Despite speculation they might be heading to WWE, AEW has confirmed that Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) and "Hangman" Adam Page, a.k.a. The Elite, have all signed a new deal.
Described as "long-term extensions," the announcement ensures that the four cornerstones key to the launch of AEW in 2019 will remain with the promotion. It's as part of this company they've helped build AEW into a globally recognised brand which, later this month, will likely sell out London's Wembley Stadium.
The four have experienced unprecedented success both individually and as a group in AEW. Omega and Page are both former AEW World Champions and former AEW World Tag Team Champions with one another. Omega also held the AEW World Trios Championships twice with the Young Bucks, who themselves are former two-time AEW World Tag Team Champions.
"The Elite have been so important to the launch of AEW, with the Young Bucks going all in when I first approached them in 2018 about my dream to create an international pro wrestling promotion," Tony Khan said in a statement today. "Shortly after that, their partners and closest friends Kenny Omega and Hangman Adam Page joined us to formally launch All Elite Wrestling."
"All four of them have been instrumental to AEW’s success from the very first episode of Wednesday Night Dynamite in 2019 through the present day. Now as we celebrate tonight's 200th episode of AEW: Dynamite, I'm excited to share that Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks and Hangman Adam Page will all be staying in AEW for years to come!"
"Congratulations to The Elite, and we look forward to celebrating the great news with fans around the world."
The foursome spoke with Sports Illustrated about the decision to remain with AEW, and Omega said he "was careful to weigh out all options and was open-minded to all possibilities" when asked whether he ever considered making the leap to WWE (a possibility which is now likely off the table for each member of the faction).
However, perhaps emphasising why they wouldn't necessarily be a good fit for that company are comments from Nick in which he says, "We’re literally the 'E' in AEW. The Elite are the main characters of this company."
Are you excited to see The Elite remain in AEW for the foreseeable future?