AEW News Roundup: Top star praises Roman Reigns, WCW Legend questions Daniel Bryan and CM Punk signings, Bayley names dream opponent, and more (26th July 2021) 

Welcome back to our daily AEW News Roundup where we will bring you the latest developments and events taking place around Tony Khan's promotion.

Cross-promotional respect was on full display as a former AEW World Champion heaped praise on Roman Reigns. A former WWE writer made some cynical comments about the excitement and anticipation surrounding Daniel Bryan and CM Punk potentially signing for AEW.

Bayley named a wrestling veteran as her dream opponent. AEW World Champion Kenny Omega looked back at his time in the company and discussed the challenges and learnings he's come across during his time in America.

Lastly, Malakai Black expressed desire to work in another major promotion to check it off his list.

Without any delay, let's jump right into it.

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#5 AEW's Chris Jericho is all praise for Roman Reigns

Chris Jericho and Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns has been a revelation in WWE programming since he turned heel, becoming arguably the biggest act in all of professional wrestling. Fans have long been waiting for The Tribal Chief to turn heel and his current run shows why WWE was right in executing the change in his gimmick.

The first-ever AEW World Champion Chris Jericho wasn't surprised at all that Roman Reigns is "killing it" at the moment. Sitting down with Keepin' it 100, Jericho referred to his time with Reigns in WWE, stating that's when he knew The Tribal Chief had that sort of heel performance in him.

"I haven't (watched) but I've been reading about it and it's no surprise. When I was there in 2016 and work with Roman, basically all around the world when I was a heel and he was a babyface, I was like, 'there's no brainer here.' I always said this, and he's doing it now, if you just drop the f**king script and let him be him, he's cool-hand luke. He's like the coolest cat, a f**king great guy. Just let him be him. Obviously, with the heelish slant, which is great. When he eventually turns babyface, he'll be even bigger than he is now because he's just a cool, cool guy and now they're letting him do all this stuff. It doesn't surprise me that he's killing it because he's that good of a performer," said Chris Jericho. (H/T: Fightful)

Chris Jericho knows a thing or two about being a great heel. Such high praise from one of the most legendary wrestlers of all time is further testament to Roman Reigns' good work on WWE SmackDown.

#4 Vince Russo questions Daniel Bryan and CM Punk's potential impact on AEW

Could this really happen?

Former WWE and WCW writer Vince Russo was quite cynical in his thoughts regarding AEW potentially signing Daniel Bryan and CM Punk.

Upon receiving news that the former WWE Champions could be signing for AEW, social media went berzerk. Most people believe the signings will give Tony Khan's promotion a historic boost and massively affect the current dynamics of professional wrestling.

Vince Russo, however, was in the vocal minority. Raj Giri of WrestlingInc referred to Daniel Bryan and CM Punk signing for AEW as "game-changers."

Russo clearly disagreed with the statement, questioning the use of the term "game-changer."

“I respect the heck out of Raj and I like him a lot but I’m trying to understand,” Russo said. “What do we mean by game-changer? To me when you’re talking about a game-changer in wrestling, you’re talking about WWE, WCW, Hall, Nash, Hogan [hand signal implying that Hogan changed the game]. Okay, now, WCW jumps WWE. That’s a game-changer. Hall and Nash, Hogan joining nWo… game-changer.”

Further, Vince Russo wasn't convinced that the drawing power of Daniel Bryan and CM Punk would be enough to be termed as game-changing.

Whether Vince Russo is right or the masses stand corrected remains to be seen. What cannot be denied is that it's an extremely exciting time to be a wrestling fan.

You can watch the whole video here:

#3 Bayley would love to wrestle AEW's Serena Deeb

Bayley

Bayley wants a match with AEW's Serena Deeb, who is one of the most underrated female performers in all of wrestling. She was previously in WWE as a coach in the Performance Center before signing for Tony Khan's promotion.

But for WWE Smackdown Women's Champion Bayley, Serena Deeb is her dream opponent outside of WWE. The Role Model was full of praise for Deeb, with whom she spent some time at SHIMMER Wrestling, and it seems Bayley still respects the former NWA Women's Champion.

"I have so much respect and some history with Serena Deeb. I would love, love, love to be able to have a match with her one day. She helped me so much in my early career to get to SHIMMER. That would be so awesome," said Bayley. (H/T: Metro)

It is highly unlikely that we will see this match any time soon, but you never know in the world of professional wrestling. Both women, especially AEW's Serena Deeb, are technically sound wrestlers so any clash between them will be a worthwhile watch.

#2 Kenny Omega believes time in AEW has aged his career faster than he anticipated

Kenny Omega

AEW is nearing its second anniversary, which is quite remarkable considering everything the company has already achieved.

One of the reasons for AEW's resounding success, Kenny Omega, recently opened up about his journey since the promotion's inception. Speaking to Wrestling Observer Radio, the AEW World Champion admitted that as rewarding as the journey has been, it has taken a heavier toll on him than he anticipated.

"It went by in a blink of an eye," Kenny Omega admitted. "I feel like maybe it has aged me and my career a little bit. I feel like it's taken more years of my career than it should have when I thought it would be the opposite. I thought that maybe American television wrestling would have been easier on me, my body, and everything. But it's the same, it's a different brand of punishment that you bring upon yourself, but everything's really rewarding too. Not only am I learning new skills that contribute to pro wrestling, but I'm able to dip my toes in various other projects as well," said Kenny Omega. (H/T: Sportskeeda Wrestling)

Omega went on to express his delight at being in charge of the creative process with AEW's games and how such an opportunity never came up in Japan.

The Belt Collector is a generational star, and is currently the face of three different companies.

#1 AEW's Malakai Black wants to fight in NJPW

Malakai Black's AEW debut

Despite joining AEW less than a month back, Malakai Black has revealed that he wants to work in New Japan Pro Wrestling sometime in the future.

Black made a thunderous debut on the Road Rager edition of AEW Dynamite. After attacking Cody Rhodes and Arn Anderson, his feud with The American Nightmare became more intense as time progressed. They're set to face off at the Homecoming edition of AEW Dynamite in August.

Appearing on the Wrestling Perspective Podcast, Malakai Black said:

"One of the companies that I still want to do some stuff for, hopefully in the future, is New Japan. That would make my circle complete. That’s what I was raised on. I always wanted to go to Japan. I always wanted to go to New Japan. It has always been one of my ultimate goals, one of the last few things on my checklist is New Japan. Let’s hope in due time, someway, somehow, we can make that happen in the future."

With the forbidden door now open, Malakai Black's wish could be fulfilled while he's contracted with AEW itself. The prospect of him facing some of Japan's top stars like Okada, Tanahashi, and Takagi is incredible. Hopefully, we don't have to wait long to witness it.