10 Most Important Days In The Creation Of AEW

6. Cody & The Young Bucks Turn WWE Down (December 2018)

Cody Walks
YouTube

December 2018 brought several important developments in AEW's creation, though the specific dates are unclear.

An appearance on Bruce Prichard's Something to Wrestle podcast saw Cody claim that he'd turned down a fresh WWE contract offer. One week later, Dave Meltzer reported that The Young Bucks had done the same, suggesting that yes, the were on the verge of starting their own promotion.

If the reports that surfaced in early 2019 were accurate, it sounds like WWE pulled out all the stops to get hold of Cody and the Bucks. Seven-figure salaries were mentioned, as was a supposed "invasion" angle in which the trio plus Kenny Omega and Hangman Page would run roughshod over the company ahead of WrestleMania 35. Meltzer also mentioned a clause allowing Matt and Nick Jackson to back out of their deals after just six months if they were unhappy. It was unprecedented.

December 2018 also saw The Elite say goodbye to Ring Of Honor. Their contracts had expired, and they wrestled farewell matches at the Final Battle 2018 tapings. There was now nothing stopping them from entering the American market as promoters.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.