Tag: sting

Daily Update: WWE Raw, Sting, Being The Elite

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News:

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

Highlights include:

  • Match of the week and performer of the week
  • WrestleMania updates, including status of different matches that have been planned and not announced
  • Ticket sales notes and demand for tickets, plus notes on NXT Stand & Deliver
  • A study of the buying patterns of PPVs for AEW, including comparisons with one year ago, how many shows the average AEW PPV buyer purchases each year, the difference between satellite owners and others in the viewing patterns, update on Revolution numbers and how many different people bought an AEW PPV this past year
  • Letters from WWE to the Alamodome in San Antonio show how WWE counted Royal Rumble attendance, along with the actual numbers from the show
  • Richard Schaefer, the famed boxing promoter, heading Anthem’s wrestling, MMA and new boxing divisions and what are future plans for the divisions
  • New Japan Cup coverage with all the matches from the past week
  • Notes on AEW’s Canada tour
  • Mexican star taken to prison on domestic violence charges against another Mexican wrestling star
  • Full coverage of this past week’s major pro wrestling events and the UFC show
  • Update on the WWE Hall of Fame including stories on the careers of the inductees
  • Coverage of the WWE’s return to its most famous arena, Madison Square Garden
  • The life of former wrestler Jeff Gaylord and his very checkered life after wrestling and during wrestling
  • The most detailed look at the weekly television ratings, competition, how segments did, where shows are strong and weak.
  • Promotion adding a ton of new talent after young wrestlers impress in a special format
  • Mainstream angle being done in Mexico
  • Joint show announced in Japan for the Himeka retirement
  • A look at the Guerrero wrestling family
  • Legendary athlete passes away that a wrestling move done all over the world was named after including the person who actually named the move
  • New promotion starting taking the name of a legendary regional company
  • International Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame 2023 inductions and ceremony
  • Ric Flair Twitter war of words
  • Lots of indie notes including some big crowds this week
  • 16 Carat Gold tournament in Germany news
  • Notes on recent Will Ospreay matches
  • Notes on major AEW negotiations
  • AEW cancels TV tapings and why
  • Update on social media abuse of Riho
  • Chris Jericho honored
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows
  • Streaming numbers for WWE & AEW this past week
  • International TV ratings updates including a company sets its all-time viewing record in Canada
  • Notes on AEW signees
  • UFC TV renewal talk even though it’s years away
  • Former UFC champion Benson Henderson retires
  • Update on WWE’s attempt to get legalized betting on its matches
  • Update on Jay White
  • Interest level mainstream of UFC, WWE and AEW big shows including geographical popularity split between AEW Revolution and WWE Elimination Chamber
  • Update on MLW lawsuit against WWE
  • What are the key new things in the suit
  • WWE injury updates and returns

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter:

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Monday Update

Bryan and I will be back tonight covering all the latest news from WWE and the rest of the wrestling world plus building to the shows during the rest of the week.

Raw is in St. Louis tonight. Roman Reigns, Sami Zayn, Logan Paul, The Usos, Rey Mysterio and Lita are all scheduled on the show. Charlie Dempsey is there as well, but he’ll likely be on Main Event because that’s where the NXT talent flown in usually works. Announced is a face to face with Reigns and Cody Rhodes, Austin Theory vs. Montez Ford non-title, Asuka & Bianca Belair vs. Chelsea Green & Carmella, plus Impaulsive TV with Logan Paul to likely shoot another angle with Seth Rollins. More than 12,000 tickets were out this morning so with walkup this will almost surely end up as a sellout. They will be up more than 64 percent from the last time they taped television in the building on 10/28, which tells you how hot things are compared to five months ago

Sting returns Wednesday night on Dynamite in a six-man tag with Darby Allin & Orange Cassidy vs. Kip Sabian & Butcher & Blade from Independence, MO. This is the show featuring the Kenny Omega vs. El Hijo del Vikingo match.

On Being the Elite, they did a phone chat gimmick with the Young Bucks, Adam Page and Kenny Omega but Omega bailed out of the chat, so the story is the Young Bucks are or have made amends with Page but Omega has yet to do so.

PW Insider reported that the fifth and final WWE Hall of Fame inductee this year is likely a referee who “someone the entire industry loved.” It would be the first referee ever inducted if that’s the case.

