5-Time WWE Champion Open To AEW Move
Another former WWE star could become All Elite.
Shayna Baszler was released by WWE back in May, ending a run with the company that started in 2017.
The star initially enjoyed a great deal of success with the company, winning the NXT Women’s Championship twice in dominant style before arriving on the main roster. However, she never caught fire in the same way after getting called up, despite winning the Women’s Tag Team Championship three times.
At the time of her departure, Baszler was coming off the back of teaming with Sonya Deville (who left the company in February) and Zoey Stark as the Pure Fusion Collective.
In the months since her exit was confirmed, Baszler has repeatedly been linked with AEW, given her friendship with stars such as Marina Shafir.
During a new interview with Ariel Helwani, Baszler was asked about what might come next.
“There have been talks. There are some indie companies that, at the time I signed with WWE, it was for the Mae Young Classic.
We did the Mae Young Classic, and I hadn’t officially signed on full-time yet. The discussion or understanding at that time was, ‘Just sign, and when you need to drop all those titles on the indies, we’ll let you go back and take care of those.’ That never came to fruition, and these companies have reached out and been like, ‘Hey, remember that title?’
There have been some talks. Obviously, it’s not a secret, I’m really good friends with Marina (Shafir). I have a lot of friends there (at AEW). There have been some discussions as to what the future could hold.”
When asked specifically about a move to AEW, Baszler refused to rule it out.
“I’ve said almost exactly this statement when people were talking about UFC to WWE transition, I don’t care as much about the letters behind it. I just want to practice my craft, and if I can do that alongside my friends, that’s always a great place to be. I’m not going to say a hard no to any of that.”
Shayna Baszler Had Years Left To Run On WWE Deal
During the same conversation, Shayna Baszler admitted that she wasn’t surprised to get released, especially after Deville had already left the company. But interestingly, at the time she still had three years to run on her contract having previously agreed an extension.
In July, it was reported that Shayna Baszler had been working as a producer in NXT, but hadn’t taken on a permanent role. The belief is that the arrangement was something of a stopgap until her non-compete clause expired in early August.
H/t to Fightful