Former WWE Stars To Debut In AEW Soon

WWE/AEW

To start 2026, AEW has added several new members of the roster, including former WWE stars Tommaso Ciampa and Andrade El Idolo.

Looking at the current and future free agents, there are quite a few former WWE stars who could potentially join AEW in the near future.

From former champions to iconic names, these additions to AEW could further accelerate the momentum of the promotion in a major way.

Here are eight former WWE stars to potentially debut in AEW soon.

8. The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley)

On April 24, WWE had its latest round of mass talent cuts with many wrestlers released from the promotion.

Two of the most notable stars to be released in this round of cuts had to have been The Motor City Machine Guns.

Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley signed with the company in October 2024 and quickly won the WWE Tag Team Championships, but they quickly found themselves losing the gold, not having an active role on television and subsequently being released.

Now that they are about to be free agents again, it seems fitting that fans could finally see The Machine Guns sign with All Elite Wrestling after rumors of their arrival dating back to their last free agency in 2024.

7. Joe Gacy

Another WWE star who was released earlier this year that seems like a logical signing for AEW is Joe Gacy.

As part of The Wyatt Sicks, Gacy was able to win the WWE Tag Team Championships alongside Dexter Lumis.

However, The Wyatt Sicks found themselves stuck in an elongated feud with The MFTs that dominated Friday Night SmackDown for several months.

Now that he has been released from WWE, Gacy feels like someone with the independent credibility and necessary connections in AEW to potentially sign with the company in the near future.

6. Zoey Stark

Zoey Stark was recognized as one of the most underrated in-ring performers in the WWE women’s division during her time with the company.

After being released from the promotion on April 24, it feels like Stark is looking to reestablish her name in the world of wrestling.

Now known as Zoey Serrano, the former WWE star is now set to compete in RevPro’s Women’s Grand Prix tournament and is expected to make even more independent bookings.

With her non-compete set to expire, Stark could be set to make a debut in All Elite Wrestling where she would be a wonderful addition to the women’s division in the company.

5. Santos Escobar

Another former WWE star who could fit in quite well with All Elite Wrestling is Santos Escobar.

Suffering a torn triceps injury in a Lucha Libre AAA match, Escobar could be heading elsewhere following his WWE release in April.

The former WWE Cruiserweight Champion has the credentials and experience that would make him someone who could fit in nicely with the AEW roster.

Santos Escobar making his debut in AEW feels like a logical landing spot for the former Legado Del Fantasma leader and someone who would be a formidable opponent for the lucha libre talent like Bandido, Mistico and Mascara Dorada on the roster.

4. Apollo Crews

One of the most underrated in-ring performers on the WWE roster for years had been Apollo Crews.

After over a decade with the promotion, Crews was released from WWE on April 24 during their latest talent cuts.

Prior to his time in WWE, Crews was known as one of the most well rounded independent stars in the world today.

Now that he is free to go elsewhere, Apollo is someone who fits the in-house style in All Elite Wrestling to a tee and could contribute in a meaningful way.

3. Kay Lee Ray

Another recent WWE release that shocked many fans and peers was Alba Fyre, now once again known as Kay Lee Ray.

On June 5, KLR made her return to the independent scene, competing in EVE: Pro Wrestling and immediately making an impact.

The former Alba Fyre has long been one of those stars who have been underutilized in WWE and can offer so much more than what fans have seen in the past few years.

After showcasing her talents in EVE, it would be great to see Kay Lee Ray get the spotlight in a major promotion again by making her debut in AEW to become part of the women’s division.

2. The New Day (Kofi & Austin Creed)

On May 2, it was revealed that The New Day had mutually agreed to their release from WWE after the company asked the duo to take pay cuts.

Immediately upon this news breaking, questions were asked in regards to seeing Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods make the jump to All Elite Wrestling.

Being one of the most beloved duos in wrestling today, The New Day feel like a no-brainer signing for AEW right now.

Whether it be ahead of or at the AEW All In: London 2026 event, Kofi and Austin Creed making their presence felt in Tony Khan’s promotion would make for a significant acquisition that would further put the focus on the tag team scene in a massive way.

1. Kairi Sane

One of the most shocking WWE releases from the mass talent cuts on April 24 had to have been Kairi Sane.

In the midst of a storyline with her longtime tag team partner and senpai Asuka, Sane was released from her deal and has made her return to Japan.

While she has yet to appear in another company as of yet, Kairi has started to follow AEW President Tony Khan on social media.

Opening the door for a potential signing, Kairi is someone who has everything it takes to be a key player in the AEW women’s division if she ever decides to sign with the promotion in the near future.

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