3 Present AEW stars WWE may need little interest in hiring

Over the previous six years, AEW has risen to the place of being thought to be a viable competitor to WWE, difficult the sports activities leisure juggernaut’s long-running monopoly within the trade. The Stamford-based firm is not in a position to content material itself with taking photographs on the Tony Khan-led promotion on its tv programming, and has been finishing up a conspicuous counter-programming marketing campaign in opposition to it for a number of months.

World Wrestling Leisure and All Elite Wrestling have additionally been exchanging expertise for a while now. Whereas stars like Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Ethan Web page, Ricky Starks, Penta, and Blake Monroe have flourished in WWE, wrestlers like Toni Storm, Ricochet, Mercedes Mone, Swerve Strickland, and The Harm Syndicate have discovered success in AEW. Though this expertise change is more likely to proceed, let’s contemplate three AEW names Triple H won’t wish to signal.

#3. Former AEW World Tag Group Champion Keith Lee

Keith Lee made a reputation for himself on the independents via his unimaginable in-ring work, mixing his heavyweight energy with the agility of a high-flyer. His expertise earned him a WWE contract in 2018, and The Limitless One didn’t take lengthy to impress viewers in NXT.

His time on the developmental model was fairly profitable, as he held each the NXT Title and the NXT North American Title at one level. Lee’s run on the principle roster, which started in 2020, was not as profitable, sadly, and he was launched in the direction of the top of 2021.

The next yr, in February, the Texas-native made his AEW debut. Quickly afterwards, he shaped a partnership with Swerve Strickland, which initially blossomed right into a tag group title reign however later devolved right into a heated rivalry. Though Lee was alleged to face The Realest in a blowoff match at Worlds Finish 2023, he was pulled out of the competition resulting from undisclosed well being points. He revealed in January final yr that he was set to endure double surgical procedures, and has not been seen on tv in fairly a while now, regardless of him supposedly being wholesome.

Keith Lee has assured his followers that he’ll return to the squared circle, though many imagine the star does not have a lot of a future in AEW. That stated, the 40-year-old’s age, latest prolonged hiatus, and ongoing well being struggles may discourage WWE from signing him if he finally ends up parting methods with All Elite Wrestling.

#2. Former Continental Champion Eddie Kingston

Eddie Kingston made his All Elite Wrestling debut again in 2020 and has emerged as one of many promotion’s most beloved rivals since then. Recognized for his grounded and intense character work, promos, and hard-hitting fashion, The Mad King has established himself as an enormous fan favourite.

Kingston made a return from a protracted in-ring absence earlier this month at All Out : Toronto, the place he defeated Huge Invoice in singles competitors. He has additionally shaped an alliance with Hook, who rescued him from a post-match ambush by The Redwood and Bryan Keith on the pay-per-view.

The previous Continental Champion is an outspoken proponent of AEW’s fashion of in-ring competitors, and has usually taken photographs at WWE and its “sports activities leisure”-esque presentation of wrestling on All Elite Wrestling programming and elsewhere, equivalent to his post-show promo criticizing “the opposite channel” after Dynamite in 2021.

Contemplating that Kingston’s latest profession resurgence has arguably been tied to his time in AEW, it is unlikely that WWE will likely be enthusiastic about buying the previous ROH World Champion anytime quickly.

#1. Former TNT Champion Darby Allin

Not lots of wrestlers from AEW have managed to embody the spirit of the promotion as a lot as Darby Allin. One of many so-called “4 Pillars” of All Elite Wrestling, the face-painted daredevil has been concerned in most of the firm’s most iconic feuds, packages, and matches.

Darby’s loyalty in the direction of All Elite Wrestling and his willingness to push the envelope whereas performing for the corporate have elevated him to the standing of a top-tier identify. He had the enviable distinction, for instance, of working with Sting and serving as his final tag accomplice, even competing in The Icon’s retirement match at Revolution 2024.

Allin has additionally been part of quite a few excessive and unforgettable moments and spots all through his time in All Elite Wrestling. He’s additionally a literal flag-bearer for the promotion and fulfilled his promise of planting the corporate’s banner on the summit of Mt. Everest earlier this yr.

Allin has been very open about his dedication to and gratitude in the direction of AEW for the function the corporate has performed in advancing his profession and the alternatives it has given him. The previous TNT Champion matches the Jacksonville-based promotion’s mildew in a manner that merely wouldn’t work in WWE. The sports activities leisure juggernaut is due to this fact impossible to be enthusiastic about signing Darby, who will in all probability stay with All Elite Wrestling for years to come back.