Despite WWE making a concerted effort to hoover up fresh faces and AEW already boasting an impressive roster of its own, there remains a ton of talent available to both promotions.
This is due to the fact that the wrestling landscape continues to flourish worldwide, leading to an unprecedented amount of quality circulating the independent scene.
With such incredible ability on hand, the question is: who could be next to step into the international TV spotlight? In what follows, we list ten candidates who could (and should) join the ranks of All Elite Wrestling.
10. Visage
The ‘Queen of Queens’ is best known for her work with the now defunct wrestling promotion Defiant Wrestling, where she and Benji became the final ever Defiant Tag Team Champions
She is currently turning heads across the English scene, but is yet to truly breakout. On Defiant she captivated the audience with a brilliant move set, which should easily translate to AEW’s high-octane style.
9. Mexablood
Mexican Sensations Bandido and Flamita have been dropping jaws around the world for the past two years.
Their infectious next level Lucha Libre style has gained them the PROGRESS and Crash Tag Team Championships so far.
Shortly after being announced for the 2019 wXw World Tag Team Festival Tournament, Bandido was forced to pull out with a knee injury. But once healthy, he has proven track record of putting on ‘Match of the Year’ candidates.
What makes a move to AEW unlikely at this point though is that Bandido recently signed an exclusive contract with ROH, keeping him with the promotion for at least the foreseeable future.
8. Dalton Castle
Why Dalton Castle hasn’t already secured a big contract is anyone’s guess.
The flamboyant Castle is the constant highlight of every episode of ROH TV. As a former Ring of Honor World Champion, he has more than proven his ability in the ring.
His highly-entertaining YouTube series Planet Peacock presents his life as a wrestler and shows that he would be a perfect fit for YouTube orientated formats, like AEW’s Being the Elite.
7. Shigehiro Irie
The 31-year-old Japanese powerhouse is a sight to see. If you are looking for impact, this is your guy.
The winner of wXw’s 2018 Ambition Tournament could be one of the next major break-out stars. He is a multi-time KO-D Tag Team Champion and the current SWE World Champion.
The man calls himself the ‘Wrestling Teddy Bear’, so you know he does not take himself all too serious, unless he activates ‘Beast Mode’ and destroys his opponents in spectacular fashion.
6. Laura Di Matteo
Speaking of prime targets for AEW, Laura Di Matteo would be the perfect fit.
Since 2015, Di Mattero has competed for every single major European promotion and is regularly welcomed back.
But why should AEW sign the Italian athlete? Simple.
The current GWF Interim Women’s Champion is a force inside the ring and brimming with charisma. Plus, when you get caught in her gruesome submissions, you are out.
5. Jay Lethal
The Ring of Honor veteran is a two-time former ROH World Champion and is responsible for one of the longest reigns in company history.
He is basically Ring of Honor’s heart and soul: a man with a true passion for the business as well as incredible endurance and “lethal” skill.
Seeing him pop up in AEW would definitely be a massive surprise, but if you consider how much knowledge he could pass on to all of these new aspiring talents, while simultaneously having incredible matches, it would be a huge gain for Tony Khan’s promotion.
4. Rampage Brown
As a former NGW, Progress, TCW, 3CW and Defiant World Champion, Rampage Brown is a British wrestling institution.
In addition, Brown had a brief run on WWE’s developmental brand, FCW, in 2011 and also boasts a World Title run on ITV’s WOS on his resumé. Despite that however, it could be argued that he is yet to receive his true ‘big’ break.
Brown was recently crowned Wrestle Gate’s first ever Heavyweight Champion, defeating Lucas Steel at Gate of Honor in a bruising encounter. There is no question that he would be a fantastic addition to AEW Dynamite.
3. Flip Gordon
Flip Gordon was once part of the Being the Elite YouTube series, before he decided to stay with Ring of Honor while The Elite moved on to form AEW.
However, Gordon is yet to win a championship in ROH and has been waiting for a significant feud or storyline for a while now.
As a talented performer and given his ties to AEW executives, this may be the perfect time for Flip to become ‘Elite’ once again.
2. Bobby Gunns
He has held the wXw Unified World Wrestling Championship in Germany for over 200 days this year and is one of the finest wrestlers in Europe.
The ‘Honorable Man’, as Bobby Gunns calls himself, featured in a WrestleTalk Showcase recently and has opened eyes everywhere with his undeniable swagger.
His rivalry with AEW star Joey Janella has already sparked rumours about a move to the promotion. And his smoking gimmick would definitely fit more with them than WWE.
1. Marty Scurll
As reported a few weeks ago, Scurll’s contract with ROH expires later this year. He will then most likely sign with AEW.
Above all, he is good friends with all 52 of AEW’s Executive Vice Presidents and has been a longtime member of The Elite. Until now though, his contract with ROH prevented him joining the upstart promotion.
In a few months time however, that will change and AEW will likely jump at the chance to sign the leader of Villain Enterprises.
Which Indy Stars would you like to see join AEW? Let us know on Twitter and join the conversation with the entire WrestleTalk community on Discord.
4 years ago by Daniel Schachtmeier
@Walu2go
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