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Shawn Michaels On Jordynne Grace’s NXT Appearance: Triple H Owed Me One

Anutosh Bajpai
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Shawn Michaels is proud to deliver a genuine surprise in today’s wrestling climate like TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace’s unexpected NXT appearance this week.

The NXT head recently spoke to Adrian Hernandez to promote the upcoming NXT Battleground special coming from the UFC Apex, Enmarket Arena on June 10. The Knockouts champion will be challenging Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women’s Title at the show.

During the interview, Michaels was asked what Grace’s appearance means for the partnership between WWE and TNA. Shawn said that he leaves those kind of decisions to people above him, and his focus instead is on delivering genuine surprises:

“Well look, right now, a lot of those things are still being worked out internally. Obviously as I try to be honest with folks all the time, there are people above me that I leave to making all those kinds of decisions. What I enjoy doing is what we did last night, which is having the opportunity to bring real surprises and real ‘oh my God’ moments back to the WWE, back to wrestling, back to NXT. That’s what we had last night.”

We’re Thrilled To Have Her: Shawn Michaels

Shawn Michaels also talked about Jordynne Grace’s Royal Rumble appearance earlier this year. HBK revealed what he told Triple H about it:

I have been very public about being a fan of Jordynne Grace. I expressed to Hunter [Triple H] privately that I was very jealous that he had her for the Rumble [and] that he owed me one, he owed me a big one. We’re thrilled to have her for Battleground and we’re thrilled to have her next week. This is going to be a huge epic event.

One, for NXT to be the first brand to be out there in the UFC Apex is just really really big for us. We’re so honored to get to be the brand that gets to launch that. Then of course to sort of one up ourselves, like we always try to do, having TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace contend for the NXT Women’s Championship, fighting Roxanne Perez, is going to be really really big,”

Jordynne Grace’s NXT appearance seems to have opened the gates for a bigger partnership between the two companies. Reports suggest that this collaboration will not be one-sided.

A number of WWE and TNA talents have taken part in social media banter since Tuesday and even people like Drew McIntyre have teased a return to the Impact Zone.

Latest On MJF & Adam Cole Feud: Original Plans, Cole’s Current Medical Status

Thomas Lowson
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The end of MJF’s AEW World Championship reign could have been much different had injuries not derailed the promotion’s initial plans. 

MJF’s record-breaking reign came to an end at AEW Worlds End in December 2023 at the hands of Samoa Joe. The night went from bad to worse for the ‘Scumbag’ of AEW as after the match he was attacked by the Devil’s henchman, revealed to be Wardlow, Matt Taven, Mike Bennett, and Roderick Stong. The Devil was revealed to be Adam Cole who due to his leg injury did not get physical on the night. 

MJF and Adam Cole

There had been plans for Cole and MJF to wrestle each other in late 2023, Fightful Select reports, with the reveal of the Devil obviously planned to happen earlier than it did. Cole had even been considered for a possible title victory over MJF but that did not happen due to his injury. The two did face off in the main event of AEW All In inside Wembley Stadium in a match where MJF retained. 

MJF and Cole are former ROH World Tag Team Champions. 

A Future Match? 

At AEW Double or Nothing 2024, MJF returned to TV and confronted Cole with both men getting physical in their segment. While this led many to speculate that a match would be happening soon, Fightful reports that a match is far from a reality. Cole is “not near” an in-ring return and all those involved wanted a way to blow the feud and turn off in the meantime until that can happen.

The creative plans shared with those in AEW are said to be “out of left field” but they are confident things will work out very well. At Double or Nothing, MJF made clear he’s staying with AEW and has cemented his status with the company with a tattoo. 

Tony Khan Says He Won’t Tamper With Contract of “Great Star” Becky Lynch

Thomas Lowson
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AEW President Tony Khan has a lot of respect for WWE Superstar Becky Lynch but isn’t ready to discuss bringing her to the All-Elite promotion just yet. 

Lynch’s contract with WWE is set to expire within a matter of days and while talks are ongoing, a deal is not expected to be reached. On this week’s Raw, Lynch unsuccessfully challenged WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan in the show’s main event. Lynch was visibly emotional after the show as she waved to the fans, which some have taken as a sign that ‘The Man’ is leaving WWE.

Watch: Becky Lynch Waves Goodbye to WWE Fans After Raw

Tony Khan on Becky Lynch

With Lynch’s time with WWE coming to an end, many fans are naturally hopeful that she will join AEW and its blossoming women’s division. The All-Elite promotion is already home to notable ex-Superstars including ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm, Saraya, and Mercedes Mone. Appearing on The Rich Eisen Show, Tony Khan was asked about possibly bringing WWE talent on board. 

“I don’t want to try to tamper and do those things. I try to keep it classy and I really have a reputation for honesty and I really want to be a fair businessman. The wrestling business is a really cutthroat business.”

When Lynch’s name was brought up, Khan again brought up tampering and isn’t going to discuss signing somebody who for now remains under a WWE contract. With that said, the AEW President agreed with Eisen’s co-host TJ that Lynch is a “great star.”

Tony Khan has a lot of respect for ‘The Man.’

Becky Lynch’s Future

Lynch has been telling those in WWE that she does not plan on joining AEW imminently. The former Women’s Champion is expected to take a break from wrestling for the time being. Despite this, WWE sources are confident a new deal will be reached when the time is right. Whatever comes next, fans will remain intrigued to see what the highly popular WWE Superstar does next. 

