Tag: britt baker

MJF says AEW backstage incident with Britt Baker was ‘blown out of proportion’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

In an interview with Cultaholic, MJF publicly addressed his backstage incident with Britt Baker for the first time.

The incident happened at AEW Dynamite’s 250th episode on July 17. MJF faced Will Ospreay that night in a match that went just under an hour. Reportedly, the incident between Baker and MJF occurred after Baker spoke negatively about him backstage. AEW interviewer Alicia Atout — who is dating MJF — told him and he confronted Baker. An investigation was launched into the incident by AEW’s disciplinary committee. MJF was not suspended. Baker was fined and given a brief suspension, but she’s already returned to AEW programming.

MJF confirmed to Cultaholic that the incident happened, but he indicated that details like him barging into the women’s locker room and punching a wall are untrue.

“Tell me if this passes the smell test. I barge into a woman’s locker room. I scream in the face of an 110-pound woman, and then I physically threaten her by punching a wall in her vicinity…and I don’t get suspended,” he said. “Does that pass the smell test to you? Almost everything that was written didn’t happen.

“Everybody has co-workers at work they may not get along with. I have a feeling that this was blown out of proportion because all of the English wrestling commentary places that make money off of people like me, who are far more rich and talented and handsome and humble, need clickbait.”

MJF and Baker both have high-profile matches scheduled for AEW All In on Sunday, August 25. MJF is defending his AEW American Championship against Ospreay at the pay-per-view. Baker is challenging Mercedes Mone for the TBS Championship.

MJF told Cultaholic that, while he and Baker may have their issues, Mone vs. Baker is going to be an “epic match.”

“I can sit here and I can say wrestling is a very competitive sport. It breeds a level of insecurity like no other. However, I can easily put over any talent, regardless of whether or not I like them as a human being.” MJF said. “I can sit here and I can tell you that Britt Baker vs. Mercedes Mone at Wembley on August 25 is going to be an epic match and we should all be excited to watch it. I don’t have to like all my coworkers and that’s fine. But yeah, dude, that sh*t was wild to read.”

MJF was in the United Kingdom this past weekend for a title defense against Michael Oku for Revolution Pro Wrestling. Ospreay made a surprise appearance at the show to build up his All In match against MJF.

Deonna Purrazzo comments on Britt Baker-MJF incident that ‘sparked a lot of drama’

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Deonna Purrazzo has addressed the recent Britt Baker-MJF AEW backstage incident in a new interview.

Speaking with Stephanie Chase on She Digressed: Stephanie Chase on Wrestling, Purrazzo acknowledged that the Baker-MJF incident which resulted in Baker being suspended by AEW “sparked a lot of drama,” but called it an isolated incident that is not representative of what Purrazzo has experienced in the AEW locker room.

Purrazzo said:

“I think this was just kind of one instance that sparked a lot, a lot of drama, and also kind of took on a life of its own. The rumor mill starts going and things aren’t as they were, you know what I mean?”

Purrazzo continued:

“And people add their own two cents and it makes it way bigger than it was. I think this was an isolated incident, because everything else that I’ve experienced in this locker room is supportive, is encouraging, is a lot of camaraderie.”

“We just recently celebrated people’s birthdays, we had birthday cakes and sang. I feel like this locker room doesn’t get as much credit as it deserves for that type of camaraderie.”

Purrazzo emphasized that her experience in the AEW locker room has been nothing but positive:

“I don’t know what it was like before. I can only speak to my experiences. But I feel like, again, it doesn’t get enough credit that it deserves.”

Purrazzo is set to face Thunder Rosa in a Texas Bullrope match on this Saturday’s AEW Collision airing at 8 p.m. Eastern time on TNT.

Purrazzo’s full comments in context, plus discussion on her time in Impact Wrestling, her feud with Rosa, and much more, can be seen in the embedded interview below.

Swerve Strickland vs. Wheeler Yuta, Britt Baker in-person return set for next AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Josh Nason

After Bryan Danielson was successful in defeating Jeff Jarrett in the main event of Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite, Swerve Strickland said he wanted his own tune-up for next Wednesday ahead of their title vs. career clash at All In.

After Danielson’s win, the AEW World Champion came out unannounced to give the impending challenger his props and then offer up a challenge to Danielson’s Blackpool Combat Club teammate Wheeler Yuta who was standing next to him.

