In a shocking development that has rocked the world of hyphen enthusiasts and legal name purists alike, AEW’s Stokely Hathaway has officially shed the Hathaway and is now just… Stokely. Like Madonna, Cher, or the guy at the DMV who doesn’t want to be found.
Stokely made his grand return on the April 23, 2025, edition of “Dynamite,” cutting a promo so sharp it sliced off his surname right there on live television. Though he introduced himself as “Stokely Hathaway” (classic mistake), AEW’s official roster page quickly revised the error, cutting the Hathaway like a bad tattoo from a past relationship.
At “Collision,” FTR — fresh off their transformation from fan favorites to grade-A jerks after betraying Cope — were flanked by the newly mononymous Stokely. The trio oozed heel energy as they took down Paragon in a two-out-of-three falls match, a feat only slightly less dramatic than someone rebranding themselves with a single name during tax season.
According to reports from the Department of Delayed Creative Plans™, the FTR-Stokely union was actually conceived nearly a year ago but was stashed away like a forgotten “best man” speech in Tony Khan’s sock drawer. With Statlander turning babyface and Stokely’s managerial duties ending last October, the former WWE star vanished like your uncle after borrowing $40 — citing “personal time,” which in wrestling is code for “just don’t ask.”
But now, he’s back. And he’s taking care of business.
On his first night back, Stokely immediately declared war on fines, suspensions, and any sense of accountability. He promised to “expunge” FTR’s suspension for assaulting Cope at Dynasty and to make sure they’re reimbursed for their troubles — possibly with a gift card to LongHorn Steakhouse and a coupon for emotional closure.
With FTR hungry for tag gold and Stokely fired up to manage like it’s 1999, this new alliance is a natural fit — if your idea of “natural” includes legal threats and facial hair-fueled vendettas.
Bottom line: Stokely is here. The Hathaway is gone. And if you listen closely, you can hear Cope asking for hazard pay.