Over the past few years, WWE has brought a growing number of former AEW stars into the company that have played a variety of roles.
Whether it be Cody Rhodes and Jade Cargill or Ethan Page and Blake Monroe, these talents have made an impact on the company, while changing the landscape up and down the card.
Looking at the current AEW roster, there could be a few more stars that could make a similar jump to these current WWE names and find themselves in a brand new company in 2026.
Here are eight AEW stars to potentially join WWE in 2026.
8. Chris Jericho
When All Elite Wrestling first started, no free agent signing might have been more important than Chris Jericho.
Coming into and becoming the first ever AEW World Champion, Jericho was immediately positioned as the face of the promotion.
However, things have changed six years later with Jericho being absent from AEW television since April and rumors of interest from WWE for his return.
2026 could see Jericho finally leave AEW and make his way back to WWE where he will have plenty of fresh matchups against the likes of LA Knight, Logan Paul and Dominik Mysterio.
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7. Danhausen
Danhausen was once one of the more popular stars being featured on AEW television after signing with the company in 2022.
However, the “Very Nice, Very Evil” star has not been featured on AEW programming for nearly two years now.
With his contract set to expire in February 2026, it would make a lot of sense for both sides to go their separate ways, allowing Danhausen to leave.
Considering his drawing power as a merchandise mover and his relationship with current WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk, Danhausen could come into WWE and become a wonderful addition to the NXT brand.
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6. The Righteous (Vincent & Dutch)
Back in May 2025, The Righteous left All Elite Wrestling after requesting and being granted their release from the promotion.
Spending two years with the company, Vincent and Dutch had established their characters and was regularly featured on ROH TV throughout their time working for Tony Khan.
With their eccentric and unique personalities, The Righteous feel like a duo that could bring an interesting dynamic to WWE via the TNA and NXT partnership.
While they may not sign with the company in the near future, Dutch and Vincent could still make an impression and bring mayhem to the NXT tag team division.
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5. Billy Gunn
An original signing of All Elite Wrestling, Billy Gunn started with the company in 2019 as a coach and producer.
However, Gunn would later serve as the second for his sons Colten and Austin Gunn as an overbearing father. This led to Billy’s best role in AEW as “Daddy Ass” alongside The Acclaimed, leading them to the AEW World Tag Team Championship.
The WWE Hall of Famer is someone who would fit in nicely with the current dynamic in the creative room of his former promotion consisting of Triple H and “Road Dogg” Bryan James.
If “Daddy Ass” decides to make the jump, he could be in for his biggest role yet as one of those responsible for crafting the future of the company and industry.
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4. Paige (Saraya)
In March 2025, Saraya announced her departure from All Elite Wrestling following a three-year run with the promotion.
Saraya has made it very clear that she is more than open to making a WWE return and reclaiming her Paige moniker.
Looking at the current WWE women’s division, there are plenty of fresh opponents for Paige upon her return to the company.
With reports of her training for an in-ring return, fans could see Paige back in WWE by the time the calendar turns to 2026.
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3. Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen)
Private Party enjoyed one of the best years of their career in 2024 after reaching the mountaintop and becoming AEW World Tag Team Champions.
However, 2025 started on the wrong foot when they lost the gold to Hurt Syndicate’s Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin in January.
Isiah Kassidy and Marq Quen have one of the most exciting and thrilling in-ring styles of any tag team out there and would be an excellent addition to WWE if they left AEW.
With their AEW deals set to expire, Private Party could make WWE their new home in 2026.
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2. Keith Lee
Ahead of AEW Worlds End in December 2023, Keith Lee was pulled from his scheduled match with Swerve Strickland due to Lee’s lingering back injury.
This led to “The Limitless One” missing the past two years of in-ring action with no indication of his impending return.
After revealing that he is healthy and cleared to compete, it might be time for Lee to find a new home if AEW is not ready to use him.
Lee could leave AEW in 2026 and make his way back to WWE where he might be able to fulfill his potential under Triple H as head of creative.
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1. Britt Baker
Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. has been someone that has found herself in the headlines with questions about her status in All Elite Wrestling.
After returning in June 2024, Baker was removed from television in November and has not been seen on AEW programming since then.
The former AEW Women’s World Champion is someone who still has plenty of star power and charisma that should be utilized if she is under contract.
With her deal set to expire in 2026, Baker could be the top free agent signing for WWE from former AEW talent available.
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