Tag: AEW News

Daily Update: Brian Cage, Don Callis, MJF

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 back at the career of Dennis Condrey of Midnight Express fame
  • Update on WrestleMania, both the matches, business update the ticket demand at the present time
  • An updated look at AEW’s All In on 8/30 at Wembley Stadium as well as a look at the Dynasty show and ticket demand for the show
  • Coverage of El Homenaje a Dos Leyendas, CMLL’s second biggest show of the year, with El Satanico’s retirement at 76, The Death Riders appear, the heavyweight title changes hands and Mistico returns
  • A look at the NCAA Division I tournament including a look back 79 years when future pro wrestling legends dominated the heavyweight division and how it ties into the most recent tournament. We also look at the rivalry that could define college wrestling for years to come between a coach and his former pupil, a guy who was in high school in December and wins the NCAA title in March, as well business notes on the show, both attendance and television ratings
  • A look back at Sid Vicious, Badnews Allen and Dennis Rodman’s pro wrestling days
  • Trying to explain the latest controversy in television ratings and how this related to pro wrestling
  • How ratings differ from a sports survey about wrestling fans
  • The most complete look at the ratings for all the pro wrestling television shows over the past week,including competition, demos and comparisons with one year ago, as well as competition in the time slot.
  • Notes on CMLL talent coming to WrestleMania week
  • Major injury to arguably CMLL’s best worker
  • Notes on the 83rd anniversary of pro wrestling in one of its most famous arenas
  • Notes on tentative plans for a major mask vs. mask match
  • Callum Newman and Yuya Uemura tear it up in the New Japan Cup finals
  • Next major New Japan show thoughts with Ospreay’s returnh
  • Tanahashi talks goals to turn the company around
  • Kazusada Higuchi retirement notes
  • Thoughts on Satoru Sayama and his impact on pro wrestling
  • Aja Kongs 40th anniversary show
  • Gable Stevesn and RAF
  • Ted DiBiase Jr acquitted in his case
  • The end of CBS News Radio and what former WCW announcer was an anchor there
  • Notes on the announcing at the orignal When Worlds Collide AAA show
  • Lots of WrestleMania week show notes
  • FantasticaMania comes to the U.K.
  • Update on WBD sale to Paramount Skydance
  • Update on Revolution PPV buys
  • Jeff Jarrett becomes co-owner of a sports franchise
  • Jericho talks about working today
  • More on the Ali Revival Act
  • A list of a lot of PPV buy numbers for UFC
  • Ari Emanuel’s role in getting President Trump to stop the case against Ticketmaster/Live Nation.
  • WWE star training for a bodybuilding contest soon
  • Jesse Ventura rants but his timeline makes sense

This Week’s Back Issue

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Wednesday Update

Lola Vice Kendal Grey WWE NXT
Lola Vice and Kendal Grey’s WWE NXT match ends without a definitive winner.

WWE

Other Wrestling

  • On Games with Names, MJF compared Bryan Danielson to NFL legend Tom Brady:
    • That’s like a Tom Brady level. I would say he’s Tom Brady. Like, definitely GOAT status. He’s like soft-retired right now. I don’t know if he’ll ever come out of retirement. He’s a sicko, so he probably will, because he can never get enough – much like Brady. And he’s definitely, if you talk to wrestling fans and you say who’s one of the greatest wrestlers, bell-to-bell, all-time, GOAT, they’ll say Dragon.
  • Brian Cage appeared on RVD’s 1 of a Kind podcast and gave an update on he’s feeling now that he’s medically cleared to compete:
    • I feel great. I’ve been cleared for a little while. I’m not 100 percent as far as performance-based — obviously I’m not lifting as much weight on my leg lifts and I’m not jumping just as high just yet. But, I mean, I can do everything, I’ve been in the ring several times training and practicing. I’m doing all kinds of different dynamic jumping stuff on my off days in the gym. I just trained legs today, I can train them fine. So I’m feeling good and excited. Have been waiting to come back. I’ve got three matches on the same day on Mania weekend. It just worked out that way.
    • The quad would’ve had me out for probably nine months anyways, and then I chose to get this right knee surgery and get a special, like, replacement on it. And that’s actually what kept me out longer. Because long story short, they botched it. I should’ve come back in November, and then I had to go back under the knife in November, and now I’m cleared from that surgery. When I found that out in October, I was pretty freaking devastated. I was like, ‘You got to be kidding me.’ Because the whole point of getting the one I got done in June on my right knee was so that when November came around, I didn’t have to get surgery again. I could be good to go instead of coming back and still having problems with my right knee.
  • Queen Aminata noted that she’s now pain-free after the neck injury she’s been dealing with for months.
  • Edmonton Journal published a story on Don Callis ahead of tonight’s Dynamite in Winnipeg. Callis reacted to the news that Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling has gotten a TV deal in Canada with TSN:
    • I think MLP getting a national television deal in Canada is gigantic news. It’s the first time since, I think, ’86 or ’89, since anyone has had national television in Canada in terms of a quote, unquote, independent (promotion). Of course, AEW is also on TSN, so I think it’s a great partnership.
    • I’m excited for Canadian fans that Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling is back. I think Canada has great wrestling fans – I don’t want to speak or interact with them – but they are intelligent in terms of pro wrestling.”
  • Parodying the Peter Rosenberg tweet from earlier today where he cautioned WWE talent against doing dives, Chris Hero joked that wrestlers should avoid taking bumps altogether:
    • This is why I tell whoever I can at ROH and even at AEW — don’t bother with these bumps. They are all risk — no reward. If you successfully take a bump in 2026 no one cares, But if you mess it up you could truly harm yourself! Don’t do it
  • Lady Frost will make her MLW debut at a TV taping in Charleston, South Carolina on April 12. She’s now under contract with MLW after her AEW deal expired at the end of March.
  • Yota Tsuji spoke to NJPW’s website about leading the company as IWGP Heavyweight Champion:
    • I’ll keep the same attitude that I have; I won’t change that regardless of the talk that comes out of it. And as I lead NJPW, I have to think about carrying all of Japanese wrestling and all of pro-wrestling worldwide. We have to change things, we have to keep moving into new areas, untested waters. If NJPW gets complacent, it gets left behind by WWE, AEW, CMLL, so part of protecting what makes NJPW great is by changing the way it does things, and to innovate. And that goes for the staff and the wrestlers too; I hope people disagree with me,  and prove me wrong, if that makes things bigger and better for all of us.

