The New Day may be heavily linked to AEW after their WWE departures, but Jim Ross thinks there’s one major obstacle standing in the way.
With Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods continuing to be rumored for AEW following their WWE departures, Ross was asked on Grilling JR whether he expects the decorated tag team to end up with Tony Khan’s company, TNA, NJPW or somewhere else. Rather than predicting where they’ll sign, Ross explained why bringing in an established team isn’t nearly as simple as signing a single wrestler.
“Well, you gotta make sure you got a spot on your roster for a team. It’s different than signing a single. So, uh, you gotta have space. You gotta have a place. They have to have their quote-unquote spot. So, uh, as a team, not as two singles.”
Ross believes that’s the biggest question AEW would have to answer before making a move. He said The New Day’s value comes from arriving together, but that only works if there’s room for them at the top of the tag team division.
“So, uh, I don’t know. I don’t know what to… for them to be as effective as they could be, they need to come in as a team. Uh, but I don’t know that that’s feasible. It all depends on who’s here, who’s hot, who’s doing what they’re doing.”
Even with those concerns, Ross made it clear he understands why AEW would be interested. He praised the group’s charisma and expressed confidence that Tony Khan recognizes what they could bring to the company.
“But I know Tony Khan has got a sharp eye, and they have great charisma, those two guys—or three guys. So it’d be interesting to see. I don’t know. I don’t know the answer to it. That’s a good question.”
Still, Ross returned to the same point one final time. For him, signing The New Day isn’t about whether they’re talented enough. It’s about whether AEW can give an elite tag team the prominent role they’d need.
“But the stickler might be you’ve gotta have a spot on your roster, a high-level spot on your roster, for a team—not two singles.”
Ross’ comments come as reports continue linking The New Day to AEW, with previous backstage reports claiming the company has already discussed creative plans for the former WWE stars if they eventually arrive. Whether that happens or not, Ross believes the real challenge won’t be signing them—it’ll be finding the right place for them once they get there.
Do you think AEW has room for The New Day, or would another promotion be a better fit? Let us know in the comments below.
