5 Stars who rejected big-money contract offers from WWE

#2. Kenny Omega

Kenny Omega

Kenny Omega is one of All Elite Wrestling's biggest names, and his signature represented a real coup for them when he signed for the company.

The athlete was a free agent after leaving NJPW, and it is little surprise that WWE was keen to have discussions with the Canadian. They reportedly tabled an offer to the 36-year-old, who opted to spurn their advances and link up with the likes of Cody and The Young Bucks.

Omega has enjoyed a storied career to date, wrestling for the likes of ROH as well as NJPW, AEW, and a string of others. That all came, however, after a spell in WWE's developmental territory during his formative years.

Omega would later say that, while he didn't think he'd end up signing with WWE, he was very complimentary about how they conducted themselves during contract negotiations.

He said:

"I didn’t think they’d ever be in the running. I was like ‘yeah, I’ll hear you guys out’ but I didn’t think it’d be good because everyone was telling me, well, what to expect. I have nothing but great things to say about them. In the end, AEW was the best thing for me and, you know, it’s the most exciting choice I’ve made in my career."