5 surprising stars who could be the wild card in AEW's Owen Hart Cup
The latest installment of the AEW Owen Hart Cup is set to be a high-stakes affair. After a couple of successful editions, the prestigious annual tournament has once again returned to the AEW programming, bringing along a career-defining opportunity for the participants.
The winner of this year's Owen Hart Foundation Tournament will receive a guaranteed World Title shot at the upcoming All In pay-per-view at Wembley Stadium. With PAC and Jay White winning their respective quarterfinals on Dynamite, we have two recognized semi-finalists at the moment.
In the remaining quarter-finals, Bryan Danielson will take on NJPW's Shingo Takagi in a dream encounter at the Forbidden Door pay-per-view. Meanwhile, Jeff Jarrett will go up against an unannounced opponent at next week's Beach Break edition of Dynamite in the final contest of the first round.
There are major speculations about the Wild Card who is slated to battle Double J on Dynamite. In this article, let's look at five superstars who could be the Wild Card in the Owen Hart Cup 2024.
#5. Sammy Guevara could face Jeff Jarrett on Dynamite's "Beach Break" edition
Sammy Guevara was last seen on television in February 2024, when he dealt a fatal blow to Jeff Hardy's nose during their No Disqualification match on Rampage. Following his bout against The Charismatic Enigma, Mr. Money's Worth was suspended by AEW for not following the "Concussion" Protocol.
As per recent reports, Guevara's suspension was lifted last month, with the creative team now brainstorming plans for his eventual return. With Jeff Jarrett seemingly set to compete as a babyface in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament, The Spanish God would be the perfect antagonist to pit against the Last Outlaw.
Guevara could be the dastardly heel who tries to deny Double J the chance to honor his great friend. It would generate great heel heat for the former TNT Champion, who has remained on the sidelines for four months.
#4. Ricky Starks returns as the unannounced Wild Card
Ricky Starks is well aware of the challenge that a tournament like the Owen Hart Cup presents for an individual. The Absolute One was part of last year's lineup of the annual competition, where he outlasted Juice Robinson, Powerhouse Hobbs, and CM Punk to secure the historic victory.
Having remained off television since March 2024, Starks would be eager to build some momentum upon his much-awaited return. There would be no better way for the star to return to the fray than by winning the Owen Hart Cup, for the second year in a row.
With legends like Bryan Danielson, Jeff Jarrett, and Shingo Takagi set to be a part of the Foundation Tournament, it would be a tough ask for The Absolute One to recreate his previous year's success in the Owen Hart Cup.
However, Starks' desperation for a shot at the AEW World Championship could push him to go all the way for the second consecutive year.
#3. Hangman Adam Page returns as the Wild Card on AEW Dynamite
The Elite have seemingly entered a feud with the reigning AEW World Champion, Swerve Strickland after the latter refused to join the faction for Blood & Guts. If The Killshot manages to survive Will Ospreay at Forbidden Door, he could be met with a forgotten ghost of his past.
As the most dominant force in AEW at the moment, it is surprising that The Elite has not picked anyone to represent them in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. With the Wild Card spot yet to be filled by anyone, The Young Bucks could bring back Hangman Adam Page to compete in the annual tourney.
The Anxious Millenial Cowboy has remained off television since AEW Revolution, where he lost a three-way World Title match against Samoa Joe and Swerve Strickland. On the March 6 episode of Dynamite, The Young Bucks suspended the former AEW World Champion from The Elite, for putting his hands on two officials at the pay-per-view.
A victory in the Owen Hart Cup would be the perfect way for The Hanger to cement his heel turn. It would guarantee him a World Title Opportunity at All In 2024, where he could settle his scores with Swerve Strickland.
Bringing back Hangman Page to resume his rivalry with Swerve would be a masterstroke on The Bucks' part, allowing them to punish The Killshot for his recent actions.
#2. DIJAK debuts in All Elite Wrestling as the Wild Card
In a shocking turn of events, WWE has decided not to renew Dijak's contract. Following an entertaining run in NXT, the former Retribution star was called up to the main roster during the recent edition of WWE Draft.
With Triple H and Co. failing to realize Dijak's huge potential, the 37-year-old could potentially consider a move to All Elite Wrestling. Tony Khan would love to sign the former ROH star, who is one of the best in-ring workers at the moment.
Dijak could send shockwaves across the wrestling universe by stepping up to Jeff Jarrett at next week's edition of Dynamite. Although he may not go all the way, the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament would provide much-needed exposure to Dijak, which he never received on WWE's main roster.
#1. Shane McMahon shocks the world by entering the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament 2024
Rumors of Shane McMahon possibly heading to All Elite Wrestling have picked up fire of late. Although Tony Khan has denied any conversations with The Prodigal Son, the AEW CEO is open to having a possible working relationship with Shane O'Mac.
Jim Ross also seems optimistic about McMahon's possible arrival in AEW, calling it a "crazy" idea that could work in the favor of the Jacksonville-based promotion. Last seen on WWE television at WrestleMania 39, Shane McMahon could make the wrestling world erupt with his historic debut at the Beach Break edition of AEW Dynamite.
While it is unlikely for 54-year-old Shane O'Mac to take the Owen Hart Cup home, his potential entry in the prestigious tournament would certainly generate a lot of buzz in the wrestling community.