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WWE Prospect Charged with Felony Sexual Battery

Thomas Lowson
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Last December, WWE announced the Next in Line Program, after an NCAA policy change allowed college athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness.

Rather than focus on established wrestlers with years of experience outside WWE, the promotion’s strategy is to sign young athletes who they can train in WWE’s style of professional wrestling.

Being a part of the NIL program gives the athletes access to WWE’s Performance Center in Orlando, but one of the company’s young prospects is in serious trouble.

The Warrant

Yesterday, a court issued an arrest warrant for AJ Ferrari, who faces a felony charge of sexual battery.

According to documents obtained by The Oklahoman newspaper, the warrant was issued after an affidavit was filed by a detective in the Stillwater Police Department’s criminal investigations division.

Bond has reportedly been set by Payne County District Court at $25,000, according to the Stillwater News Press.

The Charge

Ferrari is alleged to have performed unwanted sexual acts on a woman while holding her down on her bed on July 2.

Three days after the alleged incident, the woman filed for an emergency protective order, and a hearing is scheduled for September 15.

On July 13, Oklahoma State University announced that Ferrari is no longer on their wrestling team.

Under Oklahoma law, sexual battery faces a penalty if convicted of between one to 15 years in prison.

Ferrari’s attorney, Derek Chance, has claimed that his client is innocent and that he is confident that AJ Ferrari will be exonerated in due time.

WWE NIL Signee Dismissed From College Wrestling Team

Paul Heyman Reveals Interesting Advice from Vince McMahon

Thomas Lowson
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In the Attitude Era, Paul Heyman and Vince McMahon led different promotions, but the two weren’t entirely at odds.

Heyman, aware that his ECW could never compete for dominance over the much bigger WWF, struck a deal with McMahon.

This deal saw McMahon pay ECW $1,000 a week, as well as a $500,000 payment in mid-2000, while the WWF received the first chance on signing ECW talent, and had a much easier time purchasing ECW when the company eventually collapsed.

The Advice

Before ECW folded, Heyman jumped to the WWF and returned to the WWE in 2012.

This return saw Heyman work closely with McMahon now in the same company, and the two workaholics worked well together until the latter’s retirement last month.

In June 2019, Heyman was appointed an Executive Director of Raw, and during an appearance on The Mackmania podcast on The Ringer Wrestling Show, shared some advice he got by McMahon when receiving the role.

“Make sure you pick your successor, in case you drop dead.”

Paul Heyman reveals the advice given to him by Vince McMahon.

According to Heyman, McMahon made it clear that even in the times of Vince’s passing, the show must go on without him.

McMahon was under the impression that he would remain as WWE CEO and Chairman until his death.

Heyman’s Future

While many are optimistic for WWE’s future with McMahon now retired, Heyman isn’t celebrating.

On the show, Heyman made it clear that he’s fully on board with the new vision for WWE, but it’s foolish to celebrate McMahon’s departure, as his work ethic made a lot of people a lot of money.

Many believe that Heyman could be in line for a backstage role with creative, as he has good relationships with WWE Co-CEO Stephanie McMahon and Head of Creative/Talent Relations Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque.

Triple H Explains Paul Heyman’s Role At WWE Tryouts

Dakota Kai Says her WWE Return Was a Last-Minute Call

Thomas Lowson
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At Summerslam 2022, Dakota Kai returned to WWE, receiving her main-roster call-up in the process.

Kai, alongside the returning Bayley and IYO SKY, appeared early in the show, after the Raw Women’s Championship match between Bianca Belair and Becky Lynch.

Last-Minute

Fans were shocked to see Kai appear at Summerslam, as she had been released by WWE in April this year.

Speaking on the latest episode of WWE The Bump, the New Zealand-born Superstar revealed that there was never a long-term plan to bring her back.

“You thought you’d seen the last of me, huh? It still feels like a whirlwind to me with everything that happened. It all happened so last minute too. To be talking with you guys right now is exciting. Everything that has happened since Saturday has been insane, it’s been crazy.”

“It all happened so last minute.”

Dakota Kai on her abrupt return to WWE.

Kai added that she has been wanting to work with Bayley and IYO SKY for a very long time.

Kai’s Release

Kai was one of ten NXT Superstars released earlier this year, but her situation differed from others.

While Superstars such as Harland were cut for not showing improvement, Kai had reportedly received several main-roster dark matches, but WWE had no plans to push her to Raw or SmackDown.

Seeing herself in a rut, Kai reportedly told WWE that she did not plan on re-signing her contract when it expired in April 2023.

Has Bayley Revealed The Name Of Her New Stable?

Taz Gives an Update on the Future of Team Taz

Thomas Lowson
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All Elite Wrestling is home to several factions, and one of the longest-running groups is Team Taz.

The group has had ups and downs over their years in AEW, but now things have come to an abrupt end.

The End of Team Taz

Last week on AEW Dynamite, Ricky Starks defended the FTW Championship against Danhausen, but would later lose the title to Hook.

After the match, Powerhouse Will Hobbs turned on Starks, blindsiding him with an attack and ending their tag-team.

During this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, Taz was on commentary to give an update on the group.

The Human Suplex Machine explained that the group is officially finished and that he has nothing more to do with any member of the faction past or present.

Team Taz: A Retrospective

Team Taz began in AEW in 2020 when Brian Cage signed a contract with the company.

The group would later recruit Powerhouse Will Hobbs, Ricky Starks, and Taz’s son, Hook, before kicking out Cage in mid-2021, after losing the FTW World Championship to Starks.

Brian Cage Discusses Issues with Team Taz and Being FTW Champion

Will Booker T Follow Ric Flair with his Own Retirement Match?

Thomas Lowson
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On July 31, Ric Flair competed in his final ever match, teaming with his son-in-law Andrade El Idolo to defeat Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal.

Flair’s final match came eleven years after his previous match for TNA Wrestling, and 14 years after his acclaimed retirement match against Shawn Michaels at WWE WrestleMania 24.

Will Booker Wrestle?

Booker T Returns
(Photo: Bryan Mooney)

With the success of Flair final match as part of Starrcast V, there have been discussions about whether other legends of the ring should follow his example.

“I said ‘Hell no. We ain’t doing none of that.'”

Booker T on turning down a retirement match at Starrcast VI next year.

During the latest episode of the “Hall of Fame” podcast, Booker T said that he has been approached about a final match to end his career (via Wrestling Inc)

“I was approached actually to have a final match next year at Starrcast. Harlem Heat’s final match, here in Texas. I said ‘Hell no. We ain’t doing none of that.’ I just had a match a couple of weeks ago, my knee was killing me. I can only imagine what it’s going to feel like next year. Y’all can forget about seeing me do one last match.”

Booker explained that while he is still having matches, and pans to wrestle more, he’s not planning on having a ‘last match’ which is made into a big deal.

