AEW News & Rumor Roundup: Major Mercedes Mone setback; Bad feedback after top star is spotted at WWE show; Bryan Danielson update
This is your daily dose of Sportskeeda Wrestling's AEW News and Rumor Roundup. In this edition, we will learn about a popular All Elite Wrestling star who was about to get fired by a current champion but quit before that. Furthermore, we will also cover how attending a WWE event led to a wrestler getting bad feedback.
In this story, we will also cover Bryan Danielson's latest comments on his retirement as a full-time in-ring performer. The American Dragon's last-ever match was against Jon Moxley at WrestleDream 2024. The veteran lost the AEW World Championship and was taken out of the arena on a stretcher after a brutal attack from The Death Riders.
So without ado, let's begin:
#4. Former AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson comments on his full-time in-ring retirement
Earlier this year, Bryan Danielson retired from being a full-time wrestler. The former WWE Champion is one of the GOATs of the sport and is adored by fans worldwide. His AEW run was memorable.
However, Bryan's time in the Stamford-based promotion was even more extraordinary. He main-evented WrestleMania and was once involved in a high-profile storyline, which culminated with him winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
Recently, the former AEW World Champion appeared on The Nikki & Brie Show and shed light on his life post-retirement.
"Since my last match, just think of the daddy-son time, daddy-daughter time. I've been able to have that I wasn't able to have before. There's been that. There's also been less on my plate. Very rarely do I think I struggle with that. But that's been really nice for me because I can just sit there and feel; it's almost like a meditation where I'm not meditating," he said. [H/T: WrestlingInc.]
#3. Ricky Starks was told that attending a WWE event was a "bad look"
AEW star Ricky Starks has not wrestled for the Jacksonville-based company since March 2024. Stroke Daddy is heavily rumored to join WWE. However, it remains to be seen what the future holds for him.
Starks was spotted backstage at Royal Rumble 2023 with current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. The Absolute One had gone to the PLE to support a friend. However, the former FTW Champion was informed that his actions could be a "bad look!" In a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet on INSIGHT, the 34-year-old opened up about this situation.
"I had people from my job; I had one guy who was like, 'Were you at the Rumble last night?’ I said, ‘Yeah, and what the f*ck about it?’ He goes, ‘Just saying that’s a bad look.’ How is it a bad look?" he said.
#2. WWE legend Bully Ray is concerned with Kamille's booking
The alliance of Kamille and Mercedes Mone ended on this week's Dynamite. Just before the erstwhile Sasha Banks was about to fire The Brickhouse, the former NWA World Women's Champion quit.
Meanwhile, WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray is a massive fan of Kamille. In a recent episode of Busted Open Radio, he voiced his concerns about The Brickhouse's booking. The veteran claimed that the Tony Khan-led creative team would eventually turn her into Wardlow 2.0.
"I don't think the experiment is working; I don't think it has worked from day one; I hate to even say this, but I'm starting to see the 'Wardlow Effect' going on with Kamille," Bully said.
#1. Orange Cassidy responds to criticism
Orange Cassidy's character is one of a kind. Unfortunately, many veterans in the industry have criticized Freshly Squeezed throughout his career for it.
In a recent interaction with Bill Apter of Sportskeeda Wrestling, the former AEW International Champion responded to his critics, claiming that old-school folks didn't know what they were talking about.
"I tend to think they have never seen me wrestle, and they don't know what they are talking about," he said. [4:07 onwards]
Cassidy locked horns with Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship at Full Gear 2024. However, he failed to dethrone The Purveyor of Violence.