There could be some surprise new signings ahead for WWE with familiar faces in former champions returning to the company.
From NXT stars that never hit the main roster to nostalgic favorites, there are some interesting names potentially poised to re-sign with WWE in the near future.
Here are nine former WWE Champions who could re-sign with the company.
9. Chris Jericho
While Chris Jericho was a major signing for AEW when the company was launched in 2019, it is possible the AEW original could be on his way back to WWE.
After losing the ROH World Title to Bandido at AEW Dynasty, Jericho appeared on his ‘TV Time’ talk show segment in which he destroyed the set and said he was leaving, effectively writing himself off of TV.
Per a press release in 2022, Jericho’s contract is set to expire at the end of December 2025, and with his continued conspicuous absence ahead of AEW’s biggest event of the summer – All In Texas – speculation continues to build.
Jericho has also been more open than ever in recent interviews about a return to WWE being a possibility after shooting the idea down in previous years, so it appears even he sees the switch as an option come the end of the year.
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8. Matt & Jeff Hardy
Not only do Matt & Jeff Hardy remain WWE fan favorites, but there is also still unfinished business for the accomplished duo.
The Hardy Boyz re-signed on new one-year contracts with TNA in late 2024, and since doing so, they have returned to WWE action via NXT.
In an interview in July 2025 with Ariel Helwani, the Hardy Boyz didn’t rule out a return to WWE, noting that the partnership between the promotions means it could happen even while they’re still signed to TNA.
Specifically hoping to return for one final run and referencing desire to enter the WWE Hall of Fame one day, the pair certainly didn’t squelch rumors that they could be WWE-bound sooner rather than later.
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7. Adam Cole
While Adam Cole won both the NXT Championship and NXT North American Championship during his time with WWE, he never joined the main roster.
Instead, after departing NXT at the end of his contract in 2021, he re-appeared a short time later in AEW at All Out.
However, now that there is a Triple H led creative team in WWE, it seems possible that Adam Cole could consider returning one day.
While he is currently the TNT Champion, there aren’t specific contract details known about when his time with AEW is up – particularly in light of time out of action due to injury – but he could always be back to WWE within a few years.
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6. Keith Lee
Last seen in action in AEW back in December 2023, Keith Lee recently confirmed that he is fine despite his continued absence.
Responding to inquiring minds on Twitter – including a fan suggesting a campaign to request Tony Khan bring Lee back to AEW TV – Keith Lee’s response was intriguing.
He wrote: “I’ve been good for quite some time, though I do appreciate the concern. But no campaign required. Things happen the way they are suppose to, and eventually, the purpose will show itself.”
Similarly to Adam Cole, things have changed a lot since the pair of former NXT and North American Champions left, and they could find better footing in a Triple H led WWE.
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5. AJ Lee
With the upcoming all-female WWE premium live event Evolution set for July 13 in Atlanta, Georgia, one of the former Divas Champions that fans most frequently book to return is AJ Lee.
AJ Lee won the Divas Championship both the most number of times at three (tied with Eve Torres), and for the longest time at 405 combined days.
While she seems quite booked and busy with her own producing and writing career, it is possible that she could be lured out of retirement for such a special event.
It would certainly be the ultimate surprise to see Lee return in the Evolution battle royal, but perhaps a massive return for the long-time fan favorite would be best suited for the Royal Rumble.
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4. Paige
Saraya captured the AEW Women’s Championship during her time in the company, but in WWE, Paige had already been a two-time WWE Divas Champion and NXT Women’s Champion.
Since by all accounts she remains a free agent, it would make sense to see her back in WWE.
With Paige never having closed the door to re-signing with WWE, a return could be possible in the future, but the time is particularly right this summer. With the upcoming all-female WWE Evolution premium live event on July 13 set to host a battle royal – it would be great to see Paige included.
Other potential women’s division champions who could make returns include Brie Bella, Alicia Fox (currently Victoria Crawford in TNA Wrestling) or the 14-time 24/7 Champion Dana Brooke (Ash by Elegance in TNA).
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3. Baron Corbin
One of the more surprising departures in 2024 was that of long-time WWE star Baron Corbin. Having been with the company for twelve years, Corbin amassed several championships during his tenure including the NXT Tag Team Championship with Bron Breakker and the WWE United States Championship.
While he had reinvented himself in NXT and gained fan support in the process, he was then drafted to SmackDown in the 2024 WWE Draft and things fizzled out from there.
After departing the company, he has re-invented himself again using the ring name Bishop Dyer and has competed in GCW and Maple Leaf Pro, as well as becoming MLW World Tag Team Champion with Dijak.
While he may not be looking to re-sign with WWE in the near future, it is definitely possible that we’ll see Baron Corbin return someday.
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2. Brie Bella
While Nikki Bella may have had notably long Divas Championship reigns, the first Bella twin to capture singles gold was actually Brie in 2011.
Holding the Divas Championship for 70 days, she would go on to lose the title to Kelly Kelly on the episode of Raw dubbed ‘Power to the People’ where fans voted for Bella’s opponent between Kelly, Eve Torres and Beth Phoenix.
With the return of Nikki Bella to WWE in 2025, rumors have pointed to the idea that Brie may be close behind.
While a possible Bellas vs Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez match is now out of the question, there could still be other ways for the duo to be involved in Evolution together as opposed to just Nikki.
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1. Billy Gunn
Billy Gunn is a unique case of someone under contract with WWE and AEW at present.
While his WWE deal is only a merchandising contract – which explains his WWE 2K25 inclusion as a DLC character – he is still under a full-time contract with AEW.
Without specific details known about his current contract length, and given his obvious history with Triple H and WWE, perhaps Gunn could be poised for a return.
While he may be less interested in in-ring competition, perhaps returning to WWE in on-screen authority role or even manager could be in the future, with the futures of his sons Austin and Colten worth keeping in mind as well.
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