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AEW has been in the news for both the right and wrong reasons of late. While the company continues to rake in impressive TV ratings and viewership numbers, speculation regarding infighting within the promotion has stunned the wrestling world.
There is a lot to discuss beyond the disconcerting rumors about the AEW EVPs, and we begin today's AEW Rumor Roundup with a story regarding a star's blindness and how it has affected his career.
Chris Jericho also suffered a legitimate injury due to the big fall that finished the Blood and Guts match. The Demo God isn't the only wrestler on the shelf, as another top star is also set to be out of action for several months.
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A big name also texted a former WWE Champion asking him to come to AEW. We also have all the latest updates on Brock Lesnar and whether he would consider doing business with Tony Khan and co.
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We ended the roundup with details of an audible being called during a recent AEW Dynamite match.
#5. Anthony Ogogo opens up about his blindness and impact on AEW career
Anthony Ogogo has had one match in AEW thus far, and it was a convincing win over Cole Karter in April on an episode of Dynamite.
The Factory member has been positioned as one of the musclemen in QT Marshall's faction, but his career is in constant jeopardy due to blindness in his left eye.
Ogogo had to prematurely retire from boxing with an 11-1 record after he was registered blind. During a recent chat with Sport and Life, Ogogo revealed that he is 78% blind in his left eye, and there are many things he can't do in the ring because of his vision.
While Ogogo has the option to sit back on his couch at home, the Olympic bronze medalist has chosen to pursue a career in wrestling. Ogogo is hopeful of making the most of the opportunity provided in AEW, but he understands that the risk is enormous.
"I haven't got great vision from the left side, which is why I can't box anymore, unfortunately. I'm 78% blind in my left eye. It's not good. There are a lot of things I can't do in wrestling now, but what's the alternative? To sit on my sofa and sulk the rest of my life? I refuse to do that. The first thing I ever loved in my entire life was boxing, and it took that away from me. I'm not letting this injury take away another chance to be happy and successful. I'm cracking on and gonna make the best of it. I'm probably one big shot from my left eye being totally blind. Hopefully, that shot doesn't come… .it's up to me not to get hit in the eye. It was a mistake I made once back then, and I won't be making it again. I'll be protecting it like my life depends on it," stated Ogogo.
Ogogo knows that his career is on borrowed time as he is merely one bad blow away from being forced to call it quits on his time as a pro wrestler.
"My eye is a ticking timebomb. I'm very aware of that. One big elbow or knee to my eye and my career is done. It could happen next week; it could happen in 10 years time. I want to be successful as quickly as possible because I don't know how long my career is going to last," added Ogogo. H/t 411Mania
Anthony Ogogo's credentials as a boxer are unquestionable, and we really hope he takes to pro wrestling quickly and has a long and successful career despite his career-threatening eye injury.
#4. Backstage News on Chris Jericho's injury and AEW status
Chris Jericho took a nasty-looking bump at the end of AEW's Blood and Guts match a couple of weeks ago, and the Demo God suffered a legitimate injury as a result of the impact.
Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Chris Jericho dislocated his elbow and is expected to miss four to six weeks of in-ring action. Chris Jericho was spotted wearing a brace on his arm on the latest episode of Dynamite.
Jericho's injury couldn't have come at a worse time as AEW prepares for a big match at Double or Nothing. The Pinnacle is scheduled to face The Inner Circle in a Stadium Stampede match on May 30th at the AEW pay-per-view event.
Meltzer noted that Jericho could work the match as he has been involved in the build-up on television. Here's what Meltzer reported.
Chris Jericho suffered a dislocated elbow in the fall off the cage at the end of the Blood & Guts match on May 5th. I presume he’s working Stadium Stampede based on the television angle but otherwise he’s out four to six weeks.
The Inner Circle, comprising of Santana & Ortiz, Jake Hager, Chris Jericho, and Sammy Guevara, were beaten by The Pinnacle in the Blood and Guts match.
Chris Jericho was thrown off the steel structure by MJF, and the veteran star and AEW also attracted a lot of criticism for the finish of the match. Jericho addressed the critiques during a recent episode of his podcast.
#3. Kurt Angle told to come to AEW by Shaquille O'Neal
Rumors of AEW signing Kurt Angle have been running rampant since he was released from WWE in April 2020.
Kurt Angle has not wrestled since his retirement match at WrestleMania 35, but he has dropped a few exciting teasers regarding a possible in-ring return in the recent past. Would he be interested in competing inside an AEW ring?
