While there are plenty of up and coming stars in AEW, there is also a solid foundation of veteran stars that could be eyeing retirement.
From those who have been vocal about their potential impending retirement, to others who just may elect to hang up their boots at the end of their current AEW contracts — there are some intriguing options on this list.
Here are seven AEW stars that could be retiring soon.
7. Samoa Joe
While Samoa Joe is currently the AEW World Champion, he has been relatively transparent about his goals for the future.
Noting that it is possible that his current AEW contract will be his last as an in-ring performer, Joe may be poised to hang up his active competition boots in the near future.
The multi-decade veteran has already achieved many of the accolades in the industry, noting that he is likely to end his career in AEW.
With a successful Hollywood career that has already seen him make the leap into intriguing acting roles outside of wrestling, Samoa Joe certainly has a bright future ahead of him.
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6. Adam Copeland
After departing WWE where he had a long tenure as Edge, Adam Copeland made his way to debut in AEW where he has since gone on to find acclaim.
Winning the TNT Championship, Copeland seems poised to capture the AEW Tag Team Championship at some point in the future with his long time tag team partner, Christian Cage as the duo continue to feud with current champs, FTR.
Nevertheless, it seems that Copeland is likely to retire at the end of his current AEW contract which is reportedly set to come to an end in Fall 2026.
With Copeland noting that he is likely to hang up his boots when his current contract ends, it could be that we are looking at retirement for Copeland within the next year.
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5. Kenny Omega
While the foundational members of AEW are certainly always going to be remembered for their contributions, they are individually allowed to move on.
With Cody Rhodes returning to WWE and the potential defection of Chris Jericho in a similar direction, the other foundational members of the AEW roster are left to contemplate their futures. With Kenny Omega’s recent health issues due to diverticulitis, we could potentially see him wind down his in-ring career in the next few years.
Potentially still making periodic appearances, it would make complete sense for Omega to maintain his AEW office position without necessarily continuing his on-screen obligations.
With the ability to make a fun return in the future for enjoyable feuds, it could be that Kenny Omega transitions to periodic non-physical appearances rather than continuing as a regular roster member moving forward.
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4. Christian Cage
Another AEW name that could be looking to wrap up his in-ring career sometime in the relatively near future is Christian Cage.
While it seems that there is likely still another tag team run to be seen from Adam Copeland and Christian Cage, it could make sense to see both legends out of action within the next few years.
Certainly able to continue to demonstrate his excellence both in tag team action but singles competition as well, Cage could continue to compete for many more years to come.
However with a likely more interesting retirement story able to be told in the event he and Adam Copeland depart from professional wrestling at the same time, it could be that Cage could hang up his boots in the next few years as well.
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3. MVP
One AEW star that might be interested in hanging up his boots for good is MVP.
While the Hurt Syndicate, MVP’s faction with Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin remains a force in AEW, it could be that MVP becomes their full-time manager, rather than continuing to compete sporadically.
Add in the detail that the last member from their WWE Hurt Business stable – Cedric Alexander – remains unsigned by AEW, it would make complete sense to see MVP retire.
Able to bring in Alexander as an additional fighting member of the stable and allow MVP to be more of manager rather than competitor, strengthening the Syndicate as they continue their dominance in AEW.
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2. Billy Gunn
Billy Gunn is in exceptional shape for a 62-year-old — but he could be settling into an idea of retirement in the near future.
The former WWE star hasn’t seen action in AEW since Double or Nothing in May 2024 — but he remains active on the independent scene.
Potentially retiring from competition in the near future, the move may not end up occurring in AEW since it seems that Gunn hasn’t been used in quite some time.
However, should Gunn reunite on-screen with his real life sons Austin & Colten Gunn there could be an interesting retirement storyline that emerges from The Gunns.
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1. Chris Jericho
Technically still an AEW star, there has been a lot of speculation regarding where Chris Jericho might end up in the next few months.
With some reports suggesting he is poised to re-sign with WWE for a retirement run upon the end of his AEW contract in late 2025, there hasn’t been any official word.
As far as for Jericho himself, he has noted that fans are likely to see him somewhere in the world in wrestling ring in 2026 but gave no additional details as to where he could pop-up next.
Possibly set to retire entirely, Jericho does seem as though he is one of the AEW stars that is likely to retire outside of a Tony Khan owned company.
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