Josh Alexander undergoes surgery after AEW knee injury

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Josh Alexander has undergone surgery for the knee injury he suffered last month on AEW Collision.

Alexander was injured while competing in a trios match that was taped for Collision on March 18. After limping around for a week, Alexander got bad news last Friday when it was confirmed that the injury was “pretty severe” and he would need to undergo surgery. That operation has now been successfully completed.

In the match where he got hurt, Alexander, Konosuke Takeshita & El Clon lost to AEW Trios Champions Mistico, Kevin Knight & “Speedball” Mike Bailey. The Don Callis Family will have another chance to claim the titles when El Clon, Hechicero & Volador Jr. challenge the champions at a CMLL event this Friday night.

The injury meant Alexander was not able to compete at Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling’s events in Canada last weekend, which included a co-promoted Global Wars card with Ring of Honor. The weekend saw Stu Grayson crowned the interim MLP Canadian Champion with Alexander — the regular title holder — facing an extended absence.

This month marks the one-year anniversary of Alexander’s AEW debut. He was a World Champion for TNA Wrestling before joining the AEW roster.

Lady Frost confirms AEW departure, thanks ‘incredibly kind and passionate’ Tony Khan

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Update —

It’s being reported that Lady Frost has quickly signed with MLW after the end of her AEW contract.

**********

Lady Frost is entering free agency with a positive attitude following her departure from AEW.

At the start of April, Frost became a free agent when her AEW contract expired. She sent out a tweet today confirming that she is no longer with the company and thanking Tony Khan for being an “incredibly kind and passionate boss” during the time they worked together.

“As of today, I am a free agent,” Frost announced. “I want to thank @TonyKhan for being an incredibly kind and passionate boss. I had some of the most incredible moments with @AEW and I am so grateful for the years that I spent there. For now, I’m on the hunt. Onto the next…”

Frost’s last AEW match was a January 2026 bout against Mina Shirakawa on Collision. She had been under contract since 2023 and competed in both AEW and ROH. Frost also represented AEW while traveling to Mexico for CMLL dates.

Before signing with AEW, Frost had made some appearances for the NWA and TNA. She has not revealed what her next move in pro wrestling will be.

Willie Mack addresses AEW status: ‘I want to wrestle’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Despite sending out a tweet that made people think he had departed AEW, Willie Mack says he is still with the company.

Mack posted a tweet on Tuesday night saying that he was “about to become a homeless superhero” because AEW doesn’t think he’s worth the money. He then sent out a follow-up saying that, for two years straight, he’s been calling every week to see if the promotion has anything for him:

  • When ya boy is about to become a homeless superhero because the booker doesn’t think he’s worth the money. #WhereTheBestWrestle
  • It’s like for 2 years straight I’d call every week and ask if you got anything for me? You signed right? You still getting paid right? I want to Wrestle.

Those tweets led to it being reported that Mack had departed AEW. In response to an article covering the situation, Mack stated that he is still with the promotion:

  • Wrong still there.

Mack also indicated that a fan was “wrong” for saying that he was only on a per-appearance deal and not a full AEW contract.

During his time with AEW, Mack has only wrestled sporadically, mostly featuring on ROH in the matches he’s had. The most recent of those was an ROH match in December 2025 where he and Aaron Solo lost to Wheeler Yuta & Daniel Garcia. Mack has worked outside dates while with AEW and is a regular for Juggalo Championship Wrestling.

