5 stars who could become the first inductee into the AEW Hall of Fame
Over the years, AEW has added several legendary pro wrestlers to its world-class roster. While certain stars like CM Punk eventually moved on from the Tony Khan-led company, many other names went on to become the cornerstones of All Elite Wrestling.
Every year, WWE shows its respect to the legends of the business by inducting them into the company's exclusive Hall of Fame. While it seems too early for AEW to have its own Hall of Fame, it is expected that the promotion will eventually adopt a similar annual tradition in the future.
Tony Khan will certainly have a difficult task at hand when he eventually has to decide who will be the first member of the AEW Hall of Fame. From a 55-year-old veteran to a retired WCW icon, there are several figures who are equally deserving of such a massive honor. In this article, let's look at five stars who could be the inaugural inductee into the AEW Hall of Fame.
#5. Bryan Danielson could be a solid choice for such a massive honor
Whenever we talk about the most influential stars in AEW history, Bryan Danielson's name is bound to come up. Despite not being a member of the company from the very beginning, The American Dragon left a huge impact on the promotion's landscape.
The Leader of the Yes Movement was part of numerous memorable moments during his three-year-long stint with All Elite Wrestling. Danielson engaged in countless in-ring classics during this run, establishing himself as one of the hottest stars in the company. Aside from his in-ring exploits, The American Dragon has also been involved in handling the creative process of the company behind the scenes.
At All In 2024, Bryan Danielson scripted one of the most magical moments in pro wrestling history by dethroning the then-reigning AEW World Champion, Swerve Strickland. Now that the 43-year-old star has retired from his full-time responsibilities, he could be a solid candidate to be the first inductee into the AEW Hall of Fame.
Tony Khan is well aware of Danielson's contributions to All Elite Wrestling, and a Hall of Fame induction would be a great way to applaud his efforts. It would be another feather in the cap of The American Dragon, who has carved an undeniable legacy across several wrestling promotions.
#4. Dustin Rhodes has been a loyal asset to Tony Khan
Following years of underutilization in WWE, Dustin Rhodes made a career-altering decision in 2019. The 55-year-old veteran signed a contract with All Elite Wrestling, intending to reinvent himself in a new promotion.
The Natural immediately created a solid impact in his first official match in the Tony Khan-led company. At Double or Nothing 2019, Dustin battled his brother, Cody Rhodes, in one of the most emotional in-ring spectacles of all time.
Since then, Dustin's stock has continued to rise in All Elite Wrestling. The reigning ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champion has transformed himself into a reliable in-ring talent who can keep up with the very best inside the squared circle. Rhodes' experience has proven to be beneficial to the rest of the roster, as the veteran has emerged as a source of knowledge for the younger stars.
Dustin Rhodes is a well-respected figure in the locker room backstage, which speaks volumes of his position in All Elite Wrestling. With The Natural being in the final stages of his iconic career, a Hall of Fame induction would be a great way to celebrate his legacy.
#3. Chris Jericho could headline AEW's first-ever Hall of Fame ceremony
Chris Jericho is arguably the most important figure who helped All Elite Wrestling get off the mark in 2019. The presence of a mainstream star like Jericho helped legitimize the Jacksonville-based promotion in the eyes of the wrestling fans. During the company's first year of existence, it was The Learning Tree who led the brand as the inaugural AEW World Champion.
The Lionheart is the individual who helped put the Jacksonville-based promotion on the map in 2019. While the likes of Kenny Omega and Cody Rhodes did have considerable popularity, it was the signing of Chris Jericho that brought eyeballs to the company's product.
The reigning ROH World Champion has been a part of numerous pivotal moments in AEW in the last five years. The Learning Tree has been among the most consistent stars in the Tony Khan-led promotion and has taken little time off from the ring during his ongoing run.
While fans have been critical of Jericho's booking at times, his contributions to All Elite Wrestling cannot be denied. If AEW ever decides to create its exclusive Hall of Fame, The Lionheart could likely headline the inaugural induction ceremony.
#2. Christian Cage could script history as the first-ever AEW Hall of Famer
Christian Cage's journey in AEW has been quite intriguing. The Patriarch made his All Elite Wrestling debut in February 2021. Interestingly, the fans were not quite thrilled about seeing Christian in the Jacksonville-based promotion.
Many individuals believed that Christian's best years were behind him and he would not be a reliable asset to Tony Khan. It is safe to say that Captain Charisma has managed to prove his critics wrong with his incredible performances over the last three years.
From ending Kenny Omega's IMPACT World Title reign to becoming one of the most despicable heels of the modern era, Christian Cage has bagged a lot of accolades during his time in AEW. It was Cage's brilliance that helped revive the prestige of the TNT Championship, which had become a total afterthought in AEW.
With his impressive character work, The Patriarch has emerged as one of the biggest draws for the Tony Khan-led company. The 50-year-old has managed to keep his character fresh through several storylines, which is one of the most difficult tasks to achieve as a pro wrestler.
The former TNT Champion has currently set his sights on Jon Moxley's AEW World Championship. If Cage manages to capture the prestigious world title, he could possibly seal his spot in the AEW Hall of Fame.
As someone who struggled to establish himself as a main event talent, becoming the first-ever Hall of Fame inductee would certainly be a moment of redemption for The Patriarch.
#1. Sting could be chosen as the first inductee into the Hall of Fame
After a five-year-long absence from in-ring competition, Sting made his return to pro wrestling in December 2020. The Vigilante made a decision to join All Elite Wrestling, which ended up being a masterstroke.
At WWE Night of Champions 2015, Sting suffered a serious neck injury in a match against Seth Rollins. The injury was worse than expected, and The Stinger was forced to retire from in-ring competition. Frustrated at not getting to finish his career on his own terms, The Icon decided to write the last chapter of his legendary career in AEW.
Sting went on to have a three-year-long stint in the Tony Khan-led company. During his memorable tenure, The Stinger wrestled against several world-class superstars, including numerous first-time opponents. Despite being past his prime years, The Vigilante competed at a high level and regularly wowed the fans.
The Stinger was involved in a pairing with Darby Allin, which helped prolong The Icon's career while also elevating Allin in the process. At Revolution 2024, the duo teamed up to face The Young Bucks for the AEW World Tag Team Championship. It was the final time that The Icon ever competed in the squared circle, and he managed to retire on a high note by retaining the prestigious tag titles.
In less than four years, Sting became an irreplaceable part of AEW's legacy. Instead of being a shadow of his past self, The Vigilante became a loyal asset for Tony Khan, who helped bring several old fans to the company's product.
Tony Khan has tons of respect for The Stinger. The head booker of AEW gave Sting a magical sendoff at Revolution 2024, indicating how important The Icon has been to the Jacksonville-based promotion. If All Elite Wrestling ever decides to adopt the Hall of Fame tradition, Sting could possibly be the first name on the list of inductees.