Cody Says It Could Be A Fun Challenge To Have UFC Fighters Compete In AEW

Cody discusses what type of talent AEW is looking for.

“The American Nightmare” Cody and The Young Bucks along with the Khan family are moving full speed ahead with the All Elite Wrestling promotion and information about the talent roster, a possible TV deal and more has been unveiled. AEW will be presenting ‘Double Or Nothing’ on May 25th in Las Vegas, Nevada and the talent roster for that show and for AEW moving forward will be “fresh” according to Executive Vice President Cody Rhodes.

TMZ Sports caught up with Cody and Brandi Rhodes at an airport and asked Cody a few questions about AEW. One of the questions had to do with what is the company looking for in terms of talent and Cody explained that it is all about finding fresh faces and not continuously reminding wrestling fans that the Attitude Era was great because everyone knows how great it was.

“I think we’re looking for wrestlers and I don’t knock anything in the main stream, but that’s what we [wanted] with ALL IN was fresh, fresh product. [It’s] a mistake if you try to lead with familiar faces from the days of old.” Cody said. “We can’t just keep reminding people that the Attitude Era was great. We already know it was really great. This era can be really good too so, that’s my goal and that’s my job is to find the fresh guys you know?”

Cody commented on the idea of having UFC fighters transition over to AEW and stated that it could be a fun challenge. He said that they would need to have the passion for wrestling and even with all of the athletic ability in the world, passion can not be taught.

“That might be a fun challenge.” Cody said of having UFC fighters in AEW. “I think something like that, if they have the passion for wrestling it really works out. But you can’t… that’s one of my big knocks is you can’t teach passion. So, as long as it’s somebody who’s passionate about it and knows it’s kind of a hard gig which those guys already bust their ass, I could imagine that would be a cool little crossover.”

To stay up to date with the AEW talent roster, click here. If the quotes in this article are used, please credit TMZ Sports with an H/T to Fightful for the transcriptions.