Earlier today, we shared the news with you that Kevin Owens has signed a new deal with WWE. Many fans expected the former Universal Champion to head to AEW, especially after a now-deleted Tweet in which he teased reuniting with Adam Cole and The Young Bucks.
Owens recently spoke to TVA Sports' Pat Laprade, and shed some light on why he chose to remain with WWE for at least the next few years (though it sounds like it could be even longer than that).
"I’m just going to say that it still ends on January 31, but not 2022," Owens said, declining to reveal the specific length of his contract. "I’m still going to be there for several years."
"The decision was pretty easy because it really was the best thing for my family. When it comes to that, it’s always a pretty easy decision. WWE has been my home for seven years, so I have a sense of belonging. Basically, I spent most of my career there. When you look at all the wrestling companies I’ve wrestled in, in WWE, that’s where I’ve been the longest, that’s where I need to be for the next few years. That’s how I felt and that’s the decision I made."
Elsewhere, Dave Meltzer is reporting that it's likely a three-year deal that is going to net Owens anywhere between $2 million - $3 million per year. That's surely a lot more than AEW could afford, and it's said that he requested and was granted a "no cut" deal that means he can't be released before his contract ends. After the past couple of years, that could become the norm for top WWE Superstars.
Stay tuned for more updates as we have them.