What if Sami Zayn had said more about AEW on WWE Raw?

#3. Trying to coopt the AEW buzz for WWE’s own purposes

AEW Double or Nothing is the talk of the wrestling world--WWE may want in on that buzz.

WWE has a long history of trying to tap into pop culture for its own gain, aiming to make the company seem topical, garner mainstream attention, and generally take advantage of buzz that was generated well outside the company’s borders. Take celebrity bookings like Mr T, Lawrence Taylor, Snooki, or Floyd Mayweather for WrestleManias past.

Alternatively, consider stunt casting Kevin Federline as John Cena’s opponent for the first WWE Raw of 2007, or staging a match between Donald Trump and Rosie O’Donnell impersonators to cash in on their war of words, long before Trump got into politics.

When there is buzz around something so close to home as another wrestling promotion, it makes some sense that WWE would try to steal some of that sizzle, too. AEW has been the talk of wrestling fans, and made gestures towards crossing over to the mainstream in recent days, including getting a shout out from high profile congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. WWE mentioning AEW at all may have been a stab at snatching back the spotlight.

Moreover, if WWE had gone for more than a mention, but rather led into a full blown promo, it could have represented WWE more pointedly inserting itself into the AEW conversation.