6 AEW stars whose returns should be postponed until 2025
AEW is down to its last pay-per-view in 2024, with Worlds End coming up. It is guaranteed that several big names will be headlining the pay-per-view, with matches being built up in the coming weeks.
With this being said, there are still several big names on the roster who are currently inactive or in a hiatus for several reasons. But they could end up closing the year on a high note with some last-minute appearances.
Seeing as 2025 is coming soon, in what could be another great year for the promotion, several stars may elect to wait a little more for their grand returns. Below are some stars who should return once the new year comes.
#1. The Young Bucks
The Young Bucks have been absent from the promotion for a month now. They decided to begin working from home after Jon Moxley and The Death Riders took over the company.
As of now, there are no plans for their return, and they are only currently booked for a match against HENARE and Great-O-Khan, the IWGP Tag Team Champions, at Wrestle Dynasty on January 5. Following their appearance on the crossover pay-per-view, they should continue to wait it out before returning to AEW.
This would be in line with their recent behavior and could help build them up as someone the promotion would need in this fight against The Death Riders.
#2. Julia Hart
For a few weeks now, Julia Hart has been hinting at making her return to the company. She has also seemingly revealed her first target, Jamie Hayer. Last week on Dynamite, she began the mind games by hinting at appearing following Hayter's match on the show.
The former AEW Women's World Champion is now competing in the International Women's World Cup and is one win away from being the promotion's representative in the Four-Way match at Wrestle Dynasty.
Hart could begin a slow-burn approach to going after Jamie Hayter by constantly hinting at her appearance to get in her mind and make her lose focus. She could strike when she least expects or in a high-stakes event like Wrestle Dynasty, should the British star make it there.
#3. Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe has been one of the major names on the roster who has not been seen for some time now. He was last seen feuding with Chris Jericho back in July. He was put through a wall with a forklift, thus ending their feud for now.
His being written off TV was due to some commitments outside the ring. Recent reports have mentioned that he is now done with these and could be making a return to AEW sometime soon.
Considering several ongoing storylines and tournaments within the promotion, it would be best to save Joe for a major return in 2025. He was on a great run to begin this year, and once he comes back full-time, he could go after the world title and become one of those who will try to take down Jon Moxley.
#4. Toni Storm
Toni Storm has not been seen or heard from in any capacity since she lost to Mariah May at AEW All In in August. She has made appearances for other major promotions, such as CMLL or STARDOM, but she has remained mostly in the losing column.
She has a clear bone to pick with The Glamour, and they could rekindle this feud to begin in 2025. Mariah is currently feuding with Mina Shirakawa, and this could run till the end of this year.
Storm returning once this feud ends is a perfect angle to have, as she will be the biggest threat on the roster to the AEW Women's World Champion. They could build up this rematch and have it at Grand Slam: Australia, this time being in front of Toni's home country.
#5. Former AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson
Bryan Danielson's full-time wrestling career ended at AEW WrestleDream in October, but he has not ruled out returning to the industry.
The American Dragon has recently talked about his health status and how there was a lot of work needing to be done on him. It is still unclear whether he'll need surgery or whether he can deal with this through stem cell treatment and rehab.
With this in mind, it seems as if he isn't making any returns in the near future. This also makes sense from a storyline perspective, as his "retirement" angle would have been rendered useless with a quick return. Fans should just stay tuned to any possible return for Bryan Danielson in 2025 and what he'll do now that he's just a part-time competitor.
#6. Kenny Omega
Kenny Omega is arguably the name on the roster whose return fans have been clamoring for. He has been out of action for almost a year due to major health issues, but he is now nearing a return to the ring.
However, he won't be making his return to AEW, as he'll be at Wrestling Dynasty in a match against Gabe Kidd. This is a crossover pay-per-view, so this won't count as his official return to All Elite Wrestling. He has also now only appeared live in an NJPW show.
It is expected that the soonest he'll return is in 2025, but it is unclear when. He'll have a lot on his hands should he return, as he'll want to get revenge on The Elite, and he'll most likely get involved in the promotion's war against Jon Moxley and the Death Riders.