Grizzled Young Vets

The “Inevitable” Ace Austin talks about making his AEW debut against Ricochet on Collision, how a decade of grinding on the indies prepared him for the big stage, and why joining AEW was the perfect next chapter. He shares stories from his early days training with the Wild Samoans, the crazy times at Wrestling REVOLVER, and the global experiences in AAA and New Japan Pro Wrestling that shape his style. Ace also opens up about joining Bullet Club, his longtime tag partner Chris Bey, and the moment he knew he was ready to bet on himself.   AEW Unrestricted is sponsored by Upper Deck. Get closer to the ring than ever before. Unwrap your favorite AEW wrestling trading cards and build your collection today! Visit https://UpperDeck.com to learn more. AEW Unrestricted video episodes available Mondays at 1pm Pacific on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ4e4Lb87XTzETPZyj7nZoJ4xPBjKdzgy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The “Toxic Spider” Thekla opens up about her journey from Vienna’s underground wrestling scene to five years in Japan with Ice Ribbon and Stardom, and how that shaped her in-ring style and character. She shares what it was like debuting in AEW this Spring, competing at Forbidden Door in London, and joining forces with Julia Hart and Skye Blue to form Triangle of Madness. Thekla also talks about designing her own gear, writing her entrance music, overcoming imposter syndrome, and why AEW has always been the dream! AEW Unrestricted is sponsored by Upper Deck Authenticated 2025 AEW Monumental. Each box contains three carefully hand-picked memorabilia pieces with the chance to win a VIP fan experience. Elevate your memorabilia collection and chase a variety of items from Adam Page, MJF, Kenny Omega, Sting, Toni Storm, Mercedes Moné, and many more!  https://bit.ly/45wlFGN AEW Unrestricted video episodes available Mondays at 1pm Pacific on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ4e4Lb87XTzETPZyj7nZoJ4xPBjKdzgy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Vanilla Baby” Blake Christian talks finding his lane in AEW, teaming with Lee Johnson as Swirl, seizing big opportunities vs Swerve Strickland & Will Ospreay and Paragon (Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly), and using ROH as his proving ground. He breaks down the viral “Vanilla Baby” moment that caught Tony Khan’s attention, the GCW heat that sharpened his character, the nursing-school detour that ultimately landed him at AEW, and even the wild karaoke performance during All In weekend instigated by Speedball Mike Bailey! Plus, Blake shares what NJPW's Best of Super Juniors taught him about pace and presence, and the match that made him think, “I belong here.” AEW Unrestricted is sponsored by Upper Deck Authenticated 2025 AEW Monumental. Unlock the thrill of discovering autographed memorabilia of elite wrestlers & champions. Each box contains three carefully hand-picked memorabilia pieces with the chance to win a VIP fan experience. Elevate your memorabilia collection and chase a variety of items from Adam Page, MJF, Kenny Omega, Sting, Toni Storm, Mercedes Moné, and many more!  https://bit.ly/45wlFGN AEW Unrestricted video episodes available Mondays at 1pm Pacific on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ4e4Lb87XTzETPZyj7nZoJ4xPBjKdzgy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

AEW President, GM and Head of Creative, Tony Khan returns to preview Forbidden Door, taking place live at the O2 Arena in London this Sunday, August 24th! He’s breaking down the Lights Out Steel Cage Match featuring Golden Lovers (Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi), Darby Allin, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Will Ospreay vs. Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli and Jon Moxley), The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson), and Gabe Kidd; current Unified Champion Okada defending against Swerve Strickland; The ROH Forever Women’s Champion challenging “Timeless” Toni Storm for the AEW Women’s World Championship; and Hiromu Takahashi answering TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher’s call for the best pound-for-pound New Japan has to offer! Plus, TK’s take on the AEW World Championship match between current champ “Hangman” Adam Page and MJF, and the highly-anticipated tag match between the reunited Adam Copeland and Christian Cage taking on The Matriarchy (Kip Sabian and Nick Wayne). AEW Unrestricted is sponsored by Upper Deck Authenticated 2025 AEW Monumental. Unlock the thrill of discovering autographed memorabilia of elite wrestlers & champions. Each box contains three carefully hand-picked memorabilia pieces with the chance to win a VIP fan experience. Elevate your memorabilia collection and chase a variety of items from Adam Page, MJF, Kenny Omega, Sting, Toni Storm, Mercedes Moné, and many more!  https://bit.ly/45wlFGN AEW Unrestricted video episodes available Mondays at 1pm Pacific on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ4e4Lb87XTzETPZyj7nZoJ4xPBjKdzgy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

