Backstage News On WWE Trying To Lock Up Talent At This Week's WWE SmackDown

As we previously reported, WWE confirmed that Dean Ambrose will be leaving the company when his contract expires in April. Earlier this week, WWE sent Wrestling Inc. the following statement:

"Dean Ambrose (Jonathan Good) will not be renewing his contract with WWE when it expires in April. We are grateful and appreciative of all that Dean has given to WWE and our fans. We wish him well and hope that one day Dean will return to WWE."

PWTorch first reported that Ambrose gave his notice to WWE as he's unhappy with his position and had been for some time. Ambrose has reportedly turned down a deal that was a five-year contract worth a little more than seven figures per year.

PWInsider is reporting at this week's SmackDown, WWE officials were meeting backstage with any WWE Superstars who's contracts where going to expire within the next two years in an attempt to sign them to new deals.

WWE has been looking to sign their Superstars for five-year deals for awhile now with Kevin Owens and The Miz as recent examples. At the moment, they obviously don't want talent heading off to the newly formed All Elite Wrestling, which was partially set off by Ambrose's deciding to exit from the company in April.

The report continued that many of the talent backstage "were in amazement" as they watched WWE officials try to lock up new deals.