There is a lot going on in the pro wrestling world, but tribalism within the fan base is always thriving. Although WWE may not do a lot to kick AEW while theyre down, they had a great opportunity recently and took it.
WWE and AEW have been in competition since Tony Khan launched AEW. Most public comments and jabs have come from AEW, but now WWE seems to be responding in its own way.
Several current WWE champions were once part of AEW. Jade Cargill is the Womens Champion, Cody Rhodes is the Undisputed World Champion, and Ricky Starks is the NXT Champion. CM Punk also holds the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, which is a huge climactic point for his over a decades worth of stories in the pro wrestling world.
Dave Meltzer wrote in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that since many of WWEs current champions are former AEW stars, WWE took advantage of that fact. WWE reportedly gathered several of these former AEW names for a group photo in Salt Lake City. Rhodes, Punk, Cargill, and Starks posed together with their title belts. Monroe and Page were not included in the shoot.
He also said this situation sends a message that the grass is greener. He also noted that Rey Fenix and Rusev are still featured on television, but they were expected to leave AEW before they did.
The image appears to serve as WWEs response to AEWs previous remarks. We will have to see what the future holds for AEW, especially when it comes to people leaving that company for WWE, but Tony Khan will keep providing his stars with a platform to perform on, even if WWE has a larger one.
Whats your take on so many former AEW Superstars becoming champions in WWE? Do you think that this photo was a message for AEW? Let us know what you think in the comments section!
