Ace Austin is officially part of AEW after parting ways with TNA Wrestling in May, bringing to an end a six-year run with the promotion. The 28-year-old veteran was seen at the August 14 Collision taping, and Fightful along with Tony Khan confirmed that Austin has signed with All Elite Wrestling.
Austin has built a solid résumé across multiple promotions, including a memorable run as a TNA Champion and a notable tag-team partnership with Chris Bey. With his arrival in AEW, fans can expect him to debut soon and potentially explore both singles and tag-team opportunities on Collision and other AEW programs.
In a separate discussion, AEW President Tony Khan shared who, from any era of pro wrestling, he would most like to sign. He named Steve Austin, praising him as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time and expressing admiration for the impact Austin had across the 1990s. Khan emphasized that having Steve Austin in AEW during the 90s would have been extraordinary, underscoring the promoter’s high regard for the legend’s influence and star power.
Observers also note that traditional promotions like TNA continue to shape the competitive landscape, and some pundits suggest TNA could present new challenges for AEW in the evolving wrestling ecosystem.
Additional context and value:
– Ace Austin’s blend of high-flying offense, technical prowess, and charismatic persona gives AEW a versatile option for mid-card angles or potential breakout programs.
– His prior success in tag teams, especially with Bey, could translate into new partnership angles or cross-promotional storylines within AEW’s diverse roster.
– The news aligns with AEW’s ongoing strategy of incorporating proven performers from other promotions to diversify events and attract broader audiences.
Potential implications:
– Fans may see Ace Austin debut on upcoming AEW programming, with potential early promos or vignettes building anticipation for his first feud or team formation.
– The Steve Austin discussion from Tony Khan highlights AEW’s openness to dream signings and cross-era collaborations, signaling possible future collaborations or partnerships that could influence booking decisions.
Summary: Ace Austin’s arrival in AEW marks a notable roster addition following his TNA exit, with expectations for his first AEW appearance and the potential for fresh singles and tag-team storylines. The broader conversation about Steve Austin reflects Khan’s ambition to bring in iconic talent, illustrating AEW’s ongoing strategy to blend rising stars with wrestling legends to energize its product.