Tag: AEW

CM Punk details backstage incident with Jack Perry at AEW All In

CM Punk revealed details of his backstage altercation with Jack Perry at AEW All In.

In what became his final act with the company, AEW fired CM Punk following a backstage incident with Jack Perry at All In. It triggered an eventual return to WWE for the 45-year-old, while AEW suspended Perry, who eventually went to New Japan Pro-Wrestling and has not appeared on AEW programming since (though he’s widely believed to still be under contract to AEW).

The altercation faded from the spotlight upon Punk’s return to WWE, but he revived the discourse on Monday with juicy details regarding that and the controversies that have defined his career.

Speaking with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Punk was asked about the incident with Perry at All In, and he did not hold back on details.

Jack came back from his match. I was the next match. I’m sitting there. I got people with me. I’m not going to say who they are because I got a lot of friends who work there. I wish them all well, and I don’t want them to be punished because they’re friends with me. I walk up to him and I’m just like, Jack, why do you insist on doing this dumb internet s–t on TV, you know? He’s just like, ‘If you got a problem about it, do something about it.’ I was just like, ‘Come on, man. I could f–king kill you. What are we doing?’

Punk also revealed that he told Tony Khan “I quit” after the incident, before his match with Samoa Joe happened.

Sometimes, it’s like, can’t let you get close. You know? I thought I was doing the responsible thing. I didn’t punch anybody. I just choked somebody a little bit. Samoa Joe was there, told me to stop, and then I quit. I turned to Tony, and I said, ‘This place is a f–king joke, man. You’re a clown, I quit.’ I went to my room, and then Joe and Jerry Lynn came and got me, and they’re like, ‘Let’s just go out there and kill it.’ I was just too fired up, and I’m fired up now, and I’m probably gonna regret talking about all this s–t, but that’s what happened.

This suggests that Punk knowingly competed at All In, fully aware that it would be his final match, yet was still allowed to step into the ring and wrestle.

This detail adds another layer to Punk’s tumultuous tenure, and given everything he disclosed to Helwani, there’s still plenty to unpack.

[lawrence-related id=47464]

Mark Briscoe doesn’t think ROH World Championship ‘gets the credit it deserves’

Mark Briscoe says he almost quit after losing brother Jay, but resumed wrestling for AEW and ROH and is glad he did.

When Mark Briscoe tragically lost his brother Jay in a car accident early last year, his first thought was a simple one: “I’m never wrestling again.” But after a little time to reconsider and feeling it was what Jay would want him to do, Mark resumed wrestling as a singles competitor in AEW and Ring of Honor.

Now, Mark stands only a few days away from potentially becoming ROH World Champion if he can defeat Eddie Kingston, a longtime friend, at ROH Supercard of Honor April 5 in Philadelphia. It’s a title Jay held twice, in-between runs with Mark as one of the greatest tag teams of this century.

The Briscoes are as synonymous with Ring of Honor as any of the wrestlers who came through the company, both in its original incarnation and as a subsidiary of AEW, so it’s not hard to understand why holding its top prize would mean a lot to Mark. Yet as he told Under the Ring host Phil Strum, it’s a championship that still may not get its proper due.

“It’s mean a lot, man, it’d be cool,” Mark Briscoe said about the prospect of becoming ROH World Champion. “Ring of Honor, from 2002, and the stages and the ages and eras of Ring of Honor, it’s amazing.

“I don’t think the Ring of Honor world title gets the credit it deserves for its significance in the history of professional wrestling.”

It’s not hard to see where he’s coming from. Along with Kingston, the ROH World Championship has been held by an incredible array of talent that includes CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins (when he was known as Tyler Black), Bryan Danielson, Kevin Owens (as Kevin Steen), Samoa Joe and Adam Cole.

That’s a virtual who’s who of top stars across several different companies. While Mark has never been able to count himself among them during two-plus decades in the pro wrestling business — many of them in ROH — he might be able to come Friday night.

