Major Change In AEW's Policy Towards Signing Ex-WWE Wrestlers (AEW News)
AEW to be "way more picky" when signing former WWE talents.
On the heels of Swerve Strickland saying that signing for AEW should be like signing for the Los Angeles Lakers, there's now somewhat of an update on AEW's policy on bringing in prospective talent, particularly former WWE names.
When asked about AEW having an eye on released WWE talent, Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select said that Tony Khan's promotion is being "way more picky" with ex-WWE stars. SRS pointed out how we've previously seen such talents come into AEW, not be happy with the AEW process, leave the company, and eventually return to WWE. Sapp did add how there will be some former WWE talent who end up in AEW, but that it's not going to be a "huge amount".
While no particular talents were named here, Aleister/Malakai Black and Rusev/Miro immediately jump out as two names who were released by AEW this year and returned to WWE, with both men being granted their release after becoming unhappy in AEW. William Regal and Shawn Spears are another couple of names who come to mind as talent released by WWE, signed by AEW, then eventually exited the company and headed back to the market leader.
As for released WWE talent that AEW has signed up over the years, there are countless names who've been let go by WWE, only to make their way to Tony Khan's company. From a quick look through AEW's lifespan, there's been Jake Hager, Saraya, CJ Perry, Mark Henry, the Hardyz, Bobby Fish, and Parker Boudreaux as just some of the released WWE talent to become #AllElite, only to then depart AEW down the line - though none of those names have yet to resurface in WWE, bar Matt and Jeff Hardy appearing in NXT as part of the working relationship with TNA.