Triple H Reportedly Offered The Elite “A Ton Of Money” To Sign With WWE

Prior to the creation of All Elite Wrestling, Triple H offered The Elite big money to sign with WWE according to current AEW star Matt Hardy.

In 2018, the wrestling industry was enjoying something of a boom period, especially in the independent scene.

Ring Of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling were more popular than ever thanks to building main event feuds around members of The Elite. The Young Bucks brought tag team wrestling back into the spotlight, while Kenny Omega’s critically acclaimed feud with Kazuchika Okada brought many outside eyes to NJPW.

With their own popularity at an all-time high, The Elite, which had grown to include former WWE star Cody Rhodes and current AEW World Champion Hangman Adam Page, were at a crossroads in their careers.

Speaking on his new podcast, The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy, ‘Big Money’ Matt revealed that Triple H was keen to bring the group into WWE, persuading the company to offer them huge contracts.

“But I do know that Triple H, Trips was all over those guys as far as trying to bring them [The Elite] in, and they offered them a ton of money.”

However, rather than accept the money on the table, Rhodes and The Young Bucks decided to go in a more daring direction and in September 2018 they self-funded the All In event. The show featured some of the best independent talent as well as wrestling stars from ROH and NJPW and turned a lot of heads by selling out the Sears Centre Arena in Chicago in under 30 minutes.

The massive success of the show and the decision of The Young Bucks, Cody, Adam Page, and Kenny Omega to continue their careers together ultimately led to the creation of All Elite Wrestling which was announced on New Year’s Day 2019.

H/T to Ringside News for the above transcription.