WWE's New Contract Clause Could Impact AEW



by ATIA MUKHTAR

WWE's New Contract Clause Could Impact AEW
WWE's New Contract Clause Could Impact AEW

In a strategic move that might affect the development of AEW (All Elite Wrestling), WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) is laying down certain conditions for venues that host their events, effectively reducing AEW's operational space.

This marks a significant shift in the two companies' interactions, which until now had been characterized by an absence of confrontation reminiscent of the late 1990s Monday Night Wars. According to a recent issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE has begun introducing stipulations in its contracts with various event venues.

The clause prevents AEW from hosting shows within a specific timeframe before or after a WWE event at the exact location. Additionally, it bars the forum and AEW from announcing their event or selling tickets until after WWE's show has concluded.

Talent Migration from WWE to AEW

Since AEW's inception in 2019, there has been considerable talent migration from WWE, including high-profile shifts like that of Cody Rhodes, a former executive vice president of AEW, who made his return to WWE in 2022.

Despite this, the two wrestling organizations have continued to grow their separate rosters of stars. Among the numerous talents, two names are the current top performers of WWE and AEW: Roman Reigns and MJF (Maxwell Jacob Friedman), respectively.

Both are reigning world champions in their leagues. Freddie Prinze Jr., a former wrestling writer, recently shared his thoughts, asserting MJF's superiority due to his younger age and potential. In his podcast, Prinze stated, "MJF is the gold standard of professional wrestling...

Roman Reigns is great but hasn't reached what MJF already has." This statement has triggered speculation about MJF's future. Given that his current AEW contract expires in 2024 and he still needs to re-sign, questions arise about whether he might transition to WWE, AEW's most significant competitor. If so, this could further intensify the rivalry between these two wrestling powerhouses.

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