Championships don’t exactly come at a premium in wrestling and AEW is no exception.

Voices of Wrestling is reporting that the male and female winners of the Owen Hart Cup will be presented with special titles likely in place of trophies. The report also notes that these titles will have a black and pink theme to honor Owen Hart.

These championships are not expected to be defended.

The following section contains spoilers for the May 20 episode of AEW Rampage.

New Custom TNT Title?

AEW has already taped the May 20 episode of Rampage. During the show, there was a segment involving TNT Champion Scorpio Sky, Ethan Page, Dan Lambert, Sammy Guevara, and Frankie Kazarian.

At one point, Guevara and Kazarian destroyed Sky’s TNT Championship with a sledgehammer.

This seems to indicate that Sky could be getting a new custom championship soon. Of course, it’s speculation at this point but Sky does love some LA Lakers colors. Could we be seeing a purple and gold spin on the TNT Title?

We already know that AEW is planning to unleash Trios Titles in the future. AEW President Tony Khan confirmed the report from Dave Meltzer during an interview with TSN.

In fact, Khan said that those titles have been created for a while.

Maki Itoh has made her return to an AEW ring.

Britt Baker was set for action in a quarterfinal match in the Owen Hart Cup. Going into the May 18 episode of AEW Dynamite, Baker’s opponent was a mystery. She was to go one-on-one with the “Joker” entry.

That mystery opponent was Maki Itoh.

Itoh fell short in her efforts against Baker, tapping out to Lockjaw. After the match, Toni Storm made her way out. Storm will meet Baker in the semifinals.

Peep Itoh’s surprise return below:

And #TheJoker facing Dr. @realbrittbaker DMD is… @maki_itoh! Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on @TBSNetwork right now! pic.twitter.com/GYlaGJlRuY

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 19, 2022

Dr. @realbrittbaker DMD showing her viciousness against @maki_itoh! Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on @TBSNetwork right now! pic.twitter.com/Uhk6uuWIpU

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 19, 2022

Effective strategy by @maki_itoh! Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on @TBSNetwork right now! pic.twitter.com/uWTksHxS34

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 19, 2022

Diving headbutt by @maki_itoh but Dr. @realbrittnbaker not having any of it! Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on @TBSNetwork right now! pic.twitter.com/sFeeZxzjoC

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 19, 2022

Dr. @realbrittbaker DMD advances in the #OwenHart Foundation Women's Tournament and she will face #ToniStorm in the Semifinals! Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on @TBSNetwork right now! pic.twitter.com/0G2ZupWr0A

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 19, 2022

It didn’t take Samoa Joe long to find his way into a tournament qualifier in AEW.

Of course, this isn’t your average tourney. This is the Owen Hart Cup. Joe will be in a qualifier match against Max Caster on the April 6 episode of Dynamite.

Tony Khan revealed the match on social media:

“Arriving last week at ROH Supercard Of Honor, Samoa Joe is signed with AEW & has said that he plans to dominate! Samoa Joe debuts in AEW vs. Max Caster in an Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament Qualifier Bout on AEW Dynamite LIVE @ 8pm ET/7pm CT on TBS Network TOMORROW night!”

As Khan mentioned, Joe made a surprise appearance to close out Supercard of Honor on April 1. The AEW boss later confirmed that Joe is All Elite.

Joe made his intentions clear to media members. He hopes to hold both the AEW World Heavyweight Championship and the ROH World Championship.

Tony Khan is making a big promise to fans ahead of the Owen Hart Cup.

Back in Sept. 2021, AEW announced a partnership with the Owen Hart Foundation. The business relationship between AEW and the foundation means the company will be able to market merchandise using Owen’s likeness. This includes the upcoming AEW console game.

Tony Khan On Owen Hart Cup

AEW’s head honcho Tony Khan appeared on Busted Open Radio and said he has high hopes for the tournaments and made a bold promise to fans (via Wrestling Inc).

 “I’m excited, in May, we’re going to start the Owen Hart Cup tournament. And before the cup tournament starts, similar to the Olympics or the World Cup or a lot of the big tournament events out there, there’s qualifying. You know, pre-tournament qualifying. And we’re going to have that for The Owen Hart Cup, both the women’s tournament and the men’s tournament.

“And I’m really excited about getting in there and finding out who’s going to make the competition. I’ll have announcements coming up soon about The Owen Hart qualifying matches, but I promise the fans these tournaments, both the men’s tournament and the women’s tournament, will be excellent.”

There will be a men’s and women’s tournament for the cup. The widow of Owen, Dr. Martha Hart, will be presenting the trophies to the winners.

AEW President Tony Khan was a guest on Busted Open Radio on Friday and revealed first details about the Owen Hart Cup.

AEW announced a partnership with the Owen Hart Foundation back in September. The deal will also involved AEW being able to use Owen’s likeness for video games, action figures, and more.

Owen Hart Cup Details

Tony Khan broke the news that there will actually be two Owen Hart Cup tournaments One men’s singles tournament and one women’s singles tournament.

Dr. Martha Hart, widow of the late Owen Hart, will be on hand to present trophies to the winners.

The finals of the men’s and women’s Owen Hart Cup tournaments will take place in May at the annual Double or Nothing pay-per-view from Las Vegas.

Additional details will be given next week on the Holiday Bash edition of AEW Dynamite. A video package will air on that show featuring Owen Hart from his days in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Khan thanked Rocky Romero for being instrumental in securing that footage.

You can listen to Tony Khan’s comments from Friday’s Busted Open here:

ICYMI ??@TonyKhan @AEW @davidlagreca1 @TheMarkHenry #AEW #AEWRampage pic.twitter.com/B16QRDj8bT

— SiriusXM Busted Open (@BustedOpenRadio) December 17, 2021

AEW & Owen Hart

Tony Khan previously had this to say about AEW’s relationship with the Hart Family:

“AEW’s relationship with the Hart family dates back to our inaugural pay-per-view event, Double or Nothing in 2019, and Owen’s influence is still felt today,” said Khan. To extend his memory and his legacy even further through this agreement is a powerful and meaningful moment for the entire wrestling community.”

Martha Hart issued this statement on behalf of the Owen Hart Foundation regarding the Owen Hart Cup Tournament(s) and its decision to partner with All Elite Wrestling:

“The Owen Hart Foundation is extremely pleased to partner with AEW in this wonderful joint venture to honor Owen’s substantial international wrestling career and the lasting influence he and his craft has had in the sport.

AEW’s Owen Hart Cup Tournament serves as a tremendous tribute to Owen and provides an incredible way for professional wrestling enthusiasts to celebrate his work in a most fitting way.

We trust that Tony Khan and his amazing AEW team will do a brilliant job with this highly anticipated project. This OHF/AEW partnership is my special gift to all of Owen’s magnificent loyal fans who forever remember him and his inspiring repertoire of talents.”