WWE Legend Says Some AEW Wrestlers Don’t Want To Be Coached

Mark Henry heaped praise on Powerhouse Hobbs, Wardlow and Toni Storm as three AEW stars receptive to his advice behind the scenes during a chat with Booker T’s ‘Hall Of Fame’ podcast, but admitted some on the roster just aren’t that coachable.

No, the ex-‘World’s Strongest Man’ didn’t name names.

Frustration was on Mark’s lips as he explained to Booker how irritating it is when younger workers ask for feedback then refuse to take it on board. Henry isn’t shy about going right up to these people after follow-up matches and quizzing them on why they didn’t implement what he suggested.

Typically, the response is either shuffling feet or a quick, “Oh man, I forgot”. That comes across as little more than an excuse to Mark, and isn’t a sufficient answer. In short, if younger talents don’t want to improve (or don’t think Henry can help with that), then they shouldn’t bother pulling him aside in the first place.

Hobbs, Wardlow and Storm are the most receptive to Mark’s feedback, and he appreciates seeing them put constructive criticisms to bed by taking decisive action with their characters. The WWE legend thinks a few others need to follow suit.

Wardlow Returns On AEW Dynamite After Being Off TV For More Than Three Months

Wardlow is officially back in AEW.

On Wednesday’s episode of “AEW Dynamite,” Wardlow made his long-awaited return to AEW programming and defeated Griff Garrison in quick fashion. He wasted no time in going after Garrison, firing off stomps on him in the corner and executing five powerbombs in a Powerbomb Symphony before the referee sounded the bell and stopped the match.

This marks the first time Wardlow has competed in the ring since losing the TNT Championship to Luchasaurus on the inaugural episode of “AEW Collision” on June 17, effectively ending his third reign. His first run as titleholder occurred between July and November of 2022, while his second came in March of this year.

Wardlow first appeared in AEW in November 2019 and made his in ring debut in February 2020 in a Steel Cage match against Cody Rhodes. Aside from being a three time TNT Champion, Wardlow is a former member of The Pinnacle and the short-lived “WarJoe” tag team with current ROH World Television Champion Samoa Joe.

Current AEW Star Admits He’s “Very Depressed” About Recent Treatment

AEW star Wardlow has admitted he’s currently “very depressed” about his standing in the company, and isn’t thrilled about being kept off television since dropping the TNT Title to Luchasaurus in June.

Wardlow told reporters at Terrificon 2023 that fellow stragglers like Danhausen and Ethan Page (who were both on stage with him) “would agree” that it sucks to be sitting around waiting for your next opportunity like this. The popular babyface then went on to describe wrestling as “everything” to him.

That’s why his current plight stings so much.

Most fans would agree that Tony Khan has fudged Wardlow’s push on multiple occasions since he broke free from MJF and became a babyface sensation. He’s had several title reigns with the TNT belt, but each one has ended on a low note (or suddenly).

Now, Wardlow just wants to regain some sort of consistency and become a key part of things on Dynamite, Collision and AEW pay-per-view again. He said Terrificon was “the first time in months” he’d felt like himself, so he’s thankful to fans that came out for the convention to ask him some questions.

New TNT Champion Crowned On AEW Collision

While the biggest talking point of AEW Collision’s premiere was obviously the return of CM Punk, AEW’s new Saturday night show also saw Luchasaurus become the TNT Champion.

It was a promo from CM Punk which opened AEW Collision, but the very first match in the show’s history saw a title change, as Luchasaurus pinned Wardlow to win the TNT Title.

Of course, there were plentiful shenanigans at play here, with Luchasaurus’ victory coming after Christian Cage had hit the War Dog twice with a camera. After those shots, Wardlow was pinned 1-2-3 in the middle of the ring – bringing the former Pinnacle man’s third reign as TNT Champion to an end after 59 days.

Post-match, one would’ve been forgiven for thinking Christian Cage had actually won the TNT Title, for Captain Charisma was the one lifting that belt aloft on the turnbuckles and was placed on the shoulders of Luchasaurus.

This win marks Luchasaurus’ first slice of singles gold in AEW, though he did previously have a 161-day run as an AEW Tag Team Champion back in 2022 as one half of Jurassic Express alongside Jungle Boy.

