'%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,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAFAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgf/2gAIAQEAAAAAFTH/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC/9oACAECEAAAAB//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAAE//xAAiEAABAwMDBQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEAAURBhQhEiMxQoL/2gAIAQEAAT8A1Bdb0dNxZUyZCkNTbxvlM7FA7xj5KlH24cx81NnvKmPk9Iy4rhKQB5r/xAAYEQACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgMhIv/aAAgBAgEBPwCHSWf/xAAZEQABBQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDEiL/2gAIAQMBAT8AlwtWn//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
AEW wrapped up an eventful Double of Nothing pay-per-view, and Tony Khan and his team deservedly received many plaudits for their efforts. There were some massive moments at Double or Nothing, and one of the most newsworthy stories was Lio Rush's debut.
Has Lio Rush signed a full-time deal with AEW? We have all the updates on the former WWE star's appearance and what lies ahead for him.
Elsewhere, Peyton Royce was spotted at Double or Nothing, increasing speculation regarding the next step in her career. An AEW personality was fired after he was caught mocking Hikaru Shida's accent.
AEW has reportedly also rewarded three talents with new contracts. We ended the AEW Rumor Roundup with an update regarding new titles being introduced on TV.
Trending
#5. Peyton Royce spotted at AEW Double or Nothing
Former WWE star Peyton Royce, aka Cassie Lee, was spotted backstage at Double or Nothing by a fan, and the following photo has been circulating on social media.
Cassie Lee responded to the photo and joked that the fan should have asked her for a photo instead of sneaking around with his phone.
Peyton Royce and Billie Kay, collectively known as The IIconics, were released by WWE earlier this year due to company-wide budget cuts.
During a recent appearance on Busted Open Radio, Peyton Royce stated that she and her longtime friend plan on staying together as they look to move forward in their respective careers.
"Yes! We definitely want to stay together. We want to move forward together. We're just most comfortable together, and we can play off each other so easily. We don't even have to talk about what we're gonna do. We just go out there, and it comes naturally to us because we have so much history together. So we definitely want to move forward together," said Peyton Royce.
Peyton Royce's backstage spotting is bound to kickstart a wide range of speculation. It should be noted that Royce's partner Shawn Spears works for AEW, but we just can't rule out the Australian star signing with the company. In case you're wondering, Royce's WWE non-compete clause ends in July.
#4. AEW fires Willie Urbina following racist mockery of Hikaru Shida's accent
As reported by PWInsider, Spanish language announcer Willie Urbina was released by AEW after he mocked Hikaru Shida's accent.
Willie Urbina was heard mocking Shida's accent during a conversation between the Spanish announcers over who would handle the Japanese star's translation during the AEW Dynamite episode.
Urbina was unaware that his microphone was active, and the audio clip became a topic of massive controversy on social media. AEW fired Urbina within hours of the clip surfacing on the internet.
All Elite Wrestling released Spanish language announcer Willie Urbina today, PWInsider.com has confirmed. The release came hours after audio of Urbina, apparently not aware his mic was broadcasting, mocked Hikaru Shida's accent during a conversation with other announcers as they were discussing who would handle the Spanish translation of Shida's promo for the last night's Spanish language broadcast of Dynamite, was shared by fans on social media.
Tony Khan also revealed that he personally apologized to Hikaru Shida after the incident. The AEW CEO was not happy with Urniba's behavior, and he felt that releasing the announcer was the ideal decision in the situation.
“I didn’t think there was any excuse. I was not happy. Afterwards, I heard what was said and having our commentators involved with what was said about her, who I also apologized to, I thought it was best for the company to make this decision,” said Tony Khan. H/T Fightful
Urbina previously worked for IMPACT Wrestling for eight years in addition to taking up announcing duties for NJPW.
#3. Update on Lio Rush's status following AEW debut
Lio Rush made a stunning AEW debut at Double or Nothing by coming out as the Joker in the stacked Casino Battle Royale match.
The former WWE star's status is now unsurprisingly a matter of intense debate, and Dave Meltzer provided an update during the latest Wrestling Observer Radio.
Lio Rush recently signed a contract with NJPW, and the Japanese promotion allowed the 26-year-old star to appear at the AEW show.
Lio Rush is not expected to join AEW full-time as he is an NJPW guy. However, Rush could work more dates with All Elite as part of the talent-sharing agreement between the companies.
"So, here's the deal with Lio Rush. So, I didn't know this, but Lio Rush actually has signed with New Japan Pro Wrestling. So, this was actually a deal where, you know, New Japan allowed him, and he, well, he is allowed to work dates. You know, it's funny, you know, in between New Japan, in the sense that he would be in Japan a lot, except he can't go, but I didn't know that. So, New Japan obviously has allowed him to do the show. Essentially, he was a New Japan guy, but he may work more shows with AEW, but he is not like signed by AEW, nor will he be signed by AEW. He is a New Japan guy," Dave Meltzer reported. H/t Sportskeeda Wrestling
Tony Khan confirmed the Lio rush report during the post-DON press conference. The AEW boss stated that he has a handshake deal with Rush. Khan added that the former Cruiserweight champion wants to continue working with the American company.
"I haven't got pen to paper, but Lio and I have a handshake where he can work here and New Japan [Pro Wrestling]. He wanted to keep working here, and I think we've worked something good out on a handshake. I think he has a handshake with New Japan, too, and that's what we've been doing, and it's been pretty good. I think it's a good way to work, so far, so go," Khan stated.
Lio Rush should be seen on AEW TV sooner rather than later, and it would be interesting to see how he shines during his brief stint.
#2. AEW signs three wrestlers to full-time deals
AEW is slowly and steadily building a deep and robust roster with a healthy mix of veterans and rising talent from the independent wrestling circuit.
Mike Johnson of PWInsider reports that AEW has signed Bear Country and Mark Sterling to full-time deals.
Bear Bronson and Bear Boulder first appeared on AEW Dark back in December 2020 in a match against The Dark Order. Bear Country has made several appearances since their impressive debut, and both Bronson and Boulder have been booked relatively well during their time in the company.
Bear Boulder is currently away from in-ring action due to an injury. Meanwhile, Bear Bronson has branched out as a singles competitor, and he's done quite well for himself in recent weeks.
Mark Sterling is a well-known name in wrestling circles as the 41-year-old veteran has wrestled for several promotions during his active in-ring career. Sterling began his AEW run by playing the role of MJF's lawyer during the Jon Moxley storyline.
Sterling has retained his lawyer persona and has taken up the job of being Jade Cargill's on-screen manager.
It should be noted that there are presently no further details of AEW making any additional signings.
#1. Cody Rhodes teases the introduction of a new championship in AEW
AEW has four active titles right now, including the FTW Championship, and there has constantly been speculation regarding new titles arriving.
AEW will soon move to the TBS network, and there are rumors about introducing a possible TBS title. During a recent media call, Cody Rhodes said that while such a plan has not been discussed backstage, AEW could have a new championship that caters to the company's larger teams.
"The TBS title has not been discussed yet, but another title, as a lot of people can guess, has been the title that has been more discussed potentially coming in the future," Rhodes said. "I'll let y'all speculate on what that is. Hint hint, we have a lot of people, teams, on the roster," Rhodes revealed.
Cody Rhodes' statements will naturally kickstart a host of exciting rumors. AEW has many stables, and a title that covers three or more stars could be a fresh creative direction for the promotion. Fans have always talked about the idea of a trios title, but time will tell what AEW has in store for its product.
Major rumor about recently released stars HERE
