Every AEW star who left in 2022: Where are they now?
Since its inception in 2019, AEW has continued to change the dynamics of the pro wrestling business. The Jacksonville-based promotion has seemingly challenged WWE's monopoly over the industry, which has boosted the wrestling economy to a great extent.
Wrestlers now have a alternative mainstream promotion to hone their craft in if they don't get their deserved opportunities in the Titanland. From 2019-2021, All Elite Wrestling dominated the free agent market, signing a large number of world-class talents to its roster.
However, things took an intriguing turn in 2022. The year brought a massive shift in the industry, as numerous stars from the Tony Khan-led company were either released or decided to move on from the promotion. While some of these quality talents were picked up by WWE, a few others continue to be assets to other prominent companies.
In this article, let's look at every star that left AEW in 2022, and where they find themselves these days.
#13. Bobby Fish had a brief run in All Elite Wrestling
Bobby Fish joined AEW in October 2021. The former NXT Tag Team Champion had an year-long run in the Jacksonville-based promotion, where he got to wrestle the likes of Bryan Danielson and CM Punk. Fish was set to join forces with Adam Cole and Kyle O'Reilly for a feud against The Elite, before the plans eventually fell through.
The 48-year-old star ultimately left the promotion in August 2022, after management refused to renew his deal. The Round Eye Samurai went on to join TNA briefly before eventually signing with his current promotion, Major League Wrestling (MLW).
#12. Frankie Kazarian left the Tony Khan-led promotion in 2022
Frankie Kazarian's AEW run ended up being a mixed bag. Despite being with the promotion since the very beginning, Kazarian did not get many opportunities to rise to the top. The Elite Hunter storyline failed to leave its mark, resulting in the veteran eventually departing AEW to look for opportunities elsewhere.
The Heavy Metal Rebel wrestled his last match for All Elite Wrestling in December 2022, where he suffered a loss against Konosuke Takeshita on AEW Dark: Elevation. The 47-year-old veteran then rejoined TNA, where he instantly reestablished himself as an integral part of the company's weekly programming.
The former TNA X-Division Champion is currently feuding with Joe Hendry. Interestingly, Kazarian made an appearance in a Battle Royal on WWE NXT in June 2024, where eliminated The Prestigious One.
#11. AQA has stepped away from professional wrestling
AQA made her All Elite Wrestling debut in February 2022, where she unsuccessfully challenged Jade Cargill for the TBS Championship on Dynamite. The young star had tons of potential as she had been trained by Booker T in his promotion, Reality of Wrestling.
AQA had also made a few appearances in WWE NXT as Zayda Ramier, where she got to battle the likes of Toni Storm and Candice LeRae. Six months after getting signed by the Tony Khan-led company, AQA parted ways with AEW owing to her deteriorating mental and physical health.
The young star is currently away from the squared circle, and it is unclear if she intends to return to the ring.
#10. Chavo Guerrero Jr. was in AEW for a short time
Chavo Guerrero Jr. debuted in All Elite Wrestling as a manager for Andrade El Idolo. In July 2021, Guerrero was revealed as the Executive Consultant for the former WWE United States Champion. Unfortunately, Guerrero's onscreen partnership with Andrade did not last long, as the two stars parted ways in September 2021.
The 54-year-old star also appeared in AEW's sister promotion, Ring of Honor, before eventually departing the Tony Khan-led company in 2022. While Chavo does wrestles on a sporadic basis these days, he has taken to an entirely different venture as of late.
The Mexican Superstar has been a part of several pro-wrestling related productions, including The Iron Claw, GLOW, and Young Rock. The veteran is seemingly interested in directing a few projects, and is working actively to turn his vision into a reality.
#9. Jack Evans was let go by AEW in 2022
Following his runs in Lucha Libre Worldwide and Ring of Honor, Jack Evans signed an official contract with All Elite Wrestling in May 2019. Evans soon reunited with his tag team partner Angelico to form the Hybrid 2, which was one of the most exciting tag teams during AEW's initial years.
In April 2022, the 42-year-old star left the Jacksonville-based promotion after his contract was not renewed by the company. Jack Evans currently finds himself grinding on the independent circuit, and has made appearances in some Mexican promotions since leaving AEW.
#8. Alan Angels was a popular member of The Dark Order in All Elite Wrestling
In April 2020, Alan Angels made his AEW debut in a losing effort against Lance Archer. Angels soon aligned himself with The Dark Order, where he wrestled under the moniker of 5.
The young star continued to work alongside the popular AEW faction till June 2022, before his contract eventually expired. Angels then went on to join TNA, where he joined the Violent by Design stable, comprising of Eric Young and Deaner. The 26-year-old star has had a decent run in TNA thus far, having wrestled in many important matches over the last two years.
