On the January 17 Maximum Carnage special of AEW Collision, “Hangman” Adam Page and JetSpeed defeated The Opps to win the AEW World Trios Titles.
This marked what will be Powerhouse Hobbs’ final match in All Elite Wrestling with his contract expiring that same week.
With Hobbs on his way to WWE, AEW has to think about who could possibly replace him in The Opps moving forward.
Here are eight potential Powerhouse Hobbs The Opps AEW replacements.
8. Wardlow
Looking at the AEW roster, there are several names who have not been seen in the company over the past year.
Back at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2025, Wardlow made his return to the promotion for the first time in over a year and joined forces with The Don Callis Family.
However, this return was short-lived with Wardlow once again being sidelined due to injury immediately after Forbidden Door.
Wardlow returning to AEW could see him join forces with a former rival in Samoa Joe and become the newest member of The Opps in place of Powerhouse Hobbs.
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7. Big Bill
Throughout his time in All Elite Wrestling, Big Bill has found himself aligning with several different names on the roster.
Whether it be his debut as a heavy for MJF or his current partnership with Bryan Keith, Bill has become known for his different alliances over the course of the past three years.
The former AEW World Tag Team Champion could find a new role for himself on television by joining forces with The Opps.
Leaving “The Bounty Hunter” and his days with Chris Jericho in The Learning Tree behind him, it might be time for Big Bill to align with a new group of individuals like The Opps that match his style more than his current partner.
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6. Bryan Keith
On the January 14 Maximum Carnage edition of AEW Dynamite, Samoa Joe hired “The Bounty Hunter” Bryan Keith to take out “Hangman” Adam Page.
However, Page picked up a win over Keith in singles competition and did not get the job against the former AEW World Champion.
Considering them recently working with each other, Joe could see the qualities of BK that would make him a wonderful addition to The Opps.
Fitting the style of The Opps and wanting to find a new stable after ending his ties to The Learning Tree, it makes sense for Bryan Keith to become the newest member of The Opps moving forward.
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5. Buddy Matthews
Back at AEW Grand Slam: Australia 2025, Kazuchika Okada defeated Buddy Matthews to retain the AEW Continental Championship.
During the course of the bout, Matthews suffered a serious ankle injury that has kept him sidelined for nearly a year.
After being on the shelf for the past 12 months, the company could bring Matthews back into play where he can become a major contributor to AEW television.
Wanting a new prominent role after watching his tag team partner Brody King move on with Bandido, Buddy Matthews could choose to join forces with Samoa Joe and The Opps to replace Powerhouse Hobbs upon his return to the company.
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4. Kamille
Another AEW star who has been away from the company’s programming for over a year is Kamille.
The former NWA World Women’s Champion is someone who has been a dominant force throughout her career.
After having a prominent role in NWA, many fans thought Kamille could match that in All Elite Wrestling, but this hasn’t been meant to be thus far since signing with the company in 2024.
Kamille returning could see her becoming the first female star to join The Opps and help the faction find their place in the AEW women’s scene.
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3. Hikaru Shida
Another AEW star who has been away from the company’s programming for over a year is Hikaru Shida.
The former three-time AEW Women’s World Champion has been recognized as the ace of the women’s division since joining the company in 2019.
With Powerhouse Hobbs leaving the promotion, The Opps could choose to bring in a female star that fit what the group wants to do.
Considering her background and history in Japan, Katsuyori Shibata could open the door for Shida to join The Opps and give her a prominent role on AEW TV upon her return to the promotion.
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2. Keith Lee
Ahead of AEW Worlds End in December 2023, Keith Lee was pulled from the card due to suffering from lingering back injuries.
“The Limitless One” has been an ongoing topic among the fanbase, wondering when or if he will make his return to All Elite Wrestling.
After admitting that he is healthy and ready to make his return in the summer of 2025, fans have been waiting to see Lee back in the squared circle.
Joining forces with The Opps, Lee could bring his hybrid style of strength, athleticism and agility to the group where he can easily fill the role left behind by Powerhouse Hobbs.
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1. Eddie Kingston
At AEW Full Gear 2025, Samoa Joe defeated “Hangman” Adam Page in a Steel Cage Match to win the AEW World Championship thanks to outside interference from HOOK.
This was revealed to be a long ploy by Joe and HOOK that also involved the former three-time FTW Champion teaming with Eddie Kingston.
That betrayal led Kingston to challenge Joe for the AEW World Title at Dynamite: Winter Is Coming 2025.
After a hard fought battle with Joe, Kingston may have seen the light and realize what the former two-time AEW World Champion is trying to accomplish with The Opps, eventually joining the faction and reuniting with HOOK.
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