5 surprise debuts we could see at AEW Winter is Coming - NXT Triple Crown Champion, former WWE Universal Champion

AEW Winter is Coming is a yearly special episode of Dynamite that first began in 2020. The event is held in December before the Winter Solstice begins. Game of Thrones fans might recall the phrase as it was used throughout the television series. AEW is allowed to use the phrase as they air Dynamite on TNT, which all falls under the AT&T blanket. Just like Game of Thrones, this special episode of AEW Dynamite is meant to be epic.

What could be more epic than a new superstar debuting during Winter is Coming? Last year's episode was announced on November 18th. The Moxley-Omega match was billed as "the biggest match in Dynamite history" on their "biggest Dynamite" to date. Looking back, Moxley-Omega was the biggest match in AEW history, as it would be where Omega would defeat Moxley and pick up the title.

Not only was last year's Winter is Coming where the reign of Kenny Omega began, but The Icon, Sting, debuted as well. The former WCW legend had not made an appearance on TNT in 19 years at that point. His last appearance on TNT was the final episode of WCW Monday Nightro, where he defeated Ric Flair.

This year, Winter is Coming will take place on both Dynamite and Rampage episodes, 15 and 17 Decemeber, respectively. There's a lot of room for surprising debuts. We could hopefully end up seeing wrestlers face off in dream matches very soon. This list will explore who should debut at AEW Winter is Coming, 2021.

5. Kyle O'Reilly could debut at AEW Winter is Coming

Kyle O'Reilly has been a fan favorite at WWE NXT for most of his run. O'Reilly made his NXT debut on July 12th 2017, losing to Malakai Black. NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III teamed up with Bobby FIsh to attack Sanity after their victory, as well as attacking Drew McIntyre. These attacks would lead to them joining with Adam Cole, turning heel in the process. A month later the trio officially founded "The Undisputed Era".

During his time at NXT, O'Reilly would pick up the NXT Tag Titles a record breaking three times. O'Reilly has also worked with Bobby Fish and Adam Cole for years through other promotions where he held championships alongside them. Because of the closeness of the trio, O'Reilly would make a perfect partner.

He could either team up with Bobby Fish as they separate from Adam Cole, or become another member of The Elite.

4. Adam Scherr could debut at AEW Winter is Coming

AEW has only a handful of huge strong men, and none that could truly compare to the imposing figure of Adam Scherr. Scherr is better known by his WWE name, Bron Strowman, where he was billed as "The Monster Among Men".

Scherr was unfortunately one of the wrestlers released in 2021, after coming off of a massive contract and being a big star. He then went quiet for a few months as he slowly rebuilt himself, and has recently been wrestling publicly again. Right now Scherr is not tied to any promotion and wrestles wherever he can. This is something AEW fans would love to see change.

A debut at AEW Winter is Coming could set Scherr up for a great run in AEW. With the year drawing to a close and Scherr being signed by WWE's competitors, this could come as a shock. Scherr would make an athlete like Miro seem normal sized. His presence on the roster would help elivate bigger players like Luchasaurus and Lance Archer.

3. Jonathan Gresham could be joining AEW soon

Jonathan Gresham was recently seen backstage at AEW Dynamite on December 1st. Being backstage at AEW could be a clear indicator that Gresham was being shown the layout and how things work. Gresham also has a bit of history with the most recent AEW signing, Jay Lethal. Winning tag team titles together at one stage. The two could continue their partnership at AEW.

Gresham has been wrestling since the age of 17. But even with 16 years of experience he hasn't been able to break into a bigger promotion. Gresham was trained by WCW Veteran, Mr. Hughes. His in-ring style has been compared to the likes of Bryan Danielson. Because of this comparison, he could be a match for the American Dragon. Gresham could also have great matches with other AEW wrestlers such as Bobby Fish or Daniel Garcia.

Whether or not Gresham signs with AEW might be something we have to wait to see. However, there's quite a strong argument for his debut. Not only would his wrestling style fit in well with AEW stars, but this could be the best platform for him.

At 33 Gresham isn't old and still has the time to establish a dominant run with big promotion. At the rate AEW is growing, that big promotion might just be on Dynamite.

2. Killer Kross could make his AEW debut

AEW does have an imposing dark character in Malakai Black, but nobody else who can challenge him on that level. Killer Kross went by a slightly changed name in WWE, Karrion Kross. Before his awful debut on the main roster, Kross was booked as a monster heel and had one of the most impressive entrances.

If Kross gets booked even half as good as he was in NXT, in AEW he could become a megastar. Kross is not just imposing with a cool entrance, he also has the ring work to back it up. Kross is a grappler and his wrestling would go well up against the likes of CM Punk and a powerhouse like Miro in AEW.

So far, Kross has been keeping fans up to date about his life on social media. Not only has he been keeping fit, but his image has changed as he sports hair and stubble. Kross could be moving away from his WWE image and repackaging himself as a different kind of wrestler. Recently, Killer Kross has been confirmed to be appearing at Qatar Pro Wrestling's "Superslam 3 event, on March 18 and 19 2022.

1. Johnny Gargano could debut after NXT Wargames

Johnny Gargano is likely one of NXT's best wrestlers, who was spared from a main event call up and ruining his persona. Calling himself "Johnny Wrestling" as a call to his deep love for wrestling, Gargano is the type of wrestler that AEW could do a lot with. Although at the time of writing, Gargano had not officially announced his parting with WWE, Wargames 2021 felt like a goodbye.

Gargano worked hard to join WWE, making dark match appearances at WWE and NXT as far back as 2015. His first televised match was beside his longterm teammate, Tommasco Ciampa. Gargano continued to work with NXT into 2016, where on April 2nd he was finally signed by WWE. He did not sign a full-time contract until July 21st.

Together with Ciampa, Gargano would create a moderately successful tag team called #DIY. The two would hold the NXT Tag Team titles together on one occasion. Gargano would also lead the stable, The Way, sometime after breaking away from Ciampa. He is also the first NXT Triple Crown champion.

All these accolades at WWE makes Gargano a hot superstar, and his contract with WWE is rumored to be over. Gargano making a debut at Winter is Coming to his entrance song, "Rebel Heart", could be a moment to top even Sting's AEW debut.