Mack wrestled for PWG early in his career and has held championships for Lucha Underground, TNA, NWA, and JCW.

An AEW/ROH departure was confirmed at the start of April with Lady Frost entering into free agency upon the expiration of her contract.

Cody Rhodes: ‘No one’s been even close’ to guessing reason for AEW departure

Posted on by Joseph Currier

It’s been four years since Cody Rhodes left AEW — and he says fans still do not know the actual reason for his departure.

Cody and Brandi Rhodes announced that they were leaving AEW in February 2022. Soon after, Cody made his WWE return at WrestleMania 38. He’s now heading into his fourth consecutive WrestleMania main event with Cody set to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton next month.

During a media tour in New York City, Cody made an appearance on The Breakfast Club and was asked about a previous comment he made where he credited his wife Brandi for making the “selfless” decision to not talk about why they left AEW. Cody believes that approach has helped both of them move forward. But fans inevitably create narratives when they do not know the reason for something.

“Our departure from when we left the company we were with and helped create, and that was AEW, it came down to her deciding to not talk about it, that departure,” Cody said. “Like, ‘We’re not going to talk about it. We’re moving on. Did bad stuff happen? Good stuff happened too. I’m not going to talk about it.’

“And one of the sad things about not talking about why we left and the departure, one of the difficult things was narratives get created. Stories get told, podcasts happen, fans literally think they know what happened when no one’s been even close. And what I would say is the selfless part, she lives with that. She owns that. She respects not just here, but the place we left enough to, ‘I’m not going to talk about that.’ And that made it so that — they’re good. They’re out of here. That was very, very helpful for us. And again, good stuff happened there too. But that’s what I mean by selfless, because she lives with that.”

Cody said there is no “breadwinner” in their household because he and Brandi built everything together and their pursuits are equally important. At the moment, they are doing their own thing career-wise, but Cody was happy that Brandi got to see how much fans supported her when she was part of his WrestleMania 40 entrance.

Though he has been mostly quiet about the reason for his AEW departure, Cody has said there was a personal issue involved and that he felt “disrespected” at the end of his time there. Despite that, Cody still has love and respect for AEW and is rooting for the promotion to succeed.

Tony Khan only has good things to say about Cody, and the two have had positive interactions when they’ve seen each other in the time since Cody left AEW.

Cody is now a three-time Undisputed WWE Champion. His title defense against Orton is expected to headline night one of WrestleMania 42 on Saturday, April 18.

New Don Callis Family member revealed ahead of AEW Trios title match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A new member of the Don Callis Family has been revealed ahead of challenging for AEW gold this Friday night.

In a video uploaded late on Monday, Rocky Romero announced that CMLL wrestler Volador Jr. has joined the Don Callis Family ranks. The faction will attempt to gain the AEW Trios titles on Friday when Volador, Hechicero & El Clon take on Mistico, Kevin Knight & “Speedball” Mike Bailey in the main event of CMLL’s Arena Mexico show.

The 45-year-old Volador is a long-time CMLL star who has made frequent NJPW appearances over the years, including featuring in multiple Best of the Super Junior and Super Junior Tag League tournaments. He debuted for AEW in 2024 and MLW in 2025.

Mistico, Knight & Bailey became the new AEW Trios Champions when they defeated Don Callis Family’s Kazuchika Okada, Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis this month at Revolution 2026. That same night, it was announced that Mistico is now under a dual contract with AEW and CMLL.

Last week, the Don Callis Family was dealt a blow when it was announced that Josh Alexander will need to undergo knee surgery and miss an extended amount of time. Fletcher also could be dealing with an injury as he was wearing a walking boot after wrestling on AEW Collision this past weekend.

The April 3 Arena Mexico card also includes AEW’s Thunder Rosa teaming with Marcela & India Sioux for a six-woman tag match against Persephone, Princesa Sugehit & Olympia.

Josh Alexander to undergo surgery after ‘pretty severe’ AEW injury

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Josh Alexander has shared some unfortunate news after suffering an injury at a recent AEW Collision taping.

While competing in a trios match on March 18, Alexander sustained a knee injury and had to be helped to the back. He gave an update on the situation today and revealed that he was just told that he’ll need to undergo surgery. Alexander said there is no timetable right now for when he’ll be back in the ring.

“I just found out minutes ago how serious this was,” Alexander said. “I know I’ve been limping and in pain for a week, but my surgeon told me I’m going to need surgery this coming Wednesday, that my knee injury is pretty severe. So I will not be cleared to compete and there’s no timetable set right now for when I will be back.”

The injury means Alexander — the Maple Leaf Pro Canadian Champion — has been pulled from the cards for MLP’s events in Windsor this weekend. That includes tonight’s co-promoted MLP & ROH Global Wars show. Alexander was really looking forward to defending his title and would have wrestled on one leg if he were allowed to.

