WWE’s Alleged Tactic: Inflating Wrestler Prices to Make AEW Pay More

One big thing

Jim Cornette suggests WWE might be intentionally inflating wrestler prices to make AEW pay more for talent acquisitions.

Why it matters

This alleged tactic could significantly impact AEW’s financial strategy and the broader wrestling talent market, potentially reshaping competition between the two major promotions.

The details

• Cornette believes WWE might be setting high offers for wrestlers, knowing AEW’s Tony Khan will counter with more attractive deals.

• He cites examples like Will Ospreay and Okada, suggesting WWE might be inflating their value to test AEW’s willingness to pay more.

• Cornette speculates that WWE executives might be deliberately offering high salaries to see if Tony Khan will match or exceed them.

Key quote

“What if Nick Khan and Triple H and a bunch of the gang are sitting up there going, ‘I wonder how much he’ll pay for this f****** guy? Let’s offer him a million and a half a year for three years and see if Tony will beat it?'” – Jim Cornette

By the numbers

• AEW currently allocates just over 55% of its revenue to talent salaries.

• This distribution is partly based on anticipated revenue increases from TV rights deals expected in 2025.

The big picture

If true, this tactic could be a strategic move by WWE to strain AEW’s finances, potentially affecting the latter’s long-term viability and competitiveness in the wrestling industry.

What to watch

Future high-profile signings by AEW and their contract details could provide insights into whether this alleged tactic is actually occurring and its effectiveness.

What’s your take on this alleged strategy by WWE? Do you think it’s a plausible tactic in the current wrestling landscape? Share your thoughts in the comments below.