Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle, CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and MORE to AEW?

Wrestling Rumors for the week of July 30th 2021


Brock Lesnar to sign outside of WWE

RingsideNews.com

As reported on earlier in the week by Dirt Sheet Radio, Rumors have been circulating about The Beast Incarnate’s return outside of the WWE. While at this point in thine these rumors have yet to be confirmed, Dirt Sheet Radio claim Brock, “has signed a deal” with someone outside of World Wrestling Entertainment. While many believe this may mean Lesnar is gearing up for his in ring return to the UFC, it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility AEW could have their “Next Big Thing” on their hands! With the recent signings and rumored signings from AEW owner Tony Khan, we may be seeing the first big money contracts rolled out to snag these larger than life talents much like we saw from WCW. Only time will tell where Brock Lesnar will take to suplex city next!

Kurt Angle offered AEW and Impact Deals

WWE.com

Coming off of an interview with Fightful Select, Kurt Angle revealed he was offered an opportunity to make an in ring return with AEW, despite Angle previously stating he wouldn’t work for the company. Angle declined the offer due to his declining physical condition in the ring. Impact would also reach out to Kurt, according to WeestlingInc, for a one off appearance but this would also be declined. It would seem more likely than not we’ve seen the last of Kurt Angle’s in ring career following his WWE retirement match with Baron Corbin, but as it goes in wrestling, never say never.

The IIconics between Impact and AEW

WWE.com

Currently still under their WWE 90 day no-Compete clause, The former Billie Kay (Jesse McKay) and Peyton Royce (Cassie Lee) seem to have narrowed down their post WWE career paths to two major companies, AEW or Impact Wrestling. As stated by Cultaholic in their coverage of the duo, McKay and Lee plan on sticking together wherever they go opting to sign as a package deal rather than go their own ways. During an appearance on Busted Open Radio, the two heavily weighed their options and discussed their interests as well as their concerns about joining either company. Cassie Lee went on to claim, “I feel like we could really help their women’s division, though they don’t necessarily have a women’s tag division.”, referring the AEW during the Busted Open interview. As far as Impact Wrestling is concerned the duo believe they have the drawing power to greatly help the company’s exposure.

The American Dragon Makes it Official

WWE.com

News broke earlier in the week that former WWE Champion Daniel Bryan will not be returning to the company following his departure after Wrestlemania. Bryan had been in talks with All Elite Wrestling about a contract that would allow for a more lenient schedule and according to Bodyslam.net it’s a done deal! With both Dave Meltzer and Sean Ross Sapp backing the speculation, despite not being able to confirm, it would look as though The American Dragon is set for a return to the ring with All Elite Wrestling! Although Bryan himself has not made a statement about the matter, CageSideSeats does a great job breaking down everything we know so far about the alleged contract and debut of Bryan Danielson.

“CM Punk to AEW Confirmed”

WWE.com

Ollie Davis of Wrestletalk pun aside, the news that has been blowing up the wrestling community the past week is the possible in ring return of one CM Punk. The long awaited return of the voice of the voiceless is rumored to be under the AEW banner, while every wrestling reporter under the sun is scrambling to piece together whatever evidence they can to support him signing with the company. While the likes of Dave Meltzer are reporting the backstage officials at WWE believe Punk has already signed on the dotted line, no official word has come out from the AEW team nor Punk himself. Meanwhile the community continues to stoke the flame noting the recent Twitter following of In Loving Colour to AEW’s official account, and more recently the entirety of the July 28th episode of AEW Dynamite that seemed to be blatantly littered with Punk References. Most notably on the show was a backstage promo for AEW’s up coming event in Chicago, of all places, where Darby Allin made the claim, “…there’s only one place to really prove that. Right here in AEW. Even if you think you’re the best in the world.” Could we be seeing the long awaited in ring return of The Best In The World in Chicago? Only time will tell! Watch the video of Darby “calling out” Punk below courtesy of AEW’s YouTube.

Who do you think is showing up in AEW, and are there any truth to these contact signings? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out some of our other great articles while you’re here!

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WWE Releases April 15, 2021 In Depth

Yes, exactly one year to the date after WWE’s mass talent purge due to COVID-19 it would seem they’re at it again. With seemingly no reason other than “budget cuts” The World Wrestling Entertainment has begun cutting a large and shocking mix of superstars which began on the evening of April 15th 2021 around 2pm eastern standard time. The following is the current list of all known releases at this time, check back for updates as the story progresses.

