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AEW All Out & WWE WrestlePalooza SCOOPS THREAD

Added 2025-09-20 16:56:20 +0000 UTC

Welcome to Fightful Select's all day SCOOPS THREAD. This will be updated constantly throughout the day. Subscribe to our paid tear for access!

As highlighted prior, we're told that MJF has long pitched for this angle with Mark Briscoe going back months well before they got started doing so.
Speaking of MJF, he was in Winnipeg this week to film Violent Night 2, then Mexico Friday for his CMLL match, before flying to Toronto for All Out. After the match, he's headed back to Winnipeg to film, and is advertised for the Pittsburgh Dynamite.
We're told that those involved with the Hurt Syndicate haven't heard of new members being added. We're told that it has been a heavy pitch for a while back.
MVP specifically wanted to work with Gates of Agony and has seen big things for them. We were told he was very excited to get back in the ring to work with them.
Fightful was told there was some traction to a possible integration of the Renegades working with Mercedes after months of pitches. However, we've heard that for the better part of a year at this point.
The Tailgate Brawl is a part of AEW's deal with WBD and was worked in to their agreement. There will be a separate post show outside of WBD properties.
The move to adjust AEW All Out's start time came after the back-to-back afternoon success of All In and Forbidden Door.
The Beth Phoenix return is something that has been thrown around and discussed for quite some time.
The call time was "very early" per people we spoke to.
If it wasn't obvious, Nick Wayne is still sidelined.
Orange Cassidy has been cleared for a number of weeks.
The show will still be on the air when WrestlePalooza starts.
We had a viewer ask if Britt Baker was at All Out to set up a Pittsburgh return. She is not at the venue.
There were a ton of WBD reps in attendance at tonight's show.

WWE WrestlePalooza scoops thread

WWE had Stephanie Vaquer, The Usos and IYO SKY in Indianapolis Friday for media.
Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed were scheduled for media, but WWE pulled them to work Smackdown.
ESPN sources told us the push for WWE content even eclipsed when UFC was brought on board. Those we spoke to say there isn't anything resembling the stigma wrestling used to have.
An ESPN source also watched The Hump this week and reiterated their stance on Brock Lesnar performing, noting that WWE makes that call. That source said that they don't tell the NFL who to suit up for their games, and that's the approach they're taking.
Contrary to reports, we've heard Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre was always firmly planned for this show, and WWE knew when they would get Cody Rhodes back from filming Street Fighter.
It was confirmed to us that at one point, Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena were slated to main event. We were told it in fact was not changed because Brock wanted to fly out early, which is something he does actually like to do.
Roman Reigns is still actively filming Street Fighter.
We're told that the decision to have Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre to main event was because ESPN wanted something with the pomp and circumstance of a big title match headlining.
It was claimed internally that the decision to not have the WWE Women's Title three way was over a week ago.
There was never a plan for ESPN to reach a last minute agreement for cable providers to carry ESPN Unlimited. They want you to sign up for Hulu Live. However, you can use NordVPN.com/Fightful to watch on Netflix!
Cory Hays of Bodyslam notes that LA Knight could be special ref in the Usos/Vision match.
WWE had match rehearsals early this afternoon.
Based on what we've heard, the creative around the John Cena/Brock Lesnar match was solidified by earlier this week.
Stephanie McMahon was legitimately surprised and didn't know the Hall of Fame announcement was coming.

Match order per Cory Hays of Bodyslam

Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena
The Usos vs. The Vision
IYO SKY vs. Stephanie Vaquer
AJ Lee & CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch
Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre closes the show

Betting Tips

Mercedes Mone, Toni Storm, Hangman Page, Darby Allin, MJF, Cope & Christian and Ricochet & Gates of Agony were favorites among oddsmakers.
We have Hangman Page, Mercedes Mone as lock picks.
Mark Briscoe has good underdog value at +110. Ricochet and GOA as slight favorites are a good pick.
Cody Rhodes, Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed, Stephanie Vaquer, John Cena and AJ Lee/CM Punk are the betting favorites and our picks.
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Programming Notes