The chances of AEW being canceled are low, but the key is what happens when it comes time to negotiate a new TV deal. WarnerMedia may want to keep AEW, but the money supply will be crucial because if AEW can get a higher rights fee, it opens the door for them to acquire more big names and for them to keep some of the big names they already have. MJF, for example, has his deal coming up on January 1, 2024 and has been open to going to the highest bidder.
Meltzer noted that there were talent who were interested in moving from AEW to WWE who were earning main roster salaries, but were told by friends at AEW to stay until 2024, when the company could budget much more for the talent.
There’s no telling who might be thinking of making the jump to WWE, but there have been reports in recent months that WWE is interested in names like Wardlow, MJF and Jade Cargill once their deals are up. Wardlow and Cargill have indicated that they do not plan to leave AEW. Wardlow stated that WWE had the opportunity to get it years ago and they let it pass and the same goes for Cargill.
WWE also had a chance to get MJF years ago and sent out a Tough Enough video, but at the time they apparently didn’t think he was worth signing.
