AEW superstar “Speedball” Mike Bailey has some strong opinions on the concept of exclusive contracts in the world of wrestling.
Speaking to Adrian Hernandez in a recent interview, Bailey said he understands why exclusive deals exist, but that he believes they’re overall harmful to the business, and to wrestlers’ development.
“This is my hot take when it comes to professional wrestling but exclusive contracts are bad for pro wrestlers, for their development,” said Bailey (via Wrestling Observer). “I understand there is a need for them. The ecosystem, the companies, it doesn’t work without them, and that makes sense. But if everyone in the world could wrestle absolutely anyone else regardless of contracts, just imagine the match-ups you would see. Well, we can’t really have that, but the closest thing we can have is what AEW is doing, partnering up with CMLL and New Japan Pro Wrestling and working together to showcase the best wrestlers from all over the world.”
Bailey went on to say that, one of the biggest things he doesn’t like in wrestling is the lack of diversity. The star noted that he finds the idea that most champions from big promotions need to speak English as a first language “completely ridiculous and extremely counterproductive.” However, he expressed optimism over the change in these ideas over recent years.
“It’s been a problem in professional wrestling for a long time, the lack of diversity in terms of seeing champions from different cultures and races,” Bailey said. “And I think the fact that in order to be considered eligible to become a champion in pro wrestling, you need to speak English, especially as a first language, is completely ridiculous and extremely counterproductive. And I’m glad that it’s become less and less of a thing, and I think it’s due to partnerships like that and opening up the playing fields to literally letting anyone who is the best at pro wrestling wrestle at the very top, as it should be. And I think putting any kind of barrier on that is absolutely ridiculous.
“So I think that what AEW is doing right now, I mean, you can see it, because other companies are following suit, is exactly what needs to happen in professional wrestling.“
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