5 ways WWE vs. AEW is reminiscent of the Monday Night Wars

It's a big deal when WWE and AEW go head-to-head

Jon Moxley and Seth Rollins went from SHIELD brethren to inter-promotion rivals

As we have seen with this Friday's head-to-head, WWE vs. AEW draws eyes and starts conversations. The Wednesday Night Wars consumed the fanbase, with all eyes on who pulled the greater viewing and put on a better show.

When AEW first came to light, there were questions as to whether or not there would be any direct competition. It can't be ignored that AEW is still a young company and has a lot of time to grow and evolve. You would forgive them for not wanting to come to the throne with so much to lose. But, every time we've seen AEW go head-to-head with WWE, they've not only embraced the competition but relished it.

Part of what endears fans to AEW is the fact that they are the antithesis of WWE. AEW is the well-needed breath of life into the upper echelon of the industry, and that has helped in their meteoric rise.

WCW going head-to-head with WWE made for eventful watching, with each show looking to outdo each other at every turn, and it has to be the belief that AEW and WWE are set to replicate that in their head-to-head battles.

WWE big names looking to jump ship to AEW

Adam Cole won it all in NXT before crossing over to AEW

WWE has long been the Premier League of pro wrestling. The lack of top-level alternatives for wrestlers has ensured that WWE has been able to employ some questionable internal practices for its staff, leaving workers to feel like they have no choice to grin and bear.

What AEW has provided is a haven for those creatively starved or misused. While the company was founded alongside former WWE Stars like Cody Rhodes and Chris Jericho, it's the transitions of names like Jon Moxley (Dean Ambrose in WWE), NXT cornerstone Adam Cole, and WrestleMania Main Eventer Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan) that have strengthened perceptions of the company.

The fairytale of CM Punk's return to professional wrestling was long thought to be a moment only WWE could produce until AEW delivered the former WWE Champion in all his glory. This isn't all too different from when WWE megastars Razor Ramon, Diesel, and Hulk Hogan made their way to WCW, establishing WCW as the competitor it threatened to be.

Much more concerning for WWE is the fact that rumors are linking current high-caliber stars to AEW. Kevin Owens is rumored to be heading towards his contract expiry with the belief that he is likely AEW bound. There have been rumblings that NXT cornerstone Johnny Gargano could be looking for greener pastures when his contract expires. (You can check a full list of AEW linked WWE stars here)

While it has never been uncommon for employee turnover to occur within WWE, it has always been a case of WWE releasing wrestlers when they feel they are at a dead-end with the company, whereas today we are seeing some highly valued stars opting to not re-sign with WWE and making the transition themselves.

It speaks volumes that these workers are starting to feel confident enough to gamble their livelihoods by departing the industry leaders for the "new kid on the block," as it communicates the profile AEW has constructed against WWE.

The Monday Night Wars involved some high-profile moves in its day. Who could be the latest high-profile move in the AEW-WWE rivalry?