AEW: Anthony Henry on Tony Khan’s Plans to Bring Him Back to AEW & ROH, Jim Ross on CM Punk’s Comments, The Boys Release Update, More News

Apr 5, 2024

Anthony Henry Comments on Tony Khan’s Plans to Bring Him Back to AEW After He Heals from Injury

As noted before, Anthony Henry was among the talents released by AEW this past Monday. Henry initially stated that he was considering retiring only to change his mind and wanting to wrestle in Japan instead.

During Thursday’s ROH Supercard of Honor 2024 media scrum, ROH owner Tony Khan stated that he currently intends to bring back Henry to AEW and ROH once Henry fully heals from his current broken jaw injury.

Following Khan’s comments, Henry responded on Twitter stating that he feels estatic over his upcoming return to AEW and ROH and also being happy that he can support his family.

What a week! Obviously, I was not happy with what happened earlier in the week. However, I am estatic about being back! I believe in the locker room at AEW and cannot wait to be back in action.
To those who voiced their support for me this week: thank you from the bottom of my heart. I never knew that what I do impacted so many. I’ve never had anyone rally behind me like that. It is an unreal feeling. I love you all. See you soon!
#punchinknockout #workhorsemen

To those who voiced their support for me this week: thank you from the bottom of my heart. I never knew that what I do impacted so many. I've never had anyone rally behind me like that. It is an unreal feeling. I love you all. See you soon!#punchinknockout #workhorsemen
— Anthony Henry- A Workhorseman (@Antnyhenry) April 4, 2024

Jim Ross Comments on CM Punk’s Negative Bashing of AEW

A recent episode of the Grilling JR podcast featured co-host Jim Ross’ thoughts about CM Punk’s recent comments about AEW calling it not a “real business” and AEW CEO Tony Khan not being a “real boss” among other negative comments he recently made against AEW in general.

“I saw a snippet of it. I didn’t see the whole thing. Again, my life, this has been a great weekend health-wise. That’s what I’m focusing on. I’m tired of all the negative news, all the bad news, and all the controversial stuff. It’s enough is enough. I think I mentioned to you, how much barbecue can a redneck eat? I’m tapping. Let’s move on, here. We got everybody’s point of view, we understand. No matter what anybody says in an interview, it’s not gonna solve the problems. It’s just, we’re gonna continue to wear that son of a bitch out.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

The Boys Respond to Tony Khan’s Claims of Their Releases Being Due to No Showing Issues

As noted before, The Boys’ Brendon & Brent Tate were among those released by AEW this past Monday. During Thursday’s ROH Supercard of Honor 2024 media scrum, Tony Khan stated that the reason for The Boys release was due to issues over them no showing for scheduled bookings.

Following the scrum, The Boys responded on Twitter claiming that it was not true. Brent stated “Far from true” while Brandon stated “Oh, it’s like that? Stand by..“

The Boys also liked several tweets that were critical of Dalton Castle saying that he should have been released instead because of him being the more limited of the group and Castle being nothing without them at his side.

AEW News & Notes

As noted before, MJF has been out of action for AEW since this past December due to a shoulder injury. MJF’s profile on AEW’s roster page and most of his merchandise on AEW’s online store was recently removed leading to online speculation of MJF’s contract had expired and was a free agent. Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that MJF is still with AEW and the rumors of him debuting or appearing at this weekend’s WrestleMania 40 event for WWE are not true.

MJF recently responded on Twitter about Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson wanting to purchase a painting made by MJF’s ex-girlfriend that featured The Rock bloodying Cody Rhodes on the March 25th WWE RAW show. The Rock stated “Love this. What an artistic convergence of emotions 👏🏾👏🏾 I’d like to buy this from you, my team will be in touch. I know a special mom who I’m going to gift this to…. #MamaRhodes – Final Boss.” MJF responded stating “First you steal my glorious idea to lash Cody. Now you try to cop art from my ex. I’m a fan. But please Leave me be, Dewey.“

Notable wrestling fan and online content creator TigerStylePro announced this past Wednesday on Twitter that he was recently hired by AEW for a job in their production team. AEW Senior VP and co-Executive Producer Mike Mansury confirmed on Twitter that TigerStylePro was recently hired by the company and he was the producer of the Powerhouse Hobbs video package hyping up his match against Will Ospreay at this past Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite show.