Strickland said he wants Danielson at ringside as well so he can see why he is the most dangerous man in AEW.

After making her on-screen return on Wednesday following a suspension, Britt Baker promised Mercedes Mone she will be in Norfolk, Virginia, and has seven days to figure out how she will get her hands on her.

The other announcement was that AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada and no. 1 contender Claudio Castagnoli will come face-to-face. Castagnoli won a three-way on Collision to earn a shot at Okada with the date yet to be announced.

Here’s the current lineup for Norfolk:

  • AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland vs. Wheeler Yuta in a non-title match
  • Britt Baker appearance
  • Claudio Castagnoli and Kazuchika Okada face-to-face

Britt Baker appears on AEW Dynamite as suspension ends

Posted on by Josh Nason

Britt Baker’s storyline and real-life suspension are both over as she appeared on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite via video to call out TBS Champion Mercedes Mone and Kamille.

After Kamille won a handicap match, Mone took the mic and once again thanked the EVPs the Young Bucks for their suspension of Baker. As she continued to talk, Tony Schiavone interrupted her with a message from Christopher Daniels via Tony Khan that Khan had overruled the Bucks and Baker’s suspension was lifted.

Schiavone then threw it to Baker who was “live via satellite.” Baker threw some verbal jabs toward Mone including saying that whenever things don’t go Mone’s way, she takes her ball and goes home.

Baker then said she has seven days to figure out how she will get her hands on Mone next week.

Baker was storyline suspended by the Bucks for her recent actions against Mone, but was suspended and fined in real life by AEW after a backstage confrontation with both MJF and Alicia Atout at the 250th edition of Dynamite. The suspension was believed to be either one or two weeks, according to Dave Meltzer.

Daily Update: Bobby Lashley, Tony Khan, Britt Baker

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new issue of the Observer is up on the site right now featuring two very in-depth stories:

  • Judge Richard Boulware refuses to accept the $335 million TKO settlement in the Cung Le case, why, lawyers react, lots of inside ramifications of the case, how different settlements would work out for the biggest name fighters and the average fighters and what comes next and why they still can’t risk a trial.
  • AEW rights fees talks and what they mean, how much talent earns by percentage of revenues compared to other sports, estimating annual income at different rights points, cutbacks why the deal length is so important, noticeable TV cutbacks and ROH potential going forward.
  • SummerSlam preview, ticket sales, secondary market, expectations for finishes and favorites.
  • All In, update on new matches being teased, ticket sales, can they reach the next goal, PPV thoughts and promotion of the event.
  • Update on the G-1 Climax tournament
  • UFC 304 full coverage, what’s next for the fighters, new storylines, business notes, match-by-match rundown
  • What matches you need to see from G-1
  • A look at the retirement and career of Meiko Satomura
  • A detailed look at ROH Death Before Dishonor and the ROH brand
  • The life and career of longtime prelim wrestler Pete Sanchez/Gino Caruso
  • The most detailed look at  the ratings from the past two weeks  including where the top shows placed, breakdown on who is watching and changes, how badly the Olympics changed viewership and much more.
  • Death Triangle go to the hottest arena in the world and how the crowd reacted
  • One of the best high flyers in the world is almost ready to return
  • A look at two Stardom PPV shows and major title changes
  • Oldest male wrestler ever to do a match
  • Marigold tag team title decided and  Grand Prix singles tournament
  • Death of former Crockett wrestler who had a short career but was in with the biggest names in wrestling at the time
  • Modern legend retirement tour first main event announced
  • Dijak and MJF to RevPro
  • Bloodsport with talent from WWE, ROH and TNA
  • Update on PPV numbers from WWE, AEW, TNA and Diaz-Masvidal and Paul-Perry
  • Tony Khan and Shane McMahon
  • Top star returns to AEW
  • Lots of injury updates
  • Bill Goldberg talks Tony Khan
  • Merch sales
  • Highest ticket prices ever for an MMA event at The Sphere
  • Updates on Brock Lesnar

This Week’s Wresting Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Tuesday Update

