Since its inception in 2019, AEW has continually kept its roster fresh by signing some of professional wrestling’s biggest free agents.
Moreover, its partnerships with major promotions such as New Japan Pro-Wrestling, CMLL, and top joshi company Stardom have ensured that international talent frequently appears on AEW programming.
The question now is — which big-name star could be next to debut in AEW?
WrestleTalk considers the possibilities.
6. Sareee
In recent years, Sareee has made a strong case for being one of the very best in-ring wrestlers in the world, combining ferocious, hard-hitting offence with explosive power moves and seamless submission transitions.
Choosing to remain a freelancer, she has appeared across top joshi promotions Stardom and the WWE-affiliated Marigold, while also promoting her own critically acclaimed independent events: SAREEE-ISM.
Currently the IWGP Women’s Champion, the 29-year-old recently appeared in AEW’s sister promotion Ring of Honor, successfully defending her IWGP Women’s Heavyweight title against Alex Windsor.
Clearly already on Tony Khan’s radar, could we soon see Sareee bring her exceptional in-ring ability to AEW proper?
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5. Cedric Alexander
Cedric Alexander joined TNA Wrestling in June after being released from WWE earlier in the year.
However, it appears that the 36-year-old only signed a short-term deal with TNA, which is reportedly set to expire soon, according to Fightful.
Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that MVP has been pushing for Alexander to be brought into AEW, reuniting with his old faction as part of The Hurt Syndicate.
Given his history with the group in WWE, there’s every chance we could soon see Alexander make the jump to AEW.
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4. Shayna Baszler
Shayna Baszler was released from WWE in May and, while her non-compete clause has now expired, she has yet to find a permanent home promotion outside of some scheduled indie appearances.
Given her name value in pro-wrestling, it seems likely we’ll see her sign with another major company sooner rather than later.
And there’s every chance that promotion could be AEW.
Baszler has a long-time relationship with AEW’s Death Rider Marina Shafir — the pair share a background as pro MMA fighters and training partners — and with the imminent tournament for the newly announced AEW Women’s Tag Team Championships, we could see her brought in as Shafir’s partner.
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3. Killer Kross & Scarlett Bordeaux
Karrion Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux left WWE in August after Kross’s contract expired.
At the time, many assumed the departure was part of a storyline, especially with growing crowd support for Kross — but that now appears not to be the case.
The 40-year-old has since reverted to his Killer Kross persona and returned to work on the indies.
In a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet, Kross and Bordeaux stated that it “wouldn’t be fair” to Tony Khan for them to sign with AEW while still in talks with WWE — but could this all be an elaborate ruse to ensure a huge surprise reaction when the pair eventually debut in AEW?
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2. AJ Styles
It was reported by Fightful last month that AJ Styles’ WWE contract expires next February.
The 48-year-old star has stated repeatedly that his time in the ring is almost up and that he is soon to retire.
However, could we see the star have a run in AEW before the curtain closes on his career?
Still able to go at a high level, there are several dream matches on the table in AEW — from Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay, Swerve Strickland and Kyle Fletcher — could he be tempted by the possibility?
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1. Go Shiozaki
In news that surprised many long-term fans of the Japanese scene, it was announced last week that Go Shiozaki is leaving Pro Wrestling NOAH.
Shiozaki began his career with the promotion in 2004 and is a five-time GHC Heavyweight Champion — the company’s top title.
At 43 years old, Shiozaki remains a tremendous in-ring performer, known for throwing some of the hardest chops in all of professional wrestling.
Given AEW’s emphasis on world-class in-ring work, it would be no surprise to see the Japanese standout brought into the company.
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