{"id":123677,"date":"2024-03-30T08:55:39","date_gmt":"2024-03-30T12:55:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=123677"},"modified":"2024-03-30T08:58:21","modified_gmt":"2024-03-30T12:58:21","slug":"wwe-learn-aew-bidding-war-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/03\/30\/wwe-learn-aew-bidding-war-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"What WWE Could Learn from the Success of AEW in &#8220;The Bidding War of 2024&#8221;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Last year, fans expected the &#8220;Bidding War of 2024&#8221; to revolve around who could sign <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Maxwell Jacob Friedman<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Instead, it\u2019s focused on who would sign three of the hottest free agents:\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Will Ospreay,<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Kazuchika Okada<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, and\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Mercedes Mon\u00e9<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LcCxw4Ih7Lw?si=tCeFbrMsOAlKcvsJ\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><strong>AEW<\/strong> won all three of these battles. Yet discussion and discord rightly question if long-term\u00a0<\/span>AEW<span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0has won the bidding war.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Signing three of the best wrestlers in the world has invited both the usual applause and criticism. Also, this fan-perceived war isn\u2019t over. Some fans still doubt the reports that <strong>MJF<\/strong> is still with AEW. Additionally, both AEW and\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">WWE\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">have wrestlers whose contracts will be ending this year. 2024\u2019s bidding war is not over yet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3gp22yN_8xU?si=NaBYGK9fCNcJX_Nb\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Although, being an AEW fan, it\u2019s sometimes hard to enjoy the moment and small victories due to the constant criticism and predictions that the end is nigh.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">I\u2019ll discuss later the issues with some of these negative takes and they miss the ways AEW\u2019s presence is improving things for wrestlers and the wrestling business.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If WWE wants to keep signing top independent wrestlers, they can learn a few things from AEW\u2019s practices. Just like when I discussed how\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/02\/02\/3-things-wwe-aew-learn-mlw\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">WWE and AEW could learn from<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0MLW<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, there are many things WWE can learn from AEW to retain and recruit new wrestlers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yOaijQExO6k?si=2gEL7jULkMu4VOoy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Fair Questions to Ask<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If the shoe was on the other foot, there would be criticism also. Differently, it would revolve around another factor. WWE is possibly repackaging some of the best wrestlers into their sports entertainment mold.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Memes of Kazuchika Okada in <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Chase U<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> gear were laughable. However, it reflected a real fear and disdain that some fans still have for WWE\u2019s past actions. Wrestlers need to be broken down and &#8216;fixed&#8217; to fit the WWE vision, pal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In the case of Mercedes Mon\u00e9, some speculated that if she returned to the fed, initially she might be punished on screen (&#8216;buried&#8217;) for leaving unceremoniously in December 2022. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Again, it\u2019s a hang-up of the past. Importantly, it brings up a valid question. If wrestling fans still hang on to these perceptions, what about the wrestlers themselves given it&#8217;s their careers and livelihoods that will be directly affected?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">With AEW, there is some fair criticism around the booking of new high-profile stars. When analyzing Kazuchika Okada\u2019s AEW debut and winning the Continental Championship, I\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/03\/22\/kazuchika-okada-winning-the-aew-continental-championship\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">wrote about how it feels that mistakes of the past have been addressed<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Constantly, Okada,<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Ospreay, and Mon\u00e9 have been positioned as big deals. The latter might not be the most comfortable on the microphone, but regardless, Mon\u00e9 is positioned as the new leader of\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/03\/20\/the-aew-womens-division-a-history-of-revolutions\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">a woman\u2019s revolution.\u00a0<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Not everyone agrees and that&#8217;s fine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Questions about the enormous size of AEW\u2019s roster are fair also. Fans had the same concern with WWE\u2019s bloated pre-Pandemic roster. It\u2019s fair to question where an influx of new top-level talent leaves everyone else. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For example, when writing about<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0Swerve Strickland\u2019s<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/03\/06\/imminent-aew-world-championship-reign-swerve-strickland\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">imminent championship win<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, there\u2019s already the danger that Will Ospreay could overshadow Swerve\u2019s reign.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Limits of Bad Takes<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">All that said, some questions, or repeated statements of fact, are said more than in bad faith.