AEW Not Talking To Ex WWE Superstar Despite Internal Pull To Sign Them

WWE released several members of the roster in September, and a few of those people have already started making waves elsewhere. Shelton Benjamin lost his job with WWE as part of those cuts, and despite a pull to get him into AEW, that hasn't happened yet.

Shelton Benjamin's Current Free Agency Situation

The fall 2023 WWE releases are now open for bookings. Shelton Benjamin, with a wrestling career spanning over 20 years, has garnered interest from some quarters advocating for his inclusion in prominent wrestling companies.

According to Sean Ross Sapp on Fightful Select, several wrestlers were urging for Shelton Benjamin to join All Elite Wrestling. This is a sentiment that started well before his release. 

Benjamin has made a great impression with several people during his career. Obviously, his reputation precedes him, so there were people in the company advocating for Tony Khan to sign him.

Those that we spoke to said that while there were some people going to bat for Shelton, pushing for him to join the company and even making some internal pitches, as of early January, AEW had not yet contacted Benjamin about a potential appearance in the company.

On September 21, 2023, WWE made a series of releases, coinciding with a new TV deal. The list of released talent includes Mustafa Ali, Rick Boogs, Aliyah, Top Dolla of Hit Row, Tegan Nox, Emma, Riddick Moss, Elias, Shelton Benjamin, Dolph Ziggler, Dana Brooke, Mansoor, Mace, Quincy Elliot, Dabba-Kato, and Yulisa Leon.

Misconception About Shelton Benjamin's Contract

Although there were efforts for people to pull for Shelton, with internal pitches made for him to join the company, that hasn't happened yet. As of early January, AEW has not pulled the trigger on bringing him in.

The report also noted that there was actually a bit of confusion regarding his contract status last year. His deal did not expire at that time, but his current free agency certainly opens up the opportunity for him to come into AEW.

There was some miscommunication within AEW last Summer that led to some believing his deal was up imminently in 2023. Unfortunately, that ended up coming true as Shelton was released by the company in September 2023.

Tony Khan has brought in a good number of former WWE stars, and Shelton Benjamin could be a great addition to the roster. That being said, it does not appear that they are close to nailing down that deal at this time.