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Details behind Kota Ibushi's AEW return match

Kota Ibushi is back in AEW.

Ibushi returned on this past week's Collision after over a year and a half away from AEW. During that time, he's dealt with a number of injuries, and sparingly wrestled.

On Tuesday, it was revealed that Ibushi was taking on Trent Beretta on this week's episode of AEW Dynamite. The two have never had a one on one match, but wrestled in tag team matches a number of times years ago. When we spoke with AEW sources about the match, they indicated that Berett...

Alex & Kate's SOUR GRAPS: Raw 6/23 | Myth Busters

We're all hoping this cease-fire holds, but WWE was ready to do a show next door to a war zone this Saturday, and tonight is the go-home for that show.

Jade Cargill beat Roxanne Perez to reach the Queen of the Ring Finals, and she's probably going to beat Asuka to win the whole thing, and that, my friends, is not ideal.

Gunther swore to kill the myth of Goldberg, but Goldberg promised to get revenge for some mean things Gunther said, so he's probably going to win the title, and th...

Fightful Weekender (6/23): GCW, TWE, WWE EVOLVE, DPW, AIW, ROH SPOILERS

STEPHEN JENSEN is back with a new edition of the WEEKENDER!

- GCW: "Bangin' In Little Rock" + "Take A Picture" results

- TWE: "The Iron Prince" results

- WWE Evolve (6/18) results

- DPW: "Victory Lap" results

- AIW: "Kash Rules Everything Around Me" results

- ROH HonorClub SPOILERS (53 min-end)

Why one AEW All In program has slowed down

A major program was planned for AEW All In, but has somewhat stalled out.

Months ago, Fightful Select had learned that there were “major creative plans” in order for FTR after their heel turn on Cope. Shortly after that, we were told that creative plans were in place to eventually reunite Cope and former partner Christian on screen, presumably for a program at AEW All In.

Those that we’ve spoken to claim that Cope’s on screen absence actually wasn’t supposed to take this...

FREE POST: Latest on WWE Saudi Arabia trip

We have an update on what talent have heard...or not heard about WWE Night of Champions and Smackdown this weekend in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. There were reports Monday that "US Jets scrambling over Saudi Arabia" leading to natural concern for the event.

As of 2:30 PM Eastern, talent that were slated to go to Saudi Arabia had not been updated on any changes. They're planned to head over mid-week via a charter plane that would have them there for Smackdown unless a change is made. As high...

Answers: All In returns, Omos, AEW signing WWE releases

Welcome to Select Answers, a short feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.

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Sean, who’s your wildcard to return at all in?

Sting. There's a number of reasons. I think that AEW needs a fan service type of show to leave an audience feeling great that weekend against three WWE shows. Also, an A...

SRS Fightful Report (6/23): Q&A, Stone Cold, NOC, Danielson future, All In, tons more!

• WWE Saudi Arabia

• Stone Cold Steve Austin

• MJF

• TNA Pittsburgh

• AEW All In plans

• Britt Baker

• Jordynne Grace theme change

• Bryan Danielson future

• Jamie Hayter

• American Gladiators

• Kali Armstrong

• Damian Priest

• Elijah injury

• Gail Kim at NXT

• AEW Grand Slam

• Joe Hendry

  2025-06-23 13:00:16 +0000 UTC View Post

AEW's original Motor City Machine Gun plans for All In 2024

Motor City Machine Guns signed with WWE in 2024, and quickly became Tag Team Champions. However, them going to AEW wasn't out of the question.

Recently a fan noted that they wished Motor City Machine Guns would have went to AEW. We did confirm last year that Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley had discussions with AEW, but didn't know exactly what the plan would have been. In recent weeks as All In ha...

The latest on WWE-Night of Champions | FREE POST

WWE Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia has a lot of question marks after the United States bombed Iran.

Iran vowed what it calls "everlasting consequences" to the US airstrikes on three of its nuclear sites. This has naturally caused concern among wrestling fans considering the contentious nature the situation, and previous trips to Saudi Arabia not going as smoothly as everyone would have hoped.

