Welcome to the Grapevine! This section of Smark Henry is where we round up all the important founded and unfounded rumors floating around the pro wrestling scene that you may have missed over the past few days. Remember to take everything with a grain of salt!
Who knew about AEW's new partnership with Impact?
Many people in AEW had reportedly heard that Don Callis was coming in to do an angle, but not knowing that it would be a company crossover. Impact Wrestling talents had also heard of new AEW World Champion Kenny Omega coming in for an appearance, but were told that it wasn't much when they asked about it.
The idea seems to have been from Don Callis, who is currently the Impact co-executive vice president, and it wasn't the first time an angle between the two companies was pitched. Impact talent are said to be happy about the buzz the brand is getting from the angle.
This month's Impact episodes were already taped in advance a couple of weeks ago, but Omega will apparently be taping his segment on Tuesday before the show airs. Other talent will also be doing work on the show on that day. (Source: Fightful Select, Wrestling Observer Radio)
We say: Yes, Impact has more to gain here in this crossover than AEW does, but the whole point is that they're making it cool again for mainstream American wrestling to work together. WWE is already apparently pivoting if the latest comments by Triple H are anything to go on, so we're excited to see where this partnership goes—no matter who it favors.
Who knew Sting was debuting on AEW?
Very few people in AEW knew that Sting was coming on at Winter is Coming. Many didn't know until they got to Daily's Place for the show, while there were others who had heard about it for a while. Sting is reportedly signed to a multi-year contract with AEW, and the plan is to have him be a regular character on TV without actually wrestling. (Source: Fightful Select, Wrestling Observer Radio)
We say: We're most curious about the part that says he won't be wrestling but he'll be on TV. Guess that means he'll be attacking people but he'll also be invincible? Let's see how that works.
Scrapped plan for Chelsea Green and Mickie James
One big storyline was apparently pitched for injured SmackDown superstar Chelsea Green. The story would have been a remake of the original Trish Stratus/Mickie James "crazy fan" story from 2005-2006, with Green in James's role and James in Stratus's role. It was already approved and set to air on TV until a few hours before it was supposed to happen. Green was taken off of TV for months after that. (Source: Fightful Select)
We say: One reason it was scrapped may have been the fact that it would've brought a lot of controversy, especially in turbulent times like these. WWE having sexual harassment controversies may have also played a part. We'll never know, though, until someone involved with scrapping the angle talks about it.
Let us know what you think of today's news in the comments!
Photo from AEW
: Who Knew About AEW and Impact, Sting's AEW Debut, Scrapped Chelsea Green Plan){kind=link}