The two-time WWE Hall of Famer last wrestled less than a month ago, teaming with Brian Keith, Mysterious Q, Blake Cortez, and Gaspar Hernandez in a ten-man tag match for his own promotion, Reality of Wrestling.

Following the success of Ric Flair’s Last Match, should other legends follow suit? We dig into this topic in our latest column below:

Ric Flair’s Last Match Was A Success—Should Other Legends Follow Suit?

Popular Independent Wrestler Debuts for AEW

Ryan Droste
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There was a new name in the fold this week at AEW’s tapings in Columbus, Ohio.

Fresh off his victory in the Bunkhouse Battle Royal at the Ric Flair’s Last Match PPV this past Sunday in Nashville, Mance Warner made an appearance during the AEW Dark Elevation tapings before Dynamite went on the air this week.

Photos making their way around social media show Warner had a custom entrance video produced that used his “Southern Psychopath” nickname.

This episode of Dark Elevation will air next Monday, August 8th. Warner reportedly worked against Serpentico.

https://twitter.com/TheForestFuller/status/1554971614290137088

Warner has been a popular star for Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) and Major League Wrestling (MLW), among other places. He has been advertised to appear for MLW again soon.

Warner Has A Big Match Friday Night

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It was also revealed during the Dynamite broadcast that Warner will wrestle AEW Interim World Heavyweight Champion Jon Moxley this Friday night on AEW Rampage in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

This match takes place five days before Moxley faces Chris Jericho in a title defense next Wednesday night at the AEW Dynamite broadcast in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Make sure to check out the Top Rope Nation wrestling podcast for your weekly dose of pro wrestling talk featuring interviews, analysis and exclusive news: Apple – Spotify – YouTube. 

Watch: Vince McMahon Mentioned on AEW Dynamite

Ryan Droste
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There were lots of headlines coming out of this week’s AEW Dynamite, a show that was near universally praised as a great two-hour broadcast. One of those headlines, potentially one of the most eye-popping moments of the show, happened when Max Caster brought up the name of the former head of World Wrestling Entertainment.

Caster and partner Anthony Bowens (The Acclaimed) were making their entrance for a Dumpster Match with The Gunn Club when, after taking out their opponents on the ramp, Caster got on the mic for one of his trademark raps.

“We make the ass boys retire like Vince McMahon,” Caster said during the rap.

Check out the video below.

The Acclaimed Continue To Impress

Caster and Bowens have really made a name for themselves in the AEW tag team division over the last year. They suffered a set-back when Bowens was injured, but with both members now back in the fold, it’s not hard to imagine an AEW Tag Team Championship reign for the duo down the line.

Few teams in the division draw the kind of crowd response that The Acclaimed do. Tag team wise, it harkens back to the fan response that The New Age Outlaws had back in the late 1990s.

That being said, the belts currently reside with Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland, so a potential championship reign for The Acclaimed is still probably some time away.

Make sure to check out the Top Rope Nation wrestling podcast for your weekly dose of pro wrestling talk featuring interviews, analysis and exclusive news: Apple – Spotify – YouTube. 

What Happened After AEW Dynamite: Moxley Mentions Cody

Michael Reichlin
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All Elite Wrestling presented AEW Dynamite on Wednesday night from Columbus, Ohio at the Schottenstein Center. The main event saw Chris Jericho defeat Wheeler Yuta to earn a shot at AEW World Champion Jon Moxley next week at Quake by the Lake.

Dynamite went off the air with Moxley and Jericho talking trash about the upcoming title match.

Rick Ucchino of Cageside Seats was in attendance and tweeted throughout the show. He provided an update about what happened after Dynamite and before AEW began taping Friday’s episode of Rampage.

Moxley Mentions Cody’s Rhodes

According to Ucchino, Jon Moxley cut a promo after Dynamite went off the air.

While Moxley was talking, he was interrupted by QT Marshall. This led to Mox to name-drop none other than Cody Rhodes while burying the leader of The Factory.

The main event of Friday’s AEW Rampage will see Jon Moxley vs. the debuting Mance Warner.

Also on Rampage, the legend Madison Rayne also debuts, and AEW World tag team champions Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland are in action against Tony Neese and Josh Woods.

image 13

The Best Way to Get Front Row Seats for WretleMania Hollywood

Michael Reichlin
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WWE brings WrestleMania to Hollywood in 2023. WrestleMania 39 is scheduled to take place Saturday April 1st and Sunday April 2nd from Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. The venue holds an estimated 70,000 fans.

WrestleMania Hollywood tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, August 12th.

The day before (Thursday, August 11th), a WrestleMania ticket launch event will be held at Sofi Stadium. The free event will feature live in-ring matches, as well as celebrity appearances from Snoop Dogg, JoJo Siwa and Gabriel Iglesias. WWE superstars advertised to appear include Seth “Freakin” Rollins, The Miz, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, The Usos, Theory and more.

WrestleMania Hollywood Front Row Tickets

SoFi Stadium
SoFi Stadium

If you want to score front row or ringside tickets for WrestleMania Hollywood, your best bet is WWE Priority Pass. WWE has partnered with On Location to offer premium all-inclusive ticket packages for WrestleMania.

“A limited number of the top-tier packages remain available and are the only way to guarantee a front row seat today to WrestleMania.”

– WWE Priority Pass

“Also included is the most robust offering in history of WWE’s all-inclusive ticket packages, including a selection of private event transportation, an exclusive backstage experience, an evening event with a WWE Superstar and an excursion at Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Brewery or Mattel’s Design Studio where WWE’s Action Figures have been developed for over a decade.”

There are five tiers of ticket packages available, all including lots of perks, starting at $675 per person.

AEW Dynamite Results (8/3/22): Chris Jericho & Jon Moxley, ThunderStorm, Dumpster Match

Robert Lentini
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AEW Dynamite aired live from the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio. Wheeler Yuta battled Chris Jericho tonight. The winner of the match will face AEW Interim Champion Jon Moxley next week at AEW Dynamite Quake by the Lake.

AEW Dynamite Results

  • Jay Lethal def. Orange Cassidy
  • Britt Baker & Jamie Hayter def. ThunderStorm
  • Powerhouse Hobbs def. Ren Jones
  • Christian Cage def. Matt Hardy
  • The Acclaimed def. Gunn Club in a Dumpster Match
  • Chris Jericho def. Wheeler Yuta to earn a title shot at Quake at the Lake next week

Here are the takeaways from this week’s AEW Dynamite:

Jay Lethal def. Orange Cassidy, Wardlow vs. Jay Lethal Set For Battle of the Belts

Orange Cassidy battled Jay Lethal to begin this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite. Sonjay Dutt and Satnam Singh accompanied Jay to the ring. Orange started off the match in control and put his hands in his pockets as the crowd cheered. Jay went for a Clothesline but Orange ducked and connected with a Dropkick. Cassidy posed in the ring before hitting Jay with a Suicide Dive through the ropes. Orange delivered some of his lazy kicks to Jay as he crawled up the entrance ramp.

