Tag: the elite

Chris Jericho, other ‘key top names’ unwilling to work with CM Punk in AEW

Posted on by Ian Carey

According to Dave Meltzer, several top stars in AEW stated that they are not willing to work with CM Punk. 

In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Meltzer reported that the feeling backstage is that Punk will not be back with the company. 

“A few names were mentioned with Chris Jericho being the name mentioned most but that many, if not most, of the key top names were saying that they wouldn’t work with him,” Meltzer wrote. 

From the WON:

Another top star in AEW said, “Punk won’t be back. His value on screen isn’t one percent worth the hassle and black cloud he causes backstage.”

Fightful Select reported that Jericho confronted Punk backstage at All Out following the media scrum and altercation with Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks, reportedly telling Punk he was “a cancer to the locker room and a detriment to the company.”

Meltzer reported recently that AEW is in negotiations with Punk over a buyout of his contract with a holdup being the length of a non-compete clause.

On Wednesday, Wrestling Inc.’s Nick Hausman reported that those from Punk’s camp said Punk’s dog Larry was injured during the backstage altercation. Larry was said to have been hit in the face by the locker room door when it was “kicked in” by the Young Bucks. At a veterinarian appointment a few days later, Larry had to have two teeth removed. 

However, the story is being denied by those from The Elite’s camp.

From the WON:

“A completely made up story,” said one person regarding the story. “He’s (Punk) losing (in the investigation results) and is desperate. There was a multiple weeks long investigation and this was oddly not discovered? Hmm. Also, it’s so happened to be mentioned the moment there was news about (the Bucks & Omega) possibly coming back? It’s insane that people would even humor this.”

“The dog story is a complete lie,” said a neutral party who was in the locker room seconds after the incident occurred. “When the altercation was happening Punk was a total psycho.”

“Kenny picked the dog up to save him from being hurt and gave him to Megha. Megha was holding the dog screaming at Punk to stop. Punk didn’t even register that his `baby’ was being held by a stranger in the middle of a fight. It didn’t stop him one bit.”

Kenny Omega, Young Bucks vignette airs on AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Wednesday’s Dynamite featured a tease with The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega, an indcation that they could be returning to the company soon.

Following the opening match, a video was shown of video clips and sound bites showcasing big moments from The Bucks and Omega’s careers. However, each time clips were shown, the video would pause and The Elite were seen vanishing from the still frame. The final image shown was the AEW logo disappearing.

This was the first time The Elite were specifically mentioned on AEW television since the media scrum following All Out on September 5, where The Elite were involved in an altercation between themselves and CM Punk and Ace Steel. It was reported last week that Steel had been released from the company as a result of AEW’s ongoing investigation into the altercation.

Wrestling Inc reported Wednesday afternoon that CM Punk’s camp had responded to a report from Fightful that The Elite were returning to AEW “imminently”. The report said that Punk has not been contacted by AEW since the fight was asked to keep quiet, which he said he agreed to do so. It was said that from Punk’s perspective, the comments from the scrum did not seem like a big deal, but the situation escalated when Punk’s locker room door was kicked in, injuring Punk’s dog Larry in the process. Punk was informed at a vet appointment days later that two of Larry’s teeth had been knocked out as a result.

The report also said that Punk felt threatened “in a legal way” under the state of Illinois’ Castle Doctrine Laws, which allows the use of force in defense of a person in their dwelling. However, there is no current litigation against Punk or anyone involved in the altercation.

The Elite ‘haven’t heard anything’ from AEW, situation believed to be ‘on hold’

Posted on by Ian Carey

The Elite “haven’t heard anything” from AEW regarding the ongoing investigation into their backstage altercation with CM Punk and Ace Steel at All Out. 

Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks have been suspended from the promotion since the incident. Our own Dave Meltzer addressed the situation in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 

“Regarding the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega, they all hadn’t heard anything from the company at least as of a few days ago,” Meltzer wrote. 

It is believed that potential legal action and another unknown hold-up are preventing things from moving forward. 

Meltzer continued, “the belief is that their situation is on hold pending potential legal action, which unless cleared up, could delay things for some time and there is also a second hold up that hasn’t been made clear.”

Matt Jackson recently caused some speculation regarding the Young Bucks potentially returning to AEW in the near future. He posted a short message to Instagram Stories saying that he looked forward to seeing fans “very soon.”

“Thank you so much guys for everything and the last 18 years. You guys have supported us and been so great to us, and I really can’t wait to see you guys very soon,” Jackson said. 

