10 Wrestlers WWE Only Signed Because Of AEW
1. Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes' return to WWE at WrestleMania 38 felt like a significant moment in time.
Not only was this The American Nightmare's first appearance on WWE programming since departing due to creative frustrations in 2016 and eventually going on to help create The Land of All Elite, but his re-emergence also acted as the first real AEW-to-WWE defection.
And make no mistake, WWE clearly saw the acquiring of Dusty Rhodes' son as a huge opportunity going forward in more ways than one.
In Rhodes as a performer, WWE brought back a star who could clearly add something exciting to the top of their card. But it's what the former AEW EVP could represent in the long-term that was also of serious value to Vince McMahon and now Triple H and the gang.
If WWE are able to keep Rhodes looking strong and make him feel like even more of a star than he did in Tony Khan's company, then you have to imagine it'll only be a matter of time before other top All Elite talents decide to run down their own deals and give the new WWE regime a try.
Simply put, Rhodes' move to WWE was a shrewd call for all involved. And it's one that could have catastrophic consequences for TK's world by the time a certain bidding war of 2024 comes around...