A competitive edge has long existed between WWE and AEW, the two wrestling promotion giants who are commonly known for their veiled references to each other. On the latest episode of WWE’s Monday Night RAW, something quite out of the ordinary happened when a photo of an AEW wrestler was displayed on their live television program.
Diving into the details of the incident, while WWE commentators Michael Cole and Pat McAfee were discussing UFC 299’s highlights, they shared an image of WWE’s top female wrestler, Rhea Ripley, and her real-life partner, Buddy Matthews, at the event. Strikingly, Ripley is WWE’s reigning Women’s World Champion while Matthews presently competes for AEW as part of The House of Black, involved in a storyline with Mark Briscoe.
Although Matthew’s image was distinctly visible during the broadcast, Cole notably did not say his name out loud; McAfee contributed with a jest, inquiring about the identity of the man accompanying The Eradicator, Rhea Ripley.
This occurrence took place following WWE’s acknowledgment of the retirement of wrestling icon Sting, who recently performed in his last match for AEW during their Revolution pay-per-view. This has sparked conversations and speculations regarding a potential and unprecedented collaboration between WWE and AEW for future star-studded matchups or segments.
Let’s hear your views on the exhibition of Buddy Matthews’ image during the RAW episode. Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
FAQ Section
Was Buddy Matthews intentionally shown on WWE’s Broadcast?
It appears that the inclusion of Buddy Matthews’ photo in the WWE RAW broadcast was intentional but his name was deliberately not mentioned.
Did the commentators acknowledge Buddy Matthews by name?
Michael Cole did not acknowledge him by name, and Pat McAfee made a light-hearted comment wondering who the person was with Rhea Ripley.
Is there a crossover planned between WWE and AEW?
There has been no official announcement regarding a crossover between WWE and AEW. However, recent events have fueled speculation about potential future collaborations.
Do WWE and AEW have a history of mentioning each other’s talent?
WWE and AEW have had instances of subtly referencing each other’s wrestlers or events, but this is uncommon, and clear mentions of talent from the rival promotion are rare.
Conclusion
The brief exposure of AEW star Buddy Matthews on WWE programming underscores the unique times we are in, where the lines between rival wrestling promotions are sometimes playfully crossed. Whether this is a sign of future interactions or simply an anomaly remains to be seen. Nonetheless, fans will undoubtedly stay tuned for any developments, ready to comment and speculate on the evolving landscape of professional wrestling. Keep the conversation going and share your insights on this exciting occurrence.