Ariel Helwani Open To Working In WWE Or AEW

MMA reporter Ariel Helwani's contract with ESPN is due to expire in June and he hasn't signed a new deal as of yet. 

Helwani was asked about the situation on Renee Paquette's Oral Sessions and he revealed he would be open to working in WWE or AEW. 

"Wow, TNT, I like it yea... it would be fun. We also have ONE Championship on TNT so that's an MMA organization that's over there. Back in 2006 or so, I actually had a brief conversation with Double J Jeff Jarrett to work in TNA for the early days in TNA through Kurt Angle, who I befriended at the time. The wrestling world has always been a big part of my life and an influence. I've never worked for WWE as you know but I'm open to anything... If you know Mr. Khan, put in a good word," Helwani stated.

Helwani has appeared on WWE TV in the past and he was a part of the pre-show panel for NXT TakeOver: WarGames. He is also a self-confessed wrestling fan and he detailed being in attendance for the Montreal Screwjob earlier in the interview.

"This is interesting. I was a massive pro wrestling fan. I was born in '82, so I remember WrestleMania I, going to the video store and watching it with my brothers. Around '94, getting into High School, I started to get really into NBA Basketball. This was a bit of a weird time in WWF land. It was a transitional period, so I actually got out of it for two or three years. A friend of mine, we were at a driving lesson in '97, tells me, 'You know, there's a pay-per-view coming to Montreal.' That was the first-ever pay-per-view in Montreal. 'They've never come before so it felt like a big deal and it's Survivor Series, we have to go.'" he added. 

"However, I had not watched for three or four years, so I was not up to speed with the storylines and everything. I was not even up to speed with the product. I get there and there are 5 million signs. That wasn't a thing when I stopped watching in '94. I see Sable. I'm in 9th grade. I'm like, what the hell's going on? It's all sexified. It's all different. It's totally different. He's like, 'This could be Bret's last match.' He's bringing me up to speed. Then what happens, happens. He throws the monitors and all that. I remember going home, going on Scoops Wrestling and those sites, reading up on all the drama, and thinking, 'Holy Crap.'  That got me right back in. Then '97, '98, '99, 2000s, I was more of a fan than ever before. Attitude Era. So in the moment, I was a little bit oblivious, but now in hindsight, I'm like, 'Wow, I can't believe I was at one of the most historic matches of all time." 

H/T to WrestlingNews.co