Tony Khan rejected former WWE Superstar's notice to leave AEW - Reports
A former WWE star was allegedly looking to leave AEW recently but Tony Khan stopped the latter from departing the company. The star in question is none other than Buddy Matthews.
The 35-year-old arrived in All Elite Wrestling in 2022 and shockingly joined The House of Black faction alongside Malakai Black and Brody King. The former NXT star has had some great matchups in AEW and is also a former AEW World Trios Champion. It was recently reported that Buddy Matthews has inked another deal with the Tony Khan-led company.
In a recent report by Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it was revealed that Buddy Matthews was seemingly aiming towards a WWE return and tried to give All Elite Wrestling his notice. However, Tony Khan offered him a new deal which led to him changing his mind.
"Buddy Matthews had tried to give notice about leaving AEW at one point but AEW wasn’t going to release anyone to go to WWE. Tony Khan since then offered him a new very lucrative deal and he agreed to it," - WON
Former WWE star reveals Vince McMahon really liked the current AEW star Buddy Matthews
Buddy Matthews seemed to have had a promising career ahead after he became a member of the SmackDown roster in 2019. The 35-year-old had great matches against Bryan Danielson and Roman Reigns and was later paired with Seth Rollins. However, after breaking up with Rollins, his career went downhill, and was eventually released by World Wrestling Entertainment.
Speaking on the JOFO in the Ring podcast, former star Sylvain Grenier revealed that Vine McMahon liked Buddy Matthews and was planning to push him.
"I just met him and really smart, really savvy. He was a little short but he looked f*cking phenomenal and I think Vince liked him a lot. And I thought they were going to push the sh*t outta them. But I think something happened with a girl, whatever."
Buddy Matthews has signed another contract to remain with All Elite Wrestling. It will be interesting to see if the former WWE Cruiserweight Champion ever returns to the Stamford-based promotion.