WWE Planning HUGE AEW Talent Raid?

Jade Cargill might not be the last wrestler to jump from AEW to WWE...

Cody Rhodes Ricky Starks
AEW

Contract season is fast approaching in professional wrestling - and it sounds like WWE may be plotting a talent raid of AEW.

On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that a number of AEW wrestlers are currently working on contracts due to expire at the end of the year. WWE will attempt to sign the "key ones", though there is currently no word on who, exactly, this refers to.

WWE's plans for Jade Cargill are important in this equation. According to Meltzer, the former AEW TBS Champion will not be the last person to jump between companies, suggesting that the current wave will continue.

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Cargill's WWE signing was confirmed last month. CM Punk has been intensely linked with WWE throughout 2023, particularly since becoming a free agent in September, while Ricky Starks is another name that comes up in online scuttlebutt often, partially on account of his strong ties to high-profile AEW-to-WWE ship-jumper Cody Rhodes.

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MJF's situation remains unclear. WhatCulture exclusively reported in February that the current AEW World Champion did not sign a contract extension upon agreeing new terms in 2022, though the situation may have changed since then. Currently, the 'Bidding War of 2024' is still on.

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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.