AAW Owner Prohibiting Talent Working Their Events From Taking Other Chicago Bookings

By Jake Drury Last updated Apr 24, 2019

AAW: Professional Wrestling Redefined has been in business since 2005 in the Chicago area. They are what is considered an “upper tier” independent promotion and have featured many top wrestling stars on their events.

Owner Danny Daniels recently posted a statement on how AAW will operate their business going forward. The jist of it is, if you are a talent working for AAW, you cannot work for local competitors Black Label Pro, Freelance Wrestling or Warrior Wrestling.

There’s been a lot of chatter about how Aaw runs their business. I don’t force anyone to work for me. We don’t have the finances to offer contracts so how would that be even possible? But since it’s our money on the line, we should be able to pick who works for us right?
— Danny Daniels (@aawdannydaniels) April 24, 2019

It’s our choice to not use talent who work in the area. Do I want the best talent to work for AAW? Of course because our fans demand it. But we have to be wise that everyone on the roster is worth taking the financial risk on. Trying to be different is the goal.
— Danny Daniels (@aawdannydaniels) April 24, 2019

This is my official statement that I sent to a few wrestling websites that asked about ⁦@AAWPro⁩ booking policy. This is my final statement on it. If you want to chat about it privately, my DMs are open pic.twitter.com/BFQwJ3tjss
— Danny Daniels (@aawdannydaniels) April 24, 2019

After posting this message, wrestlers chimes in with their own opinions on the matter.

Again anyone can tell me not to work somewhere and I will laugh and go on with my business. That is my choice anyone can make a choice. No one has power over us no one. So they can say whatever they want we have a choice to listen or do it or not.
— Eddie Kingston (@MadKing1981) April 25, 2019

Those are “names”. They’re in a different category as they can be seen on tv and are one step from big leagues (if they’re aren’t or haven’t been there). I believe he’s referring to local talent.
— Tristen Law (@therealbigtris) April 25, 2019

Oh. This is 100% about @AAWPro telling ppl they can’t work @BLabelPro @FreelanceWres & @WarriorWrstlng

Whatever. Get over it. IDGAF anymore. https://t.co/W8VrAkDuKs
— All Ego Ethan Page (@OfficialEGO) April 23, 2019

Well, @AAWPro has always taken care of me, gives me consistent monthly work, and it pays my bills. I stand with the one company who still believed in me when everyone else lost faith. I am HAPPY that fans come specifically to AAW to see me do what I do best.
— Jessicka Havok (@FearHavok) April 24, 2019

If you run a wrestling company in a city with multiple promotions then being unique is #1 priority. You can't do that by booking the same talent as the rest. @AAWPro can set any criteria they want to work for their company.
— Greg Anthony (@GoldenBoyGreg) April 23, 2019

I cosign
— J.D. Drake (@RealJDDrake) April 23, 2019

You can work for whomever you want. And a booker can choose not to book you for whatever reason they want. It’s just business. Bro. Who gives a fuck.
— Jimmy Jacobs (@JimmyJacobsX) April 23, 2019

You pride yourself on being real… Always the truth, no matter who is bothered & regardless whether they want to hear it.
I respect that & you.

Meanwhile, he’s happy taking a dollar out of your pocket, so that he can make another one on top of it.
Fuck all that & fuck him too.
— Arik Cannon (@arikcannon) April 25, 2019

I’ve also given AAW the option to cancel me on their Texas event May 31.

They’ve announced me already so I’ll honor the date.

But I couldn’t care less working for them at this point.

When can we take the power back for the guys & girls in wrestling ????
— All Ego Ethan Page (@OfficialEGO) April 23, 2019

Popular Twitter users and wrestling journalists also gave their two cents.

It’s not that people don't see the value in what you’re trying to do. But at this point, all of the promotions I just mentioned have pretty distinct identities. I don’t think that changes if Wrestler X who only works AAW in Chicago starts taking dates w/ any of the other 3.
— David Bixenspan (@davidbix) April 24, 2019

https://twitter.com/mcdreabean/status/1121224174486413312?s=21

You are just another old school Chicago con man that's afraid of competition. Nothing more. You can doll up your response to try and save face but at the end of the day, you are afraid of not being at "the popular table" anymore.
— The Truth Troll (@ImTheTruthTroll) April 24, 2019

The only individual that is only working for AAW and no one else is Armando Estrada. Everyone else takes outside bookings. Everyone. The refs, the wrestlers, the photographers, everyone except for Danny and Armando. And that by choice for Armando.
— Jason (@JPLikesStuff) April 25, 2019

This is a ridiculous statement. No one at AAW is being financially hindered if they don't work at the others. If you're flown in to work AAW you're going to work all over the country. Local guys are not making a living off of wrestling anyway and still work elsewhere.
— Jason (@JPLikesStuff) April 25, 2019

There are many opinions being thrown out there from wrestlers and fans alike. It seems as if every couple of hours a new round of discourse starts up.

The detractors seem to be more upset at AAW for not being consistent in their beliefs, while the supporters agree that you need to be unique to draw fans.

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