The Olympic gold medalist appeared on the Two Man Power Trip Of Wrestling podcast and finally spoke about the AEW rumors.
Angle revealed that he received a text message from Shaquille O'Neal himself regarding coming to AEW. The NBA legend would love to have Angle in All Elite Wrestling, but the former WWE Champion noted that his in-ring days were behind him.
Angle stated that while AEW as an option will always be on the table, he sees himself wrestling for the WWE if he ever decides to lace up his boots again.
Kurt Angle realizes he can't do much about the circulating speculation, and the bottom line is that the respected legend is just done with wrestling.
“I’m in the best shape of my life, but I’m not going to wrestle. I’m done with that. Shaquille O’Neal just texted me and said, ‘You need to come to AEW.’ I was like, ‘I’m not going to do that.’ Actually, if I did wrestle again, it would be most likely for WWE, but I’m not going to do that. AEW was always an option, I just never really considered it because I’m retired….I’ve heard the rumors. That’s what they are. They’re just rumors. People like to talk. They like to get excited about things, and unfortunately, that’s not going to happen," Angle said. H/t 411Mania
Kurt Angle can be found every week on his podcast, 'The Kurt Angle Show' on AdFreeShows.com, along with co-host Conrad Thompson.
#2. Brock Lesnar's status, update on whether he will consider working with AEW
While AEW may have several recognizable ex-WWE talents, signing a name such as Brock Lesnar will surely shake the business up to its core.
Brock Lesnar is the biggest free agent in professional wrestling apart from Daniel Bryan, of course. The Beast Incarnate has been enjoying his WWE hiatus since WrestleMania 36, and rumors about him possibly entertaining AEW offers crop up almost every week.
Dave Meltzer set the record straight during a recent edition of Wrestling Observer Radio. Meltzer has not heard of any SummerSlam plans being in the works for Brock Lesnar, and the possibility of the Beast going to AEW was also ruled out.
Meltzer has picked up no hints that point towards AEW pulling off a major coup with a Brock Lesnar signing.
"I have not heard. I would think he would come back for WrestleMania. Umm, but he is not under contract, but I have not heard like he is not going to AEW. I mean, he is just not. Umm, but I suppose it's, I suppose it's possible, but I have not heard any whispers in that direction," noted Meltzer.
Brock Lesnar is one of Vince McMahon's biggest draws, and the WWE boss will certainly not let off the former Universal Champion.
As Paul Heyman has stated on countless occasions, 'Brock Lesnar will do what Brock Lesnar wants to do,' but a WWE return seems like the safest bet for the 43-year-old superstar.
#1. Orange Cassidy and Ricky Starks injury updates, details on AEW changing a match's finish
Voices of Wrestling was the first to report a few days back that AEW's Ricky Starks suffered a fractured neck due to a German suplex bump in his match against Hangman Page on the April 21st episode of Dynamite.
Fightful provided an update on Ricky Starks' condition and noted that the star sustained a 'slight fracture' and won't be needing surgery.
Starks will continue to appear on AEW programming but will be kept away from physical segments by the company.
Starks also reacted to the updates and expressed his gratitude for all the incoming support. Ricky Starks is expected to miss three months of in-ring action, but AEW will actively feature him on TV during his recovery phase.
Tony Khan recently spoke about Starks' unfortunate situation and explained the positives that could be drawn from the existing scenario. Ricky Starks was earmarked to become one of AEW's top stars in 2021, but his injury would only delay his inevitable rise to the top.
The Team Taz member has received several messages from the entire wrestling community, and we at Sportskeeda Wrestling also wish him a speedy rehabilitation.
As you may have noticed, AEW is dealing with quite a lengthy injury list, as Orange Cassidy also got knocked out during his #1 contender's match against PAC on the most recent Dynamite.
Fightful Select reported that an audible was called to end the match early as a double count-out. The original plan was for the contest to conclude as a 20-minute draw.
Both PAC and Cassidy were always slated to have a three-way world title match against Kenny Omega at Double or Nothing.
The finish was changed on the fly to preserve Cassidy's Double or Nothing spot, and thankfully for all involved parties, 'Freshly Squeezed' walked out of the match without any significant injuries.
PWInsider reported that Orange is doing okay, socializing with people backstage, and will be ready for the DON, scheduled to happen on May 30th.
