AEW and WWE Rumor Roundup February 19, 2022: AEW budget problem and more

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Sudip Talukder

The WWE and AEW Rumor Roundup for February 19, 2022, include Cody Rhodes future, AEW Budget problem, NXT and more!

These are all the latest rumor roundup in pro-wrestling, which are currently afloat. So let’s have a look at all the rumor roundups from WWE and AEW.

1. Cody Rhodes had an option on his AEW contract.

Cody Rhodes recently made his departure from AEW. It has now been reported that his AEW contract had an option that Tony Khan could have given a raise and kept him for two more years.

According to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Khan had already given raises to Hangman Page and The Young Bucks. Still, an Observer source has speculated that he didn’t do any of these in the case of Cody since he knew that the latter was unhappy.

Brandi Rhodes and Cody Rhodes
Brandi Rhodes and Cody Rhodes (Credits: SB Nation)

In his podcast, PW Torch’s Wade Keller mentioned that the main reason for the dispute was financial. He noted that Cody had asked for more money than Tony was willing to spend. Rhodes wanted to be paid at the same level as the recent signees CM Punk and Bryan Danielson.

“From what I’m told, Cody asked for more money than what Tony Khan was willing to spend.” Rhodes wanted to be paid at the same level as recent signees CM Punk and Bryan Danielson. AEW’s owner & president not only didn’t see Rhodes as being worth that amount of money, but the presence of stars like Punk and Danielson also gave him leverage over Cody: “…it did give Tony a sense of ‘I have enough top guys, and then young guys on the rise… and there’s only so much salary-cap room that Tony has to spread around.” (H/t Cageside Seats)

2. AEW going through some budget issues 

Tony Khan has been waiting for a new lucrative TV rights deal which he is expected to get in 2024. But, before that, AEW has been working within a budget, especially when it comes to signing talent. 

According to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, there are talks within the WWE locker room about the budget problems in AEW. Dave Meltzer talked to a WWE talent, and the talent noted two names,mainly Kevin Owens and some other talent had the interest of joining AEW. Still, they couldn’t sign these stars due to budget issues.

“On the WWE side, talent was talking like AEW had a budget issue, noting that two WWE names who were both great workers had deals up, with Kevin Owens being one and the other not being Sami Zayn, but someone whose contract situation has not been public, and there was at least interest in them as far as seeing what AEW had. Unfortunately, legally neither one could be negotiated with, and Owens signed a new deal before his old deal expired.“

3. Jericho and CM Punk are believed to be the company’s highest-paid stars

According to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Chris Jericho’s contract with AEW has been till the first week of 2024, and Kenny Omega has a year left on his deal. And it is more certain to be believed that Chris and CM Punk are the highest-paid stars of the company.

Chris Jericho and Jake Hager on AEW.
Chris Jericho and Jake Hager on AEW. (Image Credits: TNT, AEW via Cultaholic)

4. NXT Stand & Deliver before WrestleMania 38

WWE has recently announced some of its plans regarding the night before WrestleMania 38 week in the Dallas Metroplex. 

PWInsider has said that they have heard two things that can happen before the two night WrestleMania 38 show on April 2 and 3.

  • The Hall of Fame Ceremony is to air on peacock and WWE Network at 10pm ET. The event could be taped earlier in the week but wouldn’t stream until after the go-home episode of SmackDown was over.
  • NXT Stand & Deliver is slated to take place on Saturday afternoon before night 1 of WrestleMania. However, the venue has not been decided yet, but WWE seems to be keeping fans engaged to AT&T because the NXT show is currently penciled in for 12-3pm ET.

According to WrestleVotes, this NXT event could happen before night one of WrestleMania 38. There is also speculation from Wrestling Observer Radio that Dolph Ziggler vs Bron Breakker is set to clash on that show. 

5. Saturday Night’s Main Event for WWE

According to PWInsider, WWE will bring back the Saturday Night’s Main Event after WrestleMania for Saturday house shows.

Saturday19.0
Saturday Nights Main Event by WWE (logos.wikia.com)

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