WWE News, WWE 2K24 News, WWE 2K23 CAWs, Creations, Unlockables & Guide

Mercedes Martinez Says She Was “Not Properly Utilized” During AEW Run

Posted by admin on March 22nd, 2026

Former All Elite Wrestling and Ring of Honor star Mercedes Martinez has opened up about her time in AEW, stating that she felt underutilized during the latter part of her run with the company.

Speaking to A2theKWrestling, Martinez reflected on her experience and admitted that the final stretch of her AEW tenure was particularly difficult. “I’m blessed for the opportunity that Tony [Khan] gave me for the last four years. But it felt like the last year and a half, almost two years, I just sat on the shelf not doing anything for the company,” she said.

Martinez explained that the lack of consistent use began to affect her mentally, leading her to question her value within the promotion. “And it kind of messes with your mind a lot. It kind of just makes you think, ’Am I worth it? Does he really want to utilize my talent and my expertise?’ I know my style is not like a TV style. It’s very just raw. It’s very rugged. It’s very old school in the sense of very power and strong style. And maybe the girls didn’t want to wrestle somebody like me with that style because it’s very raw. But I also look at Eddie Kingston and be like, ‘Well, if he can do it, I know I can do it. You need a female like that.’”

The 45-year-old also acknowledged that her age may have played a role in how she was positioned, especially with AEW focusing on building a younger generation of talent. “It’s kind of one of those things where I’m just like, ‘Man, I’m hitting that age group. I’m 45, and can I still go with the new generation?’ Maybe that’s their thing. Maybe they didn’t want to put me into creative storylines or anything like that I’ve pitched,” she said.

Martinez added that she had already come to terms with her contract not being renewed and began preparing for the next phase of her career on her own terms. “So it’s just one of those things where I’m like, maybe if we don’t renew the contract, which I already knew wasn’t going to happen, that I’m gonna go out the way I want to go out.”

Earlier this year, Martinez shared a message about embracing what she described as one final run in 2026. With a career that spans more than two decades—including time in WWE, AEW, and ROH—she remains one of the most experienced performers of her generation.

Mercedes Martinez Says She Was “Not Properly Utilized” During AEW Run

Thanks for voting!

AdvertisementAdvertisement

Danny Burch Says NXT Changed Shows Mid-Broadcast To Counter AEW Dynamite

Posted by admin on March 22nd, 2026

Former NXT Tag Team Champion Danny Burch has revealed that WWE NXT closely monitored AEW Dynamite in real time during the Wednesday Night Wars, even making last-minute changes to their own broadcast in response.

Speaking on Cafe De Rene, Burch, also known as Martin Stone, described the backstage setup during the head-to-head battle between NXT and All Elite Wrestling. “We would have two TVs in Gorilla, and they would be watching AEW, and then they would be trying to change the show to compete with what they were doing,” Burch said.

He recalled a specific situation involving himself and tag team partner Oney Lorcan, where their planned main event was significantly altered. “We were scheduled to have a 30-minute main event, and I was really excited about it. We had three segments. We’re the Tag Champs, we were gonna get to go out there and really kill it.”

Those plans changed abruptly due to what was happening on Dynamite. “Because they were watching AEW Dynamite and heard that there was a women’s match on first, they cut us to 10 minutes with entrances and said, you guys are gonna go on first so we can steal the opening,” Burch explained.

Burch also addressed WWE’s long-standing stance that WWE NXT was not in direct competition with AEW. He pointed to comments from Shawn Michaels as an example of that messaging. “Shawn used to say, oh well, you’re just working guys that we didn’t want, blah blah,” Burch said, before adding his own perspective. “And I’m sitting there in the back thinking, well, actually, no. Technically, we’re going up against the likes of Chris Jericho and people like that.”

Burch was blunt about what he sees as a contradiction between WWE’s public stance and internal reality. “When they turned around and said we were never in competition, you’re full of it. Yes, you were.”

The Wednesday Night Wars began when AEW Dynamite launched in October 2019, shortly after NXT moved to the USA Network. The two shows aired head-to-head until April 2021, when NXT shifted to Tuesday nights—a move widely viewed as the end of the rivalry period.

Burch’s comments provide a behind-the-scenes look at how intense the competition was, with real-time adjustments highlighting just how closely both sides tracked each other during that era.

Danny Burch Says NXT Changed Shows Mid-Broadcast To Counter AEW Dynamite

Thanks for voting!

AdvertisementAdvertisement

Tommaso Ciampa Hopes To Retire In AEW, Teases Character Evolution Plans

Posted by admin on March 22nd, 2026

Tommaso Ciampa says he is enjoying his time in All Elite Wrestling and hopes to finish his in-ring career there, while also teasing new plans for his character.

