The wrestling world was shocked when Cody Rhodes left AEW for WWE earlier this year. It was the highest-profile move from to WWE from AEW since the company’s inception and was entirely unexpected.
More recently, Blackpool Combat Club manager William Regal has left AEW for WWE this month after reportedly being offered the role of Executive Vice President.
However, one popular AEW wrestler has recently claimed they would stay with the promotion, even if they received a contract offer from WWE.
Popular AEW Superstar Would Reject Contract Offer From WWE
In an interview with WrestlingNewsCo, “The Cutest Wrestler In The World” Maki Itoh spoke with Steve Fall about her career. When Fall asked Itoh about her popularity potentially leading to interest from WWE, Itoh responded via her translator with the following;
“No, nothing. The reason she became this popular is thanks to AEW. Whatever happens, even if WWE gives her a cheeky offer from nowhere, she would not accept it and she would stay right beside AEW all the way.”
Though Itoh is working full-time in Japan with Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling, she has made several appearances on All Elite Wrestling shows. With her debut on the 7th of March 2021 edition of Dynamite, she captivated fans immediately thanks to her impressive charisma and trademark entrance music which she sings on her way to the ring.
Maki Itoh mentioned All Elite Wrestling again when asked about her goals for 2023;
“In Japan, she wants to get a title belt, obviously. She feels maybe a tag team title belt would be really nice, just about now. Where for America, she wants to go back to being on AEW television again. As you know, there is only so much time available on American TV and you can’t really leave much of an impact due to how much time you get to be on TV. She definitely wants to leave a big enough impact to where everyone will remember the name of Maki Itoh.”
In-ring, Maki Itoh has competed in eight matches for All Elite Wrestling thus far, winning two and losing six. Itoh’s most recent appearance with AEW was on the 23rd of November, 2022 edition of Dark: Elevation. On this show, she would team with Emi Sakura in a losing effort to Marina Shafir & Nyla Rose.
H/T Fightful