{"id":125741,"date":"2024-07-12T08:00:39","date_gmt":"2024-07-12T12:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=125741"},"modified":"2024-07-12T03:07:05","modified_gmt":"2024-07-12T07:07:05","slug":"aew-vs-wwe-signing-war-reshaping-the-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/07\/12\/aew-vs-wwe-signing-war-reshaping-the-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"AEW vs. WWE Signing War: Reshaping the Industry"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The news that former <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">CMLL<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Women\u2019s World Champion, World Tag Team Champion and <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">NJPW <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Strong Women\u2019s Champion, <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Stephanie Vaquer <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">has signed with <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">WWE <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">has proven yet again the benefits of a competitive wrestling market.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Only a short while ago at <\/span><strong><em>Forbidden Door<\/em><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> were a wider range of fans exposed to the tremendous skill and star power of Vaquer. Although the 31-year-old has been wrestling since she was 16 and competed across the world, it\u2019s only recently that she appeared on many fans&#8217; radar. To learn more about &#8220;Primera,&#8221; check out this <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/05\/30\/stephanie-vaquer-debuts-aew-dynamite\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">article<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><strong>WWE<\/strong> and <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">AEW<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> fans were desperate for their side to claim Vaquer. This is despite at the time being CMLL\u2019s top female wrestler. Historically, it was not that long ago when wrestlers did not have the power to bargain. Nor the luxury of choice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This is one of the many benefits of competition between two strong, financially backed promotions. Others I\u2019ve discussed in <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/06\/03\/five-years-how-aew-changed-wrestling-for-everyone\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">AEW and how in five years it\u2019s changed wrestling<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. The <\/span>Forbidden Door<em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\/<\/span><\/em>Prohibited Portal<span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> has and will continue to benefit fans and wrestlers alike. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">We are living the reality that was once a fantasy booking. The wrestling industry from the top down has changed.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"art\">\u2764\ufe0f <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ID2QFSWIgY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/ID2QFSWIgY<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Stephanie Vaquer (@Steph_Vaquer) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Steph_Vaquer\/status\/1811174051437744424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Spotlighting <\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Those promotions allied with WWE and AEW are also benefitting from this &#8216;<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/05\/30\/pro-wrestlings-cold-war-is-here\/#:~:text=Unlike%20the%20Monday%20Night%20War,AEW%2C%20are%20assembling%20their%20allies.\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cold War&#8217;<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> in various ways.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The working relationship between AEW, NJPW, CMLL and<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> STARDOM <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">has already resulted in a phenomenal amount of dream matches. It\u2019s exposed many Western fans to brilliant and talented wrestlers <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">from across the world<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For me, as someone on the level below a casual NJPW fan, seeing <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Minoru Suzuki <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">or <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Tomohiro Ishii <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">compete made me seek out more of their matches. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Both<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Hechicero <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">and<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Mina Shirakawa<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> are mine (and others) 2024 \u201cdiscoveries\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Seeing Suzuki or Ishii on an <em><strong>AEW<\/strong> <\/em><\/span><em><strong>Dynamite<\/strong> <\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">o<\/span>r<strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Hiromu Tanahashi <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">on <\/span><strong><em>AEW Collision <\/em><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">is still a treat. Even if it\u2019s just the new normal, the fact <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Bryan Danielson<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> can wrestle <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Blue Panther<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> and it\u2019s no big deal shows how much we \u201csickos are spoiled.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In terms of<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> talent trading,<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Jack Perry\u2019s <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">stint with<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> The House of Torture <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">resulted in the &#8216;Scapegoat\u2019s&#8217; <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/03\/04\/jack-perry-aew-scapegoat\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">second chance<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. It turned the former <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jungle Boy\u2019s <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">weakness into a strength upon his return. If expanded, other AEW wrestlers could benefit from an excursion (which I\u2019ve discussed <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/07\/01\/post-forbidden-door-aew-wrestlers-who-would-benefit-from-an-excursion\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">here<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">TNA Wrestling<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, their return to relevance has been bolstered by their partnership with <em><strong>WWE <\/strong><\/em><\/span><em><strong>NXT<\/strong><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. It\u2019s hard to argue the WWE spotlight has helped make two of TNA\u2019s stars feel like superstars.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jordynne Grace <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">and <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Joe Hendry<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> were already achieving some <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">level of<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> engagement and exposure before their <em>NXT<\/em> appearance. Grace had appeared in the <\/span>Royal Rumble<span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Hendry <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/04\/26\/tna-wrestler-seeking-to-climb-the-charts-i-believe-in-joe-hendry\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">stormed the charts with his song \u201cI Believe In Joe Hendry\u201d<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> and went viral.