Promoter Says AEW Talent Working Indie Shows Is On ‘Case-By-Case Basis’

AEW

A promoter says AEW talent working indie shows is on a “case-by-case basis.”

During the early days of All Elite Wrestling, many stars saw one of the benefits of signing with the fledging promotion was that they could still work independent events.

Despite many stars such as Jon Moxley and Billie Starkz actively working indies, other talent has seen their independent dates lessen over the past few years.

Moxley, in particular, has gone from working various independent promotions like GCW and DEFY to only working for Wrestling Revolver since signing a contract extension last year.

Speaking with Lavie Margolin and John Poz on The Business of the Business, GCW promoter Brett Lauderdale was asked whether there has been any changes to the availability of AEW talent on the independent scene. He answered:

“As far as AEW talent goes, and AEW’s policy, I still to this day don’t know what it is. It seems to be ever changing, but also it never changes.”

“So I think everybody’s still literally on a case-by-case basis. There are certain talent in AEW that can kind of call their shots and do what they want, and there are others that aren’t in a position to do that.”

“I guess some people have to ask for permission, some people don’t, some people are supposed to but don’t, and then do it anyways. I don’t know.”

“The policy…I just don’t know. Nobody from AEW has ever said anything to me.”

Lauderdale continued on to explain where he stands with AEW right now, saying:

“So it’s the same deal for us. We know what we hear, but we hear something one day, and then the next day it’s another deal.”

“So I really don’t know and I can’t speak on that because everybody that’s tried to speak on this in the past has been wrong.”

“I know that DEFY has a certain special relationship with AEW, and there’s reasons behind that.”

“But I do know, it does seem like there’s been a slight tempering down in the number of AEW talent out there, but then at the same time, I’m seeing new guys making the rounds, big names. So again, who knows? I don’t know what the deal is,”

Jon Moxley made his first appearance for Game Changer Wrestling since losing the GCW World Title at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 9 in March 2023.

Moxley recently made his return to All Elite Wrestling on the October 21 edition of AEW Collision.

Transcription via Fightful

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• Brett Lauderdale
• GCW
• Jon Moxley
• AEW

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