Category: AEW News & Results

After Double or Nothing debut, Paige VanZant ‘can’t wait’ for AEW solo match

Speaking after her AEW debut at Double or Nothing, Paige VanZant said she “can’t wait” for her first singles match.

After including former UFC fighter Paige VanZant in storylines involving American Top Team and signing her to a contract, AEW waited a bit before giving her an in-ring debut. That came in a six-person mixed tag match at Double or Nothing in Las Vegas on May 29, and now VanZant can’t wait to get back in the ring — this time on her own.

The Schmo talked with VanZant after Double or Nothing to get her assessment on how her first ever pro wrestling match turned out. Her team, which included TNT Champion Scorpio Sky and his Men of the Year partner, Ethan Page, emerged victorious, and she was pleased she got to show off what she’s picked up so far while contributing to the effort.

“I’m feeling great, I went out there, we got the win … I showed everybody I’m meant to be a pro wrestler, too,” VanZant said.

“I never give myself a perfect grade,” she added when asked how she’d grade her debut. “There’s always room for improvement. I’m only going to get better. I just started training pro wrestling, but you got to see how quickly I picked up pro wrestling moves, and I showed all the girls in the division they got somebody to look out for.”

That raises the obvious question of when AEW might feel VanZant is ready for a singles match. Though understandably still green, she also has a reputation as a hard worker who has the potential to pick up the necessary skills quickly. And AEW has had great success building Jade Cargill, who was similarly inexperienced when arriving in the company, into a star.

Asked about a potential singles debut, VanZant said she’d prefer it come sooner rather than later.

“I hope soon,” VanZant said. “I came out of this match unscathed, I have zero injuries because I put on a dominant performance. I can’t wait for my solo match.”

Opening Bell: WWE, AEW previews for the week of 5/30

Get ready for Raw, SmackDown, Dynamite and Rampage with WWE and AEW previews for episodes airing the week of May 30, 2022.

Welcome to the Opening Bell, where we round up what’s been announced for WWE (Raw and SmackDown) and AEW (Dynamite and Rampage) programming for the week ahead.

WWE Raw preview – Monday, May 30, Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, IA

Cody Rhodes was just trying to have a normal, competitive match with The Miz when it was unceremoniously ended thanks to an ambush by Seth “Freakin'” Rollins. He’s not going to let that go without addressing it, which he’ll do this week on Raw. When? The Cody Clock will probably let us know on Monday night.

There’s also a contract signing set to take place. Bobby Lashley lost his match with MVP a week ago, meaning his former manager got to pick the stipulation for a third bout with Omos at Hell in a Cell. MVP chose a Handicap Match, so all three men will have to sign on the dotted line this week.

Also on tap for Raw:

AEW Dynamite preview – Wednesday, June 1, Kia Forum, Los Angeles

Double or Nothing was a entertaining but lengthy affair, so it’s good that AEW has some time to catch its breath … but not too long, as the company is set for the first live wrestling event at the Kia Forum since 2015. So far, just one match has been confirmed for L.A., but it’s a big one: Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus and Christian Cage (who still hasn’t turned heel) will join forces with The Hardys in a 10-man tag team match against the Undisputed Elite (Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Bobby Fish and Young Bucks).

It would be a surprise if we didn’t hear from new AEW World Champion CM Punk, who needs his first challenger. And we may or may not hear from MJF because … well, you know.

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WWE SmackDown preview – Friday, June 3, The Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH

WWE hasn’t confirmed any matches yet for SmackDown in Columbus, but the venue has been advertising Drew McIntyre, Ronda Rousey, the New Day and The Usos. All of them make sense to appear.

On top of that, The Schottenstein Center is also saying AJ Styles will face The Miz, though that could be a dark match, for sure.

AEW Rampage preview – Friday, June 3, Toyota Arena, Ontario, CA

Last but not least (unless Rampage gets moved up again for the NHL playoffs, in which case SmackDown will air last), Rampage rolls into Ontario (not the Canadian one) to close out the week in televised Big 2 wrestling. Toyota Arena is promoting this as a homecoming for the Young Bucks, so they should be involved in some capacity.

