Ever since the launch of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), there has been rampant speculation that some of the WWE superstars might leave the company soon. It has been reported that AEW is offering a lot of money to wrestlers to make a move to the newly formed organization. It already has taken former WWE superstars like Chris Jericho, Cody Rhodes and Neville (PAC) on board and has financial backing from the billionaire Khan Family.
Dean Ambrose has already confirmed his exit from WWE after WrestleMania 35, so his chances of joining Rhodes and Jericho in the AEW are pretty high. There have been reports that several other wrestlers also want to leave WWE after getting frustrated with their bookings. Recently the name of 13-time WWE Champion Randy Orton was also speculated by the media as he was reportedly willing to discuss with AEW. Even Hollywood star Dave Bautista is also talking to AEW about his return to wrestling.
So it may be of huge concern to WWE Chairman Vince McMahon that top several wrestlers have suddenly shown their interest in moving on from the company. Ever since the demise of WCW in 2001, WWE has not had any competition in the professional wrestling world. There are companies like NJPW, ROH and Impact but they don’t have the same clout in the business as WWE. But with the launch of AEW, WWE may be facing some serious competition for the first since in almost 20 years.
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Radio has revealed that Vince is indeed worried about the situation and is willing to do anything to keep his top stars in the company.
“Ronda was always going to lose at this year’s Mania. It can always change if they talk her into staying like with Brock. You know Brock was going to leave how many times? Then they just offer him way more money. You know, Ronda’s not as about the money as Brock. Brock is a total mercenary, you know? I think that Vince respects Brock in that way.
“I think now that Vince has so much money now that Brock totally gets this and has used it to his advantage. The whole key on why Brock keeps getting [bigger deals from WWE] is because Vince doesn’t want to be perceived as losing his top guy to UFC.”
AEW Double Or Nothing takes place on May 25 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. This will be the first event for the new promotion and according to the company, it sold out their first official show within a record time.