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Welcome back to another exciting 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 start today's article with none other than Roman Reigns, who recently slammed a former WWE Champion for failing in UFC. In another noteworthy development, a NJPW legend sent out a warning to Jon Moxley.
A recent report has provided an insight into how WWE and its employees view Tony Khan and AEW. Disco Inferno has taken a massive dig at a popular Inner Circle member as well.
And last but not least, Adam Cole has given his honest opinion of having a former NXT Superstar in AEW. Now, without further ado, let's dive into today's roundup.
#5 Roman Reigns says CM Punk's wrestling return hasn't done anything for him; blasts the entire AEW roster
WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns recently shared his thoughts on CM Punk's AEW debut.
While speaking to Complex, the Tribal Chief bluntly stated that despite The Straight Edge Superstar's return to pro wrestling in AEW "doesn’t do anything" for him. Reigns added that Punk has grown older now and that he has lost a step in the squared circle.
"If our audience wanted to see it [CM Punk returning to WWE] and they were clamoring for it, couldn’t shut up about it, and all the stars aligned, as a businessman and as a performer who was trying to seek out the very best for the audience and try to captivate, I wouldn’t say no. But I mean, on a personal level, it doesn’t do anything for me. That’s not going to elevate me at all. He’s older now. I haven’t really seen a full match. I’ve seen a clip or two. And to me, a step or two has been lost," said Reigns.
Roman Reigns further took shots at Punk for failing in the UFC and additionally comparing their sizes as wrestlers. Reigns also took a dig at the entire AEW roster:
"Then also he got whooped in the UFC. I don’t think anybody really believes someone 200 pounds soaking wet with no explosive bone in their body could ever really do anything to me. I’m 6’3”, 265 pounds, a legitimate athlete who can throw some weight around and has been on the gridiron at the highest level. D1. All ACC. I probably would’ve maintained in the NFL if my health issues didn’t happen when I was 22 years old. So, I mean, when it comes down to it, I’ll throw him and pretty much the rest of that roster out the club no problem. They’re just little brothers, you know?" Roman Reigns added.
Roman Reign's statement has gotten the attention of the entire wrestling world, including Junior Dos Santos.
#4 Minoru Suzuki says he has unfinished business with AEW's Jon Moxley
Minoru Suzuki recently sent a stern message to AEW star Jon Moxley.
While speaking with Sports Illustrated, Suzuki talked about his recent series of battles with Mox. The NJPW legend stated that he has unfinished business with the former WWE Superstar. The 53-year old star further noted that he's always ready to fight wherever he goes, and it doesn't matter to him if he's competing in a big or small match.
"I’m not done with Moxley. I have unfinished business with him. There are many more times I need to beat him up. And it doesn’t matter if I’m in a big match or a small match; whenever I go out there, I want to fight," said Minoru Suzuki.
Suzuki was recently engaged in an extremely heated feud with Jon Moxley. Both men headlined the AEW Dynamite episode last month, which saw the former Shield member emerge victorious.
The NJPW Legend then teamed up with Archer to face the duo of Moxley and Kingston during the Grand Slam episode of AEW Rampage. However, he came up short once again.
#3 WWE's perception of Tony Khan and AEW revealed - Reports
AEW President Tony Khan has been at the center of every wrestling debate since he stated that he has more money to spend than WWE.
Shortly after his statement, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter stated that employees within Vince McMahon's promotion believe Tony Khan will soon take his company to bankruptcy, given the money he's overspending then and now. Meltzer reported that WWE considers AEW's situation to WCW and that they will not turn a profit like the global juggernaut.
"WWE believe Tony Khan will 'spend so much and lose so much money in the long run' funding AEW. There has even been talk within WWE that Khan being able to spend so much money is unfair on them because Vince McMahon's company 'have' to turn a profit while they believe AEW doesn't have the same restrictions. WWE have also played down AEW's success so far as they believe Khan has simply overspent to start the promotion," said Meltzer.
#2 Disco Inferno believes Sammy Guevara is still a mid-card wrestler in AEW
Disco Inferno recently stated that Sammy Guevara isn't climbing his way to the top in AEW.
While speaking with Konnan on the Keepin It 100 podcast, Inferno explained that Guevara is still working with underutilized wrestlers, which is why he has found himself in the mid-card spot despite winning the TNT Championship.
"In traditional wrestling, the wrestler elevates the belt. The belt doesn't elevate the wrestler. Sammy Guevara right now is a TNT champion, but based on who he's working against, has he been elevated on the card? Who's his first opponent? Bobby Fish. So was that Sammy Guevara working higher on the card, or working lower on the card? He's wrestling the same mid-card guys, and whatever the perception that you guys see in your mind, that's the reality. I still say he's really in the same spot in the card, he's a mid-card guy with a mid-card title."
Sammy Guevara defeated Miro to win the TNT Championship for the first time in his AEW career. The Spanish God then had a successful title defense against Bobby Fish on an episode of Dynamite a few weeks ago.
Inferno may have put some valid points on the table, but the Inner Circle member has indeed shown tremendous improvement in and out of the ring, which will help him yield massive success down the road.
#1 Adam Cole heaps praise on AEW star Bobby Fish
Adam Cole recently gave his honest opinion of having Bobby Fish in AEW while talking about his debut match against Sammy Guevara.
While speaking with Comic book, Cole stated he and Fish have been friends since their time in NXT, where both men were part of the Undisputed Era faction. The Panama City Playboy then heaped praise on Bobby Fish, stating that he's incredibly talented.
Despite having a busy schedule, Cole recalled meeting Bobby face-to-face, and stated that it felt great to have him at AEW:
"I love Bobby. As many people know, me, Bobby Fish, Kyle O'Reilly, Roderick Strong were kind of attached to the hip for nearly four years prior to this. So to have Bobby be involved in AEW is really exciting for me. Again, he's a great friend of mine. He's a guy I've known for over a decade. And he's really, really talented. I thought he really showcased how good he is against Sammy Guevara for the TNT title this past week. And I'm excited to see more of what he can do. But at the end of the day, those days are so, so busy. But me and Bobby made sure to take a few minutes to re-connect and chat. And it was so great to see him face-to-face." said Adam Cole.