New Japan’s New Japan Cup finals are tomorrow at 4 a.m. Eastern from Niigata:

      • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Yuto Nakashima vs. Taichi & Douki
      • Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita vs. Ryohei Oiwa & Shota Umino
      • Tama Tonga & Tomohiro Ishii & Tomoaki Honma vs. KENTA & El Phantasmo & Chase Owens
      • Desperado & Ren Narita & Toru Yano & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Evil & Yujiro Takahashi & Sho & Dick Togo
      • Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi vs. Great O’Khan & Aaron Henare
      • Kazuchika Okada & Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Aussie Open & Jeff Cobb
      • Hiromu Takahashi vs. Lio Rush for the IWGP Jr. title
      • Sanada vs. David Finlay in the New Japan Cup final

Besides the two main events, the undercard will likely set up matches for the 4/8 show at Sumo Hall.

The New York Post has a story on massive layoffs coming to ESPN and that nobody is safe, which could affect those who cover UFC, plus that they are interested in Pat McAfee.

Popular Northeast referee Sean Patrick O’Brien, known as SPO, passed way. We don’t have any details other than he refereed for a number of promotions including ICW NHB and was said to be best friends with John Wayne Murdoch, noting they were traveling partners. On Saturday night’s ICW NHB show on IWTV, they had all the talent in the ring while the crowd chanted “SPO” to start the show. Danny Demanto then came out to dedicate the show to O’Brien (thanks to Ross Blair)

The 3/30 episode of ROH television, which hasn’t been taped yet, will be taped on 3/29 at the Dynamite tapings in St. Louis, so they’ll tape ROH, Dynamite and Rampage.

The Undertaker has a One Man Show on 3/24 at The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.

The presale for Forbidden Door on 6/25 in Toronto takes place on Wednesday. 

AEW will be taping Dark matches at Universal in Orlando from 6-10 p.m. on Friday night.

WWE did a combo ticket presale for both the Smackdown and Backlash shows on 5/5 and 5/6 in San Juan, Puerto Rico today. We don’t have numbers but the queue was long and I expect sellouts for both shows almost immediately when they go on sale to the public.

Denise Salcedo will be joining Busted Open radio every Saturday starting this coming weekend from 9 a.m. to Noon Eastern time working with Mark Henry on Sirius XM.

Denzel Freeman, who scored a 27 second knockout on Friday night’s PFL show, earning him a contract for the heavyweight tournament, was formerly in WWE developmental. After being picked by Randy Couture, Kayla Harrison and Wiz Khalifa for a contract based on being the most impressive winner on the show, he asked if Liv Morgan would go out with him. Morgan is in a relationship with Taylor “Uncle Howdy” Rotunda.

The episode of NCIS: Los Angeles with Sheamus aired last night. In the story, star Sam Hanna (LL Cool J) goes undercover in an underground Bare Knuckle fight club to catch dirty cops involved in a Fentanyl drug ring. Sheamus played Odin the head of the drug gang. The two had a fight at the end of the episode. He was billed in the credits a “WWE Superstar Sheamus” as opposed to Stephen Farrelly. (thanks to Grant Zwarych)

A correction from yesterday (it was corrected last night in the daily update) is that the next TKW show in Taylor, MI is on 4/21. We had listed it was 4/2 (thanks to Leonard Brand)

Sting to team with Darby Allin & Orange Cassidy on AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Ian Carey

A six-man tag team match has been announced for Dynamite. 

Tony Khan revealed on Monday that Sting, Darby Allin, and Orange Cassidy will team up to face Kip Sabian and The Butcher & The Blade on Wednesday’s show. 

Allin & Cassidy defeated The Butcher & The Blade on Saturday at AEW House Rules from Troy, Ohio. Butcher & The Blade then attacked Cassidy & Allin backstage at the show. 

Tony Khan posted a video of Butcher and The Blade issuing a challenge to Allin, Cassidy, and a partner of their choosing for a six-man tag match against them and Kip Sabian for Dynamite. 

A short time later, the AEW President revealed that Allin and Cassidy have chosen Sting as their partner. 

