I’m an enormous fan of AEW. Actually, it is what acquired me again into skilled wrestling within the first place.
That mentioned, I do not assume AEW would have acquired the popularity that it has right now if not for the regular stream of WWE wrestlers that it is gotten through the years.
From Malakai Black, to Brodie Lee (RIP), to Bobby Lashley, one might say that AEW is what it’s right now as a result of of WWE’s former largest stars. Sure, wrestlers like MJF (who continues to be one of many biggest issues in pro-wrestling), Darby Allin, and “Hangman” Adam Web page have been essentially the most constant faces within the firm. However, if not for these 10 earlier WWE wrestlers, we would not nonetheless be speaking concerning the different promotion right now.
10. Sting (Grew to become All Elite in 2020)
The miracle run that truthfully by no means ought to have occurred, (however did!) Sting retired from wrestling in 2016 after a nasty neck harm, solely to return in 2020, and finally finish his profession in 2024.
What a legend.
When Sting returned to wrestling, he was paired up with Darby Allin and took on a mentorship function, which was excellent for him. However, over time, Sting really blended it up within the ring, and he would take some fairly sick bumps for a person in his 60s.
What makes Sting impactful in AEW, although, is his legacy. It is a man who had lengthy, significant careers in WCW, TNA, and WWE, and he selected to complete his profession in AEW. Like I mentioned earlier than, what a legend.
9. Mercedes Mone (Grew to become All Elite in 2024)
When Sasha Banks and Naomi walked out of RAW, it despatched shockwaves all through the business. And, whereas some may debate their reasoning for why they left, one factor that individuals can’t debate was that she went out like a “Boss.” Similar to one among her nicknames.
Leaving the largest wrestling promotion on the planet is not any small choice, however the former Sasha Banks determined that she wasn’t happy with the path of her character in WWE, so she left.
She disappeared for some time, however stored being sighted at AEW occasions, solely to ultimately turn into All Elite in 2024, the place she made an enormous splash within the Ladies’s Division.
You realize, I as soon as wrote about why I’d bail on AEW for WWE, and one of many causes was the arguably poor mishandling of the Ladies’s Division. Nonetheless, Mone has been given attention-grabbing storylines ever since she arrived, and her affect has been serving to elevate the Ladies’s Division to new heights. Good things.
8. Christian Cage (Grew to become All Elite in 2021)
I as soon as wrote that Kurt Angle is the best wrestler to ever strap on a pair of trainers, and I stand behind that remark. Nonetheless, if you wish to know the wrestler who I believe has essentially the most spectacular profession, it’s Christian Cage.
The dude can nonetheless go within the ring, and that is bolstered by his 26 Championship wins throughout a number of promotions.
That mentioned, his biggest asset might be his heel work, as no one can get a crowd riled up like Christian Cage. Designating himself as “the Patriarch” of AEW, Cage is a freaking warmth magnet, and has in some way made himself much more villainous than MJF ever was.
His affect is in furthering storylines with just about anyone. For those who hear his theme track, then it’s going to be an excellent present that night time.
7. Swerve Strickland (Grew to become All Elite in 2022)
Whose home? I truthfully really feel like WWE dropped the ball with Swerve Strickland. He was nice in NXT when he was Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, however he didn’t final lengthy as soon as he was promoted to SmackDown.
However, oh properly. Their loss. Strickland has been some of the well-liked wrestlers ever since he grew to become All Elite. He’s been in participating feuds, like his latest one with “Hangman” Adam Web page, and was as soon as a part of the wonderful tag-team Swerve in Our Glory with Keith Lee, one other WWE alum.
Swerve is unbelievable in dealing punishment, however he additionally sells like a champ, making each match seem to be a continuing back-and-forth.
Swerve’s affect is in his character work. It doesn’t matter what match he’s in, you truthfully don’t have any method of figuring out who’s going to win, which I believe is a real testomony to Strickland, who can at one level be a World Champion, and the subsequent, put any individual over. He’s an actual one for that.
