5 Things that AEW got right in 2020

#4 AEW was right to be selective about new talent acquisitions in 2020

Welcome to the team...#Miro is #AllElite pic.twitter.com/SEYxAnAacJ

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 10, 2020

When WWE fired in excess of 20 active in-ring performers in mid-April as part of a cost-cutting exercise, fans speculated that at least several of them would land in AEW.

AEW boss Tony Khan, though, was far more selective in his recruitment than some had predicted. Of the many Superstars that were released during that particular cull, only Miro (formerly known as Rusev in WWE) is currently a full-time member of the AEW roster.

Of course, AEW did add other former WWE Superstars to their ranks during 2020, but the likes of Matt Hardy, Brodie Lee, and FTR were all brought in prior to the mass releases being announced by WWE.

Each of those performers also had a defined creative path ready for them when they joined - and were not simply signed just because they had recently become available.

It is worth noting that Matt Cardona (formerly Zack Ryder) was also signed by AEW following his WWE release, but only worked a few select dates for the company.

There was no major influx of ex-WWE talent to AEW - and the promotion feels all the fresher for it. Rather than relying on names with years of exposure already, AEW has opted to offer opportunities to talents that have rarely had the opportunity to shine on an international stage.

"Eighteen years says I deserve this shot!" - @MadKing1981.It's Eddie Kingston vs. @JonMoxley in your main event tonight for the AEW World Championship on @TNTDrama. pic.twitter.com/6ULfXF2lPw

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 24, 2020

Performers such as Ricky Starks, Eddie Kingston and Brian Cage (amongst others) have all been given that chance by AEW - and have each delivered.

AEW's recruitment policies in 2020 have proven successful.