Over the past few years, there have been several different stars who have arrived in AEW from WWE.
Whether it be Jon Moxley and Bryan Danielson or Adam Copeland and Christian Cage, these stars feel like they will conclude their legendary careers in Tony Khan’s promotion.
Looking at the current WWE roster, there are a variety of talents who could jump to AEW and retire in the company in the years to come.
Here are seven WWE stars to potentially retire in AEW.
7. AJ Styles
At the tailend of 2025, AJ Styles announced that he planned on retiring from in-ring competition in 2026. However, it was also revealed that Styles’ WWE contract was set to expire in February 2026.
“The Phenomenal One” is recognized as one of the greatest in-ring performers in the history of the pro wrestling business and someone many AEW fans have fantasized about joining the promotion.
At WWE Royal Rumble 2026, GUNTHER defeated Styles to retire him from the company. Following the loss, Styles chose to put his gloves back on instead of leaving them in the ring.
With speculation about his future at an all-time high, Styles could make the move to All Elite Wrestling and eventually close out his career with the company later this year or into 2027.
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6. Shinsuke Nakamura
Shinsuke Nakamura is someone who has created an impressive legacy for himself in the pro wrestling industry.
Whether it be his New Japan Pro Wrestling run or his current stint in WWE, Nakamura will be remembered as one of the hardest strikers and charismatic performers in wrestling over the past two decades.
At 45 years old, it feels like Nakamura has more years behind him than ahead of him in his career.
Considering his connections with the likes of Kazuchika Okada in the company, “The King of Strong Style” could sign with All Elite Wrestling and eventually retire with the promotion down the line.
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5. Johnny Gargano
On the January 28 episode of AEW Dynamite, Tommaso Ciampa made his debut with the company by answering Mark Briscoe’s open challenge for the TNT Championship.
Then, Ciampa went on to defeat Briscoe to become the new TNT Champion on the January 31 edition of AEW Collision.
This move by Ciampa could open the door for his longtime tag team partner and rival Johnny Gargano following in his footsteps.
Whenever he becomes available, fans could see Gargano reunite DIY with Ciampa in All Elite Wrestling where they could have dream matches with the likes of The Young Bucks, JetSpeed and Brodido or rekindle their rivalry with FTR.
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4. Candice LeRae
Another part of the DIY act has certainly become Johnny Gargano’s wife Candice LeRae.
The 20-year veteran is someone who has been one of the most reliable and consistent female performers on the WWE roster today.
Proving herself as a technician and someone who thrives in hardcore environments throughout her career, LeRae might be able to stand out a bit more in an environment like All Elite Wrestling.
LeRae signing with AEW could see her help to bolster the women’s scene, especially considering the recent addition of the Women’s World Tag Team Championships.
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3. Mick Foley
At the end of 2025, Mick Foley let it be known that he was done with WWE and planned on cutting off his ties with the company due to their connections to the current Donald Trump administration.
While Foley has been retired from in-ring competition for well over a decade now, the WWE Hall of Famer could come into All Elite Wrestling to play some kind of on-screen role.
Foley is someone who could still contribute as an authority figure, which is something that AEW has not featured quite often.
With his legacy and reputation as one of the best talkers, Foley could have his final on-screen role in professional wrestling on AEW TV in 2026.
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2. Bayley
Over the past year, Bayley has become a name mentioned as potentially making the move to All Elite Wrestling.
After being pulled from the WrestleMania 41 card, fans started to discuss the opportunity for Bayley to jump to AEW when her contract expires.
With her WWE deal set to run out sometime in 2026, Bayley has the chance to reunite with her best friend and former rival Mercedes Moné in Tony Khan’s promotion.
Already having a Hall of Fame worthy resume, Bayley could be rejuvenated in AEW and potentially decide to close out her career in the company after signing.
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1. Cody Rhodes
In 2022, Cody Rhodes shocked the world when he decided to leave the company he helped create in AEW to head back to WWE.
Since returning, Rhodes has firmly established himself as one of the biggest top stars in the entire promotion and is a multi-time Undisputed WWE Champion.
Having reached the mountaintop in the company and accomplished his goals there, it feels inevitable that Cody might want to settle some unfinished business back in All Elite Wrestling one day.
Knowing his importance to the creation of the company, Rhodes could return to AEW at the tailend of his career and decide to retire in a place that he helped build along with his friends in The Elite.
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