Backstage Update on WWE’s “Bad for the Sport” Reaction Over Swerve Strickland’s New AEW Contract

As noted before, this past Sunday’s AEW All In 2024 Zero Hour pre-show featured Swerve Strickland signing a new contract with AEW to remain in the company for the foreseeable future. Strickland’s new contract with AEW is currently believed to be among the the biggest deals in pro wrestling history and similar in range to what Kazuchika Okada and Mercedes Mone currently make in AEW.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that the reaction within WWE over the monetary amount for Strickland’s new contract with AEW was negative. Meltzer reported that those spoken to described WWE’s view of it as being “bad for the sport” due to their belief that Strickland was being paid way more than what they percieved his market value is.

Besides Strickland’ new deal, WWE officials reportedly hold a similar negative view towards AEW’s offer to Daniel Garcia for a potential new contract. WWE officials reportedly also felt that Garcia was being offered way more money than what they believed he was worth for a deal.

Fightful Select reported that their sources confirmed that WWE officials had a “bad for the sport” negative reaction over Strickland’s new AEW contract and Garcia’s offer for a new contract.

It was reported that one person spoken to within AEW pointed the finger at one particular name in WWE for the negative comment but this name is something that they have yet to verify from their other sources.

One WWE talent spoken to stated “I myself haven’t heard that, but whether or not it was said, anyone thinking wrestlers will take less money is out of their minds when new TV deals are being announced, sellouts and record numbers are being bragged about.”

It was reported that their sources also confirmed that Strickland’s new contract with AEW is similar to the big money deals of Okada and Mone in AEW and near what many long-time WWE veterans are currently earning.

It was also reported that structure for several contracts have changed for both AEW and WWE since AEW’s launch in 2019. New contracts offered to talents reportedly now include higher guarantees as part of the terms.