Randy Orton's proposed blockbuster move to All Elite Wrestling earlier this year was apparently scuppered for the simplest of reasons - cold hard cash.
Speculation discussed on Wrestling Observer Radio noted that AEW simply didn't offer Orton the right amount during their negotiations, resulting in the WWE lifer inking several more years with the only place he really belongs.
In terms of dollars, the conversation allegedly turned to Chris Jericho's contract - Orton believed he was worth more than 'LeChampion' and baulked at the prospect of a move when Tony Khan et al disagreed.
Advertisement
Orton and AEW have been back at odds with one another of a fashion in the last week, with Orton one of many to pile on the company following a divisive and derided ending to the last episode of Dynamite.
He'd been back and forth with head honcho Khan shortly after re-signing in a spat that didn't particularly cover both sides in glory. Though only rumours, this may indicate why there were lingering hostilities between the two sides after the decision was made not to take the contract talks any further.
Advertisement
More on what remains of this two-sided near-miss as and if it develops.
Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation over 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. Within the podcasting space, he also co-hosts Benno & Hamflett, In Your House! and Podcast Horseman: The BoJack Horseman Podcast. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, Fightful, POST Wrestling, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett