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Stars Are Born (and Reborn)\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">WWE\u2019s creative and commercial Renaissance has made many new signings must-watch wrestlers. For many of these wrestlers, the hype is well deserved. The spotlight gives many of these veterans a chance to show what many already knew. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The hype around the &#8216;Samoan Werewolf&#8217; <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jacob Fatu <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">has existed since the early 2020s. Fans of <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">MLW <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">like me have been shouting Fatu\u2019s praises for years. If you\u2019re looking for recommendations for his early work, check out this <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/02\/04\/jacob-fatu-the-samoan-werewolf-unleashed\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">article<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Former STARDOM headliner<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Giulia <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">was trending on <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">X <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">before even sitting ringside at an <em>NXT<\/em> event. WWE\u2019s spotlight is long-established. It\u2019s bright. It can make new stars quickly when properly utilized. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">When<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Jade Cargill<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> jumped to WWE, for some fans she instantly became legitimate and credible. As the oldest and most successful promotion in the game, and running hot, talent trades feel like the &#8216;<\/span>Monday Night Wars.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Some will demean or undermine AEW\u2019s star-making potential. Yet the similarities in presentation of wrestlers like<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Cody Rhodes <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">and Jade Cargill down to<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Ethan Page <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">and<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Shawn Spears<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> in AEW and WWE are minimal. Likewise, AEW\u2019s allowed others to progress or re-invent themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Will Ospreay<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> and <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Kazuchika Okada <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">might have headlined in the Tokyo Dome for NJPW but became a weekly TV character on <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Dynamite<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Christian Cage <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">has become a patriarch who some fans would disown their fathers for.<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> \u201cTimeless\u201d Toni Storm<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> has become one of the strongest characters in wrestling (her development I\u2019ve analysed <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/05\/20\/how-aews-timeless-toni-storm-achieved-what-wwes-fiend-could-not\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">here<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">). <\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Swerve Strickland <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">and others have shown what WWE missed out on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Some tribalistic detractors might call them rejects. Target AEW\u2019s issues. Bluntly, some of these \u201crejects\u201d are making more money, enjoying creative satisfaction and enjoyment than their detractors.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Competition Means More Money<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">I\u2019ve written before about the misunderstood fan perception that <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/04\/10\/aew-overpay-wrestlers-wwe-underpay-wrestlers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">AEW overpays and that WWE underpays its wrestlers<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. I pointed out that AEW paying wrestlers more is a good thing. Fans who begrudge wrestlers who want to work for the promotion that offers them the most money need to ask themselves <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">is that<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> how they approach their employment<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Unlike other sports, wrestlers in WWE only make 10% of the company\u2019s profits. For most other American sports franchises, it\u2019s 50%. The myth of \u201cpoaching\u201d during the Monday Night Wars ignores more than WWE\u2019s poaching behaviour with the territories. The water coolers were removed from Titan Towers during the financial downturn of <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The New Generation Era. <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">However, those office workers were not physically putting themselves at risk of injury through taking bumps each evening without medical insurance<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Like<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> many of the wrestlers who at times lost money travelling to shows.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As profits and new revenue streams open, wrestlers being able to negotiate for higher salaries and additional rights is a good thing. More places to work means opportunities for more money.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For wrestlers such as Vaquer, it means after years of grind, one match, one stand-out performance everything can change. Attention means multiple doors. Even beneath the top tier, there are other wrestling promotions further down the hierarchy where wrestlers can still make a living.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">At the same time, AEW offers more to many wrestlers beyond money and a bigger, more established spotlight. Less time on the road, more <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">creative<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> and personal freedom to pursue other aspirations (things I\u2019ve written about <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/03\/30\/wwe-learn-aew-bidding-war-2024\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">here<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">). The allure and opportunity to build the alternative despite growing pains.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>The Rising Tide<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The proverb a rising tide lifts all ships is a false myth. The super yachts are raised highest, and their ripples often rock the smaller vessels. Sometimes unintentionally flooding or capsizing them. WWE being hot has impacted AEW\u2019s business and the wider wrestling landscape. This isn\u2019t to dismiss things that are good for fans and wrestlers. Both gain the net benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">There is a lack of equilibrium in the wider wrestling ecosystem, even within the partnerships both companies are cultivating. This is not a criticism or to suggest either WWE or AEW is doing anything wrong from a business standpoint. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Usually in business relationships between companies of different sizes, the gains for one might outweigh the <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">gains<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> of the other. Morals or ethics for either company aren\u2019t for discussion.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Ultimately, it\u2019s the nature of capitalism. There are pull factors for why AEW and WWE are more attractive to wrestlers. Many have already been discussed. In business, competition should inspire innovation and creativity. Competitors need to adapt.