![Court Extends Stay on Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery Merger</TITLE]A federal judge announced on Thursday that Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery cannot proceed until at least August 18, as the court reviews two separate lawsuits attempting to halt the transaction.This decision extends the current moratorium on the deal. Previously, on Monday, Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California imposed a 14-day freeze following antitrust lawsuits filed by a coalition of states. During that ruling, the judge scheduled a hearing for August 3 to determine whether a permanent injunction should be issued to block the merger for the duration of the litigation.However, Paramount has petitioned Judge Martínez-Olguín to postpone the hearing until later in August to permit witness testimony. Additionally, the Writers Guild of America—which launched its own legal challenge against the merger this month over potential negative impacts on screenwriters—has requested that its injunction request be heard alongside the states’ motion.On Thursday, Judge Martínez-Olguín extended the delay for an additional 14 days, through August 17. The judge indicated a willingness to reschedule the hearing beyond that date, provided all parties reach an agreement on a new timeline and Paramount guarantees the deal will not close in the meantime.The legal challenges threaten Paramount’s strategic objective to create a media powerhouse spanning two film studios, streaming platforms HBO Max and Paramount+, and broadcast/news entities CBS and CNN. Prolonged delays carry significant financial risks: under the current agreement, Paramount must pay Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders 0 million per quarter for every quarter the merger remains uncompleted.A representative for California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who is leading the multi-state litigation, stated that his office is prepared to argue against what they term Paramount’s “illegal acquisition.” Paramount has not yet issued a formal response to requests for comment.](https://i3.wp.com/static01.nyt.com/images/2026/07/23/multimedia/23biz-paramount-1-bflz/23biz-paramount-1-bflz-facebookJumbo.jpg?w=1024&resize=1024,1024&ssl=1 "Court Extends Stay on Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery Merger</TITLE]A federal judge announced on Thursday that Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery cannot proceed until at least August 18, as the court reviews two separate lawsuits attempting to halt the transaction.This decision extends the current moratorium on the deal. Previously, on Monday, Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California imposed a 14-day freeze following antitrust lawsuits filed by a coalition of states. During that ruling, the judge scheduled a hearing for August 3 to determine whether a permanent injunction should be issued to block the merger for the duration of the litigation.However, Paramount has petitioned Judge Martínez-Olguín to postpone the hearing until later in August to permit witness testimony. Additionally, the Writers Guild of America—which launched its own legal challenge against the merger this month over potential negative impacts on screenwriters—has requested that its injunction request be heard alongside the states’ motion.On Thursday, Judge Martínez-Olguín extended the delay for an additional 14 days, through August 17. The judge indicated a willingness to reschedule the hearing beyond that date, provided all parties reach an agreement on a new timeline and Paramount guarantees the deal will not close in the meantime.The legal challenges threaten Paramount’s strategic objective to create a media powerhouse spanning two film studios, streaming platforms HBO Max and Paramount+, and broadcast/news entities CBS and CNN. Prolonged delays carry significant financial risks: under the current agreement, Paramount must pay Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders 0 million per quarter for every quarter the merger remains uncompleted.A representative for California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who is leading the multi-state litigation, stated that his office is prepared to argue against what they term Paramount’s “illegal acquisition.” Paramount has not yet issued a formal response to requests for comment.")
When AEW debuted in 2019, the promotion captured industry attention by blending established legends like Cody Rhodes and Chris Jericho with rising stars such as MJF and Darby Allin. MJF and Allin emerged as two of the “Four Pillars”—the young talents intended to lead the company into the future—and have achieved significant success. However, the trajectory for others hasn’t been as consistent. Following a momentum-shifting backstage incident with CM Punk, Darby Allin’s counterpart, Perry, has struggled to regain his footing. Meanwhile, Sammy Guevara, once a central figure, has seen his television presence dwindle significantly. With rumors swirling regarding his future with AEW, a move to WWE may seem like a logical next step, yet a transition to the largest promotion in the world might ultimately prove unsuccessful for him.
Is Sammy Guevara Moving On From AEW?
- Guevara has been a foundational part of AEW since 2019.
- His career has been marked by several controversies and backstage conflicts.
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Social media activity has fueled speculation regarding his departure from the company.
Sammy Guevara has been a mainstay of AEW since its inception, but his tenure has not been without friction. His career has faced setbacks due to controversial remarks and reported backstage altercations, including a 2022 incident involving Andrade El Idolo. As of 2024, his standing within the company remains a subject of intense speculation.
Recent rumors intensified when Guevara appeared to remove AEW references from his social media profiles. This coincided with reports from wrestling insiders suggesting uncertainty regarding his current role within the roster.
“Nobody in AEW seems to know what’s up with Sammy Guevara right now. Multiple sources told me that Tay Melo requested a release last year but it was denied. It’s expected we will know what’s up when everyone gets to TV tomorrow.” (h/t SEScoops)
The Decline of Sammy Guevara’s Momentum
Sammy Guevara poses on AEW Dynamite - He has participated in notable matches against high-profile stars like Cody Rhodes.
- He has struggled to secure long-term main event status or world title opportunities.
- Much of his recent activity has been concentrated in the Ring of Honor division.
Guevara was featured in the very first match of AEW Dynamite. Over the years, he has navigated various roles, from beloved babyface to polarizing heel, and has held the TNT Championship on three occasions. Despite these achievements, he has struggled to break into the top-tier championship picture.
In recent years, Guevara’s visibility has significantly declined. While he has found some success in the Ring of Honor tag team division, his presence on the primary AEW programming has diminished. It appears that the creative direction for the 32-year-old has shifted, leaving him as a peripheral figure on the roster.
Why WWE May Not Be the Answer for Guevara
Sammy Guevara headlock on Cody Rhodes - WWE’s roster is already crowded with elite-level talent.
- Guevara may lack the elite promo skills required for a main-roster push.
- He risks following the path of similar mid-card talents rather than becoming a top star.
Speculation regarding a move to WWE is inevitable if Guevara’s tenure in AEW concludes. While his in-ring abilities would likely earn him an opportunity, the transition to a WWE environment presents significant challenges. Given the current landscape, Guevara might find himself facing the same stagnation in a new environment.
Guevara faces a steep climb to reach a WWE main roster position. Even with high-level talent, many wrestlers struggle to maintain momentum once their initial debut phase concludes. While he possesses solid technical skills and adequate microphone work, he lacks the “elite” status required to stand out in a roster filled with established superstars. He could potentially find success in a niche role, such as a snarky heel, but that role is already well-defined by other established performers.
An excursion through NXT could provide a platform, similar to the trajectories of Ethan Page or Ricky Starks, but there is no guarantee of a higher ceiling. If a talent struggles to gain trust in one major organization, it is uncertain if a different management team would offer more stability. Ultimately, Guevara is a talented performer who may find more success in a different environment where he can be a featured star, rather than attempting to break through the immense ceiling of WWE.
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