AEW cannot figure out what to do with Sammy Guevara anymore

If you spent your Tuesday afternoon scrolling through wrestling forums instead of doing your actual job, you probably saw the latest round of drama surrounding Sammy Guevara. The former TNT Champion sat down with MuscleManMalcolm and dropped a very simple, very telling line about his lack of television time, as reported by WrestlingNews.co. When asked why he is barely featured on Dynamite these days, Guevara did not hold back.

He explained that the booking decisions are out of his hands, pointing to his last match against Darby Allin on the May 16, 2026 episode of Collision. The kicker is that he only had a couple of hours' notice before stepping in for that World title bout.

Let's look at the quote itself.

“Honestly, man, that’s obviously not my call,”

Predictably, the internet has erupted into a massive civil war over this situation. On one side, you have the diehard Guevara loyalists who believe he is one of the most underutilized assets on the roster. On the other side, the skeptics are checking their watches and wondering if his time as a top-tier player has already expired.

The Free Sammy Movement and the High-Flying Loyalists

The enthusiasts believe Guevara is a victim of a crowded roster that has pushed original talent aside for shiny new toys. They point to his performance on Collision as proof that he can still deliver under pressure. Stepping into a World title match with Darby Allin with almost zero preparation is a tough task for anyone.

Fans in this camp argue that his in-ring work remains spectacular and that he is being wasted in Ring of Honor. They feel that his reigns with the TNT Championship and his current stint in CMLL show he is still a workhorse. To them, throwing him onto television with two hours' notice is disrespectful to a guy who helped build the company.

Supporters argue he has taken some of the most dangerous bumps in company history to make segments work, from stadium roof leaps to eating mid-air cutters. For them, that level of physical sacrifice should guarantee him a steady spot on Dynamite.

They also point to his confidence, which remains unshaken despite his lack of opportunities. As he recently told WrestlingNews.co, he still views himself as a top-tier performer.

“Whenever they do decide to call, I think the last time I was on AEW was when I wrestled Darby [Allin] for the World title. I was given a couple hours notice, and I just tried to do the best that I could, you know?”

They argue that this kind of professionalism is exactly why he deserves better. With that attitude, he is ready to go whenever his name is called.

The Case Against the Spanish God

But the internet is never one-sided, and the anti-Sammy sentiment is just as loud, if not louder. The critics argue that Guevara has had multiple opportunities to solidify himself as a main-event player and has failed every time. They point to his four TNT Championship reigns, which many feel watered down the title rather than elevating it.

For critics, the issue isn't his athletic talent, but his character development and his history of backstage drama. Multiple suspensions, including the fallout from a match against Jeff Hardy where concussion protocols were reportedly bypassed, have labeled him a liability.

A popular take on wrestling forums is that Guevara has simply hit his ceiling. While he is an incredible athlete, critics say he has not evolved past the immature vlog-character he debuted in 2019. In a locker room that now features world-class storytellers, his high-flying spots can feel empty.

Some fans suggest Ring of Honor is his ceiling. His run with the ROH tag titles alongside Dustin Rhodes, RUSH, and The Beast Mortos kept him occupied, but critics see his absence from Dynamite as an upgrade.

The Contrarian View: The Search for a Character Reset

Then there is the contrarian crowd, who do not necessarily hate Sammy but believe he needs a massive transformation. They argue that he has been booked into a corner by endless babyface and heel turns that have left the audience feeling completely detached. Every time he seems to get momentum, a sudden turn ruins his progress.

They believe a manager or a complete character redesign is the only way forward. Without a shift away from high-risk spots and toward ring psychology, they expect him to stay trapped in booking limbo.

My Take: Sammy is His Own Worst Enemy, but AEW is Failing Him Too

While the truth lies in the middle, the critics have the stronger case. You cannot expect modern crowds to invest in a guy who is still doing the exact same vlog-style gimmick he debuted seven years ago.

Guevara is a spectacular athlete, but the industry has moved past empty workrate. The top stars right now are characters who command attention, whereas his promos still sound like a teenager looking for a fight.

Still, Tony Khan shares the blame here. Handing a performer a World title match on Collision with only a couple of hours to prepare is a symptom of chaotic, last-minute booking.

Shuffling him between ROH, CMLL, and cold matches on Collision hurts his stock. If you want him to succeed, he needs a storyline that lasts longer than a single television episode.

Let's look at the three camps of fan opinions on the matter. This breakdown captures exactly why the fanbase remains so divided over his future.

• The Loyalists: They believe his workrate and status as an AEW original should guarantee him a prominent spot on Dynamite.
• The Critics: They argue his repetitive character, past suspensions, and poor promo skills justify his demotion to Ring of Honor.
• The Reformists: They want to see him stay in AEW but undergo a complete character overhaul with a dedicated manager.

The real issue is that the AEW roster has outgrown him. With Will Ospreay, Jay White, and Swerve Strickland dominating TV time, Guevara has become luxury depth rather than a necessity.

To get back on Dynamite, he has to make himself undeniable. That starts with changing his character, not adding more high-risk dives off ladders to his arsenal.

Until he reinvents himself, he will remain a gatekeeper in Ring of Honor and CMLL. That is a fine role, but it is far from the future megastar fans were promised in 2019.