Wardlow And Christian Cage To Meet In TNT Title Ladder Match At AEW Double Or Nothing

Wardlow will be defending his TNT Championship against Christian Cage in a ladder match at Double or Nothing.

Wednesday’s edition of “AEW Dynamite” kicked off with a bang after the titleholder called Cage out to the ring after weeks of animosity between the pair. Cage and his right-hand man Luchasarus answered the call. A verbal exchange between the pair ensued before the two got into a brawl, which ultimately resulted in Luchasaurus delivering a chokeslam to Wardlow through a ladder.

While Wardlow was being checked on by medical staff following the commercial break, his mentor Arn Anderson approached him and expressed that he should’ve been in the ring with him. Wardlow explained that he told him to stay in the back in an effort to protect him before challenging Christian Cage to the aforementioned bout with some encouragement from Anderson and the match was made official. This will be Wardlow’s first defense of the title since dethroning Powerhouse Hobbs on the April 19 episode of “Dynamite”.

Wardlow, who is currently holding the TNT Championship for the third time in his career, has defended the title just once in his current reign, which came against Lee Moriarty on last week’s “Dynamite.” 

At Double or Nothing, AEW World Champion MJF will face Darby Allin, Jungle Boy, and Sammy Guevara in a four-way match, while AEW Women’s Champion Jamie Hayter will face off against Toni Storm. FTR will also put their tag team titles on the line against Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal, while Orange Cassidy will face 20 other stars in a battle royal for the AEW International Championship.

Wardlow Wins AEW TNT Title On AEW Dynamite, Aligns With Arn Anderson

It’s Wardlow’s world once again.

Wardlow won the AEW TNT Champion on the April 19 episode of AEW Dynamite, defeating Powerhouse Hobbs with the powerbomb symphony.

QT Marshall tried to get involved in the match, but he was cut off by Wardlow’s new advisor Arn Anderson, who laid him out with a DDT. Marshall tried to run away, but the Lucha Bros made sure he could not escape.

After the bout, Christian Cage and Luchasaurus came out, stood at the top of the ramp as Wardlow celebrated.

Earlier in the night, Wardlow revealed Arn Anderson as his new advisor, saying he used to get advice from one Horseman (Tully Blanchard) and is now under the guidance of another Horseman. Anderson said they would be playing chess while everyone else plays checkers.

This marks Wardlow’s third reign with the AEW TNT Championship. Hobbs’ reign lasted 43 days after he defeated Wardlow on the March 8 episode of AEW Dynamite. He made four successful title defenses.

Powerhouse Hobbs wins TNT Championship on AEW Dynamite

A new TNT Champion was crowned tonight on AEW Dynamite.

Wardlow and Hobbs fought around the arena in a Last Man Standing Match. In the final moments, it seemed as if Wadlow was about to retain because he was going to powerbomb Hobbs off the stage.

However, QT Marshall appeared and attacked Wardlow with a steel chair. Marshall’s shirt revealed that he’s the person behind the QTV teases that have been airing as of late.

Hobbs powerbombed Warlow off the stage and the referee counted and then crowned him as the new champion as he celebrated with Marshall. The title change happens just days after Wardlow won the title from Samoa Joe at Revolution on Sunday night.

Samoa Joe Leaves AEW Full Gear 2022 As TNT Champion

In somewhat of a surprise, Samoa Joe walked out of last night’s AEW Full Gear as the new TNT Champion.

Once this bout was announced as a triple threat affair – with Wardlow defending the TNT Title against Joe and Powerhouse Hobbs – many had speculated that the War Dog could well be dropping his gold. The thing is, most of those speculators predicted it would be Hobbs getting the win, rather than Samoa Joe.

As to how this all went down, Wardlow hit thee of his patented Powerbombs on Hobbs, but Joe hit the former Pinnacle man with a belt shot before Wardlow could pin Powerhouse. From there, the Samoan Submission Machine locked in his trusty Rear Naked Choke on Hobbs to get the win.

