Top AEW News and Rumors: Former WWE Star is never coming back, another CM Punk-like situation, Bryan Danielson's future
Welcome to another edition of AEW News and Rumors, where we bring you top trending stories from the world of pro wrestling. MJF recently claimed that a former WWE Superstar will never return to a wrestling ring. Almost a year after his AEW exit, another CM Punk-like situation allegedly took place, involving a current WWE Superstar.
Meanwhile, we have learned an update on Bryan Danielson's future with All Elite Wrestling. Continue reading as we dive deep into the top wrestling news and rumors of the week.
#3. MJF gets honest about former WWE Superstar's future in AEW
MJF recently opened up about his best friend-turned-rival, Adam Cole, who has been out of action since late last year due to an ankle injury.
After costing MJF his AEW World Title and subsequently unveiling himself as The Devil, Adam Cole had a forgettable night at Double or Nothing this year. The Salt of the Earth kicked The Panama City Playboy in the groin, which wound up being the latter's last TV appearance.
Speaking on the Casual Conversations podcast, MJF claimed that Adam Cole is never coming back to wrestling after he supposedly "killed him."
"I mean, isn't he dead? Didn't I kill him? I thought I killed him... He's never coming back to wrestling and I think we can all agree bad guy! Not a nice guy!"
Maxwell Jacob Friedman recently turned heel and captured the AEW International Championship from Will Ospreay at Dynamite 250. The two men will now face each other in a rematch at All In on August 25. Will Adam Cole make his presence felt in London? Only time will tell.
#2. Another CM Punk-like situation allegedly cost AEW a potential signing?
CM Punk's tumultuous time in All Elite Wrestling ended after a chain of events that transpired during All In last year. One such rumor that surfaced online at that time stated that the Chicago native was left stranded at the airport.
During a recent episode of the Keepin' It 100 podcast, it was revealed that a similar situation happened with Stephanie Vaquer before AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door this year:
"I heard that something similar to the CM Punk situation happened at Forbidden Door, that she [Stephanie Vaquer] wasn't picked up from the airport so that she ended up having to get her own way."
After weeks of speculation and rumors, Stephanie Vaquer finally chose WWE over AEW.
#1. Bryan Danielson reveals when his AEW contract expires
Bryan Danielson is all set to challenge AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland in the main event of All In this year. Ahead of this highly-anticipated match, The American Dragon revealed that his contract will be up next Thursday, making him a free agent before the Wembley show.
Danielson clarified that he isn't planning on using his free agent status as leverage to get a better deal from Tony Khan as he had already decided that this would be his last full-time wrestling contract:
“That’s true. August 1st, actually. Next Thursday. My wrestling contract is up. Which also happens to be my son’s fourth birthday. Im not saying this, like Tony (Khan) talked about this in an interview so I feel comfortable talking about it. I’m not MJF in this like trying to use my contract to be like ‘Give me all the money!’. Yeah, my contract is up August 1st. When I signed this contract, me and Brie talked about how this would be the last wrestling contract I would sign. Part of me is wondering what life is like after this, part of me is excited about that. But right now, even though Wembley is after this, I still have to focus on that. That's got to be my focus, but yeah, it's a wild time."
Bryan Danielson will likely transition into a part-time role whether he wins or loses at All In this year.