2023 was one of the craziest years in recent pro wrestling history. Edge joined AEW, Jade Cargill joined WWE, CM Punk was fired from AEW and returned to WWE. But 2024 might be about to be even crazier.
Whose contracts are expiring in 2024? Who will re-sign, and who will leave their promotions?
So before we dive in, I wanted to give massive credit to Fightful’s contract tracker on their website, without which much of this research would have been significantly harder.
But even with that handy dandy tool, there may be some names on this list that are missed, or that we don’t even know about and haven’t been reported, but I’ve tried my best to get every name we know about.
Some of these dates are reports, some of them are things the wrestlers have said themselves.
So we’re going to go through this in chronological order, starting with the start of 2024 and going through the year to see when contracts will be expiring.
With that we can get an idea of when we can expect these names to jump back in the news cycle as their contracts are running out.
So, we begin with early 2024.
22. Alexa Bliss
Now, that date has potential to change as Bliss has been off our screens due to her pregnancy, so there could be time added to her contract to see her further into 2024.
Bliss is an interesting case though, as she has quite publicly frustrated with her booking in WWE in the past.
And while the instinct might be to say that that was under Vince McMahon’s jurisdiction and it’ll be different now that Triple H is in charge, Bliss was actually never that big in Triple H’s NXT.
Something perhaps aided by her being around at the same time as a lot of the Four Horsewomen.
Bliss actually flourished more when she was brought to the main roster, so what will her stance be on Triple H’s WWE when it comes to renegotiation time?
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21. Deonna Purrazzo
A TNA wrestler who has actually confirmed they’ll be a free agent as of January 1st is Deonna Purrazzo.
Purrazzo was infamously poached by WWE ahead of the first All In in 2018, however she was released from the company in April 2020 after only just 16 televised matches.
Purrazzo later stating in an interview that the creative team believed she wasn’t ready for television.
Purrazzo has also wrestled on Dynamite, in the infamous main event with Mercedes Martinez. So what could be next for her?
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20. Dirty Dango
Another contract which expired at the end of 2023 is Dirty Dango from TNA, who of course has history with WWE as Fandango.
He is set to continue in TNA for at least Hard to Kill on January 13, but maybe a Royal Rumble 2024 surprise spot afterwards perhaps?
He along with Fashion Police partner in crime Tyler Breeze were one of WWE’s most underrated and entertaining acts and I for one would love to see them both come back.
Highly unlikely I know, but a man can dream.
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19. Kamille
There’s one more contract due to expire at the end of 2023 and that’s NWA’s Kamille.
NWA has become something of a poisoned product in the last year, but despite their low points, Kamille’s NWA Women’s Title reign was a constant highlight.
There’s a lot of hype surrounding her right now, rightfully so, and she stated she has rejected a contract renewal with NWA and is now a free agent.
Kamille has expressed interest in a WWE move in the past so perhaps it could happen in 2024.
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18. MJF
And on the subject of January 1st: let’s talk about former AEW World Champion, MJF. Now look, it’s been said for a long time that MJF’s contract expires on January 1st, there’s that whole story of the bidding war of 2024.
But has he really not re-signed yet? Haus of Wrestling reported in December that there are those within WWE who believe MJF has re-signed a contract to take him through 2027 in AEW.
MJF has denied those reports, but he would wouldn’t he? Unfortunately things have only gotten more unclear following Worlds End, with the Generational Talent now being removed from the AEW roster page.
While this is again, likely a work I guess we’ll have to wait and see to find out.
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17. Alex Hammerstone
Someone MJF has a fair bit of history with in his early days in MLW is also now a free agent.
Alex Hammerstone is someone that will undoubtedly garner interest from all the big companies, due to him being a rather big lad among other qualities.
However, as of right now there is no real indication on where he will land.
He’s accomplished a lot in his time in MLW but it will be interesting seeing how he fares elsewhere.
