WWE has made multiple rounds of mass releases in 2025 with Braun Strowman, Dakota Kai, Shayna Baszler, Cedric Alexander, The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson), and more being let go by the promotion.
Though AEW has made a handful of signings this year, they have focused on overseas talent or non-WWE talent by bringing in Mina Shirakawa, Josh Alexander, "Speedball" Mike Bailey, and others.
Speaking on JJRBTS, Will Ospreay was asked about the process of joining AEW and if people could walk in and begin training like Paul Wight (aka The Giant aka The Big Show) walked into The Power Plant.
"For example, one of the guys who (just came in) is Speedball Mike Bailey, who was like the Indie King at one point. He was going everywhere and putting on some of the greatest matches ever. I think that's what we're looking at more now instead of guys that just got let go from WWE, and my heart goes out to them all, but we're looking for guys that are appreciative of this position, who are grafting and improving the markets elsewhere instead of they just got let go from WWE and instantly assume they can come here. Nah, go out and prove to other people you're wanted and desired. My heart goes out to all of them. It should never be assumed that 'Oh, I got let go here, I can just walk into AEW.' Nah, bruv. The bar is too high now. I want to see all of these guys cut their teeth elsewhere and improve the houses elsewhere. Go to New Japan, go to NOAH, go to STARDOM. Go elsewhere and improve their houses before you can think 'Oh, I'll just come here.' That's just me. There are certain guys, like Swerve (Strickland) got let go from WWE and came to AEW straight away. He's a special one. He's special. MVP is another, he's special. (Bobby) Lashley, special. Shelton (Benjamin), special. I want people to be like, you can't just come walk in. I really do think the independents need it right now. They need someone to help guide this next generation to come through. That's just me, personally. I don't mean that in any type of disrespectful way. Right now, AEW we are the best wrestlers right now, and all those guys who have been let go, tragically, are really good pro wrestlers, but you can't just be good anymore. You've got to be elite," stated Ospreay.
Elsewhere during the interview, Ospreay commented on AEW potentially catching up to WWE. You can find his full comments here.
Ospreay is set to headline AEW Double or Nothing against Hangman Page in the Owen Hart Foundation Men's Tournament.
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