As well, at Double or Nothing, Scorpio Sky promised Dante Martin he could have a shot at the TNT Championship, and given Rampage is on TNT, this feels like the proper place for that bout. Expect it to be officially confirmed during Dynamite.

Tony Khan on MJF reports: ‘I’m not going to comment on that’

Tony Khan was asked about the MJF situation during the post-Double or Nothing press conference but made it clear he wouldn’t discuss it.

MJF showed up for his match at AEW Double or Nothing, losing to Wardlow in a satisfying and logical end to their ongoing feud. But that seemed in doubt for a bit over the weekend, and Tony Khan shed no light on the reported drama after the pay-per-view.

Khan was asked about MJF during the post-show media scrum, but it was clear that was one topic he wasn’t willing to discuss.

“I’m not going to comment on that,” Khan said. “I’ve got a lot of stuff from the pay-per-view that I can comment on, but I’m not going to comment on that.”

MJF’s status for Double or Nothing became the subject of much intrigue on Saturday, when he failed to show up as scheduled for a meet and greet session as part of AEW’s Fan Fest. That was followed by reports that there was a plane ticket out of Las Vegas in his name, raising questions about whether his earlier absence was an elaborate work or the latest signs of his unhappiness with his AEW contract.

Once the Double or Nothing pre-show began and he was still being advertised, it was likely that at the very least, AEW expected him to perform. He did just that, though he never got on the microphone — a rarity for one of the best talkers in the business — and he briefly ran around with his arms spread when he took the ring, an apparent reference to the Saturday speculation.

There remains a chance that the whole situation is a real issue that AEW is playing close to the vest, either to use as storyline fodder down the road or simply to keep the continuing dissatisfaction of one of its brightest young stars from exploding even more. But questions will continue to be asked, and every upcoming episode of Dynamite is going to have some of them floating around in the back of viewers’ minds.

AEW Double or Nothing 2022 live results

Get the latest AEW Double or Nothing 2022 results live as they happen from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

AEW Double or Nothing is already one of the company’s biggest events of the year, but it has a little extra intrigue in 2022 as it takes over the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The headliner is a much anticipated championship bout between AEW World Champion Hangman Adam Page and CM Punk. While it began as just a never before seen matchup between two popular wrestlers, it’s taken a bit of a twist in the last few weeks before the pay-per-view, with Page insinuating that Punk is bad for AEW while the challenger insists it’s just business for him.

And then there’s the drama surrounding MJF. He’s scheduled to take on Wardlow, his former henchman and muscle, in a match that will pay off their ongoing issues with each other. However, there are now questions about whether MJF will even appear on the show, a blurring of the lines between reality and entertainment that is quintessentially pro wrestling.

If you can’t watch the show live, bookmark this page and check back throughout the night as we serve up the latest AEW Double or Nothing results live as they go down from Sin City.

No one seems to know if MJF is going to be on Double or Nothing Sunday night

MJF no-showed a meet and greet and reportedly has a flight booked out of Las Vegas, leaving his status for Double or Nothing in question.

The status of MJF, who was supposed to be in a big match that would be the culmination of his feud with Wardlow at Double or Nothing in Las Vegas Sunday night, is now apparently very much up in the air.

Perhaps even literally. Fightful Select reported Saturday evening that after MJF did not appear at a scheduled AEW meet and greet, he also had a flight booked “out of Las Vegas across the country” for later that night. The site also cited sources saying “communication between the two sides had reached an all-time low” when describing the current status of his relationship with AEW.

Whatever the circumstances around MJF’s no-show and potential departure from Las Vegas, Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer said no one with direct knowledge is talking about them.

Considering how vocal MJF has been about his unhappiness with his contract and his desire to test the free agency waters come Jan. 1, 2024, a falling out with AEW can’t be ruled out. When that’s a talking point in promos and interviews on a regular basis, it’s natural for fans and industry observers to go there first.

Leaving before a heavily publicized and highly anticipated match, albeit one that MJF is expected to lose, would be an unusual negotiating tactic, to say the least. There are parallels that can be drawn to the Sasha Banks-Naomi walkout on Raw earlier this month, but it’s harder to see MJF as the sympathetic party if he indeed just leaves town because he’s disgruntled.

