WWE "Going Hard" To Sign Top AEW Stars?

Several huge AEW contracts are up this year - and WWE is in hot pursuit.

by Andy H Murray
Kenny Omega Triple H
WWE.com

WWE is expected to "go hard" for top AEW stars this year, with several of the latter promotion's top stars currently working on contracts due to expire later in 2023.

Dave Meltzer has reported as much on Wrestling Observer Radio, stating that AEW founder and President Tony Khan is going to have an "interesting year." A number of key AEW contracts expire in 2023. The company's biggest competitor, WWE, will "go hard for almost everyone good", though it isn't a one-way situation.

Advertisement

A number of big WWE contracts are going to be up, too. Khan may look to improve his product's perception, making it more attractive to prospective signings, with Meltzer citing AEW's financial stability and an easier schedule.

Currently, however, people within WWE do not have that perception of AEW.

Advertisement

Among the AEW wrestlers working on soon-to-expire deals are Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, and FTR. Omega is understood to have had time added onto a contract originally set to expire this February due to injury. The Bucks are up towards the end of 2023, while FTR's Dax Harwood has claimed that he and Cash Wheeler are on deals expiring in April.

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.