5 non-AEW stars who could crash Worlds End 2024
AEW will wrap up an extremely eventful 2024 with its final pay-per-view of the year, Worlds End. The event is set to emanate from the Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida, on December 28 and will feature several of the Tony Khan-led promotion's top stars.
However, owing to the company's policy of collaborating with other promotions, viewers of All Elite Wrestling can reasonably expect stars from various other brands to show up at the December 28 event.
Let us take a look at five such non-AEW names who may appear at Worlds End 2024.
#1. Matt Cardona could disclose his AEW/ROH status
Matt Cardona shocked fans earlier this month when he emerged as Chris Jericho's next challenger for the ROH World Championship, the bout being set for Final Battle 2024 in the legendary Hammerstein Ballroom.
A confrontation between the two later on AEW Rampage led to The Indy God being beaten down by The Nueve and his stablemate Bryan Keith, although the former Zack Ryder defeated Keith on the Winter is Coming edition of the Friday-night show last week.
Rumors have sprung up recently surrounding the possibility of Cardona signing a deal with All Elite Wrestling. Should he decide to join the Jacksonville-based promotion, he could be crowned as the next ROH World Champion on December 20, after which he could officially declare himself a member of the AEW-ROH roster during a special appearance on Worlds End 2024.
#2. Jinder Mahal could make a surprise appearance
Jinder Mahal was involved in an interesting social media discourse earlier this year when Tony Khan criticized WWE for granting The Modern Day Maharaja a World Heavyweight Title shot against then-champion Seth Rollins in spite of his win/loss record. Khan contrasted this with up-and-comer HOOK calling out AEW World Champion Samoa Joe for a title bout around the same time.
Mahal's response to the situation led many to speculate on the prospect of the former WWE Champion joining AEW after his exit from the sports entertainment juggernaut.
Furthermore, Mahal, now going by Raj Dhesi, won the AAA Tag Team Titles with All Elite personality Satnam Singh earlier this year. TK and company could capitalize on the former WWE Superstar's name value by featuring him at Worlds End 2024, where he could team with The Indian Giant, possibly in a pre-show multi-person match.
Mahal could also reunite with The Bollywood Boyz, who could return to AEW after their loss to The Gunns in 2023.
#3. Mina Shirakawa could confront Mercedes Mone
Mercedes Mone succeeded at retaining her NJPW Strong Women's Title against Hazuki in a hard-hitting match at Strong Style Evolved this past Sunday. After the bout, The CEO was confronted by Mina Shirakawa, who called out Mone to face her at Wrestle Dynasty 2025.
Mone accepted the challenge after the 36-year-old star agreed to put her Undisputed British Women's Championship on the line as well, making the match a title vs. title clash.
![Mercedes Mone (left) / Mina Shirakawa (right) [Source: Mone's X profile, AEW's YouTube channel]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/3734e-17344090461019-1920.jpg?w=500)
The Boss also has a TBS Title defense against Anna Jay on the horizon, with Kris Statlander waiting in the wings for a rematch as well. Mone could face Born Again Kristen at Worlds End 2024, after which she could come face to face with Shirakawa again to further hype up their imminent Wrestle Dynasty encounter. The Stardom talent was last seen on All Elite television on Dynamite: Winter is Coming, losing to AEW Women's World Champion Mariah May.
#4. Zack Sabre Jr. could avenge himself against Ricochet
Last month at NJPW Power Struggle, Ricochet made his return to the Japanese promotion by blindsiding the reigning IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Zack Sabre Jr., and voicing the desire to prove his mettle against the company's top title holder. A singles match between the two has since been made official for Wrestle Dynasty 2025.
![Ricochet attacked Zack Sabre Jr. last month [Source: NJPW Global on X]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/17f69-17344098849790-1920.jpg)
The One and Only is currently also a participant in the 2024 Continental Classic in AEW. He could potentially make it to the championship or league finals of the tournament at Worlds End 2024. Regardless of the outcome of his performance at the PPV, Ricochet could be attacked by Sabre Jr. afterward, with the English submission wizard sending a final message to The Human Highlight Reel before their Tokyo Dome bout.
#5. Gabe Kidd could lay out Kenny Omega
Also, at Power Struggle 2024, Kenny Omega revealed that he would make his in-ring comeback at Wrestle Dynasty 2025 against an up-and-coming NJPW talent. Due to a backstage brawl that broke out between The Cleaner and Gabe Kidd, it was later announced that the former AEW World Champion will take on the Bullet Club War Dogs member on January 5.
Omega could make an appearance at Worlds End 2024 to lay the groundwork for his All Elite return and to promote his upcoming match at Wrestle Dynasty. Such an angle could witness The Best Bout Machine being attacked by Kidd on the December 28 event.
This would generate considerable heat on the reigning Strong Openweight Champion and heighten anticipation over Omega's first in-ring performance since December last year.