Without The Elite, there is no All Elite Wrestling. That’s true both literally, as they’re in the name, and in a variety of other ways. What would All Elite Wrestling be without The Elite? Thankfully, at least for now, fans won’t have to find out, as the group has re-signed with the company.
As first reported by Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, Kenny Omega, Hangman Page, and the Young Bucks have reached new multi-year deals with AEW. Putting it simply, this is a huge win for AEW. The Elite are the heart and soul of AEW now, and they have also been the foundation of the company since it started. Matt and Nick Jackson, along with Omega and Cody Rhodes, were key figures in launching AEW and building it from the ground up. The company has changed a lot since it started in 2019, but that’s why keeping The Elite is such an important move.
Let’s rewind to nearly a year ago, when AEW was seemingly shaken to its core following the evens of Brawl Out. After AEW All Out, AEW World Champion CM Punk made heated comments about The Elite at the post-show scrum, and he then got into an altercation with Omega and The Young Bucks backstage. Everyone involved was suspended and stripped of their titles, and Punk remained absent for a number of months, even after The Elite returned. The situation tested the strength of AEW’s core, as it sparked plenty of controversy and negative buzz. For a while, it seemed like the two sides could never co-exist, even after Punk came back in June.
Since Punk’s return, AEW has largely kept him separate from The Elite, as he has leading AEW Collision, while Omega, Page, and the Bucks are featured on AEW Dynamite. It’s not a perfect recipe, but it’s working for now, as Punk is back in the fold and The Elite are staying, too. For a while, it seemed like Punk’s looming comeback could potentially lead to The Elite leaving the company, as their contracts were up. Instead, that disaster has been averted, and AEW’s foundation has been solidified for years to come.
Even if you don’t care for The Elite personally, or if you dislike their ring style, there is no doubt that they are a vital part of AEW’s identity. AEW already lost one of its founders when Rhodes left the company in February 2022. His exit was surely a loss, as he was the face of the company. But because The Elite launched AEW together, Omega, Page, and the Bucks have helped carry the flag forward. They remain a constant remember of what AEW used to be, a symbol of the special spark they ignited when AEW’s launch revolutionized the business.
As AEW prepares for its historic All In show at Wembley Stadium, the news that The Elite are staying put couldn’t come at a better time. Now, the company’s United Kingdom debut can be a true celebration of the company’s growth, as well as its remarkable past, it’s exciting present, and its promising future.
Check out the card for the August 2 episode of AEW Dynamite here. WrestleZone will have coverage of the show as it airs.
