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AEW and WWE are currently leading the pro-wrestling industry not only in the United States of America but on a global scale. Both promotions boast stacked rosters consisting of world-renowned stars and have even exchanged noteworthy talent over the past couple of years, as wrestlers such as Adam Copeland, Ricochet, and Bobby Lashley have signed with the Jacksonville-based company on one hand, whereas names like CM Punk, Jade Cargill, and Ethan Page have jumped ship to the sports entertainment juggernaut on the other.
Despite its remarkable growth over the past five years, All Elite Wrestling arguably possesses an oversaturated roster, with more talent ready to go than there is creative space for them to work in. This has led to several talented stars being left off of television programming, leading to conjecture of them departing from the company to try their luck in WWE.
Let us consider four such AEW stars whose services Tony Khan should try and retain before they possibly head to the Stamford-based promotion.
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#1. Former AEW TNT Champion Wardlow
Around two years ago, Wardlow was one of the most popular babyfaces on the All Elite Wrestling roster. However, his recent creative handling has left much to be desired. Although he is currently absent from television due to injury, the 36-year-old star's late 2023 and early 2024 run mainly comprised of him going on a winning streak against mid-card talents, seemingly to build him up for an AEW World Championship match against Samoa Joe.
Unfortunately, Wardlow failed to bring the championship to The Undisputed Kingdom, and he has not been featured since then. This has given birth to much speculation about his future in the Tony Khan-led promotion, with fans and industry veterans wondering whether Mr. Mayhem would fare better in WWE.
As such, Tony Khan should consider featuring Wardlow on AEW programming more prominently once he returns and ensure that the 36-year-old star, who has been one of the promotion's most beloved performers since its creation, will be willing to continue to take All Elite Wrestling to greater heights.
#2. Former AEW World Tag Team Champion Ricky Starks
Ricky Starks is another one of AEW's most over competitors. His absence since March 2024 has been viewed by many as a sign that his All Elite career is bound to conclude soon. Even though he is still under contract with the promotion and is not injured, he has not been involved in any of its current storylines. According to rumors, this could be because The Absolute is expected to join WWE once his AEW contract expires.
The former AEW World Tag Team Champion has proven his capabilities time and time again both inside the ring and on the microphone and is undoubtedly an asset to whichever company he works for. Therefore, All Elite Wrestling ought to bring the 34-year-old star back to television as soon as possible and utilize him properly, which may result in Starks continuing his run in the Tony Khan-led company instead of joining his friends, Cody Rhodes and Jade Cargill, in WWE.
#3. Miro
All Elite Wrestling viewers have been clamoring for the return of Miro, formerly known as Rusev, for quite some time now. The Redeemer, who has been out of action since defeating current WWE Superstar Andrade at the AEW Worlds End 2023 Pay-Per-View, asked for his release from the Jacksonville-based company earlier this year, supposedly owing to creative disagreements with the promotion. This has naturally caused speculations to break out regarding the possibility of Miro returning to his former stomping grounds in WWE once his contract expires or if he is let go by Tony Khan.
However, it cannot be denied that The Bulgarian Brute has performed some of the best character-work of his career in AEW, especially during his reign as "God's Favourite" TNT Champion. Considering his formidable abilities in the squared circle, Miro is arguably an excellent fit for the Jacksonville-based promotion. All Elite Wrestling should thus persuade the 38-year-old star to stay on and offer him a satisfactory role in its current programming.
#4. Former AEW World Trios Champion Malakai Black
Few competitors in AEW have been able to craft a character as unique and as enigmatic as Malakai Black's. However, despite his undeniable appeal to the promotion's fanbase, the Dutch star has not been consistently presented as a credible top singles star. After the peculiar finish to his match against Adam Cole this week on Dynamite, conjecture started making the rounds suggesting that the House of Black member may be on his way out of All Elite Wrestling.
Since then, Malakai has seemingly clarified that he is not leaving AEW anytime soon, although according to recent reports, he may be finished with the promotion either later this year or by early 2025. Seeing how Black has been tied to rumors of a potential WWE return since 2022, Tony Khan should try and prevent the 39-year-old star from jumping ship to the Stamford-based company.
