In 2021, World Wrestling Entertainment went on a firing spree, releasing loads of employees both in front of the cameras and behind them, including over 50 of its wrestlers. This group included not only NXT stars and developmental talent, but also some huge names that have been on Raw and Smackdown.
Of course, these days, there’s much talk about these “failed” WWE stars jumping ship over to the competition, namely All Elite Wrestling, a buzzworthy promotion that has increased its stock with the acquisitions of CM Punk, Malakai Black, and Bryan Danielson, among various others. But who of the recent crop of firings would actually work in AEW, based on what we’ve seen of them so far?
10 Could Thrive: Buddy Murphy
If there’s anyone perfectly suited for a run in AEW, it’s the former Buddy Murphy, who’s adopted the ring name Buddy Matthews. A former NXT Tag Team Champion, Murphy soon went solo and adopted a nickname, “The Best Kept Secret,” which he lived up to on 205 Live. Not only did he capture the Cruiserweight Championship, but he established himself as a standout wrestler, who was fast and athletic.
His tendency to show off signature moves of New Japan Pro Wrestling stars in particular made him seem fit for a run going up against The Elite.
9 Wouldn’t: Tucker Knight
Tucker Knight (or simply “Tucker”) had a good thing going with Otis Dozovic in Heavy Machinery, as two fun-loving, construction equipment-themed gym bros. Going solo via a heel turn on Otis did Knight no favors, and he was soon out of the company. He wasn’t the standout of the duo, but was a solid tag team wrestler, and it’s not hard to imagine him getting lost in the shuffle in AEW.
He’d do great in a company like Impact Wrestling, which doesn’t come with the same expectations that AEW carries. Maybe he could form a tag team with Cousin Jake or Cody Deaner when VBD kicks him out.
8 Could Thrive: Mercedes Martinez
If there’s one thing the AEW women’s division is missing, it’s solid veteran name talent. Ruby Soho was a solid and welcome addition to the roster, but someone like Mercedes Martinez could really thrive in AEW, after she didn’t quite get the spotlight she deserved on NXT.
There’s also precedence for Martinez being in AEW -- she actually already debuted there as the Joker in the very first Women’s Casino Battle Royale. Usually that means a wrestler is part of the promotion, so it was a surprise that she suddenly showed up in NXT shortly after.
7 Wouldn’t: Kona Reeves
While Kona Reeves screamed developmental wrestler, he was a weird little bright spot during that period of NXT where he showed up on television thanks to a hilariously low-rent EC3 style gimmick where he proclaimed himself to be “The Finest.” Unfortunately, he never got to hit the Tyler Breeze levels he could have hit with his character, and disappeared from competition in early 2020 before being released the following year.
Because he never felt like a going concern in NXT for very long, it’s hard to see him succeeding in AEW, aside from losing matches on Dark.
6 Could Thrive: Tyler Rust
Formerly known as Rust Taylor and Ryan Taylor on the indies, Tyler Rust felt like one of the last wrestlers signed during NXT’s old “snap up everyone from the indies” era. That meant that he had one of the shortest runs in the promotion, appearing on TV for about seven months and being the only guy released from the brand-new Diamond Mine stable.
While he didn’t get much room to develop on screen, Rust is a solid technical wrestler, and would add a nice flavor to AEW, where he would have to take on Bryan Danielson at some point.
5 Wouldn’t: Ariya Daivari
A wrestler like Ariya Daivari is so hard to assess, because his entire presentation for his WWE career has been “generic WWE heel.” Like his brother before him, Daivari never really displayed any flashy maneuvers and strictly worked heel, doing an admirable job against the babyfaces of 205 Live.
Because he’s not a big “workrate” guy and never seemed to have much buzz around him, it’s tough to imagine him in AEW, aside from being an additional guy in The Wingmen or something.
4 Could Thrive: Kalisto
Samurai Del Sol put on standout bouts on the indies against Johnny Gargano, El Generico, and even the Young Bucks, but as Kalisto in WWE, he was never able to be the successor to Rey Mysterio that WWE has been looking for. He did, however, have a few awesome matches during his time.
Still a viable performer at 34 years old, Kalisto’s high flying style would be a great fit in AEW. There, he’d be right at home against guys like Dante Martin and Rey Fenix, who Kalisto has never wrestled in a singles match.
3 Wouldn’t: Mojo Rawley
If there was any wrestler who seemed like they were going to go the John Cena route from goofball to WWE Champion, it was Mojo Rawley - the permanently hyped ex-football player with an infectious energy. Like Tucker Knight above, Mojo feels like the kind of performer who wouldn’t actually benefit from being All Elite.
He too, would be best suited somewhere like Impact Wrestling, where he can be a little sillier and also bother his ex-tag partner Matt Cardona.
2 Could Thrive: Bronson Reed
One of the most shocking releases of WWE was that of NXT’s Bronson Reed. Now apparently back to his old ring name of Jonah Rock, before his release he appeared to be ready for a move to the main roster after dropping the North American Title. He was a standout talent on the show, an athletic, charismatic “thicc boi” who seemed like he could have been a major star, breaking the mold of the typical monster heel typecasting that larger competitors seem to be relegated to.
Because of his in-ring skills, he’s perfect for AEW, where he could hang with the top stars of the company, as well as up-and-coming big boys like Powerhouse Hobbs and Wardlow.
1 Wouldn’t: Braun Strowman
A ridiculously strong giant that crowds loved, Braun Strowman seemed like he was going to be the hottest act in the company, as he was. Unfortunately, WWE took too long to pull the trigger on him, a poorly conceived heel turn reduced his value, and he was shockingly released in 2021. While he could still be a success in wrestling, his size and style make him too weird a fit for AEW.
Besides going to Japan and becoming BJW Strong Division Champion for the rest of eternity, the true calling for the 6’8” Adam Scherr is going to the Impact Zone and running up against W. Morrisey, who’s seven feet tall and cannot be taught.