AEW Close To 2 Major Signings?

Two huge-name free agents may soon be #AllElite...

by Andy H Murray
Jeff Hardy Shane Strickland AEW free agents
AEW/WWE

Jeff Hardy and Shane Strickland are both expected to be heading to All Elite Wrestling, reports Dave Meltzer in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

On Strickland, who wrestled as Isaiah 'Swerve' Scott in WWE, Meltzer writes that "significant talks" have already taken place between him and AEW. While there's no word that he has officially been signed yet, chances of it happening are now through the roof.

'Swerve' has technically been a free agent since last week, when his 90-day non-compete clause expired. He, along with his fellow remaining Hit Row members (Top Dolla and Ashante 'Thee' Adonis), was released in one of WWE's rounds of "budget cuts" in November 2021.

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Hardy's situation is more complicated. The veteran is still bound to his 90 days after he was released by WWE on 9 December 2021, having been let go by the promotion after it was alleged he was "impaired" while competing on a house show the week prior. WWE has since made a play to bring Jeff back into the fold, seemingly fearing him becoming a potential needle-mover for AEW.

Jeff's brother, Matt, has been with AEW since March 2020.

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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.