Billie Kay

The initial release reported by dirt sheets and WWE.com alike was for former Smackdown superstar Billie Kay. This release comes as a shock as Billie is fresh off a push that lead her to Wrestlemania in a losing effort as part of the Women’s Tag Team gauntlet match. With buzz already swarming around her abrupt firing, it seems it will not be long before we see Billie back inside a squared circle, the question now is where.

Twitter

Mickie James

Along side the aforementioned Billie Kay, WWE veteran and former Women’s champion, Mickie James was released from her WWE contract. Mickie had been very vocal about her opinions on “aging” women’s wrestles spot in the business as a whole in recent months but still thanked WWE Chairman Vince McMahon upon the news of her release for her time with the company and fond memories over the years. (Below)

Twitter

Tucker

One half of the former tag team “Heavy Machinery” alongside Otis, Tucker split from his long time partner in late 2020 following the Money In The Bank Pay-Per-View. Since then Tucker has largely been off TV, competing in the occasional multi-man match or appearing in backstage segments. It seems as though we’ll never get to see what Tucker’s singles run would’ve looked like in WWE. Interestingly enough, this release may be exactly what Tucker needed to get his singles career off the ground as following the break of his release, Tucker tweeter out this in response…

Twitter

Wesley Blake

Former member of NXT tag team “Blake and Murphy” as well as “The Forgotten Sons” Wesley Blake never got his fair shake at a main roster push. Seemingly always looked over in favor of his partners by WWE creative. Could we see the reunion of Forgotten Sons’s Steve Cutler with Blake relatively soon on the independent scene?

Chelsea Green

The release of popular NXT women’s main stay Chelsea Green came as a shock to many as the women’s wrestler appeared quite frequently on NXT TV and was highly regarded as one of the companies next big stars. Green’s partner former WWE superstar Matt Cardona, FKA Zack Ryder, took to Twitter upon the announcement to express his pure shock of the situation and to reassure Chelsea she is indeed a star! Ryder being one of last years “Black Wednesday” cuts and having appeared across a plethora of promotions since including Impact Wrestling, AEW, and a series of his own shows, should know a thing or two about success outside of the WWE umbrella.

Twitter

Kalisto

The man responsible for “good lucha things” is another interesting release on the part of WWE. Current member of the three man stable Lucha House Party, alongside Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik at the time of release, Kalisto is a former NXT Tag and United States champion in his own right. While not a regular feature on WWE TV, The Lucha House Party were one of few teams making up the current tag division. With the release of Kalisto, we only hope that his partners aren’t soon to follow suit.

Peyton Royce

The tag division once again in shambles as another team is out of the WWE picture. Peyton Royce, former member of the IIconics alongside Billie Kay, has also been released from her WWE contract. Peyton as well has her family have been very vocal over the past months starting their displeasure with the state of WWE’s women’s division and the idea that creative would rather have the same women become champion over and over again rather than affording opportunities to new talent. Could we possible see an IIconic reunion in a more “Elite” promotion int the near future?

Bo Dallas

Real life brother of Bray Wyatt and son of WWE legend I.R.S. Bo curiously survived last years cuts while his running partner Curtis Axel did not. This lead many to believe there were big plans in the world for Bo in relation to Bray’s new “Fiend” gimmick. While Bo has been missing from WWE programming since the 2019 Crown Jewel event, backstage sources report he may be in the process of transitioning out of wrestling and rather starting his own Real-estate agency. Whatever his plans are for life outside of the WWE, we genuinely do wish Dallas the best in future endeavors.

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Samoa Joe

Definitely the most shocking of the bunch released was wrestling veteran Samoa Joe. Joe is widely credited as one of the best wrestlers of his generation and has held the major title in almost every company he’s been a part of, ironically enough, excluding WWE. While Joe has been on the sideline with an injury for most of this past year, he has still remained a staple of weekly WWE programming serving as a play by play commentator for Monday Night Raw. Even more shocking, Joe’s last appearance with the company would be his role as a main commentator throughout both nights of Wrestlemania. With such a prime role and being such a hot acquisition, many are question the decision to release Joe. One thing remains certain, wherever he goes, Samoa Joe is sure to make an impact on their world title picture with fans already clamoring on Twitter for AEW and other wrestling promotions to sign the now free agent!

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These have been the releases from WWE on April, 15th 2021 thus far. Be sure to check back for updates as this story progresses. Let us know what you think of this batch of releases below or join in on the conversation as it continues on Twitter, where many superstars and companies alike remain very vocal as seen below!

UPDATED

Mojo Rawley

Mojo Rawley is the most recent member of the WWE roster released. Mojo was released on April 15th, 2021 around 7pm Eastern Standard Time.

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