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Many comments I have read online about Mon\u00e9\u2019s supposed value as a performer and draw have bordered on sexism and misogyny and are filled with vitriol. Some fans talk as if they have intimate knowledge of Mon\u00e9 the person off-screen and her real intentions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Others have criticized Okada and Ospreay for just being wrestlers. When writing about\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/03\/28\/wwes-the-bloodline-storyline-displays-toxic-masculinity\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Bloodline\u2019s<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0display of toxic masculinity,<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0I compared a meme contrasting WWE\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Roman Reigns<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0and AEW\u2019s Will Ospreay. The meme states that AEW has just presented Ospreay as a great wrestler. Yes, to an extent.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">However, the Billy Goat\u2019s been on AEW TV for a short period and is adjusting incredibly well to weekly episodic wrestling TV. Something\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">NJPW<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0does not do. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Ospreay declares he is a great wrestler, but the fans in the arena and online are investing in him. Plus, layers are being added slowly. In comparison, it took years for\u00a0<\/span>Roman Reigns<span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0to be accepted as the next face of the company.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Elsewhere, things have been selective ignored, exaggerated or history is supposedly repeating itself. One fan told me how Mon\u00e9 has a creative control clause like\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hulk Hogan<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Others have referenced\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">WCW<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Signing these wrestlers to huge contracts is going to AEW soon. Now, discussing money and wrestlers\u2019 pay need a separate discussion to do it justice.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Beyond Money\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Interestingly, most online discord centers around the wrestlers&#8217; paychecks. This is not surprising as ultimately this is what wrestlers are working for. They are physical artists who sell with their bodies to make audiences feel something. It hurts and the effort that goes into maintaining their physical prowess costs money.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">However, artists value other things besides money and some fans seem to miss this when discussing AEW signing prominent wrestlers. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">They also like to bring up, fairly, that WWE does offer things AEW cannot. Like a bigger platform. A larger more established global audience and brand. Opportunity where if lucky, they could transition to beyond wrestling to popular culture cross-over stars like\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Rock<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0or\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">John Cena<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">And rightfully so, if they choose, they could go work for WWE as\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cody Rhodes<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jade Cargill<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0have. The likelihood is others will do it also. This is what competition is about. The wrestlers win. Fans win.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">We need to recognize that WWE has, after years of trying, created a pipeline system through <em><strong>NXT<\/strong><\/em> where they are training college and ex-professional athletes to fit the WWE mold. Unlike AEW at present, they can recruit and train homegrown talents like\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, and Roman Reigns from scratch.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It\u2019s not just the money that AEW is attracting or retaining some of its wrestlers with. Despite the constant images of empty sections of AEW shows, there are reasons why for some wrestlers this isn\u2019t the concern fans make it out to be.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>The Lure\/Lore of WrestleMania\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This is rumor and innuendo, but believable given the growing prestige and accolades accomplished by\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><em>WrestleMania<\/em> <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">each year. Some online news outlets reported that WWE expected the lure of <em>WrestleMania<\/em> to be a factor in attracting top wrestlers like Ospreay and Okada.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&#8216;The Grandest Stage of Them All&#8217;. &#8216;The Showcase of the Immortals.&#8217; And so on, is still the biggest night of wrestling in the world each year. It is wrestling\u2019s Super Bowl. But is it the be-all and end-all of a wrestler\u2019s career?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Its legacy, like that of the\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Monday Night Wars<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, has been canonized but also edited. The modern lore of <em>WrestleMania<\/em>, as the place to perform, is in part a promotional myth. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Is <em>WrestleMania<\/em> the place where the best wrestling and stories are told each year? Push past the myth and look at the whole card, not just the main event, how many in recent years have been perfect?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Time has eased memories of last year\u2019s main event rubber chicken incident but in the aftermath, many were frustrated. Things might be different this year, but is every wrestler guaranteed that coveted <em>WrestleMania<\/em> moment? No.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Simply, there is no guarantee of a <em>WrestleMania<\/em> moment or consistent creative or card positioning after the biggest night of the year. <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Kevin Owens<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Sami Zayn<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> won the tag team championships in last year\u2019s main event. Their role in the main event spotlight slipped post-&#8216;Mania.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The promise of a <em>WrestleMania<\/em> match isn\u2019t enough of a guarantee.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Scheduling Conflicts<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The WWE schedule compared to AEW\u2019s is full-on, with wrestlers on the road and away from home more often. To work for WWE, talent needs to move to the States. The main reason Will Ospreay signed with AEW was revealed on\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Chris Jericho\u2019s<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0podcast.