Over the summer, Fightful reported that former WWE Tag Team Champion Scotty 2 Hotty, real name Scott Garland, was working for AEW as a producer on a trial basis. Prior to testing the waters at All Elite Wrestling, Garland worked as a coach at the WWE Performance Center from 2016 until asking for his release in 2021. During his time as a coach, he reportedly worked with talent at the intermediary level between the beginner and more advanced classes.
In an interview with the Wrestling With Johners Podcast, Garland gave an update on where things stand in regard to his role as an AEW producer.
“I don’t think it’s a huge secret. I’ve been working for AEW as a producer behind the scenes as a coach and producer there, and I have the opportunity to do more with them on a regular basis,” he revealed. “So, it looks like probably at the beginning of the year, I’ll be going pretty hard with them. If everything works out the way I hope it does.”
One of the reasons Garland asked for his release was his desire to keep competing in the ring, something he would not be allowed to do as a WWE coach. His first match after parting ways with the sports entertainment juggernaut saw him lose to former AEW star Joey Janela at GCW Die For This on January 1, 2022. In the nearly two years since he has competed in around fifty more bouts.
Garland garnered some controversy last year with his outspokenness against intergender pro wrestling matches.
“Dear promoters I DO NOT ‘fight’ women,” Garland wrote on X. “I’m 49 & have a 20 year old daughter. ‘Hurting’ women isn’t appealing to me. I understand that there are men that do it these days. It’s just not my thing. If that makes me old or out of touch, I’ll take it. Please stop trying to book it.”
“Also, before my matches from 20+ years ago with Linda Miles, Chyna, or any other women are brought up, I know what I did,” he added. “It was a different time, a different place, & I wasn’t a father to a 20 yr old daughter.”
His comments drew a lot of negative feedback from all corners of the pro wrestling industry, and he temporarily deactivated his account following the backlash. He has since returned to the platform and has not revisited his thoughts on the issue.
If you use any quotes from this article, please give a h/t to Haus of Wrestling and credit the Wrestling With Johners Podcast