That said, there are other reasons that could lead a wrestler to need to leave suddenly, including a family emergency. And, this being pro wrestling, the idea that it’s a work driven by the fans’ knowledge of MJF’s discontent can’t be ruled out either. However the situation plays out, it’s unquestionably added an extra dose of intrigue on the eve of Double or Nothing.

AEW Rampage results: Last stop before Double or Nothing

Check out full AEW Rampage results for the May 27, 2022 episode from Las Vegas, the final show before Double or Nothing.

Who’s ready for some Friday afternoon wrestling? AEW Rampage is once again coming to us at an earlier time thanks to the NBA Playoffs, making it a pre-dinner affair for fans in attendance at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.

AEW has been in Sin City for several days, as Rampage is the second of three live shows there this week. They culminate in Double or Nothing on Sunday night, but there are a few final pieces to slot into place first, and Tony Khan has suggested there may still be more matches added.

What’s in store for tonight? First and foremost, there’s an Owen Hart Foundation Tournament semifinal on the women’s side between Kris Statlander and Ruby Soho. The winner will face Dr. Britt Baker in the final on Sunday.

Bryan Danielson is also in action against Matt Sydal, and the Young Bucks will take on … someone in a tag team match ahead of their much anticipated meeting with The Hardys at Double or Nothing. And Scorpio Sky will receive his new title belt after his last one got treated pretty roughly by Sammy Guevara and Tay Conti.

This should be a fast-moving hour. If you can’t watch live, bookmark this page and we’ll update it with live AEW Rampage results as they happen.

Tony Khan trolls WWE on Twitter over Money in the Bank venue change

Tony Khan took a thinly veiled jab at WWE for its “genius move” of running Money in the Bank the same night as UFC 276 in Las Vegas.

WWE never mentions AEW on its broadcasts. For the most part, AEW refrains from doing the same, but it has made references to the promotion from time to time, and CEO, GM and Head of Creative Tony Khan clearly isn’t above some playful jabs at the industry leader.

On Friday, Khan tweeted about an especially busy day on Thursday during AEW’s full week of events in Las Vegas, including a meeting in L.A. with Warner Bros. Discovery management, and dinner with his dad, AEW co-owner Shahid Khan, and UFC president Dana White. He noted that he got to tell White in person that Money in the Bank, WWE’s upcoming premium live event in Las Vegas, was changing venues to MGM Grand Garden Arena after originally selling tickets at the much larger Allegiant Stadium.

But Khan couldn’t resist a follow-up tweet as well.

International Fight Week in Las Vegas is an important, well-established event on the UFC calendar that always includes the UFC Hall of Fame induction ceremony and a full slate of programming for fans. It culminates in a UFC pay-per-view, which this year will be UFC 276 on July 2 — which just so happens to be the same night, in the same city, as Money in the Bank.

The insinuation is pretty clear: that WWE had trouble selling enough tickets to justify holding Money in the Bank in a stadium while UFC is holding a card at T-Mobile Arena on the same night. Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer has reported that WWE knew UFC was holding its event on July 2, but obviously felt the Allegiant Stadium gamble was one worth taking.

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The silver lining for WWE is that it should have a sold out MGM Grand Garden Arena for Money in the Bank despite the competition for attention in Vegas that night. Khan’s tweet was likely just a one-off dig (that White probably enjoyed as well), and while it kept to the usual rules of engagement by not naming WWE, it’ll be interesting to see if this becomes more commonplace going forward.

All Elite Wrestling FAQ: Your guide to AEW for lapsed and new fans

Reading through our handy AEW FAQ should make lapsed or new fans immediately more conversant in all things All Elite Wrestling.

“What is All Elite Wrestling?”

“Why am I hearing so much about AEW?”

These are questions that are more relevant than ever since the company recently celebrated its third birthday. AEW has changed the landscape of pro wrestling in the U.S. since its founding in 2019, rapidly becoming the No. 2 promotion even though it spent a good chunk of its formative years dealing with restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s been a long time — decades, in fact — since any promotion not named WWE could claim to have AEW’s national TV footprint, its attendance at live events and its share of wrestling fandom’s attention. While it’s not close in most areas to challenging the reigning incumbent in terms of size and mainstream recognition, it does provide an honest to goodness alternative with the potential to attract both lapsed fans and curious newcomers.

