While Tony Khan has already signed numerous former WWE Champions to AEW, there are still some big names left to choose from.
Some are still actively competing in the ring and others have already had such legendary careers that wrestling isn’t medically advised, but all of these former WWE Champions could contribute to the future of AEW in a big way.
Here are eight former WWE Champions who could find themselves in AEW one day.
8. AJ Styles
AJ Styles remains under contract with WWE, but that doesn’t mean that he couldn’t be tempted by AEW when his current contract is up.
While Styles has previously commented that he plans to retire from in-ring competition when he is 50 (about two years from now), perhaps there could be a compelling reason for him to completely retire from in-ring competition after a program in AEW.
Just like Edge’s departure from WWE to AEW for one last run with seemingly a good deal of control over his schedule and creative, there could be a similar reason for Styles to elect to sign with AEW.
With his long history in professional wrestling spanning most major companies, a short stay in AEW might make sense for Styles in the future to add another to the list.
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7. Cody Rhodes
After John Cena was able to beat Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41, Rhodes has yet to return to WWE TV.
However, his current absence is presumably set to end at some point on or before Money in the Bank on June 7 since he is displayed prominently on the event graphics.
A return to AEW definitely seems unlikely to occur anytime soon, but there are some circumstances by which fans could imagine Rhodes potentially returning to AEW sometime in the future.
Rhodes has mentioned in the past that there were aspects of an EVP role that he would tackle differently, so maybe with the medicine of time, one of AEW’s founding EVPs could be persuaded back.
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6. Rob Van Dam
Since he has made appearances in AEW in the past – including a total of six matches – it would make sense to see Rob Van Dam return at some point.
Recently competing in an MLW Battle Royal, previously RVD had last been seen in in-ring competition in AEW in a match where he defeated Isiah Kassidy, Komander and Lee Johnson in the “High Flying 4/20 Elimination Four-Way” on April 20, 2024.
However, RVD wouldn’t need to wrestle in AEW to make a fun impact, as he’s an enjoyable on-screen presence wherever and however he appears.
No one brings zen to a locker room quite like RVD!
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5. Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle could become an iconic on-screen authority figure in AEW if Tony Khan could lure him back into the spotlight.
Recently spotted ringside in the audience at the 2025 Royal Rumble, former WWE Champion Kurt Angle has been clear about why he doesn’t plan on returning to in-ring action.
Citing his five neck surgeries when recently asked by a local news outlet if he planned on wrestling again, Angle responded with a resounding no.
Angle is seemingly pleased with his current activities, notably an Ambassador for USA Wrestling and enjoying fatherhood, and may be very difficult to pull out of retirement – but perhaps not impossible.
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4. Drew McIntyre
Having held the WWE Championship twice across 2020 and 2021, Drew McIntyre has been on fire in WWE in 2024 and 2025.
Recently re-signing with WWE for a multi-year contract, a switch to AEW is highly unlikely to be happening anytime soon.
However, if in the future McIntyre wished move along to AEW, he could definitely use the opportunity to re-invent his character yet again if he was so inspired.
McIntyre seems as though he currently has the creative latitude to be doing some very compelling work, so more than likely, if he were ever to jump ship to AEW, the decision might be based on other factors.
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3. Sheamus
While he remains under WWE contract, perhaps Sheamus will be looking for greener pastures when his current contract ends.
Having disappeared from TV in the lead up to the road to WrestleMania 41, Sheamus has returned to WWE TV of late in a feud with Grayson Waller and Austin Theory.
Sort of being a prop in teasing an A-Town Down Under break-up again, Sheamus doesn’t necessarily have a big storyline going at the minute.
However, he also isn’t likely to be headed elsewhere anytime soon, as he re-signed on a five-year contract with WWE in January 2025, presumably meaning he’ll be with the company into 2030.
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2. Mick Foley
WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley may have had a lot of experience across numerous promotions in professional wrestling, but he is most closely associated with WWE.
While he seemingly remains under a legends contract with the company to license his likeness, it isn’t clear if he is prohibited from appearing for other promotions – making him a potentially big get for AEW.
Foley has been open about recently consulting with doctors regarding a potential in-ring return and determined that it was not going to be feasible.
However, having been a delightful authority figure in WWE in the past as an on-screen General Manager, perhaps there is room for Foley on AEW TV.
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1. Jinder Mahal
Jinder Mahal was WWE Champion from May 2017 to November 2017 in a reign that lasted a total of 169 days.
Although he was released from WWE in 2024, he didn’t stop his professional wrestling career.
Moving along to the indies and entirely reinventing himself, now with the moniker Raj Dhesi, the former WWE champion has competed in MLW, GCW and even AAA.
With the The Bollywood Boyz (formerly known as Sunil & Samir Singh in WWE) making appearances in the past in AEW, perhaps Raj Dhesi isn’t far behind.
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