In this interview Rhea Ripley takes pride in being different: “You have to be someone that people can look up to. I feel like, every time I have a championship, I am representing the people that are the outcasts. There’s a lot more eyes on you. I’m someone – heel or face – that people can look up to that is a little bit different, that doesn’t fit the social norms.”
Now that AEW Dynamite has more episodes than WCW Nitro (289 as of tonight) MJF would like to take some credit: “What Nitro was able to achieve changed wrestling. I’m proud of the fact that like Nitro (but longer) Dynamite has managed to give both fans (from an entertainment standpoint) and professional wrestlers (from a fiscal standpoint) an alternative. And to think none of this would be possible without me carrying the company solely on my back for all these years. You’re truly welcome.”
Sol Ruca is the new women’s WWE Speed champion. A new (and bonus) episode of WWE Speed will air on Friday.
From WWE: “WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), and Fanatics today announced the launch of What’s Your Story? hosted by WWE icon Steph McMahon, with new episodes debuting every other week. The first episode of What’s Your Story? premieres Thursday, April 17 and will feature UFC President and CEO Dana White.”
Shawn Michaels talks about how selling has changed: “The business has changed so much. I think it’s interesting you used the word overselling. Back in the 90s, somebody like Mr. Perfect, who I used his style from a selling standpoint, this day and age he would be considered an overseller, but it was very visual and very appealing. The same way I sold in the 90s. Dolph Ziggler, Billy Gunn, they were very visual sellers. I don’t know how that would be received this day and age. A lot has changed over the years. With MMA being around, our business had to evolve and replicate what I think people perceived as as legitimately painful or not. As this continues to grow, evolve, and change, our business is going to continue to do that. Old timers like me often talk about, ‘These kids don’t sell anything like we did,’ but at the same time, I remember people saying that to me. That is generational. I think you have to change with the times. Football, basketball, baseball, they all need to be faster than they once were to keep an audience entertained and locked in. Our business is no different.”
Honor Club will air this Friday at 4:20 PM ET. (ROH)
From AEW: “All Elite Wrestling and CMLL will bring AEW Grand Slam: Mexico to historic Arena México in Mexico City on Wednesday, June 18. This marks the first time an AEW event has ever been held in Mexico. Tickets for AEW Grand Slam: Mexico will go on sale Saturday, April 26 at 10 AM Local Time via AEWTix.com and Ticketmaster.com.mx. This special episode of AEW Dynamite will air live on TBS, Fox Sports Mexico and stream live on Max. Additional information regarding AEW Grand Slam: Mexico will be available in the coming weeks. Fans interested in more information can register to become an AEW Insider by visiting allelitewrestling.com/aew-insider.”
Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI are both leaving New Japan and Hiroshi Tanahashi has issued a statement about it: “I’m sorry for the news that surprised and sad everyone today. I talked to Naito yesterday. I told Naito, who loves New Japan, that I wanted him to stay in New Japan until the end, but his will was strong and I couldn’t change it. I will leave the group in a way that respects the person’s feelings. For the rest of the time, please support Naito and BUSHI.”
Here’s the lineup for Dynamite tonight. (AEW)
- AEW World Trios Championships: Death Riders (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, & Wheeler Yuta) (c) vs. The Opps (Samoa Joe, HOOK, & Katsuyori Shibata)
- Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament Semifinal Match: Mercedes Mone vs. Athena
- Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament Quarterfinal Match: Hangman Page vs. Wild Card
- Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament Semifinal Match: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Will Ospreay
- AEW World Tag Team Championships: The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin) (c) vs. The Gates of Agony
