Former United States Champion has left WWE after 6 years to join All Elite Wrestling - 3 AEW rumors you need to know
Welcome to the latest edition of the AEW Rumors Roundup. In today's column, we have unfortunate news for the WWE Universe, as a former United States Champion has parted ways with the Stamford-based promotion to reportedly head to All Elite Wrestling.
And speaking of departures, another personality has held talks with Tony Khan about potentially making a move.
Meanwhile, we have heard some backstage rumblings about the future of Ricky Starks. Continue reading as we dive into the top three rumors of the week:
#3. Ricochet is AEW-bound after leaving WWE
Ricochet officially wrapped up his six-year WWE run after his contract expired on July 1, 2024. The company moved him to their alumni section to confirm his departure.
The former Prince Puma made up his mind about leaving the Stamford-based promotion weeks ago and gave his notice to WWE. In his last appearance, the former United States Champion was written off television after a brutal attack from Bron Breakker on RAW.
The angle was set up to reportedly keep the door open for his return in the future. However, that is no longer the case, as the word making the round is that the 35-year-old high-flyer is heading to All Elite Wrestling.
Contrary to the speculation, his fiancée, Samantha Irvin, will be continuing with WWE. As of this writing, it is unclear whether AEW has any plans to bring in Ricochet in time for All In pay-per-view.
#2. Is Kayla Braxton planning on joining AEW?
Backstage interviewer Kayla Braxton is another notable name to have left WWE last week.
She officially bid farewell to the WWE Universe on the June 28 episode of SmackDown in Madison Square Garden. This brought an end to her eight-year stint with the Stamford-based promotion.
WWE paid a hilarious tribute to Braxton on their official YouTube channel, which featured her humorous backstage interactions with Paul Heyman, The Miz, Bayley, and LA Knight, to name a few.
According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, Kayla Braxton decided not to renew her contract after comprehending that WWE has shifted its focus to Cathy Kelley and Jackie Redmond as their top two announcers.
Braxton is said to have held talks with All Elite Wrestling, but the ongoing rumors have been put to rest.
"There definitely was talk between her [Kayla Braxton] and AEW. She was looking into other things as well. It was one of those things—I was told she could see the handwriting on the wall. They pretty much had decided that Cathy Kelley and Jackie Redmond were gonna be the two top ones. So, she was number three. So I think by that, she kind of could see maybe it’s time to go somewhere else,” he wrote.
#1. Ricky Starks turned down his AEW return
The dark clouds have been looming over the future of Ricky Starks amidst his lengthy TV absence. The Daddy Stroke has been away from television since the March 30, 2024, episode of Collision. Fightful Select has learned that Ricky Starks has allegedly rejected the creative for his return, which would have seen him break up with Big Bill.
The Absolute reportedly felt that the angle wouldn't have been beneficial to the former WWE Superstar. Interestingly, many people within AEW have accused Starks of not wanting to do the business.
With his contract expiring soon, some people believe that Starks is WWE-bound, a potential move that has been entertained by his mentor and friend, Cody Rhodes.