This brings Wardlow’s TNT Title reign to an end after 136 days, with the charismatic star having toppled Scorpio Sky for that prize back on a July episode of Dynamite. Of course, freeing Wardlow of the TNT Championship conveniently comes at the time when his long-time rival MJF is now the AEW World Champion – with the Salt of the Earth defeating Jon Moxley for the company’s top prize in the Full Gear main event.

For Samoa Joe, he now has two pieces of gold in his possession, as the Destroyer is also the Ring of Honor TV Champion.

Wardlow TNT Title Defense Announced For AEW Full Gear

AEW TNT Champion Wardlow will defend his title against Samoa Joe and Powerhouse Hobbs in a three-way match this Saturday at the Full Gear pay-per-view.

The title match was announced on the 11/16 “AEW Dynamite,” where an amped-up Joe cut a promo explaining why he blindsided and ambushed Wardlow – his former tag team partner – on last week’s show.

“Is it shocking for a man to refuse to play a victim?” Joe asked Tony Schiavone, as he downplayed the notion that his betrayal of Wardlow came out of left field. “Is it shocking to hear somebody state a fact that they want something from you, and you take it for face value and take action? Is it shocking that Wardlow, week after week, ran his mouth and failed to recognize the most dangerous man in the room? And for that mistake, he paid the ultimate price!”

Joe continued, “I refuse to wait around and be the victim, like the people sitting in this building, the kind of people who sit around and wait for the storm to hit, people who wait for someone to save them. I saved myself, and if anyone has a problem with that, they can take it up with me!”

Joe’s promo was followed by both Hobbs and Wardlow hitting the ring, leading to an all-out brawl between the three behemoths, with the AEW locker room trying to separate them. AEW’s announcers subsequently confirmed the three-way bout for Full Gear.

Prior to Joe’s betrayal of Wardlow, it was believed that Mr. Mayhem would defend his title in a singles match against Hobbs, especially with Hobbs repeatedly calling out Wardlow over the past few weeks. With Joe being added to the mix, fans on social media believe AEW could pull off a title change while protecting Wardlow, who has not been pinned since his loss to Scorpio Sky on March 16, 2022. 

Saturday’s match will mark Wardlow’s seventh AEW TNT Championship defense since he captured the title from Scorpio Sky on July 6. Since then, Wardlow has successfully retained against the likes of Ari Daivari, Brian Cage, Orange Cassidy, Jay Lethal, Ryan Nemeth and Tony Nese.

Missing AEW Star Set For First Dynamite Match In 13 Months

All Elite Wrestling just announced what will be Brian Cage’s first bout on the company’s flagship show, Dynamite, in over 13 months.

As confirmed by CEO and founder Tony Khan, Cage will challenge for Wardlow’s TNT Championship on this Wednesday’s broadcast. Wardlow had previously issued an open challenge for the anniversary special, calling specifically for “Someone remotely close to my level.”

Khan confirmed Wardlow vs. Cage soon after:

This Wednesday, October 5
Wednesday Night #AEWDynamite 
3 Year Anniversary Show
LIVE on @TBSNetwork 8pm ET/7pm CT

TNT Championship Open Challenge#MrMayhem @RealWardlow
vs #TheMachine @briancagegmsi

See you all on Wednesday night to celebrate 3 great years of #AEWDynamite! pic.twitter.com/Xyg9Bgv2K6

— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) October 3, 2022

30 minutes later, Brian told Twitter he was returning “to become the champion everyone else is not”:

The most athletic body guy and the most versatile athlete, finally returns from the the longest "top guy" hiatus in aew. Returns to become the champion everyone else is not. https://t.co/VEbPDX3cjl

— Brian Cage (@briancagegmsi) October 4, 2022

Cage’s last Dynamite match came on September 1st 2021, where he was defeated by former Team Taz stablemate Powerhouse Hobbs. The big man had been absent from all company programming since October 2021 prior to returning on September 23rd’s special Grand Slam episode of Rampage, where he competed in a battle royal, and he has since worked a Dark: Elevation bout against indie grappler Tracy Williams.

Although he was off television at the time, AEW picked up its one-year extension option on Cage’s contract back in February. This came amidst talk that the former FTW World Champion was dissatisfied with his use in the promotion.