influencers/celebrities crossing over into pro wrestling:
    • There’s a time and a place for it, for sure. Once again, it always comes back to the connection to the fan base. Like, how much have you connected with the fan base to warrant your level of involvement in said space in wrestling? You always got to listen to the fan base. They’re going to tell you what they’re receiving well. 
    • They’re like children, they cry when they’re getting something they don’t want. Or they’re going to cry when they want something. And then you feed it to them and they’re going to be like, ‘Oh, that satisfied me. You answered what I was [looking for].’ It’s the same way. They’re going to tell you when they don’t like it or they’re not digesting it well.
  • While looking ahead to his Best of the Super Juniors matchups, Jun Kasai gave his thoughts on Nick Wayne:
    • Yeah, we’ve been in GCW together and we’ve talked a bit. He’s younger than my son! If I lose to him, how can I look my own boy in the eye? [laughs]. But he really is a prodigy. You have this young protege and an average old vet. But even though I’m average, what I have in spades is passion. That’s what I’ve had for 28 years. That’s hard to beat.
  • Kasai, who is known for being a death match wrestler, described his BOSJ inclusion as a win-win:
    • I mean, if you eat your favorite food every day of the week and eventually you get sick of it. So for a misfit toy like myself to be in a top flight tournament for BOSJ it’s different for the tournament, and it’s different for me. So it’s win win.
  • After suffering a knee injury last September, CMLL wrestler Zandokan Jr. is set to return in La Copa Junior 2026. 
  • The Battleground Podcast interviewed AJ Francis.
  • ESPN published a feature story on Ronda Rousey ahead of her MMA return.

Report: AEW has ‘real’ interest in Mick Foley

Posted on by Joseph Currier

AEW reportedly has “real” interest in bringing Mick Foley into the promotion.

The Takedown on SI reported today that, per multiple sources, AEW expressed interest in working with Foley this year. It’s not known if AEW would sign Foley to a contract or if his debut would just be a one-off appearance. Foley is currently under a WWE Legends deal but won’t be renewing the deal when it expires next month due to taking issue with the “close relationship” WWE has with President Donald Trump.

“Multiple sources tell The Takedown that AEW has expressed ‘real’ interest in working with Foley this year, though the capacity of which is not known,” the report says. “It was also not certain whether or not the organization would be interested in signing the 60-year-old, or if it would simply be an appearance.”

Foley at Double or Nothing?

Though he’s currently under the WWE Legends deal, Foley has made recent appearances for OVW and GCW. A source told The Takedown on SI that they wouldn’t be surprised if Foley showed up at AEW Double or Nothing later this month. The pay-per-view is being held in Foley’s home state of New York — and Long Island native MJF is putting his hair on the line against AEW World Champion Darby Allin at the event.

“One source indicated that while they did not have any direct knowledge of Foley coming in for the show at this time, they would not be surprised if there was a push to use him on it if a deal could get done,” The Takedown on SI wrote. “The extent of any conversation between the parties beyond initial inquiry is also unknown.”

Double or Nothing is being held at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens on Sunday, May 24.

When Foley was considering coming out of retirement for one last match in celebration of his 60th birthday in 2025, MJF was the opponent he wanted to face. But Foley called off any plans for an in-ring return after suffering a concussion while doing light training in 2024.

Foley has multiple Hollywood projects in the works at the moment, including a limited series that’s in development where actor/wrestler Paul Walter Hauser is attached to play the Hardcore Legend. Foley also has done voiceover work for A24’s upcoming death match documentary.

