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The Elite Sign Long-Term Deals with AEW Ahead of the 200th Episode of ‘Dynamite’

By Michael Fairman

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Photos: AEW

Ahead of tonight’s landmark 200th episode of AEW: Dynamite live on TBS, AEW’s CEO, GM and Head of Creative Tony Khan today announced that EVPs Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson), as well as “Hangman” Adam Page, have signed new long-term extensions with AEW.

This ends months of speculation that Omega may head to the WWE as well as The Young Bucks.  With this deal, it ensures that four cornerstones critical to the launch of AEW in 2019 will remain with the promotion, and helped build.

“The Elite have been so important to the launch of AEW, with the Young Bucks going all in when I first approached them in 2018 about my dream to create an international pro wrestling promotion,” said Tony Khan. “Shortly after that, their partners and closest friends Kenny Omega and Hangman Adam Page joined us to formally launch All Elite Wrestling. All four of them have been instrumental to AEW’s success from the very first episode of Wednesday Night Dynamite in 2019 through the present day. Now as we celebrate tonight’s 200th episode of AEW: Dynamite, I’m excited to share that Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks and Hangman Adam Page will all be staying in AEW for years to come! Congratulations to The Elite, and we look forward to celebrating the great news with fans around the world. See you all tonight for Episode 200 of AEW: Dynamite!”

Speaking exclusively with Sports Illustrated on staying put at AEW and why it was so important, Kenny Omega expressed: “Our original goal was to create a wrestling alternative and give a platform to talented people that we’d all felt deserved a spotlight, I feel like we did our best in that time, and hopefully some people you’d never heard of pre-AEW are folks you enjoy watching today. Or if you knew them from their previous work elsewhere, have maybe found a new appreciation for them. That feeling, combined with the feeling of knowing they can provide for themselves and their family doing what they love, was always the biggest reward of being an EVP/founder.”

As to his decision to stay put at AEW and not bounce to the rival WWE, Omega added,  “Up to this point, I’ve made the choice to sacrifice everything in the name of pro wrestling. I can’t say that family or my kids influenced the decision to stay with AEW–I’m not married and without kids–but what I can say is that I’m incredibly proud of my match catalog and the wonderful people I’ve met and continue to meet. AEW not only allows me to continue doing what I do at a high level, but allows the freedom to pursue some other passions I have in life–which, after nearly 25 years in the ring, have become more and more important to me.”

Matt Jackson shared on his and his brothers decision to stay with AEW and not go to the WWE; “We’re literally the ‘E’ in AEW.  The Elite are the main characters of this company. No matter how different AEW is now from its original inception, we are the DNA. And if you lose the foundation of your home, it eventually collapses. It’d be a lie if I said that didn’t weigh on us, when making the decision.”

Nick Jackson added:  “If we’re going to be honest the schedule was a huge part of it.  I have a wife and three young children and seeing them as much as possible was a big factor. I’m not going to lie, the money was a huge factor, too.  At this point of my life and career, I just couldn’t see myself being on the road half of the year or even more than that. I have so much respect for the guys and girls that are able to do that year after year. We for sure could’ve made memories in WWE, but what’s more important to me is making memories with my family. With the position we’re in, I’ll be able to do that and still make memories in AEW.”

As for Hangman Adam Page, who used to be a school teacher, he decided to re-up with the company sharing, “At this stage of my life the selling point was the schedule. AEW’s schedule allows me to be home with my family for the majority of the week and will ideally help my body hold up better in the long run. And the pay is good. AEW emerging as a legitimate wrestling company has helped drive up bargaining power for wrestlers and others who work in the industry. Making a long-term commitment to a still-growing AEW I felt was the best way I could help continue that progress.”

So, glad to hear that Kenny Omega, Matt and Nick Jackson and Hangman Adam Page are staying put at AEW? Are you looking forward to tonight’s 200th episode of AEW: Dynamite? Comment below.

AEW

Chris Jericho Returns After Year-Long Absence on ‘AEW Dynamite’ Ending WWE Speculation

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After month of rumors and reports, Chris Jericho is home on AEW.  The moment occurred on last night’s April 1 episode of AEW Dynamite live from Winnipeg, Canada.

Jericho, the pro wrestler/actor/musician has been off AEW programming since a year ago in April, amid speculation he would be returning for one final run in the WWE.

However, last night was a homecoming for Chris, who has been with AEW from the very beginning in 2019. His signing with the company made him one of its top stars out of the gate and he became the inaugural AEW world champion.

Photo: AEW

In the set-up on ‘Dynamite’ Jericho kicked-off the show as he interrupted Tony Schiavone, who was in the ring getting ready to bring out MJF and Kenny Omega for their AEW World Championship Match contract signing ahead of AEW’s Dynasty pay-per-view next weekend

As Jericho came out to his theme song from his band Fozzy, “Judas” the chants of the chorus got louder.  Once he was in the ring, Jericho simply addressed the crows by saying,“Winnipeg … AEW … I’m home.” Then, he dropped the mic and made his exit.

After the show, Jericho took to his Instagram account and showed how he was in the parking garage at the MTs Centre in Winnipeg and how in 50 minutes he was going to shock the world with his return on ‘Dynamite’

Chris was last his ‘The Learning Tree’ faction, but it disbanded soon after he lost the Ring of Honor World Heavyweight Championship to Bandido at last year’s AEW Dynasty pay-per-view.