Alexander and his Don Callis Family stablemates Konosuke Takeshita & El Clon were challenging Mistico, Kevin Knight & “Speedball” Mike Bailey for the AEW Trios titles in the match where Alexander’s injury happened. It aired on the March 22 episode of Collision with Mistico submitting El Clon to retain.

A former World Champion for TNA, Alexander has been with AEW for nearly a year now after debuting in April 2025.

Kenny Omega praises dedication of AEW roster

Posted on by Joseph Currier

With the roster the promotion has, Kenny Omega believes AEW will always be in the conversation for best pro wrestling company in the world.

It was confirmed this week that Omega will challenge MJF for the AEW World Championship next month at Dynasty 2026. Omega is looking to begin his second reign after previously holding the AEW World title in 2020-2021. He spoke with Undisputed ahead of the match and looked back at AEW’s seven-year run so far, praising the dedication of the roster and expressing pride in how AEW has helped expose fans to the global wrestling landscape.

“There were a lot of great steps along the way,” Omega said. “One that really sticks out is when we reached a point where we had an official partnership with New Japan and CMLL, and we were willing, able, and eager to show the various professional wrestling styles of the world to our American fans an international fans. That was a main goal for me. I wanted people to experience all the different types of professional wrestling.

“Very rarely did I feel like we took steps backward. You take pride in your work, so when we did, those were crushing. Not everything works, but wrestling has a circular momentum. So when something didn’t work out, we have the roster to turn it around. That’s the case now more than ever. This is a roster with a dedication to the art and sport of wrestling. That’s why we’ll always be in the conversation of the best professional wrestling company in the world.”

Dynasty is being held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on April 12. Omega earned his World title shot by defeating Swerve Strickland in a match where Omega’s AEW EVP position was also at stake.

In his hometown of Winnipeg next Wednesday (April 1), Omega will team up with Brody King & Jack Perry on Dynamite for a trios bout against The Demand (Ricochet, Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona).

Eddie Kingston on in-ring return: ‘I finally have a little peace in my life’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Being back in the ring has brought AEW star Eddie Kingston some peace in his life.

In 2024, Kingston suffered a broken leg and torn ACL that kept him away from the ring for more than a year. He returned in September 2025 but recently had to miss some shows last month due to severe migraines. Kingston is now back in action again and will be in Canada tonight for Ring of Honor & Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling’s Global Wars event.

Kingston spoke with The Takedown on SI ahead of the show and addressed what it’s been like to return after his leg injury caused such a long layoff.

“Oh I love it. I finally have a little peace in my life, believe it or not,” he said. “Being in the ring brings me peace and all that chaos in the ring and fighting in the ring brings me peace. It is what it is, you know what I mean.

“So having that in my life is great, but nah it’s normal, it’s the same old stuff. I don’t get paid to wrestle, I would wrestle for free. I get paid for everything else before the ring. But that’s all the same, that’s all the same, but I’m back where I’m meant to be in the ring.”

Tonight’s Global Wars show will see Kingston & Ortiz team up against Adam Priest & Tommy Billington. Along with their on-screen partnership, Kingston & Ortiz are planning to open a wrestling school. Kingston told The Takedown on SI that he has difficulty seeing himself as an inspiration to the younger generation. He does not view himself at the same level as his heroes like Terry Funk, Kenta Kobashi, Mitsuharu Misawa, Toshiaki Kawada, or Eddie Gilbert.

“I tell them, ‘Don’t look up to me. It took me 18 years, what are you nuts?’ Don’t do what I do, let me crash out, let me yell, let me scream, let me do all that, let me be a pain in the ass,” Kingston said about his advice for younger wrestlers. “You do the opposite of me and you’ll be okay.

“Look, you can do it my way, it’s just gonna be hard. And you’re gonna make it harder on yourself, but you’re gonna have your morals, you’re gonna take your stand and you’re gonna die on your hill or hills. I’m learning how to take that ‘s’ out of the equation and just have a hill. It’s like I wake up in the morning and say, ‘Which hill is it today?'”

Kingston said his remaining goals in wrestling include winning the AEW World Championship and Tag Team titles, along with wrestling at Budokan Hall in Japan.

