AEW News & Rumor Roundup: Ronda Rousey's future uncertain; former WWE star's debut announced; Huge Kenny Omega update

Welcome to the Holiday edition of AEW news and rumor roundup. Today we'll cover some trending topics in the All Elite and pro wrestling world like a recent massive update regarding Kenny Omega, Ronda Rousey's uncertain wrestling future, a former WWE star debuting in a major wrestling promotion, and more.

So without further ado, let's begin:

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#1. Keny Omega expected to return at AEW Worlds End PPV

Kenny Omega has been out of action since last year after being diagnosed with diverticulitis. He is scheduled to return to wrestling at Wrestle Dynasty 2025 at Tokyo Dome in Japan on January 5 to compete against Gabe Kidd. However, before that, he is rumored to make an appearance at the AEW Worlds End PPV this weekend on December 28.

Fightful Select reported this news, but how Tony Khan could be planning to use him is still unknown. The report also included that he could run dates in Japan on January 1 or 2 or NJPW Wrestle kIngdom 19 which will take place a day before Wrestle Dynasty 2025.

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#2. Billie Starkz comments on Ronda Rousey's uncertain wrestling future

Ronda Rousey left WWE in 2023 and retired from wrestling but returned to the ring shortly after. Her last match happened in November last year when she teamed up with Marina Shafir to defeat Athena and Billie Starkz in an ROH taping.

Speaking in an interview with The Wrestling Classic, Starkz opened up about working with The Baddest Woman on the Planet. She also stated that she has no idea when Rousey will return to the ring.

She said, "It was a very out of the blue experience and it was crazy how it unfolded, and I was happy to do the match. It was crazy to me that we got to wrestle twice in the same week, but being able to say that I had her last match, for I think a while. ... I don't know when she's coming back so I can say I was the last one we know of. ... Everybody can't get over me dumping her on the head and I was like, 'It's just a German [suplex], I do it to everybody, I promise."

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#3. Tony Khan struggling to find a home for Shockwave

Tony Khan recently announced that the Jacksonville-based promotion will air Friday Night Rampage for the last time on December 27, 2024. It is rumored that a new program called Shockwave will take its place but the AEW head hasn't found any broadcast partner for his new project.

"I mean, you know, the thing like, obviously, that there were talks with Fox and AEW, numbers fell." said Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio. "And I mean, that's the key. I mean, it's like, if their numbers had stayed stronger or, you know, I think that they would have a lot better shot getting on Fox because there are several nights a week where an AEW show could do an AEW show from a year ago, or even six months ago, could have done better than Fox does on those nights,'' he added.

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#4. Athena set to debut outside AEW

Athena is a part of Tony Khan's ROH. She is the longest-reigning ROH Women's Champion in history. The former Ember Moon recently took to X to announce that she is set to make her Stadom debut on January 3 in a tag team action alongside Thekla. Their opponents are yet to be announced.

"It's gonna be me and Thekla against two porcelain hussies," said Athena. "But I am super excited to be here because this is the world tour, baby! And I've been waiting for this my entire life."

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#5. Jake Hager is set to enter a prestigious Hall of Fame

Jake Hager has been in the wrestling business since 2006. In his almost two-decades-long career, he won many championships and awards like the World Heavyweight Championship, ECW Championship, United States Championship, etc. He left WWE in 2017 and signed with AEW two years later. He parted ways with Tony Khan's promotion earlier this year in May.

It was recently announced that Hager is set to be inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thez Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in Iowa.