We at Pro Wrestling News Hub took a look at some of the top released former WWE stars that All Elite Wrestling should think about signing. With a two hour show and already stacked roster, it would be silly to bring in a ton of former WWE wrestlers.
AEW should be in the business of creating new wrestling stars, so these selections would be limited and could bring something new to the table for AEW programming.
Rusev
Miroslav Barnyashev, aka Rusev, is by far the biggest name on the list of stars released by WWE last week. His wife, Lana, CJ Perry, is still working for WWE. Late last year, she signed a new 5-year contract with the WWE, but Rusev has wanted out for a long time.
Rusev can play both the heel monster role or even the comedic side. The Rusev Day gimmick was wildly popular in 2018, and it shows his ability to play both sides well.
AEW already has big monster/enforcer guys like Lance Archer, Wardlow, and Jake Hager. But Rusev would instantly become one of the top stars upon debuting with All Elite Wrestling. At 35 years old, he still has some juice left in the tank. I want to see how Rusev would do without the handcuff of the WWE creative machine.
Zack Ryder
Matthew Cardona, aka Zack Ryder, is another WWE guy who was buried for years in the WWE. With his one bright spot in winning the IC Championship at WrestleMania 32, fans thought WWE might give him a well-deserved push. But he lost his Intercontinental Championship to The Miz the next night, which was wrong and typical WWE. He is a one-time United States Champion, and two-time WWE (Raw) Tag Team Champion as well.
Cody Rhodes, who is one of Zack Ryder‘s best friends inside and outside the wrestling business, recently took to his Instagram and had nothing but high praise for Zack Ryder’s wrestling work. A potential clue of what is to come for him in AEW.
At 35 years old, he still has some juice left in the tank-like Rusev. With the freedom to try new things in AEW and his solid social media following, it could reinvigorate his career for a little while longer.
Sarah Logan
Sarah Rowe, aka Sarah Logan, was a member of the stable The Riott Squad with Liv Morgan and Ruby Riott. The Riott Squad had a good run after being called up from NXT, but Logan had the least pushed of the three women.
The AEW women’s division could use a jolt of name power. The women in WWE are trained well, and she could make a name for herself in AEW. She could join the list of well-established stars like Hikaru Shida, Nyla Rose, and Britt Baker D.M.D.
There are rumors that the 26-year-old could be called back to the WWE once the COVID-19 pandemic passes. But why be buried in WWE if you return when you can make a name for yourself in AEW.
Honorable mention;
Eric Young
I have always been a fan of EY during his days on iMPACT Wrestling and NXT. He won 11 championships during his career in TNA, was a great leader of Sanity, but the team, as usual, was never used right in the WWE. At 40 years old, he might be on the decline of his career but is a solid wrestler who can play many roles.
EC3
Michael Hunter Hutter, aka Ethan Carter III, won the TNA World Heavyweight Championship twice and the Impact Grand Championship once. He is 37 years old and did well in Impact Wrestling, but that never translated to the WWE. Some thought of him as the next John Cena in WWE, but without a push from Vince, once he got called up to the WWE main roster, that was it for him.
AEW won’t be signing anybody any time soon. There is too much uncertainty with live shows, and even taping shows. These wrestlers will have to sit tight for the time being. However, once the dust clears, there is a new AEW show to fill once things get moving again.