Speaking during a virtual signing for K & S WrestleFest, Ciampa reflected on his early run in AEW and indicated that more developments are on the way. “So far, I like it a lot,” Ciampa said. “I love the start. There’s a lot of fun things I have in the works and ways to evolve the character and just gotta be patient and let that all play out but we’re on to some good stuff. There’s some really cool plans in the works.”

Ciampa also addressed his long-term outlook, making it clear that AEW is where he would prefer to close out his career. “I’m hoping that I get to ride into the sunset with AEW to be honest with you,” he said. “I really like it there. They treat my family extremely well, and my little one is having a blast.”

Ciampa made his AEW debut in late January after his WWE contract expired, quickly making an impact by capturing the TNT Championship in his first match with the company. However, his title reign was short-lived, as Kyle Fletcher defeated him just 11 days later to claim the championship.

Before joining AEW, Ciampa spent years in WWE, where he became one of the defining stars of the NXT brand. He held the NXT Championship multiple times and was involved in several high-profile storylines, most notably his rivalry with Johnny Gargano, which produced some of the brand’s most memorable matches.

Ciampa is set to continue building momentum on AEW Collision, where he is scheduled to compete in a singles match against Lio Rush on the Slam Dunk Sunday edition.

With plans already in motion and a clear vision for his future, Ciampa appears focused on carving out a lasting legacy in AEW as his career enters its next phase.

Tommaso Ciampa Hopes To Retire In AEW, Teases Character Evolution Plans

Thanks for voting!

AdvertisementAdvertisement

Jeff Jarrett Comments On Ronda Rousey’s AEW Debut, Odds Of Shayna Baszler Joining Her

Posted by admin on March 22nd, 2026

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

Moments before Rousey called for a confrontation with Toni Storm at Revolution, her long-time friend and fellow MMA expert Marina Shafir faced Storm in a match where everyone was barred from ringside. Storm emerged victorious in the bout, though Shafir quickly scored revenge by striking her from behind as security stepped between her and Rousey in the ring.

With Rousey and Shafir leaving Revolution in smiles, Jarrett assessed the possibility of Shayna Baszler, another MMA figure-turned-wrestler, joining them in AEW, specifically as an addition to The Death Riders.

“Boy, that’s a good question. Hey, never say never,” Jarrett said. “The reason I even had to pause there for a second was because when Marina got with [Jon] Moxley and crew, it just, to me, fit like a glove. And as a producer, creator, whatever it may be, I guess what I’m saying is I’m not sure that would be a benefit. Not saying you would have to put them together, but I don’t know where Baszler [would fit]. I don’t know if you’re assuming, loop them back together I don’t know if that’d be in their best interest. That’s kind of where my mind immediately went. Standalone, that’s a whole different question.”

Together alongside Jessamyn Duke, Rousey, Baszler, and Shafir are known as the Four Horsewomen of the MMA, with each also later competing in the wrestling world. For Shafir, the majority of her last two years have seen her aligned with The Death Riders, led by former AEW World Champion Jon Moxley. For Baszler, she remains a free agent in wrestling following her May 2025 release from WWE, though she continues to serve as a guest coach at the WWE Performance Center when available.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “My World” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

WWE’s Jacob Fatu Credits AEW & ROH Star For Inspiring His Finishing Move

Posted by admin on March 22nd, 2026

Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images

At about 280 pounds, Jacob Fatu is known for being a powerhouse in the ring. Simultaneously, he’s capable of subduing opponents with athletic, high-flying maneuvers, such as his double-jump moonsault.

While testing out the new WWE 2K26 video game with “IGN,” Fatu discussed the inspiration behind his impressive finishing movie. “My boy, man, one of my good friends that I came up and I trained with him. Rex Calhoun, the Rock N Rodeo Express, baby. Man, these is my boys. I came up with them. He came over with a TNA DVD, bro. Man, I seen Christopher Daniels, he did it. He doubled back and when I seen it, bro, I just lost my mind,” Fatu said. “I was already a fan of the high flying, you know what I mean? That’s why I love the video games.”

In the case of AEW and ROH star Christopher Daniels, his moonsault is referred to as the Best Moonsault Ever (BME). For others, specifically Fatu’s fellow “WWE SmackDown” star Tiffany Stratton, it’s known as the Prettiest Moonsault Ever.

“The Samoan Werewolf” hit two iterations of the move to notably dethrone LA Knight as the United States Champion at WWE WrestleMania 41. Unafraid of heights, Fatu has even landed his moonsault from atop a steel cage at WWE SummerSlam.

The exact TNA event and match in which Fatu saw Daniels deliver the move for the first time in unknown. Nevertheless, it’s impact remains strong as Fatu continues to use it as a finisher alongside a splash and a pop-up Samoan Drop.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “IGN” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.