“Obviously, it’d be a total honor and it’d be really cool, especially after being here from day one,” Mark Briscoe said. “Singles gold has eluded me to this point, but you know, I’m feeling real good about this. I’m training hard, I got my mind right. You know, I’ve been watching tapes, I’ve been studying Eddie, I know Eddie. And I know he’s gonna try and bring it, but I got something for him.”

You can hear the entire interview between Strum and Mark Briscoe above, or check out the latest episode of Under the Ring on YouTube.

ROH Supercard of Honor is set to take place Friday, April 5 at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, and will be streamed live on HonorClub.

Black women in pro wrestling are having a moment. Will the industry capitalize?

Black women are major forces in pop culture writ large, but will WWE and AEW recognize and take advantage?

Never in all my years of living did I ever expect to see the 1997 comedy classic “B.A.P.S.” referenced on WWE television, but that is what happened on the March 29 edition of SmackDown.

For the uninitiated, “B.A.P.S.” is a criminally underrated film starring Halle Berry, where she gives — and I don’t mean this ironically — one of the best performances of her career. Berry’s physical comedy was amazing, and her chemistry with late co-star Natalie Desselle-Reid was off the charts.

Both were on display during a scene where Berry’s character, Nisi, shows off her … unique dancing ability. Nisi’s friend, Mickey (played by Desselle-Reid) provides her friend with unwavering support by shouting “boo-yow!” before slowly turning around to show that the word she just shouted is in fact also on the back of her elaborate hairdo.

Looks familiar? Because it’s exactly what Naomi did during her backstage segment with Bianca Belair on Smackdown, except the back of Naomi’s hair said “EST.” 

The moment nearly caused Belair to burst into laughter on live television. I personally stood up and hollered in my living room.

I stood up and hollered again when Jade Cargill sauntered to the ring later on that evening and aligned herself with Naomi and Belair. 

For some, this may have merely felt like a means to further another story heading into WrestleMania, but the significance of that visual is not lost on me. For me, it was powerful.

I’m not breaking any news when I say that professional wrestling has not always been kind to Black people. The industry’s depiction of Black people has ranged anywhere from mildly concerning to downright racist at times.

This is the same industry that turned a truck driver by the name of “Sugar Bear” James Harris into a Ugandan savage named Kamala. The legendary Tony Atlas was once forced to become Saba Simba in order to escape the perils of being unhoused. Remember when Kofi Kingston, born in Ghana, was Jamaican, accent and all?

We can’t forget about Cryme Tyme, which basically reduced two Black people (the late, great Shad Gaspard and Jayson “JTG” Paul) to criminals. And yes, I’m still angry that Gaspard and Paul never won the tag team titles in WWE.

We’re not far removed from all of this. You can watch it all on Peacock right now. No, it’s not black and white, either. Some of it is actually in high definition. 

Friday’s show of strength between Belair, Cargill, and Naomi did not suddenly erase all of professional wrestling’s ugly history when it comes to its depiction of Black people. It is, however, a snapshot of the potential impact Black people — Black women especially — could have on the wrestling industry.

Elsewhere in wrestling, AEW promoted an entire event around a Black woman (Mercedes Moné) debuting with the promotion. The result was one of AEW’s largest crowds of the year so far. And let’s not overlook the work of Willow Nightingale, Athena, Queen Aminata and others. In NXT, you have Lash Legend, who looks to be on the precipice of becoming the industry’s next big star.

Let’s be clear: Black women drive mainstream culture. You may not realize it, but they do. From catchy phrases to beauty standards, Black women shape our everyday culture in a multitude of ways.

You think Kim Kardashian invented box braids? Hell no. That started with Black women. You think wearing long, stylish fingernails is a recent trend? Nope. Started with Black women.

If a wrestling promotion is looking to remain on the cutting edge of what is cool and hip, it would behoove it to feature Black women, as they are the straw that stirs the culture.

And if wrestling is going to reach a new level of mainstream notoriety, it will be done so with Black women at the forefront.

