WWE has been showing interest in a number of top AEW Stars for quite some time now and one of them is none other than one-third of the reigning AEW World Trios Champions Kenny Omega, but the WWE also has their eyes set on another top star in pro wrestling and that is none other than former IWGP World and United States Heavyweight Champion Jay White. Dave Meltzer mentioned on a previous Wrestling Observer Newsletter that there is a much bigger major free agent in play right now that WWE sees as a priority over Jay White, which WrestlingNews.co learned is top AEW Star Kenny Omega as his AEW contract is set to expire soon or has already expired.
Since then, AEW has added time to Omega’s contract for the time he missed due to injury, but there is no word yet on exactly how long his contract was extended. The Young Bucks’ contract with AEW is also set to expire soon and the belief is that these three huge talents will stick together regarding what they do next with their careers whether that is to stay with AEW or go to the WWE and one factor that could persuade their decision or influence their decision is Cody Rhodes jumping ship from AEW to the WWE and being in the spot he is today.
Dave Meltzer noted on a recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Radio Program that if the WWE buried “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes, then they wouldn’t have a shot at signing Kenny Omega, but they did so WWE definitely has a shot at signing Omega. Meltzer also noted that this coming year is really going to be interesting for Tony Khan as a lot of massive deals are gonna be up this year and the WWE is gonna go hard at them and a lot of WWE deals are gonna be up as well and Khan needs to bring those WWE Stars in.
This is what Dave Meltzer said:
“If WWE had buried Cody then they [WWE] would have no shot at Kenny Omega, but they didn’t. So they do. At Least you say they have a shot….Tony Khan losing Kenny Omega from a perception point would be really bad. Kenny Omega is in a really good position.”
“This is going to be a really interesting year for Tony. A lot of key deals are gonna be up this year, and WWE is gonna go hard at everyone good. There’s gonna be a lot of WWE deals up and he [Tony Khan] needs to make the product, and the perception of the product, attractive enough where guys on the other side go, ‘they’re solid, they’re financially stable, they have an easier schedule, they’re doing good. Right now I don’t think the perception of WWE talent is to go there. That’s the key thing, is perception for WWE talent is like ‘hey, it’s a fresh coat of paint for me, and I’m in the middle.’ Those are the guys, it’s gotta be the right guys for AEW.
H/T to WrestlingNews.co for transcribing the quotes.
