Top AEW News and Rumors: Kevin Owens leaving WWE? Tony Khan not interested in signing controversial star, Backstage heat on female wrestler

Welcome to another edition of AEW News and Rumor Roundup.

In today's column, we look at Jim Cornette's comments about Kevin Owens possibly leaving WWE next year. On the other side of the fence, a recent report has suggested that Tony Khan had no interest in signing a former United States Champion.

And lastly, there have been some rumblings about a female star having backstage heat in All Elite Wrestling.

Continue reading as we dive into the top three news and rumors of the week.

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#3. Jim Cornette addresses the idea of Kevin Owens leaving WWE for AEW in 2025

Earlier this year, Kevin Owens revealed that his WWE contract would be up in early 2025. As of this writing, he has yet to put pen to paper on a new deal, which has fueled online speculation of a potential AEW move.

Speaking on the Jim Cornette Experience podcast, the wrestling veteran said that the impending AEW-WBD deal could play a deciding factor in Kevin Owens' decision.

Cornette feels Mr. Khan might offer Owens $5 to 6 million to lure him away from WWE:

"Is the offer going to be before or after the new TV deal is announced? Because that could play a part, you never know, in how much money Tony's throwing around, but with [Kevin] Owens being friends with the buckaroos [The Young Bucks] from way back. And yes, he is a guy that the WWE has been using on top, but you know where his mental sentiments lie with the indie-riffic crowd, and that's his brand of wrestling that he'd be doing if he had his druthers. So yeah, for five or six maybe," Cornette said.

The Canadian wrestler has gone on record to say that he can't fathom the idea of leaving the Stamford-based promotion because of his connection with the people behind the scenes.

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#2. AEW unlikely to sign Matt Riddle

Matt Riddle has found a strong footing on the indies since being let go by WWE last year. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, The Original Bro opened up about his interaction with AEW President Tony Khan after his match with Zack Sabre Jr.

Riddle confessed that Mr. Khan didn't seem too interested in him, possibly due to his outlandish behavior:

"I talked to Tony (Khan). I don't know if he likes me. He seemed happy. I wrestled Zack Sabre Jr. in Chicago. He seemed cool about it. I don't know. When you meet me, I'm very sarcastic. But when I met him, I was like, ‘Oh, you like that match’? But I said it a different way, and he looked at me all confused. And I was like, ‘Never mind, dude.’ I just walked away. So that was my experience with that."

Despite Matt Riddle being optimistic about showing up on AEW TV, Tony Khan reportedly has no intention of signing him anytime soon.

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#1. Britt Baker has backstage heat in AEW

Britt Baker has had a forgettable time in All Elite Wrestling lately for causing controversy behind the scenes. Her recent incident with MJF and his girlfriend, Alicia Atout, landed her in hot water as she was suspended by AEW weeks before All In pay-per-view.

Speaking on the Keepin' It 100 podcast, WCW veteran Konnan revealed that Baker has backstage heat in All Elite Wrestling:

"Of course she has heat, we’ve heard a million stories about her. You know she got suspended—she wouldn’t get suspended if she didn’t have heat. So this person who was there, okay, said that, what’s this girl’s name, Britt, was calling—you remember Alicia Atout? In front of, and not in private, like in front of a whole bunch of people, right? And Alicia was there, so she could hear it. I mean, give me a break, how stupid can you be? Obviously, she went and told her man, and he got mad. Okay, but this Britt kept screaming at them.”

The Doctor has been off TV since All In, where she unsuccessfully challenged Mercedes Mone for the TBS Championship.