Dynamite this week will take place from the Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence, Missouri. Here is the updated card for the show:

AEW Dynamite, Wednesday, March 22 —

  • AEW Tag Team Championship: The Gunns (Colten Gunn & Austin Gunn) defend against Top Flight (Darius Martin & Dante Martin)
  • Kenny Omega vs. El Hijo del Vikingo
  • Jon Moxley vs. Stu Grayson
  • Toni Storm vs. Skye Blue
  • No DQ match: Hook vs. Stokely Hathaway
  • Kip Sabian, The Butcher & The Blade vs. Sting, Darby Allin & Orange Cassidy

DragonKingKarl Greatest Kayfabe Tournament: Dory Funk Jr. vs. Sting

Posted on by Karl Stern

In my rotation of classic pro wrestling shows, this week’s DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show comes back around to my Greatest Kayfabe Tournament.

On this episode, we have a battle of two past NWA World Champions in Dory Funk Jr. vs. Sting. It’s a battle of two different generations and our closest results yet as the fans vote on who wins.

Let’s talk about the careers and styles of Dory Funk Jr. and Sting on this week’s show.

Click Here to Listen for free

January 23, 2006 Observer Newsletter: UFC vs. WWE head-to-head, Sting makes TNA return

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The second WWE vs. UFC Monday night battle on 1/16 saw WWE load up with the strongest Raw line-up since the last battle, while UFC countered by copying pro wrestling by promising the biggest announcement in the history of the company and one that will change UFC forever.

WWE’s idea was to end the show by solidifying John Cena as a star as he would save Ric Flair, who is the most beloved character in the company right now as the only guy who could break up live sex and still get cheered for it. Instead, Flair was the one everyone was talking about, as he rose from the dead and actually had people believing, even though they knew the company would never pull the trigger, that he could win the title one last time.

UFC expected to counter by having more action as opposed to the usual Monday night gabfest. Instead, matches that were booked evenly ended up in all but one case ending immediately, and there was more stalling, packages and talking.

Subscribers can read this issue here.

We’re Live, Pal: AEW Revolution preview

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

It’s a brand new We’re Live, Pal! as Andrew Zarian and I talk the latest news in wrestling.

We discussed all the reasons why Cody Rhodes needs to beat Roman Reigns for the undisputed WWE Universal titles at WrestleMania. We also talked about “Moonshine Brock” as well as wondered who in the fanbase Bray Wyatt is for. 

We talked about Kenny Omega’s podcast interview with Renee Paquette and went over the quotes of interest.

Lastly, we looked at AEW’s week in the Bay Area and talked about the CM Punk and FTR rumors. 

You can watch the show above or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts in addition to the link below.

Click Here To Listen for free

Sting’s AEW contract expires ‘sometime this year’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Sting’s AEW contract is set to expire in 2023. 

The 63-year-old was profiled in D Magazine on Thursday and the article noted that his contract is up “sometime this year.”

His deal with AEW expires sometime this year; he won’t say exactly when. When it ends, so will his time behind the face paint. 

Sting debuted for AEW at Winter is Coming on December 2, 2020. At the time, it was reported that he had signed a multi-year contract with the company. 

Sting had the following to say regarding how he wants to end his career:

Whatever I do, I want wrestling fans to say, ‘That was incredible.’

I don’t want them to walk away going, ‘That was embarrassing.’ I just want it to be a great memory and then to just finally, once and for all, say, ‘Adios.’

It was also mentioned that Sting’s daughter-in-law, Katelyn, is currently training to be a pro wrestler. Katelyn also works on AEW’s social media team. 

He’s got a little while longer to work in the same company as his daughter-in-law, Katelyn, who is on AEW’s social media team and is training to be a wrestler. 

Our own Dave Meltzer was interviewed for the piece as well. He noted that at this point in his career Sting “could basically go in there and throw a few punches and do 40 seconds worth of work, and he’s Sting, and it would be OK.” Meltzer also commented on Sting’s loss to Triple H at WrestleMania 31, noting that to Vince McMahon “Sting would always be that representation of the wrestling war.”

Sting hasn’t wrestled since AEW Full Gear on November 19, 2022. He teamed with Darby Allin and defeated Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett on the show. 

 

Full lineup announced for NOAH’s Great Muta Final Bye-Bye event

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The full lineup for The Great Muta’s Final Bye-Bye card has been revealed.

