AEW: Shotzi Blackheart on Being Interested in Joining AEW But Wants to “Earn” Her Spot With Indies Run, Backstage Update on Impact on AEW Over Warner Bros Discovery Splitting Into Two Separate Companies, More News

Shotzi Blackheart Comments on Being Interested in Joining AEW But Wants to “Earn” Her Spot With Indies Run

A recent episode of The Ariel Helwani Show featured former WWE talent Shotzi Blackheart. One of the topics discussed included Shotzi’s thoughts about her interest in potentially joining AEW or TNA Wrestling in the future and her reason why working for AEW would be her preferred choice of the two.

“Well, yeah, yeah (I am looking to land in a wrestling promotion full-time). I love TNA, I love AEW… AEW (is my preference). I mean, for so many reasons. I love their freedom, I have a lot of friends there who are doing really awesome things. I’ve heard many stories of how Tony (Khan) treats talent. So, yeah, I do love that he really cares for his talent. That is super important to me… and hot girls get to make out with each other so like that’s cool too (she laughed).

First thing that comes to mind (for a dream match in AEW), Athena. I think that she’s so awesome. I honestly think that she’s the best women’s wrestler in the world. I am such a huge fan of her. Not even because we tagged together and I had so much (fun) with her as a tag team. But I just think she’s amazing, and I’ve never gotten to wrestle her before so, I would love that. But also, you know, Mercedes Moné… Toni Storm, absolutely. Just to hear the promos that she would cut on me. She is killing it. She is killing it. But I wouldn’t want to go to AEW just because I was signed to WWE and I expect them to sign me. I wanna earn my spot. That’s why I wanna just kill it on the indies and if they really love what I’m doing for the rest of the year, I’m game.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

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Backstage Update on Impact on AEW Over Warner Bros Discovery Splitting Into Two Separate Companies

As noted before, Warner Bros Discovery announced this past Monday that they will be splitting into two separate companies in 2026. This quickly led to online speculation and rumors over AEW’s future with WBD and potential impact for their current media rights deal and future deals.

Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp reported that a WBD spokesperson spoken to stated that the details are few and far between in regards to the impact of WBD splitting up will have on for the immediate future of AEW. This same person reportedly stated that nothing to do with the split takes effect until the middle of 2026.

Sapp reported that as of now, there are no changed planned for AEW’s current contracts with WBD and those spoken to stated that the company remains a big focus for WBD. Sapp also reported that AEW is not at risk of their television deal simply evaporating due to the major changes at WBD.

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AEW News & Notes

Peacock recently released a sneak peak trailer for the upcoming second season of their Twisted Metal television series. This series featured Samoa Joe portraying the physical role of Sweet Tooth.

AEW recently released a new Pride Month shirt on their AEWShop online store in celebration of this year’s Pride Month. It was announced that a portion of all sales generated will be going directly towards the Dallas Pride Organization.

AEW also recently released a special match poster for the upcoming Will Ospreay vs. Swerve Strickland II match at Wedenesday’s AEW Summer Blockbuster show in Portland, Orgeon.

AEW also recently released a new AEW Timelines video featuring The Hurt Syndicate in the company.

AEW also recently released the full video of the Bryan Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr. match from AEW WrestleDream 2023.

Anthony Bowens announced on Twitter that he represented AEW at a recent Instagram META creators brunch event.

Sammy Guevara recently released a new vlog on his official YouTube channel focusing on the surprise return of his wife Tay Melo at AEW’s Fyter Fest 2025 show last week in Denver, Colorado.

In a recent response to a fan on Twitter, Dax Harwood reflected on FTR becoming the first tag team in wrestling history to wrestle in the Tokyo Dome, Madison Square Garden, Wembley Stadium, and Arena Mexico should they wrestle later this month at the Arena Mexico for AEW and CMLL.

In a recent interview with Instinct Culture’s Denise Salcedo, “Speedball” Mike Bailey gave his thoughts about Kazuchika Okada’s dropkick counter of his Ultima attempt during their AEW Continental Championship match at this past May’s Double or Nothing 2025 event. Bailey stated “Calm, fully relaxed and Zen. Because that is how Okada approaches it. That is how he is as a person and you kind of have to match those vibes if you want to be able to be in the ring with Okada. I feel like that happens a lot with him. People kind of get nervous. Not just around him, but just around pro wrestling, and he does not, and if you don’t keep your heart rate as low as his, you kind of can’t improve. But he is… he’s one of the best for a reason. He’s surprising. He’s explosive. He’s athletic. He knows exactly when to turn it on. He knows exactly when to chill. I think that… Man, that all came to play in that dropkick he gave me at the finish of that match. Very regrettably. A fantastic match. But he caught me out of nowhere with that dropkick. Mid-shooting star double knees. I mean… It’s, uh, it’s bittersweet because it always hurts to take a loss. But man, did that look beautiful.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)