New AEW Star Didn’t Want To Be “Just An Asset” In WWE

An AEW star has explained why they didn’t want to sign with WWE.

After achieving just about everything there is to achieve in TNA, Josh Alexander allowed his contract to expire back in February.

Although the Canadian star initially kept his cards close to his chest, he made his surprise AEW debut as part of the Owen Hart Cup on April 16. Alexander lost in the opening round to “Hangman” Adam Page, but subsequently attacked the former AEW World Champion at the urging of Don Callis, confirming his alliance with the Don Callis Family.

Before that appearance on Dynamite, there was speculation that Alexander could sign with WWE, but it seems the man himself was never truly interested.

In a new interview with SHAK Wrestling, the star recalled his first meeting with Tony Khan while he was still with TNA. Alexander said that after seeing Khan at close quarters, he felt he was someone who genuinely cared about his employees.

“I got this impression that as a boss, he’s somebody that actually cares for his employees. You’re not just a number and you’re not just an asset to the company. He actually cares about you, and that’s something that means a great deal to me,”

In reference to WWE, Alexander said he didn’t want to be just another number.

“I just wasn’t comfortable working somewhere where I just be an asset, something that you could just toss away in an instant… I wanted somebody that’s going to care about me and care about the fact that I have a family that I’m feeding, and that I do have such a passion for this.”

Josh Alexander Turned Down WWE Appearance

During the same interview, Josh Alexander revealed that he rejected a WWE appearance while he was still with TNA. The former World Champion explained that one pitch was apparently rejected by TNA management, while he turned down a second, which would have been a run-in during Stand & Deliver because it “didn’t fit with his goals.”

By contrast, Joe Hendry is set to defend the TNA World Championship against Trick Williams at NXT Battleground. This will mark the first time that TNA’s top championship has been defended on WWE television.

It’s widely expected that Hendry will sign with the sports entertainment giant when his current contract ends later in 2025.

H/t to WrestlingNews.Co