The Yokohama Arena show on January 22 will have Great Muta team with AEW’s Sting and Darby Allin against Hakushi, AKIRA, and Naomichi Marufuji. This will be Keiji Mutoh’s final match as The Great Muta.

Elsewhere on the card, the co-main event will have the current GHC World, National, and Tag Team Champions team together, as Kaito Kiyomiya, Hijo de Doctor Wagner Jr., Takashi Sugiura, and Satoshi Kojima will team together to take on KONGO’s Katsuhiko Nakajima, Kenoh, MAsakatsu Funaki, and Manabu Soya.

A Martial Arts Rules match will also take place, with Kazushi Sakuraba facing Hideki Suzuki. Jake Lee, who recently made his debut for the company after leaving All Japan Pro Wrestling, will team with Jack Morris and Anthony Green to take on Masa Kitamiya, Daiki Inaba, and Yoshiki Inamura.

This will not be Mutoh’s final match as a wrestler. That event will take place on February 21 at the Tokyo Dome.

Here is the full lineup for the NOAH event, which will air on ABEMA:

  • The Great Muta, Sting, and Darby Allin vs. Hakushi, AKIRA, and Naomichi Marufuji
  • Kaito Kiyomiya, Hijo de Doctor Wagner Jr., Takashi Sugiura, and Satoshi Kojima vs. Kenoh, Katsuhiko Nakajima, Masakatsu Funaki, and Manabu Soya
  • AMAKUSA, Ultimo Dragon, and Ninja Mack vs. YO-HEY, Kzy, and Dante Leon
  • GHC Martial Arts Rules match: Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Hideki Suzuki
  • Jake Lee, Jack Morris, and Anthony Greene vs. Masa Kitamiya, Daiki Inaba, and Yoshiki Inamura
  • Yoshinari Ogawa, Eita, and NOSAWA Rongai vs. Junta Miyawaki, Alejandro, and Yasutaka Yano
  • Timothy Thatcher vs. Masaaki Mochizuki
  • Jungle Kyona and Saori Anno vs. Sumire Natsume and Maya Yukihi
  • Atsushi Kotogi and Seiki Yoshioka vs. Hajime Ohara and Hi69 

Sting has plotted career ‘endgame,’ Darby Allin will be part of it

Posted on by Ian Carey

Sting says he has an idea of what he would like to do with the remainder of his career but is keeping his cards close to his chest. 

The 63-year-old took part in an in-depth interview with The Ringer released on Thursday. During the discussion, he spoke about having “plotted out his endgame.”

Sting said: 

“Well, I know Darby [Allin] is going to be a part of it for sure. I won’t have a singles match at this point. Darby will be along with me and I’ll be along with him and we can add more to it as far as I’m concerned. But I have a few people [in mind] and I really don’t want to say now.”

Sting would continue to say he wants to leave a lasting and positive memory in the minds of fans as he approaches the end of his career. 

“I want them to just be left with a memory that they’ll never forget, a good positive memory. I want fans to be thoroughly entertained and just having a good time and reminiscing with me. As history begins to come to an end, as the last wave comes into shore, I want to ride it with all those who want to come on with me. Absolutely.”

Sting also spoke about what the future may hold for Darby:

“For Darby, there is life beyond wrestling as well,” Sting explains. “He’s a very creative guy and he’s got ties with some pretty influential people all over the country. I believe that if he stays in the wrestling industry, if he stays here with the AEW, that eventually he’ll have some sort of creative control and some sort of leadership role where he’s coordinating. I believe that he has the ability to do something in film. Anything that has to do with art, anything that has to do with risking your life, he’s going to do. This guy is jumping off bridges 100 feet high. He’s jumping over houses with cars. He has [an] interest in skateboarding. He loves to just be out and about and rubbing shoulders with people that love to experience life to its fullest.”

Great Muta to team with Sting & Darby Allin in retirement match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Darby Allin is heading to Japan in January to take part in The Great Muta’s retirement match.

Pro Wrestling NOAH has confirmed that Muta will team with Sting & Allin in his retirement match on Sunday, January 22, 2023. Their opponents have yet to be announced.

“Great Muta Final Bye Bye” is the name of Muta’s retirement show. It’s being held at the Yokohama Arena and will air live via Wrestle Universe and Fite TV.

The match will be Keiji Muto’s final bout as the Great Muta character. Muto will then retire with his last match taking place at the Tokyo Dome for Pro Wrestling NOAH on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.

