While AJ Styles lost against GUNTHER at WWE Royal Rumble 2026, some fans hold out hope that he will still make a return to in-ring action in AEW.
Potentially able to align with a number of current AEW stars or even a few new ones, there could be a brand new era coming soon in AEW.
Here are six AEW stars that could join AJ Styles in a brand new faction.
6. Chris Jericho
Just because Chris Jericho has been absent from AEW TV doesn’t mean a return to AEW is entirely ruled out.
Perhaps Tony Khan could provide an offer to Jericho that he couldn’t refuse that could see him sticking with the company, sweetened by the impending arrival of AJ Styles.
Friends outside of the ring, Jericho and Styles could reunite their Y2AJ tag team in AEW – and still make an amazing storyline out of the eventual ending as a duo.
With Jericho potentially turning on Styles out of jealousy yet again – this time a decade later – the pair could re-tell their WrestleMania 32 storyline but this time in AEW.
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5. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
Perhaps upon his arrival in AEW, AJ Styles would come along with longtime allies Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson.
Name dropped during comments in late 2025 at WWE Raw, AJ Styles reminded fans that he previously had a posse in WWE that had since faded away.
The duo of Gallows and Anderson – who have previously appeared in AEW – would make total sense to align on-screen with Styles should he end up in AEW.
Bringing about the Bullet Club spirit in AEW, there could be some intriguing match-ups in the future with roots from NJPW’s past.
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4. Will Ospreay
While Will Ospreay remains out of action due to injury at the minute, he could end up forging a fascinating alliance upon his return.
If he were to anchor a major babyface faction alongside the likes of AJ Styles, there could be an amazing new group.
Able to combat the heels that have had a stranglehold on the AEW roster over the past year like the Death Riders, there could be a fun new alliance.
Also bonus points if there ends up being behind the scenes vignettes with the duo experiencing one another’s respective cultures with Styles’ Southern US style being very funny juxtaposed to Ospreay’s Essex roots.
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3. Braun Strowman
In a fun twist on the expected, AJ Styles could join AEW and become the new harbinger of Sports Entertainment to the company.
With Styles able to embrace a ‘WWE-esque’ character in AEW to occupy the space of over-the-top entertainment that could be fun in the company, he could bring his very own Monster Among Men with him from his former employer.
While he was released from WWE in May 2025, Braun Strowman has yet to make appearances for any other wrestling promotions.
Able to take aim at some of his past antics in WWE in a more satirical fashion in AEW, Strowman could end up being a controversial yet comedic character with Styles.
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2. Jay White
A duo that could make a dangerous alliance as either babyfaces or heels could be AJ Styles and Jay White.
While White remains out of action due to injury for the time being, he could be poised to return in 2026.
Joining forces with an industry legend such as Styles, it could be a major moment to see White unite with another former NJPW legend.
Bringing together two powerhouses, their pairing could be the foundation of an exciting new faction.
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1. Samoa Joe
Arguably someone with the most robust history with AJ Styles, Samoa Joe would be a perfect fit to join forces with Styles if the pair both found themselves in AEW.
With both of the TNA Wrestling and WWE legends having made their mark across the industry, it would be fascinating to see them both align in a brand new way.
With a storied rivalry already built between them, the pair could instead serve as AEW’s answer to The Vision faction, partnering with up and coming talent to create a future in their own image.
While it would seem likely to inevitably see them part ways and go back to having a hatred filled feud for the ages, the pairing would be fun while it lasted.
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