AEW News & Rumor Roundup: Major star announces retirement at 29, CM Punk personally requested a big match, Ricky Starks' 2025 surprise
Welcome to the latest edition of Sportskeeda Wrestling's AEW News and Rumor Roundup. Today we will learn about a shocking announcement made by former AEW Women's World Champion Toni Storm and also get to know about an interesting request made by CM Punk to Tony Khan.
Additionally, Jon Moxley showered one of his stablemates with praise and a wrestling promotion has announced that Ricky Starks will debut for them next year in January. So without further ado, let's begin.
#4. Former AEW Women's World Champion Toni Storm announces sudden retirement
Toni Storm's last match in All Elite Wrestling was back in August. She lost the AEW Women's World Championship to Mariah May at All In and has not been seen in the company since. However, she has been wrestling in other promotions such as World Wonder Ring Stardom and CMLL.
Recently, in an interview with SBNation, she shockingly announced that due to her recent losing streak, she was done with professional wrestling.
"I’m not used to being a loser. I’ve failed at everything. I lost in AEW, I lost in Japan, I lost in Mexico. This is the last you’ll hear from me again. Enjoy Mariah May as your champion. You can all enjoy that," said the Timeless One.
Storm's last match was a month ago against La Catalina at CMLL Super Viernes, where she was defeated.
#3. Jon Moxley reveals that he has massive respect for Marina Shafir
The Death Riders are one of the most dominant factions in the current wrestling landscape. The group consists of Marina Shafir, AEW World Champion Jon Moxley (Leader), and AEW World Trios Champions Wheeler Yuta, Claudio Castagnoli, and PAC.
In a recent interaction with TV Insider, the Purveyor of Violence praised Shafir. Furthermore, he stated that he has immense respect for the 36-year-old.
"Marina is great. I only surround myself with people I trust and people of the highest quality of character and integrity because I don’t have time for bullsh*t. Marina has earned that respect with me," said Moxley.
#2. Ricky Starks to debut for House of Glory
Although Ricky Starks is currently signed to AEW, he has not wrestled for the promotion over the past few months. He is a former World Tag Team Champion as well as a former FTW Champion. Furthermore, he is heavily rumored to leave All Elite Wrestling and join WWE.
Recently, House of Glory, an independent wrestling promotion, announced that the 34-year-old would make his debut in the company on January 17, 2025, in Chicago.
#1. According to QT Marshall, CM Punk requested a match with him from Tony Khan
When CM Punk was signed to All Elite Wrestling, he locked horns with QT Marshall on Dynamite on November 24, 2021. Interestingly, according to Marshall, it was none other than The Best in the World himself who requested this match from Tony Khan.
This was revealed by the 39-year-old in an interaction with a fan on X.
"He literally asked my boss for it. 'I’d like to wrestle a bad guy in my hometown who won’t go into business for himself and try and get over with the audience,'" said Marshall.
CM Punk is currently signed to WWE. His last match was against Drew McIntyre at WWE Bad Blood 2024.