Not since the heat of the Monday night wars has there been a legitimate alternative in the world of professional wrestling.
World Championship Wrestling was purchased by WWE in 2001. Since then, Vince McMahon’s company has been able to kick back and relax, knowing that it was the “best game in town”.
That may soon change with the recent announcement of the creation of All Elite Wrestling. The new promotion has already secured talent such as Cody Rhodes, The Young Bucks and Chris Jericho, bringing about a belief that this is the alternative to WWE that the industry has sorely needed.
It hasn’t taken long for rumors to come out about current talent in WWE being disgruntled and looking for a better place to showcase their skills.
Already, names such as The Revival, Mike and Maria Kanellis and Dolph Ziggler have all been linked to reports that they may want out of their WWE contracts. That could pave the way for them to sign with AEW and in each case, these Superstars would be looking for a chance to be featured in more prominent roles than they currently are.
For the first time in two decades, WWE may have to be concerned about wrestlers finding solid work elsewhere. AEW has the financial backing to become a top-rate promotion and it is sure to have a rabid fanbase as well.
#ICYMI– Mike and Maria Kanellis have asked to be released from WWE contract https://t.co/L6cqciA0rm pic.twitter.com/QkIIreynx6
— Wrestling News (@WrestlingNewsCo) January 17, 2019
The Superstars in WWE know this, but how many of these guys and gals that make these kinds of requests are not necessarily looking to get out of their contract, but are trying to force WWE to give them more money, improve their position on the roster, or a combination of both?
Regardless of what ends up happening with the talents mentioned above, it’s no coincidence that this comes up right after the announcement that AEW would be starting up. Talents within WWE now know that there could be a legitimate second option and will begin acting accordingly.
Dolph Ziggler Rumored to Be Leaving WWEhttps://t.co/1TPuUiTlDt pic.twitter.com/ELl5PT8uV2
— Wrestling on ComicBook.com (@WrestlingOnCB) January 17, 2019
It gives WWE Superstars the kind of wiggle room they haven’t had in quite some time. If nothing else, AEW provides an extra bargaining chip for Superstars when it comes to negotiating their place on the roster and new contracts.
The names of Scott Dawson, Dash Wilder, Mike Bennett, Maria Kanellis and Ziggler won’t be the last you hear in this kind of a rumor.
There will likely be many more to come and that will give fans much more to talk about and look forward to. It will truly present an exciting time to be a wrestling fan.
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