WWE and AEW are two of the world’s top wrestling companies. Both are thriving, but many fans believe that the Tony Khan-led promotion is producing better weekly shows and pay-per-views this year. They are currently preparing to host Double or Nothing 2026, which will take place next month in Queens, New York.
Over the years, All Elite Wrestling has signed several former WWE stars. Names such as Jon Moxley, Mercedes Mone, Samoe Joe, Toni Storm, Ricochet, Bobby Lashley, Claudio Castagnoli, Tommaso Ciampa, and more were once under the Stamford-based company’s banner. Tony Khan has booked the above names strongly, and it seems like this business strategy will continue for the foreseeable future.
World Wrestling Entertainment recently released many popular wrestlers. All of them are immensely talented. Furthermore, some even have the potential to thrive in the Jacksonville-based company. Khan must sign a few of them, but he has to be careful about his decisions. Bringing in the wrong names could lead to disaster.
Here are two recently released WWE stars Tony Khan should sign to AEW, and 2 he should stay away from.
#2. Should sign – Kairi Sane
Former NXT Women’s Champion Kairi Sane achieved immense success in WWE. She had memorable matches and rivalries, and her alliance with Asuka produced many entertaining moments. She is an amazing in-ring competitor, and many fans believe that she will be a good fit in AEW.
Back in 2019, former AEW World Champion Kenny Omega showered the 37-year-old with praise. He called the Japanese star a kind soul and also added that he wished that she were in the Jacksonville-based promotion.
“I think she’s very talented. Also a very kind soul. She’s very passionate about wrestling, and dedicated. I wish her the best, I wish she could be with us [in AEW],” said Omega.
It looks like Tony Khan finally has the opportunity to fulfil the Cleaner’s dream. Kairi will definitely be one of the most over acts in AEW if she joins them. She could have amazing matches with names like Toni Storm, Thekla, Willow Nightingale, Kris Statlander, among others. Furthermore, the AEW Women’s World Title will look good on her shoulder.
#1. Should sign – The Motor City Machine Guns
Tony Khan must not have second thoughts about signing the Motor City Machine Guns as soon as their non-compete clause ends. Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin are modern-day greats. The former WWE Tag Team Champions have fans worldwide, and they would fit perfectly in the Jacksonville-based promotion.
Acquiring them would improve the already strong All Elite Wrestling tag team division tenfold. They could have generational matches with the Young Bucks, FTR, the Hurt Syndicate, Brodido and more. Additionally, they would instantly become strong contenders for the AEW World Tag Team Titles.
Should stay away from – former AEW World Trios Champion Aleister Black
Aleister Black’s WWE release was a huge shocker to fans worldwide. The 40-year-old’s first stint in the Stamford-based company lasted from 2016 to 2021. After he was released, he signed with AEW. The former NXT Champion’s All Elite Wrestling run was underwhelming. Fans were under the impression that he would become a huge singles star. However, he was mostly seen competing in tag team or trios matches. He even held the AEW World Trios Championship once with Brody King and Buddy Matthew.
The former Malakai Black eventually left All Elite Wrestling in early 2025 after his contract expired. Following his departure, rumors began circulating that he did not enjoy his time in the Tony Khan-led promotion, and he refused to lose matches. However, in an August 2025 interview with the Ringer Wrestling Show, Black refuted these claims.
“I think people really like to run with the narrative and I don’t know why. I think it’s partially, ‘this is not the role we want him to be in, so we’re going to give a narrative that makes us have an understanding as to why he’s not being put in singles competition.It’s the same way, ‘He didn’t want to lay down for people.’ If you really think that I have so much pull in the company that I can say who I’m not going up against or lay down against, you think I’m not going to vouch for myself or put myself in the main events? You think I’m going to politic, ‘I’m not going to lay down for this person.’ It doesn’t make sense,” he said. [H/T: Sports Illustrated]
Tony Khan must stay away from the former AEW World Trios Champion. The promotion already has similar stars, and signing him would neither help the company nor him. It did not work out between them the first time around, and it is simply not worth taking the risk. Furthermore, fans might outright reject him if he shows up in All Elite Wrestling.
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Edited by Debangshu Nath
