AEW Missing and not in action

[The Thread Killer]

I have a question...has anybody here heard anything about the contract status of the following talents?

- Private Party

- The Gunns

- The Kingdom (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven)

- Keith Lee

- Jack Perry

- RUSH

- Britt Baker

If online chatter is to be believed, all of those talents are 100% healthy and ready to work, but for reasons only known to Tony Khan, they are being kept off TV.  If they are coming up on their contract renewal dates and are refusing to sign new deals, then I totally get it.  Why give free publicity to somebody who will be going to work for your competition?

In the case of Keith Lee, I even get it because the guy apparently can't walk from Point A to Point B without seriously injuring himself. Plus he's 40 years old and weighs around 400 pounds, so I would totally understand if Khan has buyer's remorse and is just going to let him run out his contract at home.

There are also the rumors about Jack Perry being a massive jackass and a huge pain to deal with, so if he's just being kept off TV because he's hard to work with, I get that. Same with Britt Baker. RUSH too. Although in their cases, why not just release them then?

I find it most difficult to understand when it comes to The Kingdom, Private Party and The Gunns.  All are outstanding Tag Teams. If you don't have anything for them on Dynamite or Collision, why not stick them in ROH or give them something to do? It just doesn't make any sense to me.  Lord knows the AEW Tag Team division could use some shaking up.

[Blehschmidt]

I think you summed up the Perry, Rush, and Baker situations pretty well.

If sites like 411, etc are to be believed, Private Party's deals may be up soon, and WWE may have interest. Whether that is true, who knows.

Not sure about The Kingdom, and I think they suck, so I don't care. (Sorry)

Keith Lee seems to have some kind of hush hush medical issue that is keeping him out of the ring. He constantly thanks fans who check in about his health on Twitter, and make cryptic references to whatever is going on with him.

I feel like they are waiting for Jay White to heal up before bringing The Gunns back.

[El-P]

Private Party can be summed up in four words : Young Bucks carry jobs. The difference between those Bucks matches and pretty much everything they ever did is gigantic. Not that they don't have potential still, but in AEW, after the disastrous tag title "reign", they are cooked right now. 

The Kingdom were on ROH two weeks ago. They're in the same boat as the Righteous, never got over in AEW. Writing was on the wall when Cole, O'Reilly & Strong got renamed Paragon, essentially cutting any references to the Kingdom. Really good veteran tag team that could be used better in TNA at this point, if they aren't being used.

The Gunns I see jumping to WWE sooner than later. They literally dress up like Shawn Michaels in 1994 and do Road Dogg spots. WWE love them nepokids.

The tag team scene needs a good shake up, but none of these teams are part of the answer. Actually the answer is just taking the belts off the Hurt Syndicate and put them on anyone else. FTR, Jetspeed, Deathriders, Hologram & Kommander, Paragon, Hobbs & Joe, fuck me, even the GYV (remember them showing up at Wembley and not getting over and not doing jackshit since, hey they had a really good match a few weeks back on Collision though) basically anyone but the Hurt Syndicate ever again.

AEW as a whole has passed Baker by. She was last seen being unprofessional after a really bad return stint. She's been featured on some DDP yoga videos a few months back... Who knows, maybe she shows up at All In and after three weeks vanishes again.

Jack Perry, who the hell knows.

The entire Keith Lee AEW stint feels like a fever dream. Covid did him.

Rush is entertaining but unreliable. He was still featured not to long ago. Probably would not resign him though.

[sek69]

Rush actually has been around recently with Dralistico and Mortos as Los Ingobernales again, he wasn't on the last few TVs since he's on CMLL's banned list and there was no chance he could get on the Arena Mexico show (CMLL did do TK a solid and allow Mortos to appear for the first time in 14 years tho). 

[strobogo]

I could have sworn there was a Britt Baker come back promo or vignette not long ago and nothing came from it.

[Stiva]

Maybe everyone involved realised that Jack Perry trying to role play as some hardcore badass was ridiculously bad and they’re taking some time to convince him to not be such a clown

[DMJ]

I've been catching up on all the old AEW PPVs and it really is crazy how over Jack Perry was with the AEW audience in 2020-2021 and now, 4 years later, that potential seems squandered. The good news is: he's 28 so he can turn things around, but it might take some reflection and humility on his part to get there. Plus, some really, really good creative.

I think what did him in was leaning too far into the CM Punk stuff with the "Scapegoat" gimmick which, to be fair, seems like it was one of those ideas that Tony Khan (and probably the Bucks) thought was a good idea at the time as it would "get heat." TK did air the footage from Wembley under the guise of it being the Young Bucks being heels so I can definitely see Jack Perry, at his age, hearing from his boss and the Young Bucks - who rightfully deserve respect for what they were able to accomplish independently - that this was going to make him the talk of the wrestling world. It was the wrong decision. But TK is still the billionaire owner of AEW. Young Bucks were still 20+ year veterans who had navigated ups-and-downs throughout their careers. Jack Perry had no safety net.

