AEW Blocked Star’s Plans To Sign With WWE

AEW was in no mood to let one star return to WWE.

On July 24th, it was reported that Buddy Matthews had signed a new contract with AEW. The deal caught many by surprise as Matthews has continually been linked with a return to WWE, especially as his wife Rhea Ripley is one of the company’s top stars.

Matthews, known as Buddy Murphy in WWE, signed with the sports entertainment giant in 2013 and stayed with the company until 2021. After being released he headed out onto the independent scene before signing with AEW February 2022.

Since then he’s formed a key part of the House of Black, winning World Trios Titles once.

Buddy Matthews Wanted To Return To WWE

Although he’s staying with AEW, it seems that wasn’t Matthews’ original plan. Reporting in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer said the star actually tried to leave AEW but he was offered a “very lucrative deal” to get him to stay.

Regarding stories this week about Buddy Matthews signing a new deal, we’ve been told this was agreed to months ago. He had tried to give notice at one point but AEW wasn’t going to release anyone to go to WWE. Tony Khan since then offered him a new very lucrative deal and he agreed to it.

Matthews last wrestled on the June 15th episode of Collision where he teamed with Brody King and Malakai Black to defeat (Austin Gunn, Colten Gunn & Juice Robinson.