For the first time in a long time, WWE is actually acting like they have competition they're worried about, well, paying attention to at the very least. Not since the days of WCW has WWE had another company in play that might actually give them a run for their money.
In case you're curious, that company is AEW.
Thanks to AEW, WWE is keeping more than a few wrestlers under contract just to make sure they don't head for the competition. That tactic isn't always effective since money only buys loyalty for so long. Eventually, wrestlers want to wrestle, and money isn't their biggest concern.
10 Robert Roode
When the former Bobby Roode left TNA after 12 years to start with NXT, he had a lot of well-deserved hype. He had done incredible work in the ring, holding multiple championships and acting as a standard-bearer for the brand. Fans were excited when he became the top heel in NXT and the brand's champion.
His run on the main roster has been in constant decline as he regularly takes a backseat to pretty much everyone else. But he's still a recognizable name that would do incredibly well in AEW so you can bet WWE will work to keep him even though they won't use him.
9 Gran Metalik
Even before being brought into the company as part of the Cruiserweight Classic under the name Gran Metalik, Mascara Dorada was a highly respected luchador around the world. So, you can bet he's a prime target for AEW management.
Gran Metalik is amazing in the ring but got little TV time on 205 Live and even less on SmackDown. While WWE will work to keep him, you can bet AEW is high on his destination list after his contract finally expires. Gran Metalik should be performing in the ring, not keeping a seat warm in catering.
8 EC3
Another TNA to NXT transfer, EC3 was suddenly brought up to the main roster in a larger batch of call ups when WWE management was trying to shore up ratings. Unfortunately, they didn't have much of a plan for EC3, and he's been largely absent from TV since then.
The simple reality is that he was called up from NXT way too early, long before he had established himself with fans. He has paid the price for WWE's lack of patience, and you can bet that AEW is waiting in the wings to pick up the pieces if WWE lets him slip away.
7 Eric Young
WWE misusing TNA talent is a running theme these days. When they brought Eric Young into NXT, he fronted SAnitY, the top heel faction on the brand for quite some time. The whole group was over with the fans. Then, they got called up to the main roster, were basically never used on TV, and were broken up rather unceremoniously.
While the other three members are doing better these days, Eric Young is languishing on Raw. He's not even enhancement talent at this point. Young is one of the hardest workers in the business and would do great in AEW. WWE will just do everything they can to keep that from happening.
6 Akira Tozawa
WWE has a nasty habit of underutilizing both their Japanese wrestlers and their cruiserweights. While Tozawa has been getting a lot of TV time on Raw, it's almost exclusively as enhancement talent to put over another wrestler or storyline.
It's unlikely he's getting a push on Raw any time soon. While WWE will try to hold onto him, Tozawa should leave the first chance he gets. He could be a huge star in AEW but they're probably going to have to fight NJPW for his services.
5 Cedric Alexander
Just like TNA talent, 205 Live superstars rarely seem to get a fair shake on Raw or SmackDown. That's truly a shame in the case of Cedric Alexander since he's one of the best wrestlers in the game today.
He was receiving somewhat of a push on Raw in 2019, but that has all but dried up at this point. Tozawa might be losing the vast majority of his matches, but at least he gets TV time. Cedric is a ghost. It would be a shock if he re-signed with WWE and an even bigger shock if he didn't jump on board with AEW. Anyone who doesn't want to watch him wrestle Rey Fenix isn't living life right.
4 Rusev
The Bulgarian Brute's current story with Lana and Lashley has entered the "so bad it's good" soap opera territory. While it's entertaining in the same way slowing down to look at a car accident on the road is, it's also a complete waste of Rusev's incredible in-ring talent.
Since the end of the Rusev Day angle, the man with the holiday named after him has been largely directionless. He re-signed with WWE for now, but unless this current storyline leads to a WWE Championship run, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him jump ship the first chance he gets.
3 Bobby Lashley
Speaking of the insane Lashley/Lana/Rusev angle, Lashley is largely wasted on it, as well. Lashley left WWE years ago to find success elsewhere and did so in TNA. His return to WWE should have elevated him to another level.
Instead, he's been lost in other storylines that won't take him to the promised land. The rumor was he was brought back face Brock Lesnar, a match that hasn't come close to materializing. Matt Riddle will get a shot at Brock before Bobby does. Lashley has all the talent in the world and should have held one of the big championships by now. Maybe AEW will put their championship on him
2 Shelton Benjamin
When you talk about the most respected names in the business, you have to include Shelton Benjamin in that conversation. All apologies to Mia Yim, but the man has earned the right to be on a list like that. His work in every wrestling promotion he's worked for has been nothing short of amazing.
Shelton's talent is unreal, even though WWE doesn't seem to value him on the level he deserves. AEW should roll out the red carpet for him if WWE lets Shelton slip away again. He'd be a hell of an addition to The Inner Circle since Moxley doesn't want it.
1 Cesaro
There is a damn good chance that Cesaro will end his time in WWE as the greatest wrestler to never hold one of the big championships in the company. His talent and skill are undeniable, as is his fan support.
Audiences have been consistently behind him for years, even though WWE management doesn't want to give him the shot he has earned multiple times. AEW stealing him away would be an absolute coup, which is why WWE will go to war to prevent that from happening.