Will Ospreay Challenging For AEW World Title At Forbidden Door

Aaron Varble
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AEW brought the fallout from Double or Nothing with plenty of action. Dynamite ended with a Casino Gauntlet match to determine who will face AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland at Forbidden Door.

The match began with Jay White and Pac, and Juice Robinson, back from injury, was with the Bullet Club Gold faction. Mistico and Will Ospreay joined next, and the first pinfall or submission would determine the winner.

Shota Umino, from NJPW, entered the situation next, and he received a very good response from the LA crowd. Claudio Castagnoli came in next, immediately chasing Jay White out of the ring. Shota and Claudio exchanged forearms, and Umino endured The Swing during the commercial break.

Lio Rush made his AEW return as a member of the NJPW roster, joining the match through the Forbidden Door. Orange Cassidy, bandaged from an earlier beatdown by Trent, came out next. Hechicero from CMLL joined, diving right into the action.

In the end, Will Ospreay nailed a cutter on Orange Cassidy and secured the win. Already the AEW International Champion, Ospreay now has a chance to become a double champion at Forbidden Door.

After the match, Swerve Strickland came out to give his new challenger a closer look.

2024 Forbidden Door Event

Forbidden Door event and will take place on June 30, 2024, at the UBS Arena in the Long Island hamlet of Elmont, New York.

We already know that a ladder match will take place for the vacant TNT Title. Adam Copeland was stripped of the title this week during Dynamite due to an injury he suffered at Double or Nothing. 

Adam Copeland Stripped of TNT Title, Ladder Match Announced for Forbidden Door

Aaron Varble
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Adam Copeland suffered an injury at AEW Double or Nothing in a barbed wire steel cage match against Malakai Black. Despite winning the match with Gangrel’s help, he can’t continue as champion.

On AEW Dynamite, The Elite cut a heel promo. They gifted Okada a Lamborghini and failed to get a “You Deserve It” chant for him. Then, The Young Bucks stripped Adam Copeland of his TNT Title due to his injury and attempted to crown Jack Perry as the new champion.

Christopher Daniels, recently fired by The Elite, interrupted them. He revealed that Tony Khan had given him a new job as an authority figure on AEW television. He announced that the TNT Title wouldn’t go to Jungle Boy as The Elite wanted. Instead, a series of matches will determine the participants for a ladder match for the vacant TNT Title at Forbidden Door.

The first qualifying match will take place on Friday night Rampage this week. The Forbidden Door event is scheduled for June 30, 2024, at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.

Adam Copeland’s Injury

During the Barbed Wire Steel Cage match at AEW Double or Nothing on May 26, Adam Copeland attempted an elbow drop on Malakai Black. He landed on his feet without hitting Black, raising concerns about a possible injury.

Copeland finished the match but needed help from Gangrel to get to the back, hobbling on one leg. Rumors circulated about his condition, and this morning, Copeland provided an update.

In a video posted on Twitter, Copeland revealed he fractured his tibia and will need surgery. There’s no timeframe for the surgery yet, as he wants to focus on celebrating his daughter Ruby’s birthday first.

Despite the injury, Copeland remains positive, joking about his match and putting over his opponents. He admitted he got cocky and needs to make better choices, acknowledging his age.

Surgery is expected next week, and Copeland, familiar with recovering from injuries, promises to be back soon.

Mercedes Mone’s Mystery Attacker Revealed During AEW Dynamite

Aaron Varble
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When AEW signed Mercedes Mone to a deal, she had a big target on her. Now we know who was responsible for her backstage attack a few weeks ago, as Skye Blue stepped forward.

Mercedes Mone secured the TBS Championship at AEW Double or Nothing from Willow Nightingale. This week on Dynamite, she celebrated her victory with a big celebration and an unexpected revelation.

Skye Blue interrupted Mone’s celebration by attacking her. She revealed herself as the former Sasha Banks’ attacker from a few weeks ago on Dynamite.

Backstory and Match

A few weeks back, Mercedes Mone was attacked backstage during an interview. The mystery was solved when Blue admitted to being the woman behind the attack, and she got a payoff.

A TBS Title match was set for later that night. Mercedes defeated Sky Blue to retain her title. With another mystery solved in All Elite Wrestling, Mone was confronted by NJPW Stong Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer. The fact that both Mone and Vaquer were raising their titles at the end of the segment could give us a Forbidden Door preview.

Don Callis Family Gets New Member During 5/29 AEW Dynamite

Aaron Varble
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The Don Callis Family has brought a ton of heat so far in AEW. Now, Trent is their newest member.

During AEW Dynamite this week, Don Callis appeared in the ring to kick off the second hour of the show. He was there to supposedly extend an invitation to Orange Cassidy to join his family. Callis praised Cassidy, who then came out to greet him, receiving cheers from the LA crowd. Cassidy took Callis’ contract, ripped it up, and said, “Hey Don, no.”

Kris Statlander and Stokely Hathaway then joined them, as they stood on the entrance ramp. Stokely made a comment about Willow Nightingale, and Statlander accepted the invitation on behalf of her best friend. The attention then turned back to the ring, where Trent was standing in the corner, ready to strike.

Trent attacked Cassidy, bloodying him with punches. After the assault, Trent approached Callis, and they hugged, marking Trent’s entry into the Don Callis family.

Backstory

The Don Callis Family, led by Don Callis, consists of Konosuke Takeshita, Will Ospreay, Powerhouse Hobbs, and Kyle Fletcher. Callis has been scouting Orange Cassidy in recent weeks.