Satnam Singh distracted Orange and Jay capitalized with some strikes. Best Friends then comically arrived on top of each other to have a face-to-face with Satnam. The action returned to the ring and Jay slammed Cassidy’s knee into the steel steps. Lethal trapped Cassidy’s knee in the steps and hit a Dropkick as Dynamite went to a commercial break.

When Dynamite returned, Lethal was still in control of the match and was focusing his attack on the injured knee. Cassidy battled back and climbed to the top turnbuckle. Lethal tripped him up and sent Orange down to the mat. Jay locked in a Figure Four on Orange in the middle of the ring but Cassidy got to the bottom rope to break the hold.

Jay went for a Suplex but Cassidy countered into the Stundog Millionaire. Cassidy went for a Tornado DDT but Jay countered into one of his own for a near fall. Lethal climbed to the top turnbuckle but Orange slowly rolled to the opposite corner. Orange sent Jay into the turnbuckle and delivered an uppercut.

Cassidy hopped to the middle turnbuckle but Jay caught him with a chop to the chest. Orange and Jay traded punches and Cassidy got the better of the exchange. Orange then hit the diving DDT off the top rope and followed it up with a Tornado DDT for a near fall. Cassidy went for the Orange Punch but his knee gave out.

Lethal laughed at Orange before setting up for a move. Orange countered into Beach Break out of nowhere and went for the cover but Jay was able to kick out at two. Cassidy geared up in the corner and went for the Orange Punch but Jay was ready. Jay hit Cassidy with a boot to the knee and followed it up with Lethal Injection for the pinfall victory.

After the match, Sonjay, Jay, and Satnam went to attack Cassidy but Best Friends rushed the ring. TNT Champion Wardlow joined the party but the heels retreated. It was announced that Wardlow will defend the TNT Championship against Jay Lethal at Battle of the Belts this Saturday.

Hangman Page Helped The Young Bucks

Adam Cole returned alongside Kyle O’Reilly, Bobby Fish, The Young Bucks, and Brandon Cutler. Cole said he’s a great leader and brought up the Trios tournament. Adam claimed that The Young Bucks won’t be physically capable of being in the tournament before O’Reilly and Fish attacked them from behind. Hangman Adam Page showed up and helped the Young Bucks to end the segment.

Britt Baker & Jamie Hayter def. ThunderStorm, Eddie Kingston Challenges Sammy Guevara

AEW Women’s Champion Thunder Rosa & Toni Storm (ThunderStorm) battled Britt Baker and Jamie Hayter tonight on Dynamite. Rebel accompanied Baker & Hayter to the ring. Baker went for the Lockjaw early but Thunder Rosa escaped and countered into a slam.

Jamie tagged in and Thunder Rosa greeted her with a Clothesline. ThunderStorm took control of the match and isolated Hayter in the corner. Rosa hit some chops and followed it up with a kick to her back for a two count. Baker and Hayter eventually battled back and trapped the champion in the corner of the ring.

When Dynamite returned from a break, Storm hit a Crossbody on Hayter and then planted Baker with a DDT on the floor. Toni climbed to the top turnbuckle and hit Jamie with another Crossbody. Toni followed it up with an Alabama Slam but Hayter kicked out at two.

Thunder Rosa tagged in and they went for a double Suplex but Jamie countered and sent them both to the mat. Baker tagged in and Thunder Rosa hit her with a Death Valley Driver. Storm tagged in and climbed to the top rope but Britt escaped. Rebel distracted Toni and Baker capitalized with a punch. Britt hit an Air Raid Crash off the top rope and tagged in Hayter. Jamie hit a big Clothesline and Britt followed it up with a Stomp. Jamie went for the cover but Rosa broke it up at the last moment.

Britt Baker and Thunder Rosa got in each other’s face and started trading strikes. Britt went for a Neckbreaker but Rosa blocked it. Britt hit Thunder Rosa with an Air Raid Crash but Toni slammed her down. Hayter hit Storm with a Codebreaker and all four wrestlers were down. Toni hit a series of Hip Attacks but Baker pulled Thunder Rosa in the way. Toni accidentally hit her tag partner and then turned around into a big lariat from Hayter for the pinfall victory.

Eddie Kingston cut a backstage promo and challenged Sammy Guevara to a match at AEW All Out.

Powerhouse Hobbs Dominated & Got The Better Of Ricky Starks

Powerhouse Hobbs made his way to the ring for a singles match. Hobbs betrayed Ricky Starks last week and attacked him after he lost the FTW Championship to Hook. Hobbs dominated Ren Jones for the easy pinfall victory after connecting with a Running Powerslam. Hobbs followed it up with a Clothesline and pinned Ren by kneeling on him. After the match, Ricky Starks sprinted down to the ring and shoved the referee out of the way. Hobbs planted Ricky with a Spinebuster and stood tall to end the segment.

Christian Cage def. Matt Hardy & Avoided Jungle Boy

Matt Hardy battled Christian Cage to begin the 2nd hour of Dynamite. Jungle Boy tried to attack Cage in the parking lot earlier on the show but security stopped him. Matt started off the action in control and beat Christian down in the corner of the ring. Cage battled back and unloaded several punches to Matt’s face. Matt battled back and connected with a slam for a near fall and Christian rolled out of the ring to regroup.

Hardy followed him out there but Cage shoved him into the steel steps. Christian then delivered a running knee strike to Matt’s head against the steel steps and rolled back into the ring as Dynamite went to a commercial break.

When Dynamite returned, Matt planted Christian with a Superplex and went for the cover but Cage kicked out at two. Matt followed it up with a Back Body Drop and some punches to the face in the corner of the ring. Cage booted Matt in the face and started climbing to the top rope. Matt hit him with a Back Body Drop off the top rope and followed it up with an Elbow Drop for a near fall.

Cage sent Matt to the canvas and hit a diving Headbutt of the top turnbuckle for a two count. He choked Matt against the turnbuckle and went for a Clothesline but Hardy countered into a Side Effect for a two count. Matt delivered another Side Effect on the ring apron before setting up a table ringside. Matt went for an Elbow Drop but Christian got out of the way and Hardy went crashing through the table. Back in the ring, Christian planted Matt with the Killswitch for the pinfall victory.

After the match, Christian exited the ring but stopped at the bottom of the entrance ramp. Cage brought in a couple of steel chairs into the ring and set up for the con-chair-to. Luchasaurus’ theme hit and the big man marched down the entrance ramp. Jungle Boy tried to sneak attack but Christian was ready and escaped through the crowd.

Stokely Hathaway Gave Ethan Page His Business Card

Ethan Page cut a promo tonight on Dynamite and complained about not being on TV every week. Ethan wondered why he doesn’t have an action figure as Stokely Hathaway made his way to the ring.

