If AJ Styles is to find himself in AEW in the future, he would make the perfect leader for a brand new faction that includes former WWE stars.
Able to utilize his long career in the industry to bring together storylines from more than one generation of top talent, AJ Styles could be an amazing addition to AEW if he were to sign with Tony Khan after his WWE contract expires.
Here are six former WWE stars that could join a new AJ Styles faction in AEW.
6. Chris Jericho
Just because Chris Jericho has been absent from AEW TV doesn’t mean he has entirely ruled out remaining with the company.
Perhaps Tony Khan could provide an offer to Jericho that he couldn’t refuse that could see him sticking with the company into 2026, and into a potential arrival in the company of AJ Styles.
Friends outside of the ring, Jericho and Styles could not only reunite their Y2AJ tag team in AEW – they would likely suffer the same fate this time around.
With Jericho potentially turning on Styles out of jealousy yet again – this time a decade later – the duo could re-tell their WrestleMania 32 storyline but this time in AEW.
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5. Braun Strowman
While he was released from WWE in May 2025, Braun Strowman has yet to make appearances for any other wrestling promotions.
However, still an attraction talent – with a commanding stature and amusing gimmick – Strowman could be a fun addition to an AJ Styles led faction.
Able to be presented as the big country muscle for Styles, Strowman could sort of reinvent his past WWE tropes into a more tongue-in-cheek presentation.
Potentially ready to take aim at some of his past antics in WWE in a more satirical fashion in AEW, Strowman could end up being a controversial yet comedic character with Styles.
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4. Samoa Joe
Arguably someone with the most robust history with AJ Styles – Samoa Joe would be a perfect fit to join forces with Styles in AEW.
With both of the TNA Wrestling and WWE legends having made their mark across the industry, it would be fascinating to see them both align in AEW.
Although their rivalry has been iconic, it could be even more compelling to see the duo working together.
While it would be fun to inevitably see them part ways and go back to having a hatred filled feud for the ages – the pairing would be fun while it lasted.
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3. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
Perhaps upon his arrival in AEW, AJ Styles would come along with longtime allies Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson.
Name dropped during his recent comments at WWE Raw, AJ Styles reminded fans that he previously had a posse in WWE including Gallows and Anderson, as well as Michin.
The duo of Gallows and Anderson – who have previously appeared in AEW – would make total sense to align onscreen in the company.
Bringing about the Bullet Club spirit in AEW, there could be some fascinating match-ups in the future with roots from NJPW’s past.
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2. Kevin Owens
The least likely of the list to come to fruition, it won’t stop fans from hoping to see Kevin Owens and AJ Styles together in AEW one day.
With the potential that AJ Styles could end up signing in the future with AEW seemingly on the table, certainly speculation about a potential future for Owens in AEW will persist.
Not only is Owens out of action currently due to injuries requiring surgery, he is certainly locked into a deal with WWE.
Fans likely shouldn’t hold their breath about the pairing since Owens was reported in early 2025 to have signed a new WWE deal that will see him with the company until at least 2030.
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1. Shinsuke Nakamura
Another potential defection from WWE that could find a fruitful future in AEW is Shinsuke Nakamura.
If AJ Styles was creating a super group in AEW, it would make complete sense for him to recruit his fellow former NJPW star.
Potentially similarly frustrated with his booking, AEW could offer an enticing opportunity for the Japanese legend to craft his own vision for retirement.
With Nakamura’s WWE contract status unknown, it could be a stretch for both of the big names to be free agents at the same time, but stranger things have happened.
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