On last night’s episode of AEW Dynamite, it was announced that Tony Khan will make a big announcement on next week’s show.
It looks like Vince McMahon’s allegations have affected All Elite Wrestling as well, as this big announcement was originally scheduled to made this past Saturday during Collision, which went head-to-head with WWE Royal Rumble.
Here’s what the Wrestling Observer reported:
“They were originally going to make the announcement on Saturday (during Collision). And then they realized that that was not probably the best day to make the announcement because with the Vince stuff, it’s like, no one’s gonna be talking about this.
It’s better to do the announcement at a time when people will be talking about the announcement rather than get lost in the, you know, sleaziness of the Vince McMahon story that’s all over everywhere.”
The Observer also noted that Khan’s big announcement might be about the arrival of Mercedes Mone (fka Sasha Banks in WWE):
“I presume the announcement is a show in Boston and Mercedes Mone, but it could be a double announcement.”
The second part of the double announcement could involve former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada, who is currently a free agent:
“He’s a free agent, as of right now. So he can go somewhere. There may be an agreement. If it’s AEW and he doesn’t announce it until after the 24th. I don’t know that there is. I’m just saying there might be because he’s still working New Japan shows until the 24th.
They could do somewhere to where they tease a big surprise for Greensboro on March 3rd and it’s him. Although it’s not going to be that big of a surprise because he’s going one place or the other. Him and Mercedes, it’s coming down to the wire.”
According to Fightful Select, Okada has had discussions with WWE about possibly signing with them:
“WWE sources confirmed that there have been talks between Okada’s side and WWE. There have been WWE talent that confirmed that over the last few weeks, Okada has been in contact with others on the roster to gauge his offers, WWE’s approach, and to help weigh a decision.
We have not heard of any creative plans in place for Okada, or any specific pitches that may or may not have been thrown his way.”
Despite the discussions with WWE, AEW is “fairly confident” that they’ll sign Okada and have even made tentative plans for his official debut.
All Elite Wrestling presented a “substantial offer” to Okada.
WATCH: Sasha Banks’ Major Wardrobe Malfunction:
