Familiar faces, a world-class tag team & more - 6 AEW stars who can join WWE next
Over the last year, former AEW stars Brian Pillman Jr., Jade Cargill, Ethan Page, and CM Punk have all joined WWE. It's just the nature of the industry. Having more promotions is best for the wrestling business.
Opportunities are better for certain performers in different promotions. Bookers will use a particular star differently while some wrestlers may have more creative control than in other destinations.
As more big names join a company, others fade into the background. AEW is five years old and a lot of the stars who joined in its early stages have either re-signed or moved on. Below six AEW stars could be the next to leave for WWE.
#6. Hook has been an AEW fan favorite
Hook's career record in AEW is 57-10. Despite this staggering winning percentage, the star has only won the title his father created, the FTW Championship.
It went from being a novelty belt to being defended regularly as Tony Khan kept adding Championships. The Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil rarely speaks but has enjoyed a strong push throughout his career.
Since WWE has been around for decades, it may be the end game for some stars. Hook may want to explore his options at the end of his current contract.
#5. Wardlow has experienced inconsistent booking
Wardlow burst onto the scene in AEW as a bodyguard for MJF. Like most bodyguards, he outgrew his spot and eventually became an extremely popular monster face.
His booking while a face, however, ruined his run as TNT Champion. What should have been a dominating reign turned into another case of bookers not knowing what to do with the Championship.
Mr. Mayhem has been used sporadically this year and hasn't appeared in a few months. He could have easily been AEW's version of Brock Lesnar, but monsters haven't been booked well under Khan. Wardlow may fare better in WWE.
#4. Dustin Rhodes and #3. Bryan Danielson could finish their career in WWE
Dustin Rhodes is 55 and has wrestled for WCW, Impact, AEW, and WWE. He's competed at a high level over the last decade after enduring some troubling times in the middle of his career.
Bringing him back under Triple H would be a no-brainer since Cody Rhodes is the company's new face. As for Bryan Danielson, he's repeatedly claimed he'd be retiring this September. It almost telegraphs a big loss in his big title match at All In in London.
If it's a work, it's been a masterstroke. Danielson can still tussle with the best in the world and should retire in a WWE ring. If he opts for a return, he could trade chops with Gunther, Ilja Dragunov, Pete Dunne, Bron Breakker, and many others.
#2. The Lucha Brothers are one of the best duos in the world
The Lucha Brothers could already be prepping for a move to WWE. As one of the biggest non-Elite names to join the company in the early stages, Rey Fenix and Penta El Zero Miedo should have become much bigger stars.
They won the Trios and Tag Team titles, but Fenix only had a short reign as International Champion. A relationship with Lucha Libre AAA may have made things tougher, but Fenix and Pentagon (8-9 record this year) are too special not to be featured weekly.
Triple H may use them differently should they transition to WWE. They've already made big deals out of Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer, and they're seemingly not as well known in the States as the Lucha Brothers.
#1. Ricky Starks has the "It Factor"
Another confusing case of an AEW star missing from shows is Ricky Starks. He was on fire as a face earlier this year after winning the tag team titles with Big Bill. However, after losing the titles this spring, Starks has been missing from programming.
Starks is the total package in pro wrestling, which is a hard combination to find. Whether or not backstage politics play into things is a story for another day, but it's baffling that he's not being used.
Absolute has ties to Cody Rhodes, so he could be biding his time off-screen until his deal expires. With Will Ospreay, Kazuchika Okada, and other big names joining the company in 2024, Starks is one of the names that has taken a backseat.