AEW are coming off a successful year in 2025, with the company acquiring some of the top free agents available in the pro wrestling business.
From JetSpeed and Megan Bayne to Thekla and Josh Alexander, these signings have helped to add much needed depth to the AEW roster in a meaningful way.
Heading into 2026, it would make sense for the company to acquire even more key names from the free agency market to continue expanding their roster.
Here are seven potential new AEW signings in 2026.
7. Andrade El Idolo
Back in October 2025, Andrade El Idolo made his return to All Elite Wrestling for the first time in two years when he attacked Kenny Omega at the AEW Dynamite: Sixth Anniversary.
However, El Idolo has not been seen on AEW television since then with WWE holding the former United States Champion under a reported one year non-compete clause.
Now that reports have indicated that he is now free to sign anywhere, it seems extremely likely that Andrade could re-sign with AEW.
Andrade signing with AEW could lead to a rivalry with Omega and being thrusted into the spotlight in 2026.
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6. YDNP (Jordan Oliver & Alec Price
On the December 26 Boxer Day Brawl special of ROH TV on HonorClub, Game Changer Wrestling’s Jordan Oliver and Alec Price appeared in a match against The Swirl.
Despite coming up short in this match, the duo known as YDNP had a solid showing and looked strong in defeat.
Oliver and Price have proven to be one of the most exciting and thrilling tandems on the independent scene, making a name for themselves across several different promotions as a tag team and singles stars.
At 26 and 27 years old respectively, YDNP feel like the type of tag team that could come in and connect with the AEW audience right from their debut.
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5. Miyu Yamashita
Another notable free agent who is no stranger to the AEW and ROH fanbase is Miyu Yamashita.
One of the most feared strikers in wrestling today, Yamashita made her mark over in Japan as “the ace” of Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling for years.
In her few appearances on AEW TV, Yamashita has clashed with top stars like Timeless Toni Storm and Thunder Rosa, showing that she can compete with the best the company has to offer.
Feeling like someone who can stand out and put on some exceptional matches, Yamashita would be a wonderful addition to the AEW women’s division in the new year.
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4. Charles Mason
While there are a ton of great in-ring performers on the independent scene, there are not a lot of names that are mostly known for their character work and mic skills.
Unlike many of his peers, microphone and character work seems to be where Charles Mason excels.
Viewed as a top star for promotions like GCW and House of Glory, Mason’s sinister heel act has captured the imagination of fans around the world, making him someone who can offer something different to All Elite Wrestling.
After his recent appearance for Ring of Honor at the Hammerstein Ballroom, Mason might be on Tony Khan’s radar and could become the latest free agent AEW snags up.
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3. The Hex (Allysin Kay & Marti Belle)
AEW recently added a new title to the company with the introduction of the AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championships.
With Babes of Wrath crowned as the inaugural champions, the company would be wise to add some new duos to go against them and try to flesh out a division.
Looking at the free agency market, there might not be a more decorated and accomplished women’s tag team available quite like The Hex.
The combination of Allysin Kay and Marti Belle have won gold in almost every company they have stepped into and could prove to be a formidable opponent for all the prominent pairings in the promotion right now.
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2. Michael Oku
Ever since 2024, Michael Oku has been a name that fans and pundits have speculated to potentially sign with All Elite Wrestling.
After several appearances on AEW and ROH TV, Oku has proven himself to be an impressive in-ring competitor and someone who has a polished act ready for wrestling television.
The former two-time RevPro Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion has been in the ring with a who’s who of the best wrestlers in the world, such as Zack Sabre Jr. Minoru Suzuki, Leon Slater and Will Ospreay.
Oku signing with AEW could see him start from the bottom and work his way to a place similar to his current role as one of the best the United Kingdom has to offer.
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1. Bullet Club War Dogs (David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney)
The Bullet Club War Dogs are among one of the most popular factions in New Japan Pro Wrestling today.
Most recently, reports have circulated to indicate that War Dogs members David Finlay, Clark Connors and Drilla Moloney’s contracts with NJPW are set to expire at the beginning of 2026.
Meanwhile, their stablemate Gabe Kidd has been a regular part of AEW TV as an affiliate of The Death Riders alongside Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, PAC, Wheeler Yuta, Daniel Garcia and Marina Shafir.
Kidd opening the door for Finlay, Moloney and Connors to bring the War Dogs to AEW would be intriguing to watch unfold in the new year.
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