6. Toni Storm (Grew to become All Elite in 2022)
Keep in mind that I discussed how Mercedes Mone has elevated the Ladies’s Division in AEW? Properly, Toni Storm has virtually carried it on her again ever since she arrived.
Toni Storm has by no means placed on a nasty match in her total time within the promotion, and she or he reinvented herself (and made the Ladies’s Division enjoyable) along with her “Timeless” Toni Storm gimmick.
This was really once I realized what an asset Storm was to the corporate, since she appeared like any individual who simply stepped out of a black and white film.
Storm’s since dropped the gimmick, however her affect continues to be tantamount to the Ladies’s Division’s success, as a result of she brings legitimacy to it, in each talent, and theatrics, which might’t be understated.
5. CM Punk (Grew to become All Elite in 2021)
Oh, CM Punk. What might have been. One of many worst issues AEW might have ever executed was air the footage of his backstage combat, which solely made AEW look worse.
And now, he’s again in WWE, and I couldn’t be happier for him. That mentioned, his time in AEW was memorable, nonetheless.
Firstly, I don’t assume AEW has ever had an even bigger pop than when he debuted within the firm. And secondly, he undoubtedly introduced extra eyes to the model.
Most significantly although, he was the principle face of the Saturday night time present, Collision. It sadly didn’t work out, however he’s most likely the largest identify the corporate has ever had.
4. Bryan Danielson (Grew to become All Elite in 2021)
Bryan Danielson most likely ought to have stayed retired as soon as he left WWE, given his many accidents, however he had one among his most attention-grabbing runs in AEW.
Danielson has squared off with just about all people, and was often called the technical wrestler in AEW.
His work with the Black Pool Fight Membership (Now the Demise Riders) was among the greatest within the firm, and he was a fantastic foil to Chris Jericho’s complete schtick of being “Sports activities entertainers” (An apparent riff on McMahon era-WWE).
Actually, Danielson’s affect might be having the very best matches the promotion has ever had, however he actually ought to keep retired this time round. He’s put his physique by way of sufficient.
3. Jon Moxley (Grew to become All Elite in 2019)
Jon Moxley is like Bryan Danielson within the high quality and consistency of his matches, however he’s simply been in AEW longer.
Mox has had most likely essentially the most fascinating profession out of any former-WWE wrestler, in that he’s even higher in AEW than he ever was in WWE.
Whereas AEW shouldn’t be ECW relating to violence, they’re undoubtedly a pointy distinction to WWE.
And Mox, for higher or worse, is basically the face of all that violence – together with his personal face usually stained in a few of that bloody crimson.
2. Chris Jericho (Grew to become All Elite in 2019)
Sting is “The Icon”, however Chris Jericho is simply as worthy of that moniker. Being there within the very first 12 months of the corporate, Jericho was the primary actual identify in AEW that signified that this actually was an “All Elite” promotion.
He had such a legendary profession previous to AEW, that it genuinely was an indication that this promotion was meant to be one thing particular when Jericho put his identify and presence behind it.
Since then, he is has just about executed all of it, and also you by no means actually go too lengthy with out seeing him be as much as one thing.
His affect is all the time conserving AEW recent. His numerous gimmicks usually information the entire promotion, and I’d say he’s had the largest affect on AEW, if not for one different wrestler.
1. Cody Rhodes (Grew to become All Elite in 2019)
There would probably not even be an AEW with out Cody Rhodes. There from the very starting, and serving to get the model off the bottom, Cody Rhodes was instrumental to AEW even current.
He had some epic matches, however the crowd finally turned on him as a result of he stayed a face for too lengthy. His departure from the corporate has just about modified it endlessly.
And, not for the higher. Even so, Rhodes was Mr. AEW for a time…till he wasn’t. Now he’s Mr. WWE, and I’m completely happy for him.