Last month, Sting told Sports Illustrated that he was trying to get Allin to come with him for Muta’s final match. Muta appeared for AEW on an episode of Rampage this September, helping to save Sting & Allin during a tag team match against The House of Black’s Brody King & Buddy Matthews.

“I know my days are numbered, so I’m trying to make the most out of the time left and give the fans everything I have before this wave comes into shore for good. I’m grateful that Muta was able to be here with me in the United States. That’s a memory I’m going to hold onto, and it signifies the end of our era. I’m looking forward to having one last grand hoorah with The Great Muta, especially in Japan,” Sting said.

“I’m trying to get Darby Allin to come with me. It’s such an honor, especially since that will be his last night as The Great Muta character.”

Muta’s retirement tour will also see him face WWE star Shinsuke Nakamura at NOAH’s The New Year 2023 on Sunday, January 1, 2023.

Sting says it’s ‘such an honor’ to be part of Great Muta retirement match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Sting is honored to be part of The Great Muta’s final match.

The two pro wrestling legends had a surprise reunion at AEW Rampage Grand Slam last month. While Sting was handcuffed and about to be attacked with a bat by Buddy Matthews, Muta made his way out to the ring and saved his former rival Sting. A green mist from Muta left Matthews unable to see, then Sting freed himself from the handcuffs and hit a Scorpion Death Drop to get the victory over the House of Black.

It was announced after Grand Slam that the reunion between Sting and Muta will continue as they team together in Keiji Muto’s final match as the Great Muta character. Sting and Muta will be on the same side of a six-man tag match at Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Great Muta Final Bye-Bye in Yokohama on Sunday, January 22, 2023.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Sting said he’s looking forward to having “one last grand hoorah” with Muta. Sting also said he’s trying to get Darby Allin to team with him and Muta in the six-man tag.

“I know my days are numbered, so I’m trying to make the most out of the time left and give the fans everything I have before this wave comes into shore for good. I’m grateful that Muta was able to be here with me in the United States. That’s a memory I’m going to hold onto, and it signifies the end of our era. I’m looking forward to having one last grand hoorah with The Great Muta, especially in Japan,” Sting said.

“I’m trying to get Darby Allin to come with me. It’s such an honor, especially since that will be his last night as The Great Muta character.”

Sting told Sports Illustrated that, no matter if it’s in the United States or Japan, he’s always had great chemistry with Muta.

“It’s been over 30 years, but I can still feel that excitement of sharing the ring with him,” Sting said. “The first time we were ever together, we knew there was a chemistry there. It didn’t matter if we were in Philadelphia or Fukuoka. There was a magic, that’s for sure.”

Sting also stated that it was Muta who asked him to be part of Great Muta Final Bye-Bye.

“When it’s Muta asking, I’ll always say yes,” Sting said. “Every time we speak, it’s like no time has passed. I know we’re older now, but it doesn’t feel that way when we’re together.

“It’s such an honor. He is one of the greatest to ever do this.”

Following his last match as The Great Muta character, Keiji Muto will retire with his final match taking place at the Tokyo Dome for Pro Wrestling NOAH on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. 

Wrestling Observer Live: The White Rabbit

Posted on by Jim Valley

It’s Wrestling Observer Live with Jim Valley. 

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

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

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Sting to participate in The Great Muta’s retirement match

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Sting is heading to Japan.

Pro Wrestling NOAH announced on Saturday morning that Sting will team with Muta at Muta Final Bye-Bye, the event that will feature Keiji Mutoh’s final match under The Great Muta persona.

“We are pleased to announce the participation of AEW superstar and international pro wrestling legend Sting at the GREAT MUTA FINAL ‘BYE-BYE’ event, which will be held on Sunday, January 22, 2023 in Yokohama,” NOAH’s announcement read. “It was The Great Muta who came to the unexpected rescue of Sting On AEW Rampage: Grand Slam this week. This incident triggered him to partner with Sting at the Yokohama Arena event.”

Muta appeared towards the end of the Sting & Darby Allin vs. Buddy Matthews & Brody King no disqualification match, aiding Sting by misting Matthews. After Sting picked up the victory, the two shook hands and hugged.

