Rising AEW Star Refutes WWE Interest Amidst Growing Speculation
In the ever-evolving landscape of professional wrestling, in which skills movements like chess pieces on a international degree, one call that has generated considerable buzz is Bryan Keith. A dynamic performer who has captivated audiences along with his hard-hitting fashion, Keith has quickly turn out to be a standout in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in view that his signing in February 2024. However, amid his growing stardom, rumors swirled that WWE had its eyes on him before he inked his cope with AEW. Keith has now unequivocally set the document instantly, dismissing any notions that WWE ever made a play for his competencies.
A Star at the Rise: Bryan Keith’s Journey to AEW
Bryan Keith’s adventure to AEW has been nothing brief of meteoric. His ascent started with incredible appearances in Ring of Honor, accompanied by means of an excellent showing on AEW’s Collision. However, it changed into his years on the unbiased circuit that honestly set the degree for his breakout. During 2022 and 2023, Keith became a dominant pressure in the unbiased wrestling scene, particularly shining in Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling promoting. His performances had been so impactful that hypothesis evidently arose about WWE’s capability hobby, given the employer’s history of scouting and acquiring pinnacle independent expertise.
Yet, as enthusiasts and insiders buzzed approximately the opportunity of Keith joining WWE, the man himself turned into focused on a very exclusive aim—a intention that had not anything to do with WWE, TNA, or maybe the mainstream American wrestling scene.
Keith’s Wrestling Dream: Japan Over WWE
In a candid interview on Chris Jericho’s podcast, Talk Is Jericho, Bryan Keith revealed that in spite of his giant publicity to WWE as a child, his true wrestling dream lay far from the glitz and glamour of WWE’s global empire. Instead, Keith’s passion was driven by the art of Japanese professional wrestling—a style known for its stiff strikes, disciplined storytelling, and a strong emphasis on athleticism.
“No, nothing,” Keith responded when asked if WWE had ever shown interest in him. “I’ve been at Booker’s for a long time. I did extra work and things like that, but nothing like, ‘Hey, come in and we’ll take a look at you.’ I watched WWE all the time as a kid. I’m a WWF kid, I never even watched WCW growing up. But I feel like whenever I got older, I gravitated towards the Japanese style of professional wrestling, so in my head, I literally wanted to go to Japan.”
Keith’s comments paint a picture of a wrestler with a singular focus—one that was less about chasing fame in the American mainstream and more about honing his craft in a country revered for its wrestling culture.
The Road to Japan: A Dream Realized
Despite his affinity for Japanese wrestling, Keith’s journey to the Land of the Rising Sun wasn’t without challenges. He recalled the skepticism from his parents when he first expressed his desire to wrestle in Japan. “I remember my parents being like, ‘How? How the hell do you think you’re gonna get on the other side of the world and do that?’” Keith shared.
Yet, in a testament to his determination, Keith achieved his goal earlier this year, making his debut in Japan for DDT Pro-Wrestling. “Actually, at the beginning of this year, I went for the first time for two weeks. DDT brought me out, and I wrestled out there,” he said, reflecting on the fulfillment of a long-held dream.
WWE’s Ongoing Pursuit of AEW Talent
While Bryan Keith may additionally have by no means been on WWE’s radar, the employer is some distance from dormant in its efforts to draw pinnacle talent from AEW. In a latest improvement that has despatched shockwaves thru the wrestling network, WWE has reportedly made a contract offer to the Lucha Brothers, one of AEW’s maximum liked and high-flying tag teams. The provide is said to be competitive with AEW’s current deal, underscoring WWE’s cause to trap away key gamers from its rival.
Adding gasoline to the hypothesis, Rey Fenix, one half of the Lucha Brothers, currently canceled an impartial booking scheduled for September twenty seventh—a date that comfortably falls after his AEW contract is set to expire. This move has led many to accept as true with that Fenix is significantly considering WWE’s offer, that may mark a substantial shift in the wrestling panorama if he and his brother, Pentagon Jr., make the bounce.
H/t to Fightful
