44-year-old name released from WWE in 2014 reportedly working backstage in AEW

A former WWE on-screen personality with years of experience in the pro wrestling industry is reportedly now working for AEW. The individual in question, Josh Mathews, is supposedly employed in the Tony Khan-led promotion in the capacity of a producer.

Mathews began his journey in the sport as a runner-up in WWE Tough Enough 2001, and was later hired by the Stamford-based company initially as a backstage interviewer and announcer. He made appearances on WWE programming as a commentator, and occasionally as a competitor, for the next several years before being released by the sports entertainment juggernaut in June 2014.

Subsequently, Mathews joined TNA, where he served as an announcer and later in a behind-the-scenes capacity until he parted ways with the company earlier this year. The 44-year-old was reportedly backstage at AEW Dynasty 2025 last month, which sparked rumors of a potential All Elite signing. Now, PWInsider has claimed that Josh Mathews has officially joined the Jacksonville-based company.

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According to the report, Mathews has been working in the promotion's production truck, facilitating communication between the company's producers and production crew.

Josh Mathews' former co-announcer provided an update on an AEW up-and-comer

A former colleague of Josh Mathews, AEW announcer Taz, provided an update on his son Hook during this week's episode of Dynamite amid the latter's ongoing hiatus. The Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil has been absent from television since being slammed by Claudio Castagnoli onto the back of a steel chair earlier this month.

Hook was later written out of The Opps' World Trios Title match (and win) against The Death Riders on Dynamite: Spring BreakThru, where he was replaced by Powerhouse Hobbs. This Wednesday, the All Elite commentary desk alluded to the former FTW Champion's in-ring absence, with Taz himself stating that his son was "battling" and "recovering," and that he will return to settle his scores in due time.

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As rumors about his health continue to circulate, it remains to be seen when Hook will make his AEW comeback.

About the author

Anurag is an AEW writer for Sportskeeda Wrestling. He holds a BA and MA degree in English along with a TEFL certification to teach English. Before Sportskeeda, he worked as a Content and Correspondence writer at Nayabad Titas, a theater group. He has also worked as a English language tutor.

To ensure complete accuracy, he uses internet resources, social media platforms, and especially pieces composed by his peers to find solid, verified information that he presents as objectively as possible. Thanks to his academic background, he can research different subjects thoroughly.

Anurag's interest in wrestling began as a child. He watched RAW and Smackdown frequently from age 10 or 11 and was officially hooked by the YES Movement story in WWE heading into WrestleMania 30.

As a lifelong wrestling fan and lover of stories, Anurag would read news, articles, and other content about the talent and events he enjoyed watching. His understanding of the business continued to grow with time, and his interest in the art and sport of wrestling led him to pursue a career as a writer.

Apart from writing, he loves to read books, watch movies and television programs, play and listen to music, and write poetry and fiction.

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Edited by Anurag Mukherjee