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16. Andrade El Idolo
Meanwhile another star who can already call themselves a free agent is Andrade El Idolo, who wrapped up his time in AEW following his loss to Miro at Worlds End.
Andrade at one point seemed to be actively trying to get out of his contract according to reports, with the whole Sammy Guevara situation in 2022 seeming like it could spell the end for his time in the company.
Yet, he ploughed on and went on to have a pretty great end to 2023, particularly in the Continental Classic.
His wife Charlotte Flair remains in WWE, and Triple H seemed to love Andrade from his time in NXT, so it wouldn’t shock me if we see La Sombra return to being Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas once more, perhaps as soon as the end of the month.
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15. Shawn Spears
Another name who departed AEW upon the end of 2023 was The Chairman Shawn Spears.
The former Tye Dillinger may be 42-years-old but its not difficult to see him having one more big move in him before he wraps things up.
WWE may be an option, with Spears close with Cody Rhodes and holding favourable memories working under Triple H in NXT.
So, maybe even if just for a one-off we could get the Perfect 10 enter at number 10 of the Royal Rumble a final time.
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14. Kazuchika Okada
Kazuchika Okada’s New Japan contract is set to expire at the end of January, and it absolutely insane that this is a name that’s not only this list, but has a very real chance of leaving his New Japan home.
Despite being essentially the number one guy in New Japan for several years now, there’s a chance Okada could leave for either AEW or WWE.
If it’s AEW, it’s another huge get from New Japan, joining Will Ospreay and Jay White, but there is also reported interest from WWE too.
With the potential teases and rumours of Okada having famed wrestling agent Barry Bloom at his side for negotiations, it lends even further credence to him heading to North America. This one will change the complexion of the wrestling landscape.
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13. Drew McIntyre
In a more vague time setting, in early 2024, Drew McIntyre’s WWE contract is set to expire.
This one has been spoken about a lot, with McIntyre reportedly being upset about his creative following WrestleMania 39 and not being seen for months before making his return and having a frankly fantastic slow heel turn.
So will WWE pull out the stops to re-sign the former WWE Champion?
There’s also the fact that he’s been featured on the Bash In Berlin poster, which is in August, beyond when Drew’s contract would have expired, so perhaps he’s already re-signed.
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12. Sheamus
And while we’re talking about Drew, we should talk about his pal Sheamus – whose WWE contract is hinted to expire in the first to second quarter of 2024, though that timeframe couldn’t be confirmed.
Sheamus has been even more vocal about his frustrations with WWE and its booking, feeling the company didn’t captitalise on his momentum following Clash at the Castle 2022.
What could play a big role in the timing of the Celtic Warrior’s contract expiring is his current shoulder injury, which has kept him on the shelf for a while now, meaning there could be time added to his contract because of it.
But there could be a real chance of Sheamus not re-signing when the time comes.
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11. Tony Schiavone
Heading into WrestleMania season in April 2024, AEW’s Tony Schiavone will become a free agent.
Schiavone is a pretty integral part of AEW programming, and behind the scenes.
His role as Senior Producer for Live Events and no reports of dissension or unrest between the two parties would likely spell a stay in the company.
And if if he does for whatever reason do so, I highly doubt it would be to jump ship to WWE.
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10. Clark Conners
There’s also New Japan’s Clark Connors, member of Bullet Club and Survival Series contestant.
Connors seems likely to re-sign with New Japan, but does have history with AEW, competing at the first Forbidden Door.
So there is perhaps a potential link there if that was a relationship either side wanted to explore.
AND with AEW’s working relationship with NJPW, a move to Tony Khan’s company could see him still return to Japan periodically one would assume.
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9. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch
We move to midway through 2024, June specifically and we have the power couple of Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins, with both of their contracts expiring around that time.
Now, I know we’d like to think about what Becky and Seth leaving WWE would look like, but I think we put those thoughts to bed real quick.
Both of them have been extremely vocal in talking up WWE, calling it their home etc.
