Below are some top AEW news stories of the day.
• Former AEW star Matt Hardy criticized All Elite Wrestling’s creative direction, arguing that the company prioritizes in-ring ability over character development.
Speaking on his podcast, Hardy expressed frustration with this approach, stating that character work is more important for building stars. Hardy emphasized that wrestling skill alone doesn’t translate to success, stressing that popular and marketable characters drive ticket sales and merchandise.
Here’s what Matt said while discussing Harley Cameron becoming a popular character in AEW, but losing to Mercedes Mone in a TBS Women’s Championship match at Grand Slam: Australia:
“Who cares? Harley doesn’t match her in the ring? That’s irrelevant. That’s one of the issues with AEW—Tony pushes like, ‘Where the best wrestle,’ or best wrestling, it doesn’t make a difference.
These people are characters. If you want to build this character into something else, it makes a difference if she doesn’t match up. That’s what drives me nuts, man.
Once again, this is entertainment property at the end of the day. It’s nice. There are a lot of people who can do great things, wrestling-wise, be very athletic. But like because she doesn’t match up?
If you’re an over character, and people are interested, it’s going to help sell tickets and move merch, and someone that is popular, utilize them and make the most out of it.”
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• Enzo Amore cut a scathing promo targeting AEW, WWE, Cody Rhodes, and more. He mocked AEW as a place where no real stars are made and insulted New Japan Pro Wrestling.
He dismissed WWE talent as fake friends and claimed NXT wrestlers wouldn’t make it. Amore compared himself to Eli Manning, saying he would be a two-time champion and first-ballot Hall of Famer, taking a shot at Cody Rhodes in the process.
He also insulted Dave Meltzer, The Young Bucks, and Kenny Omega, claiming he had more charisma than Omega and was Dusty Rhodes’ best student.
Below are the highlights:
AEW: “I’m here at S***life Stadium, but it could be worse. I could be in an empty parking lot like AEW. Actually, I could be in the used car parking lot called AEW, where a star has never been born.”
NJPW: “I got a briefcase loaded to the gills with I-O-Us, and those are as good as cash. Hey, only two things smell like fish. The other one? The New Japan locker room.”
NXT: “And if you think I give a f*** about any of you coats in WWE, who want me to get f***** when we talk on the phone—we ain’t f**king friends. I don’t give a f*** about anybody. NXT, all you kids with your terrible twos teething—I got two words for ya: suck it.
As a matter of fact, I got three words—you can triple suck it till you superkick the bucket. And when they put you out like a stray dog, I’ll be out here, ready to put you to pasture, standing on business, ready to pi$$ on your grave.”
Cody Rhodes: “Hey Cody, I hate to be the one to ruin your perfect story, but if you’re Tom Brady, I’m more like Eli Manning. So, I’m a two-time, just like Eli. But unlike Eli, I’m a first-ballot in the Hall—and that’s word to Scott Hall, the late great. F**k Howard Fine, I don’t need to go to acting class, Cody, you little f**k.”
Dave Meltzer & Young Bucks: “To this day, I have no idea what Dave Meltzer looks like. And The Young Bucks? They’ve never made it in f**king New York. Young Bucks? You’re old f**ks. He’s past with a trampoline in his yard—now he thinks he’s hard.”
Kenny Omega: “Hey Kenny Omega, you ain’t off limits either. Mega Man, I ain’t playing with f****** joysticks—this ain’t a video game, this is real life, and I am the best at talking sh*t and backing it up. I am the best on Dusty Rhodes’ #1 student, and you can’t teach that. Omega? I fart on a megaphone, and I got more charisma coming out of my a$$ than when you talk on a microphone.”
