Real Reason Why WWE Is Not Trying To Sign AEW Stars Right Now
Why WWE is no longer showing interest in AEW talent.
While WWE has previously had noted interest in several AEW talents, there now comes an update on one reason why the market leader is currently hesitant to try and sign such talents.
Speaking on the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio (as per WrestlingNews.co), Dave Meltzer noted how the ongoing lawsuit between Major League Wrestling and WWE has a part to play in how WWE is nowadays handling its talent acquisitions.
Meltzer brought this up when talking about the contract status of Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks; three names whose AEW deals are due to expire next year.
The Observer founder stated how in years gone by, WWE would have made contact with talents in this position ahead of their contract expiry to let them know there was interest and to make an informal offer for the wrestlers to take up when their existing contract was up. Now, that's not the case, and that's down to the ongoing lawsuit being brought by MLW.
As Meltzer explained:
"WWE is very leery because of the MLW lawsuit. So they're not making, like, if this was, if that MLW lawsuit wasn't there, WWE, and it's not just these guys, there are other guys that this relates to and have an interest in at least hearing from WWE. And [in] one case [there is] interest in going to WWE, and WWE has been uncharacteristically, whatever the word is, not aggressively trying to steal talent, like, unless somebody's contract is over, because of that MLW lawsuit."
Of course, any contact with talents contracted elsewhere is not usually viewed in a positive light in a court of law, and thus WWE doesn't want to run the risk of bringing more negative attention to their practices at a time when they are already involved in a lawsuit.
In terms of this MLW lawsuit, Court Bauer's promotion alleges WWE violated the Sherman Antitrust Act in the US wrestling market. By this, MLW claims WWE attempted to hinder potential TV deals and sign contracted MLW talent.
It's also worth noting that WWE was put under a hiring freeze earlier in this year prior to being assimilated by Endeavor. Since then, new hires have been few and far between.