Freshly Squeezed beat Trent Beretta at AEW Double or Nothing last Sunday in a grudge match between the former Best Friends. Cassidy won by rolling Beretta into a pinning combination after his usual finishers failed. Devastated, Beretta walked away dejectedly through the crowd without seeking revenge.

Fans wondered what was next for Trent and OC, and now we know that Don Callis is definitely involved.

Who Killed WCW Preview Shares Insight on Infamous Lawn Dart Moment

Tyriece Simon
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Wrestling fans are in for a treat next week, as Vice TV will air the first episode of the Who Killed WCW docuseries. The project, executive produced by Hollywood megastar Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and the creators of Dark Side Of The Ring, aims to share a new perspective on the rise and fall of WCW. The series will air on June 4 and will have four episodes. 

Ahead of the premiere episode, the Dark Side Of the Ring X account shared a new sneak peek of what fans should expect. The first look of the series recalls an infamous moment from WCW Monday Night Nitro when the NWO attacked talent backstage. In the clip, fans get a glimpse of the former WCW talent and producers who will be involved, including Kevin Nash, Konnan, and Eric Bischoff. 

Here is a look at the preview. 

More On Who Killed WCW Preview 

 Dark Side Of The Ring noted on X that Nash is one of the producers of Who Killed WCW. He has spoken positively about the new docuseries, and it’s known that he would be featured. However, it’s the first time he’s been publicly credited as a Producer.

 The clip may be fascinating to fans as the cast touches on how the infamous July 29, 1996, episode that featured NWO assaulting talent backstage came together. One of the highlights from the sneak peek was Nash breaking down the spot where he launched Rey Mysterio like a lawn dart against a trailer. 

Nash reveals that Mysterio wanted the charismatic giant to throw him into the window. However, ‘Big Sexy’ nixed the idea, as he was worried that launching him into the window could’ve been fatal. It’s unclear if Mysterio is involved in the show to share his side of the story. That said, it is information that longtime wrestling fans may not have heard. 

If the upcoming docuseries can share new information and perspectives not heard before, Who Killed WCW could be very exciting.  

Drew McIntyre Teases TNA Involvement: “Door Opens Both Ways”

Tyriece Simon
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The ‘Forbidden Door’ is open in WWE after TNA Knockout Champion Jordynne Grace appeared on the May 28 episode of NXT. Grace answered the challenge to take on NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez for the title at NXT Battleground on June 9. After the surprising appearance, both talents from WWE and TNA Wrestling have shared an interest in facing each other on social media. 

Several notable names like X-Division Champion Mustafa Ali and WWE superstar Cedric Alexander have pitched on X facing each other after Grace NXT’s debut. While fans are also pitching dream matches from both companies, Drew McIntyre has officially put his name out to go through the ‘Forbidden Door.’ 

On X, ‘The Scottish Warrior’ shared a picture of himself holding the TNA World Heavyweight Championship and wrote “Doors Open Both Ways.” 

Longtime TNA fans may recall that McIntyre had a successful run with the company from 2015 to 2017. The crowning moment of his TNA career was when he won the TNA World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Matt Hardy on an episode of Impact Wrestling on March 15, 2016. ‘The Scottish Warrior’ held the title for almost three months before dropping it to Bobby Lashley at TNA Slammiversary on June 12. 

McIntyre’s interest in working with TNA again makes fans curious whether WWE will allow him. The cocky superstar is currently involved in a feud with WWE World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest and will challenge for the title at Clash At The Castle next month. WWE may keep McIntyre focused on preparing for his homecoming event. 

Regardless, one TNA talent has responded to his post. 

TNA Champion Welcomes A Match With Drew McIntyre

In response to McIntyre’s tease, TNA World Champion Moose warned him about wanting to cross over. Moose shared a photo on X from a win over McIntyre for the Impact Grand Championship on an episode of Impact Wrestling on March 2, 2017. 

McIntyre has yet to respond to Moose’s comments, but it does create intrigue for a potential rematch between them. It’s unclear what WWE and TNA have planned beyond Grace challenging Perez at NXT Battleground. However, the online interactions between WWE and TNA talent are exciting fans for what is to come. 

Ethan Page Claims He Hasn’t Signed With WWE Yet

Tyriece Simon
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The wrestling business is buzzing after Ethan Page shockingly made his debut on the May 28 episode of WWE NXT. After three years signed to All Elite Wrestling, Page left the company on May 2. ‘All Ego’ seemed interested in testing free agency and is still booked for independent wrestling shows. However, based on his appearance last night and a report from Fightful Select, it’s believed that he has signed up with WWE. 

Page dramatically ended the recent WWE NXT episode by assaulting world champion Trick Williams. It’s also worth noting that his attack from behind on Williams led to the champion clashing heads with Lash Legend. 

Page revealed he was responsible for attacks on Noam Dar and Oro Mensah backstage. Afterward, he delivered a running knee to Williams in the corner and posed with the NXT Championship as the show went off. 

Ethan Page Denies Being Signed TO WWE

It seems WWE is leading to a potential match with Williams as soon as NXT Battleground on June 9. However, Page has spoken out in a video on X, claiming he isn’t signed to WWE. He touted the media attention that the company received over his shocking debut and how this gave him leverage for a deal. Page also called on the company and NXT champion to reach out if they want a deal done. 

“…Contrary to popular belief, Ethan Page is not signed to any company or any contract, and I’m going to just assume that Trick Williams would love to get a little payback and revenge on Ethan Pag, so NXT, I’m going to leave this to you,” said Page.

He ended the video by saying that the ball was in WWE’s court to get a deal done. 

What’s Next For Page? 

Although Page has downplayed being signed with WWE, this seems to be part of his storyline with the company. He is advertised for a match against Shelton Benjamin for  Prestige Wrestling on July 12. Despite still being promoted for an independent wrestling event, WWE could allow him to finish the dates he’s committed to working. 

The next storyline development should come on the June 5 episode of WWE NXT. Williams will likely address his attack and want revenge on Page. It’s unclear if the company plans to have them compete at NXT Battleground, but it will make fans interested to tune in on next week’s episode. 

Report: Roxanne Perez Didn’t Know About Jordynne Grace’s NXT Surprise

Aaron Varble
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Jordynne Grace was revealed as Roxanne Perez’s opponent for Battleground during this week’s episode of NXT, surprising both fans and the NXT Women’s Champion. Fightful Select reports that Perez was genuinely surprised by Grace’s appearance, as she had insisted on not knowing her opponent beforehand to ensure an authentic reaction. Her reaction on television was organic, which made it an even more memorable moment fans won’t soon forget.

The NXT Women’s Championship match at Battleground is part of an agreement between Grace and NXT, which includes at least three appearances: two advertised matches and her recent appearance. The Fightful report states that Grace is earning at least six figures for these appearances for the NXT brand. She’ll take on Stevie Turner in singles action for the June 4 episode, the go-home show before Battleground. 

WWE NXT & TNA Crossover

Andrea Concepcion and Johnny Russo were responsible for organizing Jordynne Grace’s segment, as noted by Corey Brennan. While most talent were unaware, Ethan Page knew about Grace’s appearance in advance due. They reportedly had an encounter at Cezar Bononi’s house.

The possibility of more NXT and TNA crossovers remains open. Despite Scott D’Amore’s departure from TNA, which initially raised concerns about future collaborations, sources within TNA confirm that communication lines remain open. There is a lot more to unpack in this story, as WWE seemingly has their own Forbidden Door to open now.

WWE NXT Battleground will go down on June 9 from the UFC Apex outside Las Vegas. SEScoops will have complete coverage of the show, including the highly-promoted Women’s Title match.

See Roman Reigns’ Intense Workout While On Hiatus From WWE

Rayan Saayed
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Roman Reigns is currently on hiatus in the WWE, but he was seen training in a video shared recently on social media. The video was shared by bodybuilder and actor Kai Greene, in which he could be seen in a training session with Reigns.

“RISE UP ,” Greene wrote in the caption of the post. “Keep pushing, keep dreaming, and never let self doubt or fear stop get in the way. This is your journey, the pursuit of greatness is within grasp…all you have to do is go out there and earn it. HUGE shoutout to @romanreigns for tagging me in on this training session!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/reel:C7Jrs9AOipS

At Night Two of WrestleMania 40, Reigns lost the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship to Cody Rhodes. After which, he took some time off from the ring, and working on a film. Last month, SEScoops reported that the former champion is involved in “Good Fortune,” a heist comedy film that is set to come out in late 2024. The cast of the film includes names such as Keanu Reeves, Keke Palmer, Sandra Oh, Seth Rogen, and comedian Aziz Ansari making his directorial debut.

This will be Reigns’ fourth film role, as he has starred in “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw” with his cousin Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in the past. He was also seen in Netflix’s “The Wrong Missy” and lent his voice acted Paramount+’s animated film “Rumble.” He’s also listed as a lead cast member in “Action Force,” which also features Tom Budgen aka Malakai Black in the cast.

The 39-year-old held the Undisputed WWE Championship for a historic 1,316 days. It is not known when Reigns will make a return to the ring, but a grueling training session vid does instill some hope in seeing him back in action soon.

Ric Flair Stopped Kurt Angle From Going To WCW, Called Vince McMahon On The Spot

Dominic DeAngelo
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If it wasn’t for Ric Flair, we may have saw Kurt Angle show up on WCW Monday Nitro, but “The Nature Boy” knew the right place for an Olympic Hero was WWE.

Ric Flair was a styling and profiling guest on the 5/29 episode of “Busted Open Radio” and started talking about the array of stars during the Attitude Era. Flair then mentioned how he flat out told Kurt Angle, who was looking to get into pro wrestling to avoid WCW.

“I said, you don’t want to go to Atlanta, brother. You will get lost.”

Bully Ray asked Flair for clarification and Ric went into further detail about how the encounter happened.

“We were in a gym working out in Nashville, TN and I met Kurt several times and he walked over and said, ‘I’m thinking about getting into professional wrestling,’ he said ‘What do you think about me going to WCW?’

Flair thought about it for a second, said “Give me a minute.”

“I went in the locker room, got my phone, came out, called Vince [McMahon], put him on the phone and he was working out with Dory Funk Jr. two weeks later.”

Flair said WCW would have greatly misused Angle at the time.

“Kurt when healthy, is absolutely one of the great ones.

“Kurt is a special kind of athlete and a special kind of guy and legitimately really tough.”

Flair covered a great deal of ground during his interview, talking about his daughter Charlotte, the unbridled star power of The Rock and how Ricky Steamboat is in the top two of the greatest all time wrestlers alongside Shawn Michaels.

