AEWâ€s introduction of the new National Championship just got a heated response—and now the current NWA National Champion is stepping into the ring to make things clear.
Mike Mondo has officially responded to AEW President Tony Khanâ€s newly unveiled title, and he isnâ€t pulling any punches. Amid growing backlash from NWA promoter Bryan Idol, Mondo took to Twitter to defend the prestige of the real National Championship and called out Khan directly in a firm statement.
“Let me be CLEAR. There is only ONE NWA & there is only one PRESTIGIOUS National Championship that holds legit lineage & has for decades. So to Tony Khan or anyone else confused… hereâ€s the legit title, with the company it belongs to & the legit National Champion! MY NAME IS MIKE MONDO.â€
This fiery message follows Idolâ€s claims that AEWâ€s new belt is nothing more than petty retaliation. Idol previously told Ringside News that AEW ripped off the NWAâ€s history and legacy just to get revenge for a prior legal dispute involving the rights to the name “Shockwaveâ€â€”a show AEW once teased but never aired.
“This is the lamest thing in the history of wrestling. AEW and Tony Khan are trying to use the NWA National Championship as one of their belts and pretending as if we donâ€t currently have the originator and original champion Austin Idol and the current National Champion Mike Mondo on the active NWA roster!â€
Idol also revealed that AEW was forced to ditch the Shockwave name after the NWA hit them with a lawsuit, calling AEWâ€s latest move a desperate counterstrike.
“The use of the word ‘Shockwave†in programming as a name of a program was originally owned rights by N.W.A. Thatâ€s why it never came out for AEW when they announced that it would—because they got hit with a lawsuit.â€
As the situation escalated, Idol didnâ€t hold back in his criticism of Khanâ€s leadership and AEWâ€s presentation, accusing the company of trying to buy its way into wrestling history.
“This is retaliation for AEW already currently losing a lawsuit to NWA over the use of intellectual property… Khan, itâ€s bad enough you are clearly a money mark who bought his way into the business, but even worse that you would blatantly try to steal the legacy of another existing company because you perceive it to be something you can buy your way out of in court! Pathetic!â€
He also mocked AEWâ€s creative direction and roster style:
“Tony, this is beneath you. Stick to what made you famous. Small weird hands-in-the-pocket wrestlers and other local VFW guys that you put in main events… stop being petty, bro.â€
And while AEW may be looking to add gold, the NWA isnâ€t backing down from defending its lineage.
“Austin Idol is the first ever National Champion and basically the creator of it all and he is still active in the NWA!â€
With Mike Mondo now directly calling out AEW and Khan, this title dispute is no longer just a behind-the-scenes issue. Itâ€s personal, and the battle over the National Championship has officially hit a boiling point.
Do you think AEW should have introduced the National Championship, or is the NWA right to call foul? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
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