Page went on a rant about how the fans don’t have his back and buy Orange Cassidy merchandise. Stokely asked the microphone and shouted “what are you doing?!” before whispering something in Ethan’s ear. Stokely then handed Ethan his business card and exited the ring. Ethan Page then followed him to end the segment.

The Acclaimed Won The Dumpster Match

The Acclaimed battled Gunn Club in a Dumpster match. Before the match, Max Caster and Anthony Bowens attacked Billy Gunn on the ramp and slammed him into the dumpster. Caster then did his rap before the match began. Bowens planted Austin and Colten Gunn with a Suplex on the entrance ramp and the match officially started.

Gunn Club isolated Bowens and tried to get him in the dumpster but Caster broke it up. Gunn Club Powerbombed Bowens into the dumpster and then sent Caster in. The Acclaimed blocked Gunn Club from shutting the lid as Dynamite went to a break.

When Dynamite returned, Gunn Club launched Bowens off the dumpster and onto some trash cans below. Colten delivered a Neckbreaker to Bowens on the entrance ramp. Austin Gunn climbed on top of the entrance tunnel but Caster snuck up behind him. Max shoved him down as Colten was put on a table below. Caster hit the Mic Drop through the table and then The Acclaimed put Gunn Club in the dumpster to win. After the match, The Acclaimed shoved the dumpster off the entrance ramp.

Jon Moxley vs. Chris Jericho Is Set For Next Week

Wheeler Yuta battled Chris Jericho in tonight’s main event. The winner of the match will face Jon Moxley next week at Dynamite Quake at the Lake for the Interim AEW Championship. Before the match, Moxley versus Vance Warner, Madison Rayne debut, and Swerve in our Glory versus Tony Nese & Josh Woods was announced for Rampage this Friday. Daddy Magic and Cool Hand Ange accompanied Jericho to the ring. ROH Claudio Castagnoli showed up just before the bell to be in Wheeler’s corner and prevent interference from Jericho Appreciation Society.

Yuta controlled the action early and went after the broken nose of Le Champion. JAS was kicked out from ringside as Jericho took control by tripping Wheeler up on the top rope. Chris posed for the crowd before reigning down some punches to Yuta’s head. Jericho went for a Superplex but Yuta blocked it. Wheeler went for a Crossbody but Jericho countered into a Dropkick for a two count. Jericho unloaded some elbow strikes to the side of Wheeler’s head and gave the crowd the middle finger.

Yuta connected with an Enziguri and a Clothesline in the corner. Wheeler hit the Crossbody off the top rope and both wrestlers were down. Wheeler hopped to his feet and unloaded some punches to Jericho’s face. Both wrestlers went for a running Crossbody at the same time and collided in the middle of the ring. Jericho and Yuta traded slaps to the face for a bit on their knees and then on their feet.

Wheeler connected with several German Suplexes in a row before bridging into the cover for a two count. Chris battled back and locked in the Walls of Jericho in the middle of the ring. Wheeler was able to get to the bottom rope to break the hold and Jericho started arguing with referee Aubrey Edwards. Jericho went for a Codebreaker but Wheeler countered into a Back Body Drop that sent Chris to the outside.

Yuta followed it up with three Suicide Dives before bringing Jericho back into the ring. Wheeler hit a Crossbody off the top rope and went for the cover but Jericho kicked out at two. Jericho responded with a Backbreaker but Yuta shrugged it off. Yuta knocked Jericho to the mat and climbed to the top rope. Wheeler leaped right into a Codebreaker from Jericho for a two count.

Jericho charged at Yuta but he tripped him up in the middle of the ring. Yuta applied a submission hold in the middle of the ring but Jericho escaped to the corner. Jericho grabbed the baseball bat but Aubrey Edwards ripped it away. Chris hit a low blow while the ref was distracted and went for Judas Effect but Wheeler was able to duck. Chris then applied the Walls of Jericho for the submission victory but wouldn’t let go of the hold.

Several referees shoed up and tried to break it up before AEW Interim Champion Jon Moxley’s theme hit. Jon got into the ring and Jericho finally released the hold. Jericho retreated as Moxley trash talked in the ring. Jon Moxley will defend the AEW Interim Championship against Chris Jericho next week at Quake at the Lake. Jericho vowed to show up as the Lionheart next week and “stretch the shit” out of Moxley.

Becky Lynch Didn’t Get the Memo that She Should Take it Easy While Injured

Michael Reichlin
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Becky Lynch won’t be wrestling for several months due to a shoulder injury, but that isn’t stopping Big Time Becks for kicking Big Time Butt in the gym.

Lynch last competed at Saturday’s WWE SummerSlam event, where she challenged Bianca Belair for the Raw Women’s Championship. Lynch sustained a shoulder injury during the match.

After the event, Fightful was first to report that it was a separated shoulder.

Becky Lynch “Back” in the Gym

Becky Lynch is not really “back” in the gym, because she doesn’t appear to have missed much if any time since her pre-SummerSlam training.

The Man checked in on social media Wednesday afternoon to show the injury will keep her from wrestling, but not training.

WWE’s injury report stated that she’s expected to be out for several months.

CM Punk Says He Feels A Special Connection With The Audience Since Epic Return A Year Ago

Joey Galizia
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CM Punk feels more connected to the pro-wrestling audience than ever before.

The AEW world champion returned nearly one year ago (August 20th) after being absent from the business since 2014, with his departure and fallout with WWE becoming a national story. Punk coming back was never a guarantee, but the fans never forgot him, and chanted his name as often as they could.

The champ spoke about this bond during a recent interview with Screenrant, calling the love a currency that he will not take advantage of.

“I think I have a currency with the audience just having been around for so long, coming from the Indies, going to the old WWF, and you know being around the block. Leaving, coming back after seven years, there’s a connection that I have.”

Punk adds that being a top babyface is always hard work, but feels like turning heel while the audience still loves him is a move he is not prepared to make just yet.

“I don’t necessarily enjoy being a good guy. I feel like it’s hard work. It’s a lot easier to get people to dislike you. But I feel it would be wasteful to, as I said, discard this currency that I have with the audience because it is, I feel, a special connection.”

He also plans on treating every appearance as special.

“You know, they’re chanting my name for seven years. I came back. They’re still stoked about it. So I feel like every time I’m in the ring is special to me and I don’t want to squander that, and I feel like it’s just a giant party with a bunch of your friends, you know? I just want to have a good time with them.”

Punk has been absent from in-ring action since May due to a broken foot. This occurred only days after he defeated Hangman Page to capture the world title.

Gunther Aims To Elevate WWE Intercontinental Title, Wants John Cena Match

Andrew Ravens
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Although Gunther initially didn’t want to move to the United States full-time when he signed with WWE for the NXT UK brand, he has found a lot of success on the WWE main roster. 

Gunther is now on SmackDown as the Intercontinental Champion, and is looked at a future World Champion. Now that he’s on the main roster, it opens up a new page of dream matches for him that were previously considered impossible.