‘Being the Elite’ YouTube series announces hiatus

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Being the Elite is on hiatus.

BTE’s Twitter account Monday evening confirmed that the show would be going on hiatus. The long-running show featuring The Young Bucks and other AEW personalities is usually posted on Monday morning. However, there was no episode this week.

“No #BeingTheElite this week. On hiatus until further notice,” The account wrote.

The last show to be put up was last week’s episode, which focused on All Out weekend.

The Young Bucks, along with Kenny Omega, were involved in a backstage altercation with CM Punk and Ace Steel at All Out after Punk made negative comments towards them during a media scrum following the event. Omega and The Bucks, who won the AEW World Trios titles at All Out, were stripped of the titles the following Wednesday. Punk was also stripped of the AEW World Championship, and everyone involved in the altercation was suspended by the company. 

Speak Now: The most anticipated AEW Dynamite, show recap

Posted on by Denise Salcedo

Tonight’s episode of AEW Dynamite was perhaps one of the most anticipated ever. It follows what has been a wild week in pro wrestling. 

After AEW ALL OUT 2022, CM Punk had the most controversial media scrum ever, that led to a backstage fight between The Elite and CM Punk/Ace Steel. On today’s show, Tony Khan made a massive announcement regarding the championship belts. We also had a buzzworthy promo from MJF and so much more. 

Join Denise Salcedo on Speak Now Pro Wrestling as she breaks it all down. 

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VIDEO: United Empire attack The Elite following AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The United Empire laid out The Elite after Dynamite ended on Wednesday.

AEW showed post-Dynamite footage showing Will Ospreay and Aussie Open attacking The Elite as Kenny Omega was giving a post-match interview. You can watch the video below.

The footage has Omega speaking to the crowd after the match, putting over Chicago and promising to win the Trios titles at All Out. Ospreay and Aussie Open, who were recovering outside the ring, then jumped Omega and The Bucks from behind. Ospreay told Omega this wasn’t over by a long shot as Mark Davis introduced a chair into the ring. Ospreay used the chair in an attempt to pillmanize Omega’s neck, but The Young Bucks made the save, only to be laid out by Aussie Open. Ospreay then laid out Omega with the hidden blade.

The Elite defeated United Empire on tonight’s Dynamite to advance to the finals of the AEW World Trios Championship tournament. They will meet either Best Friends & Orange Cassidy or Hangman Page, John Silver, and Alex Reynolds at All Out this Sunday to determine the first champions.

The Elite advance to AEW Trios title tournament final at All Out

Posted on by Josh Nason

The Elite have advanced to the finals of the inaugural AEW Trios title tournament at All Out.

In another long and excellent main event on Wednesday’s Dynamite, Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks defeated United Empire’s Will Ospreay & Aussie Open to advance. 

At Sunday’s pay-per-view, they will face the winner of Friday’s semifinal between Best Friends and a new Dark Order lineup comprised of former AEW World Champion Hangman Page, John Silver & Alex Reynolds.

Page joined the team Wednesday after 10 was revealed to be out due to a knee injury suffered last Friday. Evil Uno was to take his place until Andrade El Idolo took him out with a crutch in their dressing room. Page, of course, is a former member of The Elite which sets up intrigue if they advance to the final.

Wednesday’s match featured recent rivals Ospreay and Omega engaging in high-octane offense from the onset and throughout the match. All six men unloaded the tank throughout with a wide array of triple team moves.

The end came when Omega hit a V-trigger and the One Winged Angel on Kyle Fletcher to pick up the win.

The Elite’s path to the semifinals began with a win over Rush, Andrade and Dragon Lee while United Empire defeated Death Triangle in their opening match.

NJPW’s Jay White appears on AEW Dynamite, attacks Roppongi Vice

Posted on by Bryan Rose

New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Jay White appeared on tonight’s episode of AEW Dynamite, helping the Elite attack Roppongi Vice.

On tonight’s show, Trent Beretta and Rocky Romero were doing a promo talking about their match against the Young Bucks on Rampage this coming Friday when the Bucks came in and attacked. Adam Cole eventually joined in, but the three stopped when they saw someone nearby. That was when White appeared and helped the Elite attack Roppongi Vice, sending Trent into a nearby production truck. After commenting on the Young Bucks’ earrings, White walked off.

Tony Khan on Twitter mentioned that he had secured the Jay White appearance on Sunday, mentioning that he butchered his own definition of the term “forbidden door” when announcing the new AEW signing, which later turned out to be Keith Lee.

