Tony Khan Addresses How AEW Approach Signing New Talents

Over the years, one of the main points of criticism towards AEW has been the size of their roster and the tendency here and there to sign too many available free agents, many of whom had just been released from WWE. 

When speaking on the Battleground podcast, AEW president Tony Khan explained that he’d altered his approach to signing free agents, focusing more on the most elite available talent rather than just accepting anyone. 

"There is a very good perception about AEW in 2025. The company is doing great shows. This feels like the best year ever in AEW. This whole year has been a huge uptick for AEW on TV. When you factor in the additional fans watching on streaming on the simulcast, it's just going fantastic for us. There is a great perception about AEW. It's a great time to work here. It's also a lot of fun. It's a fun place to work. It's a great place to apply your trade as a wrestler and we're looking for the very best. This is where the best wrestle. AEW has the best wrestlers in the world and we want to keep it that way. It's a very high bar to reach this roster and we want to maintain the quality."

Some recently released WWE free agents have expressed their desire to join AEW, including the likes of Elayna Black (formerly Cora Jade) and Shotzi Blackheart. 

H/T Fightful

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