AEW: Riho Update, Tony Khan on Issues with Bryan Danielson Working for NJPW G1, Wed. Dynamite News

Riho AEW Return Status Update

Riho has been noticeably absent from AEW programming since this past November and last wrestled also this past November for an event from Singapore Pro Wrestling.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that Riho is currently expected to be making her return to AEW soon. Meltzer reported that her return could take place as early as next week or shortly afterwards.

The reason for Riho’s recent absence from wrestling is currently not known.

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Tony Khan Comments on Issues with Idea of Bryan Danielson Working in a NJPW G1 Climax Tournament

A recent episode of the In The Kliq podcast had AEW CEO Tony Khan as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Khan’s thoughts on the idea of Bryan Danielson working in a future G1 Climax tournament for New Japan Pro Wrestling and the issues it could cause for AEW over his potential lengthy absence.

“To be honest. I think it would be great in many ways, but Bryan Danielson, it’s quite possible, could be AEW World Champion. Either way, I mean, I think it’d be hard for him to disappear from the show, especially as the AEW World Champion. I’m not sure he’ll be able to get away from the show that much. We’ll have to see what happens here coming out of Revolution with MJF vs. Bryan Danielson for the AEW World Championship in the 60-Minute Iron Man Match in San Francisco on March 5.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

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This Past Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite News & Notes

This past Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite show in Laredo, Texas featured the surprise return of Christian Cage. Following Jungle Boy’s win over Brian Cage on the show, Christian made his surprise return and launched a sneak attack on Jungle Boy during Jungle’s victory walk to the backstage. This was Cage’s first appearance in AEW since this past September due to a shoulder injury.

This past Wednesday’s show also featured Jeff Jarrett competing in an Eight-Man Tag Team match with Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt, & Satnam Singh against Orange Cassidy, Billy Gunn, & The Acclaimed. This match took place a day following the passing of Jarrett’s father and legendary wrestling promoter Jerry Jarrett. During a recent interview with the Busted Open Radio podcast, AEW CEO Tony Khan stated that AEW had left the decision entirely up to Jarrett on if he wanted to work that night, which Jarrett decided to do since he wanted to wrestle and push forward with his life.

Wednesday’s show also featured a backstage segment involving The Elite and Top Flight & AR Fox. During the segment, the screen briefly flickered, which was revealed on social media to have been an image of the House of Black and as part of the group’s current feud with The Elite for the AEW World Trios Championship.

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that AEW had some safety concerns over this week’s show due to it taking place close to the border with Mexico and issues with potential drug cartels activity. AEW officials reportedly told their talents and staff to not visit the border area nor Mexico for safety reasons due to these issues.