AEW Eyes Former WWE Stars for Roster Overhaul

Sheamus captured nearly every championship over a two‑decade WWE career. (Credit: WWE/Getty Images)

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WWE’s latest “spring cleaning” purge could bring a wave of fresh talent to its chief rival, AEW.

In 2026, AEW signed fewer marquee names than in prior years. Nevertheless, the promotion struck gold with the return of Andrade El Idolo, who became the first star to transition from WWE to AEW and back again. Other notable signings this year include The Rascalz and CMLL standout Persephone.

According to F4WOnline (via Cageside Seats), at least seven wrestlers are awaiting contracts from AEW, though their identities have not been disclosed and additional names may emerge.

By April 25, WWE had released 23 wrestlers from Raw, SmackDown, and NXT. That month, the company parted ways with 11 notable stars in a single wave, including former AEW competitor Aleister Black, the entire Wyatt Six faction, and the Motor City Machine Guns.

Each of these releases makes the athletes eligible to sign with AEW immediately once their 90‑day non‑compete clauses expire. Moreover, WWE recently released multi‑titleholder Sheamus and the 13‑time tag‑team champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) as part of a strategy to re‑sign lower‑cost talent.

Sheamus, who spent nearly two decades with WWE, will become a free agent on October 1, and Kingston and Woods are expected to follow after their mutual departure from WWE in early May.

AEW President Tony Khan Addresses Potentially Signing Ex‑WWE Free Agents

As anticipated, AEW President Tony Khan acknowledged the growing pool of free agents during this week’s AEW Redemption media call (via Wrestling Inc). He stated, “There are many great free agents in wrestling right now. Numerous talented individuals have recently been cut, fired, or released, and I am keeping a close eye on that market.”

While Khan did not specify names, his remarks suggest that AEW fans can expect an influx of former WWE competitors in the near future.

Which WWE Stars Could AEW Sign?

AEW has already secured one high‑profile 2026 release, former NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa, who captured the TNT Championship on his debut. Potential additions that could follow Ciampa to AEW, perhaps even at the upcoming Redemption pay‑per‑view, include:

Sheamus

Although AEW’s roster already features elite performers, it lacks a proven main‑event heavyweight. Sheamus could fill that role. While he has reduced his WWE schedule in recent years, the veteran remains a reliable in‑ring talent at nearly 50 years old. Known as “The Celtic Warrior,” he consistently delivers standout matches, making him a strong fit for AEW’s style.

The New Day

Bringing The New Day to AEW would be a no‑brainer, especially given the Young Bucks’ longstanding desire to face the all‑time great duo. While AEW’s tag division has experienced fluctuations, it currently boasts strong teams such as FTR and the reunited Christian and Adam Copeland. The New Day, with more accolades than those pairings, would be a natural fit.

Kairi Sane

AEW’s women’s division, much like WWE’s, experiences inconsistency. Recent up‑and‑down booking and the departures of stars such as Jade Cargill and Mariah May—both now signed with WWE—have left a void. Kairi Sane, though never fully pushed in WWE, is a superb in‑ring performer with strong crowd connection. While AEW’s women’s roster is deep, it lacks top‑tier talent, making Sane a potential immediate main‑event addition.

Motor City Machine Guns

The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) surprisingly chose WWE over AEW in late 2024, only to return to the free‑agent market less than two years later. After an initial push in WWE, inconsistent tag‑team booking limited their exposure, suggesting they might have thrived in AEW. Now, a reunion with AEW could revitalize both parties and further enrich its tag division.

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