Fightful reached out to WWE reps in an official capacity, and haven't heard back. How...

Answers: GCW, CopeXChristian, Billington

Welcome to Select Answers, a short feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.

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Hey Sean! You write not too long ago about how the plan at that was was to run Cope and Christian vs FTR at All In. From what you have heard, is that still the plan?

It's still a plan but I haven't heard that i...

Answers: All In, Music, Free Agents

Welcome to Select Answers, a short feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.

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Sean, I see there are some Indy shows during All In is All In becoming for the indies what Wrestlemania is for them?

I don't think that All In is anywhere near that level. Being in Texas helps, and the fact that there's...

Stone Cold Steve Austin's wrestling future?

We may not have seen the last of Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Stone Cold Steve Austin effectively retired from pro wrestling in 2003, and didn’t have another match for 19 years. Austin came out of retirement to face Kevin Owens in the main event of WrestleMania in 2022. Since then, Austin hasn’t necessarily closed the door on a return to the ring, but hasn’t been eager to jump in the ring, either. Fightful Select reported that he was actually approached about wrestling Roman Reigns fo...

Answers: Women's C2, ROH TV, TNA x WWE

Welcome to Select Answers, a short feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.

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Hi Sean! There are so many female talents in AEW right now...do you think they'll do women's continental classic like they do the men's? Thanks for the amazing reporting at Fightful!

I do think they will eventually. I d...

SRS Q&A questions

Hey guys! Ask away. One per subscriber please!!

Alex's SOUR GRAPS: SmackDown Review & WatchAlong 6/20 | Killngs In The Name Of

SmackDown was on television tonight.

Sami lost. Asuka won.

Ron Killings wants to unalive John Cena.
Let's see how that goes.

Everything sucks. Let's talk about it.

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGsG4-HNO-c

A ton of talent listed internally for this weekend's TNA show.

TNA has a couple of shows set for Pittsburgh, and we've learned of a lot of talent listed internally as being backstage.

Saqon Shugars, coach Alexander James, Trick Williams, Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne and a number of NIL talent from WWE were expected to be backstage at this weekend’s TNA tapings, or are at least listed for such.

In addition, a number of indie talent including LJ Cleary, Facade, Mila Moore, Pepper Pryde, Ashley Vox and Jada Stone were internally listed.

I...

Update on Mercedes/Athena/Toni Storm/Mariah May rumors

Athena vs. Mercedes Mone was not the plan for AEW All In.

There was recently a report regarding plans for AEW All In that suggested that Mercedes Mone vs. Athena was in the cards for All In, and that Mariah May leaving adjusted things. Specifically, that as recent as the Owen Hart Foundation tournament, that Mercedes was open to losing to set up an All In rematch. This has been refuted by a number of AEW sources as never having been the plan.

We were told Mercedes hasn't been oppo...

Unfortunate injury to TNA talent

Unfortunate news for a TNA talent.

Fightful Select has learned that Elijah, formerly known as Elias sustained a triceps tear on this week's episode of NXT. We're told that the spot happened when he came off the the top rope and did double knees to the chest. When he broke his landing with his arms, a tear was sustained.

We've learned that TNA's Lead Ringside Physician was actually visiting, and helped NXT's medical team. Elijah has already underwent a successful surgery to repair ...

Answers: LA Knight, Butcher, Blade, Bunny, WWE/AAA

Welcome to Select Answers, a short feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.

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there any news on the Butcher, Blade, and Bunny?

I haven't heard anything about The Butcher in quite a while. He lost to Gabe Kidd on Collision in February, and I haven't heard about him since then. The Blade has been s...

Bryan Danielson news

Bryan Danielson is still around AEW, but his in-ring future had largely been uncertain. Then he appeared at ROH Global Wars in Mexico.

