AEW: “Timeless” Toni Storm on “Mariah May Has Been Compromised To A Permanent End”, Nigel McGuinness on Not Being Interested in Becoming a Producer & Feels More Valuable as a Commentator, More News

“Timeless” Toni Storm Comments on Lessons Learned from Her Rivalry with Mariah May & “Mariah May Has Been Compromised To A Permanent End”

The New York Post held a recent interview with “Timeless” Toni Storm. One of the topics discussed included Storm’s thoughts about the lessons she learned from her recent rivalry with Mariah May in AEW.

“I think it taught a very valuable lesson: don’t trust anyone. Be careful who you let in. I was absolutely blindsided by her. I thought she was the love of my life. She was everything to me and she completely betrayed me, stabbed me in the back. I think it’s a lesson to all. If anyone can take anything away from that, just be really careful. In Australia, I was very happy, I thought it would be the end of her. Like a horror film, she popped up again. To put it to bed, to lay it to rest was one of the greatest accomplishments of my life. I’m so glad that woman is gone. I’ve banished her. She’s been exiled. She’s been compromised to a permanent end. That I know for sure. Glad I don’t have to see her face anymore. It’s a relief.”

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Nigel McGuinness Comments on Not Being Interested in Becoming a Producer & Feels More Valuable as a Commentator

A recent episode of the Heel Shit podcast featured Nigel McGuinness as the guest. One of the topics discussed included McGuinness’ thoughts about him not being interested in becoming a backstage producer and feels more valuable and comfortable in the announcer’s booth.

“I don’t think so. I appreciate that. It’s very kind of you to say that. I know that when I was in WWE, I oftentimes would go, ah, I really feel like I could say something about this match. I could have said beforehand that I think really would have helped them every now and then if some of the guys, like Grayson Waller every now and again, guys like that will come up and knew my history and asked me a couple of ideas and I’d be able to give them a little bit of input, et cetera, et cetera. But now I just.. commentary takes up so much of my time in terms of the preparation on the show, et cetera, especially when I’m still getting in the ring every week as well. With the possibility of wrestling again, then I don’t think there’s the time for it. I think I’m probably more valuable as the commentator in that regard. Also an agent, producer, whatever you want to call it, it’s a very, very difficult job. Very difficult job. There’s a lot of, I don’t want to say egos involved, but there are egos involved, and there’s also, you’ve got two people, if it’s a singles match or four people, or however many people who are in this match all have their own idea of what they want to do with the match. Then you’ve got the agent above that. Then you’ve got Tony (Khan). Everybody’s got a different idea necessarily of what this way is to go. You’ve got to somehow navigate all of this. It’s not for me, I don’t think so.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

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AEW News & Notes

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that AEW officials currently have scheduled for their All In Texas event on July 12th to end well before prior to the start of WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event show that same night.

Figthful Select also reported that their sources denied the recent online rumors and speculation that MJF’s recent comments about the AEW roster and calling out people who join from other promotions just to act as “king shit” and cause problems was towards at CM Punk. Those spoken to reportedly stated that MJF was just referring to other talent that he felt didn’t give it their all in the company.

As noted before, Danhausen’s contract with AEW is currently set to expire this month. Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp reported in a recent Q&A article that Danhausen’s contract is still expected to expire this month baring any injury time being added to it.

As noted before, former contracted AEW production crew member Christopher Dispensa filed a lawsuit this past May against Jon Moxley and AEW over claims of Moxley had committed civil assault and battery and AEW had committed general negligence against him over an incident at an AEW Dynamite show in 2023. Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston reported that Judge Matthew Leitman issued an order on Tuesday asking AEW to provide a better case as to why the lawsuit should be moved to federal court. Thurston reported that AEW has until July 22nd to file an official response.

AEW recently announced that they have partnered with Joe Hands Promotions for a “Pints & PPVs” program to air their upcoming All In Texas event at bars and restaurants nationwide in the United States.

AEW recently released three new videos to their official channel on YouTube. The first new video was an AEW Women’s World Championship Four-way match of Saraya vs. Toni Storm vs. Britt Baker vs. Hikaru Shida (c) from AEW All In 2023. The second new video was an AEW World Championship Title vs. Career match of Bryan Danielson (career) vs. Swerve Strickland from AEW All In 2024. The third new match was a Mixed Tag Team match of Willow Nightingale & Tomohiro Ishii vs. Kris Statlander & Stokely Hathaway from AEW All In 2024.

AEW also recently released a new AEW Timelines video titled “20 of the Top Moments and Matches in AEW All In history.”

In a recent interview with the AEW Close Up with Renee Paquette show, “Speedball” Mike Bailey gave his thoughts about how he looks to Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay when it comes to inspiration for his promos. Bailey stated “I think Kenny Omega, I think Will Ospreay. Because there are people that, again, the promo style in Japan, you don’t cut a promo, it’s very different. There’s a lot more talking like a normal human being. I feel like those are two guys who sound natural when they cut promos. It’s their actual voice.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)

In a recent interview with TV Insider, MJF gave his thoughts about it being easier for wrestlers to get Hollywood gigs now that the “pro wrestler” stigma isn’t as prevalent as in the past. MJF stated “It’s easier because of the work that The Rock, Bautista and Cena put in. Also, I feel so stupid now because Dwayne [Johnson] is also on that list I spoke about earlier too. This was a great question. You might be the only interview that gave me a question I liked. Growing up, you’re watching these guys break this mold that unfortunately Terry Bollea [Hulk Hogan] created by being one of the worst actors of all-time with Santa with Muscles, Mr. Nanny, and all that genuine garbage. Here are three men who are just great actors and proving to the world what we do is really difficult. It takes a certain type of star power to make it to the top of the professional wrestling industry. Dare I say it’s just as hard or harder than making it in the acting industry. I think those three guys broke the mold and allowed a guy like me to really get opportunities in the land of Hollywood.“

In a recent interview with Fightful’s Grapsody podcast, Adam Cole gave his thoughts about how he would grade his current reign as TNT Champion as an “A.” Cole stated “I’m very proud of the defenses that I’ve had. Whether it was against Josh Alexander, Claudio, the Kyle match didn’t end the way I wanted to and ended in a disqualification, but as far as me holding onto this championship, being proud of this championship, and looking into the future of all the title defenses I want to have, I’m giving myself an A. I take full pride in being champion. I’m not focused on anything else right now except for being TNT Champion. I am thinking about my boys in the Paragon as well, but as far as championship gold, I’m just focused on that. We’re in the process, and this thing is just getting kick-started. After I beat Kyle, I’m going to focus on my next challenger, whether it’s other members of the Don Callis Family or people I’m not even thinking of. I’m ready to defend this title against anyone and everyone.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)