AEW = WWE from 2019 part two: Rey Fenix’s contract situation

This is a quick follow-up to a previous column I wrote about AEW.

It has been reported by Dave Meltzer that AEW and Tony Khan are planning to add injury time to Fenix’s contract. While they have every right to do so, it’s also a very WWE-style move.

So, why is this worth a column on my part? To answer that, let’s go back to the very beginning of AEW, five years ago.

In 2019, when Tony and The Elite held that press conference to announce the creation of AEW, they promised that wrestlers would be considered employees, not independent contractors, would receive health insurance, and most importantly, would not face the same treatment WWE imposed on its talent—especially the practice of extending contracts if wrestlers got injured.

Now, five years later, none of those promises made by Tony and The Elite have materialized. In fact, AEW is treating its talent in much the same way WWE did when Vince was in charge.

Ricky Starks wants out of his contract but has been denied his release. Miro wants out, though we haven’t heard any follow-up on his situation. It’s likely he’ll be turned down as well. Now it’s the Lucha Bros. Penta is fortunate because his contract is set to expire soon, if it hasn’t already, but Fenix is going to be stuck in AEW for at least another year because the company is adding injury time to his contract.

AEW was supposed to be a great company for wrestlers, a place where talent wouldn’t be kept under contract if they didn’t want to be there. Instead, it has become just another wrestling company that doesn’t do what’s best for the wrestlers, likely because they don’t want to see their talent go to WWE.

The sad part is, AEW isn’t hurting for talent. So, what’s the point of keeping wrestlers against their will? If they’re not happy in AEW and want to leave, let them go. Use that money to bring in new talent.