'%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 to another edition of AEW News and Rumors, where we bring you all the biggest stories from the world of pro wrestling. In today's piece, we will discuss the backstage reason behind Jon Moxley's sudden absence from television. Meanwhile, Tony Khan has allegedly refused to let a former WWE Superstar go from his contract.
Elsewhere on the list, a current champion has weighed in on Ronda Rousey's wrestling future. Continue reading as we dive into the top news and rumors of the week.
#3. Big update on Jon Moxley's AEW absence
Jon Moxley hasn't been seen on TV since losing his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship to Tetsuya Naito at Forbidden Door. With All In right around the corner, many fans have been pondering the current status of The Purveyor of Violence.
Trending
As per the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Moxley has been given time off by the company and there's no word on when he will return from his indefinite hiatus:
"Jon Moxley has been given time off by AEW and has not been backstage at AEW TV since the Forbidden Door PPV." [H/T: WON]
The Wembley show may still be a few weeks away, but it doesn't look like The Blackpool Combat Club member will be brought back into the fold in time for the pay-per-view.
Nevertheless, a special cameo from Jon Moxley cannot be ruled out as AEW will likely head into All In with all guns blazing.
#2. Buddy Matthews isn't leaving All Elite Wrestling anytime soon
It looks like Buddy Matthews is here to stay with All Elite Wrestling for the foreseeable future.
Last week, rumors suggested that The House of Black has re-signed with the Jacksonville-based promotion despite online speculation on his potential WWE move.
According to the latest reports, Buddy Matthews had plans to leave AEW and even tried to give his notice, but eventually chose to stay after Tony Khan offered him a lucrative deal:
"Buddy Matthews had tried to give notice about leaving All Elite Wrestling at one point but AEW wasn’t going to release anyone to go to WWE. Tony Khan since then offered him a new very lucrative deal and he agreed to it," [H/T: WON]
Buddy Matthews was written off TV after a backstage assault by Patriarchy a few weeks ago. Now that Christian Cage and his men have won the AEW World Trios Championships, it's almost a foregone conclusion that the two sides will feud heading into All In this year.
#1. Athena speaks on Ronda Rousey's wrestling future
Ronda Rousey appears to have stepped away from pro wrestling indefinitely to embrace motherhood as she is now pregnant with a second child. Since leaving WWE, The Rowdy One wrestled only a handful of matches.
Ronda Rousey last laced up her boots under the ROH umbrella late last year when she reunited with Marina Shafir to face Athena and Billie Starkz.
In an interview with Stephanie Chase, Athena stated that fans will likely see Rousey back in the ring down the road:
So, I definitely think we’ll see her back, maybe down the road, maybe a year from now, two years, or whatever. Whenever she wants it. If I get a random text message, ‘Hey, girl, let’s go,’ I mean, we’ll see what happens. I’ll never say never. I know she’ll never say never. So we’ll just see what happens.”
As for Athena, she recently reached a milestone after surpassing 600 days as ROH Women's Champion.