While speaking with Sports Illustrated, Gunther discussed wanting to give the Intercontinental Championship it’s prestige back. He also expressed interest in wrestling John Cena.

“I am going to give this title the prestige it needs and make it the greatest prize in wrestling. I would like to wrestle John Cena and anyone else who is considered elite. I didn’t come here to be mediocre. I came here to be in the ring with the best.”

Gunther is currently in a storyline with Shinsuke Nakamura with many expecting a match to take place at last Saturday’s SummerSlam. That didn’t happen, but it’s possible the bout is saved for Clash at the Castle on September 3rd.

Liv Morgan Explains How John Cena Influenced Her Career

Jon Fuentes
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Liv Morgan was heavily influenced by John Cena in her professional wrestling career.

Morgan was recently interviewed on Complex, where she explained how Cena helped influence her career inside the squared circle as a young fan.

“I loved John Cena, I thought he was the s***. I had such a crush on him. He would pump his little sneakers, and I’d pump my sneakers, and I didn’t even have pumps. I would just press my little tongue [on her shoe].

“Yeah, I thought he was amazing. And so, he, I think, has been, whether I know it or not, a subconscious influence on my career, you know, because he wore sneakers for the majority of his career, so I think maybe it’s something that kind of embedded in my mind, and maybe a reason why I like to wear sneakers.”

Morgan is currently in the middle of her first-ever reign as a World Champion in WWE. She won the SmackDown Live Women’s Title at Money In The Bank against Ronda Rousey.

Liv Morgan at Money In The Bank

Earlier in the night, Morgan won the women’s Money In The Bank ladder match. She cashed in the briefcase later that same night after Rousey defeated Natalya to retain the SmackDown Women’s Title.

Recently, at SummerSlam, Morgan successfully retained her title against Rousey in a rematch, in controversial fashion. As for Cena, he hasn’t been a full-time regular with WWE in several years.

He will, however, return on occasion for a one-off match every so often. Recently, he returned to Monday Night RAW this past June to celebrate his 20th anniversary since making his main roster debut.

During his promo, Cena promised he’d be back for another match, but he didn’t clarify when. Whenever that time comes, it’s certain to be a massive event.

Quotes via 411Mania

Eric Bischoff Says He’s a Millionaire After Declaring Bankruptcy

Michael Reichlin
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Wrestling podcaster and author Eric Bischoff spoke with SEScoops correspondent Steve Fall this week for NBC Sports Boston.

During their discussion, Bischoff spoke about some of the financial ups and downs he’s experienced over the years. After filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy just a few years ago, he’s proud to say he’s currently worth “seven figures” once again.

Here’s video of the 40+ minute interview, with highlights below:

From Chapter 11 Bankruptcy to Millionaire

“I filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which is a corporate bankruptcy, not a personal one, because I invested a massive amount of my own money into a new venture that we had every right to believe was going to be a successful one, we had high quality people involved, did the work, blah blah blah. But the market changed and I lost a fortune.

And it was like, ok, because I’m a risk taker, I’m an entrepreneur, that’s what we do, we lose 7 or 8 times out of 10, but those 2 or 3 times we win, we win big. That’s just the nature of the game, it’s like being a professional gambler in a way. I took the risk, I knew it was a risk going in, I knew I was too old to be taking that risk, by taking all of the money and all of the assets I had and putting it up against this idea, but I believed in it, so I did and it didn’t work.

So, I’m filing Chapter 11. I’m 60 years old and I’m filing for Chapter 11. I didn’t want to talk about that. But, I now have a net worth in the 7 figures, I’m all good, I paid off every one of my debts 100%, that is in my rear view mirror. I reinvented myself at 60 years old and in really less than 3 years, I’ve paid off all of my debts and like I said, have a net worth in the 7 figures.”

It’s all about Gratitude

Bischoff’s upcoming autobiography is titled Grateful, so it should come as no surprise that he speaks passionately about the importance of practicing gratitude each day.

“Learn, discipline yourself, learn to start your day recognizing what you have to be grateful for. It wasn’t easy for me, you know, when I filed for Chapter 11, it was a bad time for me. But, fortunately, I’ve got a great wife, and she reminded me every day.

I’ve got it tattooed on my wrist – it says, ‘Grateful.’ We all.. whether its your health, whether its the fact that you get to see another sunrise, because a lot of people don’t, a lot of people I know don’t, a lot of people I’ve been close to for years, can’t anymore. We all have something to be grateful for, but once you start recognizing, as insignificant as it may feel in the moment, but then you look at it differently, all of a sudden, you’ll start realizing all of the other things you have to be grateful for, and the more grateful you are, the more positive you are. The more positive you are, the more likely it is you’re going to come out of your crap. That’s what worked for me.”

“It sounds so simple, we’ve all read those books, we’ve all seen those bumper stickers, we’ve all heard those conversations, and it seems so simple, but man, when you’re down, things are going against you, you’re emotionally getting your butt kicked, it’s not as easy as it sounds. But once you master that art, and you start off every day that way.. again, I’ll speak for myself, I’m not trying to tell other people what to do. What I learned, and what you’ll read about in the book, is just waking up every day being grateful changes everything.”

Grateful byEric Bischoff is due out November 11th. You can pre-order it now.

Claudio Castagnoli Wants a Match with Kazuchika Okada

Jon Fuentes
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Claudio Castagnoli would love to have a match with Kazuchika Okada down the line.

Castagnoli recently took part in a media scrum at Starrcast V. During the scrum, Castagnoli discussed the possibility facing New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) star Kazuchika Okada.

The Ring Of Honor (ROH) Champion said a match with Okada would mean a lot to him, especially given their past.

“I would just pick Okada. Mainly because I’ve known Okada for over 10 years, actually. When he wrestled at Chikara, he stayed at — me and Chris Hero had a house that a lot of the guys stayed, including Okada, and then I saw him again when he was training in Mexico.

“So, I think I have a picture of me and him when I still had hair and when he was not ‘The Rainmaker’ yet. So I think there’s definitely a lot of history there. So yeah, definitely. He would be one of many guys that we want to face.“

Claudio Castagnoli ROH Champion

Castagnoli has been on quite the roll since leaving WWE. He competed in WWE for over 10 years as Cesaro where he was one of the company’s most promising stars. However, he was arguably underutilized throughout his run, with many seeing World Championship potential in the Swiss powerhouse.

Throughout his 11 years with WWE, Castagnoli only won one singles title – the United States Championship. However, he signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in June after his WWE contract expired in February.

He then won the ROH World Title from Jonathan Gresham at Death Before Dishonor in July. As for Okada, he has been one of Japan’s biggest stars for years. He’s a five-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, and also does work for AEW.

A match between Okada and Castagnoli down the road is certainly a possibility in the near future.