Recent events have provided some great momentum, but will the industry capitalize? If wrestling’s past is any indication, that answer is still very much in the air.

[lawrence-related id=47353]

AEW Collision results 03/30/24: Adam Copeland is Alwayz Ready for 1st title defense

Several Dynasty matches also came into focus during AEW Collision in Ontario.

What do you do when your bigger competition is about to have its biggest event of the year? Just keep keeping on and put on the best shows you can, which is what AEW Collision will hopefully be tonight in Ontario.

AEW has found some hot crowds during its current Canadian swing, and this should be no exception since Adam Copeland is making the first defense of his TNT Championship. We won’t know who the challenger is until their music hits, which is always fun.

Other big business (no pun intended) for Collision includes a pair of tag team title tournament matches that will help advance two duos toward a title match at Dynasty. We’ve got FTR and Big Bill/Ricky Starks to move on, but we shall see.

Here’s how it all went down.

AEW Collision results from London, Ontario:

  • Adam Copeland kicks off the show by saying how grateful he is to be in Ontario and how the stakes are raised for the Cope Open since he’ll be defending his TNT Championship in these matches now; Copeland makes the call for someone to come out and accept the challenge, and it’s answered by Matt Cardona

  • Adam Copeland def. Matt Cardona by pinfall to retain the AEW TNT Championship
  • After the match, the lights go out and come back on to reveal Malakai Black standing in the ring, bringing on a “holy s–t” chant from the crowd; Buddy Matthews attacks Copeland from behind, and Mark Briscoe fares poorly while trying to help him, but the appearance of Eddie Kingston to reinforce the faces gets the House of Black to pull a disappearing act
  • Lexy Nair asks FTR about their strategy against The Infantry, to which Cash Wheeler says it’s to not look past their opponents since they’ve been on a losing streak, and Dax Harwood says they need to make sure The Infantry’s Cinderella story ends tonight

  • Daddy Ass cuts a promo on Jay White ahead of their meeting on the next episode of Dynamite, and The Acclaimed have some choice words for all of Bullet Club Gold as well

  • FTR def. The Infantry by pinfall in an AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament Quarterfinal
  • Nair talks to Big Bill and Ricky Starks, who are confident about defeating Top Flight despite not having a match in quite some time

  • Copeland says he knows the TNT title makes him a marked man, but he isn’t crazy about the House of Black jumping in his business, and challenges the House to a six-man match at Dynasty against him, Briscoe and Kingston, both of whom add their own two cents

  • Kyle O’Reilly def. JD Drake by submission, and is immediately hoisted onto the shoulders of the Undisputed Kingdom, who clearly want him to join up
  • Top Flight def. Big Bill and Ricky Starks by pinfall in an AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament Quarterfinal; also appears that Starks may have suffered an injury toward the end of the match
  • Christopher Daniels makes his own House of Black challenge, the cool thing to do tonight, apparently
  • Thunder Rosa def. Lady Frost by pinfall
  • Renee Paquette speaks to Toni Storm, who asks Mariah May if she’s been plotting to get a title shot all these months and ends up kissing her, saying she sees a lot of Mariah in her

  • Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli and Katsuyori Shibata def. Lance Archer and The Righteous by pinfall as Shibata pins Vincent

AEW Rampage results 03/29/24: Matt Menard seeks his first title match

A look at the results from the March 29 episode of AEW Rampage.

The latest stop on AEW’s Canada tour takes Tony Khan’s crew to Quebec City for Rampage. With shows on the schedule already featuring a heavy north-of-the-border flavor, the March 29 episode will prove no different, with local favorite “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard in action. The part-time AEW commentator faces Roderick Strong in an AEW International Championship match to earn his first-ever AEW title bout.

While this isn’t AEW’s strongest Rampage card, it still has veterans such as Dustin Rhodes and The Butcher competing. Rising star Mariah May receives another opportunity to showcase her in-ring prowess, as well.

