Latest news with #OwenHartFoundationWomen'sTournament
Newsweek
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Tony Khan Makes Sudden AEW Change After Fan Backlash
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Mina Shirakawa impacted AEW Dynamite: Beach Break on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, pinning AEW Women's World Champion Toni Storm to win a crucial title eliminator match. This victory immediately booked her a championship opportunity against Storm at the upcoming Double Or Nothing pay-per-view on May 25th. The implications of this future title match are substantial. The winner of the Storm vs. Shirakawa bout at Double Or Nothing will likely go on to face the winner of the Owen Hart Foundation Women's Tournament in a major championship unification or defense at All In Texas in July; that tournament final will see Mercedes Moné battle Jamie Hayter. However, Shirakawa's triumphant moment as an official member of the AEW roster was initially met with considerable online disapproval from AEW fans. This was not due to her performance, but rather a noticeable change to her presentation. As she made her entrance for the title eliminator, Shirakawa's trademark, popular entrance music was replaced with a new, generic-sounding track. This alteration did not go down well with the AEW fanbase, who quickly voiced their displeasure on social media platforms during the live broadcast. In a remarkable display of responsiveness, AEW President Tony Khan apparently monitored the real-time fan feedback. By the time Mina Shirakawa secured her victory over Toni Storm, her old, familiar entrance music hit the arena sound system, signaling a swift reversal. This photo shows AEW owner Tony Khan on April 20, 2022, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Khan spoke with Newsweek recently about the company coming to New York City for a large event. This photo shows AEW owner Tony Khan on April 20, 2022, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Khan spoke with Newsweek recently about the company coming to New York City for a large event. AEW Tony Khan later directly addressed the situation on social media. Responding to a fan who complained about the initial change in music, Khan simply and effectively noted, "I already switched it back." I already switched it back #AEWDynamite — Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) May 15, 2025 More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation Yeah — Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) May 15, 2025 He further indicated that the immediate social media reaction from AEW fans was the primary reason he made the decision to revert to her popular theme during the live show. It's not often you see that in pro wrestling, but in AEW, it does. Mina Shirakawa's victory and subsequent championship match booking at Double or Nothing is a major step in her AEW career. Her journey was made even more memorable by the rapid, fan-influenced correction to her presentation, ensuring her popular theme will accompany her as she challenges for the AEW Women's World Championship. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Fan-Favorite Superstar Re-Signs With AEW
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. One of professional wrestling's most anticipated free agents for 2025, Willow Nightingale, is officially off the market before her previous contract even expired. The popular All Elite Wrestling star has reportedly re-signed with the company on a new multi-year agreement. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported the news. It follows earlier reports this month that indicated Nightingale, a former AEW TBS Champion, was in her contract year, with her deal seemingly set to expire before the end of 2025. Nightingale initially signed her full-time AEW contract in the fall of 2022. Many of the agreements AEW issued around that period were structured as three-year deals, which would have positioned her original contract to conclude later this year. Nightingale undoubtedly would have garnered significant interest from every major wrestling promotion worldwide had she become a free agent, it was always believed she was unlikely to depart from Tony Khan's company. Sources had indicated that AEW viewed her as a priority talent to retain. That sentiment has now materialized into a new contract. Sapp's report confirms Nightingale has indeed re-signed with All Elite Wrestling. All Elite Wrestling ALL IN at Wembley Stadium in London on August 27, 2023. All Elite Wrestling ALL IN at Wembley Stadium in London on August 27, 2023. Courtesy of AEW More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation While the specific financial terms and exact length of the new contract were not disclosed in the Fightful Select report, it was noted to be a multi-year deal. This ensures she will remain a key fixture in AEW for the foreseeable future. According to Sapp, the new agreement was completed with remarkable speed. It was reportedly finalized almost immediately after his initial report about her contract year status broke. Furthermore, the 31-year-old Nightingale has reportedly communicated directly with AEW officials. She expressed that she was very happy with her spot in AEW and wanted to remain there, indicating a strong mutual desire to continue the working relationship. Nightingale has been one of the more consistently featured performers in AEW's women's division. Her accomplishments include a reign as the AEW TBS Champion, a title she memorably won in 2024. She also won the prestigious Owen Hart Foundation Women's Tournament in 2023, defeating Ruby Soho in the finals. Though her televised AEW match count in 2025 has been somewhat limited to eight appearances thus far, with three of those being in Japan, her impact and connection with the audience remain strong. Her most recent AEW television match was a loss to former friend Kris Statlander on a recent episode of AEW Collision. Nightingale is currently involved in a storyline feud with Marina Shafir as part of the ongoing Death Riders angle. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Top AEW Star Reportedly Expected To Get Massive Offer From WWE
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. WWE could be in line to get another notable talent under contract with them in the way of one of AEW's biggest stars. WWE is reportedly showing significant interest in acquiring AEW star Mariah May as her current contract with All Elite Wrestling approaches its expiration. Fightful Select initially indicated that AEW staff, wrestlers, and management widely believe May is currently in her contract year. Many anticipate its end around the summer of this year. This sentiment was further echoed during a discussion on Wrestling Observer Radio, where it was noted that the prevailing expectation within AEW is that May is likely to transition to WWE once her current deal comes to an end, aligning with existing reports suggesting WWE's keen interest in securing her services. Adding weight to these reports, the latest episode of WrestleVotes Radio on SportsKeeda's Backstage Pass Patreon revealed that WWE is prepared to extend an "outstanding offer" to May. The report explicitly confirmed the expectation that WWE will be strongly interested in signing May as her AEW contract nears its expiration, potentially around the fall. May has refrained from publicly stating her contractual status with AEW or her future aspirations within the professional wrestling industry. Over the past few years, WWE has seen several prominent talents move from AEW to their roster, including notable names such as Ricky Starks, Penta El Zero M, and Rey Fenix. There is now a growing possibility that Mariah May could be the next individual to follow this path. HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 11: A general stadium view during WWE Monday Night RAW at Toyota Center on March 11, 2024 in Houston, Texas. HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 11: A general stadium view during WWE Monday Night RAW at Toyota Center on March 11, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Following her initial training, may embarked on her professional wrestling journey in 2019. Before her debut as an in-ring competitor, she gained valuable experience as a ring announcer on the independent wrestling circuit in the United Kingdom starting in 2018. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation This foundational experience laid the groundwork for her subsequent wrestling career, where she quickly established a presence in prominent British promotions such as Progress Wrestling, TNT Extreme Wrestling, and Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro). Her rapidly rising profile and in-ring talents ultimately led to her signing a contract with AEW in November 2023. May made an immediate impact upon her debut on AEW Dynamite in January 2024 and went on to achieve significant success, notably winning the Owen Hart Foundation Women's Tournament in July 2024. She also engaged in a highly acclaimed and intense rivalry with Toni Storm, a feud that saw her briefly hold the AEW Women's World Championship. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
