• Tony Khan Says AEW’s Partnership With DC Is The Closest He’ll Ever Get To Working With John Cena
During an interview with Z100 New York, AEW President Tony Khan was asked about his thoughts on the legacy of John Cena, who will have his final match in WWE on December 13.
Here’s what Khan said:
“I wasn’t expecting that. John Cena is an absolutely legendary pro wrestler who came into the space and became a huge star very quickly on television because he has so much charisma and he’s one of the hardest working people, as far as I know, in pro wrestling.
I’ve never actually met John Cena and I have a ton of respect for him as a wrestler. He seems like a wonderful person. Everybody I know that’s worked with John Cena has only the very, very best things to say about him. And he’s known for being the utmost professional. I think he’s also a very, very talented actor.
I’m a huge fan of the Peacemaker show on HBO Max. AEW Full Gear is presented by DC. DC being the presenting sponsor. We have a great partnership going with DC. So even though I’ve never worked with John Cena in any wrestling capacity, we are partners now with DC. So that may be as close as we ever get.
But I think that he’s absolutely fantastic in the ring and out of the ring, certainly on screen, one of the all time greats and he came into the wrestling business after many of the top stars were either getting ready to retire or entering the final phase of their career. And he really stepped up as one of the biggest wrestling stars of all time.
Even though I’ve never met him or talked to him, I have a ton of respect for him.”
• Mercedes Moné Says She “Lost Her Smile” During Her WWE Run In 2018
Mercedes Moné/Sasha Banks could not stay at the top for long in WWE. She won the RAW Women’s Championship several times between 2016 and 2020, but none of her reigns were lengthy enough to build credibility, as most ended within days or weeks. Her only decent title run came with the SmackDown Women’s Championship from late 2020 to early 2021.
A fan on X recently compared Moné to WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels following her 11th title win at AEW WrestleDream.
The CEO responded:
“Call me Moné ‘CEO’ Michaels.”
Another fan replied, “Just gotta lose your smile now too. Complete the cycle,” referencing HBK’s infamous 1997 promo.
Moné jokingly responded, “I did in 2018,” taking aim at one of the darkest periods of her WWE career when she was struggling mentally and emotionally.
The current AEW TBS Champion was not featured much in the main event scene after 2017 and went nearly three years without a singles title after losing the RAW Women’s Championship to Alexa Bliss just eight days after winning it at SummerSlam that year.
Things worsened when she and Bayley became the inaugural Women’s Tag Team Champions at Elimination Chamber 2019, only to lose the titles less than two months later at WrestleMania 35.
In a 2021 interview with Stone Cold Steve Austin on Broken Skull Sessions, Moné revealed she fell into depression during her time in WWE. She said that for 7 years, she didn’t even hear her own name, Mercedes, anymore, only Sasha Banks. She eventually asked for her release from WWE, but Vince McMahon denied it and gave her time off instead; she returned to the company four months after WrestleMania 35.
The booking of her Women’s Tag Team Championship reign with Naomi became the reason for her departure from WWE, as both walked out of the company a few months after winning the belts.
• Released WWE Star Was Paralyzed Mid-Match After Suffering Neck Injury
Braun Strowman has dealt with multiple injuries throughout his pro wrestling career, which was reportedly one of the main reasons WWE released him earlier this year.
During an interview with TMZ’s Inside The Ring, the former Universal Champion recalled a 2023 match with Otis, where he suffered a serious neck injury that briefly left him paralyzed.
“In 2023, I had that really bad neck injury in the ring where I pinched my spine and both my arms went limp, and I was paralyzed for about three seconds during the match. You watch that match with Otis, you can see it happen.
I go to take off. I’m really weeble wobbling. I give the rest of the match. And while I’m out there in the ring and in the back, it feels like I’m having boiling water poured down my arms, or my fingers would go numb and go to sleep.
I’m literally freaking out, oh my God, my career is over. My day-to-day life’s over. Thankfully, I’m really close with Stone Cold Steve Austin; this injury was really, really similar to the injury that ended his career.
I called Steve. Talk to Steve a lot. He gave me a lot of reassurance and eased my mind with having the surgery. He’s had great success afterwards, no issues and stuff like that.”
