AEWs signing of Persephone made headlines, but now WWE is pushing back on the narrative that she chose All Elite over them.
According to Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Live on January 16, 2026, WWE wants to make it crystal clear that they were never in direct talks with the 24-year-old CMLL standoutbecause they werent legally allowed to be.
While it was previously claimed by Dave Meltzer that WWE had shown strong interest in Persephone dating back to her Forbidden Door appearance last summer, Alvarez clarified that no official communication ever happened, due to her CMLL obligations.
Persephone, whos now officially All Elite, reportedly opted to add an AEW contract while remaining under CMLLa rare dual-contract deal that further strengthens AEWs working relationship with international promotions: She then chose to add an AEW contract and become a dual-contract wrestler.
That clarification is important, especially amid online speculation that WWE lost out on a breakout star. According to WWE sources, that simply isnt how things went down.
The hype around Persephone started last year when she impressed at Forbidden Door in a TBS Title four-way match involving Mercedes Mon, Bozilla, and Alex Windsor. That performance reportedly put her on WWEs radar, and things only escalated from thereincluding a ***1/4 match with Mon on October 17, 2025, which Meltzer called a turning point in her career. Still, no direct offer was ever made by WWEand now shes AEWs newest addition.
WWE may have had their eye on Persephone, but according to them, she didnt pick sidesshe simply honored her CMLL deal and signed with AEW when the timing was right. With dual contracts in play, the talent war between AEW and WWE just got a lot more nuanced.
Whats your take: Did AEW outmaneuver WWE here, or was this just a case of timing and contract rules? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
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