Please credit Busted Open Radio and h/t to SEScoops for the transcription.

Details Behind Ethan Page Signing With WWE

Dominic DeAngelo
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Ethan Page was one of the two big surprises during WWE NXT this Tuesday and by that surprise appearance its safe to assume that “All Ego” is now in the WWE pro wrestling universe.

Fightful Select has a new report on Page’s status. While it’s unknown if Ethan Page’s contract with AEW expired or he was just released but he told names in the industry that he was hoping to be a free agent by this timeframe.

In the same realm, Page had a desire to float under the radar until “he appeared somewhere else.” Mission accomplished as Page shocked that Capitol Wrestling Center on Tuesday night, revealing himself to be the attacker of Noam Dar and Ora Mensa before he ambushed NXT Champion Trick Williams.

According to Fightful, Page’s deal with WWE was finalized over the course of last week and had a secret meeting go down at the WWE Performance Center. Sources within the company are reportedly pleased and excited about Page’s debut.

Ethan Page wasn’t the only former TNA talent to shock the wrestling world on Tuesday night. TNA Knockout Champion Jordynne Grace showed up as the surprise opponent for NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez at the upcoming NXT Battleground.

Page, who has been the sole proprietor of Alpha-1 Wrestling, also joins former AEW star Shawn Spears as a name to join the NXT ranks in 2024. Page was one of the several under-utilized talents in All Elite Wrestling and greatly remained off programming as of recent.

Will Ospreay Pitches Scott D’Amore To Run ROH

Dominic DeAngelo
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Will Ospreay loves the passion of Scott D’Amore and he thinks that incorporating him into the AEW product would be extremely valuable to the company.

Speaking with Adrian Hernandez ahead of AEW Double Or Nothing, Ospreay expressed how much he respects the former TNA President and praises D’Amore for being the catalyst for the continued success of TNA despite no longer being with the promotion.

“I can’t tell you enough how much respect I have for Scott D’Amore. If there was anything that I want to put out there; if there was a way that AEW could hire Scott D’Amore in any type of fashion.”

Ospreay had one idea in mind as to how Tony Khan could utilize the talent and mind of Scott D’Amore.

“Have that guy run Ring of Honor or something. The passion that he had for TNA, and just how he completely single handily transformed that company.”

Tony Khan purchased Ring Of Honor years back and made the brand its own entity. Much to the chagrin of many, all the new programming resides on the ROH Honor Club. Khan has been criticized as to how he has handled the brand as a great deal of the product flies under the radar due to it solely being on Honor Club.

D’Amore was let go by TNA after he was the primary proponent for rebranding the company and since then, D’Amore has trademarkedd “Maple Leaf Wrestling” and is putting on a Border City Wrestling event later this year. Ospreay spent a “cup of coffee” in TNA as a free agent before signing on full-time with All Elite Wrestling.

H/t to Fightful for the transcription.

AEW Refutes Report Regarding Dynamic Between Tony Khan & WBD

Dominic DeAngelo
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People at AEW are firing back at the report made by an entertainment website earlier today stating that Tony Khan was disappointed at the initial offer made to him by Warner Bros Discovery.

According to AEW sources close to Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer, Khan was not upset by WBD’s first offer, but negotiations are still ongoing between the two parties. The report regarding Khan’s supposed mentality on the matter came from Matthew Belloni of The Puck, who noted that WBD’s exclusivity window with AEW is closing in July. He also added that Khan and Warner Bros are “playing nice” with one another as negotiations continue.

Meltzer added into his report that Belloni previously had WWE CEO Nick Khan on his podcast and that the two are supposedly longtime friends.

There is concern that WBD CEO David Zaslav may bungle the AEW deal for WBD as the executive has been heavily criticized for likely losing the rights deal for the NBA.

Just last month, Zaslav sent a memo to Warner Bros Discovery executives to look for cost-cutting measures after ending 2023 in debt. However, there could be some great viability in locking AEW in a new deal considering that live television is a hot commodity during this always changing era of the streaming service.

On the latest media call with Tony Khan ahead of Double or Nothing, the AEW President expressed a desire to ink a new deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, but there might be a high-demand for the AEW package in the open market.

Ethan Page & Jordynne Grace Hid In Former WWE Star’s Garage Ahead of Surprise NXT Appearances

Bishal Roy
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Former WWE star Cezar Bononi played a pivotal role in TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace and former AEW star Ethan Page’s shocking appearances on last night’s edition of NXT. 

Bononi, who has had runs with WWE and AEW in the past, revealed that he knew about the surprise appearances and even “hid” Grace and Page in his garage. 

Taking to his X account, Bononi posted a photo in which he could be seen posing with Jordynne Grace and Ethan Page. He said they had a closed garage workout and had to “hide, tame, and feed” the two beasts ahead of their appearances.

“Closed garage workout this morning, I had to hide, tame and feed two beasts…”

Jordynne Grace and Ethan Page make impactful NXT appearances 

NXT General Manager Ava stunned the fans when she announced Grace would challenge Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women’s Championship at NXT Battleground next month. This marked Grace’s second appearance for WWE as she shockingly competed in the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble match. 

On the other hand, Page made his debut on WWE’s developmental brand in the final moments of the show. He launched a blindsided attack on NXT Champion Trick Williams to send a statement. Williams was accused of attacking Meta Four members Noam Dar and Oro Mensah. However, ‘All Ego’ made it clear with his actions that he was the attacker. The show concluded with Page standing tall and holding up the NXT title, 

It has also come to light that Page inked a deal with WWE after attending WWE Performance Center. Meanwhile, Jordynne Grace’s appearance yet again proves that WWE are eager to walk through the ‘Forbidden Door’ and more crossover matches could be expected down the road.

