Why AEW Haven't Signed Grizzled Young Veterans Despite Talks

The Grizzled Young Veterans made their debuts in All Elite Wrestling on the April 27 episode of AEW Collision, losing to The Acclaimed on the show, but Zack Gibson and James Drake have yet to reappear on AEW programming since then.

It was reported in June that AEW were in contract talks with GYV but the former WWE NXT UK Tag Team Champions joining All Elite Wrestling wasn't a slam dunk. In an update on the situation, Sean Ross Sapp noted on a Fightful Select Q&A that the two sides "were far apart on money." If talks between GYV and AEW have since broken down is unknown.

Grizzled Young Veterans have been free agents since leaving WWE in October 2023. They have worked on the independent wrestling scene since then, including forming their own promotion in Burning Heart Pro Wrestling. They also had a short run with TNA but haven't wrestled in the IMPACT Zone since March.

Relations between AEW and GYV seemed positive after their AEW debuts earlier this year, with Zack Gibson noting everything came up Milhouse in their match with The Acclaimed.