Recent speculation has centred on Chris Jericho potentially leaving AEW and making a return to WWE.
But ever since AEW’s inception, plenty of stars have also gone the other way – leaving WWE with the goal of joining Tony Khan’s promotion.
We’ve already seen names like Ricochet, Adam Cole and Bryan Danielson make the conscious decision to jump to the rival company.
So, the question now is – who could be next? Here are six WWE stars who could leave and go on to join AEW.
6. Andrade
On September 13, Andrade was abruptly released by WWE, bringing an end to his short-lived second run with the company.
The question now is whether he could make a return to AEW, the promotion he left at the end of 2023 to rejoin WWE.
While Andrade impressed in-ring during his AEW run, his time there was also marked by controversy, including a backstage fight with Sammy Guevara.
However, following his release, top AEW star MJF tweeted at the 35-year-old luchador seemingly challenging him – so perhaps we could we soon see a return, and a feud with MJF.
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5. AJ Styles
AJ Styles has teased that his time with WWE could be coming to an end, raising the question of what his next move will be.
It’s hard to imagine AEW not making a play for the 48-year-old – with plenty of friends in the company, a host of dream matches against the likes of Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay and Kyle Fletcher, and his status as arguably the father of AEW’s in-ring style.
At the same time, it’s equally hard to see WWE not offering him a contract extension, likely followed by a transition into a backstage role.
Time will tell which option Styles ultimately chooses – though AEW fans will certainly be keeping their fingers and toes firmly crossed!
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4. Shinsuke Nakamura
Until he reappared in the background of Sami Zayn’s backstage segments this past Friday, Shinsuke Nakamura has been absent from WWE programming since June, with no reports of injury – he seemingly just hasn’t been used.
Even before this, as part of the SmackDown roster, he was booked sporadically, and often as the one to take the pin, with his last victory coming on January 3.
At 45, Nakamura may no longer be the worker he was in his New Japan Pro-Wrestling prime, but he remains one of the most unique and charismatic performers in the business.
If WWE does decide to release him, it’s hard to imagine AEW not making a serious play for the former IWGP World Champion.
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3. Tyler Bate
Incredibly, Tyler Bate has now been with WWE for nearly nine years.
One of the company’s most gifted in-ring performers, his near-decade run has largely been defined by underutilization – with only brief pushes in NXT and the little-watched NXT UK.
Given how long he’s been in WWE and how little they’ve truly done with him, it’s hard to argue he doesn’t need a change of scenery to finally realise his yet untapped potential.
Still only 28, a move to AEW – a promotion that prioritizes in-ring action – could give the British star a platform to showcase his incredible talent to the wrestling world.
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2. Bayley
This year has seen Bayley left off both of WWE’s biggest shows – pulled from WrestleMania to make room for Becky Lynch’s return, and with no place for her across two nights of SummerSlam.
While still featured regularly on Raw, it’s clear the 36-year-old has been slotted firmly into the midcard.
So the question becomes ‘ could she follow her close friend Mercedes Moné and make the move to AEW?
Like Moné, Bayley takes pride in her work and wants to have great matches, something AEW would facilitate while also positioning her as one of the division’s top stars.
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1. Apollo Crews
Apollo Crews is another WWE star whose skills have been perennially underutilized across his decade with the company.
Though he has held both the Intercontinental and United States Championships, the in-ring ability he showcased on the independents and in Japan’s Dragon Gate – as Uhaa Nation – has rarely been seen in WWE.
Now nearing a return from the pectoral injury he suffered in January, it would be a surprise to see him given a serious push in WWE – rather, his future in the company remains uncertain.
AEW is loaded with in-ring talent, but Crews’ explosive, high-flying arsenal could make him a natural fit for great matches on its programming.
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