As an actor, Jericho was seen last week on CBS’ Tracker as villain Virgil Dean and will be seen in the new AppleTV+ series, Margo’s Got Money Troubles which drops on April 15.

So, what did you think of the arrival of Chris Jericho on AEW Dynamite, after a year away? Do you think Chris will be a babyface or heel for his new run on AEW? Weigh-in via the comment section. In case you missed it, and what has been all the buzz for the last 24 hours, check it out below.

 

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A post shared by Chris Jericho (@chrisjerichofozzy)

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AEW

‘American Gladiators’ Revival Drops Official Trailer, New Theme Song by Jelly Roll, Names of ‘Gladiators”

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The season one trailer of Prime Video’s reboot of the iconic physical competition series, American Gladiators has been released which features a new theme song by Grammy Award-winning superstar, Jelly Roll and the official Gladiator names of the cast which includes plenty of pro wrestlers, finesse experts, and more. Fans can Pre-Save “Rise Up” from Jelly Roll only on Amazon Music now.

As previously reported, WWE’s Mike ‘Miz” Mizanin is the host along with Rosci Diaz. The first three episodes of the series will premiere on Friday, April 17, 2026,, followed by three new episodes releasing Friday April 24, and the final four episodes releasing on Friday May 1.  All ten episodes will debut exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

Each episode of the fan-favorite competition features amateur male and female Contenders from across the nation stepping into the Arena to face 16 powerful new American Gladiators.

Courtesy/Prime Video

From classic events like Joust, Powerball, Hang Tough, and The Wall, to high-impact new events including The Ring and Collision, every showdown demands strength, strategy, and pure grit. Only one man and one woman will conquer the Arena, claim $100,000, and earn the title of American Gladiator Champion.

Season One Official Gladiator Names
Abigail Lay – “Blaze, Ayinde Warren – “Neon”, Dani Means – “Voltage”, Dani Speegle – “Crush”, Drew Aggouras – “Ace, Emily Nelson – “Striker”, Eric Bugenhagen – “The Bull”, Fessy Shafaat – “Mayhem”, Jason Peele – “Eagle,” Jessica Roden – “Supernova”, Jessie Godderz – “Steel”, Joseph Hall – “Lightning”, Kailey Latimer – “Hurricane”, Lu Faustin – “Empire” Michael Wardlow – “Fang” and Sydney Hunter – “Huntress”.

American Gladiators is created and executive produced by Johnny C. Ferraro. Daniel Calin serves as the series Showrunner and Executive Producer, alongside Barry Poznick. Susan Janis-Mashayekhi, Sarah Happel Jackson and Adam Cooper serve as co-executive producers. The series is directed by Ramy Romany. American Gladiators is produced by Amazon MGM Studios.

So, what do you think about how the American Gladiators reboot is shaping up? Weigh-in via the comment section, but first check out the trailer below.

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AEW

TUNE-IN ALERT: ‘Tracker’ Starring Justin Hartley to Feature Chris Jericho as Bad Guy Virgil Dean

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This Sunday, a very familiar face from both AEW and the WWE will guest-star on Tracker, America’s top primetime broadcast television show with soap opera alum, Justin Hartley (ex-Adam, Y&R and ex-Fox, Passions).

That’s when none other than Chis Jericho, who has been concentrating on acting roles along with his European tour with his rock band Fozzy will appear in the episode as Virgil Dean.

Jericho has currently been off AEW TV having last appeared in April of 2025 on an edition of TBS’ AEW Dynamite. There have been rumors swirling for months, that Chis was headed back to the WWE, but speculation has run high that he remains under contract with AEW and his contract is frozen.

Courtesy/CBS

In the meantime, not only is Chris appearing alongside Justin Hartley in a case of good vs evil on the March 22 episode entitled “Breakaway,” but he will also be seen in the new Apple TV+ series Margo Has Money Troubles which begins streaming on April 15.

In the synopsis for the Sunday, March 22 episode of Tracker, after Baxter (David Ramsey), a veteran stuntman, disappears following a risky stunt, his girlfriend, Laura (Erica Durance), calls Colter (Justin Hartley) to investigate a B-movie set, uncovering shady producers and a trail that leads into a dangerous underground world.

*It should be noted that for the first time, in a few years, Tracker was dethroned as TV’s most-watched show for the ratings the second week of March. That slot was taken over by Marshals, the Taylor Sheridan-backed project featuring the return of Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton. Tracker did come in at #2.

Photo: CBS

Taking to his Instagram to announce the news of his appearance on Tracker, Chris Jericho shared, “Stoked to announce I’ll be playing the lead bad guy on this Sunday’s episode of Tracker the NUMBER ONE SHOW on network tv!!! The episode is called #Breakaway also starring Justin Hartley, Fioana Ren, David Paul Ramsey & Erica Durance and was directed by David Barrett ! I play #VirgilDean and let’s just say, he’s not a nice guy. Can’t wait for you all to see it, THIS SUNDAY at 9pm EST on @cbstv & @paramountplus!

Take a look at the Tracker promo for the episode entitled Breakaway below.

Tracker airs (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*.

So, intrigued to see Justin Hartley mix it up in scenes with Chris Jericho? Does Tracker remain your favorite primetime TV show? Let us know via the comment section.

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