Daily Update: Upfronts, Bianca Belair, Dixie Carter

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • Ted Turner’s legacy in sports
  • The history of pro wrestling on the Turner Networks
  • The skyrocketing success and rapid decline of WCW
  • The television heyday of Georgia Championship Wrestling
  • How Ted Turner first got involved in pro wrestling
  • Why Vince McMahon hated Ted Turner and how irrational it was at times
  • The local TV business in the early 70s
  • The 1972-74 Atlanta wrestling war, how it started and ended
  • The start of Gordon Solie and Tony Schiavone on TBS
  • The growth of TBS
  • The launching of CNN
  • How Vince McMahon got on TBS
  • Why McMahon and Turner had issues during their year working together
  • The role Jim Barnett played
  • The death of Mid South Wrestling
  • The death of Jim Crockett Promotions
  • The death of WCW
  • How Barnett manipulated the Crocketts getting on TBS
  • Vince McMahon’s cable power plays and Turner’s reactions
  • The signing of Hulk Hogan and rise of Eric Bischoff
  • Hall, Nash and Bret Hart come to WCW
  • How Bischoff nearly purchased WCW and how it fell through
  • A reprint of a 2001 article on the closing of WCW that Ted Turner himself read and praised
  • Reaction to the death of WCW
  • Numerous people react to the death
  • The tribute on AEW television
  • His exploits in other sports
  • Rupert Murdoch, Ric Flair, Jane Fonda, Tony Khan and others in sports comment on Turner’s death
  • Turner’s life after he lost control of the networks
  • His charitable work
  • Update on Tanea “Rebel” Brooks
  • A first look at how UFC is performing and its revenue driven vs. expense for Paramount
  • WWE cuts continue and are looked at
  • A crazy note about the income of just four of TKO’s top executives and how it compares to the pay for UFC and WWE athletes. This is absolutely shocking
  • Nick Khan’s new contract with TKO
  • Why so many cuts were made this year and more notes on the pay cuts
  • New Day bid farewell
  • WWE & UFC first quarter financials looked at
  • More talk regarding Middle East shows, Zuffa Boxing, and complaints regarding WWE and UFC
  • Backlash preview, business notes and odds
  • Notes on AEW Double or Nothing
  • New Japan Dontaku coverage
  • Nico Ali Walsh on Nick Khan’s testimony before Congress
  • NOAH big show notes
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings from the pro wrestling and MMA shows this past week
  • Fantastica Mania Mexico
  • CMLL vs. MLW at Arena Mexico notes
  • Grande Americano vs. Grande Americano
  • Lots of injury updates
  • Who in AEW was set for a major push that is now on hold
  • Champion Carnival down to final four
  • Cuatrero convicted in domestic violence case involving Stephanie Vaquer
  • Raja Jackson case coming to a close
  • Former WWE wrestler murder case makes pub again
  • Worldwide YouTuber numbers
  • Dana White talks McGregor’s return
  • Notes on Roman Reigns and his schedule
  • When did Nick Khan learn Vince McMahon was being investigate for sex trafficking
  • Janel Grant gets more public
  • Notes from WWE’s television contracts

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Wednesday Update

Bianca Belair WWE WrestleMania 42
Bianca Belair makes her entrance at WWE WrestleMania 42. (Image credit: WWE)

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Kendal Grey vs. Kelani Jordan match from NXT last night.
  • On Instagram, Bianca Belair showed a photo of how enlarged her ring finger still is from the injury she suffered at WrestleMania 41. Belair has gotten her wedding ring back and can wear it again, but the size has gone from a 7.5 to a 10, and her ring finger is now bigger than her thumb.
  • Cody Rhodes, representing WWE/ESPN, was in attendance at Disney’s upfronts in New York City on Tuesday. He sat alongside WrestleMania 42 rival Pat McAfee during a College GameDay panel at the event.
  • In response to Penta vs. Ethan Page being announced for Saturday Night’s Main Event, Rey Fenix tweeted that he also wants a shot at Penta’s Intercontinental title: “I love my brother, but i will like to have my chance.”
  • Brock Rechsteiner, the son of Scott Steiner who has been signed by the New Orleans Saints, named Bron Breakker, Roman Reigns, and Randy Orton as the three current WWE wrestlers he would choose to draft as his teammates in the NFL.
  • Rusev’s Kech Pro Wrestling school is now open in Nashville. Former WWE wrestler Gangrel is partnering with him as a trainer at the school.
  • CM Punk and Ken Shamrock will be among the panelists for a new “UFC Rivals” show that launches on A&E on Sunday, June 21. The first two episodes will focus on the Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz and Georges St-Pierre vs. Matt Serra rivalries. Mario Lopez is hosting the show, with Punk, Shamrock, Miesha Tate, and Michael Bisping listed as some of the names who will be part of the expert roundtable.