Alexa Bliss Downplays Her Link To WWE’s QR Code Mystery

Tyriece Simon
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WWE fans have questions for superstar Alexa Bliss after the recent episode of Monday Night Raw. Bliss has been out of action for over a year. Her last match was a loss against Bianca Belair at WWE Royal Rumble on January 28, 2023. She would take time off for the company soon after, and it was revealed on November 27, 2023, that she and her husband, Ryan Cabrera, welcomed their first child. 

As WWE continues to tease the re-emergence of Uncle Howdy and his new family, it has been speculated that Bliss may be involved. In the past, she was involved in a storyline with Windham Rotunda (AKA Bray Wyatt), and the company seemed to be teasing that she would be a part of a storyline with him yet again before his untimely passing last year. The new storyline of Uncle Howdy is reportedly led by Rotunda’s brother, Taylor Rotunda(AKA Bo Dallas), who will try to continue the character’s legacy. 

Uncle Howdy has slowly revealed that he wants to assemble a group, with the speculation that Bliss could return as a member. The teases have ranged from cryptic messages to videos from QR codes that fans try deciphering. WWE has also been leaving easter eggs during their weekly shows to build anticipation for Howdy and his faction’s official appearance. As of now, Howdy or his alleged group have been seen on TV. 

However, fans seem convinced on the May 27 episode of Raw that they spotted Bliss backstage. 

Where Fans Believe Alexa Bliss Was Seen

During the show, Sheamus had a segment in the ring where he called out Ludwig Kaiser. The ‘heel’ would appear on the Titantron from backstage to reply to the ‘Celtic Warrior’ instead of coming to the ring. After being fed up with Kaiser, Sheamus went backstage to confront him. 

At this point, when Sheamus makes it past ‘The Gorilla Position’ to find Kaiser, fans notice a blond female wearing black and white pants who looks like Bliss. The moment is brief, but the female is seen talking with someone as Sheamus walks past her. Although WWE hasn’t commented on who the individual was, fans seem convinced it was Bliss. 

In response to fans questioning her on social media, Bliss has poured cold water on being backstage.

Bliss Downplays Monday Night Raw Appearance

Bliss has chimed in on the speculation about her possible involvement in WWE’s ongoing QR code mystery. For now, she’s claiming to be unaware of what’s going on.

In response to one fan inquiring about Bliss’ ties to Uncle Howdy and the surrounding characters, she replied with the infamous Mariah Carey “I don’t know her” meme.

Another fan replied to her comments with a grainy image of the figure who some theorize is the former Women’s champion. Bliss joked that she’s not as fit as the unknown figure.

“I mean, I wish I was in that good of shape “

Despite downplaying that the person backstage wasn’t her, fans don’t seem to buy the excuse. It’s possible that the female wasn’t Bliss. However, it’s also likely that even if it were Bliss, she wouldn’t say not to ruin her eventual return. 

It seems fans will have to wait longer to get official confirmation of Bliss’ comeback to WWE. If she is a member of the Uncle Howdy faction, it doesn’t seem like fans will have to wait too much longer. 

Marty Jannetty Marries at 64

Rayan Saayed
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WWE legend Marty Jannetty, one half of the Rockers tag team along with Shawn Michaels, is now a happily married man. The service was officiated by Missy Leslie, wife of fellow wrestling great Ed Leslie (Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake).

Missy wrote on social media, “I had the extreme pleasure of uniting these two in Holy Matrimony,” she wrote in the caption. “Congratulations to Marty Jannetty and his MRS. Addie!!!!”

In January, Jannetty had shared a grim update regarding his health. The former Rocker revealed that he was advised by his doctors to amputate his leg, since he has had ankle issues during his wrestling career. At the time, it was the doctor’s recommendation, despite Jannetty getting surgery in 2020 for his ankle.

Recently, The Undertaker recounted stories about pranks that took place backstage in WWE, and he mentioned that Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty were ,“a couple little turds” who would prank others. He specifically recalled that his hat would always be poked in with random things like sugar, flowers put in it. 

But Jannetty made headlines last year when he claimed that he made a man “disappear.” He wrote on his Facebook page that when he was 13, a man attempted to molest him, and in his defense, he made the man “disappear.” This statement received negative attention from fans, so Jannetty responded stating that he wasn’t a murderer and he hit the man with a brick who was trying to rape him. 

Dax Harwood Comments On Four-Year Anniversary With AEW

Tyriece Simon
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Fan-favorite tag team FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) has officially been with All Elite Wrestling for four years. They debuted with the company during an AEW Dynamite episode on May 27, 2020. 

After a frustrating run with WWE, AEW presented new opportunities for Harwood and Wheeler. The decision to leave WWE proved to be the right one for their careers, as they’ve cemented their legacies under the ‘All Elite’ banner. Harwood took a moment this week to commemorate their anniversary with AEW. 

Thanks to the haters

Dax expressed his gratitude and also let off a few ‘live rounds’ at former wrestling personalities who have been negative about the company they’ve helped build.

 “…Sometimes, online, I get a lot of flack for either defending AEW too often or being soft when it comes to criticism of the company. Mostly by ex-wrestling personalities, who now have an outlet to speak and use AEW for clicks & likes, which is completely ironic because they all hope for the very worst for the company that they monetize the most from.”

