Report: Update On How Close Bray Wyatt Came To Joining AEW

After over a year out of professional wrestling, Bray Wyatt returned to the industry at Saturday's Extreme Rules pay-per-view, making his first appearance on WWE TV since his release in July of 2021.

Wyatt appeared on the show in the closing moments as he emerged from behind a door bathed in white light, which many believe was a tribute to his late friend Brodie Lee, and he blew out a lantern after he removed a white mask. The wrestling world has been buzzing ever since and the pop will be one that is remembered for a long time.

Wyatt's pro wrestling career could have been different, though. Past reports have noted there was "at least some interest" from All Elite Wrestling in the two-time Universal Champion following his WWE release. In an update, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer has reported that negotiations between AEW and Wyatt were so close that they actually agreed on a date for his debut. Both sides were unable to agree on a contract, however.

"Actually negotiations got to the point there was a date but like all talks they didn't come to terms," Meltzer tweeted.

AEW have signed a number of former WWE stars since the beginning of 2021 including the likes of Adam Cole, Bryan Danielson, Keith Lee, and Swerve Strickland.