Other Wrestling

  • An AEW Dynamite graphic featuring MJF, Kenny Omega, Willow Nightingale, Will Ospreay, and Jon Moxley was on display at WBD upfronts today. It was shown alongside graphics for Shark Week, Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions, 90 Day Fiance, and Love & Marriage: Huntsville.
  • AEW/ROH wrestler Billie Starkz celebrated her graduation from college:
    • From ring ropes at 13 to a graduation cap in 2026
    • Years of bumps, bruises, early mornings, late nights, and chasing a dream that started in a wrestling ring before I even stepped into a college classroom. Here’s to proving you can chase your passion and your education at the same time.
    • The grind never stopped… it just earned a degree
  • Renee Paquette interviewed The Conglomeration on a new episode of AEW Close Up.
  • PWInsider reports that Dixie Carter turned down “several invitations” to be interviewed for the upcoming Dark Side of the Ring episode focused on TNA and Jeff Jarrett.
  • Sareee announced that she is taking approximately one month off from wrestling so that she can have neck treatment.
  • Following his release from WWE, Joe Gacy (now going by Joseph Sawyer) has been announced for a Blitzkrieg Pro show in Enfield, Connecticut on August 8 and a Pro Wrestling Junkie event in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey on September 20.
  • Indie wrestler Jay Bishop has signed with MLW.

Swerve Strickland comments on possible Aleister Black AEW return

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Swerve Strickland hopes Aleister Black’s next pro wrestling home is one that brings him happiness and fulfillment.

During an interview with Bootleg Kev, Strickland was asked about rumors that Black could end up returning to AEW when he’s contractually able to do so. Strickland did not directly advocate for or dismiss the idea of Black returning. Instead, he expressed hope that Black and his wife Zelina Vega will be able to find what they’re looking for in their next move.

“I just hope that Aleister — I’ll speak to, I hope Tommy [Black’s real name] finds what he’s looking for in this industry, this part in his career,” Strickland said. “[Black and Vega are] both very talented, incredible people. Incredible talents in itself. I just hope they find something that gives them the type of — I don’t know what it is that he’s really [looking for], whatever it is, I hope they find some place that gives them that, you know what I mean?

“Because he has so many great ideas. He’s one of the guys that got me into NXT. Like, him talking with Terry Taylor and he’s like, ‘This is the guy you gotta watch out for.’ I did tape studies with him in 2017. My last indie run, he was the guy I was going to. He really helped my mind a lot at that stage in my career. So I just hope, like, he finds the place that gives him whatever it is that can fulfill him in the industry again.”

Black and Vega were both released by WWE during the company’s April 2026 roster cuts. It was the second stint in WWE for each of them, with Black having wrestled for AEW as Malakai Black between his two WWE runs.

AEW has refuted reports that the company is already in negotiations with Black for a return. Whether he’ll be welcomed back remains to be seen given that Black chose to leave the company in 2025 in favor of WWE. There are rumors that Black was reluctant to lose matches during his time with AEW, though Black has denied those claims and said he loved being in the promotion.

Luchasaurus hoping to make AEW return before end of 2026

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Luchasaurus is hoping that he’ll be able to return to the ring before the end of 2026.

In December 2025, Luchasaurus tore both of his shoulders during a battle royal on AEW Dynamite in the United Kingdom. He discussed the injury on a new episode of Talk is Jericho and said he has undergone one surgery and is now awaiting surgery on the other shoulder. Though his surgeon wanted him to wait six months between operations, Luchasaurus decided to move the timeline up with the aim of returning sooner.

“it was like kind of a freak thing, they both went,” he said. “I got the first one done in February and the surgeon wanted to wait six months, but we’re trying to do a faster timeline because we want to get back. So I’m going to do the next one only three months after, which is a little scary, but I’m going to try, you know, I really want to get back as soon as I can.”

Luchasaurus had already been wrestling on one partially torn rotator cuff before this injury happened. It occurred during a “fun spot” where Shelton Benjamin threw Ricochet at Luchasaurus for a chokeslam.

“He threw Ricochet at me and I caught him in a chokeslam,” Luchasaurus said. “Somehow my shoulders went pop-pop.”

After this second surgery is done, Luchasaurus expects to be out of action for approximately six more months, which could allow him to wrestle again before the end of the year.

“Once they’re both done, it’s six months at the most, I would hope,” he said. “If more than [that], it’s just because you gotta listen to the body. But I’m going to try my hardest to get back this year for sure. So we’ll see. Definitely just want to get the second one done because — this is not fun.”

After battling a life-threatening case of pneumonia in 2024, Luchasaurus is focused on enjoying his career, doing the best he can, and wants to help out other talent in AEW. He’s excited to team with Jack Perry again once back in action.