#7. Joey Janela is back on the independent circuit
Joey Janela was one of the earliest stars to be signed by the Tony Khan-led company in 2019. The Bad Boy seemed destined for success in the Tony Khan-led company, as he got to wrestle the likes of Jon Moxley and Kenny Omega during the company's initial months.
Unfortunately, Janela kept falling down the pecking order in AEW as time passed by. The 35-year-old star ultimately moved on from the Jacksonville-based promotion after his contract expired in May 2022. These days, Janela remains quite active on the independent circuit, specifically GCW (Game Changer Wrestling).
#6. Tully Blanchard had a great run in All Elite Wrestling
Pro Wrestling legend Tully Blanchard joined All Elite Wrestling in early 2019, quickly becoming an onscreen manager for Shawn Spears. Blanchard eventually went on to align himself with FTR, which resulted in one of the most memorable onscreen partnerships in AEW history.
The Midnight Stallion continued to entertain the fans in AEW and ROH, before moving on from the Tony Khan-led company in the fall of 2022.
Blanchard has seemingly taken a break from working in the pro wrestling arena to focus on his other ventures. The legendary star was recently in attendance for WWE Bad Blood 2024, where he was spotted with CM Punk backstage.
#5. Paige VanZant's run in the Tony Khan-led company ended abruptly
Paige VanZant had a short yet chaotic run in All Elite Wrestling. After debuting in the promotion in September 2021, VanZant went to have feuds with the likes of Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Brandi Rhodes, and Tay Conti. The 30-year-old star had been paired with the American Top Team, a group that was able to generate genuine heat from the fans.
In a surprising turn of events, VanZant disappeared from All Elite Wrestling entirely following her last appearance in May 2022. Following two years of her absence, the former UFC fighter was officially removed from the company's roster page in 2024. At the moment, Paige VanZant is a part of Dana White's Power Slap promotion, which covers the sport of slap fighting.
#4. Marko Stunt was one of the unique stars in All Elite Wrestling
Marko Stunt will always be remembered for his time as a member of The Jurassic Express in AEW. Despite not having the ideal bodyframe for a professional wrestler, Stunt was able to carve out some great moments in the Jacksonville-based promotion.
Unfortunately, Stunt's time in the Tony Khan-led company ran out once the company began to drift towards a more serious product. In June 2022, Marko was officially handed his release from All Elite Wrestling. The 28-year-old star made a one-off appearance on Collision in July 2024, when he unsuccessfully challenged Jack Perry for the TNT Championship.
In November 2024, Marko Stunt announced his decision to retire from the pro wrestling business.
#3. William Regal had an impactful stint in All Elite Wrestling
Following his shocking release from WWE, William Regal made his AEW debut at Revolution 2022. While he lasted only a few months in the Tony Khan-led company, Regal was able to lay the foundation of The Blackpool Combat Club, which emerged as one of the most dominant factions in AEW history.
A Real Man's Man also played a pivotal role in MJF winning the AEW World Championship for the first time in his career. The 56-year-old veteran ultimately left All Elite Wrestling in December 2022, before immediately being rehired by the Triple H-led regime.
William Regal has recently resurfaced on WWE NXT. The former WWE Intercontinental Champion has inserted himself into a rivalry between Lexis King and his own son, Charlie Dempsey. It would be intriguing to see if Regal continues to back King against Dempsey or ends up reuniting with his own blood.
#2. Brandi Rhodes departed AEW in 2022
Brandi Rhodes was one of the key members of All Elite Wrestling, who had a significant presence behind the scenes. The 41-year-old star was involved in numerous onscreen storylines, which mostly received mixed reactions from the audience.
In early 2022, the former WWE announcer made the decision to part ways with the Tony Khan-led company, alongside her husband, Cody Rhodes. Since leaving AEW, Brandi Rhodes has distanced herself from pro wrestling to focus on raising her daughter and focus on her health.
However, Rhodes continues to show her support towards The American Nightmare on X/Twitter. The 41-year-old was also part of Cody Rhodes' victory celebration at WrestleMania 40, when he captured the Undisputed WWE Championship.
#1. Cody Rhodes shockingly left All Elite Wrestling in 2022
Cody Rhodes left the wrestling world stunned in February 2022. After building up AEW as a legitimate threat to WWE for years, The American Nightmare decided to leave behind the Jacksonville-based promotion in the past. In a shocking turn of events, The Dashing One made the decision to leave AEW, creating a huge void in the Tony Khan-led company.
Rhodes took the biggest gamble of his career post his departure from AEW. The American Nightmare decided to go back to WWE, a promotion that never saw him more than a mid-carder. The risk paid off quite handsomely for the former AEW EVP, as he immediately rose to the top in the Stamford-based promotion.
At WrestleMania 40, Rhodes ended the historic 1316-Day long title reign of Roman Reigns to become the new Undisputed WWE Champion. The victory solidified Cody Rhodes as the ultimate babyface of WWE, who could lead the company for years to come.