At WrestleMania 38 Cody Rhodes completed the jump from AEW to WWE, and the sports entertainment giant is determined to make sure he isn’t the last to make the move.
Following the rise of AEW, wrestling contracts have become an increasingly large talking point. While a number of former WWE stars have already landed in AEW, Cody Rhodes is the only person to have moved in the opposite direction. However, that could be about to change.
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer stated that not only are “many” AEW deals coming up at the end of the year, but WWE is also interested in all of them.
While Meltzer stopped short of naming names, it is believed that contracts for Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks expire at the end of 2023. While MJF has repeatedly stated that he will be free to negotiate in 2024.
“There are AEW contracts that are coming due at the end of the year. Several of them. Many of them, and WWE obviously will be pursuing all of them, or all the ones that are key ones that they could get.”
WWE Currently Operating Under An Unofficial Hiring Freeze
Throughout 2022 WWE signed a huge number of performers, including many who had been released by the company previously. However, that roster building has come to a halt in 2023. Despite reports suggesting that more stellar names would be following Dragon Lee to the company after his signing in December, no one has been announced.
While there has been nothing official, it has been reported that there is currently a hiring freeze in place. Despite this, the company has continued to talk to a number of stars including Nick Aldis, Jay White, and EJ Nduka as well as holding an interest in Hikuleo, Tama Tonga, and re-signing Naomi. The latter is now expected to join IMPACT Wrestling.
H/t to Wrestle Talk