Sammy Guevara returned to All Elite Wrestling on this week’s episode of Dynamite on TNT.
Guevara, who had been suspended for one month without pay, emerged from under a mask and celebrated his return with Chris Jericho, Santana, Ortiz and Jake Hager. His last appearance on Dynamite was on June 17 when he tagged with Jericho to face Trent and Chuck Taylor.
Guevara was suspended after comments he made during a 2016 episode of the Raw’s 4th Hour podcast. It was on that pod where Guevara said he wanted to “go rape” Sasha Banks when he saw her at a WWE tryout.
AEW issued a statement on Guevara’s suspension, noting they would be donating his salary to the Women’s Center of Jacksonville. They strongly condemned his words and did not announce when he would be back.
AEW CEO Tony Khan spoke with Sports Illustrated about the decision to bring him back.
“Sammy completed four weeks of extensive sensitivity training, and his curriculum included subject matters of tolerance, gender, race relations, and why people’s words matter,” said Khan. “During his suspension, he was very contrite. I asked him to use that time to try and become a better person, and I think he did.
“Sammy was off television for a month and suspended without pay for 30 days, and I think it was the right time for Sammy to come back because he’s shown that he’s very sorry and that he can change. He’s spent every day over the past month trying to prove that.”
Khan explained it was not guaranteed Guevara would return and he had to earn the right to keep his job and make amends for “stuff he shouldn’t have said.”
Matt Hardy spoke briefly about his program with Guevara that was upended by the suspension, something he admitted was frustrating.
Guevara will make his in-ring return to AEW on next week’s episode of AEW Dark against Fuego Del Sol, which is one of 12 announced matches.
AEW Dark premieres on Tuesday at 7 PM ET on YouTube. We will have complete coverage here at WrestlingNews.com.
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