With several notable names having been absent from AEW as of late, there could be several on the verge of making big returns.
From those who were out of action after sustaining injuries, to others who were busy with Hollywood projects, there could be some major players on the verge of making a return.
Here are five absent AEW stars that could be returning in the near future.
5. Britt Baker
In the lead-up to AEW’s latest pay-per-view Full Gear 2025, Tony Khan made an in-person appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show.
On the program, Helwani asked about numerous stars that hadn’t been seen in AEW in quite some time but the most interesting answer came in regards to Baker.
Speaking highly of her abilities in the ring and outside of it as a professional, Khan continued to note a previous sentiment that he would love to see her return for the right story.
While certainly no specifics were given, there is definitely a solid reason for Baker to make a return at Full Gear 2025 with two of her major foes in Mercedes Mone and Kris Statlander facing off against one another for the AEW Women’s World Championship.
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4. MJF
Also brought up in Tony Khan’s recent chat with Ariel Helwani was the impending return to AEW of MJF.
Last appearing at AEW All Out 2025 taking on Mark Briscoe in a Tables n’ Tacks match in September, there were also reports that explained MJF’s absence.
Filming for a new horror movie, it seems that MJF will be poised for a return sometime in the near future and potentially even at Full Gear 2025 in his own backyard of New Jersey.
Given that the main event title bout of the night is between two former foes of MJF — Samoa Joe and Hangman Adam Page — perhaps his return is imminent.
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3. Adam Copeland
Another top AEW star who has been out of action as of late is Adam Copeland albeit having been written off TV in a dramatic fashion.
After reuniting with Christian Cage at AEW All Out 2025 in September and beating FTR in a match, the aftermath left Copeland shaken.
While his WWE Hall of Famer wife Beth Copeland appeared during the match, she would end up falling victim to a package piledriver from FTR in a post-match attack. It was revealed in a backstage segment that Copeland felt he needed to take time away after the violence.
However in real life Copeland was filming for his Disney+ series Percy Jackson and the Olympians where he plays the God of War Ares. With Copeland’s return expected after filming ends, it could be sooner rather than later.
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2. Hikaru Shida
Former AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida hasn’t seen any in-ring action in AEW since November 2024.
Although she hasn’t been competing stateside, she has continued to perform for numerous promotions in Japan.
Recently noting that her absence from AEW was in part due to VISA issues, Shida also noted an important development regarding her relationship with the company.
Announcing on social media in October that she had extended her contract with AEW, further details weren’t revealed but she could perhaps be back any time.
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1. Jay White
One major name from AEW that has been out of action for much of 2025 is “Switchblade” Jay White.
After suffering a broken hand during a match against Kevin Knight in March 2025, Jay White was pulled from competition and has yet to make his return.
Utilizing the time away to also get a shoulder surgery after having been plagued by pain for quite some time, White has been expected to remain out of action for the duration of 2026.
However, with rehab timing all differing based on individual athletes, there could be a surprise return coming from the Switchblade sometime ahead of schedule.
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