AEW’s approach to acquiring talent, led by Tony Khan, has shifted dramatically since the company‘s launch in 2019, with a new Tony Khan AEW signing strategy now putting departing WWE Superstars under greater scrutiny. As the roster becomes more crowded and past controversies cast a shadow, All Elite Wrestling is moving to evaluate free agents more carefully and cautiously than ever before.
In its early days, AEW was aggressive in pursuing major names, including stars poached directly from WWE and independent circuit standouts identified by Tony Khan, Cody Rhodes, and The Young Bucks. Kazuchika Okada, Bryan Danielson, Adam Copeland, and others joined AEW as part of this recruitment wave, helping the young promotion challenge established competitors and make headlines. However, over the past six years, well-publicized setbacks and unhappy departures from some notable WWE Superstars have forced Khan and his team to revisit their talent acquisition methods.
Growing Concerns Over High-Profile Signings
While additions like CM Punk initially generated fan excitement and expanded viewership, they eventually revealed the risk involved when signing established names with complicated histories or expectations mismatched to AEW’s culture. The fallout surrounding CM Punk’s run stands as the most notorious example, but similar complaints have arisen from Miro, Andrade, and Malakai Black, each reportedly dissatisfied and—some say—considering AEW a temporary stop en route back to WWE.
Sean Ross Sapp discussed these issues on a recent Fightful Select Q&A, noting that the company had encountered attitudes among former WWE Superstars who felt unfulfilled within AEW. The Jacksonville-based wrestling outfit, Sapp explained, has adjusted its approach in the past year, increasing their selectiveness and spending more time to fully vet free agents before offering contracts, especially when those wrestlers come directly from World Wrestling Entertainment.
Loyalty and Performance Are Now Prized at AEW
Khan, it is said, now values loyalty and true commitment to AEW above the cachet of a famous name. Wrestlers who identify strongly with the company, visibly represent its values, and consistently deliver in the ring are rewarded with greater opportunities. Companies like WWE may have relied on a guaranteed status for high-profile performers, but AEW’s new landscape challenges even veteran names to earn their roles.
Swerve Strickland, himself a standout since joining AEW, has become an example of how work ethic and attitude can propel a career forward in the organization. Speaking on the Battleground Podcast, he offered his view on what is expected of anyone joining the promoted roster:
“People second-guess, can they come to All Elite Wrestling? People second-guess; can they just sign a contract and make an impact in All Elite Wrestling? It shouldn’t be like that. It should be like signing with the Lakers. [You can’t just get to] The Lakers and just expect to be starting five and run the floor and get playing time. No, you have to work, you have to be one of the best out there.”
— Swerve Strickland, AEW Wrestler
This philosophy finds strong support in AEW’s current champions and main event talent. Wrestlers such as Bryan Danielson, FTR, Christian Cage, and Jon Moxley have all carved out prominent, successful positions in the company by consistently proving their value to both Tony Khan and the audience. The emphasis is now firmly on those who can adapt, invest in AEW’s mission, and sustain momentum over the long term.
Future Signings Face Steeper Expectations
As rumors swirl regarding the futures of recent WWE releases and the possibility of them signing with Khan’s organization, it remains uncertain how many will pass through AEW’s more rigorous free agent evaluation. The company aims to avoid repeating the issues that have followed recent high-profile entrants who failed to integrate or expected automatic stardom. Instead, the new Tony Khan AEW signing strategy demands dedication, adaptability, and genuine alignment with the promotion’s culture and goals before granting a spotlight.
With its roster at an all-time high in both numbers and talent, and with lessons learned from earlier mistakes, AEW is sending a clear signal: stardom is earned, not assumed. Whether more former WWE Superstars will successfully navigate this tougher scrutiny and find enduring success with Tony Khan’s company is a storyline still waiting to unfold.