MVP takes jab at Triple H: How many people did ‘The Nose’ get over?

Posted on by Joseph Currier

On the latest episode of his Marking Out podcast, MVP took a jab at Paul “Triple H” Levesque while comparing him to The Undertaker.

MVP and co-host Dwayne Swayze debated whether Undertaker or Triple H were more valuable to WWE during their in-ring careers. Comparing the two, MVP said Undertaker was far more willing to get other talent over. MVP, while poking fun at the size of Triple H’s nose, said Randy Orton and Batista are the only two stars he can recall Triple H getting over.

“Undertaker had the Giant Gonzalez that he had to try to make something out of. Look what Undertaker did with Mr. Kennedy. You can go down the list and you can think of talents that Taker worked with that he elevated and got them over,” MVP said. “How many people you remember ‘The Nose’ getting over? Triple H, in his career, how many people can you associate with him? And I’ll give you two: I’ll give you Randy, I’ll give you Batista. Take them away, who else can you remember the ‘Triple Nose’ getting over?”

MVP said that, even when Triple H would lose to someone like Jeff Hardy, he would not truly put them over. Instead, Triple H would sell the loss like Hardy was lucky to get one over on him.

While outright admitting that he does not like Triple H, MVP did credit him for being a top guy who was able to draw a lot of money.

“Triple H, top guy, drew a lot of money, was a player. Undertaker, top guy, drew a lot of money, was a player,” MVP said. “If Undertaker made — let’s just say for the sake of our conversation, through the course of his career, 10 other guys. And ‘The Nose’ got two or three other guys over that he elevated them. In the big scheme of things, the big picture, who was more valuable for the company?”

In the past, MVP has said that he has “zero respect” for Triple H due to the personal interactions they’ve had. And while MVP has questioned some of Triple H’s booking of Black talent, that is not the reason why he does not like Triple H.

MVP departed WWE in 2024 due to frustration over the promotion’s refusal to relaunch The Hurt Business. The faction are now known as The Hurt Syndicate in AEW with MVP, Bobby Lashley, and Shelton Benjamin.

Sting to make first convention appearance since retiring face paint

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Sting is ready to start taking convention bookings again after retiring his iconic face paint.

In 2025, Sting embarked on a year-long convention tour where fans could meet him in full “war paint” and costume for the last time. He’s taken a break from conventions for the first part of 2026 but has now been confirmed for WrestleCon in Minneapolis this July.

“Our first guest announcement for Minneapolis is the Icon Sting! His first appearance after retiring the war paint will be in Minnesota,” WrestleCon announced. “He will be appearing exclusively on Friday July 31st from 4pm-8pm (Day 1).”

WrestleCon is being held at the Hilton Minneapolis during the same time that the city is hosting WWE SummerSlam weekend. For his appearance at the convention, Sting is advertised with a look from his Main Event Mafia run in TNA.

Despite retiring it for conventions, Sting still wears his face paint and gear when making appearances for AEW, where he’s popped up a couple of times recently. Sting was there for Darby Allin’s AEW World Championship win on April 15 and for the company’s tribute to Ted Turner on Dynamite last week.

Sting retired from the ring with his final AEW match happening in March 2024. His sons Steven Borden and Garrett Borden are both now pursuing careers in the ring, with Steven already regularly competing in dark matches for AEW.

Sting’s son Garrett Borden to make pro wrestling debut

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Both of Sting’s sons are now attempting to continue the Borden family legacy in pro wrestling.

It’s been announced that Garrett Borden, the eldest of Sting’s two sons, will make his pro wrestling debut this weekend for Rhodes Wrestling Association in Leander, Texas. Garrett is facing off against Brandon Barretta at the Sunday, May 17 Final Reckoning event.

Rhodes Wrestling Association and the Rhodes Wrestling Academy are both run by AEW wrestler/coach Dustin Rhodes.

“The son of the legendary @stinger makes his in ring debut at Final Reckoning!,” the promotion announced. “Standing in his way is up and coming midwest native @brandonbarretta98! Brandon is looking to rain on the parade of @garrett_borden, and make his mark in RWA!”

Like his brother Steven Borden, Garrett did not show any interest in becoming a wrestler until catching the bug during Sting’s retirement tour. Steven Borden is further along in the process than his brother, already competing on the indies and wrestling in dark matches at AEW events. Garrett and Steven Borden are both in their 30s.

