AEW President Tony Khan has weighed in on WWE's newly launched WWE ID program, which aims to identify and develop top independent wrestling talent. The program has raised concerns among other promotions, particularly AEW, which heavily relies on talent from the independent scene.
During a recent media call ahead of Full Gear, Khan acknowledged the potential impact of WWE ID on the wrestling landscape. However, he expressed confidence in AEW's ability to continue attracting top talent.
"I think that we still are looking at top young wrestlers every week — international wrestlers and domestically — it will be interesting to see the first time we have a talent that is under one of those that we bring in," Khan said, further pointing out that he isn't completely sure how the WWE ID deals will work, and noted that he's heard WWE might retain match rights, which he simply described as interesting. "I have some thoughts on it, but I will reserve my judgment until I actually test such a mechanism."
Khan emphasized AEW's commitment to providing opportunities for up-and-coming wrestlers. The promotion has consistently signed talented performers from the independent scene, such as Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, and CM Punk.
"I think for us we have a great roster right now of wrestlers, spanning all ages from very, very young wrestlers to decades of experience, it'll be interesting to see how that goes in the coming future, obviously that's a recent development."
While WWE ID may pose a challenge for AEW in terms of talent acquisition, Khan remains optimistic about the future of the company. By fostering a strong creative environment, offering competitive contracts, and building a loyal fanbase, AEW has positioned itself as a major player in the wrestling industry.
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CM Punk's 434-day commemorative championship title belt enters WWE shopAs the wrestling landscape continues to evolve, the impact of WWE ID on the independent scene and other promotions remains to be seen. However, AEW's ability to attract top talent and deliver compelling storylines suggests that the company is well-positioned to thrive in the years to come.
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