All Elite Wrestling (AEW) may go on to become an actual competitor to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and not just NXT. Currently, however, it owes most of their early success to WWE, given the AEW Champions Chris Jericho, Cody, Dustin Rhodes, Jon Moxley, Jim Ross, Dean Malenko and Shawn Spears combined to spend about a century in WWE.
Nevertheless, AEW has already begun creating big names themselves. MJF has already become an Internet sensation, so has Orange Cassidy with a solitary appearance in AEW's own Casino Battle Royale. Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus have caught the attention of even the more casual wrestling fans, while Nyla Rose and Sonny Kiss are touted to make LGBT+ wrestlers mainstream. Plus, there's always the lure of Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks. With time, AEW will surely become big enough for WWE wrestlers to consider moving there. Here are 10 WWE wrestlers, should they move to AEW, will definitely win the AEW's top prize.
10 Rusev
The Bulgarian Brute wasn’t an Internet darling when he signed for WWE in 2010 but has since earned the adoration of the smart fans. While he’d had a cult following for a long time, his Rusev Day shtick, alongside Aiden English, made him one of the most over wrestlers on the main roster. Loud Rusev Day chants was commonplace when he performed, but WWE writers did him dirty by breaking up the team. His recent storyline sees his wife engage in extramarital relations with Bobby Lashley. While he’s been in WWE for almost a decade now, he may find the prospect of plying his trade with AEW enticing and, if he reaches Rusev Day levels of popularity, Cody will likely put the world title on him.
9 Sami Zayn
Most recent NXT Champions have done well on the main roster, except for Sami Zayn. One of the best talkers WWE has today, he hasn’t quite connected with WWE’s casual fans, evidenced by loud “What?” chants during his promos.
However, in an environment like AEW, where most fans are familiar with his work as El Generico, he can do wonders. Despite what the Internet fans think, it’s not WWE doing his talent disservice; it’s just that he thrives in front of a different set of fans. In AEW, we won’t be surprised he does well enough to become the AEW World Champion one day.
8 Shinsuke Nakamura
The Japanese wrestler had done everything he could do in Japan and the consensus is that he’s in WWE for the paycheck and Florida’s waves. However, at 39, he may feel the itch to do something different in the United States. His stock has plummeted since moving to the main roster, but a move to AEW will ostensibly will revive his career. The AEW fans that popped big for Jake Hager will eat Shinsuke Nakamura up. Given AEW now doesn’t have major Japanese names. It’s unlikely Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kazuchika Okada and Tetsuya Naito will be moving to the United States any time soon, so the 2018 Royal Rumble can prove a solid addition. Should he move to AEW, it’s certain he’ll hold the title.
7 Cesaro
Cesaro is the archetypal Schrodinger’s wrestler. He’s charismatic and bland at the same time. He’s champion-material as well as a mid-carder. However, one thing is for sure: the hardcore fan base appreciate him even though the WWE head honchos are of the opinion he doesn’t have what it takes to hold the big belts.
While it’s unlikely he’ll ever become even a number one contender for the WWE Championship, in AEW, the Executive Vice Presidents will surely rocket-strap him to the main event right away. A wrestler of his calibre shouldn’t end his career without a world title.
6 EC3
EC3 has embraced his position in WWE and is trying to make the most out of a dire situation. He might have been happy to take home WWE money just by hanging out with his work friends in the catering. However, given there’s an alternative in AEW, he ought to be tempted to leave WWE for “greener pastures.” While it may take a lot of convincing for the AEW officials to move him to the main event after loitering in the undercard for months together in WWE. However, given his looks and promo, it shouldn’t take long for him to be in title contention.
5 Sasha Banks
Recent reports suggest The Boss has extended her contract with WWE but, given she’s only 27, one can’t rule out a move to AEW in the future. In WWE, she’s found her stock plummet in recent times, with Ronda Rousey, Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch all jumping above her in the pecking order.
However, in a company like AEW that’s desperate for legitimate female talents, she can go on to be the face of their women’s division for years to come. In the likely event she makes the jump, she will hold the AEW Women’s Championship for sure.
4 Finn Balor
The WWE machine was firmly behind the Irishman at one point given their decision to putting the Universal Championship on him with a clean win against then-invincible Roman Reigns. However, an unfortunate injury moved him down the card and he hasn’t recovered since. He’s since been moved to NXT, which has one-third of SmackDown’s viewership and less than half of Raw’s. Given his close association with The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega, his moving to AEW is, indeed, a possibility. While AEW already has numerous main-event wrestlers, he boasts the star power needed to jump right into the main-event scene.
3 Luke Harper
Not many expected WWE to bring back the former Intercontinental Champion. The common consensus among the more hardcore wrestling fans is Vince McMahon brought him back to make an example of him so his employees in the future don’t turn to social media to voice their concerns. No matter how many months WWE adds to his contract, he’s got to leave the company one day and AEW, a company that’s fueled by “smart marks” will lap him up. Perhaps, he won’t begin main-eventing right away but, given his talent and popularity, he’ll go on to main-event a pay-per-view or two.
2 Asuka
The Empress of Tomorrow hasn’t had as good a time on the main roster as she had done in NXT. Under Triple H’s wings, she came across as an indefatigable monster. On the main roster, however, she’s found herself playing second fiddle to the more established and more popular The Four Horsewomen. Although her heel turn of sorts looks an encouraging sign, it’s evident WWE doesn’t want to invest in her. Asuka has previously rubbed shoulders with Kenny Omega during her “Kana” days and it does make sense for her to try her earning herself one big run away from the WWE umbrella. A Riho vs. Kana match without the WWE shackles is certain to break Dave Meltzer’s rating system.
1 Chad Gable
WWE has handled “Shorty Gable” as poorly as they could. Indeed, he’s short, but so are AJ Styles, Chris Benoit and Rey Mysterio, former WWE Champions. WWE likes pushing wrestlers with MMA or athletic background, so the way it has handled the former Olympian has left the fans baffled. He’s so talented that many Internet consider him the spiritual successor to yet another former Olympian in Kurt Angle. AEW will definitely not go “the TNA route” to put the big title on him right away. However, if they give him regular TV time, he’ll surely convince the powers that be to give him an Eddie Guerrero at No Way Out 2004 moment.