AEW News Roundup: Former WWE star makes in-ring debut, Jon Moxley pays tribute to former faction, Rusev airs frustration

Welcome to the latest edition of Sportskeeda Wrestling's AEW News & Rumor Roundup. Today, we are covering news involving top pro-wrestling stars, including Jon Moxley and Rusev, among others.

An ex-WWE star has finally made their AEW debut. Meanwhile, Jon Moxley referenced a former faction on Collision, and Rusev (fka Miro) has shared his frustration while working in the Jacksonville-based promotion. All this and more as we navigate the top stories coming out of the All Elite Wrestling universe. With that said, let's get started.

#4. Nixon Newell makes in-ring debut in AEW

Nixon Newell (fka Tegan Nox) made her in-ring debut for All Elite Wrestling on the latest episode of Collision. The former WWE star was released from the promotion in late 2024 and has since been competing across the independent circuit. Newell has now officially stepped into an AEW ring for the first time.

John Cena's last opponent leaked? Check here!

Newell had previously appeared on Collision in a backstage segment the week prior, where she and her tag team partner, Miranda Alize, interrupted Anna Jay and Tay Melo during a backstage interview. That confrontation set up her in-ring debut this week on Collision as she teamed up with Alize to take on Marina Shafir and Megan Bayne in a tag team match. In the end, Newell’s team came up short, with Shafir and Bayne securing a decisive victory in under two minutes.

#3. Jon Moxley pays tribute to Blackpool Combat Club on Collision

Jon Moxley made a rare appearance on commentary this week during Collision, where fans noticed a surprising tribute to his past. The former AEW World Champion was at ringside supporting Marina Shafir, who competed alongside Megan Bayne in their tag team match against Nixon Newell and Miranda Alize.

What caught fans’ attention was his choice of attire, as he was seen wearing a Blackpool Combat Club jacket. The BCC was one of the Jacksonville-based promotion's most dominant factions, featuring Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Wheeler Yuta, and Claudio Castagnoli. However, the group rebranded into the Death Riders last year after Moxley turned on Danielson and kicked him out. What makes the gesture even more interesting is that Moxley himself was responsible for the BCC’s breakup.

#2. Mercedes Mone says AEW is everywhere following Jade Cargill and CM Punk’s title win

Mercedes Mone turned heads this week outside of the ring for seemingly reacting to two major title wins at WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event. The premium live event saw CM Punk and Jade Cargill capture the World Heavyweight Championship and the WWE Women's Championship, respectively.

At the event, The Second City Saint won the vacant World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Jey Uso. At the same time, The Storm claimed her first singles title in WWE by defeating Tiffany Stratton to become the new WWE Women’s Champion. Shortly after the event, Mone posted on X that All Elite Wrestling is everywhere, and fans were quick to connect the post to Punk and Cargill’s victories, interpreting it as a reference to the WWE duo being former AEW talents.

"AEW is everywhere 🤑🧨", Mone wrote on X

#1. Rusev says he was unable to do what he loved in AEW

Rusev (fka Miro) recently opened up about his frustrations during his time with Tony Khan’s promotion. The Bulgarian wrestler, who rejoined WWE earlier this year, spoke candidly about his experience with Tony Khan's promotion during an interview with CBS Sports.

Rusev returned to WWE in April 2025 after parting ways with AEW in February. His departure followed a lengthy hiatus from in-ring action that lasted more than a year. His final AEW match took place at Worlds End 2023, where he defeated Andrade El Idolo. Reports emerged in late 2024 suggesting Rusev had requested his release due to creative frustrations and limited opportunities on television.

During the interview, Rusev reflected on his time away from the ring, admitting that the lack of activity took a toll on him.

“In the past five years, I have had 20 or 30 matches. Back in the day, I had 30 matches in 30 days... The dead time sticks out the most... We can’t do this job forever, so we must take advantage of it while we’re young. I sat on the sidelines for so long, unable to do what I love, which is performing for people in professional wrestling,” said Rusev [H/T - Ringside News]

As of today, Rusev is pursuing the Intercontinental Championship in WWE, but he faced a setback at Saturday Night's Main Event after losing a triple threat match for the title. Time will tell if he will eventually get his hands on the Intercontinental title.

Make Sportskeeda your preferred choice for WWE content by clicking here: Source preferences

Edited by Karan Raj