Quotes via Fightful

From ECW to AEW, How Pro Wrestling Shapes Musical Tastes

Scott Fishman
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Flipping through television channels in South Florida in the mid 1990’s, I found Extreme Championship Wrestling on the Sunshine Network. The in-your-face presentation wasn’t the only thing that caught my attention. It was the music. Those long string of vignettes. The entrances. Even the commercials for the merch including VHS tapes of events all had signature sounds. I began to associate the entrance themes with the stars I saw on my TV screen as a young teen. 

They were in many ways extensions of a performer’s character. From there I soon realized these were not just music for these pro wrestlers. They were legit top names and legends in music at the time. Icons. There was Alice In Chains, Metallica, Pantera, White Zombie, and The Offspring to name a few. 

This was truly a moment in time as it relates to a renegade company pulling copyrighted music. Yes, ECW’s mastermind Paul Heyman had some label deals for the company. Though much of those songs were used cease and desist be damned. If you watch ECW on streaming like on Peacock, you’re not hearing those original songs but rather similar sounds. Kids today don’t even know. Man, I aged myself saying that. 

Watching Stranger Things got me thinking about how impactful music can be to a television show, as well as the artists themselves. Look at what it has done for Metallica and Kate Bush, who is running up that hill straight to the bank. There is a connection formed. One I felt when it came to pro wrestling too. 

All these years later I further come to the realization that watching ECW in actuality helped shape my musical tastes even today. It opened up the door for me in so many ways. I can’t tell you how many times I’ll listen to the radio or be out and hear a song. The visuals of a pro wrestler come up in my head. Does that happen to you? 

Music is such an important part of pro wrestling. One cord or line can elevate talent and help them get over. All The Sandman had to do was walk to the ring to “Enter Sandman” and fans got what they wanted. A giant beer-soaked party.  

WWE and WCW also helped grow my musical palate. There was Hollywood Hogan coming out to “Voodoo Child” from Jimi Hendrix.  From Rob Zombie to Alter Bridge, Edge always had killer song choices. And then there are those incredible video packages the production team puts together along with PPV themes. Ronda Rousey made a big splash right out of the gate to the sounds of Joan Jett & The Blackhearts’ “Bad Reputation.” 

Another fan during that 1990s time period and clearly inspired by the concept of using familiar music, and that’s Tony Khan. The AEW visionary has spared no expense to secure songs like “Tarzan Boy.” Now I can’t see Jungle Boy walk the aisle without hearing “Jungle Life.” As a result, Jungle Express’ entrance brings a festive party atmosphere. Ruby Soho first arriving with the sounds of “Ruby Soho” by Rancid was perfect. 

Even Chris Jericho’s own band Fozzy has a win-win with “Judas” being a giant karaoke singalong every time the legendary performer appears on AEW TV. “Wild Thing” by The Troggs somehow works well for Jon Moxley. And of course, there is Orange Cassidy, who had “Where is my Mind” by the Pixies before switching to “Jane” by Jefferson Starship. That was met with some disappointment on social media to an extent.

And then there is CM Punk. You can’t really picture him now coming out without “Cult of Personality” by Living Colour. Though all of Punk’s song choices felt right for him. I remember witnessing fans flip out when Punk went with the AFI throwback Ring of Honor at Revolution. 

Music is a powerful vehicle and tool. It crosses generations much like pro wrestling. All these decades since I was an impressionable teen, I now look at kids in the crowds and think how maybe how their own musical tastes are being cultivated.

Wrestling Couple Expecting Their First Child Together

Jon Fuentes
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One wrestling couple has just announced that they’re expecting their first child together.

All Elite Wrestling star Shawn Spears and former WWE Superstar Cassie Lee (Peyton Royce) shared a video of social media sharing the news. Spears and Lee married back in 2019.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CgzZYpKF46R/

Spears ran with WWE from 2013 to 2019, during which he spent four of those years with NXT before being called up to the main roster. Unfortunately, Spears never got a run as a champion during his time with WWE.

However, he was one of SmackDown Live’s most promising young stars at the time. In February of 2019, Spears asked for his release from WWE, and it was later granted. A few months later, he made his AEW debut at Double Or Nothing.

Shawn Spears
Shawn Spears

As for Lee, she had a six-year run with WWE as one-half of the tag team, The IIconics, alongside Billie Kay. The pair had runs on NXT and the WWE main roster, which included a reign as the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.

However, Lee was released from WWE in April of 2021 along with several other talents, including Kay. She had a brief run with IMPACT Wrestling in 2021 before ultimately requesting her release this past April.

Now, it appears she’ll take some time away from the ring as she and Spears start their family together.

Saraya (Paige) Addresses Potential WWE Hall Of Fame Induction

Joey Galizia
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Former WWE Superstar Saraya (Paige) would be honored to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame one day.

Saraya has been out of action since 2017 after suffering a severe neck injury that put a halt on her career, one that forced the multi-time women’s champion to retire from in-ring action. Despite not wrestling in five years, her impact on women’s wrestling is still felt today and will probably earn her a spot in the Hall of Fame one day.

In fact the 29-year old Brit spoke about that very subject during her latest interview on The Bellas podcast. When Nikki and Brie asked Saraya her thoughts on potentially being in the running for a 2023 inductee spot she responded with the following statement:

“Oh my God, that would be amazing,’ but then I looked at it and I was like, I wouldn’t get my hopes up for a long time. I’m only just going to be 30.”

– Saraya on a WWE Hall of Fame Induction

Even though Saraya thinks it would be too early for a spot in the Hall of Fame that doesn’t mean it’s not one of her ultimate goals. In fact the current free agent admits that it was a goal she set for herself from the very beginning.

“I set goals for myself when I got to WWE and I’ve done pretty much everything I’ve wanted to do, but I wanted to be in the Hall of Fame so bad. That was my end goal, to be in the Hall of Fame, that would be such a big deal because not everyone gets to be in it.”

Saraya may be retired now but the thought of wrestling another match is also still on her mind, especially if it occurs on a big stage like WrestleMania.

“I could see myself in the ring one day, but it would have to be something really special and a big moment. Even if it was a WrestleMania thing, if they ever want to do something, it would be like a WrestleMania moment, something like that.”

You can listen to her full interview here.

H/T to Fightful for the transcribed quotes

Tony Khan Believes WWE Management Shakeup Will Be Good for Wrestling Fans

Jon Fuentes
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Tony Khan has offered his reaction to the recent WWE management shakeup.

Things have shaken up in a massive way over in WWE. Vince McMahon stepped down from his position as WWE CEO after some sexual misconduct allegations surfaced. This left Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan to fill in as co-CEOs.

McMahon was then forced to retire from his position as head of WWE creative after investigations into McMahon began. Now, Triple H has been promoted to head of creative in WWE.

There seems to have been a generally positive reaction to the change, especially from the talent backstage. Now, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) president Tony Khan has offered his reaction to the news.

Khan spoke on the matter during an interview with Sports Grid. The AEW front-man noted that he believes the change will be good for wrestling fans, making things more exciting – especially when it comes to free agency.

