AEW made some key acquisitions in 2025 that have helped to further bolster the roster and filled in gaps with the company dealing with injuries throughout the year.
From JetSpeed and Thekla to Josh Alexander and Megan Bayne, these additions took the promotion to new heights in what has been described as an improved 2025 for Tony Khan’s company.
With this year coming to a close, it should be fascinating to see who will come into AEW next with a plethora of interesting names set to be available to start 2026.
Here are eight potential new AEW signings.
8. Hyan & Maya World
There was plenty of controversy that came out of the situation with Miranda Alize and Nixon Newell walking out of an AEW Collision episode, but there was also a big positive that came out of it .
Hyan and Maya World formed a tag team and stepped up when the company needed someone to fill at the last minute against the team of Anna Jay and Tay Melo on the November 8 edition of Collision.
Following their performance and professionalism, reports circulated that the independent wrestling stars had some great interest from AEW to potentially sign them to full-time deals.
With AEW expanding its women’s division with tag team titles, it makes a ton of sense to bring the pairing of Hyan and Maya World to play the role of plucky underdog babyfaces.
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7. Lena Kross
Looking to focus on the women’s division, All Elite Wrestling needs to recruit from the independent scene more often than not.
Lena Kross has become one of the standout female stars in multiple different promotions whether it be Prestige or JCW.
With impressive size, power and strength, Kross has a little bit of everything that makes her someone who immediately grabs the attention of the fans.
Adding Kross to the scene that includes Kris Statlander, Marina Shafir and Megan Bayne could help to further evolve the AEW women’s division at this time.
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6. Bea Priestley
Back in February 2025, Blair Davenport was released from WWE after a four year stint with the promotion.
Davenport, once again known as Bea Priestley, did not waste any time in going back to her roots, including working on the indies and heading back to Japan.
In the months since her departure, Priestley has made it clear she would be open to an AEW return and has signed with the company’s partner, STARDOM.
After proving herself back in Japan, Tony Khan might want to bring Priestley back into the fold where she could have a chip on her shoulder wanting to reclaim her spot back in AEW after a five-year absence.
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5. Cedric Alexander
Another WWE release back in February 2025 was former Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander.
Ever since his WWE exit, many fans have expected Alexander to sign with All Elite Wrestling, but that has not been the case.
While Alexander has been appearing in TNA Wrestling in the past few months, he has not signed a contract with the promotion.
This leaves the door open for Alexander to reunite with his former Hurt Business stablemates MVP, Shelton Benjamin and Bobby Lashley in AEW as part of the Hurt Syndicate.
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4. Bayley
Another WWE star who is set to be a free agent come late 2026 is Bayley.
The former WWE Women’s Champion has long been one of the most consistently prominent stars in the women’s division for the past decade.
However, 2025 has seen some opportunities taken from Bayley, including her removal from the WrestleMania 41 card at the last minute.
Bayley leaving WWE after a 12 year run and heading to AEW could see her joining Mercedes Mone to further cement the company’s women’s division among the best in the world today.
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3. Shotzi Blackheart
Earlier this year, Will Ospreay stated that AEW wants to see former WWE stars prove themselves on the indies before considering bringing them in when asked about the company’s approach to those talents.
Shotzi is a name who departed WWE and has hit the ground running back on the independent scene and proven herself as a hard worker who will bring in some fans.
Whether it be in GCW or MLW, Blackheart has shown her fiery, wild personality and delivered some memorable moments in the past few months.
Shotzi signing with AEW would be a fun addition to the scene where she could bring something new and unique to the women’s division right now.
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2. Killer Kross & Scarlett
Following WWE SummerSlam 2025, Karrion Kross and Scarlett announced their departure from the company after their contracts were not renewed.
Becoming free agents, the duo have returned to the independent scene and become a prominent act on the circuit once again under the names Killer Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux.
Using the connection formed during their latest WWE stint, Kross and Scarlett could have a similar impact in All Elite Wrestling where their characters are something distinct from everything else in the promotion.
Kross and Scarlett could use their manipulative “devil’s advocate” gimmick against some of the top babyfaces in AEW, such as Hangman Adam Page, Mark Briscoe or Will Ospreay.
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1. Dragon Lee
Dragon Lee signed with WWE in 2023 and was billed as a major free agent signing for the company.
The masked luchador earned a reputation as one of the best in-ring competitors out of Mexico when he first signed and has shown glimpses of that on NXT as well as the main roster.
However, it seems like Lee has never truly been thrusted into the limelight and now has other luchadores to compete for a significant role like Penta and Rey Fenix.
With his deal set to expire in 2026, Dragon Lee could make a wonderful addition to AEW, which has taken strides to truly represent the essence of lucha libre on its programming.
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