Two Unhappy AEW Stars To Explore Free Agency “Specifically WWE”
More wrestlers are now willing to swap AEW for WWE.
While WWE stars moving to AEW became commonplace after the latter launched in 2019, wrestlers moving in the opposite direction was something of a rarity. However, after Cody Rhodes made the move in 2022 the likes of Jade Cargill, Lexis King, Ethan Page, and more recently Penta have all followed suit.
Penta finally made his Monday Night Raw debut on January 13th seeing off Chad Gable. The star’s signing had been teased for several weeks with a series of vignettes, and it had become something of an open secret throughout 2024 that Penta would join the company as soon as his AEW deal expired.
The reaction to Penta’s debut was universally positive, both among fans and those backstage. And crucially, this could have far-reaching implications.
More AEW Stars To Follow Penta To WWE
According to a new report from Lucha Libre Online, Penta’s eye-catching debut and the subsequent praise from fans haven’t gone unnoticed by those in AEW.
The report explained that those in AEW who had previously felt a move to WWE would be difficult have begun to change their minds, and specifically cited two stars who will explore a move in 2025. Since Vince McMahon left WWE, AEW talents are now more confident of finding success with the company.
Exclusive: Our sources confirm to us that there are several AEW talents who do not feel comfortable with their role in the company. These talents did not dare to explore WWE as a real alternative due to the feeling of uncertainty of getting lost in the “monster system that is WWE.” Others because they had not previously had the television time and prominence that they would have wanted in their past stay in WWE.
However, that feeling of uncertainty was eradicated, because upon seeing Penta’s debut in WWE, those talents who want to leave AEW due to their current role in the company, understood that having the AEW brand on their resume becomes a strength and bargaining chip that they can use to their advantage.
Because of this, said talents who are not happy with their current status in AEW are more willing to study WWE as an alternative, with two of said talents confirming that they would explore free agency in 2025, specifically WWE.
Talents feel more secure and confident of achieving success in companies like WWE due to the administrative change, change in culture and the range of opportunities presented to talent who left AEW as was also the case with Ethan Page and Lexis King. (Translation via Google)
It’s widely expected that Penta’s brother and former tag team partner Rey Fenix will leave AEW when his contract finally expires. During 2024, Fenix had time added to his contract meaning he’s unable to move until well into 2025. This is despite the company showing little sign of wanting to use him on television.