Below are a couple of top AEW & WWE news stories of the day, featuring Tony Khan and Cody Rhodes.
• Tony Khan confirmed a shift in AEW’s approach to talent releases but emphasized that decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
Speaking on the AEW Revolution media call, Khan explained, “I simply decided that it was the best thing to do at this point.” He acknowledged that while recent exits—such as Miro, Malakai Black, Ricky Starks, and Rey Fenix—had similar outcomes, each situation was unique.
AEW had previously been reluctant to release talent, but this marks a change in philosophy.
Starks and Miro were granted releases, Black’s contract expired, and Bear Boulder was let go after his arrest. Meanwhile, Fenix reportedly wants to join his brother Penta in WWE.
• Travis Scott joined forces with The Rock and John Cena to attack WWE Champion Cody Rhodes at Elimination Chamber.
Scott slapped Rhodes pretty hard. According to the Wrestling Observer, Travis injured Cody:
“Cody got hurt. I’m pretty sure it was Travis Scott that did it. I heard he had a busted eardrum and a black eye.”
Ric Flair’s son-in-law, Conrad Thompson, provided the following update on The American Nightmare on the 83 Weeks podcast:
“I saw the report earlier this week, I checked on Cody and I was like, ‘Dude, I saw it, but a burst eardrum? Are you okay, holy sh*t.’ He replied, ‘Didn’t touch me, I got a wild bruise somehow though’ and sent me a picture. I said, ‘Well damn, I’m glad you’re okay mostly.’ He jokingly said, ‘The horsemen got me.’
I just thought it was funny that Cody even now is like, ‘Ah, he didn’t touch me.’ Now of course we know, that’s not the case, he’s sporting a major black eye right now.
I don’t know if it’s true or not that he burst his eardrum but buddy, it is a brutal blow that we saw there.”
