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Welcome back to another thrilling edition of the AEW News Roundup, where we bring you the biggest news stories coming from the world of All Elite Wrestling.
We'll begin today's stacked article with a top AEW star who has recently expressed his desire to face WCW icon Sting.
WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle recently opened up about an offer he received after retiring from the company.
Tony Khan has heaped praise on the two newest members of the company. The six-time world champion says Nick Gage is the real deal in wrestling promotions.
And last but not least, a veteran writer feels signing CM Punk won't be a beneficial investment for Tony Khan's promotion.
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That said, let's now get started with the latest AEW News Roundup.
#5. Top AEW star is hoping for a potential dream match with Sting
AEW star Cody Rhodes has expressed his desire to have a dream match with WWE Hall of Famer Sting.
One of the most breathtaking moments of this year was witnessing Sting on TNT programming for the first time in nearly two decades. The WCW legend quickly allied himself to rising AEW star Darby Allin.
Both face-painted superstars created a different dynamic and were involved in prominent storylines. Sting, alongside Darby Allin, wrestled a handful of tag team matches this year. The first being a cinematic bout, but the most recent one took place in front of a live crowd.
Sting's performance in both the matches was remarkable, not only because he took some serious bumps but also because he gave a nostalgic feeling to fans who witnessed Sting delivering his iconic maneuvers again.
He even changed the perspective of doubters who used to think that the WCW legend was risking his health by lacing up his boots again. The same people are now hoping to see him in a singles match this year.
The EVP of AEW Cody Rhodes is hoping to wrestle Sting somewhere down the road. Speaking to Inside The Ropes, Cody Rhodes stated that even though management hasn't discussed any such plans, he's intending to face the WCW icon at some point in time.
The EVP added that Sting inspired him to become the person he is today. He further stated that having different generational superstars like Sting and Jack Evans in the same company depicts the whole new dynamic of this promotion:
“I absolutely was adamant about wanting to do a match with him and it’s not something that’s been discussed or contracted or anything like that but, while he’s here, I still would hope that it happens. He’s such a huge part of who I am and he was such a d*ck to me on the second week when he showed up, and I love that. And I love his love for my dad as well. Sting is a big part of what we do. What a different company when you can have Sting there and Jack Evans in the same company"
In professional wrestling, as the saying goes, never say never. With Sting always wanting to ride off into the sunset on his own, one could expect him to embark on a solo run sooner rather than later. Whenever that happens, AEW star Cody Rhodes will indeed get the opportunity to share the ring with his childhood hero.
#4. Kurt Angle turned down the offer to sign with AEW
Kurt Angle recently revealed that he rejected the offer made by AEW after he wrestled his farewell match in WWE.
The Olympic gold medalist had a bittersweet second stint with WWE, where he was part of some prominent storylines but never got to face his desired opponent in his last match.
Kurt Angle walked off into the sunset after getting defeated by Baron Corbin at WrestleMania 35. He then shifted into a corporate role, but that didn't last long as the company relieved him of his duties and showed him the exit door owing to budget cuts in early 2020.
In an interview with Fightful Select, Kurt Angle discussed numerous topics, most notably the offers he received after his in-ring retirement.
The WWE Hall of Famer stated that both AEW and IMPACT Wrestling offered him a contract. He added that AEW wanted him for a proper 'run' to which he felt grateful. However, he declined since his body took a lot of toll after these years.
He revealed that IMPACT Wrestling offered him a one-shot deal, but he wasn't interested in that either despite gaining immense success with them in his prime.
It is understandable why Kurt Angle was never keen on signing any of these promotions, given that he looked stiff at the tail end of his career.
#3. AEW Chief considers Malakai Black and Andrade El Idolo as box office attractions for the company
AEW president and co-owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars Tony Khan has heaped praise on the company's recent signings Malakai Black and Andrade El Idolo.
Multiple former WWE superstars jumping over to AEW has become the story of 2021 so far. Andrade and Black were among the many rising superstars that left WWE on bad terms. Both men then later ended up getting a desirable contract by AEW.