Only now, well over a year later, does AEW feel like it has "moved on" and part of that is because the Bucks disappeared for awhile, TK stopped appearing on TV, Jack Perry's been gone, and there was greater focus on people that didn't have the "CM Punk stench": Toni Storm, Swerve, Ospreay, even Copeland *yuck, threw up in my mouth there*, Hurt Syndicate (don't @ me El-P), Orange Cassidy, Ricochet...and, in the case of Omega and Hangman, the wise decision to just let them do what they do, going out and having banger matches, letting time pass to the point that the Hangman/Punk and Punk/Omega backstage stories are the least interesting things to talk about with them. 

With Jack Perry, the time away was the right first step. The question is, how do you bring him back in a way that doesn't result in a "Go Cry Me A River" chant? Does he get the big return moment in a big major storyline again or would it be wiser to see if you can get the fans back behind him if they bring him back with Luchasaurus (who has also been out for a long, long time) as the team that finally steps up to the Hurt Syndicate? I mean, it'd be kinda silly to ignore everything that has happened with Perry and Killswitch and just have them show up as best friends again but...it's pro-wrestling and its been long enough that you could explain it away as them re-connecting off-screen and realizing they were taken advantage of by the Bucks (in Perry's case) and Christian (in Luchasaurus' case). A single promo would get that done. Then, just have them wrestle again and do all the old spots and never speak of "real glass" again.

[El-P]

@DMJ

(you're welcome)

I dunno; I actually enjoyed Jack Perry as El Hijo del Raven. He doesn't have the promo ability nor depth, but he absolutely could lean into the Raven style of getting beat the fuck up into having good matches, while being a legit Hollywood nepobaby. I can't see him just go back to being Jungle Boy, that would be a retread. But he sure needs not to be defined by a CM Punk incident, for sure (less so now than ever, because everything about CM Punk is embarrassing). 

Damn, Luchasaurus sure has been gone for a long ass time since his health issues.

[Dav'oh]

Copied and pasted from Reddit re: Britt Baker

https://www.patreon.com/posts/major-britt-133101562/

Sources close to Mark (@WrestleMobs) have confirmed that Britt Baker is actively seeking to part ways with AEW. This would align with what fans have speculated based on her recent social media activity.

As things currently stand, AEW isn’t looking to release Baker from her contract. The internal belief is they don't want any upcoming WWE Pittsburgh shows to be announced — as well as Evolution to pass — before letting anything move forward.

We’re told that Britt feels there’s nothing left keeping her in AEW, pointing to burned bridges and a sense that the environment has changed around her. Whether this ends with a quiet release or something louder, the door appears closer to shut than ever before.

[El-P]

The funny thing is : why WWE would want her ? She's not very good in the ring, she's kind of a headache to deal with apparently plus.... oh sorry, I was just reminded that she just has to to her D.M.D gimmick over and over and she'll get main event spots. That's how it works over there. YEET ! YEAH ! WE BELIEVE !

Jokes aside, I have no doubt WWE would grab her just because, and she's best friend with Chelsea Green (or was at one time). Like I said, AEW has outgrew her. She peaked at the end of the pandemic/back with the audience thanks to the Schiavone/Rebel not Reba vignettes. She has had awful health issues which probably don't help her in-ring work, but her attitude during her last comeback, from what has been said (and seen on camera, really, with Serena Deeb), is just not worth the trouble.

Fully expect Danhausen to be signed too whenever his contract ends. One dimensional joke, poor in-ring worker, reputation of being a constant complainer. He'll fit right over there too (unless Mr. Iguana already stole his spot).

[Dav'oh]

57 minutes ago, El-P said:

Danhausen. One dimensional joke

Yeah, I was thinking recently of Danhausen that there's a difference between being a comedy wrestler, and being a piss-take. The difference between telling a joke, and being the joke itself.

[Boss Rock]

https://x.com/AEW_Blog/status/1940479130119856426 FWIW Fightful claiming there's been no word internally that Britt is actively looking to leave. That being said, I don't think there's really much value to keep her around anyway. Division as a whole has passed her by and Toni and Mercedes are the clear top stars for them now.

[strobogo]

On 7/2/2025 at 12:08 PM, El-P said:

The funny thing is : why WWE would want her ? She's not very good in the ring, she's kind of a headache to deal with apparently plus.... oh sorry, I was just reminded that she just has to to her D.M.D gimmick over and over and she'll get main event spots. That's how it works over there. YEET ! YEAH ! WE BELIEVE !

Jokes aside, I have no doubt WWE would grab her just because, and she's best friend with Chelsea Green (or was at one time). Like I said, AEW has outgrew her. She peaked at the end of the pandemic/back with the audience thanks to the Schiavone/Rebel not Reba vignettes. She has had awful health issues which probably don't help her in-ring work, but her attitude during her last comeback, from what has been said (and seen on camera, really, with Serena Deeb), is just not worth the trouble.

