AEW Backstage Names, Matt Cardona, Triller, NXT Producers, More

• Fightful Espanol has launched a FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM page!

• Juice Robinson was backstage at AEW Double or Nothing. However, we've heard he's further away from a return than originally anticipated.
  

• We've noted that Thekla was also backstage at AEW Double or Nothing. She lives in Arizona and was getting some things done before her debut.
  

• Veda Scott was also at the show, supporting Speedball Mike Bailey
  

• While Alex Hammerstone was at AEW Double Or Nothing the show, he's still a free agent.
  

• As noted earlier, the Young Bucks are injured. We aren't expecting them to miss much time.
  

• A number of AEW Dynamite matches were set throughout the day as AEW discovered what talent would be available.
  

• Chad Gable was busted open hardway on WWE Raw. He was said to be fine.
  

• The AAA Mega Championship spoiler was actually geoblocked from the Mexico airings, and not effectively spoiled.
  

• For those asking about Titus O’Neil’s WWE status, he is still affiliated with the company. He’s not planned to wrestle, though he’s told us a number of times he could under the right circumstances.
  

• Gabby Laspisa is still a free agent and was temporarily filling in on TNA TV this past weekend.
  

• Chico Adams worked as an extra on this weekend’s shows.
  

• Natalya was at Saturday Night’s Main Event as she lives in the Tampa area. 
  

NXT Backstage Notes And Producers From 5/27 

Fightful Select’s Corey Brennan has learned the following notes from NXT.

- There was talk of WWE asking fans not to swear at events over the weekend. This is something that NXT crowds at the WWE PC have been asked to do before, and those who have continued swearing have been warned with possible removal from television tapings. For what it’s worth, we haven’t heard of any incident that went past a warning.

- Mike Santana’s crowd entrance was locked in late, as it was originally only listed as a possible option.

- This week’s episode of NXT was internally titled ‘The Spoils of War’.

- Naturally, steps were taken to protect the surprise NXT Women’s Championship victory by Stephanie Vaquer, including with internal rundowns.

Producers:

- NXT North American Championship: Ricky Starks vs Ethan Page: Terry Taylor

- Mike Santana vs Tavion Heights: Steve Corino 

- Trick Williams/Mike Santana promo: Shawn Michaels and Matt Bloom

- Tatum Paxley vs Jaida Parker: Sara Amato and Chris Girard 

- Dante Chen vs Jasper Troy: Fit Finlay

- Ethan Page, Je’Von Evans, Rey Fenix and Laredo Kid Promo: Shawn Michaels and Matt Bloom

- NXT Women’s Championship: Stephanie Vaquer vs Jacy Jayne: Johnny Moss

Matt Cardona

Fightful caught up with multi-time Fightful Award Winner, Matt Cardona, at the Squared Circle Expo in Indianapolis.

Sean Ross Sapp and Cardona discussed multiple topics, including the rumors of a potential WWE return, figure collecting, and Cardona’s wife, Chelsea Green of the WWE.

Matt spoke about his evolving personas from Edgeheads, Zack Ryder, Broski, Deathmatch King, Indie God, and now just “Matt Cardona. Matt told Sean that he finds it creatively challenging to keep reinventing himself. He said that his Dream match with Adam Copeland was emotional. He discussed his experience working with AEW and Chris Jericho.

Sean asked Matt how he feels about being rumored for the Royal Rumble yearly. Matt said that he finds the rumors flattering, exhausting, and disappointing. 

Matt added that he had done all he could and that returning to WWE was out of his hands. He said he is constantly asked, but encourages fans to tag WWE if they want him back.

The discussion shockingly moved to action figures. Matt mentioned he collects the longest-reigning WWE United States Women’s Champion of all time, Chelsea Green, action figures. He said that Chelsea getting an “Ultimate” figure is a rare achievement, especially for female talent.

Cardona talked about his action figure company (collectmajor.com). Matt emphasized quality over quantity. He said they will stop a production run if standards aren't met. He said he scrapped a line that was called “Major Stars.” He said it was due to quality; he compared it to E.T. Atari landfill. He noted that he refuses to sell sub-par products as a collector.

You can follow Matt by going to his Komi page. (https://mattcardona.komi.io/)

WXW Injury update:

Fightful Select's Corey Brennan has been told that Peter Tihanyi’s recovery from a shoulder injury has been ‘tricky’ and is ‘taking things slowly’. We were told by wXw sources that Tihanyi isn’t looking to return until he is 100%. During his time away, Fightful Select has also learned that Peter has been working as a producer, and has taken to the role well while out of the ring. As of this writing, there continues to be no timetable for the former wXw champion’s return.

We have also been told that Alex Duke, a former wXw tag team champion, is set to miss the remainder of the year due to a shoulder injury of his own.

TRILLER
wXw will be avoiding airing on Triller for their upcoming show.

German promotion wXw has been at the forefront of European pro wrestling for several years now, and have been regularly airing their events on Triller along with several other European promotions. However, they will not be airing their next show on the platform.

Fightful Select’s Corey Brennan has learned that wXw will not be airing their ‘Drive Of Champions’ event on June 14th on Triller due to recent concerns surrounding Triller’s financial position. We are told that the event will still stream on wXw’s streaming service, and YouTube. An official announcement is expected later this week.

We were told that there is a sense of caution due to previous issues related to streaming for wXw. When we asked if this would be a permanent end to wXw airing on Triller, we were told by a wXw source that is unlikely, but the same source also noted that ‘since our WWE deal expired, we have valued our freedom’.

UPDATE: Triller info added