Below are a couple of top news stories of the day, featuring AEW and Booker T.
• WCW Legend & current AEW commentator Tony Schiavone has confirmed that he will not attend the NJPW x AEW Wrestle Dynasty pay-per-view on January 5, 2025, at Tokyo Dome.
Speaking on his What Happened When podcast, Schiavone explained that while AEW is sending some talent to Japan for the event, he was not booked to go.
Schiavone reminisced about his positive experience visiting Japan for a Tokyo Dome show in 1991 but noted that travel logistics and costs likely influenced the decision, as it’s cheaper for All Elite Wrestling to fly him to closer locations like Dayton, Ohio.
Here’s what Schiavone said:
“Of course, we’re sending some people to Japan. I’m not going to go there, I’m not going to Japan. Although I wouldn’t mind because I went to Japan back in 1991 for the big show in the (Tokyo) Dome, and that was a great trip. I had a great time in Japan when I went there, I loved it.
It’s not my decision. I’m either booked, or I’m not, and I’m not booked to go there. It’s a little bit easier for AEW to afford a ticket for me to Dayton, Ohio, than it is to going to Tokyo, Japan. It’s a little bit different on the money scale.”
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• Booker T is set to return to the ring on January 11, 2025 at his promotion Reality of Wrestling’s (ROW) Breakout event, facing Zilla Fatu in a highly anticipated showdown.
The match was sparked by a heated exchange at the December 29 Breakout event, where Fatu accused his former mentor of betrayal, prompting Booker T to accept his challenge.
This marks Booker’s first match since appearing in the 2023 Men’s Royal Rumble and his first traditional match since July 2022 at ROW’s Summer of Champions VIII.
While active as a WWE NXT commentator and ROW mentor, Booker’s in-ring appearances have been rare.
Zilla Fatu, son of late WWE Legend Umaga and a rising star on the indy scene, had previously reconciled with Booker, who expressed interest in helping him reach WWE. However, tensions have escalated, making this clash deeply personal.