WWE

  • WWE’s YouTube page has added the full match between The Wyatt Sicks and Chad Gable & The Creed Brothers.
  • Bobby Lashley shared a video on Instagram training at the gym, saying his arm is getting better. The caption reads: “Minor setback for a major comeback!”
  • Big E on Odyssey Jones’ Raw debut: “The big man looked phenomenal!!! A star is born! Odyssey made a lot of new fans tonight!”
  • On X, Stephanie Vaquer shared a picture, writing “This is my face every time @roxanne_wwe needs to mention my name…..”
  • Perez responded: “I’m glad you hear me.”
  • WWE Vault has added two matches featuring Cody Rhodes: one where he teams with Johnny Gargano in Evolve to take on Drew McIntyre and Chris Hero, and another in OVW where he teams with CM Punk.
  • They have also added the full match between Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov from last year’s NXT Great American Bash.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • Tony Khan on his trip to Paris: “Thank you Mr. David Zaslav + @WBD for having me in Paris for the trip of a lifetime! It’s an exciting time, the future’s very bright for @AEW! TOMORROW on TBS Don’t miss Wednesday Night #AEWDynamite, we had an epic run of Wednesdays in July, and we’ll start August hot TOMORROW!”
  • Britt Baker on X posted a picture that said “You ever heard a rumor about yourself and actually wanted to hear more. Like no way…..what did I do next?!”
  • Powerhouse Hobbs, who has been out of action with a knee injury, teased on X: “Don’t call it a COME BACK”
  • Gabe Kidd continued his beef with Kenny Omega on social media, writing: “I’m going to bring new japan to heights you never could. You left because you felt there was a ceiling of what you could achieve and went running to America like a little b****. Focus on your recovery and maybe I’ll grant you the chance of getting battered by japan’s most famous wrestler.”
  • Aja Kong is teaming with Max the Impaler to take on Zizi and Safire Reed for Pro Wrestling Eve on August 24.
  • Kong will also team with Masashi Takeda and Mao at GCW’s event in Japan on August 13, taking on Thrussy.
  • NWA announced that National Champion Thom Latimer has signed an exclusive contract.

Wrestling Observer Radio: UFC class action lawsuit, AEW TV rights landscape

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I are back with Wrestling Observer Radio going over the big stories in the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

First, John Nash joined us to talk about the UFC class action lawsuit.

Then, Dave and I talked about the following:

  • Shane McMahon
  • Britt Baker’s suspension
  • SummerSlam
  • AEW TV deal landscape
  • MJF in CMLL
  • Goldberg’s comments about Tony Khan
  • AEW Dynamite ratings
  • The Hardy Boyz
  • Bob Backlund
  • Venu

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

Filthy Observer Live: WWE SummerSlam predictions, MJF/Britt Baker incident

Posted on by Mike Sempervive

With Bryan Alvarez working on his Survivor Series travel itinerary, “Filthy” Tom Lawlor joins me on a special Wrestling, err, Filthy Observer Live.

We preview Saturday’s WWE SummerSlam, the reported incident that took place between MJF and Britt Baker which caused Baker to be suspended by AEW and more.

A fun show as always, so check it out~!

Click here to listen (Subscription required)

Britt Baker was suspended & fined by AEW for backstage incident

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

Britt Baker was suspended and fined by AEW for a backstage incident involving MJF and his girlfriend & backstage interviewer Alicia Atout.

The news comes from this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter with Ibou of WrestlePurists also confirming via social media. Fightful also confirmed with some additional details.

Dave Meltzer reported the popular star, who just returned from a lengthy absence due to injuries and a medical issue, was either suspended “for either one or two weeks and fined by the company’s disciplinary committee.” It’s unknown when the suspension is up, but Baker was absent from this past Wednesday’s Dynamite.

While the details are light, Meltzer said that something happened at the 250th episode of Dynamite on July 17th where Baker allegedly said something about MJF which Atout heard. She then told MJF who then confronted Baker about it.

Ibou added the incident happened right after MJF’s match with Will Ospreay that opened the show with Fightful reporting that the Baker/MJF argument “resulted in MJF punching a wall before his hour long match.”

Fightful’s report also stated Baker “exercised frustration” about MJF within the women’s locker room. The outlet also reported that they had heard there was a confrontation between Atout and Baker and that Ospreay even talked to Baker at one point.