“I think that’s always been a concern, but now probably more so than ever, I imagine great wrestlers are going to be in demand. And again, I think this is probably going to be good for the wrestling fans because that’s one of the most exciting things about pro wrestling: free agency.

“It’s one of those things that was really missing from the sport for almost two decades before AEW came in, because there was not a legitimate competitor in the free agent market, and now there is.

“I think it’s going to be some exciting times ahead, hopefully for many years to come. One of the worst things that happened, I think, in American sports in my lifetime was when WCW closed down. And there should always be another national wrestling company.”

Tony Khan
(AEW)

Free agency has already been a huge deal between WWE and AEW. Names such as Bryan Danielson and Adam Cole leaving WWE for AEW, and Cody Rhodes leaving AEW to return to WWE.

With Triple H now at the helm of WWE, and considered to be more appealing to work under than Vince McMahon, it will be interesting to see if the tides change in a major way, drawing more talent’s interest in joining WWE.

Former Impact Knockouts Champion Joins AEW to Coach Women’s Division

Michael Reichlin
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All Elite Wrestling sent in the following press release Wednesday morning announcing the expansion of the company’s talent relations and development team.

Former Impact Wrestling Knockouts champion Madison Rayne has signed on to coach the women’s division.

During his weekly appearance on the Busted Open Radio show on Sirius XM, AEW President Tony Khan had this to say about Rayne joining the organization:

“She’s going to be great for the team,” said Khan. “Everyone’s excited to have Madison Rayne as part of AEW. I’m not saying she wouldn’t wrestle anymore, we’re open to it. We have other people in the office who do wrestle as part of their schedule, so I’m open to it.”

In addition to AEW signing Madison Rayne, several existing employees will see their roles expanded under the overhauled talent relations department, including Sonjay Dutt, QT Marshall, Pat Buck and Tony Schiavone.

– – –

August 3, 2022 – AEW CEO, GM and Head of Creative Tony Khan announced an expansion to AEW’s talent relations team with the promotions of key staff members including Sonjay Dutt, QT Marshall, Pat Buck and Tony Schiavone. In addition, Madison Rayne will join AEW as a coach in the women’s division.

As AEW continues its meteoric rise, the expanded talent relations team will strengthen the infrastructure required to facilitate the development, health and safety of AEW’s outstanding roster. The following promotions and additions are effective immediately:

Sonjay Dutt (Retesh Bhalla) has been promoted to Vice President of Production and Creative Coordination. In this role, he will coordinate communication of AEW storylines, liaise between post-production and key staff to maintain content workflow, produce ancillary content and mentor new producers. Dutt joined AEW in 2021, bringing more than 20 years of experience in professional wrestling – both in-ring and as a producer – and continues to serve on-screen as manager to Satnam Singh and Jay Lethal.

QT Marshall (Michael Cuellari) has been promoted to Vice President of Show and Creative Coordination. He will help to manage show elements including planning programs and storylines, character development, overseeing extras and live event logistics coordination. Marshall, an AEW original with more than 20 years of experience, will continue to wrestle as the leader of The Factory with Anthony Ogogo, Nick Comoroto, Aaron Solo and Cole Karter.

Pat Buck (Pat Buckridge) has been promoted to Vice President of Talent Development. In this position, he will liaise with talent and production, oversee all coaches, provide input on matches and promos, and lead the talent relations team. Buck brings nearly two decades of experience serving wrestling promotions as a talent, trainer, producer and promoter.

Tony Schiavone has been promoted to Senior Producer and Special Advisor to Talent. In this capacity, he will work directly with talent as part of the Talent Relations team. Schiavone is one

of AEW’s most tenured members and has nearly 40 years of experience, with an iconic voice that has guided fans through professional wrestling’s most incredible moments.

Madison Rayne (Ashley Nichole Lomberger) will join AEW as a coach in the women’s division, and kick-off her new role tonight in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Madison has competed in numerous professional wrestling promotions where she has held multiple championship titles, including 5-time Women’s World Champion. She has more than 15 years of experience in professional wrestling, and is also a proud mom to a daughter.

Christopher Daniels, an AEW original who brings more than 30 years of industry experience, will continue to serve as Manager of Talent Relations. The Talent Relations team will also remain in close contact with AEW’s Legal and Talent Resources team – led by Margaret Stalvey, Chris Peck and Megha Parekh – who help to support the physical and mental health, safety and security of talent. AEW is also committed to supporting talent beyond the ring, and offers access to world- class physicians, trainers and mental health clinicians.

Finn Balor has Advice for WWE Superstars who want to Leave

Thomas Lowson
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For the past two years, WWE has been releasing talent in massive waves, all under the reasoning of ‘budget cuts.’

Dozens of Superstars have had their time with WWE come to an abrupt end, with many finding success in AEW, New Japan or other promotions.

Wanting Out

While WWE has cut several Superstars in recent years, some names haven’t wanted to wait to be out of the company.

Several Superstars, including Cody Rhodes, Mustafa Ali, Brodie Lee/Luke Harper and Andrade El Idolo have all requested to be released from WWE, to varying degrees of success.

Speaking on the Cheap Heat podcast, Finn Balor was asked about Superstars who feel they don’t want to work for WWE anymore and has some surprising advice (via Wrestling Inc.)

“Yeah, for sure, and I tell them to go,” Balor said. “There’s a whole other world; I tell them to go. Sometimes we get caught up in the bubble that’s WWE, and there’s a whole world of wrestling outside there. If someone doesn’t want to be here, they should go.”

“There’s a whole other world; I tell them to go.”

Finn Balor on Superstars who want to leave WWE.

The Judgment Day gave a similarly curt reasoning for why he’s stayed with WWE after seeing so many Superstars, including old friends, leave.

“If you don’t want to work in WWE, don’t be here,” Balor said, reiterating his stance on what he tells talent who don’t want to stay. “… For me, I want to be to here, so that’s why I’m here.”

Finn Balor Was Tired Of ‘Politics’ In WWE Before Second NXT Run

Eric Bischoff: “Stephanie McMahon Would Kill Tony Khan” in a Fight

Jaychele Nicole
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Eric Bischoff spoke with SEScoops correspondent Steve Fall this week for NBC Sports Boston. Bischoff was there to promote his second autobiography Grateful, which is due out November 11 (Pre-order here).

Speaking about Eric Bischoff calling out Vince McMahon to fight him on Monday Nitro, Steve said it would have been one of the craziest things in the history of wrestling. That would be like Stephanie McMahon and Tony Khan fighting today.

Stephanie McMahon vs. Tony Khan?

“Stephanie McMahon would kill Tony Khan,” said Bischoff. “Have you stood next to Tony Khan? She’s stronger, bigger. Listen, I’ve been slapped by Stephanie McMahon on television, which was supposed to be what they call a ‘working’ slap. She don’t know how to work, at least not a slap. I mean, that girl could hurt you. She would kill Tony Khan. Kill him. Yeah, set that up. Somebody book that. That would be fun.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Bischoff took another dig at Tony Khan and his penchant for offering big-money contracts to talent. “Tony Khan now has the ATM Eric title – that man is spending more money than Ted Turner would have ever allowed me to spend.”