AEW referee Rick Knox shares incredible stories from his 28-year journey in professional wrestling. He talks about his indie wrestling roots in SoCal and his long history with The Young Bucks, his legendary run in PWG, and his most memorable moments in AEW including Sting’s unforgettable retirement match and filming BTE skits! Rick also shares behind-the-scenes stories from Anarchy in the Arena, the reality behind being AEW’s “tag team specialist” referee, and how a surprise contract offer from The Bucks changed his life forever. Plus, Rick explains referee bumps in AEW, and reveals why persistence and kindness are the secret ingredients behind his three decades in pro wrestling. AEW Unrestricted is sponsored by Upper Deck. Get closer to the ring than ever before. Unwrap your favorite AEW wrestling trading cards and build your collection today! Visit https://UpperDeck.com to learn more. AEW Unrestricted video episodes available Mondays at 1pm Pacific on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ4e4Lb87XTzETPZyj7nZoJ4xPBjKdzgy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Grizzled Young Vets, James Drake and Zack Gibson, are officially All Elite, and fresh off a plane from Europe (at the time of this recording)! The British tag team legends break down their explosive AEW debut against The Acclaimed, and share what it meant to perform at Wembley Stadium for All In alongside The Young Bucks and FTR. They talk about their chemistry as a duo, the origins of tagging together, their love for trios matches, and why they have Top Flight and Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara in their sights. Plus, GYV reveal their goals in AEW, how they’ve evolved since their early days on the UK indies, and why they're ready to take over the AEW tag division. AEW Unrestricted is sponsored by Upper Deck. Get closer to the ring than ever before. Unwrap your favorite AEW wrestling trading cards and build your collection today! Visit https://UpperDeck.com to learn more.   AEW Unrestricted video episodes available Mondays at 1pm Pacific on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ4e4Lb87XTzETPZyj7nZoJ4xPBjKdzgy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Melanie Coleman is the brilliantly talented AEW artist behind some of your favorite merch, prints, and promo pieces including the iconic “Last Supper” Don Callis Family artwork and that unforgettable Okada “BITCH” tee! Mel shares how she went from fan art to full-time contributor, what it was like being discovered during the pandemic, and how Don Callis, the AEW community, and a little unicorn magic forged her path straight to AEW. She opens up about her classical influences, her love of comic books and Saturday morning cartoons, and why wrestling and art were always meant to collide in her world. She shares stories behind her work with Bryan Danielson, Kris Statlander, Tay Melo, and Willow Nightingale. She speaks to her passion for spotlighting the women of AEW, and how the Heels community helped her find her tribe! AEW Unrestricted is sponsored by Upper Deck. Get closer to the ring than ever before. Unwrap your favorite AEW wrestling trading cards and build your collection today! Visit https://UpperDeck.com to learn more. AEW Unrestricted video episodes available Mondays at 1pm Pacific on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ4e4Lb87XTzETPZyj7nZoJ4xPBjKdzgy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He’s a WCW legend, a martial arts master, and now one of AEW’s most beloved coaches! Glacier aka Ray Lloyd) joins to reflect on his iconic Mortal Kombat-inspired gimmick, the highs and lows of his WCW run, and what it was like debuting during the rise of the nWo. He also shares his excitement about Dustin Rhodes winning the TNT Championship at AEW All In Texas, emotional stories about his close friendship with the late, great Dusty Rhodes, the early days of the Nightmare Factory, and how his teaching background fuels his coaching style at AEW. He also reveals the passion and positivity that drives his work behind the scenes at AEW with talent like Anna Jay and Shane Taylor, how it’s been to build bond with the other coaches like Scotty 2 Hotty, Jerry Lynn and Luther, and the legacy Ray hopes to leave behind. Plus, he has stories about his acting career including his recent indie movie, The Unbreakable Bunch!   AEW Unrestricted is sponsored by Upper Deck!  Claim your free 2025 AEW ALL IN Digital Promo Card set from Upper Deck today! The set is only available until July 28 at 12pm Pacific. CLAIM HERE: https://bit.ly/4kUKqT2 AEW Unrestricted video episodes available Mondays at 1pm Pacific on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ4e4Lb87XTzETPZyj7nZoJ4xPBjKdzgy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s win or lose, we booze with The Frat House! Jacked Jameson and Cole Karter bring the party to AEW Unrestricted and share the story behind their tag team including tequila-fueled pledge parties, initiation rituals, and a merch game that’s popping off. They talk teaming with Griff Garrison and Preston Vance, facing Rhino in Detroit, and how comedy, charisma, and a lot of caffeine shaped Jameson’s evolution in AEW. Plus, find out why Dr. Luther, Billy Gunn, and QT Marshall are the ultimate blend of influences behind the Jacked persona.   AEW Unrestricted is sponsored by Upper Deck!  Claim your free 2025 AEW ALL IN Digital Promo Card set from Upper Deck today! The set is only available until July 28 at 12pm Pacific. CLAIM HERE: https://bit.ly/4kUKqT2   AEW Unrestricted video episodes available Mondays at 1pm Pacific on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ4e4Lb87XTzETPZyj7nZoJ4xPBjKdzgy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ref Aubrey Edwards and Will Washington are breaking down one of the most stacked AEW cards in history as All In Texas storms Globe Life Field this Saturday July 12th! They’re covering every match from the highly anticipated Kenny Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada Unified Championship showdown, to the explosive Texas Death Match between current AEW World Champion Jon Moxley and Hangman Adam Page. Plus, they preview the Women’s and Men’s Casino Gauntlets, the fate-changing tag team triple threat between The Hurt Syndicate, The Patriarchy, and Jet Speed, and the high-stakes bout between The Young Bucks and Swerve Strickland & Will Ospreay with EVP titles and no World Championship shot for one year on the line! AEW Unrestricted is sponsored by Upper Deck!  Claim your free 2025 AEW ALL IN Digital Promo Card set from Upper Deck today! The set is only available until July 28 at 12pm Pacific. CLAIM HERE: https://bit.ly/4kUKqT2 AEW Unrestricted video episodes available Mondays at 1pm Pacific on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ4e4Lb87XTzETPZyj7nZoJ4xPBjKdzgy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices