Former WWE Champions To Sign With AEW

While it’s become more common lately to see AEW stars jump ship to WWE, there are still numerous former WWE Champions that could sign with Tony Khan.

From surprising releases to beloved legends that could still play an integral on-screen role – there are some intriguing free agents still able to be recruited to AEW.

Here are six former WWE champions that could sign with AEW.

6. Bishop Dyer (Baron Corbin)

While he may have spent 12 years in WWE as Baron Corbin, after parting ways from the company the industry veteran now goes by the ring name Bishop Dyer.

With Dyer still having many stories left to tell in his in-ring career, it would be nice to see him make even a short-term return to a major stage.

Continually pitched to join a faction with MJF based on their friendly social media interactions, seeing the combination of the two stars’ convincing egos could be legendary, with MJF often working best as a heel when he has some physical back-up.

With Dyer recently teaming with another WWE alum in Dijak in MLW, perhaps there is a path for both to land in AEW.

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5. Isla Dawn

After being released from WWE back in May, Isla Dawn has hit the ground running at independent wrestling events, as well as AEW.

The former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion made her debut for AEW on the first-ever episode of Collision in her hometown of Glasgow, Scotland.

Taking on Megan Bayne in a losing effort, the former WWE star wowed fans in attendance who were happy to see her back in action on a big stage.

While there was no official word that she had signed with AEW, we could certainly see her being snatched up by the company in the near future.

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4. TJP

The former WWE Cruiserweight Champion TJP is another former WWE name that could be a great free agent signing for AEW.

After departing WWE in 2019 the tenured veteran returned to NJPW as well as going on to do more work with MLW and CMLL.

In April 2025 it was reported that while TJP was offered a new contract with NJPW, he had elected not to sign but was rather working in the promotion without one.

Potentially able to make a big impact in AEW, TJP could add his fast moving action to the already stacked roster of impressive athletes in the company.

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3. Matt Cardona

While fans, and Matt Cardona himself, continue to hold out hope that he will one day make a WWE return – he could always elect to sign with AEW, who have reportedly had interest in signing him in the recent past.

After making several appearances in the promotion, Cardona has demonstrated himself as a recognizable face to the AEW audience and would likely be welcomed in by fans, despite his hope to rejoin WWE.

Bringing veteran experience, Cardona could fill a gap in babyface star power that will be lacking in the absence of Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland who are both out of action due to injury.

Able to lend his in-ring skills as well as continually entertaining storylines to AEW for even a short-term contract – Matt Cardona could make a big contribution in AEW.

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2. Dakota Kai

One of the WWE talent releases that surprised fans most this year was Dakota Kai.

While Kai had just been heavily involved in the hunt for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship, it seemed as though she may continue feuding with inaugural winner Lyra Valkyria after falling in the final of the tournament to crown the first-ever champ.

However since departing from WWE, Kai has not seen any in-ring action leading some fans to wonder if she isn’t waiting to debut elsewhere.

While other released talent immediately jump into independent wrestling bookings, we’ll continue to keep our eyes peeled on what’s next for Dakota Kai.

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1. Mick Foley

While AEW has been known to feature big name legends from WWE’s past, one that has remained elusive is Mick Foley.

After Foley recently ruled out a potential in-ring return, he went on to divulge that he had met with MJF to discuss some potential work they could do together.

Although Foley has not yet made such a move, he could still be a legendary on-screen presence in AEW.

Notably a beloved persona in professional wrestling, it would be great for fans to see Foley in AEW in any capacity, providing he can do with his WWE legends contract.

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