Backstage Update On AEW Star’s Absence & Return Plans

Published: Apr 24, 2025 by Jamie Toolan | Last Updated: Apr 25, 2025 by Jamie Toolan

Jamie has been covering the world of wrestling for four years and currently holds the position of Assistant Editor of WrestleTalk.com. During his time working for WrestleTalk.com he has written and published over 4,000 news and feature articles covering events and happenings from WWE, AEW, TNA and a variety of international and independent wrestling promotions.

New details have emerged regarding the recent return of AEW star Stokely Hathaway and his absence from television.

On last night’s episode of AEW Dynamite in New Orleans, LA (April 23), Stokely Hathaway re-emerged for the first time in six months on the company’s programming, being revealed as the new “agent” of FTR – who recently turned heel at AEW Dynasty.

Following the return Fightful Select have now provided details on AEW’s original plans for Hathaway prior to his lengthy absence from TV.

According to the report the alliance between Hathaway and FTR was something that was “pitched and possibly close to coming to fruition last year”.

Prior to his absence, Hathaway could be seen scouting AEW’s tag teams, which included him watching an FTR match in the background of one of his vignettes, with Fightful’s sources in AEW stating that the idea to pair them was broached last year.

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However, plans reportedly got altered due to The Outrunners’ popularity, leading to them being involved with FTR instead.

Throughout his AEW tenure Hathaway has served as manager to the likes of Jade Cargill, The Gunns, Big Bill, Willow Nightingale and most recently Kris Statlander, of whom he managed prior to his absence.

For full details on what exactly went down between FTR and Hathaway on last night’s AEW Dynamite follow this link here.

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