AEW Talent Uncomfortable In Roles, Heads Turned By Penta's Raw Debut (WWE News)
Unhappy AEW talent are reportedly becoming increasingly likely to consider jumping to WWE.
AEW talents who aren't happy with their current position in the company are increasingly considering jumping to WWE, with two wrestlers keen on exploring the prospect in 2025.
Lucha Libre Online has reported as much, with multiple sources indicating several AEW wrestlers don't feel comfortable with their current roles. Where once these wrestlers wouldn't have considered WWE an option due to potentially getting lost in the market-leader's "monster system", this has changed, with the "feeling of uncertainty eradicated."
Penta's WWE debut on this week's Raw may have turned AEW heads. Lucha Libre Online states that upon seeing Penta on Raw, people who already want to leave AEW because of their role recognised that they could use having All Elite Wrestling on their resume as a bargaining chip. Now, unhappy AEW wrestlers are reportedly more open to looking at WWE as an alternative workplace.
The outlet notes, specifically, that two AEW talents with contracts expiring this year are interested in exploring free agency.
Exclusivo: Nuestras fuentes nos confirman que hay varios talentos de AEW que no se sienten a gusto con su rol en la empresa. Dichos talentos no se atrevían a explorar la WWE como alternativa real por la sensación de incertidumbre de perderse en el “monstruo de sistema que es… pic.twitter.com/9OmMerth2P— Lucha Libre Online (@luchalibreonlin) January 17, 2025
WWE's regime change has also played a role in this swing, with the company's change in culture and increased opportunities afforded to ex-AEW talents like Ethan Page and Lexis King leading to disgruntled AEW wrestlers feeling more confident of success on the other side.
Penta's Raw debut was universally well-received on Monday. The former Lucha Brother became a free agent back in November, following his AEW contract's expiration, completing a protracted exit from the company. Speculation is rife that Penta's brother Rey Fenix will join him in WWE, though he is still contracted to AEW after the promotion opted to extend his deal due to time missed through injury.