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Welcome back to another thrilling edition of AEW News and Rumor Roundup, where we try to bring the biggest news stories coming from the world of All Elite Wrestling
We'll begin today's article with Konnan, who named Roman Reigns more influential than a two-time WWE Champion. An AEW star has recently expressed his desire to get in the ring with The Rock in a dream match.
In another noteworthy development, a report suggested that there's backstage heat on Samuray Del Sol for his tweet about the late Brodie Lee.
AEW's Paul Wight has again teased the possibility of facing an NBA legend inside the squared circle. And last but not least, Jim Cornette has heaped praise on a former United States Champion. Now without further ado, let's get down to these news stories and rumors.
#5 Konnan names Roman Reigns as way more 'influential' than AEW star CM Punk
Konnan recently gave his take on Dave Meltzer's tweet, in which the journalist picked AEW's CM Punk, the most influential wrestler of 2021, and called it a "non-debatable topic."
While speaking on the Keepin It 100 podcast, the wrestling veteran stated that The Straight Edge Superstar was more influential than Roman Reigns for a night or a month, considering the hype surrounding his long-awaited wrestling return.
However, Konnan named The Tribal Chief as his overall pick this year, as the WWE star has helped bring more eyeballs to the product and created an aura around his new gimmick that could only a megastar like The Rock can defeat:
"I think that for one night or one month, CM Punk was (more influential than Roman Reigns). But look at the whole year what Roman has been able to do, increase ratings, increase buzz, you know, maintain a great storyline for over a year with different guys, get an aura about him that only the Rock's probably gonna defeat. I mean, I think he's been way more influential," Konnan noted.
There's no doubt that Punk and Reigns are two of the biggest box-office attractions in pro wrestling today. But one would agree with Konnan's statement, as the former Shield member has elevated himself to a whole new level.
Meanwhile, AEW's Punk has been a part of an underwhelming booking, which might have diminished the hype that generated when he came back.
#4 AEW star Ethan Page wants a dream bout against The Rock
AEW star Ethan Page recently named the top-notch matches he would like to tick off from his bucket list.
While speaking with Beckles & Recher, one-half of the Men of the Year expressed his desire to get singles to bout against former IMPACT Wrestling World Champion Christian Cage. Page further said it was 'pretty awesome' to have shared the ring with Sting and Chris Jericho.
However, his dream match of all time would be against the legendary Rock:
"I've been saying in every interview that I'd love a singles match against Christian Cage. Sting was there, and so was (Chris) Jericho, and I’ve gotten to share the ring with both of those guys, so that’s pretty awesome. But I would say Christian’s next on my list. And my dream match of all time will always be The Rock, or Razor Ramon in his prime," said Ethan Page.
As exciting as these matches may seem on paper, Ethan Page might not get to face The People's Champion. But a buzzworthy bout against Christian Cage may likely happen down the road.
#3 Samuray Del Sol having backstage heat because of his tweet
Samuray Del Sol recently found himself in hot water for misspelling the late Brodie Lee's real name as 'John' Huber while paying tribute on Twitter. The former WWE star's blunder was noticed by Chris Jericho and then eventually by Lee's wife, Amanda Huber.
Both Jericho and Amanda lashed out at Del Sol, with Lee's wife even criticizing him for name-dropping his late husband's name to seek attention. The online exchange of tweets caught the wrestling fans' attention.
During the most recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it was noted that Amanda Huber was unhappy with Del Sol and even claimed that the latter didn't share a bond with Brodie Lee. Moreover, she didn't hear from the Mexican star after her husband's demise.
#2 AEW's Paul Wight continues to tease a match with Shaquille O'Neal
AEW star and commentator Paul Wight didn't rule out the possibility of facing Shaquille O'Neal.
While speaking with Kenny McIntosh for issue 13 of Inside The Ropes magazine, Wight admitted that both parties missed out on an opportunity to work a program in WWE, citing a lack of communication as the reason:
"Absolutely. It got very close to happening. I think we dropped the ball a little bit on communication. Shaq’s a real busy dude, he’s got a lot going on, a lot of brands. I think the biggest thing was aligning WWE and Shaq for what WWE’s vision was of the match they wanted us to have,” said Paul Wight.
Wight added that the NBA legend's outside commitments prevented their buzzworthy bout from happening during the WrestleMania season. However, he believes there's no 'red tape' in AEW and that their match is closer to happening than it's ever been:
"Around WrestleMania season it’s usually a tough time for Shaq because there’s basketball going on and a lot of things that occupy his time. I think with AEW we don’t have as much red tape. I mean, Shaq’s already competed in AEW. I think this is an opportunity for us to have that spectacle match and have some fun with it. Honestly, I think it’s closer to happening than it’s ever been,” added Paul Wight.
All Elite Wrestling seems the perfect place for these two behemoths to finally give fans a dream bout, which is more than a decade in the making.
#1 Jim Cornette heaps praise on Miro's promo-cutting ability
Jim Cornette had high words of praise for AEW star Miro's character work and promo ability.
While speaking on The Jim Cornette Experience podcast, the wrestling manager appreciated The Redeemer's recent vignette, that aired on Dynamite last week. Cornette loved the way Miro had been communicating with God regarding his fate. He also wondered if the AEW star had been writing his promos, which seemed fantastic.
"He basically again another one of the pre tapes where he warned God, he threatened God, he questioned God," Cornette continued. "And now apparently God is buckled, and Miro's in a tournament because he's gotta fill in for Moxley. Is he writing this stuff himself? If he is, it's fantastic."
What are your thoughts on Miro's current gimmick and promo ability? Sound off in the comments section below.
