When AEW President Tony Khan only had to contend with a Vince McMahon-led WWE, his company soared. However, ever since Triple H took charge of creative, WWE has reached new heights of popularity and that's left Khan scrambling to keep up.
Longterm storylines have gone out of the window, only to be replaced by hotshot booking meant to boost falling attendance and ratings.
There was a time when unhappy WWE Superstars couldn't wait to be deemed "All Elite," but the tide is changing with three major departures from the company now confirmed.
Cody Rhodes' manager while he was in AEW, Arn Anderson, has announced he will depart the promotion on May 31.
"The limited time that I have left [in my wrestling career], I want to spend with [my son] Brock, because I think Brock has aptitude and attitude," Anderson explained. "I think he will be a player for somebody. And I just got to get him some experience, and that's where I'm going to go with my time – helping develop Brock and teaching him."
"If he comes along like I think and hope it will, it will be sooner than later," he added, suggesting Brock might make the leap to WWE after leaving AEW last October. "So I just want to say thank you to Tony [Khan]. This coming, believe it or not, on double shot day, [May] 31st is the last day of my contract. I just want to say thank you. I appreciate everything, and that goes to everybody that works there."
The Enforcer isn't the only one with a foot out of the door as WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry is also walking away after signing with AEW as an analyst, coach, scout, and mentor in 2021.
"My contract with AEW is set to expire tomorrow, the 28th. And today, of course, is the 27th," the World's Strongest Man said earlier this week. "So I wanted to address that matter. And Tony Khan said at the press conference that he was very happy and proud of what we did together. I feel exactly the same way."
"I appreciate everything that happened at AEW with Tony Khan and the Khan family. I had a great experience. I do feel like it's time for me to take more time to handle TheMarkHenry.com and the ReMarkable brand and focus that attention on what my next steps are. I am not going to be renewing my deal," Henry concluded.
The biggest shocker is a report from Bodyslam.net revealing that Jack Hager, better known as Jack Swagger in WWE, is also a free agent after deciding not to re-sign with the company.
He last appeared on a February 21 episode of AEW Rampage and, like many of the wrestlers signed by Khan, has only been used sporadically in recent months. Whether The Real American will return to WWE remains to be seen.
Another blow to AEW this week is the news that Adam "Edge" Copeland suffered a fractured tibia at AEW Double or Nothing that will require surgery.