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Yet it doesn\u2019t have to be as ruthless as the motto on an old <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Evolution <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">t-shirt: Adapt or perish. Promotions can be stagnant and remain static. They can regroup and rebuild, but realistically within the financial backing or platforms that AEW or WWE offer, this can take time.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Outside Interference<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Some push factors are within a company\u2019s control. In theory, for NJPW to rebound, offering more money is part of the answer to losing talent<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. \u00a0Also<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, changing booking patterns to draw crowds to make more money and regain acclaim. What once drew record crowds and buzz has become uninspired and clich\u00e9. The latter requires time. Nevertheless, the former is impacted by external issues.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Covid impacted the Japanese economy. The yen\u2019s value has weakened. The country is still recovering from a record-low GDP in 2022. If the money isn\u2019t there, companies like NJPW will inevitably lose their top stars. In turn, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">potentially<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> extended the time it will take for them to rebuild and recover.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In the states, the outside inference of the Pandemic contributed to <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">ROH<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u2019s closure. Yet not before losing a portion of its top stars who founded AEW. MLW once looked like it could leapfrog ROH. The spiritual successor of <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">ECW<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> likewise created a \u201chomegrown\u201d roster of talent who seemed perfect for \u201cthe main roster\u201d. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Most have since moved on in hopes of bettering their careers. <\/span><strong><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2023\/11\/19\/alex-hammerstone-top-prospect\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Alex Hammerstone<\/span><\/a> <\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">has gone to TNA.<\/span><strong> <a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2023\/12\/30\/the-iron-claw-of-legacy-marshall-and-ross-von-erich\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Von Erichs<\/span><\/a><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> have flirted with AEW\/ROH. <\/span><strong><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/02\/04\/jacob-fatu-the-samoan-werewolf-unleashed\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jacob Fatu<\/span><\/a><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> to WWE.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">These factors are not the fault of WWE or AEW. It\u2019s not the wrestlers\u2019 fault either for wanting more. Competition will <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">in time<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> encourage promotions to give more to take, trickling from the top promotions down. It is the nature of work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">To work hard, get promoted, and<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">go somewhere to earn more money. This is most people\u2019s reality. Others want other additional things to satisfy <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">other<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> aspects of themselves beyond the financial. Yet the <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">financial<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> is the driving factor. The direction of movement desired is up.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>A Change to The Ladder<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For the longest time, WWE was alone at the top of the pinnacle as the place for wrestlers to earn the most money and global recognition. In the 2010s, NJPW and ROH became the promotions for the craft of wrestling. TNA offered a frenetic shape-shifting alternative that hit a ceiling. Then there were the indies underneath this.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">All formed rungs on the ladder <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">that were<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> available to talent who could be offered the chance to climb up. Each offers some sense of compromise. Pick money or art. Pick the states or Japan. Sacrifice creative satisfaction for more financial security. Risk slipping off the ladder completely. Many wrestlers remain \u201cwhat ifs\u201d after their WWE careers from the mid-2000s to early 2010s due to a lack of options. With limited places for reinvention <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">with<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> enough security.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Now, the ladder seems more like scaffolding. At the top is still WWE. AEW\u2019s position is secondary, but some prefer the view. Optimistically, they see the potential for more skyward growth. In turn, pressuring WWE as it grows to offer more.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Underneath, there is a hierarchy. Some companies that right now are fixed or risk shifting in position. But for the wrestlers, there are more ways to move. The fact some can and will cross from one side to another with the chance of gaining more is new. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Some might reach the top, and<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">slip down, only to forge their new position where they are happy financially and creatively in a different spot. Think<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> of Matt Cardona<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> or <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Young Bucks<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> before him. Many won\u2019t stay as static as they did before.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>More From LWOS Pro Wrestling<\/h3>\n<p><em>Header photo \u2013\u00a0AEW\u00a0\u2013 Stay tun<\/em><em>ed to the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"1\" 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.\u00a0 You can catch AEW Dynamite on Wednesday nights at 8 PM ET on TBS. AEW Rampage airs on TNT at 10 PM EST every Friday night. AEW Collision airs Saturday at 8pm Eastern on TNT. More AEW content available on their\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@AEW\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">YouTube<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The news that former CMLL Women\u2019s World Champion, World Tag Team Champion and NJPW Strong Women\u2019s Champion, Stephanie Vaquer has signed with WWE has proven yet again the benefits of a competitive wrestling market. Only a short while ago at Forbidden Door were a wider range of fans exposed to the tremendous skill and star [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4960,"featured_media":125744,"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":[4677,13,6,2192,4],"tags":[7655,3006,8898],"class_list":["post-125741","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aew","category-international","category-north-america","category-wrestling","category-wwe","tag-forbidden-door","tag-jacob-fatu","tag-stephanie-vaquer"],"modified_by":"Michael Joseph Sugue, Manager","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/125741","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=125741"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/125741\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/125744"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=125741"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=125741"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=125741"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}