Let’s see what this hour of action has in store.

AEW Rampage results from Quebec City:

  • Dustin Rhodes def. The Butcher by pinfall
  • Jay White and Austin and Colten Gunn show up at Daddy Ass’ house for dinner, and while they search for him and The Acclaimed, they destroy the house; White says if The Acclaimed want the version of Jay White who dominated the pro wrestling world, it’s who they will receive; Daddy Ass arrives while his sons and White are there, however, chasing them away
  • Deonna Purrazzo def. Rose by submission; it was easily Purrazzo’s most aggressive performance since joining AEW
  • A video package teases Bryan Danielson vs. Will Ospreay at AEW Dynasty
  • Toni Storm joins Mariah May in the ring and says she can’t compete due to a hamstring injury, so May will take her place against Nikita
  • Mariah May def. Nikita by pinfall
  • Zak Knight says in an interview backstage that he’s in Angelo Parker’s head; Parker attacks Knight by surprise and makes Saraya’s brother flee; Ruby Soho kisses Parker but walks away after accusing him of going back on his word looking for a fight
  • A promo package from The Righteous teases their match with Lance Archer against Katsuyori Shibata and the BCC for the Saturday, Mar. 30 episode of Collision
  • Roderick Strong def. “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard by pinfall in an AEW International Championship Elimination match; Orange Cassidy and Trent Beretta save Menard from a post-match attack at the hands of Matt Taven and Mike Bennett; The Young Bucks intervene at the end of the brawl, hitting low blows and EVP Triggers on Cassidy and Beretta to close the show

Kenny Omega injury update: Surgery ‘looking more likely’

AEW has teased an angle between Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada, but Omega’s health is the priority at the moment.

Kenny Omega has yet to wrestle in 2024, and the wait for his return to the ring might be extended a bit longer.

The AEW star and EVP has been sidelined since last December, when it was revealed he had been diagnosed with diverticulitis — an infection of sections of the digestive system including the large intestine and colon. Some cases of diverticulitis can heal with rest, dietary changes and antibiotics, which would have been the best case scenario for Omega.

Unfortunately, it appears that might not be in the cards. In his latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter (subscription required), Dave Meltzer says “it looks more likely than not” that Omega will require surgery to recover from the condition.

While no decision has been made, it looks more likely than not that Kenny Omega will be getting surgery on his intestines. He’s had his ups and downs but has largely been dealing with a good amount of pain for months now. He said surgery is becoming more and more likely as two different doctors have told him they think it’s the best option. It’s not 100 percent that he will have surgery but it’s looking more likely, particularly if he wants to get into condition to resume his career that he will probably have to get rid of the perforated sections of his intestine and colon.

Meltzer notes that AEW has set up a big storyline for whenever Omega can get back at it, as the Young Bucks booted him from The Elite and replaced him with Kazuchika Okada. Omega and Okada had several legendary matches during their time together in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and Omega would want and need to be in top physical condition to resume their rivalry.

While it’s a bummer that AEW fans will likely have to wait even longer to see Omega get back to what he does best, the silver lining is that the arrival of Okada and others means the talent cupboard has remained well stocked even while Omega, MJF and a few others are out of action. Omega tends to be pretty open about his health, so it’s likely we’ll hear updates on a possible surgery and his recovery directly from him over the spring and summer.

[lawrence-related id=47247]

AEW Dynamite results 03/27/24: Swerve stomps his way to No. 1 contender status

Also on AEW Dynamite, Willow Nightingale earned a TBS Championship shot at Dynasty.

Though he’s not the only big name recent addition to the roster, it’s hard not to get swept up in the pure enthusiasm that Will Ospreay has brought with him to AEW. In the ring? Of course, that’s a given, and we should see it again tonight in Quebec City when he takes on Konosuke Takeshita.

