Former world champion; major heel? - 3 AEW stars who could return at Worlds End 2024
Worlds End will be the final AEW pay-per-view of 2024. The Jacksonville-based promotion has delivered several unforgettable pay-per-view events this year and Tony Khan will hope to carry the same momentum into 2025.
The second edition of Worlds End will mark the conclusion of several major rivalries. After a year-long back-and-forth, MJF and Adam Cole will finally settle their unfinished business at the Florida pay-per-view. The event will also mark the conclusion of the second edition of the Continental Classic.
It will be intriguing to see if Kazuchika Okada manages to retain his title or if a different individual leaves the Addition Financial Arena as the Continental Champion. Other top champions like Jon Moxley, Konosuke Takeshita, Mariah May, and Mercedes Mone will also put their titles on the line at Worlds End 2024.
While the show already has a stacked match card, some shocking returns could double the fun for the fans in attendance. In this article, let's look at three AEW stars who could return at Worlds End 2024.
#3. Saraya could return to set her sights on Championship gold
Saraya has been away from in-ring competition for a while. The Anti-Diva was last seen on television in October 2024, where she competed in a Four Way match against Jamie Hayter, Nyla Rose, and Willow Nightingale.
The former AEW Women's World Champion has reportedly taken a brief hiatus from pro wrestling to work on a few personal projects. Having been away from AEW for over two months, Saraya could end her hiatus and make an appearance at Worlds End 2024.
The former WWE Divas Champion could launch a sneak assault on Mercedes Mone, who is set to defend her title against Kris Statlander at the pay-per-view. If The CEO overcomes the threat of Statlander, she could find Saraya waiting for her on the other side.
The 32-year-old star could also set her sights on Mariah May, who will put her AEW Women's World Title on the line against Thunder Rosa. Defending her title against an established star like Saraya would certainly help elevate May's title reign.
It would also be a great way to keep The Fighting Princess away from Toni Storm for some more time.
#2. Wardlow could influence the outcome of the MJF vs. Adam Cole match
Wardlow has not been seen in All Elite Wrestling since March 2024. The monstrous star wrestled his last AEW match on the March 13 edition of AEW Dynamite: Big Business, where he unsuccessfully challenged Samoa Joe for the AEW World Championship.
Since then, Mr. Mayhem has remained on the sidelines due to an undisclosed injury. It was recently announced that the former TNT Champion would compete at the Pandemonium: Pro Wrestling event in April 2025, which has sparked the conversation about his comeback to the Jacksonville-based promotion.
The 36-year-old star could show up at Worlds End 2024 to execute a major swerve. Wardlow could cost Adam Cole his match against MJF, handing The Devil a convincing victory over his arch-rival.
The incident would sow the seeds for a rivalry between Mr. Mayhem and The Panama Playboy. Interestingly, Cole had recruited Wardlow to do his dirty work when he formed The Undisputed Kingdom. The former NXT Champion had promised to help Wardlow revive his career, which sadly did not transpire.
The former TNT Champion would be justifiably frustrated at The Panama Playboy, prompting him to decimate the 35-year-old star at Worlds End 2024.
#1. Kenny Omega could finally make his return to AEW
After staying away from in-ring combat for an entire year, Kenny Omega will compete against NJPW's Gabe Kidd at the Wrestle Dynasty pay-per-view. Interestingly, The Cleaner could have a surprise in store for his passionate AEW fans, who had been awaiting his comeback for months.
The Best Bout Machine could send the Orlando crowd into a frenzy by making his return at Worlds End 2024. Omega could show up to confront Kazuchika Okada, who is likely to compete in the finals of the Continental Classic this Saturday.
On the May 1 episode of Dynamite, The Rainmaker tricked an injured Kenny Omega into being assaulted by The New Elite. The Cleaner would not have forgotten Okada's actions, as he could emerge to return the favor to The Continental Champion at Worlds End.
Omega's arrival could serve as a distraction for The Rainmaker, which would immediately cost him a victory in the C2 Finals. It would be a great way to reignite the rivalry between the two veterans, who previously had a legendary feud in NJPW.