So I would be stunned beyond belief if either of them were to leave. So let’s just leave that one there.
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8. Ricochet
Into the timeframe of ‘Summer 2024’, we have a few interesting names here.
There’s Ricochet, someone who seems to enjoy his time in WWE, but does occasionally voice small frustrations whether it be his lack of promo time or not being able to flex his full abilities in-ring.
He already has history in NJPW so perhaps a move back there would remind everyone what he can do, or perhaps even yet another battle with Will Ospreay in AEW.
Either way Ricochet would be a wild addition to any promotion that would have him.
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7. Jinder Mahal
There’s also Jinder Mahal. He’s a former WWE Champion… Not a very popular one at that based on the Day 1 edition of Monday Night Raw.
Mahal seems like someone who could flourish somewhere like TNA if WWE decided against re-signing him, but there’s no indication of anything just yet.
With Drew McIntyre’s deal also expiring and Heath already a free agent, could 2024 finally see that 3MB reunion we all definitely want?
We can only dream.
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6. Dustin Rhodes
September 2024 could be a very interesting month indeed, as we have two very interesting AEW names for very different reasons.
Dustin Rhodes’ contract reportedly expires around that time, and while he seems to be having a good time in AEW, could he rejoin WWE to belong alongside his brother Cody
Could Cody and Dustin have their WrestleMania match they’ve always wanted under the watchful eye of Triple H?
With it unlikely to ever top their emotional and bloody match Double or Nothing 2019 this would maybe be ill-advised, but regardless Dustin’s presence and experience would be welcomed in any form inside WWE’s walls.
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5. Bryan Danielson
And the other AEW name is none other than Bryan Danielson.
Danielson has taken up more and more backstage responsibilities in 2023, having a creative hand in Collision, making up one third of the disciplinary committee.
The American Dragon has spoken passionately about his love of professional wrestling, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see him stick around while his in-ring career winds down.
Having said that, imagine if Daniel Bryan returned to WWE and retired there instead? It’s pretty wild, right?
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4. The New Day
And now we zoom ahead to the end of 2024, where there are a few caveats here.
Each member of the New Day, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods and Big E are all reportedly signed through to the end of 2024.
Like many others on the roster, all three signed five-year extensions in 2019 at a time when the company when was tying down talent amid the emergence of AEW.
However each of them will likely have injury time added to their contracts, which will most likely push the expiration into 2025.
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3. Randy Orton
The same applies for Randy Orton, who also signed his extension in 2019.
However, with his 18 month absence between May 2022 and November 2023, it’s highly likely his deal will be extended beyond 2024.
2026 may be more likely, however if Randy gets his wish he may be competing in the company for many years beyond that.
At this point in his illustrious career it’s highly unlikely he moves anywhere else regardless.
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2. Rich Swann
Meanwhile, potentially leaving TNA could be Rich Swann.
Someone who has history with WWE as their Cruiserweight Champion, but has flourished massively since departing the company.
His move to TNA in particular raised his stock in a big way, even winning the company’s World Championship and facing Kenny Omega (see above).
2024 is going to be a massive year for TNA with many talent additions expected as the company rebrands itself, so it will be interesting to see if Swann sticks around or departs similarly to Purrazzo and others.
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1. Kevin Owens
And lastly, there’s one more name to talk about at the end of 2024. That’s Kevin Owens.
And this appears to be a certain portion of wrestling fans’ dying wish: to see Kevin Steen wrestle in AEW.
Of course there’s a mountain of history there alongside The Young Bucks and other Ring of Honor alumni to draw upon.
But most of all I think people just really want Owens to be that classic ROH Kevin Steen again.
But not to rain on anyone’s parade here, I think it’s unlikely that Owens leaves WWE.
I think the end of 2024 will come around, maybe we’re still talking about him in a list just like this one, but ultimately I see Owens as a WWE guy for life.
Which in all likelihood will also see Sami Zayn be a WWE guy for life too as those two will not and should not ever leave one another’s side.
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