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AEW is two weeks away from debuting on TNT, and the news and rumors are going to multiply as the days go by. AEW on TNT is being anticipated by everyone in the wrestling fan base. While some news and rumors are well known by some, others tend to fall under the behemoth of the big stories of the week.
Also Read: 5 Wrestlers who turned down AEW Contracts
In this weeks' AEW Rumor Roundup, we cover the fight between Big Cass and Joey Janela at an independent wrestling event, Cody Rhodes hinting at the return of a WCW Commentary Dream team for AEW on TNT, and whether Cain Velasquez would sign with AEW.
#5 AEW planning TV Special Before TNT premiere
According to 411 Mania, The Wrestling Observer Newsletter has reported that AEW will air a TV special as a preview on October 01. This will happen one night before they premiere the official AEW on TNT show. It's quite obvious that AEW is working together with TNT on making sure that the first show will be successful and hopefully gets good ratings.
It should be noted that this will mark the first time that professional wrestling will be on TNT since WCW Monday Nitro went off the air in 2001. As most wrestling fans will know, WCW was, perhaps, the only wrestling organization to successfully challenge the WWE and beat them in the ratings on Monday nights.
While those days are long gone and AEW will be going up against NXT on Wednesday nights, TNT is obviously very excited about the prospect of professional wrestling. While it was rumored for a long time to be on Tuesday Nights, that fell through as NBA takes precedence on the network once the season begins.
Wednesdays are going to get interesting as we move into October.
#4 Chris Jericho confirms that AEW will not have scripted promos
It's been mentioned many times that AEW will not have scripted promos by EVPs Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks. At Fight for the Fallen, Chris Jericho said that when he did his promo in the ring previewing his match for All Out, it was 100% unscripted. At the time, he said,
"Tonight is the first time in 20 years that I've ever done a promo with no script, with no approval of what I say and really with no idea of what I'm going to say. I was just knowing that I have a point and some directions that I may or may not want to go... when Hangman got busted open that changed the entire design of the promo and it was very liberating."
During an interview with Mature Audiences Mayhem, Chris Jericho elaborated on why AEW will not have scripted promos.
“There are no writers because that is what wrestling is. That is where it came from! ‘Austin 3:16’ was written by Steve Austin, ‘Y2J’ was written by Chris Jericho, ‘Never Ever Again’ was written by Chris Jericho. All that stuff came from my head because I am the one who has to deliver it."
Chris Jericho's points are well taken. It makes sense that the best promos are the ones that comes straight from the heart. Fans need only look at his #alittlebitofthebubbly meme to see what happens when a wrestler is full control of his promos.
#3 Former UFC Champion Cain Velasquez wants to work with AEW
While AEW has certainly garnered a lot of praise from across the wrestling fan base, former UFC Champion and MMA Fighter would love to join the promotion. Cain Velasquez was recently at an AAA show where he was in the ring alongside Cody Rhodes. He did get good reviews for his debut performance.
According to 411 Mania, when recently speaking with ESPN, Cain Velasquez spoke on the prospect of joining AEW in the future. He said,
“I think AEW is doing some great stuff. I like the talent that they’ve brought in. They have a mix of lucha, which I think is pretty cool, and something fans are really liking these days. They’re doing a great job in giving the fans what they want as far as the wrestling and I love that they’re doing that. I like them both for what they are, but I love the way AEW is going, the path they are going. I see big things for them in the future. … If I can, I’d love to do something with them.”
The former UFC Champion would be an interesting pick if he ever signed with AEW. Like Brock Lesnar, he would bring something different to the promotion.
#2 WCW Commentary Dream Team for AEW on TNT
While Tony Schiavone recently signed with AEW, fans were excited about him joining the broadcast team, which includes the likes of Jim Ross, Alex Marvez, Golden Boy, Chris Van Vliet, Alicia Atout and Excalibur. So far, on their AEW YouTube channel, Schiavone has been a constant presence in the "Road To" series.
If people remember Tony Schiavone from WCW, he can easily be remembered as the voice of WCW Monday Nitro. His role as the lead announcer was well received by wrestling fans and is still remembered to this day for his various phrases such as, "the greatest" and "in the history of our sport."
Towards the end of a sit down interview with Cody Rhodes, it was hinted that Tony Schiavone may be joining Jim Ross at the desk for one of the AEW on TNT shows. Cody Rhodes made an exaggerated wink at the camera, for good measure.
Imagine Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone reuniting after working together in the early days of WCW. The best of WWE Monday Night RAW and the best of WCW Monday Nitro coming together for a dream matchup. For a true wrestling fan, that's enough for people to be willing to tune in.
#1 Big Cass's backstage fight with Joey Janela
Last Saturday night, at an event for WrestlePro, Big Cass had a backstage altercation with Joey Janela. Big Cass was reportedly acting in an aggressive manner and was belligerent towards Janela. Janela was involved in an incident with nZo at a Blink 182 concert and Big Cass confronted Janela on it.
While backstage personnel did manage to break up the situation, Big Cass continued his aggressive behavior and accused people of stealing his belongings. This led to him barging into a locker room that also had SCU. Eventually, Big Cass got into it with WrestlePro owner Pat Buck and spat in his face. Pat Buck retaliated and punched Big Cass in the face and took him down.
Big Cass was escorted out by police officers and had to be transported to a hospital out of concern for his safety. Joey Janela took to Twitter to clear the air about the Big Cass situation and said he would not elaborate, but only wished Big Cass well and that he gets back on the right track.
Big Cass has had problems with alcohol and has been open about it. While he seemed to back on track, it's unclear as to what actually happened to trigger the bizarre behavior that happened this past weekend. Like Joey Janela, wrestling fans would only hope that Big Cass gets the help he needs and gets back to do what he does best.
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