While the list of former NXT Champions is an acclaimed group, there are several that could be eligible to be re-signed in the near future.
From those who departed the company to try their luck on the indies to others who have gone on to make a name in AEW since their initial departures — there are some compelling former NXT names that could re-sign.
Here are eight former NXT Champions that could re-sign with WWE.
8. Bishop Dyer (Baron Corbin)
A former NXT and main roster champion that could end up re-signing with WWE in the future is Bishop Dyer, formerly known as Baron Corbin during his time in WWE.
Holding the NXT Tag Team Championship with Bron Breakker, Dyer has gone on to find tag team success in MLW with another NXT alum.
Dyer currently holds the MLW Tag Team Championship with Donovan Dijak, formerly known as Dijak (and T-Bar) in WWE.
Definitely someone who could return to NXT or the main roster, there are plenty of stories left for Baron Corbin to tell.
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7. Paige
One former WWE star that fans continue to get their hopes up for every now and again is an in-ring return from Paige.
Going by her actual first name Saraya in AEW the eventual AEW Women’s World Champion already had a stacked list of accomplishments before she arrived — boasting multiple titles from her tenure in WWE.
The inaugural NXT Women’s Champion, a return from Paige to WWE seems almost more likely now than ever.
With other icons from the era like Nikki Bella and AJ Lee making recent on-screen returns, it could be that the return of Paige is just around the corner.
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6. Karrion Kross
After the dust settled on all of the WWE contract news regarding Karrion Kross, in the end it seems that the two sides did part ways.
However with continued intrigue and buzz around the star, it could be that a return to WWE comes further down the road.
With even Kross himself teasing on social media the reality bending nature of his character’s journey — floating the notion that perhaps he didn’t re-sign publicly with WWE as to send him “on a scouting mission for Hunter”, there could still be more to come from Kross in the future.
While he continues to elaborate on his intense and frightening character during his work in independent wrestling, it remains to be seen where Karrion Kross ends up next.
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5. Gallus
An entire group that could make their WWE return sometime in the future are Gallus — Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey and Wolfgang.
With Mark Coffey and Wolfgang holding both the NXT Tag Team Championship as well as the NXT UK Tag Team Championship in their career, there is certainly question about how much more they could have possibly contributed on the main roster.
While they could have been a great back-up for a new Drew McIntyre led stable, it was sadly not meant to be.
Instead, all three members of Gallus were released from WWE back in May 2025 but have gone on to return to indie wresting. Now appearing as a sometimes tag team and sometimes trio, the group go under the name Ghalus.
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4. Indi Hartwell
A former NXT Women’s Champion, Indi Hartwell was called up to the main roster for a period of time before she was later released by WWE.
Moving back into indie wrestling, Hartwell was not to be deterred and has ended up finding herself signed to TNA Wrestling.
While Hartwell’s wrestling journey continues, it would be great to see her return to WWE one day.
Able to rejoin her former faction #DIY (Candice LeRae, Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) or forge and entirely new path on her own — Indi Hartwell would be a great snag for WWE to re-sign.
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3. Giovanni Vinci
While he was a successful third during his days in Imperium under the name Fabian Aichner, there is a lot of untapped potential left in the Vinci character as well.
Having just formed a solid identity during his time on NXT, Vinci was then called up to the main roster to reunite with Imperium but unfortunately remaining a distant third to both GUNTHER and Ludwig Kaiser.
When Vinci was released in February, it ended his eight years with the company but he has yet to make any in-ring appearances elsewhere.
Still definitely able to bring interesting matches to life, Giovanni Vinci would be a fun character to see resurrected and go head-to-head with his former stablemates.
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2. Sasha Banks (Mercedes Mone)
When she first signed with AEW, Mercedes Mone admitted that everyone returns to WWE at some point, and she saw that being the same for herself.
While things may have changed since then, the sentiment remains the same that eventually she could end up back where she first made her name.
The move would undoubtedly make massive headlines as one of AEW’s biggest current stars moving back to WWE in a similar move to the likes of Cody Rhodes, CM Punk and likely Chris Jericho.
Not to mention the dream matches that include both her former colleagues and also the new talents that have come along since her departure.
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1. Tyler Breeze
Tyler Breeze recently returned to action at WWE NXT Homecoming, where he challenged Ethan Page for the North American Championship
Breeze impressed in that match and looked as good as ever.
As a former NXT Tag Team Champion, Breeze has reportedly remained under a WWE contract for the UpUpDownDown video games YouTube channel despite being inactive in the ring for the company since 2021.
There’d be no downside to a full-time return if he was up for it.
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