Daily Update: Netflix price increases, Roman Reigns, WWE NXT

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • Full coverage of AEW Revolution, keys to the show, the returns and surprises, poll results and other business notes, thoughts on the matches
  • Notes on Tony Khan’s attempt to buy WWE in 2023 that came out this week
  • Updates on WrestleMania with confirmed matches, matches not announced but are on the schedule, the 31.6% off ticket sale, comparisons of demand for tickets with last year, potential matches and more on how matches were changed, as well as Steve Austin talks
  • AAA Rey de Reyes update, a look at the promotion and how it differs from WWE and CMLL and what comes next
  • A look at what happened in the ring when referee Dallas Edwards suffered a medical emergency in the ring during a match and the response issues
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the major television and streaming shows of WWE, AEW and TNA, demos, comparisons, competition numbers and placings
  • Claudio Castagnoli draws his first Arena Mexico sellout as CMLL world champion
  • Notes on the other major shows of the week in Mexico
  • Stardom Cinderella tournament finals and the top matches for the company’s biggest show of the year
  • Champion Carnival blocks
  • New Japan Cup notes
  • Manami Toyuota and never going to WWE and would it have mattered
  • Sareee talks her WWE stint
  • Kendo Kashin on Tadao Yasuda
  • 45th anniversary of the Tiger Mask debut and the best woman wrestler in the world at that time is still holding a championship today
  • NCAA wrestling tournament notes
  • Ted DiBiase Jr. trial notes
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE, AEW, TNA, Tokyo Joshi Pro, Rousey vs. Carano and more shows
  • Mistico sells out San Jose three weeks in advance and thoughts on the show
  • Former WWE champion in boxing match
  • Ricochet, Gates of Agony and Mercedes Mone in Europe
  • TNA new business deal
  • Ricochet Twitter controversy
  • Former AEW and WWE champion appears this weekend on one of the most-watched TV shows
  • AEW contract notes
  • Zuffa makes choice not to accept a commission regulation and will do it themselves
  • Gina Carano talks about how UFC tried to stop the Carano vs. Cyborg fight from happening
  • WWE in Saudi Arabia thoughts
  • WWE’s deal with Front Office Sports and some thoughts
  • Davey Coates, WWE tour manager, passed away

This Week’s Back Issue

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Thursday Update

WWE logo
Official WWE logo. (Image credit: WWE)

WWE

  • Roman Reigns is appearing on “The Tonight Show” tonight, with Chris Pratt & Charlie Day and Ariana DeBose set to be the other guest. BTS are the musical act.
  • Netflix, the broadcast home of WWE Raw, has raised its prices on all three tiers in the United States:
    • The ad-supported tier is now $8.99 per month (previously $7.99)
    • The standard plan without ads is now $19.99 per month (previously $17.99)
    • The premium plan with ultra HD is now $26.99 (previously $24.99)
  • The June 9 episode of WWE NXT will take place on the road from the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, Massachusetts. Tickets are going on sale this Friday.
  • NXT referee Adrian Butler (Darryl Sharma) thanked Ricky Morton for spending time with the refs while guest coaching at the Performance Center this week:
    • Thank you @RealRickyMorton for coming back for a great week with us. Thanks for the amazingly kind words and spending time with the #WWENXT referees!
  • Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has wrapped up production on the third and final movie in his “Jumanji” franchise, which is set to be released in theaters this Christmas.
  • WWE ID wrestler Cappuccino Jones told Opinion City Podcasts that Sean “X-Pac” Waltman and Booker T have been two of his wrestling mentors:
    • Let’s be talking about Sean Waltman, X-Pac. He’s like one of my biggest mentors. I’ve learned so much from him. Really, he’s someone who really has taught me to just be myself, be an artist. You know, I’m an artist at heart, I think we all are. Wrestling’s an art form at the end of the day. He’s really good about reminding me that it’s – just be yourself, just be loose out there.
    • Booker T as well. I wrestle at Reality of Wrestling quite often. I’ve had so many matches there. And Booker T has so many good – he’s really good at the details. All these guys, Booker T, X-Pac – it’s no accident that they were stars for their whole careers.
  • While promoting tomorrow’s SmackDown, Chelsea Green visited the Pittsburgh Steelers’ facility and met up with players Cam Heyward and Joey Porter Jr.
  • WWE Vault uploaded a full Madison Square Garden house show from March 19, 1990 featuring Ultimate Warrior vs. Mr. Perfect, Bret Hart vs. Rick Martel, and more.

Other Wrestling

  • Referee Aubrey Edwards made an Instagram post reacting to the end of AEW’s Unrestricted podcast:
    • Today we released the last episode of the AEW Unrestricted podcast. I’ve been crying on and off about it for a few weeks, but I’m smiling listening to it this morning. It’s incredibly bittersweet, as I’m not going anywhere – this is just an end to one of the few projects I work on at AEW. Now I get those precious few hours back every week to put into being the best referee I can be.
    • On this episode I tell the story of how I accidentally became a podcast host for 7 years. It’s never something I expected, but I’m thankful for [Tony Schiavone] for picking me to be his cohost.
    • Thank you to [Alex Abrahantes] for filling in sooooooo many times at the last minute when Schiavone’s plate was overflowing.
    • Thank you to [Will Washington] for becoming the second full time host when Tony’s plate got too full. You’ve become one of my closest friends in the process.
    • Thank you to our wonderful producer Stacie. She was behind the scenes, involved in all 316 episodes. This podcast would not have happened without the glue and magic that was Stacie.
    • Thanks of course to @aew and @tonyrkhan for giving us a platform to tell stories.
    • Thank YOU so much for listening to AEW Unrestricted
  • Wardlow will be going by the name “Fang” in Amazon Prime Video’s “American Gladiators” revival.
  • Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows appeared on a new episode of TMZ’s Inside the Ring podcast.
  • ECW legend Shane Douglas was interviewed by Going Ringside.

