What's Happening?
Former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland has stated that a cross-promotional event between WWE and AEW is highly improbable, at least in his lifetime. Speaking with Billboard, Strickland attributed this to WWE's protective stance over its brand and talent,
likening it to the NFL's approach to its shield. He explained that WWE would not allow its wrestlers to appear inferior to AEW's talent, citing the need to protect the image of their top stars like Obi Femi, Gunther, Roman Reigns, and Cody Rhodes. Strickland also noted the difficulty in protecting female wrestlers like Rhea Ripley in such a scenario. Despite fan desire for matches like Seth Rollins versus AEW World Champion Will Ospreay, Strickland believes the issue of who would be protected would prevent such events.
Why It's Important?
Strickland's comments highlight the deep-seated competitive dynamics and business philosophies that separate WWE and AEW, two of the largest professional wrestling promotions in the U.S. His explanation underscores the significant brand protection strategies employed by WWE, which prioritize maintaining the perceived dominance and star power of its roster. This stance directly impacts the potential for dream matches and collaborative events that fans often desire, effectively creating a 'forbidden door' between the two companies. The inability to cross-promote means that fans will likely not see inter-promotional matchups between top stars from both companies, limiting potential revenue streams and unique fan experiences that could arise from such collaborations. It also reinforces the distinct competitive landscapes each promotion operates within.
What's Next?
Given Swerve Strickland's insights, it is highly unlikely that any immediate cross-promotional events between WWE and AEW will occur. Both companies are expected to continue operating independently, focusing on their respective rosters, storylines, and partnerships with other promotions. AEW has successfully collaborated with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, CMLL, and Stardom for its 'Forbidden Door' events, while WWE has established partnerships with TNA Wrestling and recently acquired AAA. These separate alliances suggest that each promotion will continue to build its own network of collaborations rather than engaging directly with its primary U.S. competitor. Fans will likely continue to speculate about potential matchups, but the business realities outlined by Strickland indicate a continued separation.
Beyond the Headlines
The reluctance of WWE to engage in cross-promotional events with AEW reflects a broader industry trend where major entertainment entities fiercely guard their intellectual property and brand image. This protective approach, as described by Strickland, goes beyond simple competition; it's about controlling narratives, talent perception, and market share. The 'protection of the shield' mentality suggests a long-term strategy to maintain WWE's established position in the entertainment landscape, even if it means foregoing potentially lucrative crossover events. This dynamic also speaks to the power struggle within professional wrestling, where each company aims to be the dominant force, making collaboration a perceived risk to their individual brand equity and market standing. It underscores the business-first approach that often supersedes fan desires for inter-promotional dream matches.
