AEW: Adam Cole on Kyle Fletcher Could Be The Future of AEW, Talks Reportedly Picked Up for Future AEW Games, Cody Rhodes on His TNT Title Open Challenges Run Being “There Was A Whole Preface Conversation… ‘Hey, It’s Not About Hiring Anybody”

Adam Cole Comments on His Belief Kyle Fletcher Could Be The Future of AEW

A recent episode of Fightful’s Grapsody podcast featured current AEW TNT Champion Adam Cole as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Cole’s thoughts about his upcoming match against Kyle Fletcher for his TNT title at AEW’s All In Texas event and his belief that Fletcher could be the future star of AEW.

“He’s incredibly dangerous and I think he showed that on Collision 100. I can tell you personally, the last time we stepped in the ring together, there were a couple of moments where I could have really been hurt in that match with him. He is a strong young man, he is a fast young man, he is a determined young man. I’ve said this before about Daniel Garcia, but I feel the same way in some capacity about Kyle Fletcher, he very well could be the future of All Elite Wrestling, he’s certainly on that track. Don Callis has him thinking a little bit incorrectly and in a lot of ways corrupting Kyle Fletcher, but Kyle is incredibly talented and I know that I will have to bring my A game. As far as I’m concerned, this will be the toughest challenge to date. Since winning this title, it has meant so much to me. To win the championship on 17-year wrestling anniversary, after all the hardships I went through, I worked so hard to get in this position to be the TNT Champion and I’m not going to go down easy. I’m going to give Kyle my all and make sure I give my absolute best, especially at an event like All In, and I’m going to retain my championship. Some way, somehow, I’m going to retain my championship.”

Cole also gave his thoughts about Fletcher’s confidence ahead of their match and how that can backfire on him.

“Fletcher, with that confidence, it’s a very important thing. Every match I go into, that’s how I feel going into my match with Kyle. I think I’m going to beat Kyle, and I believe in my soul that I’m going to beat Kyle and retain my title. He should feel the exact same way. The difference is that there is a fine line between confidence and foolishness and arrogance. Kyle is teetering on that line. Kyle thinks this is going to be a walk in the park and an easy match for him. I promise you, I’m going to give Kyle the match of his life. This will certainly not be an easy match for Kyle Fletcher in any capacity. I want him to feel and believe he’s going to win the championship because that’s how I feel. The difference is my experience, the matches I’ve been through, the opponents I’ve faced. I’ve faced the toughest, baddest, strongest, fastest, everyone you can imagine. Kyle is very good, but he’s not Adam Cole.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

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Talks Reportedly Picked Up for Future AEW Games

AEW has released several AEW-brand video games since the company’s foundation in 2019. The majority of these games have been for mobile devices with AEW’s sole console game being AEW: Fight Forever that received mostly negative reception upon its release in June of 2023.

Insider Gaming’s Mike Straw reportedly that his sources stated that talks have recently picked up on the AEW games front.

Straw reported that AEW officials have learned from their mistake from Fight Forever and won’t announce anything too early this time for a new major game. Straw reported that when a new game comes, it will be announced closer to its planned release date.

It’s not AEW related. But I can tell you, talks have picked up more on the AEW games front.

What they won’t do, however, is announce anything too early this time.

They know that was a mistake. When a new game/update comes, it will be closer to it’s planned released. https://t.co/1lDlWrC5b2

— Mike Straw (@MikeStrawMedia) July 8, 2025

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Cody Rhodes Comments on His TNT Title Open Challenges Run in 2020 Being “There Was A Whole Preface Conversation… ‘Hey, It’s Not About Hiring Anybody”

A recent episode of the What Do You Wanna Talk About? with Cody Rhodes podcast featured Ricky Saints, former Ricky Starks in WWE, as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Rhodes’ thoughts about his open challenge run as TNT Champion in 2020 was not originally meant to act as a tryout to hire new wrestlers for AEW.

“We’re more than able to talk about it here but the (AEW TNT Title) open challenge. It’s so funny because when we started it, there was a whole preface conversation before we even called you (Ricky Saints) or the others, where, ‘Hey, it’s not about hiring anybody. Because right now, upstart company,’ I don’t know what this budget is. COVID just happened. It’s not about hiring anybody. It’s just about the opportunity and the freshness. Here’s something you never see elsewhere. Bringing people in for doing promos in their backyard or in your case, a high-rise vignette that you had paid for… I didn’t buzz you for the purposes of this. I thought you would be great for the open challenge and you were.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com