Brian Damage
This Week in Wrestling: Week 13 of 2026
Chris Jericho returned to AEW Dynamite this week after a year of being missing in action. This while rumors were spreading that he was perhaps on his way back to WWE. While it is a good move for Jericho and AEW, why did Jericho need to be invisible for a year? From what I understand, he was not injured and for a portion of that time, was still under an AEW contract. Nevertheless, Jericho is a big enough star within the industry that can afford the time away from wrestling on TV.
That brings me to the real subject at hand and the wrestlers who do not have the same cache as Jericho who themselves are under contract and not being used. There are a number of wrestlers collecting paychecks and are hanging out in catering for both AEW and WWE. These are the men and women I want to talk about today. I realize that there are just so many hours of programming that each organization has. If Tony Khan or Triple H can’t find time for a certain wrestler, why keep paying them?
The answer is probably simple. They don’t want the opposition to get their hands on the talent. That in itself is stupid. If you truly valued that talent or talents, you as a promoter would find something for them to do on TV. If they aren’t being used, cut bait and let them go elsewhere. If AEW can offer a bigger opportunity than WWE do it. Same thing vice versa. Instead, you have wrestlers completely unused making money, but collecting dust.
Willie Mack reminded us of this , when he took to social media complaining that while employed by AEW, he hasn’t wrestled in over a year. The guy wants to work and not just sit and collect money. Most wrestlers feel the same exact way. The Street Profits have been used a lot, then not seen at all and the reception they get when they do actually wrestle is lukewarm at best and understandably so. Apollo Crews went from a top mid card wrestler winning the IC and US titles, to barely seen or used.
After Wrestlemania season is over, traditionally WWE has a number of releases. While it sucks to see anyone lose a job, it can be beneficial for said wrestlers to be free and allowed to make a name for themselves elsewhere. Look at talent like Shotzi or Karrion ‘Killer’ Kross…it can be done. Unused talent, should be allowed to go elsewhere and make a living for themselves.
Photo Gallery
Teal Piper (Roddy’s daughter)
Karissa Rivera (Elektra Lopez)
Tessa Blanchard
Jessica McKay
Samantha Irvin
Izzi Dame
Mandy Rose
Lola Vice
Terri Runnels
Gigi Dolin (Priscilla Kelley)
Video Gallery
Paul Orndorff starring in a Hulk Hogan workout set commercial. No wonder he turned on the Hulkster! 😉
The 5th Horsemen
Totally agree. I felt AEW had so much talent sitting around while it shoved Moxley down our throats multiple times each week. I rarely watch WWE so I can’t speak to their talent not being used but look what Danhausen has done in a month? Dr. Britt Baker anyone? No disrespect to Willow, but I’d rather see Britt once or twice a month over her.
Happy Saturday to all out there!
Luke
Jericho knew if he went away for a long time, he’d come back to a hero’s welcome. Regardless of what he wants people to think, he’s a student of Jim Cornette.