It’s more than that, though. Ospreay was rarely a straightforward babyface during his time in New Japan, but he’s embraced that role wholeheartedly since he made the jump. He speaks about AEW as an ideal in a way that we have rarely heard (though stalwarts like Jon Moxley and Britt Baker have expressed similar feelings through the years), and in a manner that makes you want to buy whatever he’s selling.

And that’s great. Having two strong national wrestling promotions in the U.S. is a boon for the talent and for fans. Yet it’s even better when someone like Ospreay is where he truly wants to be, not just because one company paid him more or the like.

It’s no doubt easier for Ospreay to feel this pumped since he already has a juicy match set for AEW Dynasty next month. In fact, Ospreay vs. Bryan Danielson is the only match finalized for that event so far, which makes one wonder if we might see more movement on that end tonight on Dynamite.

Certainly, the four-way women’s match slated for tonight will do that, as the winner gets a TBS Championship shot. Two tag team matches are part of a tournament for the vacant titles at Dynasty as well, though the winners won’t be able to say “meet me in St. Louis” just yet since these are only the quarterfinals.

Anyway, we’re ready to recap all the action, so let’s light the fuse (RIP original Dynamite theme).

AEW Dynamite results from Quebec City:

(please scroll down for more details on any match or segment in bold)

  • Will Ospreay def. Katsuyori Shibata by pinfall
  • A hype video is shown for Bryan Danielson, narrated by Excalibur

  • Matthew and Nicholas Jackson don’t like Renee Paquette’s “ambush journalism,” but they talk about their biggest goal, which is getting their AEW Tag Team Championship belts back

  • Kazuchika Okada pulls up in an expensive sports car, as one does if one is the Rainmaker
  • Young Bucks def. Private Party by pinfall in an AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament Quarterfinal; the finish was a little strange and both teams attempted to cheat to win
  • Don Callis appears to talk up Konosuke Takeshita, who is facing Swerve Strickland in tonight’s main event
  • Mercedes Moné rolls up, ready to do guest commentary
  • Darby Allin and Tony Hawk talk about the charity he was going to climb Mount Everest to support, The Skatepark Project
  • Paquette gets Chris Jericho and Hook together, and it sounds like Jericho is offering to mentor or manage him, though Hook is understandably a little wary
  • Willow Nightingale def. Anna Jay, Kris Statlander and Skye Blue in a 4-Way match for a TBS Championship shot; Julia Hart attacks Willow from behind after the bell but backs off when Mercedes gets up from the announce table
  • Dustin Rhodes says nothing’s different even at age 55, and he’s as passionate as ever; The Butcher shows up and challenges him to a Bunkhouse Brawl on Rampage

  • Ben Mankiewicz appears with “Timeless” Toni Storm and ends up completely befuddled by her catchphrases

  • Best Friends def. Undisputed Kingdom by pinfall in an AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament Quarterfinal, as Chuck Taylor was able to neutralize Roderick Strong’s attempt to interfere; the Bucks make a brief appearance afterward to stare down Best Friends
  • Kyle O’Reilly talks to Paquette about getting a win under his belt to kick off his comeback, and he says he’s going to go it alone again on Collision to keep proving he doesn’t need Undisputed Kingdom backing him
  • An Adam Copeland video goes back through his TNT Championship victory, which he will defend for the first time Saturday on Collision
  • Swerve Strickland def. Konosuke Takeshita by pinfall in a No. 1 Contenders Match
  • Samoa Joe appears briefly with Paquette to menacingly say Swerve is not the man he thinks he is, and he’ll prove it next week

Will Ospreay gets a fun victory over Katsuyori Shibata

Courtesy of NJPW, we see footage from these two gents wrestling each other seven years ago. Ospreay looks like he’s a teenager, and Shibata was victorious on that night.

The question about this matchup was whether Ospreay would wrestle something more akin to Shibata’s style and pace, and he does … for a bit. He eventually takes to the air, however, and takes the bigger of the bumps when Shibata nails him with a big boot from the apron to the floor.

Oh, and he gets suplexed and kicked on the floor too.

