On the April 1 edition of AEW Dynamite, Chris Jericho made his return to All Elite Wrestling for the first time in nearly a year.
Jericho started a series of recent returns from absent stars alongside the likes of The Hurt Syndicate, Hikaru Shida and Queen Aminata.
Looking at the AEW roster, there are a number of other stars who could join this group as recently returned talents to the company.
Here are eight more absent AEW stars to potentially return soon.
8. Brian Cage
In March 2025, Brian Cage went down with a serious knee injury that has seen him sidelined for over a year now.
After several months on the shelf, Cage underwent a third knee surgery in November 2025 that would extend his time away from the promotion.
However, Warrior Wrestling recently announced that the AEW star would make his in-ring star for the promotion on their May 15 show in South Bend, Indiana.
With Cage stepping back into the squared circle, Cage could make a return to AEW sooner rather than later.
7. Wardlow
Speaking of Brian Cage, another Don Callis Family member who has also been sidelined for some time is Wardlow.
At AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2025, Wardlow made his return to the company and immediately joined forces with Don Callis’ stable of talent.
However, the former three-time TNT Champion was deemed unable to compete with a torn pectoral muscle injury that he suffered while training for his in-ring return.
With his role on the new American Gladiators reboot, it would be a good time to see Wardlow make his way back to in-ring competition for AEW.
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6. Keith Lee
One of the longest tenured AEW stars who has been on the sidelines for an extended period of time has been Keith Lee.
The last time that AEW fans saw Lee in the ring dates all the way back to December 2023.
“The Limitless One” is someone who was widely regarded as one of the most versatile big men in wrestling with his charisma, agility and athleticism over the years.
After recently stating he was healthy after over two years on the shelf, Lee should come back into the fold to play a prominent role on AEW TV soon.
5. Buddy Matthews
Back in February 2025, Buddy Matthews was sidelined with a serious ankle injury that was ruptured and required more than one surgery.
Being on the shelf for over a year now, fans have started to ask if and when they will see Matthews back in the ring again.
Before getting placed on the sidelines, Matthews was gaining traction alongside his Hounds of Hell tag team partner Brody King.
Considering King has ascended in AEW as a singles star and formed a successful tag team with Bandido, fans could see Buddy make his return to attack his former stablemate to kickstart a fresh rivalry.
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4. Samoa Joe
At the start of 2026, Samoa Joe found himself in the mix with “Hangman” Adam Page, Swerve Strickland, Andrade El Idolo and Kenny Omega as the top contenders for the AEW World Title.
However, Joe was sidelined due to concussion protocol thanks to an injury he suffered during training.
The former two-time AEW World Champion is someone who has been positioned as a featured star on the roster since signing with the promotion in 2022.
Joe returning to AEW could see him resume his role as the leader of The Opps and add more members to their ranks.
3. Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.
Another AEW star who has been away from the company’s programming for over a year now is Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.
Probably more than any other AEW talent, Baker has been someone brought up by fans, who have long wondered if they will ever see her in the company again.
Considering her role as one of the first homegrown stars in the company’s history, it just makes sense that AEW will have Baker make a return in the near future.
With Timeless Toni Storm out of action for an extended period of time, Baker could fill the void left behind by the four-time AEW Women’s World Champion and reestablish herself as one of the top stars in the women’s division.
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2. Jay White
Back in April 2025, Jay White suffered a broken hand injury that led to him being sidelined for the past year.
“Switchblade” has been someone who has been positioned as an upper card performer who has challenged for the AEW World Title on more than one occasion.
In his absence, Bang Bang Gang have lacked a consistent role on AEW television without White by their side.
White coming back in the near future could see Juice Robinson, Ace Austin, Austin Gunn and Colten Gunn once again become featured stars on the company’s programming moving forward.
1. Mercedes Moné
Back on the December 31 New Year’s Smash special of AEW Dynamite, Willow Nightingale defeated Mercedes Moné to win the TBS Championship, ending her 584-day reign.
After being embarrassed by Nightingale, Kris Statlander and Harley Cameron, “The CEO” took time off and promised to make her comeback to take more than just titles.
Moné has been dropping her impressive title collection throughout her absence, losing her championships in multiple different promotions all over the world.
After losing her 13-belt collection, Moné will be more determined than ever to capture the one title that eluded for her entire run in All Elite Wrestling and that is the AEW Women’s World Championship.
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