AEW: Jeff Hardy to be Absent from Canada Tour, Don Callis on Adding New Members to His “Family” More News

AEW

Jun 23, 2023

Jeff Hardy Reportedly to Be Absent from AEW’s Upcoming Tour of Canada

This past Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite show in Chicago, Illinois featured a tag team match between The Gunns and The Hardys, which was won by The Gunns.

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that Jeff Hardy will not be traveling nor performing for AEW during their upcoming tour of Canada, which starts on Friday in Toronto, due to legal issues related to past arrests. It was reported that this was the reason for the post-match attack by The Gunns and Bullet Club Gold since it was AEW officials way of writing out Hardy from AEW television for their Canadian tour. It was reported that AEW is currently not scheduled to return to the United States for an event until their July 19th Dynamite show in Boston, Massachusetts.

While Hardy will be unable to compete in the ring, it was reported that it is possible that AEW could do pre-tapes with Hardy for appearances on shows during their tour of Canada.

Don Callis Comments on His Plans to Add New Members to His “Family” to Even Up the Odds Against The Elite

A recent episode of the Talk Is Jericho podcast featured Don Callis as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Callis’ thoughts on The Elite’s current feud with the Blackpool Combat Club.

“If there’s anything left of The Elite after the BCC get done with them, the Don Callis Family is going to clean up the mess.”

In response to a question by host Chris Jericho about if he will be adding new members to his “Family” group, Callis stated:

“I have no choice. For our own personal safety. The Elite have made it clear, from rumors and things that I hear in the dressing room. I pay a lot of people here. I get information. Our buddy Dr. Luther is a backstage guy, I’ve known him a lot longer than I’ve known you. You don’t think I don’t hear things, Chris? They’re looking to destroy us because we embarrassed Kenny Omega. I have no choice, for our own protection, for the protection of [Takeshita’s] stellar career that is going to take place under me, that we have to have at least even numbers to combat this. I had a family with one member, Kenny Omega, and it blew up in my face. I’m not going to put myself in that situation again. I’m going to have a big family. Multiple family members. They’re not just going to be anybody. They are going to be the types of athletes that are on the same level or higher than Kenny Omega, and we’re going to take care of business.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

AEW News & Notes

As noted before, this past Saturday’s AEW Collision show drew 816,000 viewers, a 0.33 key demographic rating and a #3 key demographic ranking on TNT. PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources within Warner Bros Discovery stated that WBD officials were thrilled with the viewership numbers and overall engagement AEW had generated for Collision’s debut show.

AEW and events distributor Joe Hand Promotions recently announced that they are partnering again for the airing of AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Forbidden Door II event on Sunday, June 25th at select theaters, bars, and restaurants across the United States and Canada.

This past Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite show in Chicago, Illinois featured Adam Cole and MJF announced as the first official team for AEW’s upcoming Blind Eliminator Tag Team tournament.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that Amanda Huber, wife of the late Brodie Lee, is currently working as a member of AEW’s production staff for shows. Johnson reported that AEW Senior Vice President & Co-Executive Producer Michael Mansury was the one who had recruited Huber to join the company’s production staff. Prior to her new role in the company, Huber reportedly had worked as AEW’s Together’s Community Engagement Coordinator.

As noted before, Chris Hero was recently invited by AEW for a producer tryout for a potential job in the company. Fightful Select reported that many talents spoken to stated that they were excited when they had saw Hero backstage at this past Friday’s AEW Collision show in Chicago, Illinois.

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that AEW has been working on creative plans for Nick Wayne’s upcoming official debut and follow-up programs in the company since this past Spring. It was reported that Wayne has close connections with both Swerve Strickland and Darby Allin during his time in the indies.

AEW recently released several new trailers for their upcoming AEW Fight Forever video game focusing on CM Punk, Miro, Anna Jay, and Malakai Black, and the game’s the game’s Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch feature.

In a recent interview with Good Karma Wrestling podcast, Miro gave his thoughts on who he would be interesting in working with on AEW’s Collision brand. Miro stated “I really don’t care. I don’t have that pull. I just show up, I beat people, whatever they tell me. I write my promos, I deliver my promos, everything else is up to him, to the man who sits on top of that chair. I’m not that guy, ‘Oh, I want to work with this guy or that guy.’ No, give me your best, I’ll take them all. It’s all about the story and how you get these. Let’s get there in a way where people are going to be intrigued and have a good match after.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)

In a recent interview with Tokyo Sports, SANADA gave his thoughts about his upcoming match with Jungle Boy Jack Perry for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at AEW and NJPW’s upcoming Forbidden Door II event. SANADA stated “I have no knowledge of Jack Perry. It’s sad to see someone like that challenge the IWGP. Is an open challenge really that easy to decide? It’s the IWGP. I think it’s worth more than the AEW belt.” (English translation via Fightful.com)