Shibata gets to show off his striking game as well, plus they trade submissions. Yes, Ospreay can do those as well as the fancier stuff.

Ospreay has to fight out of several submission holds, and he eventually hits an Oscutter. Both men escape some close calls before Ospreay hits the Hidden Blade, but it’s still not enough to end it.

You know what is? A Tiger Driver followed by a second Hidden Blade. Good stuff.

Willow Nightingale earns a TBS Championship opportunity

Mercedes Moné is on guest commentary for this, and there’s plenty of intrigue involved. Skye would be going up against her own friend, Julia Hart, if she wins, and Willow and Stat are tag team partners most of the time.

There’s an awesome sequence after the commercial break with a Code Blue by Skye, people getting dropped onto each other, and more. Willow and Stat finally end up facing each other, but Skye barges in and they join forces against her (though also get knocked together).

Willow DVDs Skye on the apron, leading to amazing reactions from both Mercedes and Stokely. Eventually, Nightingale ends up isolated with Anna Jay, hitting a pumphandle sitout powerbomb that wins it.

Right after the bell, Julia Hart attacks Nightingale from behind, which gets Mercedes up from her seat … but only for a staredown.

Swerve Strickland stomps his way past Konosuke Takeshita to become No. 1 contender to Samoa Joe

Strickland offers a handshake, which Takeshita accepts but turns into the beginning of the grappling. Swerve has the upper hand early on, controlling the action and the pace.

Does he hit the Griddy? Yes, yes he does.

Takeshita fires himself up by hitting a sheer drop brainbuster, which actually is a good motivator. Or I’d imagine, I’ve never hit one.

It’s also fair to wonder if there’s an overrun tonight as we head toward six minutes left in the show. Strickland hits his somersault to the apron into a hurricanrana, which is wild.

Swerve is selling the heck out of his neck/shoulder region. Takeshita finds him with a tope con hilo on the floor, also outstanding.

Strickland fires back with a nasty DDT out of the corner and a corkscrew senton, earning both a near fall and a “this is awesome” chant from the Quebec City crowd.

Takeshita pulls off a nasty poison rana and a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. We’re going past 10 p.m. and into “what will it take to win this” territory.

Maybe a Swerve Stomp on the apron? That sets off a series of counters and reversals, plus a nasty knee strike that gets Takeshita a two count.

Another Swerve Stomp after a House Call? No, but a standing Swerve Stomp and a JML Driver finally do it. Hot damn.

AEW Double or Nothing returning to Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena May 26

AEW Double or Nothing 2024 will take place Memorial Day weekend in the same building it was first held in 2019.

AEW Double or Nothing is going back to where it all started this Memorial Day weekend.

Not only is the annual spring AEW pay-per-view returning to Las Vegas, where it has been held every year except for the pandemic-affected shows in 2020 and 2021, but it’s headed to the same building where the very first edition of the event took place. AEW announced today that Double or Nothing will originate from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 26.

The first Double or Nothing was in the same venue on May 25, 2019, and was the company’s first ever pay-per-view. The last two years, the show has been held at T-Mobile Arena, which holds several thousand more fans and is essentially right across the street (though in Vegas terms, that’s still a hike).

AEW fans in Las Vegas can also make a full weekend of it, since AEW Collision will also be live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday, May 25. The company will then complete a full west coast swing with AEW Dynamite from the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 29, followed by a special Thursday taping of Collision at Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs on May 30.

Tickets for Double or Nothing, the Vegas Collision and Dynamite in L.A. go on sale this Saturday, March 30 at AEWtix.com, as well as AXS.com and Ticketmaster. AEW says on-sale information for the Palm Springs Dynamite “will be announced soon.”

[lawrence-related id=47209]

AEW Dynamite preview, card 03/27/24: Ospreay battles Shibata in Quebec City

A big four-way women’s match with Mercedes Moné on commentary will also be a highlight of AEW Dynamite from Quebec City.