AEW’s Julia Hart says Alexa Bliss ‘definitely was a big influence’

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

In her AEW career, Julia Hart has taken some inspiration from WWE star Alexa Bliss.

Hart spoke with ITR Wrestling and addressed the character transformation she went through when she went from playing a cheerleader to the darker persona she has today. It was a necessary shift for Hart as she grew into her wrestling career and left her cheerleading past behind.

“I think it just needed to happen because I was so hung up on cheerleading. That’s all I knew for six years so I was trying too hard to put a cheerleader in wrestling instead of being a wrestler and just happen to be a cheerleader kind of thing,” Hart said. “So I think this character shift really helped me become my full self as a wrestler and kind of leave cheer behind and really helped me get to the next level. I started to feel more confident because I wasn’t trying to be a cheerleader, ‘A cheerleader wouldn’t that, a cheerleader wouldn’t do this.’ Okay, but you’re not a cheerleader, you’re a wrestler. It definitely helped me, I needed that character shift.”

Growing up, Hart was a big fan of Bliss and has looked to her character for inspiration without directly imitating her.

“I didn’t look at her career and think, ‘I want to do exactly that.’ She definitely was a big influence and I definitely grew up loving her and watching her,” Hart said. “So, I would go back and use her as a reference, but I never directly went like, ‘This is what I was going to do.’ I wanted to be a cheerleader because I was a cheerleader in real life in high school and I had no other character ideas.”

Hart credited her former House of Black teammates — Malakai Black, Buddy Matthews & Brody King — and Tony Khan for guiding her character shift and helping her get more television time.

“We were then put in a program with Malakai (Black) and I was like I want to be on TV more and I wanted to ask like, ‘How can I make this a story?’ And he was fully on board with me and worked with me and helped me and Brody (King) and Buddy (Matthews) helped as well,” she said. “And then Tony (Khan) brought it to life. It was just trying to figure out how can I get out of this loop and get to the next level.”

Hart began her AEW career in 2021 and soon joined The Varsity Blondes as a cheerleader. A run-in with Black later that year led to the darker transformation and eventual alignment with House of Black. She has since risen through the women’s division, which ultimately led to the formation of Triangle of Madness with Thekla & Skye Blue.

AEW Unrestricted ends, update on future podcast plans

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Unrestricted, AEW’s weekly podcast since 2020, has wrapped up its run.

The final episode of AEW Unrestricted premiered today with hosts Aubrey Edwards and Will Washington looking back at the show’s six-year existence. It produced more than 300 episodes, focusing on interviews with AEW talent and pay-per-view preview. Edwards and Washington said they are not going anywhere and will remain very busy in their other AEW roles.

Unrestricted was presented in partnership with TNT/TBS and was sponsored by trading card company Upper Deck.

Edwards said ending the podcast is bittersweet, but this felt like the right time to close the chapter on Unrestricted. She and Washington noted that AEW has plans to develop other podcast content that fans will be excited for:

  • Washington: That’s not to say that this is the end of podcasts with AEW.
  • Edwards: No, not at all.
  • Washington: It’s actually the opposite, right? Where there is going to be more podcast content coming from All Elite Wrestling. Don’t fret. There is more and more content. And it’s like content that we’ve all talked about for years and stuff that fans have really been asking for.
  • Edwards: It’s exciting stuff. It’s exciting stuff. The little bit that I’ve heard is pretty great.

When Unrestricted first launched, Edwards and Tony Schiavone were its hosts. She took a moment on the final episode to thank Schiavone for giving her the chance to be part of the show.

“I am so grateful for this time,” Edwards said. “I texted Tony Schiavone last night and I just said, ‘Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a podcast host for six years.’ Which is never something I expected. Like, I didn’t even expect to be in this business. My dream was never to be a referee. I didn’t start watching wrestling until like 2012. And the fact that I got to do this every week, I’m just so grateful. I’m just really freaking grateful, man.”

Edwards and Washington both work behind the scenes in AEW, with Edwards also having an on-screen role as a referee. Washington’s backstage job title is Wrestling Administration Coordinator. He already had podcast experience prior to joining AEW in 2023, including hosting the show Grapsody.

