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Sign the Line: Who is Winning the WWE vs AEW Free Agency Race?

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Sign the Line: Who is Winning the WWE vs AEW Free Agency Race?

As a lifelong wrestling enthusiast who has watched the sport evolve over decades, I must say that both AEW and WWE are doing an exceptional job in the current free agency race. However, if I were to cast my vote, it would be for AEW, not because they’ve signed more buzzworthy talent or have a more creative program (although those factors certainly play a role), but because their approach seems more aligned with the modern wrestling fan’s expectations.

In simpler terms, let’s discuss the 2024 bidding war involving MJF. It seems that AEW secured him a year earlier with an alleged multi-million dollar annual contract. MJF himself revealed to WrestleTalk that he signed it quickly because of its immense value. On the other hand, the Lucha Brothers, Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix, may not have received as generous an offer, as they are rumored to be joining WWE soon.

Buzz for signings and how they translate to broadcast.

It appears that All Elite Wrestling (AEW) tends to acquire free agents more frequently than World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Lately, WWE has caused a stir by recruiting Stephanie Vaquer, Gulia, and Ethan Page as soon as they became available on the market. However, the high-profile signings of Ospreay, Okada, and Mone are simply the latest instances in a continuous trend. AEW attracts skilled wrestlers from around the world and showcases them weekly on television. Each new recruit generates another wave of online excitement, fueling discussions and increasing AEW’s engagement levels. This dynamic is partly influenced by the fact that WWE has more current and former stars who could potentially leave as free agents due to its larger size and longer history. Nevertheless, when looking at numbers, AEW consistently secured more names, including high-profile ones, in the previous year and all years preceding it.

1. The impact of newly signed performers on improving ratings beyond the initial excitement appears to be minimal. Given the growing importance of social media in today’s consumer-driven market, this factor can still prove beneficial for businesses. However, both WWE and AEW have maintained relatively stable ratings. According to Wrestlenomics reports, except for Raw, all shows have shown a downward trend since Q2 of 2023, with varying rates of decline among different shows. It’s hard to say whether signing or not signing talent from TNA or NJPW has had an impact on these ratings, as well as the effect of each exchange of talents. There’s no question that a boost in social engagement is a significant win in terms of morale, and it seems AEW is leading in this area. In general, having talent is generally seen as beneficial, although there’s consensus on this point.

Sign or Re-sign; there is more than one way to win free agency.

Grabbing headlines with a big name is just the flashy portion of free agency. Perhaps the most important aspect is keeping superstars off the market to begin with. WWE has had a record year in that regard. Some of that comes from having so many contracts due up, of course. However, there were some big names that WWE has locked down recently. Randy Orton, LA Knight, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, and Natalya are all names that WWE successfully kept out of free agency this year. The most notable losses are of Bobby Lashley, Becky Lynch, and Ricochet, at least one of whom is expected to appear for AEW soon. For their part, AEW has re-signed stars like Buddy Matthews and Jim Ross, with a few big names still on the block.

According to performance indicators, WWE is not just succeeding but also taking the crown for the most significant improvement in the wrestling industry. Previously, it seemed like everyone, including WWE, was eager to join AEW. However, the recent positive shift in WWE’s fortunes suggests significant creative changes and substantial business growth within their promotion. It’s also worth noting that more talents, such as Ricky Starks and Mark Henry, are leaving AEW lately, which is a notable trend. Financial incentives likely play a crucial role in any free agent’s decision-making process, as well as those about to become free agents. Yet, money isn’t the only factor at play, and the creative aspect of the industry also plays a significant role in determining who is currently leading the pack this year.

Fresh faces and new feuds are built through free agency.

Having or keeping people under contract is not really what a company is for. It is nice to see people we like making good money, but we have to enjoy the products also. Both AEW and WWE are doing quite well right now, according to that metric. This is because both are freshening up their programs with new names through free agency. The signings and re-signings over the past year are evidence of that. All three of AEW’s big-time signees and re-signed stars like MJF are at high-profile angles. His feud with Will Ospreay is exemplary of why free agency is so important. Two stars who have not previously met are clashing in a high-profile spot. WWE’s feuds with CM Punk and Ethan Page, both newer signings, are doing well, too.

1. A sports team’s lineup should not stay the same for a prolonged period. It requires adjustments and updates to enhance performance. It is crucial to retain your key players. In the context of traditional sports, captains and stars form the backbone of the team. By analyzing different camera angles, we can see who is making the most out of their free agency deals, but the results are sometimes unclear. Both shows have had some missteps lately. Despite this, both programs are generally entertaining. The creativity in both shows appeals to their fan bases, demonstrating that Tony Khan and Triple H are attuned to their audiences and acquiring talent accordingly.

So, who is winning the WWE vs AEW free agency race?

An individual’s answer to that will almost surely reflect what night they watch wrestling each week. Truthfully, both companies have signed, are rumored to sign, or are looking to re-sign top talents. Each has pointed wins and a few tough losses so far in 2024. AEW has signed more buzzworthy talent, both in general and in 2024. WWE has consistently better ratings and a new TV deal with Netflix, while AEW falls short on both of those fronts. The case can be made for either company. That is a weak answer, though. So instead, I’ll be honest. The winner is whoever pays the wrestlers more. Yes, there are holes to that theory, but by and large, that is what we should want as fans. The best talents are making a lot of money right now through free agency signings. We watch each week, so we enjoy the products. Who is best making their living for our entertainment is then the only metric left. Sadly, that means we will never know who that is.

Both AEW and WWE have been offering financial incentives or benefits to their talent due to competition. Reports suggest that WWE typically pays more, which makes sense given its larger size. However, AEW offers more chances for external payments, with stars like Ospreay claiming the compensation is comparable. The exact annual earnings are unknown since there’s no public data available. What we can gather from public statements and moves is that both companies aim to disclose this information. Some wrestlers, such as Will Ospreay, Drew McIntyre, Mercedes Moné, Randy Orton, and Jade Cargill, have reportedly received significant pay or freedom. Salaries in wrestling are confidential, and comments from wrestlers like Chris Jericho and Joey Janela should be taken with caution. However, it’s the wrestlers who benefit most from free agency, which seems to be beneficial for business.

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2024-08-18 23:15

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