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>&#8220;The main thing was just because I wanted to stay in the UK.\u201d (<strong>Talk is Jericho<\/strong>)<\/em><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">AEW is willing to allow talent, like Ospreay and\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">PAC<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, to travel internationally to their shows. Allowing talent this kind of working flexibility is unprecedented. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For Ospreay, who has a stepson and a young family, being able to remain home is important. Being able to spend time with family and loved ones for anyone let alone wrestlers is important.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This kind of flexibility and freedom is the kind of thing that has attracted many people where I live in the UK to begin working from home post-pandemic. It\u2019s not the only example of AEW\u2019s approach being more forward-thinking.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">WWE is still traditionalist in its approach to wrestling scheduling. But as\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Mike Bennett<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0on\u00a0<\/span><em><strong>AEW Unrestricted<\/strong><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0highlights, these changes have helped both men and women in AEW are better for everyone:<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>\u201cEveryone in the 70s and the 80s and the 90s, that was the lifestyle. They didn&#8217;t know any better. &#8230; Now we realized, maybe that wasn&#8217;t the best way to do it\u2026 I&#8217;m not saying they&#8217;re wrong. I&#8217;m saying they didn&#8217;t know&#8230; I can&#8217;t speak to this but my wife can. If you&#8217;re a female, it&#8217;s got to be incredibly relieving to know if you decide you want to start a family, your career is not going to be over. There will be a spot for you when you come back.\u201d<\/em><\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em> Transcript from\u00a0<a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wrestlinginc.com\/1339337\/mike-bennett-sees-aew-setting-trend-next-generation-wrestlers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Wrestling Inc<\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/h4>\n<h3><strong>Value The Women\u2019s Role<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Speaking of women, Becky Lynch told the\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Orlando Sentinel<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0something interesting related to Mercedes Mon\u00e9\u2019s salary:<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>\u201cI think that\u2019s an important part, getting paid equally for the equal work and the equal position we are at right now. Women\u2019s evolutions and revolutions are fine and well, but making sure that they equate to contracts and financial reward for these things when we are doing equal work is hugely important.\u201d <\/em><\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Transcript from\u00a0<strong>WrestleTalk<\/strong>.<\/em><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Although specific details are not known about the amount Mon\u00e9 earns on her AEW contract, Lynch\u2019s point about equality of pay is important.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Given that across sports, there is a significant wage gap between male and female athletes, WWE may need to consider how it compensates its women\u2019s wrestlers in the long term to avoid its top stars looking to AEW.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Now, AEW&#8217;s treatment of women is a contentious issue that I have covered elsewhere (<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/03\/20\/the-aew-womens-division-a-history-of-revolutions\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">here<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">). However, WWE\u2019s treatment of its women&#8217;s division under\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Triple H<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0has been a repeated source of criticism. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Lynch herself when discussing her <em>WrestleMania<\/em> opponent, <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Rhea Ripley,<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0slammed how women are perceived by fans and presented in the ring. In response to Rhea\u2019s viral \u201cstink face\u201d video, Lynch said:<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>&#8220;Well, then that just feels like we&#8217;re kind of going back, and I worry about that because if that&#8217;s what people see as your champion, &#8216;Oh, that&#8217;s the Women&#8217;s Champion! What do I think of when I think of the Women&#8217;s Champion? Oh, I think of her a**!&#8217; Then we&#8217;re just going back and we&#8217;re making an a** of our business!&#8221; <\/em><\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Transcript from<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pinkvilla.com\/sports\/i-was-trying-to-change-things-becky-lynch-slams-rhea-ripley-for-viral-stinkface-video-1290422\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Pinkvilla<\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If AEW\u2019s women\u2019s division does have a revolution and Mon\u00e9 both on screen and in terms of pay helps to elevate the women\u2019s division, in time, it could lead to WWE\u2019s female wrestlers looking to AEW as a viable alternative.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Creativity and Feeling Listened to\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As artists, AEW allows wrestlers more creativity to wrestle in their own way. Some fans rightly question the method of sending wrestlers out without a script. &#8216;Without the floaties&#8217; as MJF called them, some wrestlers&#8217; weaknesses have been exposed on TV, creating further difficulties for them to &#8216;get over.&#8217;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">While WWE appears to be getting better at allowing some wrestlers freedom to cut loose from the script, the WWE style is embedded. There is a set way their wrestlers are expected to work in the ring and on the microphone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For some modern wrestlers, this artistic expression is important. Whether this suits every fan\u2019s taste is not their concern. AEW is offering an alternative where wrestlers who want freedom can have it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The debate over how much creative freedom wrestlers should is ongoing. Yet, those experienced and top-of-the-card wrestlers in WWE who have seen the creative freedom given to\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Sting<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Bryan Danielson<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0may be tempted by the idea of creative freedom. Likewise, some AEW talent may prefer the structure of WWE.