Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks and “Hangman” Adam Page will call AEW their home for the foreseeable future.
As first reported by Sports Illustrated, The Elite have all signed multi-year contracts with AEW, remaining with the promotion amid some speculation that one or more members may follow in the step of Cody Rhodes and make the leap to WWE.
The announcement was made on Wednesday August 2nd, the same day that AEW is due to air their 200th episode of the flagship show, Dynamite.
Matt Jackson is delighted with the news, stating that you can’t have AEW without The Elite:
“We’re literally the ‘E’ in AEW. The Elite are the main characters of this company. No matter how different AEW is now from its original inception, we are the DNA. And if you lose the foundation of your home, it eventually collapses. It’d be a lie if I said that didn’t weigh on us, when making the decision.”
Page’s reasons for staying revolve around family life, stating that the AEW is schedule allows him to see his wife and child more and stay at home in the week. The former AEW Champion has also declared that AEW will be where he finishes his wrestling career:
“I think it’s very meaningful that, as a day one guy, I stay with AEW. It’s likely that I will one day finish my career here. Hopefully that can help the future generations see that there can be more than one path to success.”
“At this stage of my life the selling point was the schedule,” says Page. “AEW’s schedule allows me to be home with my family for the majority of the week and will ideally help my body hold up better in the long run. And the pay is good.
“AEW emerging as a legitimate wrestling company has helped drive up bargaining power for wrestlers and others who work in the industry. Making a long-term commitment to a still-growing AEW I felt was the best way I could help continue that progress.”
Matt Jackson concluded the interview in the signature Young Bucks style, disappointing those who hoped that the tag team would not be re-signing.
“If you were hoping this would be our grand exit, sorry to disappoint you. You’re stuck with us. We’re not going anywhere.”
Featured image: AEW
