With AEW continuing to pick up free agents with significant history elsewhere in professional wrestling, there could be more ahead.
From former WWE stars that could make a big debut in AEW in the vein of Tommaso Ciampa or more arrivals from NJPW to AEW like Gabe Kidd & Clark Connors, there may be more to come.
Here are seven more new free agents that could sign with AEW.
7. Saya Kamitani
A potential debutant who could become a major force in AEW’s growing women’s division is Saya Kamitani.
The dynamic star who became the first woman to be voted Tokyo Sport MVP in 2025 recently returned to action after taking some time off for health reasons.
Appearing at STARDOM’s Supreme Fight in Korakuen 2026 event on January 31, Kamitani took aim at her future World of STARDOM Championship opponent, Starlight Kid.
Ahead of their bout on February 7 in Osaka, Kamitani upped the stakes when she unmasked Starlight Kid.
Previously dropping the New Japan Strong Women’s Championship to Syuri after a 99 day reign, it could be that the compelling Kamitani is dropping titles in preparation to depart to AEW.
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6. EVIL
Former House of Torture faction leader EVIL is another star with rumors swirling about him and his in-ring future.
After an announcement from NJPW on January 25 that EVIL was set to depart the company, it may be that he is headed for a US-based promotion sooner rather than later.
With the recent defection from NJPW of Clark Connors thought to have signed with AEW, we might see another NJPW alumnus make the jump.
While reports note that EVIL may be in talks with WWE, there could certainly be other new AEW recruits coming from a recent crop of NJPW departures.
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5. LJ Cleary
One free agent who attended a WWE tryout last year was impressive Irish independent wrestler LJ Cleary.
Appearing on-screen in WWE during a match between his real life fiancée Lyra Valkyria and Becky Lynch at Backlash 2025, there didn’t end up being an in-ring debut from Cleary.
Already competing in the United States in 2026 in MLW, we could see LJ Cleary next return stateside to wrestle for a Tony Khan owned company.
Able to appear across ROH and AEW with a unique style and look, Cleary could become a major player in the future of either men’s divisions.
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4. Hiromu Takahashi
Hiromu Takahashi is another major star whose NJPW departure announcement got the wrestling world talking.
With NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi even commenting on the announcement of his departure that Takahashi’s February 11 appearance for the promotion would be his last, there was a bit of a clue as to what the future may hold.
In lieu of referencing retirement or time off, it was instead noted that Takahashi planned to continue to pursue his dreams in professional wrestling.
Possibly set for a brand new stage, it could be that the top name from NJPW is simply the latest to make the leap from the Japanese promotion to AEW.
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3. Killer Kelly
A potential former TNA Knockouts standout that could make her way to AEW is Killer Kelly.
While the former TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Champion previously found her home in that company, it was recently revealed that she would be leaving the promotion when her current contract expired.
Potentially able to find a new home in AEW, the TV-ready character could certainly build new rivalries or even approach old foes already on the roster.
Possibly entering the AEW women’s tag-team division, a debut from Killer Kelly could be on the horizon soon.
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2. Syuri
At least on a crossover basis, we could soon see Syuri joining the AEW women’s division.
With her compelling and hard hitting action certainly a good fit for AEW, her dynamic style shows off her experience in kickboxing and MMA.
Already announced for stateside competition, the IWGP Women’s Champion Syuri is set for New Japan The New Beginning USA on February 27th in Trenton, New Jersey, where she will defend her gold against AEW’s Athena.
Commenting publicly about who she would hope to face in the US, Syuri named AEW stars Mercedes Mone and Megan Bayne among others, potentially teasing a future appearance in Tony Khan’s company.
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1. Bishop Dyer
Former WWE star Baron Corbin could certainly find himself introduced to the AEW fan base in the near future after making a recent impromptu appearance.
After recently appearing in an AEW dark match, this introduction could have been enough to interest Tony Khan in the former WWE star.
With Dyer in attendance for January 21’s edition of Dynamite TV taping, when weather prevented wrestlers from being able to make the event – Dyer got the opportunity to step into an AEW ring.
In the dark match, the team of Better Together (Hadar Horvitz & Ori Gold), Bishop Dyer & Martin Stone ended up being defeated by Austin Gunn, Billy Gunn, Brady Booker & Elijah Drago,but there could definitely be some compelling stories ahead for Dyer.
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