Since AEW started in 2019, the company has welcomed many of the top names in WWE history that have made a lasting impact on the promotion.
From Jon Moxley, Chris Jericho and Bryan Danielson to Swerve Strickland, Timeless Toni Storm and Mercedes Moné, these stars have joined AEW and helped to establish the company as one of the biggest in all of pro wrestling.
Looking at the current free agents and potential stars that will be available in the new year, there could be several current and former WWE stars who sign with AEW next.
Here are nine WWE stars to potentially join AEW in 2026.
9. The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz)
In 2020, Dezmond Xavier and Zachary Wentz of The Rascalz signed with WWE and became known as MSK in NXT.
Winning the NXT Tag Team Championships twice and the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, Xavier and Wentz, now going by Wes Lee and Nash Carter, solidified themselves as the future of tag team wrestling on the brand.
However, Carter was released from the company in 2022. While Lee would go on to become a record breaking NXT North American Champion, Wes would join his tag team partner when he was released in 2025.
Following their reunion in TNA Wrestling and going back to their old names, fans could see The Rascalz join AEW in 2026 when they become free agents and sign with a company that specializes in tag team wrestling that would allow them to shine.
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8. Dragon Lee
In October 2025, Dragon Lee won his first title on the WWE main roster when he teamed with AJ Styles to defeat The Judgment Day’s Finn Balor and JD McDonagh to win the World Tag Team Championship.
Following this win, it feels like Lee could garner enough momentum to see him get a push after this tag team is eventually over.
The former LWO member has felt underutilized since being moved to the WWE main roster a few years back and could leave the promotion if he becomes a free agent in 2026.
With his WWE contract coming up next year, Lee could head to All Elite Wrestling and sign a full-time contract where he could become a prominent star thanks to his high flying, lucha libre based exploits.
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7. AJ Styles
Ahead of his showdown with John Cena at WWE Crown Jewel 2025, AJ Styles announced that he plans on retiring from in-ring competition in 2026.
With his current WWE contract set to expire in the new year, it feels like fans will see the end of Styles’ illustrious career in impressive fashion.
As someone that has been reportedly discussed to join the company back in 2019, Tony Khan might see that Styles is a free agent and want to make him an offer he can’t refuse.
Styles clashing with the top stars of AEW like Will Ospreay, Hangman Adam Page and Kenny Omega could make for some instant classics for ‘The Phenomenal One’ before his retirement.
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6. Bayley
Ahead of WrestleMania 41, Bayley was pulled from the card after a backstage attack before her scheduled WWE Women’s Tag Team Title match at the event.
Taking a spot on the Mania card away for her, it felt like a message was being made by WWE and some fans took to social media to explain their dismay.
Since then, Bayley has feuded with Becky Lynch and teamed with Lyra Valkyria in an ongoing partnership.
With her contract set to expire in 2026, fans could see Bayley finally leave WWE and make her way to AEW where she can join Mercedes Mone in adding a great deal of credibility to the women’s division.
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5. Bea Priestley (Blair Davenport)
In February 2025, Blair Davenport was released from WWE following a four-year stint with the promotion.
Since becoming a free agent, Davenport has returned to her Bea Priestley persona and made her way back to the independent scene.
Going from the indies then back to Japan, Priestley now finds herself signed to a deal with World Wonder Ring STARDOM, which is one of the biggest Japanese wrestling promotions in the world.
After admitting she would be interested in a return in an interview, Priestley could return back to a completely different AEW women’s division than the one she left in 2020.
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4. Priscilla Kelly (Gigi Dolin)
Another former WWE star who has expressed interest in potentially showing up in All Elite Wrestling is Priscilla Kelly.
Previously known as Gigi Dolin, the former WWE NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion is best known for her time alongside Mandy Rose and Jacy Jayne in Toxic Attraction.
Having competed against some of the best NXT has had to offer over the last four years, Kelly might need to test herself against the AEW women’s division to push herself in this new chapter of her career.
The former Gigi Dolin coming back to AEW could lead to some intriguing feuds with the likes of Willow Nightingale, Harley Cameron or Thekla.
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3. Donovan Dijak
Back in 2024, Donovan Dijak announced his departure from WWE after his contract expired with the promotion.
After spending seven years with WWE, Dijak is the kind of worker that would benefit from working alongside the exceptional roster in All Elite Wrestling.
With his size, athleticism and experience, Dijak has proven himself yet again on the indies and in Major League Wrestling over the past year and more than earned an opportunity on a bigger platform.
Signing with AEW in 2026, Dijak could come in and become a potential top heel to face top babyfaces, such as Hangman Adam Page and Darby Allin.
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2. Dakota Kai
On May 2, WWE had its latest slate of talent cuts with the company releasing over 15 wrestlers from their contract.
Among the most notable and surprising names included in this round of releases was Dakota Kai.
The former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion is someone who was often described as one of the most underrated in-ring performers in the company.
Dakota Kai feels like someone who would fit in nicely alongside the likes of Kris Statlander, Jamie Hayter and Willow Nightingale in singles competition on AEW TV.
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1. Karrion Kross & Scarlett
Following WWE SummerSlam 2025, Karrion Kross and Scarlett announced that their contracts with the company had expired, making them free agents.
Since their exit from the promotion, Kross and Scarlett have returned to the independent scene and become one of the most known names on most nights.
Using the connection with the audience to foster an undeniable connection, Killer Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux could jump to AEW where they might become one of the top acts in the company moving forward.
With moire creative freedom than they would have in WWE, it would be exciting to see what ideas the pair could draw up for their characters in AEW.
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