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Happiness and Mental Health<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What usually seems to be last on some fan\u2019s priorities for wrestlers is their sense of happiness and well-being. On <em><strong>Talk is Jericho<\/strong><\/em>, Ospreay said AEW was:<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&#8220;T<\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">he viable option was where was I happy and what was I doing? Every time I came here, Tony [Khan] has given me nothing but trust and respect the moment I came in here, and it was the right decision for me at this time.<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&#8220;<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Mental health as a priority is a new focus in many occupations. In the old-fashioned, hyper-masculine world of wrestling, there are still wrestlers and fans who dismiss this as &#8216;wokeness.&#8217; Yet as stated in my <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/03\/28\/wwes-the-bloodline-storyline-displays-toxic-masculinity\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Bloodline toxic masculinity\u00a0<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">article, suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Yet, Tony Khan has made this a priority, and has he discussed it with <strong>ABC News<\/strong>:<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&#8220;I think having a fun place to work where, you know, we create, like an environment where we really do care about the people here\u2026 We try to show it and make the locker rooms here places where people aren&#8217;t going to dread coming in, and quite the opposite, where hopefully they look forward to seeing the other people that, you know, you get in the ring and fight.&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Transcript from\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.go.com\/Health\/aew-fosters-conversations-masculinity-mental-health-wrestling\/story?id=84651854\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">ABC News<\/span><\/strong><\/a><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">I know some will insert jokes and criticism linked to &#8216;<\/span>Brawl Out&#8217;<span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">CM Punk<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Looking beyond this, WWE is still an old-school company, run by traditionalists with an old-school mentality. Mental health affects everyone and various ex-WWE wrestlers over the years have talked about the negative places mentally they have been within the company. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">But this focus, alongside other changes in culture AEW has implemented to make wrestlers happier elevates undue stress.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Conclusion: Things Will Change in Time<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Both companies are in healthy positions, despite the discord and optics. Wrestlers will jump between the companies over time and that is okay. Mon\u00e9 drew criticism before her AEW debut for saying she would likely return to WWE in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">WWE\u2019s reputation is still in part recovering from the scarring left by Vince McMahon.\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">AJ Styles<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0on\u00a0<\/span><em><strong>Battleground Podcast<\/strong><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><em>\u00a0<\/em>stated recently:<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>\u201cI wish more guys, who I think would do well in WWE, may have been afraid as far as past things have happened with Vince being there- I wish that they understand that WWE is in this for the long run. We\u2019re talking about ten years on Netflix, possibly 20 years. That\u2019s a long time. We\u2019re not going anywhere.\u201d<\/em><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">AJ is right in what he is saying. Vince\u2019s DNA is still all over WWE, and this may keep some wrestlers away from the federation for the time being. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What AJ misses, along with many other fans, is that it\u2019s easy to dismiss AEW as the younger, less established company. You can\u2019t ignore that not everyone wants to be a WWE superstar or in WWE forever.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Options are good for everyone. AEW in the long-term, like WCW, will benefit the wrestling business. More places to work will mean standards have to keep improving. Everyone wins, especially the fans.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>More From LWOS Pro Wrestling<\/h3>\n<p><em>Header photo &#8211; AEW &#8211; Stay tuned to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/\" target=\"_self\">Last Word on Pro Wrestling<\/a>\u00a0for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last year, fans expected the &#8220;Bidding War of 2024&#8221; to revolve around who could sign Maxwell Jacob Friedman. Instead, it\u2019s focused on who would sign three of the hottest free agents:\u00a0Will Ospreay,\u00a0Kazuchika Okada, and\u00a0Mercedes Mon\u00e9. AEW won all three of these battles. Yet discussion and discord rightly question if long-term\u00a0AEW\u00a0has won the bidding war. Signing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4960,"featured_media":123685,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4677,6,2192,4],"tags":[145,163,1445,1634,403,98,7442,165,501,102,8521,218,2546,3041,77,106,588,550,4132,241,101,396],"class_list":["post-123677","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aew","category-north-america","category-wrestling","category-wwe","tag-aj-styles","tag-becky-lynch","tag-bianca-belair","tag-bryan-danielson","tag-charlotte-flair","tag-cody-rhodes","tag-jade-cargill","tag-john-cena","tag-kazuchika-okada","tag-kevin-owen","tag-mercedes-mone","tag-mike-bennett","tag-mjf","tag-rhea-ripley","tag-roman-reigns","tag-sami-zayn","tag-sting","tag-the-rock","tag-tony-khan","tag-vince-mcmahon","tag-will-ospreay","tag-wrestlemania"],"modified_by":"Michael Joseph Sugue, Manager","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123677","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4960"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=123677"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123677\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/123685"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=123677"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=123677"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=123677"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}