Daily Update: Cody Rhodes, Bloodsport, Gallus

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • Full coverage of AEW Revolution, keys to the show, the returns and surprises, poll results and other business notes, thoughts on the matches
  • Notes on Tony Khan’s attempt to buy WWE in 2023 that came out this week
  • Updates on WrestleMania with confirmed matches, matches not announced but are on the schedule, the 31.6% off ticket sale, comparisons of demand for tickets with last year, potential matches and more on how matches were changed, as well as Steve Austin talks
  • AAA Rey de Reyes update, a look at the promotion and how it differs from WWE and CMLL and what comes next
  • A look at what happened in the ring when referee Dallas Edwards suffered a medical emergency in the ring during a match and the response issues
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the major television and streaming shows of WWE, AEW and TNA, demos, comparisons, competition numbers and placings
  • Claudio Castagnoli draws his first Arena Mexico sellout as CMLL world champion
  • Notes on the other major shows of the week in Mexico
  • Stardom Cinderella tournament finals and the top matches for the company’s biggest show of the year
  • Champion Carnival blocks
  • New Japan Cup notes
  • Manami Toyuota and never going to WWE and would it have mattered
  • Sareee talks her WWE stint
  • Kendo Kashin on Tadao Yasuda
  • 45th anniversary of the Tiger Mask debut and the best woman wrestler in the world at that time is still holding a championship today
  • NCAA wrestling tournament notes
  • Ted DiBiase Jr. trial notes
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE, AEW, TNA, Tokyo Joshi Pro, Rousey vs. Carano and more shows
  • Mistico sells out San Jose three weeks in advance and thoughts on the show
  • Former WWE champion in boxing match
  • Ricochet, Gates of Agony and Mercedes Mone in Europe
  • TNA new business deal
  • Ricochet Twitter controversy
  • Former AEW and WWE champion appears this weekend on one of the most-watched TV shows
  • AEW contract notes
  • Zuffa makes choice not to accept a commission regulation and will do it themselves
  • Gina Carano talks about how UFC tried to stop the Carano vs. Cyborg fight from happening
  • WWE in Saudi Arabia thoughts
  • WWE’s deal with Front Office Sports and some thoughts
  • Davey Coates, WWE tour manager, passed away

This Week’s Back Issue

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Wednesday Update

Cody Rhodes on Pat McAfee
Cody Rhodes on Pat McAfee. (Image credit: WWE)

WWE

Other Wrestling

  • In an interview with Undisputed, Matt Jackson of The Young Bucks gave his thoughts on the stipulation where Hangman Page is no longer able to challenge for the AEW World Championship:
    • The stipulation is interesting. Does this mean Hangman might have to drop into our world, find a partner, and go for the tag team titles? Perhaps the TNT title? He’s one of the best in the business at crafting a character and story, so I’ll leave it to him.
  • Adam Copeland & Christian Cage appeared on a new edition of Close-Up with Renee Paquette.
  • After debuting a new look and gimmick, Lio Rush filed a trademark for “Blackheart Lio Rush” on March 24.
  • Deonna Purrazzo was at the New Jersey State House this week to help advocate for better education funding in her hometown of Jefferson Township:
    • I’m not just fighting for funding, I’m fighting for the programs that made me who I am.
    • The little girl in the cheer uniform…
    • The teenager in the stands…
    • The student in the classroom…
    • All of those versions of me were shaped by the programs in Jefferson Township.
    • I spent the last two days with @highlands_impact_aid_now fighting to make sure today’s students have those same opportunities. Because this isn’t just about funding, it’s about their futures too.
  • Brian Cage will be in action for Future Stars of Wrestling in Las Vegas on April 17. The show is named Mecca XI and is being produced by Killer Kross.
  • Royce Isaacs vs. Shane Mercer has been announced for Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XV on April 17:
    • Power. Crushing Force. Brute Strength. They say Martial Arts is all about ‘technique.’ But what happens when the technique fails because your opponent is so strong they simply pull your arm out the socket? A battle of violent force – powerhouses Royce Isaacs takes on Shane Mercer at Josh Barnett’s: Bloodsport XV!
  • All three members of Gallus (Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey & Wolfgang) have signed with MLW and will be using “GBOT” as their faction name.
  • Joe Coffey spoke to The Takedown on SI:
    • We are the GBOT. It stands for a lot of things, but it’s Glasgow Boys on Top. We’re from Glasgow, and that’s the mentality we have. I’ve done my time, just playing my part and being a good soldier. You know, Killer Kross, I’m not really interested in him. I’m interested in what he’s got around his waist [the MLW World Heavyweight Championship], to be honest.
    • But, like him, we have a familiarity, GBOT. It means one thing: I’m not here to just play a part. I’m here to really establish myself and who I am, because before my time for the past couple of years that I’ve had in other companies, I was a world-traveling superstar. I was wrestling people from Hall of Famers to world champions. I’m not here just to make up any numbers. I’m here to show what Joe Coffey is all about and what I can do, and I’ll be leaving my mark as well.
  • Ronnie Garvin was a guest on Busted Open Radio today.
  • The Sandman & Joey Janela appeared on BTA Philly.
  • The Stunner interviewed Steph De Lander.

Ronda Rousey says AEW appearance was a ‘little bit of a f*** you’ to TKO

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Ronda Rousey’s AEW debut at Revolution was more than just supporting her friend Marina Shafir in her first pay-per-view match.

In a new YouTube vlog, Rousey gave a behind-the-scenes glimpse of her preparation for Revolution and expressed pride in how Shafir has successfully transitioned from MMA to pro wrestling.

