AEW: Saraya on Freedom to Do Outside Projects was One Big Reason She Signed with AEW, Rob Van Dam Responds to Criticisms Over His Moxley Spiked Bat Spot Comments, WBD’s Plans for AEW Shows Preemptions for Sports Update

Saraya Comments on Freedom to Do Outside Projects was One Big Reason She Signed with AEW

As noted before, Saraya departed from AEW this past Wednesday in a decision that Saraya had stated was “mutual” by both sides.

A recent episode of the Hall of Fame with Booker T & Brad Gilmore podcast featured Saraya as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Saraya’s thoughts about AEW’s lighter work schedule compared to her past time in WWE and AEW giving her the freedom to do outside projects was one of the big reasons she signed with the company.

“You know, it is very different, you’re right because I’m used to doing like five days a week and then only going home for like one day. I love the grind, I love that, I enjoyed my time, but it was exhausting of course. But yeah, I had to get used to just being at home a little bit, you know? I mean, I retired for a little bit, but I constantly stay busy but in the wrestling world, it was like very weird to not have live events and all that kind of fun stuff. Yeah, it was nice, we get the freedom to do whatever we want and that was one of the big catalysts of me wanting to sign too is that you do get a lot of freedom. I don’t have to ask permission to go do things and all that kind of stuff. I think WWE’s changed now, I think they’re actually more open to that kind of stuff, which I think is great, I love that they’re adapting and changing like that. I mean, that’s what they do, but yeah, at the time, it wasn’t like that, so that’s one of the reasons why I went over there. It’s nice but you know — I get to do whatever I want, I get to act, I get to do all of these other projects and I don’t have to worry about it.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

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Rob Van Dam Responds to Online Criticisms Over His Moxley Spiked Bat Spot Comments

As noted before, ECW legend and WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam recently criticized AEW and Jon Moxley over the spiked bat spot Jon Moxley took during the March 19th episode of AEW Dynamite and why the more AEW does spots like that, the more he would rather be associated with WWE than AEW. This led to online criticisms and backlash towards RVD over claims of him being a hypocrite for being involved in similar style spots throughout his wrestling career and in ECW.

RVD recently responded on Twitter first dismissing complaints stating that he is dealing with concussion symptoms but the inury injury is a part of his past and not his present or future. RVD then addressed the critisms of him being a hypocrite for being involved in similar spots throughout his career and brought up his issues with a similar spot he took during his time in TNA Wrestling.

Some fans on here are another level of ignorant.

1-concussions are a part of my past, not my present or my future. No matter how much you don’t know.

2- i’ve always said the abyss spot when he murdered me with Janice was stupid. I’ve always said back in Ecw, the garbage matches took the place of Wrestling because they didn’t have Wrestling in them.

3-do you think a writer gave Moxley that spot and he thought it was stupid? I don’t.

I think YOU idiots are stupid, especially fans calling me a hypocrite when I’m as consistent as it comes.

I didn’t have Barbed wire matches. I never bladed in Ecw. Y’all are ridiculous for not being able to tell the difference.

Some fans on here are another level of ignorant.
1-concussions are a part of my past, not my present or my future. No matter how much you don’t know.

2- i’ve always said the abyss spot when he murdered me with Janice was stupid. I’ve always said back in Ecw, the garbage… https://t.co/O9Zp8zOLYc

— Rob Van Dam (@TherealRVD) March 28, 2025

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Update on WBD’s Current Plans for AEW Shows Preemptions for Sports on TNT & TBS

As noted before, AEW and Warner Bros Discovery are currently considering plans to hold multi-hour AEW specials during this year’s NHL Playoffs and Stanley Cup Final. This past weekend’s AEW Collision show was notable for Collision being split up into two one-hour Slam Dunk specials and being preempted to later than usual start time due to TNT’s commitments with the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that AEW and WBD officials already have plans for all sports and other programming preemptions on Wednesdays and Saturdays for the rest of this year.

Meltzer reported that AEW and WBD also have plans regarding AEW Collision going head-to-head with WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event shows for the rest of this year as well.

Meltzer also reported that while those spoken to would not give any specifics regarding the current plans, they did confirm that there are plans in place for scheduling conflicts for the rest of the year due to NHL, NASCAR, NCAA, NBA and soccer commitments.

In regards to the ratings for AEW’s Collision Slam Dunk specials, those spoken to reportedly stated that WBD officials were overjoyed with the ratings for those shows this past weekend.