AEW: Talent Writing AEW Dark Storyline, Kiera Hogan on Baddies Departure, Dax Harwood on CM Punk

Ethan Page & Matt Hardy Reportedly Have Been Writing Their Storyline Feud for AEW Dark

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that AEW CEO Tony Khan has been letting Ethan Page and Matt Hardy write and be in charge of their current storyline feud for AEW Dark.

It was reported that this storyline, which started this past October, was created entirely by Page and Hardy themselves. This storyline initially revolved around Hardy trying to get Private Party to leave The Firm only for himself to end up in the group following Page’s victory over Isiah Kassidy. This match had the stipulation of if Kassidy won, then Private Party’s contracts with the Firm would be voided, but if Kassidy lost, then Hardy had to join The Firm.

Those spoken to reportedly stated that Hardy and Page were excited to work together and were given creative freedom by Khan over the development of this storyline.

It was also reported that AEW officials have been happy over the positive reception to the storyline on social media and this is part of a current effort to have more storylines carry over onto their AEW Dark series.

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Kiera Hogan Comments on Getting Kicked Out of The Baddies

As noted before, the November 23rd AEW Dynamite show in Chicago, Illinois featured a backstage interview segment with Jade Cargill and The Baddies. Following Cargill’s promo about Bow Wow and regaining her TBS Championship from Nyla Rose, Cargill had Mark Sterling issue some papers for Kiera Hogan to sign, which was then revealed to be her official firing from the group.

A recent episode of Busted Open Radio podcast had Hogan as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Hogan’s thoughts on her recent departure from The Baddies.

“I am grateful. Timing is everything and everything happens for a reason. My time in the Baddies was great. I saw, from the beginning, how amazing this group could be. I saw the t-shirts, the figures, and the big picture. That’s what drew me into the storyline. Jade had started the Baddies section and I was like, ‘I’m going to see if I can get in this Baddies section because they have random fans and people in the section.’ I sent out a text to Jade, ‘you could have the hottest section if you have the hottest flame.’ That blew up and I texted Tony Khan to see if I could sit in the section one week. He was like, ‘Yeah come on.’ At the time, Red Velvet was turning heel so we ended up in the section at the same time so it worked out organically that way. The storyline grew from there. The entrances we had were amazing. I could see the bigger picture. Red Velvet got injured, so I had to step up as second in command, Leila Grey became an interim Baddie. I did a lot for the Baddies, I did a lot for Jade and the group. I feel like the work I was giving wasn’t appreciated. I still don’t know the reason as to why I was kicked out. Some people can’t handle the heat, that’s okay, get out of the kitchen.”

Hogan also gave her thoughts about her current goals for her career in AEW.

“These past few months, I haven’t been able to wrestle. That’s my passion. I want to be in the ring and show what I got and show out. I haven’t had the opportunity to really show how good of a performer I am and how well-rounded I am. Hopefully, I get my own spotlight and I’m able to put on some banger matches with women that want to put on banger matches. There are so many women in the locker room I want to work with. Toni Storm, Jamie Hayter, I just hope I’m able to be part of the women’s division fully and show what I got.”

Hogan also gave her thoughts on if a match against Cargill for her TBS Championship for revenge is part of her current AEW goals.

“I hope that’s where it’s leading and I think it makes sense. I have enough ammunition to go at her, maybe even take her TBS Title.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

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Dax Harwood Comments on His Backstage Interactions with CM Punk in AEW

Fightful held a recent interview with FTR’s Dax Harwood. One of the topics discussed included Harwood’s thoughts about his backstage interactions with CM Punk in AEW and how Punk interacted with others in the company.

“A man who obviously has his detractors and sometimes the detractors, and not just in AEW – around the wrestling world, and some times the detractors are louder than him and get their news out more than him. But again, it all comes from a place of passion. When he first came into the company, I remember talking to Cash (Wheeler) and I said, “if this motherf—er comes in and if he says something to me about how I dress, dress code or whatever, we’re going to have a problem” and he came in, and he was the complete opposite. He had his door always open, invited people in, watched matches of the young wrestlers that asked him to, stuck around until the end of the show and anybody that had questions, he would answer the questions. He loves wrestling. Just like me, unabashedly is a professional wrestling fan. Just like Sasha (Banks), I talk to him every day and whatever he decides to do, I hope it brings him happiness and joy because he deserves it.”

Transcript h/t: PostWrestling.com