Although the AEW superstar didn’t name anyone specifically, he has recently had issues with former WCW President Eric Bischoff, and his negative comments could have been aimed at him. Regardless, Harwood took the time to thank AEW for being with them for four years and how much they meant to his career. 

“…Without this company, I doubt I’d still be in wrestling. All I ever wanted was to do something GOOD for pro wrestling. That was never going to happen without AEW,” wrote Harwood

Accomplishments

Since joining the company, FTR has won the AEW Tag Team Championships twice. They’ve also added the Ring of Honor, AAA, and IWGP tag team titles to their remarkable list of accomplishments. Harwood continued to reflect on what FTR has achieved thanks to AEW. 

“…I’ve become a 10(time) World Tag Team Champion. I’ve won numerous awards from internationally reputable organizations. Above all, I’ve made a living that takes care of my family(Yes, I know I say it all the time) incredibly well, all because of AEW,” Harwood posted.  

He also added that he defends the company and AEW President Tony Khan out of passion for his career. On potentially their last deal, FTR seems content with finishing their career in AEW and putting on excellent tag team matches. Harwood is already looking to enjoy the rest of his time with the company and be around to see AEW succeed 40 years from now.

For this moment, FTR can appreciate four great years with the company as they aim to show why they are one of the best tag teams in wrestling every week. 

YouTube Playlist: FTR’s best AEW World Tag Title defenses:

Maria Kanellis Disputes Reports About Working For ROH

Rayan Saayed
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Maria Kanellis has cleared the air regarding her role at Ring of Honor.

Taking to Twitter, the former WWE Diva said that she’s not a backstage manager at ROH, but she mentors the girls at her own time when she can. She added that she tried to get her old job of being the booker of ROH’s women’s division, but that fell flat.

Kanellis concluded by stating that she’s focused on family, finding a home for the promotion Women’s Wrestling Army, and managing Griff Garrison and Cole Karter in ROH.

“Just saw some news about being a backstage agent at @ringofhonor. I’m not. I mentor the girls on my own time when I can. I tried to get my old job back in ROH booking the women’s division but it didn’t work. So, I’m focused on family, finding a home for @WWrestlingArmy, and managing @griffgarrison1 and @realcolekarter”

The First Lady of Wrestling also spoke about not being happy about the “minor role” she has at ROH. she wrote on social media:

“I’m not happy about it. I’ve tried to fight it. I can only do my job and look for opportunities,” she wrote to a fan who said that she’s happy with her role at ROH with “about 2 minutes of TV time.”

She also agreed with a fan who pointed out that they were surprised Kanellis wasn’t used as part of the Undisputed Kingdom. Kanellis served as the manager of the stable at one point. However, she was given the role of managing Griff Garrison and Cole Karter in the Tony Khan-owned promotion. It seems like Kanellis wants to be part of the faction with Mike Bennett, but for whatever reason, that hasn’t come to fruition.

In February, Kanellis addressed misinformation about her WWE departure in 2010 and husband Bennett’s rehab.

She said that she was “released” by WWE in 2010 when her contract was up, and she didn’t want to renew the contract only to make “one third what my male contemporaries were making.” Here’s what she further added:

“When I went back, I was told by many people I trusted that WWE had changed. WWE knew we were planning on adding to our family when we resigned. Mike asked for his release, I did not. Mike never went to WWE rehab. Nor did they pay for any rehab. We were lied to many times about our storyline and what direction it was going. I fought back against it to no avail. We were never paid millions of dollars in WWE. We had the average contract for WWE for 6 months. We are not millionaires and we don’t live in a mansion. I hope this helps people separate fact from fiction.”

Damian Priest vs. Jey Uso Title Match Is Happening Before WWE Clash At The Castle

Tyriece Simon
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WWE is on the road to Clash At The Castle premium live event next month. The show is expected to be headlined by WWE World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest defending his title against Drew McIntyre. The crucial matchup will be the ‘The Scottish Warrior’ opportunity to win the title in his hometown. However, in Madison Square Garden, it seems Priest may have spoiled that Priest will remain champion. 

On X, MSG advertised that Priest will defend his title against ‘Main Event’ Jey Uso at Friday Night Smackdown on June 28. It’s worth noting that it’s possible this could be a dark match instead of taking place on the show. 

While the match is also subject to change, it seems Priest could be holding the title after Clash At The Castle. It will be his second championship defense, so it’s possible WWE may not be ready to end his reign. Priest has also set up a potential matchup with 2024 King Of The Ring winner Gunther at WWE SummerSlam on August 3. 

Gunther Earning Title Opportunity & More Talent Teasing Heavyweight Championship Match

Gunther earned a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match by defeating Randy Orton in the finals of the King Of The Ring tournament. On the May 27 episode of Monday Night Raw, ‘The Ring General’ celebrated his win and had an in-ring segment with Priest. However, the face-off didn’t last long as McIntyre came to the ring to interrupt them. 

After a brief encounter on the microphone, Braun Strowman came to the ring to confront Priest. The ‘Monster Among Men’ would go on to defeat Judgement Day member JD McDonagh afterward. The champion would later tease that he would if Judgement Day can’t handle Strowman or anyone giving them issues.

Priest has his hands full with McIntyre at Clash At The Castle, but it seems there are a few challenges, including Uso, who is in line to face him for the title. 