Sting and Muta had a storied rivalry in pro wrestling that dates back to 1989, facing each other and sometimes teaming with one another both in WCW and New Japan Pro Wrestling throughout the 1990s.

The Great Muta appears at AEW Rampage Grand Slam, helps Sting

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The Great Muta appeared at AEW Rampage Grand Slam, helping longtime rival Sting against Buddy Matthews and The House of Black.

Towards the end of a match pitting Sting & Darby Allin against Brody King & Matthews, Matthews had Sting handcuffed in a chair. He was about to strike Sting with a baseball bat when The Great Muta came out. Matthews originally stepped aside, allowing Muta to possibly attack his former rival. However, Muta attacked Matthews with a dragon screw, then misted him. Matthews, blinded, bumped into Julia Hart on the apron, sending her through a table. Sting then picked up the win for his team.

After the match, Muta and Sting shook hands and hugged.

Keiji Mutoh is currently on a retirement tour, with only a few matches left prior to his retirement show on February 21 at the Tokyo Dome. His final match under The Great Muta persona will take place at a Pro Wrestling NOAH event on January 22 at the Yokohama Arena.

Pro wrestling legend makes surprise appearance at AEW Rampage Grand Slam taping

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The following contains spoilers for Friday’s AEW Rampage Grand Slam.

The Great Muta appeared during Wednesday’s AEW Rampage Grand Slam tapings.

Muta aided Sting and Darby Allin during their match against Buddy Matthews and Brody King, which will air this Friday. Matthews was about to attack a handcuffed Sting with a baseball bat when Muta arrived, spitting mist in the face of Matthews. This caused Matthews to bump into Julia Hart, who went through a table. Sting picked up the win for his team. After the match, Sting hugged Muta.

Sting and The Great Muta were both longtime rivals and tag team partners in WCW and New Japan Pro Wrestling in the late 80s and early 90. The Great Muta defeated Sting for the WCW Television title back in September of 1989.

Keiji Mutoh is currently on a retirement tour with Pro Wrestling NOAH. His last match under The Great Muta persona will take place on January 23 at Yokohama Arena. It was announced earlier this month that his final match will take place on February 21, 2023 at the Tokyo Dome.

Darby Allin reveals he paid $12,000 to get out of contract and join AEW

Posted on by Ian Carey

Darby Allin says he had to pay $12,000 to get out of a contract with another company before he could sign with AEW. 

The 29-year-old appeared on the DDP Snakepit podcast recently and spoke about what he did after finding out Cody Rhodes was interested in bringing him to AEW in 2019. 

“At the time, I was signed with another little promotion, and then the moment I heard that Cody was interested, long story short I paid $12,000 to get out of my contract. I took a loan out and then I remember I used to hit Cody up every day, just blow his phone up,” Allin said.

Allin had been with EVOLVE/World Wrestling Network from 2016 to 2019. 

“I just heard there was this new company starting up and then this is before TV was even talked about. I was like this is crazy. All I heard when they were promoting it was the word ‘creative freedom’ and I was like, ‘That’s where I need to be.'”

Allin also revealed that he received interest from NXT at the time, but he knew he wanted to sign with AEW.

“At the time, I was kind of being groomed to go to NXT and I saw the writing on the wall. This was back when 205 Live was a thing if you remember 205 Live, and I was like, ‘Hell f***ing no, I’m not going there to do that.'”

“It was a feeling I had that I had to go [to AEW], I was just so drawn to it,” he continued.  

Allin also spent some time on the podast talking about his history working with Sting in AEW. He noted that Sting was originally signed to do cinematic matches but Allin eventually convinced him to wrestle live. 

“When he first got to AEW he originally signed on for just cinematic matches,” Allin said. “So, he signed up for cinematic matches and then we were training at his house down in Texas because he had a ring down there. I just straight up said to him, ‘Man, we don’t need to do cinematic matches, let’s do this live.’ And then I kind of convinced him to think about it.” 

“There’s nothing we have to hide here with your performance,” Allin continued. 

Later in the conversation, Allin revealed that he and Sting will be wrestling at AEW All Out. Their match will be announced on Wednesday’s edition of Dynamite. 

“We got All Out, me and Sting will be there, our match will be announced Wednesday. We will be at All Out,” he said.

Sting and Allin appeared on Rampage on Friday and saved Miro from an attack by the House of Black.