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Welcome back to another edition of the AEW News Roundup, and as always, we've got a stacked lineup today.
AEW has been making all the right moves of late in terms of recruitment decisions. Tony Khan recently commented on rumors about All Elite Wrestling offering a current WWE star a contract.
A top AEW star revealed his plans to retire at the age of 40 while also teasing the possibility of extending his in-ring career. The most recent round of WWE releases got a few significant reactions from the AEW roster, and we've compiled some of the top tweets.
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Unsurprisingly, the roundup also features CM Punk and Daniel Bryan after Paul Wight gave his take on the former WWE superstars potentially arriving in AEW. Chris Jericho also shared his thoughts on Punk's rumored AEW signing.
On that note, here is the latest AEW News Roundup:
#5. AEW's Cody Rhodes opens up on his retirement plan
Cody Rhodes recently spoke to Inside the Ropes magazine and revealed his original retirement plans for pro wrestling. The former TNT Champion stated that he initially wanted to end his in-ring career after turning 40.
Cody Rhodes is currently 36 years old, and he mentioned that the recent birth of his daughter could help change his stance on retirement. Rhodes wants to perform in front of his child, and he hopes his back can support him for a few more years.
Here's what Cody Rhodes revealed:
"I hope I change my mind, too, because [my daughter] will be four years old by the time I retire, basically, and I don't know if that's good enough," said Rhodes. "I need her to . . . Like, eight years old, I could have a good match, and then I think she could be good with it. But it all depends on if my back holds up."
Cody Rhodes suffered a crushing defeat recently to Malakai Black, and the AEW EVP cut a promo after the match, which seemed like a retirement speech.
The retirement angle could be a way to write Rhodes off AEW TV, but there is also the possibility of him taking on Black once again with a big match stipulation.
#4. Tony Khan has not offered Adam Cole an AEW contract
Amidst all the confusion over Adam Cole's WWE status, rumors began circulating online regarding AEW's interest in signing the former NXT champion.
Dave Meltzer provided an update on the situation, stating that Tony Khan denied offering Adam Cole any deal. Tony Khan and Dave Meltzer have known each other for a long time, and the latest update seems to have come straight from the AEW boss's office via the Wrestling Observer.
In case you didn't know, Adam Cole presently does not have a long-term WWE contract as his deal expired a few weeks ago. WWE and Cole negotiated a short-term agreement that would see him compete through SummerSlam weekend.
Cole will be a free agent after SummerSlam if he chooses not to re-sign with the WWE. As reported earlier, the former NXT Champion had a 'high-level' meeting with Vince McMahon backstage at the recent SmackDown taping. The boss seemed to have taken to the superstar on a 'personal level.'
WWE hopes to retain Cole's services for a few more years, but anything is still possible considering the current landscape of pro wrestling. WWE isn't afraid to release big-name talent, and AEW is also in the market to sign most of the top free agents.
However, Tony Khan has not approached Cole just yet, and WWE is the most probable destination for the Panama City Playboy.
#3. Chris Jericho comments on CM Punk's rumored AEW signing
During a recent chat with Inside The Ropes' Kenny McIntosh, Chris Jericho broke his silence on the CM Punk-AEW rumors. The AEW star revealed that he would love to see Punk in AEW as he felt the former WWE Champion's return would create a massive buzz in the industry.
The AEW Demo God explained that Punk was one of the last few personalities in the professional wrestling world with an aura surrounding his name.
Punk's return has been discussed extensively for years, and Jericho said that the likes of Edge, Sting, and Christian faced similar stories in their careers. Jericho also mentioned Stone Cold Steve Austin but added that the Texas Rattlesnake is unlikely to make an in-ring return.
While Jericho played it safe and didn't give anything away regarding Punk's speculated AEW debut, the former world champion noted how the company had already sold out its first Rampage show even without an advertised name.
The debut Rampage episode, titled 'The First Dance,' will take place at the United Center in Chicago, and CM Punk is widely expected to show up at the monumental event.
Here's what Jericho added:
"So, it would create a huge buzz that would add to the already huge buzz that we have, and I think just the fact that 12,000 tickets sold at the United Center without one name even being announced, or one match even being announced, shows just how much anticipation there is for all of these things. So, yeah, we'll see what happens," said Jericho.
CM Punk's AEW arrival seems inevitable at this point, and fans should mark August 20th on their calendars as it promises to be a significant day for wrestling.
#2. Paul Wight on CM Punk and Daniel Bryan possibly coming to AEW
Paul Wight also chimed in on the most talked-about AEW rumors doing the rounds during an interview with The Ring Report.
While Wight didn't confirm any speculation, the respected giant expressed his excitement over the possibility of working again with CM Punk and Daniel Bryan.
The Big Show stated that Punk and Bryan getting invested in the AEW project would "blow the roof off the industry". He also said his former colleagues could be assets to Tony Khan's company.
"I'm excited about it. I don't really know. I've heard, of course, some backstage scuttlebutt. I'm friends with Daniel Bryan and CM Punk both. I think if either one of those guys made a serious commitment to come to AEW, they would blow the roof off the industry," Wight said. "I think both those guys are incredible talents, and they have a lot to offer any company that they join."
Wight explained that the AEW environment offers a lot of freedom for creative performers like Punk and Bryan, and he was confident about their prospects in the promotion if they chose to sign.
From a personal standpoint, Wight noted that he would love Bryan and Phil Brooks to join AEW.
"Both of them will fit and like how they're treated much more in AEW than they will anywhere else. There's a lot more freedom for guys like Daniel Bryan and CM Punk to really excel and give the fans what they love most about them," added Wight.
"Personally, from where I'm sitting," Wight continued, "I think it would be an incredible opportunity for Phil and Daniel to come here to AEW. If they do, that's fantastic."
Wight added that he is just as excited as the fans regarding all the rumors and is also waiting to see what happens in the upcoming weeks. The former WWE champion mentioned that he would also be down for a fight with Bryan and Punk if the opportunity arises in AEW.
"The fans are excited, and they want to see them, so like most of the fans, I'm sitting back with bated breath to see what happens. I'm more than happy to chokeslam or chop or knock out either one of those two guys [Laughs]. I'm looking forward to the opportunity too! [Laughs]"
The comments coming in from AEW talent pretty much confirm hints about Punk and Bryan's highly-anticipated debuts in All Elite Wrestling.
#1. AEW stars seemingly react to WWE's recent round of releases
WWE released 13 NXT superstars during its most recent budget cuts, and a few AEW stars reacted to the unfortunate news on social media.
Chris Jericho indirectly reacted to the releases by claiming that AEW is the best company in the world for fans and especially for performers. The timing of Jericho's tweet and the focus on talent drew a lot of attention from the wrestling fanbase. Here's what the veteran posted:
"I think now more than ever it's obvious, - @AEW is the best pro wrestling company in the world today! Both for fans ...and especially for performers. Nothing can stop us now!"
Santana of The Inner Circle sounded optimistic about the remainder of the year, with many exciting free agents in the market.
"It's going to be a real interesting year, to say the least. Here we go…"
Joey Janela's tweet was the most straightforward of the lot as the Bad Boy called the releases 'absolutely embarrassing'.
As noted earlier, WWE released 13 wrestlers from NXT, and the list included some really promising names who were previously earmarked to have bright futures on the main roster.
Sadly, the situation might get even worse as WWE is reportedly planning on releasing more wrestlers. Such cuts are expected to be a 'regular occurrence' moving forward.
An unexpected name just challenged Randy Orton RIGHT HERE.
