5 AEW stars who might never become World Champions
AEW currently has one of the most diverse rosters in the world of pro wrestling. The talent pool in the Tony Khan-led company has continued to grow in the last five years, as the CEO of All Elite Wrestling has signed many prominent international stars in recent times.
From incredible in-ring performers to charismatic trash talkers, the Jacksonville-based promotion is blessed with a great variety of talents. However, it is not logically possible for Tony Khan to push every wrestler as a main eventer, causing many exceptional performers to get left behind.
Despite their gifted skills and attractive personalities, a few AEW wrestlers have gotten lost in the shuffle and are unlikely to hold World Championship gold in the Jacksonville-based promotion. In this article, let's look at five stars who may never become AEW World Champion.
#5. Ricky Starks could be on his way out of All Elite Wrestling
Ricky Starks is amongst the most underutilized stars in All Elite Wrestling. While the four young pillars have been actively pushed by the management, The Absolute One has not been given a consistent push in the main event scene.
Starks briefly featured in the World Championship picture in 2023, but it's unlikely that he will get another shot at the prestigious title. The Stroke Daddy has been on an indefinite hiatus since March 2024 despite being medically cleared to compete. The creative team reportedly has no plans for the 33-year-old star, which has extended his stay on the sidelines.
Following years of being overlooked, it is highly possible that Ricky Starks will leave AEW once his contract expires. The Stroke Daddy has fallen down the pecking order in recent months, making it difficult for him to break into the main event scene again. Unless Tony Khan has a sudden change of plans, The Absolute One will likely never grasp the AEW World Championship.
#4. Malakai Black may never become the AEW World Champion
Malakai Black generated a lot of buzz when he made his memorable AEW debut in 2021. The Dutch Destroyer took out Cody Rhodes and Arn Anderson in his first-ever appearance in the Jacksonville-based promotion. Through his impactful debut, the former NXT Champion made it clear that he was coming after the top spot.
Unfortunately, a number of factors have held Malakai back from taking his AEW career to the next level. Aside from his recurring injury struggles, the inconsistent pushes have not helped Black's case much either. Despite his success in the Trios division, Malakai Black has lost every match whenever he has challenged for a singles title. The wicked heel has been overshadowed by the likes of Adam Copeland, Will Ospreay, and Kazuchika Okada, who signed with the Tony Khan-led company years after Malakai Black.
The Dutch Destroyer has found himself stuck in the Trios division as part of The House of Black for a long time. The 39-year-old star rarely features in singles matches on television, which hints at a lack of creative direction. As someone who is widely rumored to leave the company at the end of his deal, the chances of Malakai Black getting his hands on the AEW World Championship seem very low.
#3. Miro has fallen down the ranks
Miro (fka Rusev) had an incredible rise in All Elite Wrestling from 2020-21. The Redeemer gimmick did wonders for the 38-year-old performer, as it helped him regain the intimidating presence he once had. The former WWE United States Champion soon captured the TNT Championship, which allowed him to further move up the ranks on the roster.
Unfortunately, a number of factors derailed the momentum Miro had built over time. The Redeemer was forced to stay off television for long periods due to injuries, causing the fans to move on from him. The creative team could not come up with any solid plans for Miro, as he was put in underwhelming storylines upon his return.
The former Bulgarian Brute was supposed to compete in the Meat Madness match at AEW Revolution 2024 before he was abruptly pulled out of the contest. The Redeemer is currently dealing with an injury behind the scenes, with no proper information regarding his comeback.
Considering his frequent absence from television in recent times, many fans argue that Miro no longer fits in the current atmosphere of All Elite Wrestling. If the recent booking trend continues, the 38-year-old may not ever capture another singles title in the Tony Khan-led company, let alone the AEW World Championship.
#2. The AEW World Championship has remained out of PAC's reach.
Pac has had a strange career in All Elite Wrestling. Despite being one of the most protected talents in the company, the former All-Atlantic Champion has been kept far away from the World title picture.
The Man that Gravity Forgot has been hampered by injuries, travel restrictions, and visa issues, making his appearances over the last couple of years sporadic at best. While he was prominently featured on television during the company's early days, Pac's momentum has significantly diminished as time passed by.
It has been a long time since Pac last challenged for the AEW World Championship. While the British star entered the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament 2024 with high expectations, he was eventually eliminated by Bryan Danielson. Pac also claimed his shot at the AEW International Championship on a recent episode of Dynamite, a storyline that doesn't seem to be going anywhere.
It is evident that Tony Khan is not yet ready to give Pac a sustained push in the main event scene. The All Elite Chief does not have any clear direction for the 37-year-old talent, as he has failed to capitalize on his full potential. With many credible contenders ahead of him in the line, Pac may not find himself anywhere near the AEW World Championship picture in the future.
#1. Keith Lee has unfortunately not been able to accomplish much in the Tony Khan-led company
Keith Lee made his AEW debut in 2022. After an underwhelming run on the WWE main roster, The Limitless One arrived in the Tony Khan-led company to revive his wrestling career. During his time in NXT, Lee had shown the wrestling world how reliable he could be as a main event talent.
The 39-year-old performer had a strong start in the Jacksonville-based promotion, as his tag team with Swerve Strickland soon became a popular act. The duo also successfully captured the AEW World Tag Team Championship before eventually breaking up and going their separate ways.
Unfortunately, Lee's recurring health struggles put a halt to his in-ring career. The Limitless One had to stay off television for a considerable amount of time, which had a negative impact on his career. Even when he was on television, Keith Lee was rarely featured in any meaningful storyline.
Lee was scheduled to face his friend-turned-foe Swerve Strickland at AEW Worlds End 2023, which was expected to lead to a turnaround for his career. However, The Limitless One was replaced by Dustin Rhodes at the last moment, as he was deemed unfit to compete in this contest.
The 39-year-old underwent double surgery in January 2024, which is likely to keep him on the sidelines for a long time. For someone who once held the NXT Championship and the NXT North American Championship at the same time, it is disappointing to see how far Lee has fallen in recent times. As he continues to deal with his offscreen struggles, it seems like the AEW World Championship will continue to elude Keith Lee in the future.