What We Know So Far About The IInspiration Signing With AEW

The IInspiration are officially All Elite — but the bigger story is how long this has actually been in motion.

Jessica McKay and Cassie Lee debuted at AEW House Rules in Brisbane on February 15, the night after AEW Grand Slam Australia. They competed in front of their home-country crowd and grabbed the microphone afterward to confirm they are now part of All Elite Wrestling. But according to Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp, this wasn’t a sudden decision. Here’s what we know so far.

First, the deals are multi-year. This isn’t a short-term appearance or trial run. AEW has both women locked in for the foreseeable future.

Second, their signing was reportedly a “foregone conclusion” for over a month. Sources told Fightful that AEW had essentially secured The IInspiration nearly four weeks before their debut. That means while fans were speculating, the paperwork was already done.

Third, their TNA exit had been quietly unfolding for months. Although they dropped the Knockouts Tag Team Titles to The Elegance Brand on the January 15 AMC debut show, their contracts had actually expired around Bound For Glory. They had reportedly been working without formal deals since then.

It’s also being said the TNA departure was amicable — no drama, no public fallout. There was even internal chatter within WWE. WWE sources believed if McKay and Lee didn’t show up in the Royal Rumble, they were likely AEW-bound. That ended up being exactly what happened.

Their signing also fits into AEW’s broader roster expansion. Weeks ago, It was eported that additions were coming to the women’s division. Since then, Lena Kross and The IInspiration have both been confirmed as signed.

One interesting detail: Harley Cameron is reportedly the lyricist behind The IInspiration’s long-used entrance theme.

So to recap: multi-year deals, locked in for over a month, amicable TNA exit, and WWE believed they were AEW-bound if they skipped the Rumble. Now that it’s official, the real question is how AEW plans to use one of the most recognizable women’s tag teams of the last decade.

Do you see The IInspiration going straight into the title picture, or does AEW build them slowly? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s hear it.