Back in December, Danielson admitted to Fightful that he wasn’t feeling good physically, and was trying to avoid surgery. We’ve not heard from anyone in AEW who has heard he’s had surgery as of this point, but he said that his neck health was most important.

Danielson has still served as a creative consultant, and is occasionally appearing b...

AEW Grand Slam, Hulk Hogan, Smackdown Time, Liv Morgan, MLW, Joe Hendry

• Claudio Castagnoli, Cash Wheeler and Billie Starkz all missed planned bookings in Mexico for Dynamite. We're looking to find out why.

• Though he didn't appear last night, sources that Fightful Select spoke to said that Gravity had impressed since his AEW departure, which is a reason he was brought back for the Bandido/Chris Jericho story.

• We’re told that the merchandise at Arena Mexico sold like crazy. 

• Regarding Liv Morgan’s injury...

  2025-06-20 02:06:46 +0000 UTC View Post

Top WWE Talent Has Been Working Banged Up, Still Factored In For Summerslam

A top WWE star has been working banged up.

Fightful Select reported recently that while Drew McIntyre was working through some injuries, his absence from WWE in the coming weeks is contractual. It’s actually his opponent that many in WWE were worried about during the feud.

Damian Priest worked banged up during a lot of the feud with McIntyre, but specifically sustained some injuries that he worked through. Several WWE sources spoke well of Priest doing that, and noted that worki...

Ask Grapsody | June 19th Edition

Phil and Reg are back for a new edition of Ask Grapsody!

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8ODspepLfM

Answers: Abyss, Omega Angle, Benched Contracts

Welcome to Select Answers, a short feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.

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Sean, kind of a wrestling biz question but when wrestlers are on the shelf due to no storyline as many have been. Are they still paid by their promotion. With aew and wwe it seems like more wrestlers vs storylines

Yes. ...

MJF-fan altercation

It's still real to some.

MJF got a good amount of heat from his angle at AEW Grand Slam Mexico. Sources in AEW claimed that a fan went after MJF at the hotel after the show. MJF was said to have been okay and laughed the situation off and was proud of it. We broke the news on our AEW Dynamite post show.

We've not heard of any other incidents, but AEW was very happy with how the show turned out.

Interesting name backstage at NXT this week

A very interesting name was around at NXT this week.

Fightful Select has learned that wrestling legend Gail Kim was backstage at this week’s NXT. We’re told this also isn’t the first time she’s been there of late. When we asked if she’s officially with the company, WWE sources said she isn’t as of this moment.

Gail Kim was fired by TNA Wrestling earlier  this year, and was expected to have immediate interest from companies, and had people pushing for her in both A...

FREE POST: How Mortos is wrestling at Arena Mexico again

Fightful Espanol has learned that Tony Khan personally went to Salvador Lutteroth Lomeli and requested that The Beast Mortos perform on tonight's show, as they were unable to use Cash Wheeler and Claudio Castagnoli. Mortos hasn't wrestled in Arena Mexico in 14 years, and CMLL was very accommodating in giving him another shot tonight after quite a while away.

FREE POST: Liv Morgan update

The word within WWE is that Liv Morgan's injury will require surgery.

This is causing a significant creative reshuffling as she was involved in a number of programs. She will likely miss a number of months.

We wish her a speedy recovery.

Why Jordynne Grace's theme was changed

Jordynne Grace has a new theme song, and it wasn’t received well by the audience.

The NXT crowd chanted “fire Def Rebel” at the new theme, which Jordynne then joked that she hoped fans would suspend disbelief for and vibe with. The theme music that Jordynne used in TNA and her early NXT run actually belongs to her, and she retains the rights to. However, that, among other things, led to the change.

We're told that especially in recent months, WWE has been adamant again about...

Answers: AEW Backstage, All In, Kross

Welcome to Select Answers, a short feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.

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How are recent comments from Maven Huffman and Tom Pestock about the good backstage atmosphere in AEW taken by the current roster or possible free agents?

Both men are very well respected, and also outspoken when they n...