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Welcome back to another thrilling edition of AEW News and Rumor Roundup, where we compile all the biggest news stories coming from the world of All Elite Wrestling.
We'll begin today's roundup with none other than AEW owner Tony Khan, who recently slammed WWE for underutilizing Sting. Meanwhile, Adam Cole started making enemies in the locker room as he sent out a warning to a popular heel.
In a noteworthy development, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn could soon be on their way out of Vince McMahon's promotion. Speaking of WWE, a top AEW star is keen to fight Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre if he leaves Tony Khan's company.
And last but not least, Eddie Kingston has expressed his dislike for a former Andre The Giant Memorial battle royal winner. Now let's dive into the details of these notable stories of the week:
#5 AEW President Tony Khan criticizes WWE for underutilizing Sting
AEW owner Tony Khan is unhappy with the way WWE treated Sting back in 2014.
While speaking on My Mom's Basement podcast, Mr. Khan applauded the face-painted Icon for making a tremendous comeback to pro wrestling at AEW. He further lashed out at WWE for 'screwing' Sting on multiple occasions, as he believes the star could've been presented in a better way.
After seeing him have a miserable run there, Khan stated that he made sure to treat Sting like a legend from the beginning of his AEW career:
"Also, what a great comeback Sting had...it had been a while since Sting won wrestling matches...the last time we saw Sting, he wasn't winning. Back in his last run in the competition [WWE], they screwed him out of multiple matches, let's be honest. He should have been presented better, and that's one thing I won't back down on. Sting deserves to be treated like one of the great legends in wrestling, and I set out to do that from the beginning with him."
Sting's short stint with WWE was met with peculiar booking decisions and missed opportunities.
Aside from losing both of his pay-per-view matches, one against Triple H and the other against Seth Rollins, fans felt abysmal for not getting to see Sting face The Undertaker in what could've been a match for the ages.
#4 Adam Cole blasts MJF for name-dropping Britt Baker
AEW's Adam Cole has finally opened up about MJF name-dropping Dr. Britt Baker during a recent war of words with CM Punk. The Salt of the Earth explicitly stated that Punk was trying to get into Britt Baker's pants.
While speaking on Rasslin with Brandon Walker, Cole stated that he hadn't heard Friedman referencing his girlfriend's name instantaneously. He said that he only found out about it a while later. The 32-year old star added that Baker is amongst the notable names in pro wrestling today and people love mentioning her:
"Funny enough, I actually didn’t hear it until afterward, I was doing something else right before and I had missed it. All I’m going to say is…everyone loves my girlfriend. What’s not to love? She’s the AEW Women’s World Champion, she’s one of the hottest wrestlers in the world, and people can’t help but talk about her. I can proudly say that I’m the one who stands by her side. She’s killing it," said Cole. (H/T- Fightful)
However, AEW's Adam Cole warned MJF for bringing up his girlfriend's name ever again. The former WWE Superstar said he would 'slap the taste out of his mouth' if Friedman ever did:
"I will say this if MJF ever brings her up again, I’m going to slap the taste out of his mouth. Not bothered by it, but if he does, I’m gonna hit him in the face. Not bothered at all. Proud of her. I’m gonna knock him out," Adam Cole said.
MJF's sickening remarks came on the heels of when Punk said that the AEW Women's Champion had already replaced the 25-year old star as the company's top four pillars.
#3 Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn set to leave WWE for AEW?
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter recently reported that Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are friends with The Young Bucks, and that could prompt them to sign with AEW once their current deal expires.
The wrestling journalist also noted that WWE is giving more TV time to Zayn and Owens lately in order to push both men to re-sign with the company:
"Owens and Zayn are the two guys people know about whose deals are due soon and obviously both do go back with the Young Bucks, Adam Cole and others to PWG and the indie scene. If nothing else, you’d think they would listen to offers. Both being given more TV time of late is likely due to wanting them to be happy with their push and stay. But on the flip side, if they don’t sign they can use them as names to put over the top people the way the booking is going,'' said Meltzer.
Sami Zayn is currently used to elevate the storyline between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar on SmackDown, while Kevin Owens is embroiled in a feud with Seth Rollins and Big E for the World Championship.
Both Canadian wrestlers have been underutilized over the past few years. It will be interesting to see what decisions they make when their contracts expire. It will, without a doubt, be quite a sight to see should they choose to sign with AEW.
#2 MJF envisions himself in WWE if AEW doesn't offer him the right amount in 2024
AEW's MJF has often claimed he will jump over to WWE or any other promotion who will bid higher for his services once his contract expires in 2024.
While recently speaking on Throwing Down w/ Renee and Miesha, Friedman name-dropped Roman Reigns amongst a few other wrestlers who could be his potential opponents if Tony Khan fails to offer him a lucrative deal. MJF thinks he could initiate the greatest bidding war in history once he becomes a free agent:
"It’s funny. A lot of people bring up matchups like me and The Miz, like me and Drew McIntyre, like me and Roman Reigns. Can that potentially happen if Tony Khan doesn’t shell out the right type of cash? Maybe, and that’s why, by the year 2024, as I’ve stated before, it’s going to be the greatest bidding war in the history of our sport," said MJF.
AEW has utilized MJF fully to his potential thus far, and one would be surprised if he takes his talent elsewhere other than Tony Khan's promotion in 2024. But for now, he's enjoying receiving arguably the biggest push of his career, as he's currently involved in a heated feud with CM Punk.
#1 AEW star Eddie Kingston calls WWE's Cesaro a big 'Swiss idiot'
While speaking with News 12, AEW's Eddie Kingston revealed his dislike for Cesaro. The Mad King stated that he doesn't respect the WWE Superstar and called him the 'Big Swiss Idiot.'
Kingston also added that if the 40-year old star ever decides to jump over to AEW, they're going to have a problem:
"There is certain people in wrestling I do not like. Punk is one, Cesaro is another. The big Swiss idiot at WWE. Whatever, I don’t like him, I don’t respect him. If he ever comes here, we are gonna have a problem. Whenever his contract is up, I don’t really pay attention to what he does." (H/T- Sescoops)
Cesaro and Kingston have developed massive heat over the years stemming from their intense rivalries in Chikara and CZW promotions. Both men last wrestled on March 13, 2011, which saw the Swiss Cyborg emerge victoriously.
