When AEW kicked off in 2019, it quickly gained momentum by signing major talents globally and rejuvenating the careers of many former WWE stars. Despite the promising outlook, Bully Ray expressed disappointment in how AEW is managing some of its top wrestlers. Recently, Powerhouse Hobbs, formerly a TNT and World Trios Champion, ended his AEW contract, fueling rumors about a potential move to WWE. Bully Ray hopes both Hobbs and Wardlow, another heavyweight competitor, will quickly find new opportunities beyond AEW, which he believes will offer them greater prospects than they’ve had so far.
Speaking on "Busted Open Radio," the WWE Hall of Famer said, "I hope Powerhouse Hobbs can run and run fast, and I hope Wardlow is right behind him. Powerhouse Hobbs seems to be playing that role. There’s a lot of upside to Powerhouse Hobbs. And maybe he can’t talk, but I don’t know. We haven’t heard enough from Powerhouse Hobbs. But even if you can’t do that, you put him in a manager. You do something. That guy could be a great player for you."
It’s still unclear if Hobbs will make his WWE debut at the upcoming Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia, while Wardlow remains sidelined after a pectoral muscle tear in September. Before his injury, Wardlow was reportedly on track to become a main event contender in AEW, with "Hangman" Adam Page possibly targeting the AEW World Championship during his second reign.
Fan Take: This development highlights some ongoing challenges in AEW’s talent utilization and could signal a significant shift in the wrestling landscape if stars like Hobbs and Wardlow move to WWE. For AEW fans, it’s important to watch how the company adapts to retain rising talent and maintain its competitive edge in the sport.
