WWE is reportedly looking to land a number of top AEW stars as they become available.
The report comes after it was noted that WWE is interested in securing the services of an unnamed free agent other than Jay White who appears to be on the brink of leaving New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
There is also the added intrigue that Kenny Omega’s contract with AEW had been due to expire in January. It has since been revealed that time had been added for the nine months he spent out injured. Although how much time remains unclear.
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer has now reported that WWE is preparing to launch numerous bids to try and sign top AEW stars when their contracts expire. However, Meltzer appeared to suggest that there is little interest among big-name WWE stars in possibly going in the opposite direction.
“It’s gonna be a real interesting year for Tony (Khan) because a lot of key deals are gonna be up this year, and WWE’s gonna go hard for almost everyone good and also there’s gonna be WWE deals up as well, and he needs to make the product and the perception of the product look attractive enough to where guys on the other side will go ‘you know what? they’re solid, they’re financially stable, they’re doing good, the schedules easier’ you know what I mean? But right now I don’t think perception of people in WWE is to go there.”
The top AEW stars in question could well include Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks. The Jackson brothers’ contracts reportedly expire at the end of 2023.
Ric Flair Claims The Elite Should Leave AEW
Speaking on a recent episode of his podcast To Be The Man, Ric Flair suggested that it’s time for The Elite to leave AEW and head to WWE. His comments came after he also called on Tony Khan to stop booking All Elite Wrestling due to his outside interests in NFL Franchise the Jacksonville Jaguars and English Premier League football team Fulham.
H/t to Wrestle Purists