The conflict was apparently due to unresolved issues in the past and that, according to Fightful, the two former friends had a falling out at some point over the last year.

AEW HR then launched an investigation in an effort to settle things quickly and talked to people on July 24th. Meltzer was unsure as to what Tony Khan’s involvement was as “everyone was attempting to keep this under wraps.”

Baker is set to challenge TBS Champion Mercedes Mone at this month’s All In from London’s Wembley Stadium.

Mercedes Mone vs. Britt Baker official for AEW All In

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Mercedes Mone and Britt Baker are officially set to clash at AEW All In.

During AEW’s panel at San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday, Tony Khan confirmed that Mone will defend her TBS Championship against Baker at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, August 25. The two have been feuding since Baker returned at Forbidden Door last month.

Before the match was made official, Mone repeatedly turned down Baker’s challenge for All In. She again said no to the challenge on Dynamite last night. On the episode, former NWA Women’s Champion Kamille arrived in AEW and aligned herself with Mone. Kamille attacked Baker and laid her out with a Torture Rack slam.

An angle then took place during today’s Comic-Con panel where Mone and Kamille — dressed as Batman villains Poison Ivy and Bane — confronted Baker. That led to Khan announcing Mone vs. Baker for the All In pay-per-view.

With Jamie Hayter having been out of action for more than a year now, Baker is at a numbers disadvantage against Mone and Kamille. Khan said last month that the timetable for Hayter’s return is still pending.

Mone has been TBS Champion since dethroning Willow Nightingale this May. She also is the current NJPW Strong Women’s Champion.

Five matches have now been announced for All In:

  • AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland defends against Bryan Danielson
  • AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends against Mariah May
  • AEW American Champion MJF defends against Will Ospreay
  • TNT Champion Jack Perry defends against Darby Allin
  • TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Britt Baker

Britt Baker in-ring return announced for AEW Dynamite Blood & Guts

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A new match has been added to AEW Dynamite Blood & Guts.

It was announced on Collision that Hikaru Shida would face Britt Baker. After Shida won her match against Skye Blue due to referee stoppage, Shida said she still wanted to fight, and challenged Baker to a match. She said that she had broken Baker’s nose once before, and would do it again on Wednesday.

Baker’s match against Shida will mark her return to the ring for the first time since last fall, when she was sidelined with a number of injuries including an injured hip labrum, two herniated discs, and a mini-stroke. She returned at Forbidden Door last month and confronted Mercedes Mone, who has thus far refused the idea of defending her title against Baker at All In.

The updated AEW Dynamite Blood & Guts card for Wednesday, July 24:

  • Blood & Guts match: The Elite (Matt & Nick Jackson, Jack Perry, Kazuchika Okada and Hangman Page) vs. Team AEW (Swerve Strickland, Anthony Bowens, Max Caster, Darby Allin & Mark Briscoe)
  • FTW Champion Chris Jericho defends against Minoru Suzuki with The Learning Tree banned from ringside
  • Britt Baker vs. Hikaru Shida
  • Debut of “The Glamour” Mariah May
  • New International Champion MJF speaks

Wrestling Observer Live: NXT’s biggest success, AEW injuries, lots of news

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back to talk taking care of talent and protecting them from injuring themselves, AEW Dynamite tonight, NXT last night with an awesome main event, what NXT is most successful at, all the news, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Britt Baker opens up about suffering mini-stroke

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Image: JJ Williams

Britt Baker has opened up on her transient ischemic attack, or mini-stroke.

Speaking with Renee Paquette, Baker detailed the TIA she suffered during her time off with the company. She said she was in Orlando with her hairstylist Amanda when she started to feel ill.

“Something was off and the room was spinning,” she said. “Nauseous, sweating, something was not right. [The hairdresser] could tell right away…and of course, first thing that came to mind was something with my neck. When I had the spinning, and vertigo, it must be something with the neck. She hands me the water, I go to open it, and this side just doesn’t work, my right side. It was numb, it was weird, it couldn’t work…we both sort of panicked at the same time and she’s like, I think you need to go to the hospital. And I said no, I’m okay, let’s just finish my hair, which we did. Insane, we finished my hair.”

Baker said her situation became worse and drove herself to the hospital, which he said was “stupid”. The hospital took her in immediately.