Garrett’s wife Katelyn Borden works in community outreach for AEW and is also pursuing an in-ring career, having trained at the Rhodes Wrestling Academy. She competes as Jael but has been on hiatus from the ring since 2025, when she and Garrett welcomed their son Bronson into the world. During her pregnancy, Katelyn posted that she missed the ring and was excited to return when she was able to.

Though he hasn’t posted any new content since 2024, Garrett has a YouTube channel with videos and live streams mostly focused on the game Destiny 2.

Swerve Strickland ‘of course’ wants New Day in AEW

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Swerve Strickland would love to have New Day join him in AEW, but he’ll support whatever move Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods make next in their careers.

During an appearance on TMZ’s Inside the Ring podcast, Strickland reacted to the news that Kingston & Woods are no longer with WWE and will become free agents when their 90-day clauses expire. He was asked if he would like to see the two New Day members sign with AEW.

“Oh yeah, of course. Absolutely,” Strickland responded. “I also just want them to do what’s best for them. If they want to take like a five-year hiatus, they’ve earned it. They’ve more than earned it. They know their value as well, and that’s the most important thing. I hope that’s the lesson that everybody learns in this, not just like as a fan but as a professional yourself in this industry, they know their value, and they understand who they are, and they understand what they bring, and what they brought and their legacy they leave behind.”

News broke on May 2 that Kingston & Woods had been released from their WWE contracts. The two opted to depart the company instead of restructuring their deals with a significant pay cut that TKO wanted.

Strickland said he briefly communicated with Kingston via text following the WWE departure news. In the TMZ interview, he praised Kingston as the “perfect” role model who has never been in the news for the wrong thing.

“He’s like the epitome of professionalism when it comes to that,” Strickland said. “Especially in our culture, you look at Kofi as one of the like top five greatest ever to do it. He’s truly a model — a role model, but he’s the model type of role model. He’s the perfect type of role model.”

Strickland, who made history as the first Black wrestler to win the men’s AEW World Championship, said Kingston was one of the biggest inspirations for his April 2024 title win.

“I meant every word I said when I won the championship and was like, ‘Kofi’s a big inspiration for that.’ It’s like, man, how do I do something so cool like that and make it my own?,” Strickland said. “How do I do that in my own legacy, in my own career, something that Kofi did at WrestleMania. He’s the only Black wrestler to win the World Championship at WrestleMania. You cannot take that away from him. He’s the only one.”

Harley Cameron responds to criticism of AEW ‘wardrobe malfunction’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Harley Cameron doesn’t agree with fans who have criticized her backstage segment with Mina Shirakawa from AEW Dynamite this week.

On Wednesday’s show, there was a comedic moment where Shirakawa — who was trying to motivate her new tag team partner — ripped off the shirt Cameron was wearing. It was played off like Shirakawa expected Cameron to be wearing her wrestling gear, but she only had a bra on under the shirt.

Cameron spoke about the scripted “wardrobe malfunction” during an interview with ESPN South Florida on Friday. For anyone who thought it was objectifying, Cameron pointed out that her wrestling gear isn’t actually that much different than this bra she had on.

“Look, Mina got all riled and she just thought I was wearing my gear underneath, which I wasn’t. And you know what? For everyone who had a heart attack over it, let me just preface the fact that my wrestling gear is actually like just a bra,” Cameron said. “I wrestle in a bra, if anyone takes care to notice. So for everyone that was like, ‘Oh my gosh,’ I’m like, Mina’s next to me in a — our gear is bras. So, you know, she just thought I was in my wrestling gear. But I was in the wrong material…

“For anyone that was a little bit taken aback, I mean, guys, watch my matches. I wear a lot less.”

Before this paring with Shirakawa, Cameron teamed with Willow Nightingale and had a three-month reign as the inaugural AEW Women’s Tag Team Champions. Shirakawa’s previous tag team partner was Toni Storm. In their first match as a team, Cameron & Shirakawa lost to Kris Statlander & Hikaru Shida on Wednesday.

In 2025, Cameron had a breakout year and was recognized as the Most Improved wrestler in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards. She told ESPN South Florida that she’s grateful for how Tony Khan has allowed her to learn on the fly after debuting in 2022.

“Tony took a risk hiring someone so new as me,” Cameron said. “And I’m so thankful for him, because I owe him my career. And like I said, I was just lucky that I was prepared and that I was given an opportunity. And then he’s been so amazing in letting me grow my wrestling skills in the company.”

