With WWE continuing to pick up recruits, there could be several more professional wrestling free agents that come aboard as well.
From returning WWE stars bringing in a whole new character to others that are poised to gain acclaim in the future, there are some exciting options for free agent signings in 2026.
Here are six free agents that could sign with WWE in 2026.
6. Chris Jericho
Potentially the most anticipated free agent decision is Chris Jericho with speculation continuing to swirl that he could be WWE bound.
While he has been signed to All Elite Wrestling since the company’s inception, after he dropped the ROH World Championship to Bandido in April, Chris Jericho seemingly wrote himself off of TV.
The on-screen reason for Jericho’s absence was due to disappointment at his ‘Learning Tree’ recruits Big Bill and Bryan Keith, but in reality, he is set to see the end of his AEW contract at the end of 2025.
Putting him in charge of the next chapter of his career, it has been widely speculated that Jericho could return to WWE in 2026 – a major moment that will surely go down in the history books if it is to occur.
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5. Matt & Jeff Hardy
After dropping the NXT Tag Team Championship back to DarkState’s Dion Lennox & Osiris Griffin at Halloween Havoc, it seems unlikely WWE fans have seen the last of the Hardy Boyz.
Already making several crossover appearances during their time in TNA Wrestling on NXT, Matt & Jeff Hardy could be returning to the main roster.
Potentially looking for one more run in WWE to complete their career journey, the Hardys have publicly stated their current TNA contracts end in late 2025.
Seeming a shoo-in to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame at some point in the future, it would make sense to see the legendary duo re-sign with WWE in 2026.
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4. Leon Slater
Perhaps the next case of a TNA Wrestling star spending their last year in the company making frequent crossover appearances on NXT, Leon Slater has already made an impact on the brand.
Teaming with Je’Von Evans at WWE NXT Halloween Havoc in a winning effort against AAA’s La Parka & Mr Iguana, the X-Division Champion seems likely to appear again.
Given his impressive in-ring abilities and young age, Leon Slater is definitely a name to watch when he comes up in free agency.
Recently confirming that he signed a three-year contract with TNA Wrestling in 2023, he is expected to become a free agent in fall 2026.
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3. Matt Cardona
A former WWE star that has remained a free agent throughout his time reinventing himself on the indies is Matt Cardona.
Recently appearing on NXT as a part of the crossovers with TNA Wrestling, Cardona competed in his first WWE match since 2020.
While it was a losing effort against Josh Briggs, the WWE audience was very excited to see Cardona return to TV in what could be a sign of things to come.
Able to have a very intriguing storyline with current NXT North American Champion Ethan Page who united on-screen with Cardona’s real-life wife Chelsea Green recently, there’d be the possibility of a feud with Green caught between the two.
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2. The IInspiration
After being released from WWE in 2021, the duo of Jess McKay and Cassie Lee took time off from wrestling to start families.
The entertaining and engaging duo returned to wrestling in June 2025 in TNA Wrestling and have gone on to achieve success, capturing the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship for a second time.
While the duo formerly known as The IIconics in WWE are still appearing in TNA Wrestling and competed for Team TNA in the brand warfare with NXT, their contracts with the company reportedly ended after Bound for Glory in October.
Continuing to appear as free agents in TNA Wrestling, it could be time for McKay and Lee to make a return to WWE in 2026.
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1. Danhausen
A popular character, Danhausen hasn’t appeared in AEW in nearly two years. While he popped up in ROH a few times in 2024, he has been entirely absent in 2025 thus far.
While he isn’t being used by Tony Khan, Danhausen still remains an active performer in independent wrestling where he has spent the interim two years travelling the world in competition.
Clearly a character with a ton of upside still, WWE could be interested in the copious merchandising opportunities that his Very Nice, Very Evil persona could bring about.
Seemingly able to sign and become a fast favorite of fans in NXT and beyond, it could be that 2026 is finally the year of Danhausen in WWE.
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