• Returning Star Says WWE Counterprogramming AEW Tonight Is Bullsh*t
Tonight is shaping up to be one of the most loaded days in recent wrestling memory, with AEW’s All Out and WWE’s Wrestlepalooza running hours apart. But for Eddie Kingston, whose long-awaited comeback is a centerpiece of AEW’s PPV, the circumstances surrounding that overlap feel more frustrating than flattering.
Kingston, who will return after a year on the sidelines, admitted he’s honored to be seen as a difference-maker. Still, he couldn’t ignore the timing of WWE’s move to announce Wrestlepalooza just weeks ago, well after All Out had been set. The inaugural event is stacked with names like Brock Lesnar, AJ Lee, John Cena, and CM Punk – a lineup that looks very much designed to take attention away from AEW.
AEW responded by adjusting its own start time to 3 p.m. ET, aiming to minimize a direct clash, while also putting Kingston’s return front and center. Yet, in his view, the so-called “wrestling war” is less about fans and performers and more about corporate muscle. “It’s competition, and it’s one place wanting to monopolize,” Kingston told CBS Sports, dismissing the rivalry as “bullsh*t” even as he appreciated the belief in his drawing power.
What Kingston doesn’t want is for supporters to take on that same corporate mentality. He urged fans to embrace both products instead of picking sides to the point of missing out. He pointed to WCW’s Nitro era, when cruiserweights like Rey Mysterio and Dean Malenko made waves alongside major angles like Hulk Hogan’s nWo heel turn. Had he chosen blind loyalty back then, Kingston said, he would have missed moments that defined a generation of wrestling.
Despite criticizing WWE’s approach, Kingston stopped short of painting them as villains. He noted that power has a corrupting influence, and AEW might act similarly if the roles were reversed. He acknowledged having friends in WWE and made it clear he doesn’t want to see any company – or its wrestlers – lose opportunities.
• Real Reason Tiffany Stratton Isn’t Booked For Wrestlepalooza
The first-ever WWE Wrestlepalooza is set to air from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, tonight. Five matches are confirmed for the event.
Cody Rhodes will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre in the main event. CM Punk and AJ Lee will team up to face World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch in a Mixed Tag Team Match, while Stephanie Vaquer will battle IYO SKY for the vacant Women’s World Championship.
The event will also feature The Usos taking on Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, as well as the final showdown between John Cena and Brock Lesnar, which will kick off the show.
The company also planned to have Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill vs. Nia Jax for the WWE Women’s Championship at this Premium Live Event, but the match has been moved to next week’s episode of SmackDown.
Stratton was not medically cleared to compete after a rough landing during her match with Cargill last week on SmackDown. However, she is reportedly doing well now, and the decision to move the match had nothing to do with her health.
According to PWInsider, the word backstage at SmackDown was that The Buff Barbie is not injured, and the decision to shift the Triple-Threat Match was purely logistical, with WWE wanting to avoid “overstacking” the Wrestlepalooza match card.
