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Welcome back to another stacked edition of the daily AEW News Roundup. This week's AEW Dynamite didn't air on its usual Wednesday time slot due to the NBA Playoffs, and the episode will instead air this coming Friday.
AEW is busy building up towards the Double or Nothing pay-per-view, and a massive name has been confirmed to return on the final Dynamite before the company's biggest event of the year.
A top AEW star opened up about a Sasha Banks controversy that happened not too long ago and how the incident changed him as a person. Cody Rhodes finally addressed the rumors of infighting amongst AEW EVPs during a media scrum.
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Jim Ross's recent comments about Randy Orton also kicked off quite a storm online, and he provided some clarification on this week's Grilling JR podcast.
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On that note, let's take a look at the latest edition of the AEW News Roundup:
#5. Eric Bischoff returning on the next episode of AEW Dynamite
As noted above, this week's AEW Dynamite will happen on Friday at 10 PM EST on the TNT Network, and Eric Bischoff will be returning to the show.
Chris Jericho was a guest on Busted Open Radio, and The Inner Circle leader confirmed that Bischoff would host an Inner Circle celebration segment on Dynamite.
The Inner Circle will face The Pinnacle in a Stadium Stampede match at Double or Nothing, and Jericho's faction will have to disband forever if they lose.
"We're celebrating The Inner Circle that has been kind of promoted and perpetrated by AEW; this isn't an Inner Circle idea," Chris Jericho confirmed. "This is AEW kind of giving thanks to The Inner Circle for all that we've done over the past year and a half because if this is indeed our last major match at Stadium Stampede, they we're going down with all guns blazing. But the host, the MC of this Inner Circle celebration, it's gonna be a returning, Eric Bischoff, your host, the MC for the whole segment."
Chris Jericho stayed in character and added that he'd made amends with Bischoff, which is why the WWE Hall of Famer had agreed to be the MC of the upcoming AEW segment.
"First time Bischoff and I have ever been on the same side, much like when I called Mike Tyson, we had a little bit of a change of heart." Chris Jericho continued. "A few months ago, another guy that I called was Eric Bischoff. We have made amends, and Eric agreed to come down and kind of MC and host the celebration for The Inner Circle this Friday on Dynamite." H/t Matt Black of Sportskeeda Wrestling
AEW will apply the final touches to all the angles on Dynamite heading into Double or Nothing, and 'The Celebration of the Inner Circle' could also have a few explosive twists. AEW Double or Nothing is slated to occur on May 30th, 2021.
#4. AEW's Sammy Guevara talks past Sasha Banks controversy
AEW's Sammy Guevara sat down for an Inside The Ropes interview with talkSPORT's Alex McCarthy. The 27-year-old wrestler opened up about the Sasha Banks controversy that took his career by storm in June last year.
Guevara's comments about Banks from a 2016 podcast resurfaced in 2020, and the crass nature of the statement brought a lot of heat on him. The star issued an apology on social media. Sasha Banks even responded to Sammy Guevara, and the AEW star later had to undergo sensitivity training while he was on a brief hiatus from AEW TV.
During the recent interview, Guevara wasn't afraid to admit his shortcomings and revealed that sensitivity training helped him learn new things in life.
The Spanish God was 22 years old when he made the insensitive comment about Sasha Banks, and Guevara admitted that it was an act of immaturity from his end. The Inner Circle member has since grown as a human being, and he doesn't want to repeat any of the past mistakes.
"Oh 100%, man. I mean the Sasha stuff, those were bad comments on my end from years ago," reflected Guevara. "[It was] just immaturity. And I have grown since then. [My] whole thing too last year, I did the sensitivity training. I don't know everything, and I am not going to pretend like I do. So, when they said to do this training, I said, 'Let me look at it from a silver lining [perspective]. You know, I could learn some stuff from this, probably.' And I did learn some stuff. "That's what life is about. Nobody is perfect. We're human, and [being] human means we make mistakes. And so I feel like when you make a mistake, it is just important to try to learn, grow and go on. Life is just going to keep going," Guevara stated.
As expected, Chris Jericho was a pillar of support for Guevara during all the off-screen controversies he's faced, and he is grateful to have the veteran by his side in AEW.
