WWE Opening The Forbidden Door? Talks With Other Promotion Confirmed

WWE is reportedly unhappy with its reputation of not wanting to work with other wrestling companies.

Vince McMahon MLW
WWE/MLW

WWE has entered talks with MLW with a view to forming a partnership similar to the old EVOLVE deal, allowing developmental wrestlers who aren't regularly on WWE television the chance to work elsewhere.

This is according to Dave Meltzer, who writes in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE dislikes its reputation for not wanting to work with other promotions, and the perception that they look old, uncooperative, and stuck in their ways while AEW is working with AEW, NJPW, and IMPACT.

February brought reports that WWE was looking to revive the EVOLVE brand it acquired in 2020. This is yet to come to fruition.

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The timing of this story is interesting, given Daniel Bryan claims to have made "headway" in discussions over WWE consenting to its talent working for other promotions while under contract. Meltzer notes that right now, WWE's mentality is to collaborate with other groups, but acknowledges that whether it happens or not is a different matter entirely.

WWE's history of not playing well with others stretches all the way back to the '80s, when Vince McMahon's aggressive expansion ran swathes of territories out of business. More recently, the company's dealings in the United Kingdom have smothered that country's independent scene, with only NXT UK to show for it.

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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.