AEW Rumor Roundup: Former WWE World Champion might be coming to AEW Dynamite, CM Punk may not be wanted, ROH Star possibly signing, and more (October 02, 2019)

As AEW Dynamite is set to premiere on TNT tonight, it's going to be interesting to see how things all pan out.

Here's what to expect on the card for the debut show:

• Cody vs Sammy Guevera
• MJF vs Brandon Cutler
• Hangman Page vs PAC
• Nyla Rose vs Riho (for the AEW Women's World Championship)
• The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega vs Chris Jericho and Santana and Ortiz
• Jon Moxley will make an appearance

In the AEW Rumor Roundup before tonight's Dynamite premiere, we take a look at CM Punk's status with the company, an alternate name for the TV show, a former WWE World Champion, as well as a former Bullet Club member who might soon arrive.

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#5 AEW Dynamite was almost called AEW Revolution

The wrestling revolution

Before the name of the TNT show was revealed, there was a lot of speculation going around about what the actual name would be. A couple months ago, a trademark for AEW revolution was filed. Fans began speculating that this could be the name of the show. In an interview with Ryan Satin, Cody Rhodes revealed that they tested other names, including Revolution.

He said,

"We tested other names. My favorite of the other names was Revolution, because they kept using the trailer where I was saying revolution. So it was a selfish choice and I knew it was a selfish choice. And Matt Jackson, who I love dearly, just kept saying ‘I hate it. I hate it.'”

The name was trademarked as a precaution, in case they wanted to use it down the road. Would the name had worked as a show name? Probably not, but it was a smart choice to trademark it. AEW is being marketed as the start of a wrestling revolution, giving more credence to the trademark.

#4 AEW teases that Kenny Omega might get a new persona going forward

The Cleaner is gone

In the latest episode of Being The Elite, AEW teased that Kenny Omega might be debuting a new gimmick in the near future. One of the recent storylines has featured Kenny Omega's descent into madness, as he has become wayward while making incoherent promos.

In the Being The Elite episode, Matt Jackson called Omega on his cell phone and left a voice mail message about that he was worried about his state of mind.

He also said, (H/T Wrestling Inc for the transcription)

"I know how weird things are, the narrative online has changed. But I just wanted to remind you that this whole thing started with us. This whole thing started with the three of us. The Elite. This movement. They're calling it a revolution now. And I just miss that guy we started this all with. I miss, I miss all the adventures we went on with you, Kenny. I miss the Kenny who we seconded down to the ring during all those big matches with Okada. I miss the Kenny with the killer instinct."

"Someone told us recently, that Nick and I lost our killer instinct, too. But I'm ready to find it again. And in D.C., we start this new adventure. We start our big television show. We start Dynamite on TNT. And Kenny we need you. We're in a fight that night that we don't even know what we're getting into. We don't even know who we're wrestling. What I'm trying to say is we need the old Kenny. We need that Kenny. Kenny, we need...we need 'The Cleaner.'"

Omega picks up the sunglasses and throws them in the trash. He can be overheard saying, "I'm just getting started." For those unaware, 'The Cleaner' was the character that Kenny had when he was in NJPW, during his Bullet Club run. The gimmick is best described as a recreation of Sylvester Stallone's Cobra character, combined with other video game characters.

It seems that AEW wants to do something new. They might even debut this new side of Kenny Omega on the debut episode of AEW Dynamite. It should make for interesting viewing.

#3 AEW may not be interested in working with CM Punk anymore

Punk out

According to a recent report, it's been understood that AEW may no longer be interested in working with CM Punk. Punk claimed that AEW only texted him offers and he seemed put off by that. Cody Rhodes disputed these claims, saying that every effort was made to sign him. While Cody said that he's unsure if Punk will sign, Rhodes said that the door was open for him in the future.

Dave Meltzer revealed on Wrestling Observer Radio why AEW officials may not be interested in working with him.

"Even though AEW has told me that they would never work with him, and I believe that they believe that on this day... they told me that after the Marc Raimondi article. They were very - I said like. I mean my thought was you never say never, but, no no... it would be difficult. But, yeah yeah, it was pretty much told to me that they would never - they felt very disrespected by what he said, and they should have if you know what the real story was and I can’t go into too much detail, but I do know it, and, you know, it’s Punk.”

It's still unclear whether CM Punk would ever sign with AEW or vice-versa. At the moment, it's also rumored that Punk could return to WWE to host the FS1 studio show. This could pave the path for a return to the ring.

Could CM Punk end up in AEW? Never say never in the professional wrestling business.

#2 ROH Star Marty Scurll might end up in AEW

Back with the crew?

Wrestling fans that regularly watched Being The Elite, know who Marty Scurll is. When AEW was formed, he was not part of the initial signings. This was due to the fact that he was still signed to ROH. That contract is set to expire in November.

During an interview with The Mirror, Scurll didn't reveal what the future holds for him.

He said,

"As a business man running a huge enterprise, it wouldn’t be smart for me to discuss my potential business decisions with a journalistic tabloid. That being said, I certainly aim to make waves in the wrestling world, and continue to raise Villain Enterprises stock through the roof.”

With regards to AEW, he also said

“All my friends are dead. What the **** is AEW?”

Considering the long friendship that Scurll has with Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks, the signs point to him signing with the promotion. Another reason that he could end up in AEW is that Scurrl could retain creative control over his character there. Perhaps, the biggest reason would be that he would be on TNT and attract new fans in the process.

Fans should stay tuned to find out what happens on AEW Dynamite.

#1 Jack Swagger could appear on AEW Dynamite's debut episode

Swag it up

According to a recent report, it's been rumored that former WWE Superstar Jack Swagger could make a surprise appearance on AEW's debut on TNT. The original story was broken by Sports Illustrated, which stated the following regarding Swagger's potential AEW debut.

"In other wrestling news, a potential surprise for AEW’s premiere on TNT, Sports Illustrated has learned, is Jake Hager, better known from his WWE run as Jack Swagger. An ardent Trump supporter and legitimate big guy, Hager would fit in nicely as a villain for the promotion. He would also add depth to the card, and his work in Bellator MMA could have crossover appeal for AEW."

Regardless of Swagger's political leanings, there is no denying his in-ring ability. The undefeated Bellator fighter was a WWE World Heavyweight Champion and a WWE United States Champion. He was also the last Lucha Underground champion, though Lucha Underground's current status is largely unknown.

Swagger's appeal is quite relevant. He could still appear in a limited fashion and possibly be a draw on TV. Will he show up on the AEW Dynamite's debut episode? Wrestling fans will soon find out.