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Many fans feel Tony Khan has managed to lure several bigwigs away from WWE in recent years. Wrestling veteran Jim Cornette recently addressed the possibility of former Universal Champion Kevin Owens jumping ship to AEW in 2025.
The Prizefighter recently revealed that he has about nine months left in his contract, meaning he would be eligible to sign anywhere else should he not re-sign with the Stamford-based promotion.
In 2021, Tony Khan was reportedly interested in signing the Canadian wrestler, but the SmackDown Superstar chose WWE over AEW.
Speaking on the Experience podcast, Jim Cornette believes the impending WBD deal could factor into Kevin Owens' decision as he thinks Tony Khan could shell out 5 to 6 million to get his services:
"Is the offer going to be before or after the new TV deal is announced? Because that could play a part, you never know, in how much money Tony's throwing around, but with [Kevin] Owens being friends with the buckaroos [The Young Bucks] from way back. And yes, he is a guy that the WWE has been using on top, but you know where his mental sentiments lie with the indie-riffic crowd, and that's his brand of wrestling that he'd be doing if he had his druthers. So yeah, for five or six maybe," Cornette said.
Cornette feels the formerly Kevin Steen would be more valuable to AEW than Kazuchika Okada and Mercedes Moné:
"I'll be first one to tell you that right now, Kevin Steen would be more valuable to AEW and a more entertaining asset to the television than Okada, Mercedes, and f***in two or three other recent acquisitions not named Ospreay together," he added. (5: 50 - 6:50)
Check out the full clip below:
Konnan against Kevin Owens potentially leaving WWE for AEW
Speaking on the Keepin' It 100 podcast, WCW veteran Konnan advised The Prizefighter not to join All Elite Wrestling as he thinks the latter would not be used properly.
"I don't know why you would go there, be like standing in quicksand. They're using him great in WWE, bro. He's making good money and they're using him correctly. I guarantee you they [AEW] won't use him correctly."
For those unaware, Kevin Owens has been friends with The Young Bucks and even worked together as part of the Mount Rushmore of Wrestling, led by Adam Cole.
It will be interesting to see how big of an influence the Jackson brothers will have on Owens once his WWE deal is up.
If you use quotes from this article, please credit the Jim Cornette Experience podcast and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for transcription.
