Following his return to AEW television on the August 27 episode of Dynamite, HOOK has become the subject of a public tug-of-war between two of wrestling’s most notable managers and mentors. After being sidelined with a concussion since May, HOOK made a significant impact by attacking Wheeler Yuta of the Blackpool Combat Club. The return immediately caught the attention of Don Callis, the leader of the powerful Don Callis Family faction in AEW. Callis took to social media to express his interest in taking the young star under his wing, referencing his long-standing friendship with HOOK’s father, the legendary Taz. Callis made a bold claim about the transformation he could oversee.
“As Taz’s longtime friend and travel buddy dating back to when we used to sell out arenas back in the bad old days ….let me have Hook for six months you won’t recognize him after.”
However, Callis’s proposition was quickly met with a counteroffer from another ECW original and WWE Hall of Famer, Bully Ray. Bully, who has a wealth of experience in coaching and developing talent, made his own confident pitch on social media, suggesting he could elevate HOOK to superstardom in half the time.
“Let me work w/ him for 3 and I’ll make him a fkn star.”
The public interest from two influential figures like Callis and Bully Ray speaks volumes about the perceived potential of the second-generation star.