In recent weeks, White has been mentioning AEW during promos during New Japan Strong events and has also faced AEW talent. He defeated Christopher Daniels at the Nemesis tapings back on December 9, and on January 15 he defeated Jay Lethal during The New Beginning in USA tour.

White has also appeared on Impact Wrestling, teaming with Bullet Club members Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, and Chris Bey.

VIDEO: Being The Elite – ‘Accidental or on Purpose’

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Video —

This week on Being The Elite —

The cold open —

  • Matt and Nick Jackson threatened to hit -1 with a BTE Trigger, but they missed. -1 then stole their shoes. 

The Elite —

  • Footage from Adam Cole, Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly’s match on Dynamite was shown, as well as The Young Bucks and Brandon Cutler watching the match backstage before they made their run-ins. The Bucks, Cole and Cutler speculated as to whether or not O’Reilly kicked Cole on purpose. 
  • The Bucks think O’Reilly can’t be trusted, while Cole wants to trust him. 
  • In the closing scene, Christopher Daniels returned and announced that he has work to do.

Dark Order —

  • The group returned to their old Daily’s Place lair. Colt Cabana did some magic tricks and turned himself into a miniature pumpkin. 
  • Adam Cole went to his hotel room and was secretly disappointed that Silver and Reynolds were not in this bed. They then cut to Silver and Reynolds in their hotel room, where they were a little sad that Cole wasn’t there for them to squeeze. 

Hollywood Hunk —

  • A commercial for milk aired. 

VIDEO: Being The Elite – ‘Christmas Surprise’

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Video —

This week on Being The Elite —

The cold open —

  • Trent continued his passive aggressive badgering of Wheeler Yuta. He told Yuta that he had taken his place in Best Friends while he was out injured, but he’s back now, so Wheeler can go. He then told Wheeler he was just kidding. 

The Elite —

  • The Young Bucks talked about how they hated to leave their families to make towns, but that’s what had to be done. They said that Adam Cole promised them a surprise. 
  • Matt and Nick went shoe shopping at a mall. 
  • Kyle O’Reilly’s debut was shown from Dynamite. 
  • Adam Cole told the Bucks that Bobby Fish had set up Kyle coming in, that he and O’Reilly have stuff to work through but they’re dangerous together. He said they’re a super group now with the three of them and the Bucks. Matt and Nick acted like they weren’t so sure about Kyle coming in and walked off. 

BTE Championship —

  • 2point0’s Matt Lee defended the Championship against Daniel Garcia in a rock, paper, scissors battle. 

Hollywood Hunk —

  • Ryan Nemeth got kicked out of a casting agency. 

Leva Bates & Peter Avalon– 

  • Leva Bates was trying on a Dark Order mask. JD Drake approached and said that Peter Avalon hasn’t been the same since she started messing with his mind. Drake tried to pay Bates to leave Avalon alone. Bates took the money and said she’s going to talk to Avalon anyway.

VIDEO: Being The Elite – ‘Spray Tan Party’

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Video —

This week on Being The Elite —

The cold open —

Matt Jackson said that the was feeling blue as the holiday season approached. Nick Jackson and Adam Cole said that they knew the feeling. Cole said that he knew what would cheer Matt up — a spray tan party. 

Matt, Nick, Cole and Bobby Fish spray tanned each other. 

The Elite —

  • Cutler Cam footage showed The Elite’s match on Rampage. 

Dark Order —

  • John Silver and Alex Reynolds have moved on from Budge and are now into Hook. Cole seemed upset by no longer being the object of their attention. 
  • Hangman Page asked the group to keep an eye on his belt after his match with Bryan Danielson. 
  • Hangman announced that he’s getting stitches for Christmas. 
  • Dark Order exchanged Christmas movie quotes and decided to set up traps backstage.

2point0 —

  • The group fell victim to Dark Order’s traps backstage over a series of skits. 

Best Friends —

  • Trent showed Wheeler Yuta his new gear and called him a piece of sh*t. 

Leva Bates & Peter Avalon– 

  • Avalon gave Bates a Christmas gift. Bates gave Avalon a Christmas kiss.
  • Avalon had a video game deal go bad and he was attacked in a hotel room. 

Hollywood Hunk —

  • Ryan Nemeth, his assistant Milk, and Luchasaurus drank eggnog. Luchasaurus went on a bad trip from the eggnog.

VIDEO: Being The Elite – ‘Shoes & Behind the Scenes Views’

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Video —

This week on Being The Elite —

The cold open —

A snippet of The Young Bucks appearing on Complex’s Sneaker Shopping with Joe LaPuma aired. 

