How AEW Currently Goes About Signing Talent

AEW is locking in top indie talent fast—not just to boost its roster, but to make sure WWE doesn’t get to them first.

That’s according to Dave Meltzer, who discussed AEW’s current mindset on the January 19, 2026 episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, just days after Alec Price and Jordan Oliver were confirmed as All Elite by MJF. Meltzer explained that AEW’s approach mirrors the old WCW vs. WWE days, where both companies rushed to sign talent they didn’t want the other side to grab.

“There’s a mentality right now that if someone is a really good worker on the indies, WWE might sign them, so you have to sign them first,” Meltzer said. “That was the old deal between WCW and WWE years ago.”

He recalled how, during that era, some wrestlers landed big contracts simply because they looked the part—regardless of whether they were ready for TV. One example was Bob Sapp, who received a major WCW deal but never actually appeared before heading to Japan instead.

“Some guys made a lot of money that way because both sides were afraid the other company might grab them… The thinking was, ‘We have to sign him because the other company might.’”

This all came just days after MJF told the crowd at Limitless Wrestling’s Limitless Rumble on January 16 that both Alec Price and Jordan Oliver had officially signed with AEW. After his match with Price, the former AEW World Champion took the mic and said someone within AEW “really likes” them—and confirmed they’re “All Elite.”

Price and Oliver—known together on the independent scene as Bustah & The Brain—have both made recent appearances for Ring of Honor, and Price previously competed on AEW Rampage. Oliver, meanwhile, brings experience from GCW, MLW, and several other top indies.

The takeaway? AEW’s not just building a roster—it’s playing defense. Alec Price and Jordan Oliver may have earned their spots, but behind the scenes, it’s also about staying one step ahead of WWE.

Do you think AEW’s “sign them before WWE can” approach is smart business—or a risky throwback to the Monday Night War era? Sound off in the comments.

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