WWE Legends To Sign With AEW

WWE/AEW

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has never shied away from signing some of the most iconic names that have left WWE.

From day one signings like Chris Jericho and Jon Moxley to recent acquisitions like Mick Foley, these WWE legends have played influential roles within the promotion over the years.

Looking at the available stars right now, there are even more legendary names from WWE who can make a similar impact to the previously mentioned talents.

Here are seven WWE legends to potentially sign with AEW.

7. Beth Copeland

Back at AEW All Out 2025, Beth Copeland made her debut with the company to help her husband Adam Copeland and Christian Cage fight off FTR and Stokely Hathaway.

After being taken out by FTR with a spiked piledriver on that same night, the former Beth Phoenix made another appearance in All Elite Wrestling at the recent AEW Double Or Nothing 2026 event.

Watching her husband win the AEW World Tag Team Title alongside Christian, Beth could possibly see herself joining him as being part of the AEW roster moving forward.

Looking to play a litany of roles for the company, Beth Copeland could become an asset for All Elite Wrestling behind-the-scenes as well as on-screen where she can mix it up with the current talent on the roster.

6. Carlito

In June 2025, Carlito announced that he was departing WWE after the company could not come to an agreement to re-sign him.

Since his WWE exit, Carlito has only made sporadic appearances across the independent scene.

The former Intercontinental Champion is someone who can still contribute and could be a valuable asset for any promotion.

After his recent sighting backstage at an AEW Dynamite taping and his family The Colons performing on Ring of Honor, it makes sense for Carlito to join Tony Khan‘s company as the latest free agent signing.

5. Sean Waltman

There is no denying that Sean Waltman is a bonafide legend in every sense of the word.

Whether it be as 1-2-3 Kid, Syxx, Lightning Kid or X-Pac, Waltman is one of the most important junior heavyweight competitors in North American wrestling history.

With everything he can offer based on his experience and knowledge, AEW would be wise to hire someone like Waltman to work with their talent.

From coaching to producing, there are many ways Waltman could be quite useful for AEW in a major way moving forward.

4. Kairi Sane

On April 24, many fans were shocked to see Kairi Sane get her WWE release after spending three years in her second stint with the company.

Over the course of two runs with the promotion, Sane is a multi-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion and former NXT Women’s Champion.

Most recently, Sane started following AEW President and CEO Tony Khan on social media with many fans believing this was a sign that they knew of one another.

Kairi Sane signing with AEW would be huge and cause a ton of attention to shift towards the women’s scene in the company.

3. Sheamus

On July 5, it was revealed that Sheamus’ WWE contract was set to expire with ‘The Celtic Warrior’ giving his notice to the company.

With his departure imminent, this has opened the door for Sheamus to head elsewhere sooner rather than later.

Considering everything he has accomplished across the past 20 years, Sheamus feels like a no-brainer signing for any promotion.

With his signature hard hitting style and tendency to deliver bangers, Sheamus may find that AEW is a much more suitable promotion for what he has to offer right now in his career.

2. Bayley

With the recent departures of The New Day and Sheamus, WWE veterans have become a hot commodity and a source of speculation regarding their future with the company.

One of the stars that fans have been anticipating could leave the promotion in the near future is Bayley.

The former WWE Women’s Champion has long been one of the most overlooked and underrated in-ring performers despite being arguably the most decorated female star in the company’s history.

Considering the success of her friend Mercedes Mone, Bayley signing with AEW should be a likely scenario when her WWE contract expires in the near future.

1. The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods)

To the surprise of the wrestling world, news circulated that The New Day had decided to depart WWE after the company asked the duo to take a pay cut.

Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods had already etched their names in the record books as 13-time WWE Tag Team Champions with countless unforgettable moments over the past decade.

Now that they are going to be free to go elsewhere, most fans and pundits believe Kofi and Woods could end up in Tony Khan’s promotion.

With the all-star lineup of duos for them to face including FTR, The Young Bucks and Cope and Cage, The New Day feel like a slam dunk signing that will cause ripple effects up and down the tag team division in AEW.

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