Following the intense brawl that occurred last weekend after the All Out media scrum, The Young Bucks may be ready for a WWE run.
It’s been an intense week for AEW, and not for anything done inside the ring. By now, everyone knows about the brawl that occurred between the Elite and CM Punk, which ended with everyone suspended.
CM Punk immediately started the scrum by viciously burying Elite members The Young Bucks and Hangman Adam Page. His ire stemmed from his past issues with former friend Colt Cabana after the latter was moved to ROH.
Many backstage feel Punk cost the well-liked wrestler his job, but Punk has denied these claims. He attacked the Bucks for allegedly leaking information to the press, hurling a volley of insults as he did so.
Opinions on the melee vary as some claim the Young Bucks kicked down his locker room door. Others say Punk was the aggressor in the fight, which saw Kenny Omega bit and Nick Jackson hit with a chair.
Following the altercation, The Elite all claimed that if nothing is done about Punk, they will leave AEW. As of today, there have been indications that The Young Bucks, at least, are very serious in their threat.
The Young Bucks have reportedly sent out feelers to WWE about signing with the company in 2024. If they leave, they’ll be the second and third EVPs to depart after Cody Rhodes, who debuted at WrestleMania.
The Wrestling Observer’s Ryan Frederick spoke of the matter on the F4W Board and said it’s something many wrestlers do. The subject came up when it was reported that the Young Bucks signed new deals with AEW.
“They didn’t sign new deals. Their options were picked up. They did reach out to a talent to send feelers that they would be interested in talking about coming in when their deals are up. But everyone on both sides are going to do the same because you want to look for the best deal. Anyone who doesn’t do so is dumb and possibly leaving money on the table.”
Ryan responded to questions on the matter again in the thread.
“…they reached out to a talent to send feelers about coming in. I can’t say they talked to anyone direct at WWE, but that would fall under tampering, and this came at the same time the legal letters were being sent about tampering,” Ryan said. “Can’t confirm they actually talked to WWE people themselves, but they talked to other WWE talent about coming in, which they can do (much like WWE talent can send feelers thru AEW talent, which has happened and happens on both sides often).
It’s not something they wouldn’t have done anyways since their deals are coming up at the end of 2024, and you want to maximize your leverage when it comes to getting a new deal and get the companies into a bidding war. It’s not necessarily a sign that they’re going to leave. Everyone should do it.
“The hard thing with the wrestler contracts, and another reason they really aren’t independent contractors, is they can’t even negotiate new deals until their old deals are done. It’s not like they can have one deal end on December 31 and show up to their new job on January 1 unless they strike a deal in the first few hours on the 1st. But, generally the only way that happens is if there’s been indirect talks beforehand, much like in this situation. Wrestler contracts really should be more like NASCAR contracts. There was a situation there a couple of months ago where a driver, Tyler Reddick, signed with a new team for 2024 and beyond despite his contract with his current team ending in 2023. However, because he’s an independent contractor like all NASCAR drivers are classified, he’s free to negotiate to start another job when his current job ends at any point.” (WrestlingNews.com)
Could The Young Bucks leave for WWE?
The Young Bucks have plenty of friends in WWE as they worked with many of them while in the independents. AJ Styles, in particular, is close friends with the Bucks as they were in Bullet Club together.
AJ Styles responded to a question about teaming with the Bucks last month, saying he wanted them to join WWE. To this, The Young Bucks responded, “we miss you too @AJStylesOrg.”
It’s also worth noting that the Young Bucks had talks with WWE before AEW started in 2019. If the heat backstage at AEW doesn’t die down, it’s possible they could finally join Cody Rhodes in WWE.
CM Punk has not been fired and will be out for up to nine months due to a torn triceps. If there isn’t a significant change upon his return, The Young Bucks may start counting down the days on their contracts.
