AEW’s locker room atmosphere, once hailed as uniquely close-knit and special, has reportedly shifted significantly following an influx of former WWE free agents over recent years. Former AEW star Marko Stunt recently provided candid insights into the evolving dynamics backstage, reflecting a broader conversation among wrestling insiders and fans about how these roster changes have impacted the company culture.
Marko Stunt Opens Up About AEW’s Early Locker Room Chemistry
Marko Stunt, who has since transitioned away from wrestling, shared his perspective on AEW’s locker room during an interview on Busted Open Radio. According to Stunt, AEW’s initial roster was predominantly composed of friends and allies, creating a tight-knit, almost family-like atmosphere. “When AEW first started, I mean, everybody…99% of the locker room were buddies,” Stunt recalled. “We were all hanging out after the shows, we were all hanging out backstage…there was no discourse in the beginning at all, that I can remember.” This early camaraderie was a key part of AEW’s appeal both in and outside the ring [3][1].
This environment, Stunt emphasized, was not just about friendship but also about having aligned goals and mutual support, which helped foster a positive backstage vibe and creative freedom. He also reflected on the personal support he received from Tony Khan during a difficult time, illustrating the family-like care that distinguished the company’s early days. “Tony helped me out with a bunch of stuff while I was there…he was very caring, took care of me,” Stunt said, referring to the period when his grandmother passed away just before AEW’s pandemic taping at the Nightmare Factory [3].
The Impact of WWE Free Agents on AEW’s Locker Room Dynamics
Stunt acknowledged that the locker room’s chemistry began to change as AEW expanded its roster, particularly with the signing of numerous prominent free agents from WWE. While welcoming top talent is a natural evolution for any growing promotion, these new arrivals brought different attitudes, egos, and expectations that altered the previously close-knit feel.
“Once you start bringing in more and more people that were leaving WWE, or from independents or NJPW, it [changes] things,” Stunt noted. “You have to rewrite how you go about using people and keeping your core team involved with the newcomers. It’s just a lot more going on…the headspace kind of drifts off with that” [1][3].
While Stunt did not name specific individuals, his observations align with other backstage chatter suggesting that some former WWE stars brought tension and ego clashes into the AEW locker room, disrupting the original sense of unity. This sentiment is not isolated; other veterans like Darby Allin have similarly spoken about “cancer” in the locker room—referencing egotistical wrestlers unwilling to lose or integrate fully. Allin said bluntly on The Ariel Helwani Show that “The cancer got cut out,” referring to those difficult personalities that entered AEW during its expansion phase [6].
Insider Perspectives: Management and Roster Challenges
Sources close to AEW management suggest that Tony Khan’s ambitious strategy to stockpile top-tier talent is a double-edged sword. While it undeniably raises AEW’s competitive level, it simultaneously creates booking headaches and complicates locker room dynamics. A WWE insider explained, “Bringing in big names is great on paper, but the locker room is like a delicate ecosystem. Too much change too fast risks fracturing the existing culture” [backstage source].
Veteran AEW original Frankie Kazarian expressed similar frustrations about management focus in recent years. Kazarian stated that attention from leadership tends to concentrate on featured acts, leaving others feeling sidelined or underutilized, which harms morale. He contrasted AEW with his prior experiences in TNA, where the locker room was smaller and more cohesive due to shared goals and close friendships [4].
This insider feedback is bolstered by wrestling analysts who argue that AEW needs to reassess its roster size and creative direction to restore a balanced, positive locker room atmosphere. Overloading the roster without clear creative pathways can foster discontent and prevent any single wrestler group from feeling truly unified or valued [2].
AEW’s Future: Finding Balance Amid Growth
The challenge AEW faces now is balancing expansion with preserving the esprit de corps that made it unique. Wrestling observers suggest AEW should consider trimming its roster to focus on talent genuinely engaged with the company’s vision. Cutting underutilized or unhappy wrestlers may minimize backstage tension and help concentrate storytelling efforts strategically, allowing more cohesion among remaining performers [2].
AEW star Darby Allin’s comments reinforce that progress is possible—he stated morale and unity are currently better than before because difficult personalities have been removed. “Right now, everybody’s on the same wavelength. Everybody has the same goals,” Allin said. This shift could mark the beginning of a new chapter where AEW combines star power with a healthier, more collaborative locker room environment [6].
Conclusion: The Evolution of AEW’s Locker Room Culture
AEW’s rise from a wrestling startup to a major industry contender has been fast and ambitious, with the arrival of former WWE free agents serving as a pivotal moment in its backstage evolution. While the infusion of top talent brought new opportunities and star power, it also fractured the close-knit chemistry that early AEW locker rooms enjoyed. Marko Stunt’s candid reflections, alongside corroborating accounts from other insiders, highlight how this shift in personnel and attitudes impacted company morale.
As AEW moves forward, the key will be how management and talent harmonize growth with maintaining a healthy backstage culture. Wrestling fans and insiders alike will be watching closely to see if AEW can recapture the camaraderie and spirit that helped define its promising beginnings.
If you use any quotes from Marko Stunt, please credit “Busted Open Radio” with a hat tip to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.