#3. Cody Rhodes comments on rumors of infighting between AEW EVPs
The past few weeks have been dominated by explosive rumors about AEW EVPs not being on talking terms.
Jason Powell and Wade Keller spoke about the apparent backstage heat between Cody Rhodes and The Elite. Reports added that one potential 'difference-maker' was hesitant to sign with AEW following the circulation of the rumors.
Rhodes addressed the speculation during a recent media scrum ahead of Double or Nothing and firmly denied any friction between him and the Elite.
Cody Rhodes, however, wasn't surprised by the stories as he felt the Wednesday Night Wars created a hostile environment in the business. The former TNT Champion regularly talks to Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks, and he is behind their respective projects.
He said that while Tony Khan is the boss, AEW works as a team, and they cannot deliver a compelling product without working as one unit.
"When I heard that story was floating around, it is when of the things I chopped up as we've been very successful, AEW, and with NXT and the Wednesday Night Wars, it created a lot of anger, and I understand there is a lot of hardcore NXT and WWE fans out there and that's why those stories like that don't surprise me. I think people need to cling to something, and as sexy as that story is, I talk to Matt and Nick every day; I talk to Kenny very often. I support their projects fully, and they've been supportive of all my projects. We would not be able to put this show on the air. Tony [Khan] is the man, and he's the boss, but we wouldn't be able to put the show on the air if the four of us were not functioning as one team. Unfortunately, it's not very sexy to say, but there is no truth to that…we will remain one team," said Cody Rhodes. H/t WrestlingNews.co
Cody Rhodes has shot down all the rumors, but is there more to this story than meets the eye?
#2. AEW's Brian Cage to make his acting debut in a horror movie
The FTW Champion is heading to Hollywood! AEW's Brian Cage is all set to make his on-screen debut in the horror movie 'Jasper,' written and directed by Keith Vaile. As announced, Cage will play the role of a character named 'Hammer.'
The film's principal photography has already been completed, and the movie is scheduled for release on February 25th, 2022. The film's plot revolves around a group of friends who are chased by a serial killer. Given below is the movie's tagline:
"The Hunt for the World's Most Vicious Serial Killer has just begun."
In addition to Brian Cage, the movie also stars well-known faces such as Kane Hodder, Erin O'Brien, Bill Moseley, Bill Oberst Jr., and Michael Berryman.
Cage continues to be one of the most protected stars in AEW, as the No. 5 ranked wrestler has enjoyed a healthy winning streak. He last appeared on this week's AEW Dark episode and defeated Sonny Kiss in the main event.
The Team Taz member is currently slated to face "Hangman" Adam Page in a singles match at Double or Nothing in a few days.
#1. AEW announcer Jim Ross explains his Randy Orton comments
Jim Ross recently named Randy Orton the best wrestler in the world, and the AEW commentator's statements didn't go down well with Kenny Omega and his most ardent followers.
During the same interview, Ross spoke highly of AEW's Kenny Omega. He said that the AEW World Champion was also in the conversation when discussing the best active performers currently plying their trade in the business. JR's statements attracted a lot of attention as many known personalities gave their two cents on the issue.
Omega and The Young Bucks took shots at Jim Ross, and Good Ol' JR has now offered a reason for his views on Randy Orton.
During the recent Grilling JR podcast, Ross reminded everyone that he had a hand in recruiting wrestlers like Orton, and he had a 'business association' with many of his former colleagues in WWE.
Jim Ross helped many talents get to the next level in WWE, and he was disappointed that his comments were misconstrued by the masses, leading to an unwanted controversy.
"We have a little controversy going about who I apparently said that I thought Randy Orton was the best wrestler in the world. People forget that I recruited these guys. I've had a business association with a guy like Randy Orton since day one. Coach Barry Switzer said, 'You recruit these kids for life,' and I kind of take that to heart. I've helped a lot of guys who got down on their luck and needed a check, what have you, way past WWE days," said Jim Ross.
"I don't know how that could be such a big issue. I just don't get it," added Ross.
JR had no intentions of discrediting AEW Champion Kenny Omega's capabilities and accomplishments and added that everyone is entitled to their opinion. What are your thoughts on the whole matter? Who is the best wrestler in the world?