Daily Update: Ted Turner, Will Ospreay, new WWE production hire

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • A look at the WWE releases, reasons, prospects for the future, who should AEW or TNA be interested in
  • Nick Khan speaks to WWE employees about Paul Levesque, WrestleMania, social media, Saudi Arabia and AI
  • WWE Backlash and AEW Double or Nothing updates, including interest levels for both shows
  • Stardom All-Star Grand Queendom show looked at
  • How the latest Nielsen ratings change affects pro wrestling and where it affects it the most
  • Dragon Gate has its annual big Nagoya show this week
  • A look at the career of Gran Markus Jr.
  • The most detailed look at the television ratings for pro wrestling and MMA programming this past week
  • The 70th anniversary of pro wrestling at Arena Mexico
  • Who is coming for Fantastica Mania Mexico
  • Big match planned for AAA television
  • Champion Carnival update
  • NOAH major show update
  • New Japan has Dontaku with Andrade and Will Ospreay this week
  • Wrestling Red Zone coverage
  • A look back at the original Tiger Mask and his influence on pro wrestling and MMA
  • Who are the most famous wrestler in the ten largest cities in the world, and top 50 cities in the world
  • Biggest moments in NCAA wrestling tournament history over the past 60 years
  • Former pro wrestling booker heading up a unique promotion
  • Updates on Real American Freestyle
  • More UFC stars coming to RAF
  • Advance ticket sales for all the major pro wrestling events over the next two months and the story that it tells
  • Two relatives of major pro wrestling stars signing with NFL teams
  • Remembeing David Allan Coe, the country singer of Great American Bash fame
  • Jimmy Valiant retires
  • Former WWE star says she’s making a comeback
  • Carlos Silva on why TNA won’t let its talent work with AEW talent and examining what he said
  • AEW May television schedule changes
  • WWE television schedule changes
  • Ronda Rousey wants to be a promoter
  • Puck breaks a notable story on Ari Emanuel and Vince McMahon
  • More on when the next lawsuit against WWE goes to court
  • More notes on TNA expanding domestic exposure
  • More on new WWE signings
  • NXT house show notes

This Week’s Back Issue

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Wednesday Update

WWE Logo

WWE

  • Jim Rodriguez announced that he has joined WWE as a Senior Associate Producer. His past work experience includes production roles for DAZN, Univision, and ESPN. He also has on-air hosting experience and speaks both English and Spanish:
    • Bucket list job! I’ve joined the WWE as a Senior Associate Producer. Gonna be involved with RAW, Smackdown, NXT productions and making trips to Mexico for AAA. Beyond excited.
  • WWE uploaded the full Lola Vice & Mr. Iguana vs. Izzi Dame & Niko Vance mixed tag match from NXT last night.
  • On May 5, WWE filed a trademark for “Naraku,” which is EVIL’s new NXT name.
  • John Cena continued to show support for new NXT addition Mason Rook (Will Kroos) by sending out another tweet after Rook laid out Tony D’Angelo last night.
  • To promote Backlash, Paul Heyman appeared on ESPN’s First Take and Get Up today.
  • WWE’s Pete Dunne will face off against Leon Cage for indie promotion Attack! Pro Wrestling in Cardiff, Wales on June 19.
  • Andscape and ESPN put together a video documenting Lash Legend’s WrestleMania debut.
  • WWE has a pre-Backlash vlog focused on Jacob Fatu.