McIntyre still has a chance to reclaim the WWE World Heavyweight championship. However, MSG advertising a title match between Priest and Uso isn’t an encouraging sign. 

Chris Jericho: ‘Becky Lynch Has An Option in AEW, Who Knows What Could Happen?’

Thomas Lowson
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Chris Jericho can’t say for sure whether Becky Lynch will soon be ‘All-Elite’ but is pleased that there’s a viable alternative for the departing WWE Superstar. 

Lynch’s contract with WWE is set to expire within a matter of days and while talks are ongoing, a deal is not expected to be reached. On this week’s Raw, Lynch unsuccessfully challenged WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan in the show’s main event. Lynch was visibly emotional after the show as she waved to the fans, which some have taken as a sign that ‘The Man’ is leaving WWE.

Watch: Becky Lynch Waves Goodbye to WWE Fans After Raw

Chris Jericho On Becky Lynch

Once she becomes a free agent, it’s virtually guaranteed that Lynch will receive offers with a deal likely from AEW. Speaking to TMZ Sports, Chris Jericho was asked about Lynch and was pleased that ‘The Man’ has an option. 

“Five years ago, Becky would have no other options. [I’m] not saying that she’s coming but there is an option and who knows what could happen? No one thought that Jericho would come to AEW. No one thought that Moxley would come or Bryan Danielson or Adam Cole or any of these guys that have come over. So it’s exciting for the fans. It’s exciting for the wrestlers, the talent, because now suddenly if there’s a bidding war that just benefits us. So I think it’s it’s very important.” 

Becky Lynch’s Future

Lynch has been telling those in WWE that she does not plan on joining AEW imminently. The former Women’s Champion is expected to take a break from wrestling for the time being. Despite this, WWE sources are confident a new deal will be reached when the time is right. Whatever comes next, fans will remain intrigued to see what the highly popular WWE Superstar does next. 

Report: Adam Copeland Has Full Ownership Of ‘The Brood’ Trademarks in AEW

Thomas Lowson
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Adam Copeland’s Brood-themed entrance may not be the last fans see of the gothic faction when it comes to AEW programming. 

During AEW Double or Nothing 2024, Copeland retained the TNT Championship against Malakai Black. The match was contested in a barbed wire Steel Cage and had Black won, Copeland would have had to ‘bend the knee’ to the House of Black. 

Adam Copeland And The Brood

Copeland arrived at AEW Double or Nothing 2024 with an entrance reminiscent of The Brood from his Attitude Era days. Not only that but Gangrel, another Brood alum, aided Copeland in the match. The Vampire Warrior helped even the odds when it appeared that the House of Black was going to interfere on behalf of the group’s leader. 

Fans may be seeing much more Brood-related antics in AEW going forward. Copeland now owns the rights and trademarks to the term, PW Insider reports. Other Brood alum include Christian Cage as well as Matt and Jeff Hardy. On the go-home Dynamite before AEW Double or Nothing 2024, Black fell victim to a ‘blood bath,’ another stape of the gothic faction. 

Adam Copeland Injured

Brood or no Brood, fans shouldn’t expect to see Adam Copeland in the ring for some time. The WWE Hall of Famer suffered a fractured tibia during the match with Black that will require surgery. It’s unclear what this will mean for his reign as AEW TNT Champion. In the past AEW has used interim champions for short-term injuries while champions out for longer have been stripped of the gold. 

Chris Jericho: I Take Great Pride In Making People Angry

Anutosh Bajpai
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Chris Jericho doesn’t mind the hate he is getting from fans and believes that it’s the beauty of wrestling.

The Learning Tree recently had an interview with KCAL News to promote tonight’s Dynamite episode from Kia Forum in LA. He discussed things such as the reasons behind the recent growth in the popularity of wrestling.

During the interview, Jericho also talked about the latest evolution of his character. The former AEW Champion was asked how he feels about the heat he has been getting recently, and Chris said that it’s amazing:

“It’s amazing. When you have been in the business as long as I have, 33 years, you always wanna evolve and revamp your character. Kind of get some diversity with what you’re doing so I think reestablishing myself under this Leaning Tree, it gives you a new vibe, reinvigorates you, and keeps things fresh and fun.”

It’s The Beauty of Wrestling: Chris Jericho

Later in the interview, Chris Jericho proclaimed that character and stories are the most important things in the business. Fans will always come to see the show if you can connect with the people. When asked how he interacts with the fans, the wrestling veteran said that it’s very important to read the room:

“The one thing about wrestling is and it’s very important is you have to understand the concepts of being a good guy and when it starts getting stale, of being a bad guy. It’s kind of like when people say ‘It’s like a soap opera.’ In that way, it is a soap opera. You’re a good guy and then suddenly something happens and then you don’t like ’em for a while. You have to be able to read the room on that and know when people hate you.

People are really not liking me right now so it’s time to kind of change. And that’s ok, that’s the beauty of wrestling, you can just lean into it. I take great pride in kind of making people angry with things cause that’s what you want to do. You’re playing a character. When Chris Jericho comes on screen in AEW, it’s different from the Chris Jericho you’re talking to right now. That’s the way it should be. A larger-than-life character is kind of what wrestling is all about and I embrace that wholly.”

Chris Jericho successfully defended his FTW Championship at the Double or Nothing PPV this past Sunday. He will be debuting a new talk show dubbed ‘TV Time’ at this Wednesday’s episode of Dynamite.

Quotes in this article have been edited for clarity

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