After the recent mass WWE releases, fans online have been speculating on who is next to join AEW. Here is a list of names and where I would expect them to land once their non-compete expires at the end of the year.
As was noted earlier by Andrew Ravens, the most obvious name is Mercedes Mone. She did an interview on Kevin Undergaro’s AfterBuzz TV on Wednesday and she said that she could be at AEW Full Gear in Los Angeles if she got invited. She didn’t say that she would be wrestling or signing with the company but it’s worth noting that Tony Khan and Mone have talked before and he was the one who invited her to attend All In: London as a fan. Saraya also made it clear that she wants to work with Mone in AEW.
Dolph Ziggler seems like another obvious choice to sign since he can still go, is well respected (see The Rock and other’s words about him on social media) and he can help out the younger talent. It also doesn’t hurt that he has a lot of friends in AEW and his brother Nick Nemeth works there.
Mustafa Ali is another name that would seem like a good bet to sign with AEW. If not right away, then I would expect him in Impact Wrestling and/or New Japan Pro Wrestling. As Fightful reported, there were plans for him to win the NXT North American Championship and his release was a late decision. Ali is another guy that people in WWE felt had a lot more to offer than what creative gave him.
Shelton Benjamin seems like another likely choice for AEW to sign. Fightful reported that Benjamin is someone that several in AEW want to see there. Again, another respected wrestler who can still go and help out the younger talent behind the scenes.
Matt Riddle seems out of the question right now because of the recent issue at JFK Airport in New York and he’s been previously accused of sexual assault so he might be someone Tony Khan stays away from.
As for Dana Brooke, Mansoor, Mace, Dabba-Kato, Top Dolla, Elias, Riddick Moss, Emma, Aliyah, and Elias, I can see some of those names in Impact Wrestling. Moss and Emma would be the two most likely to get a look with Impact. Elias has a supporter in Jeff Jarrett so it wouldn’t shock me to see him get a look from AEW, if not Impact. Interesting times ahead as AEW contracts are coming due to expect to see WWE make offers to some of their wrestlers once their deals expire. What are your thoughts? Who should AEW sign? Click below and leave a comment on our YouTube channel.
