AEW-WWE Rivalry Intensifies Amid Talent Shifts

AEW president Tony Khan has publicly criticized WWE for scheduling major events directly against AEW's top shows, drawing parallels to WWE's counter-programming tactics against Jim Crockett Promotions in the 1980s. Khan asserts that AEW is better positioned than JCP to withstand this rivalry and anticipates a different outcome. Notable recent examples include WWE's NXT Battleground taking place simultaneously with AEW's Double or Nothing, and WWE events scheduled during AEW's All In and Forbidden Door weekends. AEW talent such as Deonna Purrazzo and Mercedes Martinez have voiced concerns about their TV opportunities and futures, with Purrazzo seeking more chances and Martinez wrestling less frequently. Additionally, the AEW women's division is facing uncertainty as Mariah May is rumored to be heading to WWE, sparking speculation about roster changes. These developments highlight both intensified competitive scheduling and significant talent shifts shaping the 2025 professional wrestling landscape.