“Marina is my best friend in the whole wide world and we grew up doing judo together as little kids. We both quit judo and started doing MMA and then we both quit MMA and started doing pro wrestling,” Rousey said. “She’s absolutely crushing it and I’m so proud of her. I’m so happy that everybody’s finally starting to take notice of how incredibly special she is.”

Rousey also detailed how AEW kept her presence backstage a secret before she showed up at the PPV.

“I was brought into the arena in a very unique — I thought this was going to be much more chill like whatever kind of day, but they’re acting like it’s freaking Royal Rumble super secret whatever,” she said. “But they had me jump into a wheelchair and throw a tarp over me and wheel me in here.”

Rousey compared the AEW experience to WWE and said her being at Revolution was a “little bit of a f*ck you” to WWE’s parent company TKO Group. The UFC is also under TKO’s umbrella, and Rousey had been in negotiations to make her MMA return with UFC before those talks fell apart. She is instead partnering with MVP Promotions and Netflix for her upcoming bout against Gina Carano.

“I mean, it’s a little bit weird, but also familiar, but also it’s like AEW, so it’s nice. It’s a little bit more laidback. But actually, this is my first, I think, full-on AEW show because I only did Ring of Honor before,” Rousey said. “Like, I think I’ve been at the shows, but never really performing them. And Ring of Honor was kind of like a pre-taped, that was a smaller crowd. So, I’ve never been to an AEW pay-per-view, so I don’t really know what to expect so much, but I’m thinking a less restrictive, more adult version of WWE, which sounds like a good time.

“Those are all very good descriptions, I felt. So, yeah. And it’s kind of a cool little bit of a, like little bit of a ‘f*ck you’ to the TKO group, which is kind of funny because WWE is on Netflix, but I kind of figured it’d be easier to ask for forgiveness instead of permission on this one. Like, I’m promoting your show. It’s fine. We didn’t advertise it. It’s not like we boosted the ratings of it, so it should be fine.”

Rousey made her WWE in-ring debut in 2018 and had two separate stints with the company lasting through 2023. Following her exit, Rousey has openly criticized WWE and TKO. 

In her first MMA fight in nearly a decade, Rousey will face Carano live on Netflix on May 16. Her AEW appearance is not expected to lead to anything more at least in the short term, with there being no further plans for Rousey at the moment.

Colt Cabana details his AEW roles: ‘I don’t ever want to leave this job’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Colt Cabana is happy with his place in AEW and hopes he never has to find a different job.

While appearing on a new episode of Talk’n Shop, Cabana explained that he has multiple behind-the-scenes roles with AEW. He also is still part of the AEW roster despite admittedly being in a stage where his in-ring career is starting to wind down.

“I’m a producer. I work with the merch team. I work with the VIP team and also I’m a wrestler, but I haven’t been getting the call to wrestle,” Cabana said before Doc Gallows added that Cabana has become irreplaceable.

“I’m trying to make myself irreplaceable. I don’t ever want to leave this job.”

Gallows then asked Cabana what a typical AEW show day is like for him.

“I get to the show. I wait until they tell me what match that I’ll be producing,” Cabana responded. “Sometimes Shop AEW or Pro Wrestling Tees will send stuff with me, and I’ll go get it autographed, or I’ll go give it to someone to get it autographed, or I’ll kind of work in the autograph/merch department, or I’ll get some promos done for socials for Pro Wrestling Tees or for Shop AEW. I’ll do that. Once I get my assignment, they give me the match, and then I just kind of go over my match with the wrestlers.”

Cabana said that, as a producer, he doesn’t like dictating to the wrestlers what they should do. If they have conflicting ideas, he’ll usually let the wrestler win out and try what they wanted. That allows the wrestler to either succeed or have a learning experience where they figure out what went wrong.

“You’re the artist, you’re the wrestler, you’re the one that got yourself here,” Cabana said. “I’m only here to help your ideas, maybe help them grow, help put them together, help form them, make suggestions. But ultimately, it’s your match and I want you to either do great for your match or I want you to eat sh*t. So you learn, like, ‘Oh, this is why this didn’t work.’ Like, if you don’t have the learning experience, you’re not going to learn. That’s kind of the way I produce.”

Cabana said he enjoys the process of communicating with the director’s truck while the matches he produces are going on. It taps into Cabana’s wrestling experience and lets him use that part of his brain for the 10 or so minutes the match is happening.

Before AEW shows, Cabana usually hosts the VIP experience for fans who purchased premium tickets. He’ll speak with the fans and bring in a couple of wrestlers or someone like Jeff Jarrett to meet them.

Cabana has been under contract with AEW since 2020. He noted that, when he signed, he had three different contract offers on the table. He could have signed with ROH, went to NJPW to team with Toru Yano full-time, or joined AEW. He’s pleased with the decision he made, especially given how much the pandemic impacted the wrestling industry shortly after he signed his AEW deal.