You can watch the full interview here:

Eric Bischoff on Vince McMahon Retiring, WWE’s Future

Michael Reichlin
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Eric Bischoff spoke with SEScoops correspondent Steve Fall this week for NBC Sports Boston. Bischoff was there to promote his second autobiography Grateful, which is due out November 11 (Pre-order here).

During their discussion, Bischoff spoke at-length about Vince McMahon retiring from WWE, what it was like working directly under Vince McMahon and his personal outlook for WWE’s future with Triple H leading creative and Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan serving as Co-CEO’s.

You can watch the full interview here, with highlights below:

Eric Bischoff on Vince McMahon Retiring

“It’s funny, I just got done talking with Hulk Hogan, we were talking about this. It’s going to be strange for people like us, all of us who have been fans, all of us who have been in the business and have worked with fans, in my case, competed against him, worked for him, covered the gamut,” said Bischoff. “It’s just weird, he’s been there forever, he’s the only head coach the team has ever had since the team was born, for most of us.

It’s going to be weird, but I think it’s going to be better. Look, Vince did amazing things. Anybody that doesn’t give him credit, a lot of it, and respect, not only credit, but respect for what he’s accomplished business wise, let’s separate his personal proclivities from business and what he built.. Anybody that doesn’t respect what he built is just juvenile, child-like. But, I think with new management..

Bischoff on Working Under Vince McMahon

image 9

“I’ll talk about this briefly, when I was there in 2019, I worked side by side with Vince McMahon. On a pretty regular basis. I was in way too many meetings with Vince McMahon than I even want to think about, I get PTSD-like symptoms when I do. As amazing as what Vince built is, and how he went about it, his personal way of going about creative, his system, his creative system and approach, doesn’t work for anybody but him. It just doesn’t. It’s well documented, working 20 hours a day, 2 o’clock in the morning meetings, by the way, true, been there, had to do it. It doesn’t work well for a team that you’re relying on.

“I think with Triple H in there now, because Triple H has been in that spot before, he knows how tough it is to work with Vince, because of Vince’s system, and because he knows, I think we’re going to see a new creative system in place in the next few months, I think that new system is going to allow some extremely talented writers that I know are still there, that I had the chance to meet and work with for a few months, incredibly talented people, guys like Ed Koske who’s been there 20-something years, incredible talent. A lot of great talent there on the writing team that will be able to emerge in this new environment, and I think you’re going to see a much better product as a result.”

WWE’s Bright Future

image 10

“The rest of the company, you know, one of the old things that I think anybody that is honest about Vince, has to acknowledge and respect, is that he built the public company that is now WWE, is a blue-chip public company. There are seasoned executives that are highly credentialed, their bios, their history, their success, their resumes are off-the-charts good, in every part of the company, whether it’s the CFO’s, Nick Khan, Stephanie could not be a better person to be in the position she’s in, it’s a very solid company that will survive the former CEO. Not only survive it, but surpass it.”

“The stock market reflected that. The stock is up 10%. Everybody on Friday, the Dave Meltzers of the world, ‘Oh my god, he made the announcement after the market closed because he knows the market is going to crash’ – not only is this piece of garbage trying to pretend to know what’s going on in the wrestling business and the television business, now he’s a stock market analyst, and what did the stock market do? It went up. Vince is gone, ‘Ok, I’m in!’”

Pre-Order Eric Bischoff’s second autobiography, Grateteful, now at GuyEvansBooks.com.

If you use any of the quotes above, please credit the original source with a h/t and link back to SEScoops for the transcription.

AEW Joins Forces with THQ Nordic for Fight Forever Video Game

Michael Reichlin
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0

All Elite Wrestling sent in the following press release providing lots of new information about the upcoming video game, AEW Fight Forever.

THQ Nordic Gives AEW: Fight Forever The Push Fans Have Been Waiting For!

Vienna/Austria, Jacksonville/Florida, Tokyo/Japan August 3, 2022: THQ Nordic GmbH and All Elite Wrestling, LLC (AEW) and YUKE’S Co., Ltd. today confirmed that the release of AEW: Fight Forever will be the tag-team event of the century! The two companies have joined forces to bring developer YUKES’ latest creation to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo® Switch.

“One of the first things I did after signing with AEW was to ask Tony Khan to let me help assemble the best gaming team on the planet, to make the best wrestling game ever,” said Kenny Omega, EVP of AEW and former AEW World Champion and AEW World Tag Team Champion. “Well, we just landed the perfect finisher by partnering with global publishing and distribution powerhouse THQ Nordic for AEW: Fight Forever. The THQ brand has long been synonymous with wrestling games – there is simply no more qualified partner to bring AEW: Fight Forever to the millions of wrestling fans the world over.”

YUKE’S president and CEO Yukinori Taniguchi said, “I am both gratified and excited to have the opportunity to work with AEW—who is breathing new life into the pro wrestling industry—and the THQ Brand, with whom we have created an entire era of pro wrestling games. Using the expertise we have cultivated over the years, we are taking on this project with the ultimate staff from the YUKE’S Development Team in order to recreate AEW’s appeal within a video game to the highest degree. We hope that fans will enjoy experiencing the most cutting-edge technology, and the next evolution, in pro wrestling gaming.”

“Kenny’s incredible vision for AEW: Fight Forever is informed by his wrestling pedigree both inside the ring and on the controller,” said Executive Producer Reinhard Pollice, THQ Nordic. “Combine that vision with YUKES’ unparalleled wrestling game development history is resulting in an AEW experience that draws heavily on the arcade feel that first won wrestling gamer hearts more than two decades ago.”

A touch of nostalgia is just the beginning in AEW: Fight Forever. Players can look forward to pulling off the most current wrestling moves seen on wildly popular AEW programming. This, in addition to innovative, tandem offensive moves. Online co-op wrestling is going completely next level with Tag Team matches that feature sequences of team maneuvers performed with simple commands. A long roster of the most popular AEW wrestlers, deep career mode, create-a- wrestler, signature AEW arenas, multiple match types and even some good ol’ fashioned, unsanctioned fun await!

AEW Fight Forever Screenshots:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CgxTt7bu6V-/

AEW: Fight Forever Features:

Match Types

o Single Matches
o Tag-Team
o 3-Way
o 4-Way
o Ladder Matches
o Casino Battle Royale
o Falls Count Anywhere
o Unsanctioned Lights-Out (allows use of weapons)
o Exploding Barbed Wire Death Matches

  • Career Mode
  • Wide Range of Customization Modes

o Custom Wrestlers (attire and appearance)
o Custom Move-Sets
o Custom Entrances
o Custom Teams
o Custom Arenas

• Online Multiplayer

• Leaderboards

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