Lack of Free Agent Signings Won’t Hurt WWE.

In recent weeks, AEW has signed Will Ospreay, Kazuchika Okada, and Mercedes Mone. A lot of media outlets have blasted and reported that Triple H failed and dropped the ball by not signing any of them. AEW has thrown a lot more money at these free agents with the incentive of working less dates. Before AEW was formed, the biggest criticism of WWE is that they signed all the top independent talent because NXT and the Performance Center couldn’t produce homegrown talent. Now that AEW has been around for a while, WWE went back to producing homegrown talent and it’s starting to payoff for some of them.

While I respect the accomplishment and abilities of Ospreay and Okada, I don’t think would have fit the WWE style and culture. AEW has always had a reference about the four pillars of the company, but WWE also four pillars that they are building for the future. Tiffany Stratton, 24, took NXT by storm very quickly. She won the NXT Women’s Championship and held her own against Becky Lynch. Earlier this year, she was called up to Smackdown and made her presence known in the Elimination Chamber. She’s my prediction to win the Women’s Money in the Bank in 2024.

Trick Williams, 29, has a very fun rise as the hottest act in NXT. He started off as Carmelo Hayes sidekick and muscle, which gave off a lot of Diesel and Shawn Michaels vibes. Carmelo Hayes, also 29, has had an amazing rise to the top of NXT. He has held the NXT Championship and NXT North American Championship. They have been friends and now they are enemies. Their rivalry heading into WrestleMania weekend will be a defining moment for both men. It would not surprise me if they were both called up to Raw or Smackdown after WrestleMania 40.

Finally, you have second generation superstar Bron Breakker, who is only 26. He is the son of Rick Steiner and nephew of Scott Steiner. He is already a two-time NXT Champion and NXT Tag Team Champion, and is already made appearances on Smackdown. He has really evolved into a great performer by showing more of his personality recently while he’s been teaming with Baron Corbin. A lot of people are expecting Breakker to be like Goldberg and Brock Lesnar, but he’s proven that he’s a more versatile performer.

The future is bright with Stratton, Williams, Hayes, and Breakker. However, they are not the only young superstars that will be around in WWE for a long time. Here is the list of current WWE stars under 30:

Rhea Ripley, 27
Dominik Mysterio, 26
Austin Theory, 26
Lyra Valkyria, 27
Indi Hartwell, 27
Brutus Creed, 27
Julius Creed, 29
Tyler Bate, 27
Roxanne Perez, 22
Brooks Jensen, 22
Charley Dempsey, 25
Kiana James, 26
Fallon Henley, 29
Tegan Nox, 29

I am sure there are others I am forgetting, but you get the point. The WWE has built a foundation and future for the next ten to fifteen years. While, I am sure the WWE is always looking at AEW, TNA Wrestling, and New Japan, they don’t need to sign everyone who becomes a free agent. I respect WWE for trying to produce homegrown talent again. It worked for them before. I am sure it will continue to work well for them again.

For those who are saying that it’s good for AEW on paying more. Well, I have a working theory about AEW and their base salary. My hypothesis is that AEW has to offer a higher base salary because they’re not selling out arenas consistently. They are probably not moving the merchandise that WWE currently does with their partnership with Fanatics. Again, this is my theory and hypothesis. In WWE, you have the base salary, the gate from live events, merchandise sales, sponsorship money, and other royalties. That’s my theory as to why WWE doesn’t need to match AEW’s offers towards these free agents.

So just remember if WWE doesn’t sign a top free agent, they are still a well-oiled machine that will continue to prosper, be successful, and make money. Not every big-name free agent needs to be signed. There are options like AEW, NJPW, TNA Wrestling, and some even make a good living from the independents and creating their own brand. Just ask Matt Cardona. WWE’s future is the brightest it’s been in a long time. Don’t believe me? Just look at their financials.