Fully expect Danhausen to be signed too whenever his contract ends. One dimensional joke, poor in-ring worker, reputation of being a constant complainer. He'll fit right over there too (unless Mr. Iguana already stole his spot).

WWE would absolutely love to have her pop up in the crowd in NXT unnamed, then rename her and do nothing with her for months just to do it because they seem to think it is somehow really sticking it to AEW or something. Tony fumbled chants looking real funny in the light when Starks has been in NXT feuding with fellow AEW guy Page for 3 months and any and all hype over him has completely evaporated. 

[Stiva]

Evolution 2 is in Pittsburgh too so if ever there was a time for her to jump.

It’s funny but reading the Collision spoilers after reading this thread made me chuckle. Nobody mentioned in the OP but a return after a long while 

[Boss Rock]

4 hours ago, strobogo said:

WWE would absolutely love to have her pop up in the crowd in NXT unnamed, then rename her and do nothing with her for months just to do it because they seem to think it is somehow really sticking it to AEW or something. Tony fumbled chants looking real funny in the light when Starks has been in NXT feuding with fellow AEW guy Page for 3 months and any and all hype over him has completely evaporated. 

Blake Monroe's first few weeks have been especially puzzling.

[ElHijodeGorgeousGeorge]

13 minutes ago, Boss Rock said:

Blake Monroe's first few weeks have been especially puzzling.

Yeah I gave NXT a try this week and just can't understand how they think her first major thing on TV is...tagging with Grace? I'm sure it's leading to her big full heel turn on her and a title angle but I don't give a fuck also?

[sek69]

8 hours ago, Stiva said:

Evolution 2 is in Pittsburgh too so if ever there was a time for her to jump.

It’s funny but reading the Collision spoilers after reading this thread made me chuckle. Nobody mentioned in the OP but a return after a long while 

The show is actually in Atlanta, which kinda got lost in GOLDBERGMANIA running wild. 

[El-P]

On 7/3/2025 at 9:41 PM, strobogo said:

Tony fumbled chants looking real funny in the light when Starks has been in NXT feuding with fellow AEW guy Page for 3 months and any and all hype over him has completely evaporated. 

The "Tony fumbled" chant were so embarrassing. And when your hype is 90% about "I'm being held hostage by evil AEW boss, why can't I do the thing I love" (while not getting any booking elsewhere, which plenty worker do), that's what you get in the end. Now you're just another guy on the card, because what made you such a hot topic was the fact you weren't working. 

From what I hear it seems it kinda happened to Jordynne Grace to some extent too. She was way more special to the NXT crowd when she was coming from TNA. Now she's just another NXT wrestler, she's got a shitty-ass Def Rebel theme (crazy how it struck me watching TNA lately that the WWE themes come off so cheap) without her vintage siren (because sirens are reserved for the Steiner nepokid on the main roster apparently), she shrunk a lot too (people have mentioned the Wellness policy which is hilarious when you look at Orton of Styles) so she has lost a lot of her hype it seems.

I wonder if the same thing happens to Joe Hendry. I personally can't fucking stand to hear his song and see his stupid meme face in TNA (don't get me wrong, I understand why he hustles the way he does, that's what he has and his ascension is a pretty crazy story). Like jeeez, people, aren't you TIRED already ? 

On 7/3/2025 at 10:25 PM, Stiva said:

It’s funny but reading the Collision spoilers after reading this thread made me chuckle. Nobody mentioned in the OP but a return after a long while 

For a moment there I was afraid it was Wardlow. Talk about another guy I'm perfectly fine not coming back (with my luck he'll show up at the Casino Gauntlet. Hopefully not). Well, Scorpio Sky certainly is a guy I did not expected to show up again, really. He was the least charismatic of the SCU 3 and that had showed after the split. Not opposed at all to have him back, he was a good worker. No idea what they can do with him though, considering he really never got over as a single guy in AEW. 

BTW, remember Matt Sydal ?

[Stiva]

I think Scorpio and Top Flight is a decent little trios team. Not sure they’ll set the world on fire but I’d be interested in watching them go against LFI or any combo of the Callis Family for 15 minutes on Collision 

[El-P]

1 hour ago, Stiva said:

I think Scorpio and Top Flight is a decent little trios team. Not sure they’ll set the world on fire but I’d be interested in watching them go against LFI or any combo of the Callis Family for 15 minutes on Collision 

Oh for sure. I really wish they'd do *something* with Top Flight (and Leyla Grey), after all this time. (and no, the lame feud with Cru doesn't count) They picked the right place for him to make his comeback too.

[NotJayTabb]

Every now and then I remember that Kip Sabian won the first ever AEW singles match, then realise he's not wrestled since February.