Dutch Mantell says he would have fired popular AEW star for rejecting pitches - "You need to go find another job"
A top AEW star recently returned to action, but not how fans expected the comeback to go down. The legendary Dutch Mantell has booked creative for several top promotions and has just addressed an interesting rumor making the rounds.
Sammy Guevara returned at the recent ROH tapings after being suspended in February due to not following concussion protocols during a match with Jeff Hardy. The suspension ended a while back, but his return was delayed. The rumor mill claimed Guevara turned down a storyline that would have included a heel turn, which is why he's now a babyface in ROH. There was also unconfirmed talk that the 31-year-old was not brought back to Dynamite due to Mercedes Moné being there, as Sammy made controversial comments about the TBS Champion in 2016. He was forced to apologize for the remarks, undergo sensitivity training, and serve a suspension in 2020 when the video surfaced on social media.
Guevara's run in Ring of Honor is a demotion, according to the former Zeb Colter. Dutch's co-host pointed out how there is conflicting information on whether or not Guevara working ROH has anything to do with Mercedes not wanting to be near him. The 52-year industry veteran was asked what he thinks about AEW creative having nothing for Guevara.
"Well, that's not a good sign. That's not a good sign at all, but I heard what he did... they wanted him to lose, and he didn't think... he didn't agree with that. If I was the booker and I wanted him to do something, and he said no, after all the guys that have put him over... I'd say, 'Well, you need to go find another job. Find another job where you're gonna be the big star and then we'll both be happy.' And I'd send him packing that day," Dutch Mantell said. [From 2:03:02 to 2:03:35]
The Spanish God has not wrestled since losing a No DQ match on Collision to Powerhouse Hobbs on February 24, which came 10 days after the No DQ win over Hardy on Rampage. A major spoiler has just been revealed on his ROH plans and AEW TV status.
AEW Rampage loaded lineup for tonight
All Elite Wrestling will present the 156th edition of Rampage on TNT later tonight. The show was taped on Wednesday from the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC.
Tonight's Rampage will be headlined by former WWE stars MxM Collection fka Maximum Male Models. Below is the current lineup:
- Brian Cage vs. TBA
- Bryan Keith vs. TBA
- Wheeler Yuta vs. The Butcher
- Harley Cameron vs. Nyla Rose
- MxM Collection vs. Private Party
Mansoor and Mason Madden fka Mace recently joined ROH and AEW. MxM's All Elite in-ring debut came as a loss to FTR on last week's Collision. They defeated Angelico and Serpentico in their ROH debuts at Death Before Dishonor the night before.