Andrade El Idolo stunned the wrestling world following the Double or Nothing event. Meanwhile, Malakai Black appeared earlier this month to kickstart a rivalry with Cody Rhodes. Given that both men are prominently involved on TV, it suggests that the company is high on them.
Speaking to the New York Post, Tony Khan stated that he views Malakai Black and Andrade El Idolo as the frontrunners to carry out the promotion for years. He added that both former WWE superstars were already big names before coming to AEW. He added that they are passionate about their careers, and he likes working with people who carry out this approach
"They have huge, huge potential. They’re both well known wrestling stars already, and we’ve had some good success already in AEW in terms of people arriving. They had wrestled on a national stage before, they wanted to redefine their career and I love working with people like that. I love working with motivated people that really care that are passionate about wrestling. I think in the case of both Malakai Black and Andrade El Idolo, they’re very different, they’re both huge stars in my opinion. They both have potential to become bigger stars and box office attractions for us," Tony Khan said.
Ever since both men stepped foot in AEW, they've brought star power to the thriving men's division of the company. With their current momentum, it won't be far too long before they become the World Champions.
#2. WWE Hall of Famer heaps praise on Nick Gage after his AEW debut match
WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has given his opinion on the wrestling style of Nick Gage after witnessing his match on AEW Dynamite this week.
During the main event of the Fight For The Fallen episode of AEW Dynamite, Chris Jericho faced his second labor in Nick Gage. The bout had no disqualification stipulations, and both men made the best use out of it.
Although the outcome wasn't in favor of Nick Gage, he grabbed headlines after showcasing his brutality in the ring. He used his signature pizza cutter to make AEW star Chris Jericho bleed out of his head. The bout received an equal share of praise and criticism on social media.
WWE Hall of Famer Booker T was among those who praised Nick Gage for his performance. Speaking on his Hall of Fame podcast, he stated that he's a perfect example to show how to stay in character. Booker T added that he carries that intimidating look all the time, which signifies his readiness to wrestle in death matches:
"This guy, Nick Gage, you pull up photos of this guy, and you'll never gonna see him smiling in any of them." Booker T continued, "He's got the same look on his face in every photo, every picture I have seen him in. There is not a picture of him being happy. It's a picture of a guy who's ready to go into a deathmatch, each and every night. He's the real deal. As far as what he does and what he brings to the table. So I cannot disparage him at all."
The character work that Nick Gage has displayed is undoubtedly terrifying. However, the type of match he delivered on AEW could be the last, given that it depicted a lot of blood.
#1. Former WWE writer feels Tony Khan signing CM Punk won't be beneficial for AEW
Rumors of CM Punk joining AEW have sparked massive discussion among the wrestling sections of the world. On a recent episode of AEW Dynamite, the company made a notable tease to confirm the arrival of CM Punk.
Die-hard wrestling fans are already making their dream list of opponents for CM Punk in the company. Meanwhile, former WWE/WWF writer Vince Russo has a completely different take on CM Punk, who is gearing up to return to the ring after almost a gap of seven years.
Speaking with Dr. Chris Featherstone on the latest edition of Writing with Russo, the former WWE lead writer stated that if the company supposedly signs CM Punk for a five million dollar per year deal, it would be hard for Tony Khan to get equal benefit in return from CM Punk:
"I think that's very smart [multi-million dollar AEW deal for CM Punk]. I think that is very, very smart." Vince Russo continued, "Bro, it is so hard for people like you [Dr. Chris Featherstone] and I to understand. Because to people like you and I, everything is about business and dollars and cents and money. Money's not an issue here [in CM Punk's case]. Here's what you and I would say, 'We're going to give CM Punk five million dollars for a year.' Okay. What's our return going to be on that investment? How am I making that five million back? That's what you and I are saying."
This opinion is logical from a business point of view. But one must not forget that CM Punk's popularity is enough to bring more eyeballs to the product.
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