With WWE Backlash coming up on Saturday, there could be some surprises in St. Louis with the potential arrival of former AEW stars.
While there are surely more AEW stars set to hop over to WWE in the future, perhaps it could happen as soon as this weekend at Backlash 2025.
Here are eight AEW stars that could make surprise debuts at WWE Backlash 2025.
8. Mariah May
After losing the “Hollywood Ending” match at AEW Revolution against Timeless Toni Storm, Mariah May has been entirely absent from AEW.
When it emerged that her contract comes up in the summer, suspicion grew among fans who began to wonder if she would be jumping ship to WWE.
If Mariah May is already able to appear at Backlash 2025, it would make sense for her to debut sooner rather than later.
With rumors persisting about WWE’s July premium live event likely to be an all-female Evolution 2, Mariah May would be a great addition to WWE.
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7. Paige
Even while she remained signed with AEW as Saraya, the former Divas Champion was clear that she would never say never about a return to WWE.
However, now that she has officially departed Tony Khan’s company, she could be closer than ever to a WWE return.
With rumors persisting that WWE will host the big female premium live event Evolution 2 in July, Paige returning to be part of that show would make complete sense.
Whether or not she returns to in-ring competition, it would be great to see Paige back in WWE.
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6. Wardlow
Another curious disappearance in AEW has been that of Wardlow.
While there was at least word from Matt Taven that Wardlow was rehabbing a knee injury, details were never confirmed by AEW or Wardlow himself.
What is known is that Wardlow hasn’t had a match since March 13, 2024 at Big Business when he lost by referee decision against Samoa Joe.
With an unclear current contract status with AEW, it is possible that he could arrive on the scene anytime – maybe even at WWE Backlash 2025.
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5. Big Bill
While Chris Jericho was recently written off TV for a tour with Fozzy, his departure was notably out of “disappointment” in Big Bill and Bryan Keith after their loss at AEW Dynasty.
However, with Big Bill reportedly signing with AEW in August 2022 without any contract length revealed, perhaps he could make his way back to WWE.
Last appearing in WWE back at Money in the Bank 2018 in a match against Daniel Bryan as Big Cass, a lot has changed for both him and WWE in the last eight years.
Having returned to professional wrestling after battling personal demons, Big Bill has gone on to reinvent himself in TNA Wrestling and AEW – perhaps he could become a surprise return in WWE.
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4. Tay Melo
After making her in-ring return in STARDOM in Japan back in January 2025, Tay Melo has yet to make an AEW or ROH in-ring return.
While she took time away from wrestling after announcing her pregnancy in May 2023, she hasn’t actually featured in an AEW match since January 2023.
Since her contract status is unknown, it is vaguely possible the former NXT star could make her way back to WWE.
She was previously released from WWE in April 2020 and would later go on to sign with AEW.
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3. Danhausen
While Danhausen remains mysteriously absent from AEW, there is no indication that he’ll be called off the bench anytime soon.
Having had no actual matches in a Tony Khan owned promotion since December 2023 and only making a one-off appearance in ROH in December 2024, Danhausen has largely disappeared.
While the “Very Nice, Very Evil” star could pop up at Backlash 2025 as an unexpected foil – perhaps becoming the newest recruit for Dirty Dominik Mysterio’s Judgment Day – there’s probably a better spot in WWE for him.
Danhausen is a character that could absolutely join NXT and become an instant WWE fan favorite.
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2. HOOK
This is far from confirmed as unlike the rumblings on Mariah May, reports haven’t surfaced that HOOK is necessarily on his way out of AEW.
However, it has been revealed that he has been signed with agent Barry Bloom to represent him in contract negotiations for several months – then he disappeared from AEW TV.
Being written off by an apparent attack by the Death Riders, HOOK’s faction The Opps would go on to replace him with Powerhouse Hobbs and win the AEW Trios Championship.
While AEW was reportedly looking to go the distance in regards to keeping HOOK – in the end, the decision will be up to the 26-year old star.
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1. The Righteous (Vincent & Dutch)
After the news recently broke that AEW had granted the releases of former ROH World Six Man Tag Team Champions The Righteous – another intriguing detail emerged.
Karrion Kross shared a black and white video of himself on social media that not only included the Righteous’ signature theme song, but Kross himself would go on to begin snapping his fingers in a clear reference to the team.
Whether or not Kross was actually alluding that The Righteous could be headed to WWE remains to be seen, but that is what most fans took away from Kross’ video.
While it is possible Kross was simply stirring up a bit of speculation, there’s still a chance the eccentric tag team make their way to WWE, as they did have interest before joining AEW.
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