Other Wrestling

  • The NWA posted a tribute to Ted Turner:
    • The National Wrestling Alliance mourns the passing of Ted Turner.
    • His vision helped shape the landscape of professional wrestling and brought the NWA to a national stage, creating moments that will live forever.
    • Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who were impacted by his legacy.
  • MLW wrote: “RIP Ted Turner. A true American tycoon and media maven.”
  • Matt Hardy tweeted: “RIP Ted Turner. Thank you for your investment into pro wrestling/sports entertainment and giving it a platform to grow & sprawl into pop culture.”
  • Turner Classic Movies posted a tribute to its founder:
    • We say goodbye to our founder, the visionary Ted Turner. Ted’s love of classic films inspired him to create a channel dedicated to preserving them. He considered TCM one of his greatest accomplishments.
    • His passion continues to inspire us all as we work to fulfill his mission.
  • CNN, Entertainment Tonight, Good Morning America, CBS News, and ABC News did segments covering Turner’s death.
  • Eric Bischoff appeared on both The Ariel Helwani Show and Busted Open Radio to share his memories of Turner.
  • In an interview with Forbes, Will Ospreay said he doesn’t feel comfortable doing the Shooting Star Press anymore following his return from neck surgery:
    • It’s mainly my range of motion right now. There are so many things where I just don’t feel comfortable doing certain tricks anymore, so I’ve kind of knocked them on the head. For example, I won’t do a shooting star press anymore because that required me to really put my head back and get a good arch, and I just can’t do it anymore.
  • Ospreay also told Forbes that he would love to see Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods join AEW:
    • I mean, I would love it. I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about them. I loved watching Kofi Kingston win the WWE Championship and seeing what that meant to so many people. I think that’s powerful stuff.
    • I’ve only really spoken with Xavier Woods on Twitter, and I think it’s mostly been about costumes more than anything. He’s messaged me quite a lot about how he loves my jackets.
    • Everybody’s said they’re wonderful human beings, so if the avenues are there, of course I’d love to f****** wrestle them.
  • Leilani Kai shared an update on her Glamour Girls tag team partner Judy Martin after announcing that Martin was in the hospital:
    • I had a chance to speak with Judy [last night] on the phone. She wasn’t feeling well and we don’t have the test back yet to know what’s going on. I wrote her on the phone today and hadn’t heard back. I was getting nervous and the phone rang and it was her. I don’t know how she got ahold of it as she’s still in the hospital but she wanted to let me know she was ok. 
    • She bought me this jacket when my bag was lost flying to NJ. She didn’t want me to be cold and she even bought herself one so we could match. I’ve always been lucky to have my Judy in my corner. 
    • We are still waiting on further test and results. I’ll update you guys. Please keep my best friend in your prayers.
  • TNA put together a three-plus hour video with matches from the entire Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe series.
  • CMLL sent out a statement acknowledging the passing of Guillermina Zarzosa, a superfan who was known as “La Cavernaria.”
    • CMLL deeply mourns the passing of Ms. Guillermina Zarzosa ‘La Cavernaria,’ recognized as one of the most passionate and loyal fans in the history of our institution.
    • We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and loved ones, and wish them strength in coping with this irreparable loss.
    • May she rest in peace.
  • GCW has announced Joey Janela vs. Hook for its Race Against Time event in Cincinnati on June 19.
  • Leah Van Dale (former WWE wrestler Carmella) is launching a new podcast called “Hot Mom Sh!t”:
    • Hot Mom Sh!t is the podcast that lives in the AND — because you can look good and be a good mom. You can love your kids fiercely and still need to be more than just their mom. 
    • Hosted by Leah Van Dale, this is the show for the mom who is done pretending to have it all together, all of the time.
    • Hear the real stories, honest conversations, and the moments Leah probably should have kept to herself but didn’t. This isn’t a show about doing it perfectly.
    • It’s about the raw side of motherhood exactly as it is — hot and messy.

AEW dedicates Wednesday’s Dynamite to Ted Turner

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Wednesday night’s episode of AEW Dynamite will be presented in honor of Ted Turner.

Following Turner’s passing, AEW sent out a tribute honoring the man who was responsible for bringing pro wrestling to TBS/TNT. The tribute stated that tonight’s Dynamite is being dedicated to Turner. Taking place from North Charleston, South Carolina, the show is airing on TBS as a three-hour live Dynamite/Collision special.

“AEW mourns the loss of Ted Turner and sends our condolences,” the promotion wrote. “A pioneer of TV and founder of TBS & TNT, Turner championed pro wrestling on his networks since the 1970’s. AEW proudly continues that tradition, and we dedicate Wednesday Night Dynamite tonight on TBS to his memory.”

Nearly 20 years after WCW closed its doors, AEW brought pro wrestling back to TNT when Dynamite launched on the station in 2019. Dynamite is now broadcast on TBS live every Wednesday with Collision typically airing on TNT on Saturday. AEW programming is also simulcast on HBO Max.

Turner passed away at 87 years old today following a battle with Lewy body dementia. One of the most famous and successful businessmen of our time, he founded TBS, TNT, and CNN, owned WCW, and was once the owner of the Atlanta Braves, Hawks, and Thrashers.