The Elite —

The episode heavily focused on Matt and Nick shoe shopping in New York and spending thousands of dollars. Matt and Nick both joked that their wives would be upset with them. Nick mentioned that he had just spent $100,000 on a Tesla. 

They showed Cutler Cam footage from The Young Bucks and Adam Cole matches on last week’s AEW television.

The show is really desperate for content. 

Dark Order —

Leva Bates confronted Alex Reynolds for leading her on even though he’s married with kids. Peter Avalon and Alex Reynolds made up, but Bates said she wanted nothing to do with either of them. 

Hollywood Hunk —

Cezar Bononi sprayed Ryan Nemeth with tanner. 

Nemeth showed up at audition for a Michael Bay movie and got thrown out. 

Trent returns, attacks The Elite on AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Trent made his return to AEW on tonight’s Dynamite.

After The Young Bucks defeated Rocky Romero and Chuck Taylor, they and Adam Cole continued to beat up both Romero and Taylor. Wheeler Yuta tried to make the save, but failed. It was then when Sue’s van showed up in the arena and Trent emerged from the van, sporting a new bald look. He helped clear The Elite out of the ring and hugged his friends as the Roppongi Vice music from his run in NJPW played.

Trent had been out of action since June when he announced he had undergone successful neck fusion surgery. He hasn’t wrestled since the April 21 edition of Dynamite, where he faced Penta El 0 M.

Since Trent’s absence, the Best Friends team has evolved into a stable involving Kris Statlander and Wheeler Yuta. They have also returned to New Japan’s CHAOS stable, teaming in recent weeks with the likes of Tomohiro Ishii and Romero.

VIDEO: Being The Elite – ‘BTE is Back’

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Video —

This week on Being The Elite —

The cold open —

The Young Bucks spoke about taking a week off and how that had helped them recover from some burnout. They promised less personal information would be on BTE. They talked briefly about their three-year deals had always been three-year deals with a two-year option, and that they had their options exercised. 

The Elite —

Adam Cole did a commercial for the AEW General Manager mobile game. 

The Bucks shot some footage to be used for Giphy stickers. 

Dark Order —

Silver and Reynolds tried to talk to Adam Cole, but he told him that he hates them and doesn’t want to see them again. Instead of calling him “Budge,” Silver and Reynolds called him Cole and said they would respect his wishes. Cole acted sad as they left the room. 

The group discussed their problem with Bryan Danielson. Anna Jay told Danielson that she’s next and demonstrated on Stu Grayson what she wanted to do to Danielson, beating him up all over the backstage area.

Best Friends —

Kris Statlander prepared for her TBS tournament match. John Silver appeared and wanted to be part of the training montage, but Statlander kicked him low. Wheeler Yuta started joining in on the Silver beatdown, but Statlander choked him out. 

Hollywood Hunk —

Ryan Nemeth and Peter Avalon were both still caught up on their exes. 

VIDEO: Being The Elite – ‘So Long, Kenny’

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Video —

This week on Being The Elite —

The cold open —

  • This week’s cold open was a commercial for Killing The Business coming out in paperback tomorrow. 

The Elite —

  • Matt Jackson stated that he and Nick were not medically cleared as of the filming of this last Wednesday. He said Nick had a foot issue and his neck was “giving him grief.”
  • They showed The Bucks doing a run-in on Rampage during Adam Cole’s match. 
  • The Elite gathered in Kenny Omega’s hotel room. He informed them that he wouldn’t be around for a while. Cole offered Omega a Monster energy drink, the same way that Cole was written out of the show when he went to NXT. Omega took a sip, teased “dying,” but was okay. Nick joked that he thought Kenny had signed with WWE or that he was going to die like Cole did. 

Dark Order —

  • John Silver and Alex Reynolds again crashed Adam Cole’s hotel room. The three argued over Cole being called Budge, they argued over Silver and Reynolds being in Cole’s bed. Cole woke up from a dream where he imagined Silver and Reynolds kissing him. 

2point0 —

  • Matt and Jeff cut a promo on Eddie Kingston on Chew of the Week. 
  • Matt and Jeff were informed that if they didn’t defend the BTE title in the next 30 days, they would be stripped of the belt. 

Best Friends —

  • Rocky Romero choked out Wheeler Yuta this week for impersonating Trent last week on the show. 

Hollywood Hunk —

  • Ryan Nemeth tried to invent a new genre of music called “the blues,” to get over his heartbreak. His assistant Milk agreed to join his band. Nemeth played the trumpet while standing in his swimming pool, then made Milk put on his “special big boy hat.”