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AEW has emerged as WWE's stiffest competition since WCW during the height of the Monday Night Wars. The upstart promotion has attracted a large following due to its vibrant product and is gaining ground on WWE. Dynamite has even pipped RAW to the post in the 18-49 demographic on a few occasions.
After WWE scheduled the Supersized SmackDown to go head to head with Rampage, Tony Khan threw down the gauntlet during an interview with the New York Post.
"If we’re going to start trying to directly head-to-head compete with each other at this time of year where there are all these other things happening in sports, let’s go. I’m not the one who threw the gloves off, but if somebody has to do the talking and sell the fight I will be the one to do it," said Khan.
A big part of AEW's growth has been fueled by the addition of stars such as CM Punk and Bryan Danielson who made their name in WWE. A number of current Superstars have also been linked with a move. As the battle between the two companies intensifies, Vince McMahon will inevitably return the favor at some point in time.
With that being said, here are six current AEW stars who have previously been linked with a move to WWE:
#6 Britt Baker tried out for WWE
The first woman to sign an AEW contract, Britt Baker has evolved into one of the most entertaining performers on the roster over the last two years. She defeated Hikaru Shida to win the AEW Women's Championship at this year's Double or Nothing Show and quickly established herself as the focal point of the division.
During an appearance on Throwing Down with Renee and Miesha, Baker admitted that she had a tryout with WWE. She was even pulled aside for a secondary physical, which was an indicator that she would've been signed. However, Canyon Ceman pulled her aside at the last minute and told her that he wanted her to finish dental school first.
Canyon [Ceman] pulled me aside and said, ‘You know, as a father, I have a hard time pulling you from your academic career. You’re going to be a dentist so I want you to finish that and then email.’ And this was like year one of dental school, so I knew I still had four years to go. That like – my heart sunk because I was young, and dumb, and ready to leave dental school in a heartbeat for WWE," revealed Baker. H/T: WrestlingINC
During the same interview, Baker said that WWE expressed an interest in signing her if she was available after she became a member of the American Dental Association and signed with AEW. She also quickly confirmed that they hadn't teetered on the lines of contract tampering.
#5 Hangman Page grew up dreaming of wrestling for WWE
Hangman Page is another current AEW star who's been linked with a WWE move. Ever since he returned to action on Dynamite's Second Anniversary Show and won the Casino Ladder match, Page feels like one of the biggest stars in professional wrestling. The audience is eager to see the culmination of his long-term storyline with Kenny Omega.
But before signing with AEW, Page considered joining WWE. During an interview with Brian Campbell on the State of Combat (h/t Wrestling Inc), he said that he dreamt of wrestling for WWE as a child. But the idea of contributing to the growth of a new company felt more fulfilling.
"I guess when I was a kid that was [what] you wanted to do—you wanted to grow up and be in the WWE because it's the biggest thing ever—but it just didn't feel right and didn't become a goal for me anymore.
"Knowing that I can be fulfilled creatively and can have a big place at the table and knowing that I can contribute to bettering wrestling, furthering wrestling and creating another option with all the friends I met along the way in wrestling, that was ultimately the biggest thing I can get out of all of this," said Page.
#4 and #3 WWE gave The Young Bucks a big offer
In 2018, when The Young Bucks finished their commitments to NJPW and the other companies they were working for, they were offered a significant sum of money to join WWE. They even had a conversation with Triple H a few months before the birth of AEW.
During an episode of Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson's Talk N'Shop podcast, Matt Jackson said that they were on holiday in Hawaii when Triple H called and offered them $500,000 each.
"I knew [Good Brothers] money. Everyone else was getting [$150,000] to start. He's already offering us $500,000 each guaranteed. I'm going, 'what!' Right then, we knew our street value. That was the first offer. Basically, he said, 'by the end of your trip, I would love an answer.' The whole trip, I'm [stressed]. I kept dragging it out," said Matt Jackson. (H/T Fightful)
The Jacksons praised WWE's professional handling of the situation, but they eventually decided to sign for AEW. In addition to being EVPs, The Young Bucks have already put on a number of incredible matches during their stint with AEW and are two of the most valuable members of the roster.
#2 WWE wanted Cody Rhodes to return
Had WWE never released Cody Rhodes, AEW might have been a diminished force, as the former TNT Champion has been an integral part of the company. Even though he's fallen out of favor with the fans in recent times, he's been one of the most consistently entertaining performers in the industry.
Rhodes' understanding of the nuances of professional wrestling and his ability to put together a unique type of match sets him apart from the roster.
He had an emotionally driven match with Dustin Rhodes that won PWI's "Match of the Year" Award for 2019 and remains one of the best matches in AEW's short history. Cody Rhodes' feud with Chris Jericho over the AEW World Championship features some of his best promo work and is also more than worthy of a rewatch.
But before AEW came into existence, Rhodes was offered the opportunity to return to WWE once he became a free agent in 2018. He revealed this nugget of information during an appearance on the Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard podcast and confirmed that he rejected the approach.
#1 Kenny Omega once received an approach from WWE
Kenny Omega fielded an offer from WWE before ultimately deciding to sign with AEW. When his NJPW contract expired in January 2019, he instantly became the hottest free agent in professional wrestling and there was plenty of speculation about his next destination.
During an interview on Wrestling Observer Radio, Omega said he chose to move to All Elite Wrestling to continue working with his friends and retain a measure of creative control.
However, Omega was nothing but complimentary of WWE and their professionalism during negotiations.
"WWE's offer was of course, fantastic. They went about it in a very professional and courteous way and those guys are nothing but professionals in the way they dealt with me," said Omega.
"They are nothing but consummate professionals in the way they dealt with me.....Every offer, there was no clear cut winner because there is always positives and negatives to every scenario. The most surprising thing to me was how cool it was to discuss my future with WWE. I was like, 'Yeah, I'll hear you guys out' but I didn't think it would be good because everyone was telling me what to expect. I have nothing but great things to say about them," he added.