Here is the announced lineup for tonight’s special:

AEW Dynamite/Collision (Wednesday, May 6) —

  • AEW Champion Darby Allin defends against Kevin Knight
  • Double Jeopardy match: Dax Harwood vs. Orange Cassidy
  • AEW Continental Championship Eliminator: Jon Moxley vs. Juice Robinson
  • Kris Statlander & Hikaru Shida vs. Mina Shirakawa & Harley Cameron

Cody Rhodes thinks he ‘failed’ as AEW EVP, interested in WWE management role

Posted on by Joseph Currier

After “failing” the first time around, Cody Rhodes is once again interested in taking on a management role in professional wrestling.

Rhodes shared on a new episode of his “What Do You Wanna Talk About?” podcast that he visited WWE headquarters and met with different departments to get a feel for what it would be like working there. Though he believes he ultimately failed as an executive vice president in AEW, Rhodes says he learned a lot from that experience and now has the bug to work behind the scenes again.

“I wanted to go to the office to see what life would be like at the office, at WWE HQ. I had a career before as an executive vice president. I failed at it — had some success along the way but failed,” Rhodes said. “Ultimately learned a great deal from said failure, as we do, that’s what we need.

“But I wanted to go. I said, ‘I’m going to treat it like I’m going there for a job.’ I’ll write a sample format. I’m going to write a full tech format, times and everything. And not a dreamer one, I’ll take what we have now and put one together. I’m going to go and share that with Bruce Prichard and the creative team. And I’m going to sit with them. I’m going to meet with Lee Fitting and his team. I’m going to meet these departments. And not the, ‘Hi, I’m such and such.’ Not that. We can do that in three minutes. I’m going to actually, ‘No, what can I really do for you?’ Like, ‘Community, what can I really do for you?’ Do I fit in anywhere? Because I got the bug.”

Rhodes said, to prepare for this experience, he reached out to some people on the roster to see what ideas they had for their own creative. He received a variety of responses, but Kit Wilson — the guest on this podcast episode — went above and beyond by sending nine full PDFs of ideas. Rhodes was stunned by how much thought Wilson has put into his character and is excited to see what’s to come for him.

When he departed AEW in 2022, Rhodes did not think he would want to work a pro wrestling management job ever again. He’s the current Undisputed WWE Champion and has held the belt three times since his WWE return. Rhodes did not state whether he would be interested in holding a WWE management position while still active or if this is something he would want to transition into when he eventually retires from the ring.

Sting: AEW wrestlers are ‘so gracious,’ happy to get feedback from me

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Whenever he’s around backstage in AEW, Sting is willing to help younger wrestlers and give them advice on the things they’re working on.

Sting retired from the ring in 2024 but remains under contract with AEW in his post-wrestling life. While speaking with the Hunter, Jessica & Cush radio show in South Carolina this week, Sting was asked if he plays an active role in mentoring the up-and-coming talent in AEW. He said he does not attend many AEW shows but is always available to give feedback when he is there. The wrestlers are all very gracious and happy to hear from him.

“When I’m there, when I’m with the guys, yes, of course,” Sting said. “I will give feedback on a match that I saw or a gimmick or a certain move or whatever, psychology that somebody’s trying to use or somebody’s trying to develop their character. I definitely am there to always lend some sort of advice. And they’re all so gracious. You know, they’re so happy to hear from me. So it’s good. But I’m not there, I’m not there a whole lot, but when I am there, I am involved.

“And some of the guys I’m in contact with, and I’ll talk with them on the phone. And so I do have some contact with them. And Darby [Allin], we talk pretty consistently.”

Sting had very high praise for Kevin Knight, who is challenging Allin for the AEW World Championship at this Wednesday’s three-hour Dynamite/Collision special. Sting said he loves watching Knight and thinks Knight is one of the best athletes around right now.

In addition to Knight, Sting named Will Ospreay, Kyle Fletcher, Tommaso Ciampa, Kazuchika Okada, Konosuke Takeshita, Orange Cassidy, Samoa Joe, and Jon Moxley as some of the AEW wrestlers people should be watching.

Sting told Hunter, Jessica & Cush that real estate has always been one of his interests, and he’s focusing on that now that he’s retired. He did make an AEW appearance a few weeks back when his former tag team partner Allin defeated MJF to win the World title.

The Borden lineage is being carried on in wrestling by Sting’s son Steven Borden, who regularly works dark matches at AEW shows.