WWE Under Pressure To Tie RAW Star Down To New Deal

Dragon Lee became one-half of the new world tag team champions on RAW last week when he and AJ Styles defeated Finn Balor and JD McDonagh. This is the third title he's won in WWE, following runs as Speed Champion and NXT North American Champion.

The 30-year-old is one of several luchadors with bright futures with the promotion, and, as such, WWE is reportedly planning a contract extension. PWInsider's Mike Johnson reports that his name has been brought up, and some have highlighted the need to "lock Lee up for a new deal before his current one expires next year."

Lee will likely be a priority for WWE, given he was previously a success in AEW and could easily return to the company. He also spent time in ROH, where he won the World Television Championship twice.

It seems WWE intend to utilise Lee ahead of his contract expiring next year, which has led him to team up with Styles. They hold the tag titles ahead of the 48-year-old's retirement sometime in 2026.

Lee is tipped to follow in the footsteps of Rey Mysterio and become one of WWE's all-time greatest lucha libre high-flyers. He is earning worldwide notoriety as of late, while facing AAA Mega Champion Dominik Mysterio at AAA Heroes Immortales last Saturday.

Why Dragon Lee Chose WWE Over AEW

Lee had the choice between WWE and AEW in December 2022, and he opted to sign with WWE and start in NXT, rejecting offers from AEW. It was a massive decision, given the past history of Mexican stars' limited success under the Vince McMahon regime.

Dave Meltzer delved into the reason the Mexican chose WWE at the time and suggested he took advice from confidants. He wrote for the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that "he went to people who knew the US scene who told him he'd be lost in the shuffle in AEW."

Lee is one of several masked stars who are thriving in WWE today, including former AEW star Penta, who is in the Intercontinental Championship picture. The booking of his brother Rey Fenix has been questionable on SmackDown, though, taking pins and not receiving much of a push.