Published: Jul 17, 2026 by Dave Adamson | Last Updated: Jul 17, 2026 by Dave Adamson
Dave has been a website writer for WrestleTalk since October 2022, having previously written for Den of Geek, among a number of wrestling, movie and television-related sites. Dave has been around the independent wrestling scene for more than a decade, including behind-the-scenes.
AEW/TNA Wrestling
A former TNA Wrestling star who parted ways with the company earlier this year has reportedly been working behind-the-scenes in AEW.
Sami Callihan parted ways with TNA Wrestling in June 2026, with his second tenure seeing the star retire and move to a backstage role.
Speaking about his departure, Callihan has recently stated he thought the phone call with TNA Wrestling would see him added to the creative team.
While that may not have been the case with TNA Wrestling, it now appears that Callihan has been working in a backstage capacity at AEW.
Bodyslam.net has reported that Callihan has been backstage over the past three weeks, confirming he was present “for AEW’s Dynamite Tapings in Clearwater, Florida, Roanoke, Virginia and last night in Boston, Massachusetts.”
Further to this, it was confirmed that Callihan would be at the Boston tapings for AEW Collision, with his role being described as a backstage producer.
Callihan’s credentials have seen him previously serve in a multifunctional capacity in TNA Wrestling, with Bodyslam specifically noting that he had been a producer, match agent, and pre-tape producer, along with working in marketing and merchandise, with an involvement in the design of the latter.
A former Impact World Champion, Callihan has reportedly not signed a contract with AEW, according to Bodyslam’s sources.
A Place In AEW?
An AEW contract may not be in front of him just yet, but there’s certainly a place for Sami Callihan in the company.
A well-travelled star, Callihan has competed internationally, including a run at NJPW, a company that enjoys a close working relationship with AEW to this day.
Experience as a producer in TNA Wrestling is likely to translate to a similar position in AEW, while Callihan has also been involved in the live events department of his previous employer. It adds to the tapestry of what the star can offer should Tony Khan seek to secure his services on a more formal basis.
Callihan is no stranger to WWE, either, having performed as Solomon Crowe, signing with the company in May 2012 and remaining a fixture on the NXT Live house show circuit until he was released in November 2015.
An intense performer, with a reputation for pushing the envelope, Callihan’s insight into the wrestling business on all sides likely offers a strong opportunity for AEW to capitalize on what the star can offer now that he is retired.
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