Mike Bailey: Exclusive Contracts Are Bad for Wrestlers’ Development, Praises AEW Partnerships

Mike Bailey told Adrian Hernandez that while exclusive contracts serve a business purpose, they are “bad for pro wrestlers” and hinder in-ring development and diversity. He argued that limiting who can work where prevents dream match-ups and noted AEW’s partnerships with CMLL and New Japan as a positive step toward letting the best wrestlers — regardless of language or background — compete at the top.

Bailey recently worked three CMLL shows in Mexico, headlining the April 3 Arena Mexico card while defending the AEW World Trios titles alongside Kevin Knight and Mistico, and picking up additional wins at Arena Coliseo and Arena Mexico. He, Knight and Mistico are scheduled to defend the Trios titles on Collision against Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors and David Finlay in a match taped in Edmonton; Bailey’s full interview with Hernandez contains his extended thoughts on exclusivity in wrestling.

Originally reported by Wrestling Observer: https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/mike-bailey-exclusive-contracts-are-bad-for-pro-wrestlers/