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Welcome to the August 17, 2021 edition of the AEW News Roundup featuring Jon Moxley, Ruby Soho (f.k.a Ruby Riott), and CM Punk.
As always, there was a lot happening in and around the All Elite Wrestling universe. We'll start today's roundup with former world champion Jon Moxley filing for a trademark for a decade-old tag team name.
A former WWE manager explained how he would book CM Punk in AEW. Ruby Soho, known as Ruby Riott in WWE, potentially revealed her next destination with a cryptic video posted on her social media.
AEW Rampage's debut got strong ratings, drawing praise from Tony Khan and WarnerMedia. We will end today's roundup with a WWE Hall of Famer's verdict on the ongoing Max Caster controversy that occurred on AEW Dark.
Without delay, let's dive right into it.
#5. Former AEW world champion Jon Moxley files trademark “The Switchblades” and “Switchblade Conspiracy.”
Jon Moxley and Sami Callihan were known as The Switchblades over a decade back. The duo will be getting together once again for an independent promotion on October 30, 2021.
The trademarks were filed for naming and merchandising purposes. The official description of the trademarks read as follows:
Hats; Shirts; Socks; Bandanas; Sweatshirts; Hooded sweatshirts. Entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests; Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, live appearances by a professional wrestling and sports entertainment personalities; Entertainment services, namely, personal appearances by a professional wrestling and sports entertainment personalities; Entertainment services, namely, televised appearances by a professional wrestling and sports entertainment personalities; Providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; Providing online interviews featuring professional wrestlers and sports entertainers in the field of professional wrestling and sports entertainment for entertainment purposes.
The trademark filing could indicate a future partnership between Jon Moxley and Sami Callihan, one that would transcend the cross-promotional divide between AEW and IMPACT Wrestling.
Considering the tag team talent present in both companies, AEW specifically, Jon Moxley and Sami Callihan teaming up would be another solid addition and we would be in for some stellar matches.
#2 Dutch Mantel explains how he would book CM Punk's AEW debut
CM Punk is heavily rumored to be making his first AEW appearance on Rampage: The First Dance at the United Center in Chicago.
AEW could execute the debut in any number of ways. However, Dutch Mantel, known as Zeb Colter in WWE, believes the best way to introduce CM Punk to AEW would be to mention his name throughout and have him pop up right at the end.
"I was just thinking what if they announce all the way through the show, we're waiting for the arrival of CM Punk and he's not there and they kind of stop talking about it," said Mantell. "The right at the very end here he [CM Punk] comes. I think that will bring the roof in if they do it. But the people in the crowd, I don't know they would have to be listening to the show. People would still pop. That'd be a big one."
Over the last week, there have been multiple teases and mentions of CM Punk, with the Voice of the Voiceless joining in to contribute to the speculation himself.
#3 Ruby Soho (fka Ruby Riott) teases AEW debut with cryptic video
Ruby Riott was released by WWE on June 2, 2021, and has been linked with a switch to AEW at the end of her non-compete clause.
Riott now goes by the name Ruby Soho and she released a cryptic video on her social media platforms. The video saw her missing a train from Orlando to New York Penn Station. At the end of the video, she looks quite dejected.
The video certainly caught everyone's attention, with AEW fans particularly excited. AEW Grand Slam will be taking place at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City and the video from Ruby Riott could be pointing towards her impending debut there.
Soho could also end up showing up at AEW All Out. There is a Women's Casino Battle Royale scheduled to take place that has a wild card entry for a mystery participant.
Ruby Soho would be a great addition to AEW's roster. She has a very unique look and is excellent between the ropes. Soho against the likes of Britt Baker, Thunder Rosa, Serena Deeb and Hikaru Shida would make for entertaining, hard-hitting matches.
#2 AEW Rampage receives praise over debut viewership numbers
AEW Rampage debuted this past Friday and wasted no time in establishing itself as the equivalent of Dynamite.
The show featured three title matches and a huge title change as Christian Cage defeated Kenny Omega to win the IMPACT Wrestling World Championship.
Rampage had an average viewership of 740,000 on Friday, a 45% jump from what Friday night's AEW Dynamite episodes got in June. Rampage did a 0.30 in the key demo and finished third overall on cable.
WarnerMedia released a press statement expressing their delight over the numbers and hyping up the episode.
Tony Khan had a say on the viewership as well, promising bigger things for AEW Rampage: The First Dance.
“Our goal was to come out of the gate strong and establish Fridays at 10 p.m. ET on TNT as the place to catch the hottest commodities in professional wrestling,” said Tony Khan, CEO, GM and Head of Creative of AEW. “Coming off our red-hot debut episode of ‘AEW: Rampage’ last Friday that featured Dr. Britt Baker retaining her AEW Women’s World Championship against Red Velvet in the main event match, we’re all excited for The First Dance this Friday night at the sold-out United Center in Chicago. It will be a special episode of ‘AEW: Rampage’ that will be enshrined in wrestling history as a night that fans will remember for a very long time.”
CM Punk's probable debut at this week's AEW Rampage has created enough buzz for the episode and it could potentially have a big say in the ratings as well.
#1 Eric Bischoff says Max Caster was "f**king stupid" on AEW Dark
Max Caster's rap controversy on AEW Dark has been well-documented. Many people, including AEW boss Tony Khan himself, have had their say on the issue at hand. Khan condemned the rap and stated that he would personally edit future episodes of AEW Dark.
WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff chimed in as well when he compared the incident to one in WCW involving Konnan when he said something inappropriate about women at a house show.
“It was f***ing stupid, it was just like that jack*** over in AEW [Max Caster] that rapped the other week and ended up getting suspended for a couple months,” Bischoff said. “At some point, that’s your brand and it’s how the television and advertising business looks at your product and what you do. Once it gets out in the public and people are discussing it on the internet, it just doesn’t change anything. That kind of stuff would end up on the desk of advertising agencies or executives that I worked for in management above me. It’s just stupid. I get it, you’re trying to get heat, you’re trying to be out of the box, trying to be controversial. If anybody believes in that stuff it’s me but you gotta have some common sense for crying out loud.”
Max Caster has been fueling speculation that he could be on his way out of AEW. The Acclaimed member removed all mentions of Tony Khan's promotion from his social media bios and put his AEW in-ring gear up for sale on eBay, saying he won't be needing it anymore.