“Over the intercom system, I hear them say ‘stroke patient coming back.’…they tested some stuff, looked in my eyes, and reflexes, everying, and put me in a wheelchair. The next thing I know, I’m wheeled back, they’re sticking needles in me, putting all the stickers on me to go and get tests, it was very quick. And then the next thing I knew, I’m in my own little room with a pamphlet on being a stroke victim. It felt like a minute had gone by since I was in the hair chair getting my hair done and then admitted to the hospital for a week for a TIA, mini-stroke.”

Reflecting back, Baker said it was a situation that gave her a reality check on needing to listen to what your body is telling you.

“When you’re stressed and overwhelmed mentally, emotionally, physically, you gotta listen to your body and chill the f*** out sometimes. I think so many of us fall into that, you know, we gotta go, we gotta keep going, we have to be there for AEW,  for Tony, for the wrestling fans, for this and that. Every now and again, we have to be there for us, too. We need to chill and relax.”

Baker said that she is totally recovered from the mini-stroke and focused on training, saying that she’s been “living in the gym.”

Along with the TIA, Baker had also been out of action with an injured hip labrum and two herniated discs. Returning at Forbidden Door last month, Baker has set her sights on Mercedes Mone and the TBS title, challenging her to a match for All In.

Wrestling Weekly: Catching up on everything WWE & AEW

Posted on by Victor Sosa

Image: AEW

It’s our first episode of Wrestling Weekly in the last two weeks as we’ve been away.

So, we decided to get caught up on everything that’s happened in WWE and AEW during that time. Seems like a lot!

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

Click here to listen (sub needed)

Britt Baker challenges Mercedes Mone for AEW All In, details suffering mini stroke in return promo

Posted on by Josh Nason

In her return to AEW Dynamite for the first time in nearly a year, Britt Baker detailed why she was gone all that time which was followed by both a face-to-face confrontation and challenge to TBS Champion & NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone.

Baker said that in November, she was banged up and mentally running on empty but told herself she was fine despite a couple herniated discs and torn hip labrum which weren’t going to keep her away. Then one day, she got really sick and began having the spins, blurry vision and her right arm was numb and tingly.

She said her entire right side of her body stopped working and she was in a hospital for a week, diagnosed with TIA which is also known as a mini stroke. She had to admit to herself that things weren’t ok, but now she is healthy and back.

Baker then returned her attention to Mone, saying it was a brilliant move to manipulate your fanbase by putting the letters CEO in a song to get fans to chant them. She didn’t have to do that with her fans who knew the letters DMD.

Mone then arrived on the scene in a car for her championship celebration, making nice with the Young Bucks on the way in. They started setting up for it while Baker was in the ring.

The two then sparred verbally for several minutes with Mone moving into full heel mode. Baker then challenged Mone for All In from Wembley Stadium in London, but Mone said there was a line to get in as there were more deserving women in the back. The two didn’t get physical, but went face-to-face several times with Mone holding up the two title belts before leaving the ring.

Baker hasn’t wrestled since September 2023 and made her surprise return at this past Sunday’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door following Mone’s title win over Stephanie Vaquer.

Mercedes Mone double title celebration added to AEW Dynamite Beach Break

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Mercedes Mone is holding another celebration.

On Monday, Tony Khan announced on X that Mone will be holding a double title celebration on Dynamite this Wednesday in Chicago. At Forbidden Door, Money defeated Stephanie Vaquer to become a double champion, now holding both the NJPW Strong Women’s and TBS titles.

After Mone won the title, Britt Baker made her return to AEW for the first time since last fall, seemingly confronting Mone, who remained in the ring. Khan confirmed that Baker would also be making an appearance on Wednesday.

The announced card for AEW Dynamite Beach Break set for Wednesday, July 3: 

  • AEW International Champion Will Ospreay defends against Daniel Garcia
  • Owen Hart Foundation men’s tournament quarterfinals: Jeff Jarrett vs. a wild card entry of The Young Bucks’ choosing
  • Owen Hart Foundation men’s tournament semifinals: PAC vs. Bryan Danielson
  • Owen Hart Foundation women’s tournament semifinals: Kris Statlander vs. Willow Nightingale
  • Britt Baker will appear
  • Mercedes Mone double title celebration