At some point, every wrestler will experience a stall in their career from either reached the ceiling for success in a company or from never being given the opportunity to fulfill their full potential.
Sometimes, the only means for reinvigorating their work is to jump to another promotion.
In a separate story, we identified 5 WWE stars in need of a change. Below, we’ll look at wrestlers from AEW who could boost their careers by a move to another promotion:
Britt Baker
The charismatic Dr. Britt Baker quickly emerged as one of the top faces—male or female—in AEW soon after the company launched in 2019. Along with in-ring prowess, Baker demonstrated she could capably hang with anyone in the business when it came to microphone work.
But then she completely disappeared and hasn’t been seen on AEW programming since November 2024. With no official word on where she’s been, the foregone conclusion is that she’s riding out her contract in order to sign with WWE.
Claudio Castagnoli
As a member of the Death Riders, Claudio Castagnoli is featured heavily in AEW programming. It’s also true that the Swiss star never reached the main event level during his stint in WWE (as Cesaro), despite winning the inaugural André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal and having Paul Heyman serve as his manager.
However, a return to WWE after proving he can be a star in AEW could give WWE executives the impetus to hand the preternaturally athletic Castagnoli bigger opportunities. While WWE returns for Rusev and Aleister Black haven’t made huge waves, Cody Rhodes provided a blueprint for coming back stronger. Castagnoli doesn’t have the Rhodes’ pedigree, but he has more ability than most of his contemporaries.
Kyle Fletcher
After a lauded stint in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Kyle Fletcher debuted in AEW in 2022 and quickly established himself as a force. His alliance and eventual feud with Will Ospreay continued to raise the Australian high-flyer’s profile.
But after a loss to Jon Moxley in the Continental Classic at AEW World’s End, the question is how can Fletcher get to the main event level? That’s not to say he’s not capable of a continued climb in AEW, but a new wrestling environment with different opponents might get him to the top quicker.
MJF
The concept of Maxwell Jacob Friedman departing AEW for WWE may sound blasphemous to many fans, especially considering he’s the current AEW World Champion.
However, judging by comments on social media, there has been a growing number of the wrestling community who feel MJF’s persona has grown stale. Since he’s already been finding steady acting work, a move to WWE could give him both the opportunity to rejuvenate his ring career as well as the chance to raise his profile in Hollywood.
He may have to tone down his promo style for WWE, but at least he’s already had his AEW tattoo removed by laser.
Wardlow
After debuting in AEW in 2019, Wardlow quickly rose up the ranks, winning the TNT Championship three times in the process. Last August, the powerhouse returned after being absent for over a year due to injuries only to reportedly suffer a torn pectoral muscle.
Before being sidelined indefinitely with the latest injury, Wardlow became a member of the ever-growing Don Callis Family, where he risks being lost in the large stable. Striking out alone in a new company could benefit the Ohio native, plus he has the size and wrestling style suited for WWE.
Honorable Mention: Kamille
A star-making stint in the NWA led to Kamille signing with AEW in 2024 to much fanfare. An alliance with Mercedes Moné promised to skyrocket the bodybuilder to the top of the AEW women’s roster, but months later she split from Moné. Since no explanation has been given for why she’s not been seen on AEW television since November 2024, a move to WWE would undoubtedly benefit Kamille.
Be sure to check out the companion piece to this story on 5 WWE wrestlers who could benefit from a move to AEW or elsewhere, right here.