If you fall into either one of those groups, welcome! We’re here to provide an overview of AEW so you can better tell if it sounds like it’s for you. Reading through our handy FAQ should make you immediately more conversant in all things All Elite Wrestling, and catch you up just a bit on what’s gone down in its first three years.

Tony Khan would love to have ROH TV series ‘very soon’

Tony Khan answered questions about a Ring of Honor TV series during a recent conference call, saying he hoped ROH would be back on TV soon.

Good news for wrestling fans who would like to see Ring of Honor on TV: Tony Khan hears you, and he does too.

That works out nicely since Khan is the owner of ROH, having acquired the promotion earlier this month. So far, it’s held just a single show under his leadership, Supercard of Honor XV, but has also had some crossover with Khan’s other wrestling company, AEW. Samoa Joe is currently the ROH World Television Champion, FTR holds the ROH World Tag Team Championship, and the ROH Women’s World Championship was recently decided on an episode of AEW Dynamite.

Still, one of the questions from the media during Khan’s pre-Double or Nothing conference call on May 26 was whether there was a timeline for TV or live events for this latest iteration of ROH. And while he didn’t commit to a date, Khan did say he has been talking to AEW’s broadcast partners, Warner Bros. Discovery, about plans that could include regular shows for ROH as well.

“I would love to get Ring of Honor weekly TV series, or streaming series, wherever it ends up, going very soon, and it’s something that I am working on and I think would be awesome for the fans,” Khan said. “And I’m hopeful that we’ll have Ring of Honor TV and also continue the great calendar of Ring of Honor pay-per-view events.”

ROH had a TV presence under its last owners, Sinclair Broadcast Group, but it didn’t have the same reach AEW enjoys under its deal with TNT and TBS. Similarly, the company started up its own HonorClub streaming service, but an agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery would open the door to services with much larger audiences, including, in an ideal world, an expanded HBO Max.

One thing fans shouldn’t expect is for ROH to be completely absorbed into AEW, as Khan confirmed in another part of the conference call that the two promotions would continue to be run separately, though with continued crossovers where it makes sense. He also answered a question about why the purchase was made through a separate acquisition company, noting that “at the time, I thought it would make sense to just jump on it,” as opposed to any contractual obstacles playing a part.

Most of all, what came through during all ROH discussion on the call was Khan’s belief that it can follow up its recent 20-year anniversary by continuing to be a strong, vibrant brand of pro wrestling in its own right. If he has his way, that will include a return to TV sooner rather than later.

“I think the company is in the strongest position it’s been in a long time, or frankly ever, with our love and support and the fact that I really care about Ring of Honor,” Khan said. “So everything we’re doing to grow and nurture that business going forward, but also with my financial resources behind it — and combining that with what I believe is some acumen for this business — I think Ring of Honor will be in its best position possible.”

AEW Dynamite results: Rounding out the Double or Nothing card in Las Vegas

Check out full AEW Dynamite results for the May 25, 2022 episode from Las Vegas in the home stretch to Double or Nothing.

We’re almost ready for Double or Nothing, but there’s some unfinished business to attend to first. It begins on AEW Dynamite, coming to us live from the Michelob Ultra Arena (meaning it has less calories, we presume) in Las Vegas.

For starters, the Owen Hart Foundation tournament finals need to be … well, finalized in both the men’s and women’s brackets. Dynamite will help settle things, with semifinal bouts pitting Toni Storm against Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D., and Samoa Joe vs. Kyle O’Reilly.

There’s also the not so small matter about whether Wardlow will get the match he wants against MJF on Sunday. To do so, he’ll have to get past Shawn Spears in a steel cage. We aren’t betting against it, but it’s an equally safe bet that MJF will do everything in his power to try to prevent it.

Plus we’ll hear from AEW Women’s World Champion Thunder Rosa, and Hangman Adam Page will have a face-to-face segment with CM Punk before they tangle for the AEW World Championship a few nights from now. That sounds like a loaded show to us.

If you can’t tune in tonight, bookmark this page as we update it with the latest AEW Dynamite results from Las Vegas.