10 Wrestlers WWE Only Signed Because Of AEW
If it wasn't for AEW, would WWE have even signed these wrestlers?
Competition is never a bad thing.
And when it comes to the pro wrestling sphere, a number of high-profile companies all vying for your attention tends to lead to a noticeable increase in the quality of in-ring action and compelling storylines being forged for your entertainment.
That most definitely has been the case when it comes to the two biggest wrestling forces in the industry at this current moment in time, with both WWE and AEW continually pushing each other to produce the most eye-catching television possible in a bid to outdo their biggest rival.
But ratings numbers and social media interactions aren't the only things The Land of All Elite and The World of Sports Entertainment have been fighting over.
Both promotions have also been doing everything in their power to get their hands on the brightest and biggest talents the business has to offer... or just keep their number #1 adversary from adding to their already star-studded ensemble.
In fact, had it not been for their newest All Elite challenger, there's a solid chance WWE in particular wouldn't have even been interested in signing the following names to their roster, it must be said.
Yet, AEW is most definitely a thing, and their existence has unintentionally paved the way for a whole host of talented folks becoming (or remaining) All WWE since they arrived on the scene in 2019.
10. Cole Karter
While it'd be fair to admit that the likes of AEW Dark and Dark: Elevation haven't exactly been appointment viewing since their creation in October 2019 and March 2021, respectively, it's clear that Tony Khan's biggest rival has still been keeping an eye on the largely developmental shows over the last few years.
Look no further than the snapping up of one Cole Karter back in March 2022 on the back of the eventual Troy 'Two Times' Donovan appearing on both shows in bouts against All Elite stars such as Lance Archer and even former WWE legend Paul Wight (a.k.a. Big Show) as a sign of the attention WWE were clearly paying to this AEW content.
And while the young Karter's impressive work on the independent scene no doubt also played into WWE's decision to hand him a deal, the rising star being highlighted on AEW's YouTube shows whilst not under All Elite contract was likely the biggest reason the prodigy ended up on the Sports Entertainment radar.
Karter's time in WWE ultimately came to an end (for now) just a few months on, however, with the NXT talent being let go due to a failed drug test before eventually returning to The Land of All Elite and aligning himself with The Factory later in the year.