AEW: Tony Schiavone on Wanting Surfer Sting for Sting’s Retirement Match, Megha Parekh Reportedly Less Focused on AEW, More News

Tony Schiavone on Being Hopeful for Surfer Sting for Sting’s Retirement Match

A recent episode of the What Happened When with Tony Schiavone podcast featured co-host Tony Schivone’s thoughts about Ric Flair’s recent arrival in AEW and him being hopeful that Sting will bring out his former Surfer Sting character for his retirement match.

“It was surreal, it really was, and I was really thrilled about doing it. I was talking to Sting on Saturday when we were in Oakland, and we were giving each other a hard time, as you do. There were a bunch of guys standing around and I said, ‘Yeah, I remember the first time I stuck the microphone in front of Sting at TBS Studios. Sting rolled down, he was so blown up he couldn’t get words out. He was [breathing heavy].’ Sting says, ‘I don’t remember that.’ I said, ‘It’s on video if you’d like me to pull it up.’ Both have been such phenomenal performers, and I’ve said this many times, I’m honored to be tied to them in some way.

You look online and see a lot of photos of Ric Flair, it’s me holding a microphone. That’s very special to me. I really would like for Sting, for his last match, to come out at Surfer Sting. Blonde hair, spike it up. It would be great. A lot of people would love to see it. Maybe we can convince him to do it.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

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AEW Chief Legal Officer Megha Parekh Reportedly Taking Step Back from Company

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that AEW Chief Legal Officer Megha Parekh has largely reduce her duties and responsibilities with the company in recent months.

It was reported that it is currently not known if there has been an official job title change or adjustment for Parekh nor if she will resume or accelerate her AEW-related duties in the future. It was also reported that AEW official Chris Peck reportedly has taken over many of the things Parekh was previously handling for in the company.

In regards to the potential reason, it was reported that many within AEW stated that there was a belief within the company as of this past October that Parekh’s attention was shifting more towards matters associated with a new stadium deal involving the Jacksonville Jaguars, who she also currently works for.

It was also reported that Parekh was not present backstage at AEW’s All In event this past August at Wembley Stadium nor was she among the disciplinary committee responsible for CM Punk’s contract termination and departure from the company.

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AEW News & Notes

MJF recently announced on Twitter that he was an executive producer for the upcoming The Iron Claw film based on the legendary The Von Erich Family. Besides an executive producer role, MJF also portrays Lance Von Erich in the upcoming film.

Chris Jericho filed a trademark for “The Jericho Era” on November 12th for wrestling and merchandise-related purposes to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

As noted before, AEW announced during this past Saturday’s Collision show that they will be holding a new round robin tournament called the Continental Classic starting at the November 22nd Dynamite show. Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that AEW officials kept the announcement of their new tournament very quiet and did not air the announcement video to the live crowd.

Fightful Select also reported that their sources stated that the backstage segment between Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega, and The Young Bucks at this past Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite show setting up their tag team match for Full Gear 2023 was actually filmed the prior week.

Serena Deeb reportedly has been making regular appearances backstage at AEW’s Collision shows of late, according to Fightful Select.

Fightful Select reported that their sources confirmed that the recent rumors of The Butcher and The Blade recently leaving AEW are not true. These rumors originated following The Bunny’s departure from the company last week.

Parker Boudreaux reportedly is still with AEW and has not actually left the company, according to Fightful Select.

In a recent interview with the Under The Ring podcast, Orange Cassidy gave his thoughts about having to explain his laid back character in AEW and the indies to people. Cassidy stated “The idea that someone says they don’t understand me or they don’t get me, that’s an active choice. I think they choose not to. I think they completely understand what is happening. Why do I have to explain myself to people, right? I feel that I’m going to put out the art that I’m going to do and then if you don’t like it, or if you don’t understand it, that’s fine. That’s your thing. You don’t have people looking at someone’s sculpture or painting and being like, ‘Hmm. Have the artist stand here and tell me what they were doing.’ That’s ridiculous. I do hold professional wrestling to that standard and I think we all should be.” Cassidy also gave his thoughts about how much of his character is actually his normal self. Cassidy stated “No, this is just me. There’s no turning up or turning down. This is just who I am. So, I know that they say, ‘Oh, you’ve got to turn yourself up.’ No. This is just how I am.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)