As noted before, Mercedes Mone made her official debut for AEW their Big Business show this past March in Boston, Massachusetts. Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that the reason for Mone’s decision to have a new entrance theme produced for her was due to her concerns over copyright issues with her previous theme being too close to Kriss Kross’ “Jump” song. It was reported that AEW officials had ensured Naomi, Bayley, and Tamina that their visit for Mone’s debut appearance would not be filmed in order to avoid any potential issues for them with WWE. It was also reported that AEW officials did consider at one point for Mone to make her official debut at their Homecoming 2023 shows at Daily’s Place.

As noted before, Jeff Hardy has been out of action for AEW since this past February due to a broken nose injury. In a recent interview with WrestleZone, Matt Hardy provided an update stating that his brother is currently not expected to be medically cleared for an in-ring return for three to four more weeks. Hardy stated “He’s doing okay. Yeah, his vision issues are good. He had to have surgery on his nose. He had some issues with his sinuses, so he had surgery, so he’s still got three or four more weeks before he will be cleared to return.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)

As noted before, Tony Schiavone’s pet dog named Buggity passed away on March 29th. In a recent episode of the What Happened When with Tony Schiavone podcast, co-host Schiavone gave his thoughts about returning to work shortly following his beloved dog’s passing and the outpouring support he received from AEW CEO Tony Khan and others in AEW over his loss. Schiavone stated “Of course, I was gonna go to TV. Tony was so sympathetic to me. He has sent me some things here. He sent us flowers. Also had flowers sent from Ruby Soho and Angelo Parker. But…and this is to everybody out there who likes to rip on Tony Khan. He is genuinely one of the nicest people I’ve ever been around in my life. He really is. You may say, ‘Oh, you’re sucking up to the boss.’ If that’s what you think, go fuck yourself because I’m not. He’s genuinely one of the nicest people in the world. Now, when TV starts, his demeanor can change [laughs] on Wednesdays. But he’s genuinely one of the nicest people I’ve ever been around in my life, he really is. He’s so sympathetic and so nice and so caring and such a good person, and I just wanted to get that out there.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)

In a recent interview with the Under The Ring podcast, Mark Briscoe gave his thoughts about his experience working for Tony Khan in AEW and ROH. Briscoe stated “Well, to work with Tony, it’s an absolute pleasure. He’s one of the nicest human beings I’ve ever met in my life. He’s genuine, he’s passionate, and I love that dude. Tony is the man. As far as behind the scenes, there is so many hard working people at AEW. It’s hard to even start naming any because there are so many, and I don’t wanna leave anybody out, but it’s such an awesome crew. Just talking about Tony specifically, his energy sets the tone for the whole company. It’s a really awesome crew with some really awesome people. Tony, he’s the man, he’s one of the nicest human beings I’ve ever met in my life. It’s a really great work environment, it beats sitting at a desk.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)

In a recent interview with The Ringer, Seth Rollins gave his thoughts about his belief that Will Ospreay is one of the best wrestlers in the world. Rollins stated “[He] is absolutely one of the best performers in the world, and I’m happy that he is finally, you know, getting to the very top level in our industry.” Rollins also gave his thoughts about past comments he made that were dismissive of Ospreay’s quality as a wrestler due to him not working in WWE. Rollins stated “Well, not everybody has taken this stance over the years, but to me, WWE is my home, right? These people that I go to battle with every week on these live events and these TVs—and I’m not talking just the talent; I’m talking about the whole team, the production, the creative—love it or hate it, we’re the best. I’ve been a proponent of these people in my family and had their back for years because I believe that, and I believe in the work we all put together to make this industry the best it possibly can be.“

This past Wednesday’s AEW Collision tapings for this Saturday’s show featured FTR facing off against Top Flight in the Semifinals of AEW’s Tag Team Championship tournament. Following the show, Dax Harwood gave a speech to the crowd praising AEW for letting him achieve his dreams for his career in response to the recent comments CM Punk made bashing the company in an episode of The MMA Hour. Harwood stated “With it being someone’s dream, with it being all of our dreams, there‘s always gonna be…you probably know this, in your everyday life, there’s gonna be somebody who tries to strip it down, strip it from you, take it away from you, take your joy away. Don’t let them do it. Don’t let them. I don’t care if they’re in real life. I don’t care if it’s on fake life, social media. I don’t care if it’s in another company. Don’t let anybody strip you of what you love, what you’re passionate about, what you wake up for every single day. I know I talk about it, I talk about it to the point of annoyance. I have what kind of perceive to be my god, my wife, my daughter, and professional wrestling, and that’s it. That’s all I got, and AEW affords me that luxury. AEW affords me that life, and now, not only does AEW afford me that life, they afford me to do it with my best friends in front of all you people.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)