'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Welcome back to another exciting 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 AEW's blockbuster acquisition, Malakai Black, who provided some revelations that led to him signing with AEW.
A WWE Hall of Famer has revealed why Sting decided to drop his popular Surfer gimmick back in the day. A top female star mentions Chris Jericho as her mentor. Whilst a former Cruiserweight Champion sends a stern warning to MJF.
And last but not least, a recently released WWE superstar has expressed his desire to face Kenny Omega in AEW.
Trending
That said, let's now get started with the latest AEW News Roundup.
#5. AEW's latest acquisition Malakai Black reveals why he signed with Tony Khan's promotion
AEW's return to the road with the Road Rager edition of the show kicked off with a bang. During a segment featuring the legendary Arn Anderson being interviewed by Tony Schiavone, the lights suddenly went off.
While many people considered it a technical glitch by the production team, AEW dropped perhaps the biggest bombshell. Tommy End, aka Malaki Black, appeared in the ring as soon as the lights came back on in a bone-chilling moment for anyone watching.
The former WWE superstar quickly made an emphatic statement by delivering a 'Black Mass' signature move to Arn Anderson and then Cody Rhodes.
It was stunning to see the former NXT champion showing up in a promotion without completing his 90-day non-compete clause. Later on, we did find out that it was a blunder from WWE, who failed to update his contract of 30 days period to 90 days.
Regardless, Malakai Black is certainly a blockbuster signee for AEW. He has added a lot of star power to the already stacked roster.
Following his debut, Black appeared via Twitch and revealed why he chose to sign with AEW. He stated that it was the right move for his career at this point. He further heaped praise on AEW, stating that they have a bright future and he's grateful to be a part of it,
"It was the right move to make for me, my family, my career, [and] the state of mind I'm in. It's just a really good company. I can't say enough good things about it. They have a bright future. There are a lot of dedicated people and I'm really glad to be part of it." said Malakai Black (H/T - Fightful)
His WWE career didn't yield much success despite the man carrying all the credentials to be a top star in the company. However, AEW could be just the right platform for Malakai Black to showcase his character and in-ring abilities.
#4 WWE Hall of Famer reveals why AEW's Sting decided to drop his Surfer gimmick
WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff recently revealed why AEW's Sting decided to drop his Surfer character back in the day.
AEW star Sting is a 36-year veteran of the professional wrestling business. During his early days, the Icon brought several changes to his on-screen character. One of the fascinating gimmicks that he adopted was the Surfer character, which helped him become the face of WCW.
Despite the gimmick being highly popular among fans, AEW's Sting decided to shift to a character inspired by The Crow.
Speaking on the latest episode of the 83 Weeks Podcast, Eric Bischoff revealed that movie roles prompted AEW star Sting to drop his Surfer character as he felt that the gimmick wouldn't help him land a movie role:
[Sting] wanted to do movies. I was the executive producer of Stings’ very first movie called The Real Reason Men Commit Crimes. I put the deal together and made it happen with Turner and funded it. Sting was taking acting lessons right around this time and working in that direction. Sting made up his mind, he didn’t want that blonde hair because you can’t get a movie, you can’t get a T.V. role with that look so he wanted more versatility,” Eric Bischoff said (H/T- WrestlingInc).
The WCW Icon stopped dying his hair blonde and adopted a crow-based character, which eventually proved to be a defining moment in his career, as he went on to win several world championships. One cannot forget about his feud with NWO, which made him even more popular.
#3. Top female AEW star names Chris Jericho as her mentor
AEW Women's Champion Dr. Britt Baker recently revealed that legendary wrestler Chris Jericho helped elevate her character.
From being a jobber in WWE to becoming a women's champion in AEW, Dr. Britt Baker's journey has been nothing short of inspiring. It is safe to assume that her character work helped her reach the pinnacle of the women's division.
In an interview with talkSPORT, AEW's Resident Dentist discussed numerous topics, most notably how veterans like Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega, and producer Jerry Lynn helped develop her character:
"In-ring, I’ve been working heavily with Jerry Lynn. He’s one of the best, I love working with Jerry. Chris Jericho is always going to be a mentor to me in every way possible. He’s so good with characters, helping with my promos and match psychology and Kenny [Omega], he’s been my guy from day one. He’s always had such a heavy, heavy devotion to the women’s division and it’s success. Kenny is somebody that I can always go to when I’m really stressed out or doubting myself." said Baker
Dr. Britt Baker's statement also justifies how AEW veterans are keen to help the younger generation become megastars just like them.
#2. Recently released WWE superstar sends a stern warning to AEW's MJF
Former WWE superstar Tony Nese has sent a chilling warning to AEW star MJF, stating that he would love to smack him if he gets the opportunity to work in Tony Khan's promotion.
Tony Nese was among several superstars released from their contracts by WWE owing to budget cuts on June 25th, 2021. The former WWE superstar will now have to complete his 90-day non-compete clause before appearing for another promotion.
In an interview with the Wrestling Perspective podcast, Tony Nese revealed what could be the most suitable place for him to wrestle once he finishes his 90-day clause. He stated that IMPACT Wrestling could be an option for him,
I feel like I'd fit in [IMPACT] perfectly," said Nese. "I feel like I'd fit in a lot of places perfectly."My options are out there and I have a lot of discussions to make. I'm not saying anything. Right now, my goal is to wrestle the people I haven't had a chance to wrestle. I have to brush up on my independent wrestling." (H/T - Fightful)
Tony Nese also expressed his desire to face AEW stars if he gets the opportunity. He specifically took a shot at AEW's MJF, stating that he would like to destroy him,
"I'd love to add a couple more to that," Nese added. "Kenny Omega, I wrestled him on an independent show. It was a small show and he was on a long tour and just like 'let me get through this without getting hurt.' Matt Sydal, I've never worked with him and would love to mix it up with him. I wouldn't mind smacking MJF around." (H/T - Fightful)
Considering his natural in-ring abilities, Tony Nese could be a great addition to any of these promotions. Since AEW has shown interest in recruiting former WWE superstars, Tony Nese may turn out to be the next number.
#1. Former WWE superstar vows to face AEW's Kenny Omega
Another former WWE superstar, Killian Dain, has expressed his desire to face AEW World Champion Kenny Omega.
Killian Dain, aka Big Damo, was released from his contract by WWE owing to budget cuts on June 25th, 2021. Fans remember him during his recent alliance with Drake Maverick in NXT.
In an exclusive interview with Riju Dasgupta of Sportskeeda Wrestling, Big Damo discussed numerous topics, most notably joining AEW. He stated that AEW has a talented roster filled with megastars like Kenny Omega and Miro. He further added that he could have a great match with any of them,
"They have got a wonderful roster. You just said it yourself. When you got the likes of Omega and Miro, there are just so many great wrestlers there. Yes, there are plenty of matches that would be incredible for me or for anybody really," said Big Damo
Big Damo would indeed be a great fit for AEW. He could be a great mid-card heel where he can have a feud with Orange Cassidy and Sammy Guevara, to name a few. But first, he would have to finish his 90-day non-compete clause.
