With talent continuing to move between promotions, there could be some former WWE Tag Team Champions set to return to the company.
From longtime tag teams who might elect to re-sign with WWE together, to well known legends that could be making a big surprise return soon on their own — there are some interesting options of who might show up on the road to WrestleMania 42.
Here are six former WWE tag team champions that could make their return to the company.
6. The Hardy Boyz
A pair of tag icons that fans continue to hope will re-sign with WWE at some point in the future are The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff Hardy).
While the duo have confirmed that they did re-sign with TNA Wrestling late last year, a return in the future has never been ruled out.
In fact, both Matt and Jeff Hardy have publicly commented that they would like to return to WWE at least for a short stint before they end up hanging up their boots and retiring from in-ring competition entirely.
Certainly well received when they appeared on-screen at SummerSlam 2025 in the crowd, there could always be more crossover appearances from the beloved tag team soon.
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5. Billy Gunn
With several movements as of late between WWE and AEW, one legend that fans are hopeful will re-sign with the company in the future is Billy Gunn.
A staggering 10x WWE Tag Team Champion, Gunn won many of his titles alongside fellow DX member Road Dogg in the New Age Outlaws, but he also picked up the titles twice with tag partner Chuck and even before DX, in the Smoking Gunns tag team three more times with kayfabe brother Bart Gunn.
One hiccup in a return story would be that Gunn remains under contract with AEW and details of his deal are not currently known.
Given his history with Triple H and the potential for future opportunities for his sons, Austin and Colten Gunn as potential benefits, it is possible we could see Billy Gunn return to WWE in the future.
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4. Claudio Castagnoli
With seven WWE Tag Team Title reigns to his name – Claudio Castagnoli stands out as one the most decorated tag team wrestlers of the last decade.
After signing with AEW back in 2022, Tony Khan described the contract as a “long-term, multi-year” deal so it seems likely that a return to WWE may not be in the near future.
However with significant history in the company, it would make sense to someday see Claudio Castagnoli – formerly known as Cesaro during his time in WWE – make a return one day.
Having held tag team gold with both Shinsuke Nakamura and Sheamus, Castagnoli could chase championship gold with either of of them again or a new partner entirely.
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3. Rikishi
One former champ that could make a return to WWE in a manager role might be Rikishi.
Rikishi had numerous notable tag team title runs including when it was the WWF World Tag Team Champion with Samu in The Headshrinkers in 1994. He would later hold the WWE World Tag Team Championship with Rico in 2002 and then WWE Tag Team Championship with Scott 2 Hotty in 2004, marking a memorable team.
With a special edition release of WWE 2K26 coming soon featuring a focus on the Attitude Era, there could certainly be a way to bring the storylines together.
While Rikishi could serve as the perfect wise man for Solo Sikoa’s MFTs, there could also be some interesting moments over on WWE Raw with his other sons, The Usos.
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2. Braun Strowman
One former WWE star that some hope could return someday, even if for just a short spell is Braun Strowman.
Certainly having one of the most memorable tag team championship reigns of all time (after he won the titles with Nicholas, seemingly a random child from the crowd who in reality was a family member of a WWE staffer), Strowman had more serious runs with the title (with partner Seth Rollins) during his time in WWE.
Able to make just as a much of an impact as a manager as an in-ring performer, perhaps Strowman could link up with a younger, or even smaller talent in order to add some muscle to their character.
Being able to be the hilarious brawn for a smaller wrestler with a huge mouth, the throwback gimmick could be a solid reason for Strowman to pop-up for a cameo appearance.
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1. Chris Jericho
While fans continue to wonder about what is next for Chris Jericho, in his past, the AEW star has had a decorated career in both singles and tag team action.
Finding himself winning the WWE Tag Team Championship with a number of different partners (including The Rock, Edge, Big Show, Chris Benoit and Christian), it is interesting that he didn’t capture tag gold after doing so in 2009 with Big Show.
Certainly able to link up with any number of partners to make another run at the tag team titles if he were to return to WWE, his contract status with AEW remains unclear.
With the only real clue being that Jericho remains listed on the official AEW roster page, we’ll have to wait and see what could be next for the industry veteran.
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