To start 2026, AEW has already seen Andrade El Idolo make his return to the promotion.
With just over six weeks remaining until AEW Revolution 2026, the company could welcome back some other notable stars in time for the huge event.
From former champions to legendary names, the talent who could come back into the fold at Revolution may drastically alter the landscape of the entire promotion.
Here are eight potential returns at AEW Revolution 2026.
8. Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley, MVP & Shelton Benjamin)
After their AEW debut in the fall of 2024, it did not take long for The Hurt Syndicate to exert their dominance on the company.
2025 kicked off with Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin winning the AEW World Tag Team Championships and going on an impressive run with the gold.
With MVP by their side, Hurt Syndicate were proven to be a formidable force unlike anything seen in the company before.
While Bobby Lashley has reportedly been dealing with injury, Hurt Syndicate making their return at AEW Revolution 2026 could see them step up to the plate to challenge FTR next for the gold.
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7. The Butcher & The Blade
Recently, The Butcher took to social media to reveal that he and his tag team partner The Blade planned on making their return soon after suffering injuries that have sidelined them for nearly two years.
Since debuting in 2019, The Butcher and The Blade has been one of the more intimidating pairings to ever step in an AEW ring.
With battles against the likes of The Young Bucks and FTR, Butcher & Blade making their return could see them thrust themselves back into the limelight again.
The Butcher and The Blade coming back at AEW Revolution 2026 could allow them the opportunity to make their mark in the promotion once more.
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6. Hikaru Shida
While many talents on this list are those who have suffered injury, Hikaru Shida has had to deal with other issues that have kept them from the company.
The former three-time AEW Women’s World Champion has been away from the promotion for well over a year with Visa issues that have now been resolved.
Considering the AEW women’s division has now been expanded with the addition of Women’s Tag Team Championships, Shida coming back right now could see her with even more options to become a champion once again.
Proving to be “the ace” of the women’s scene, Shida is someone who would be a welcomed addition to the company with a return at AEW Revolution 2026.
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5. Keith Lee
Ahead of AEW Worlds End in December 2023, Keith Lee was pulled from the card to deal with lingering back injuries.
This led to a now two-year-plus absence from AEW television for “The Limitless One” with no signs of making a return.
However, Lee revealed that he was in fact healthy and ready to make his return in the summer of 2025.
With a new year underway, Lee should make his return at AEW Revolution 2026 where he could make a huge splash and immediately kickstart his comeback on the right note.
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4. Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.
Another AEW star who has been sidelined from television for over a year now is Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.
The former AEW Women’s World Champion has been one of the biggest homegrown stars in the history of the company and someone who should be in the spotlight.
Considering her lengthy absence from the promotion, Baker should be positioned as a major star in the AEW women’s division upon her return.
AEW Revolution could be a perfect stage for Baker to step right back into a key position within the women’s division and step up to the plate for another shot at championship gold.
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3. Adam Copeland & Christian Cage
At AEW All Out 2025, Adam Copeland and Christian Cage defeated FTR. Post match, Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler got a measure of revenge by delivering a pair of Spike Piledrivers to both Christian and Adam’s wife Beth Copeland.
Following this assault, Adam Copeland and Christian Cage revealed that they were taking some time off from the company.
With the legendary duo being absent from AEW TV for the past four months, it feels like the right time for Copeland and Christian to make their return.
Considering their victory over current AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR, Copeland and Christian could return at AEW Revolution 2026 where they could step up to their rivals for their crack at the gold.
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2. Jay White
Ahead of competing in the Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament, Jay White announced that he had to be pulled from the field due to a broken hand injury.
While dealing with his broken hand, White also underwent shoulder surgery for that injury as well.
After being sidelined from AEW TV for over seven months now, “Switchblade” feels like someone who could become a key player in the world title picture upon his return.
Despite still being out of action, White returning at AEW Revolution 2025 could dramatically alter the main event scene for the company moving forward.
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1. Will Ospreay
Another main event level talent who has been away from All Elite Wrestling over the past few months is Will Ospreay.
Following an attack from Jon Moxley and The Death Riders at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2025, Ospreay underwent neck surgery to recover from lingering issues.
“The Aerial Assassin” has long been one of the best in-ring performers in the world today and has been a threat for the AEW World Title.
With his former rival MJF now holding the gold and a strong field of challengers gunning for the title, Ospreay returning at AEW Revolution 2026 could see him become a key player in the championship picture moving forward.
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