Is the phrase “dream match” thrown around too loosely in the current pro wrestling scene? Perhaps. But it’s a lot shorter than saying “pretty freaking cool matches we never thought we’d see,” and one of those is again on tap for AEW Dynamite tonight from Quebec City.

Can Will Ospreay soar again to defeat Katsuyori Shibata?

So far, Will Ospreay has looked like he’s worth every penny of what AEW paid to sign him, not only bringing his undeniable in-ring talent to bear but also turning in some passionate promos. He’s the goods.

In Katsuyori Shibata, he’s got an interesting opponent for tonight. A number of people are watching to see if Ospreay can perhaps throttle back just a tad and still be compelling, or if Shibata will take bumps we perhaps haven’t seen from him given his injury history. It’s going to be fascinating but will almost certainly be great.

Can Swerve Strickland pass a stiff test in Konosuke Takeshita?

The other big singles match advertised for tonight’s card is a meeting between two wrestlers seemingly headed in opposite directions at the moment. Swerve Strickland is still very much a world title threat, laser focused on getting back to a place where he can take on Samoa Joe one on one.

Konosuke Takeshita remains as awesome as ever between the ropes, but he recently took an ‘L’ to Ospreay and seems likely to do so again in Quebec City. Could his devotion to the Don Callis Family start faltering soon? It might be nice to see him as a face again.

Mercedes Moné might be in the middle of something

Even though the self-appointed CEO of AEW doesn’t have a feud to call her own just yet, Mercedes Moné is definitely sniffing around the edges of one thanks to her history with Willow Nightingale. That figures to come into play tonight as Mercedes will be on commentary when Nightingale and Kris Statlander are part of a four-way match that also includes Skye Blue and Anna Jay.

The stakes are real, too, as the winner gets a TBS Championship shot at Dynasty. Keep an eye on Moné to see what part she might play.

AEW Dynamite card for Quebec City:

  • Will Ospreay vs. Katsuyori Shibata
  • Konosuke Takeshita vs. Swerve Strickland
  • Young Bucks vs. Private Party – AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament Quarterfinal
  • Kris Statlander vs. Skye Blue vs. Anna Jay vs. Willow Nightingale – 4-Way match for a TBS Championship shot at AEW Dynasty, with Mercedes Moné on commentary
  • Best Friends vs. Undisputed Kingdom – AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament Quarterfinal

The action kicks off as usual at 8 p.m. ET, and we’ll have full AEW Dynamite results and updates live here at Wrestling Junkie all evening long.

AEW officially announces Kosha Irby as COO

Irby held high level marketing positions at Clemson and PBR before joining AEW.

AEW made an addition to its executive team official today.

A press release from the company confirmed that Kosha Irby has joined AEW as its Chief Operating Officer (COO). His duties will include strategic planning of “Live Events, Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, Licensing, Consumer Products and other major lines of business for the company,” according to the release.

Fightful Select (subscription required) first reported in early January that Irby would be on his way into AEW and would possibly be named COO. Kirby’s LinkedIn page suggests he has been in the role since last month, and it’s not unusual for companies to wait a little bit before making C-suite hires official.

Kirby most recently served as Chief Marketing Officer for the Clemson University athletic department. He also held the same position for Professional Bull Riders (PBR) and was president of the Memphis Express in the now defunct Alliance of American Football.

“Kosha brings decades of experience within the sports, entertainment and wrestling industries alongside an incredible work ethic and passion for our brand,” AEW CEO, GM and head of creative Tony Khan said in the release. “As Chief Operating Officer, he will be a phenomenal asset to AEW as we enter the next phase of the company’s ongoing business development and expansion.”

Having another keen marketing mind on board can only help AEW, which is facing a unique challenge as it turns five years old this year. While sentiment around its product is once again high, drawing fans to shows on a consistent basis has proven difficult, and a reinvigorated WWE is eating up most of the mainstream headspace for pro wrestling.

[lawrence-related id=47161]