AEW: Katsuyori Shibata Wants Rematch with Hiroshi Tanahashi in AEW, Kevin Kelly & Tate Twins Defamation Lawsuit Against AEW Update, Worlds End 2024 Attendance

AEW
Jan 5, 2025

Katsuyori Shibata Wants Rematch with Hiroshi Tanahashi in AEW

Sunday’s NJPW x AEW Wrestle Dynasty event at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan featured Katsuyori Shibata competing in his first match in NJPW since 2022. This match featured Shibata going to a time limit draw against Hiroshi Tanahashi in a 5-Minite Time Limit Special Exhibition match.

Following his match, Shibata gave his thoughts in a post-match backstage press conference and stated that he would like to have a rematch with Tanahashi in AEW.

“Five minutes is too short for us, I think this needs to be continued in AEW.”

Kevin Kelly & Tate Twins Defamation Lawsuit Against AEW Update

As noted before, former AEW commentator Kevin Kelly and former AEW and ROH talents The Tate Twins (Brandon & Brent Tate), former The Boys, filed a defamation lawsuit this past September against AEW, AEW CEO Tony Khan, and AEW/ROH commentator Ian Riccaboni. This lawsuit was officially moved to a federal court this past November.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that AEW filed a motion on January 2nd requesting for the federal court to pause all movement and the discovery process for the lawsuit until The U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida (Jacksonville) rules on whether the matter should be moved to private arbitration.

AEW is currently claiming that the language in Kelly and Tate Twins contracts means all sides had agreed that any issues should to arbitration. AEW is currently asking for the court to agree and sign off on it.

AEW Worlds End 2024 Attendance

AEW reportedly drew an attendance of 7,005 for their Worlds End 2024 event on December 28, 2024 at the Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Dave Meltzer reported that AEW fell short by 312 tickets for an official sellout based on their stage and seating setup for the event.

For some comparisons, Meltzer reported that WWE drew an attendance of 7,864 for their house show event that same night at the Kia Center in Orlando. Meltzer also reported that WWE did not come anywhere close to reaching a sellout status for their show since the venue has a max capacity of around 14,000 for wrestling house show events.

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