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All Elite Wrestling has tightened restrictions on talent taking outside bookings following recent COVID-19 outbreaks at independent events.
AEW founder Tony Khan spoke with Sports Illustrated, providing an update on AEW’s current stance on contracted talent taking outside bookings.
“I implemented a policy where people were only supposed to work indie shows when certain conditions were met.” Khan stated. “There have been times when people did not take that seriously, so I have tightened up the restrictions.”
Khan isn’t against talent taking independent bookings, but will ensure certain criteria is met, including both performers tested for COVID-19.
I’ll still allow it under certain conditions, but people need to look me in the eye and say that the conditions are being met. Our talent and their opponent need to be tested before the show, and there also needs to be a good reason why the match is important.
In the past, talent had been allowed to take outside bookings as long as it doesn’t conflict with AEW’s own schedule. Khan believes it was good for talent to be able to make additional revenue.
“I’ve been flexible in the past because I thought it was good for the talent to have the opportunity to earn, as well as great for the fans and the indies as a whole.”
I am not going to end it, but we are taking a closer look at it. More so now than ever, people need to come to me directly about this. I am going to be strict about what people can and can’t do, but I won’t say you won’t see people make special appearances on independent shows because I think there is a lot of merit to that.
Last month, Joey Janela was pulled from the AEW World Championship Elimination Tournament due to possible COVID-19 exposure at a GCW event.