Report: AEW Did Not Pursue WWE-Bound Wrestling Star

For unknown reasons, AEW did NOT go after this potential megastar.

by Andy H Murray
Giulia Stardom
Stardom

AEW has not pursued soon-to-be free agent Giulia, who is widely expected to join WWE once her Stardom contract expires in March.

Dave Meltzer reports as much on Wrestling Observer Radio. He stated that as of two weeks ago, AEW had not extended a contract offer to the Stardom headliner, opting against pursuing her as a potential roster addition.

There is currently no word on why.

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Although Giulia's Stardom departure is yet to be confirmed, it is anticipated that she will leave the market-leading joshi group to sign with WWE after becoming a free agent in March. Although reports suggest she is frustrated that the news has leaked, Giulia (born to an Italian father and Japanese mother) is believed to be working on her English ahead of arriving in the United States.

At 29 years old, Giulia is widely regarded as one of the brightest stars in Japanese wrestling. Ascending towards the top of Stardom shortly after signing there in October 2019, she held the company's top belt, the World of Stardom Championship, between December 2022 and April 2023.

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Giulia currently reigns as NJPW STRONG Women's Champion, having defeated AEW's Willow Nightingale for the belt last July.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.