In a move to maintain their stronghold in the professional wrestling industry, WWE has been offering substantial contract raises to talents whose deals are set to expire in 2024. This strategic maneuver comes as a response to the growing threat posed by rival promotion AEW and their potential to lure away WWE superstars.

According to renowned wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio, WWE is leaving no stone unturned to prevent talent from jumping ship. "There's a lot of movement in WWE right now... They don't want anyone leaving. There's a lot of people who are being offered very big money – much more than they're making – to stay," Meltzer revealed. He further highlighted that despite apprehension about reduced contract offers after Endeavor's involvement, WWE has taken a different route by offering substantial raises.

The recent acquisition of WWE's parent company, Endeavor, has played a crucial role in this situation. It has enabled WWE to allocate more funds towards retaining talent, especially given the lower percentage of overall revenue paid to WWE talent compared to UFC, which is also owned by Endeavor.

This development deals a potential blow to AEW, which has been building its own roster of talented wrestlers and seeking to establish itself as a legitimate competitor to WWE. With the return of CM Punk creating headlines and unparalleled fan excitement for WWE, AEW now faces the challenge of generating positive buzz to regain the status as the "hot" wrestling promotion once again.

While the details of the contracts being offered by WWE have not been disclosed, speculation is running rampant as fans and industry insiders ponder which talents will be locked in for the long term.

The wrestling landscape continues to evolve, and WWE's proactive approach in securing its talent reaffirms its commitment to maintaining its position as the dominant force in professional wrestling. As the industry intensifies with new narratives and rivalries, the battle for supremacy between WWE and AEW enters an intriguing chapter, with lucrative contracts representing just one aspect of the broader strategic war.