AEW: Tony Khan on AEW’s New “Banned Moves List”, Madison Rayne Injury Update, More News

Tony Khan Comments on AEW’s New “Banned Moves List” Health & Safety Protocols

As noted before, AEW recently implemented a new health and safety protocols for their talent at AEW shows.

A recent episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz podcast featured AEW CEO Tony Khan as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Khan’s thoughts on AEW’s new health and safety protocols for their talents.

“Yes, I want to have a great pro wrestling company, a hard-hitting pro wrestling company. Those aren’t really crazy changes. It’s nothing that’s going to change the show. It’s really more guidelines for the referees than anything else, and it’s good stuff for the wrestlers to know.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

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Madison Rayne Injury Status Update

As noted before, Madison Rayne has been out of action for AEW and Ring of Honor since this past April due to an ankle-related injury.

During a recent virtual fan signing event for East Coast Autograph Auctions, Rayne provided an injury update stating that she had suffered a broken foot injury and is currently hopeful of being able to return to the ring soon.

“My most recent Ring of Honor match, fun fact about this photo, this was moments before I broke my foot, which is why I’ve been out of commission for the last three months. But fingers crossed, I’ll be back in the ring soon.”

In response to a fan question, Rayne stated that she is currently trying to be able to return in time for next month’s AEW All In event at Wembley Stadium.

“You guys, I want Madison at Wembley. I’m doing everything I can to get myself cleared to be back in the ring before Wembley. I miss those trips to the UK. I miss the fans over there.”

Rayne also gave her thoughts about her current status in AEW.

“I am still in AEW. I am recovering from injury that I sustained back in April. Hopefully, I will be cleared soon to get back in the ring. But yes, in the meantime, I am still coaching, I am still doing several things backstage, growing into new positions within the company, loving every second of it. Love my job, love where I am in my career right now, and fingers crossed, within the next few weeks, I will be cleared to get back in the ring.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

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AEW News & Notes

Kota Ibushi announced on Twitter that he recently arrived in the United States and reunited with Kenny Omega and Michael Nakazawa ahead of the upcoming Blood & Guts match at this Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite show in Boston, Massachusetts.

As noted before, Jon Moxley won a jiu-jitsu tournament for NAGA Cincinnati Grappling Championship this past Saturday in Ohio. Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that Moxley competing in this tournament was a “last minute decision” and something he decided to do since the tournament took place close to his home.

As noted before, New Japan Pro Wrestling and Ring of Honor announcer Ian Riccaboni recently signed a multi-year contract with AEW. Prior to his signing, Riccaboni has made several appearances for AEW’s commentary team, most recently at this past Saturday’s AEW Collision show. Riccaboni recently provided an update on Twitter confirming that the reports of him signing a contract with AEW are true. Riccaboni stated “It wasn’t the hat. It happened before the hat, fwiw. Although if it hadn’t happened, I’m sure the hat probably would have helped it.” Riccaboni also confirmed that family-related reasons was the reason why he had turned down a full-time role for AEW’s Collision series. Riccaboni stated “We record remotely the weeks I don’t Collision. It is my family. I have a 6 and a 4 year old. Everyone was first class and upfront when talking through the situation.“

In a recent interview with Wrestling With Honor, Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling talent Maki Itoh stated that she still has the goal of wanting to work in a more active basis in AEW. Itoh stated “I still want to be in AEW. It is a narrow gate, but my dream is to become a [part of the] AEW roster and play an active role on TV.“

In a recent interview with the Under The Ring podcast, Samoa Joe gave his thoughts about getting to recreate his ROH rivalry with CM Punk on AEW Collision. Joe stated “It’s really to be expected. I’ve found that throughout my career, the same cast of characters pop up. Punk is definitely in that realm of those cast of characters. To see us back in the ring against each other one more time, it’s no big surprise.” Joe also gave his thoughts about the differences between his most recent match with Punk on Collision and their first match together. Joe stated “Just experience, a treasure trove of experience. When we first locked up, we were very new in the industry and still very much a journeyman learning. You never stop learning, but at the same time, we definitely knew a hell of a lot less back then.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)

In a recent episode of the GAW TV podcast, co-host Lisa Marie Varon gave her thoughts about her feeling uncomfortable backstage at an AEW event. Varon stated “I even felt that at AEW. I went backstage to go find Sarah (Stock). She goes, ‘Are you gonna come back here to say hi to me?’ I go, ‘Um, can you meet me at the curtain?’ I go, ‘Oh no, all the new talent’ and then of course when I went back there, I got the look like, what the f*ck is she doing here? Excuse my language. I felt uncomfortable. Only Mark Henry, Sarah, (Christopher) Daniels and just the people that we knew, even some of the people that we knew in the past, they were like, ‘Are you gonna watch the second show?’ And I go, ‘Let’s go.’ I felt very uncomfortable.” (Transcript h/t: PostWrestling.com)