Individuals Behind AEW Signing The Kingdom Revealed

FTR may go by the moniker “Top Guys” but they may soon be known as “Top Scouts.”

The Kingdom’s Mike Bennett, Matt Taven and Maria Kanellis finished up with Impact Wrestling back on October 8 and debuted with AEW on the October 14 edition of AEW Rampage. It seems that the trio’s deal with AEW was made possible by Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler’s persistent lobbying.

According to Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it was Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler who pushed to have The Kingdom brought into All Elite Wrestling. Matt Taven, Mike Bennett and Maria Kanellis first debuted in AEW on the 10/14 episode of “AEW Rampage” to confront FTR after they teamed with a returning Shawn Spears.

The heel trio officially signed a contract with AEW on Wednesday afternoon. Although nothing has been finalized in that area, Kanellis did mention in a previous interview that she had offered to work creatively with AEW boss Tony Khan on the redesign of ROH.

Taven, Bennett and Kanellis most recently wrestled for Impact, debuting back in January. In August, Taven and Bennett, who were a part of the Ring of Honor offshoot faction “Honor No More,” won the Impact Tag Team Championship.

On last week’s Impact TV episode, they gave the belts to Heath and Rhino, and on this week’s show, Scott D’Amore “fired” them, effectively writing them out of the organisation. The Kingdom has made a quick comeback since leaving Impact, as Taven will challenge Wardlow for the TNT Championship tonight on “AEW Rampage,” but they seem destined to face FTR for the ROH Tag Team Titles. Keep checking back with Ringside News for more.

Do you think The Kingdom have a bright future in AEW? Sound off in the comments!