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Welcome back to another thrilling edition of the AEW News Roundup, where we bring you the biggest news stories coming from the world of All Elite Wrestling.
We'll begin today's stacked article with a popular AEW star, who recently revealed that the Undertaker convinced him to wrestle a rookie back in the day. The legendary commentator is hopeful of CM Punk joining Tony Khan's promotion.
WWE Hall of Famer reveals what it would take to get him out of retirement to face Kenny Omega. Malakai Black reveals his reaction when he finds out that he has a 30-day non-compete clause.
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And last but not least, Cody Rhodes tried retiring during the Homecoming edition this week.
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That said, let's now get started with the latest AEW News Roundup.
#5 WWE legend The Undertaker prompted popular AEW star to wrestle an NXT rookie
AEW star Chris Jericho recently revealed that the Undertaker convinced him to wrestle former WWE superstar Daniel Bryan back in the day.
Daniel Bryan, who was a rookie in 2010, got an opportunity to get in the ring with then World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho during the first edition of NXT. The Demo God got the quick work of Daniel Bryan, dismantling him in under six minutes. Much to everyone's surprise, both men had only fought twice against each other, given that Bryan and Jericho worked together in the same company for years.
Speaking to Inside the Ropes, AEW star Chris Jericho revealed that he initially didn't want to get in the ring with Daniel Bryan, considering that the Demo god was World Champion and his rival was just a rookie. However, the Undertaker prompted him to act as a champion:
“I didn’t want to have that match. I just thought, ‘Why is the WWE Champion having a match against some guy that’s just coming in for NXT?’ I remember it was Undertaker that was like, ‘Go out there and show them why you’re the champion,” Chris Jericho said.
Chris Jericho further revealed that it's amazing that people still talk about their match to this day, despite both men facing only a few matches together. He also heaped praise on the quality of the match:
"I don’t think I wrestled Daniel many more times, maybe two or three times, but none of them memorable. That one was the one that was memorable and who would have thought it at the time? But here we are, you know, ten years later and people still talk about it because it was such a monumental match and the first meeting between two guys that, you know, are still doing it pretty much at the top of our games ten years later,” Chris Jericho said.
Social media is currently in a frenzy over news of Daniel Bryan possibly showing up in AEW later this year. If it ever happens, a match between him and Chris Jericho could happen one more time.
#4 Legendary commentator believes CM Punk would elevate AEW immensely
AEW commentator Jim Ross recently revealed that he wants rumors of CM Punk joining the promotion to be true.
Similar to Daniel Bryan, there has been a lot of speculation about CM Punk possibly returning to professional wrestling after almost a gap of seven years to join AEW. Although these hearsays end up becoming mere talk.
But in the last couple of weeks, we have witnessed notable developments about the rumors. During an episode of AEW Dynamite, the company dropped the bombshell by announcing that Rampage would be heading to Chicago for the second week.
On top of that, Darby Allin teased a confrontation or a match with him, stating that he's ready to face anyone in Chicago even if he thinks he's the best in the world. No company would ever tease such a thing if there wasn't any credibility.
Jim Ross has also commented on these hearsays. During his Ask JR Anything edition of Grilling JR, the legendary commentator stated that he is hopeful of having CM Punk in the promotion down the line. JR added that the former WWE superstar will add a lot of power to the thriving AEW roster:
"I hope we sign him and hope he’s one of our guys. CM Punk is a treasure and he contributed a lot to a lot of guys, and he’s willing to share his knowledge and expertise to other talents. He’s placed it forward and has no problem doing so. That’s my take on him."
Jim Ross added that working in AEW provides a lot of creative freedom to wrestlers. It is becoming a desirable destination for everyone now.
#3 WWE Hall of Famer reveals hefty amount that could bring him out of retirement to face AEW's Kenny Omega
Olympic gold medalist and WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle recently revealed the amount that could prompt him to lace up his boots against AEW's Kenny Omega.
Kurt Angle came up short in his farewell match against Baron Corbin at WrestleMania 35. Soon after, he transitioned into a corporate role but was shockingly released from his contract owing to budget cuts. Kurt Angle recently revealed that both AEW and IMPACT Wrestling offered him a desirable contract after he retired.
But Angle turned it down because he had already taken a lot of toll on his body.
Speaking on his podcast, The Kurt Angle Show, the former WWE superstar stated that if he's offered $10 Million on the table, he would lace up his boots again for one more match against AEW World Champion Kenny Omega. He added that with this money, he would even be ready to take a brutal beatdown:
"If they paid me $10 million, I would do one more match. I'll wrestle Kenny for $10 million. I'll get my a** kicked."
WWE Hall of Famer must have made this statement in an amusing bit. He's been enjoying his life since retirement.
#2 AEW Malakai Black reveals his reaction to WWE's blunder on his non-compete clause
AEW star Malakai Black recently revealed that he was in a state of shock when he found out about the blunder that WWE made on his non-compete clause.
Malakai Black was one of many big names, including Braun Strowman and Murphy, to name a few, released by the company owing to the budget cuts on June 2. Normally a wrestler would have to finish his 90-day non-compete clause to be once again eligible to sign with any promotion.
However, Malakai Black stunned the wrestling world by appearing on AEW just a month after his release. It was later revealed that WWE higher-ups made an error with his 90-day clause contract.
Speaking on a recent episode of Talk Is Jericho, AEW star Malakai Black stated that he was left stunned when he read the details of his contract. Black had to confirm the error with the company:
"I think they forgot about it. I think they forgot to update it,” Black said. “I remember seeing that. I took a picture of it, and I sent it to my agent. I’m like, ‘Dude, do you see what I’m seeing?’ He’s like, ‘Does that mean 30 days?’ It’s like, ‘I think it does,’ so I contacted someone within the company. I said, ‘Look, am I reading this correct?’ And this person said, ‘No, that’s correct. Even now, I’m looking at it, you have 30 days,’ and I’m like, ‘Alright, perfect.'” Malakai Black said. (H/T: WrestlingInc)
AEW's Malakai Black made an emphatic debut this week as he defeated Cody Rhodes. Given his dominance in the match, it looks like the company is very high on the former WWE superstar.
#1 AEW star Cody Rhodes tried to retire during this week's episode of Dynamite
This week's Homecoming edition of AEW Dynamite grabbed headlines among the wrestling section of the world. During the main event, Malakai Black squashed Cody Rhodes in no time.
Meanwhile, everyone thought that the loss would swerve an appropriate way to write him off the television, given that he was already scheduled to take an indefinite hiatus after this week. As it turns out, he ended up teasing an in-ring retirement.
Following his loss, he grabbed the mic to deliver a passionate promo, which people later realized was his retirement speech. Cody Rhodes almost left his boots in the middle of the ring before Malakai Black surfaced to launch an assault on him.
Many felt that Black prevented him from retiring. Regardless, it has made their storyline more intense. With All Out even fast approaching, one may assume that both men will collide one more time.
Fans were left in utter shock to witness this unexpected swerve from Cody Rhodes. Social media has been buzzing ever since and it remains to be seen how this storyline will unfold next week on AEW Dynamite.
