5 AEW names who should consider a WWE return in 2025

AEW has been a great alternative for wrestling fans and beneficial for many wrestlers. Plenty of stars have switched from WWE to AEW because the product was more convenient for them. The Jacksonville-based promotion's arrival featured multiple talented stars on the independent circuit on TV.

While the majority of the locker room is happy with being All Elite, several wrestlers want to leave the company. The latest examples are Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix. Both the stars wanted to depart AEW before their contract expired, and this has been a huge talking point on social media recently. As of now, Penta will probably debut in WWE after he became a free agent a few weeks ago.

In the past couple of years, a handful of wrestlers have joined WWE following their AEW exit. Stars like Jade Cargill, Lexis King, Andrade, Shawn Spears, and Ethan Page have been huge additions to the global sports entertainment juggernaut.

Not every star in AEW is booked perfectly right now. Many talents have been vocal about their run. Let's take a look at some of the ex- WWE stars from the current AEW roster who should return to WWE in 2025.

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#5. Ricochet

After his exit from the Stamford-based promotion, fans were hyped to see Ricochet become All Elite. After not being properly pushed for multiple years, the One and Only star left the company to shine. He made his debut at All In 2024, one of the biggest stages the company has to offer. While he has delivered some great performances in the company, he has had underwhelming matches in recent months.

Fans have also criticized his promo skills in the Tony Khan-led company. However, this wasn't an issue in WWE, as it didn't give him a mic most of the time. He should return to WWE in 2025 before it's too late.

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#4. PAC

PAC wrestled as Neville in the global sports entertainment juggernaut from 2012 to 2018. While he won multiple singles titles in the company, Vince McMahon failed to fully utilize his potential. He may be pushed to the moon under the current Triple H's leadership.

Tony Khan has consistently featured PAC on TV but hasn't been deemed a main event star. The latter could be huge in WWE on today and should consider joining the promotion in 2025.

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#3. Miro

The Redeemer was booked as a powerhouse during his initial AEW run. However, it seems like the creative and Miro haven't been on the same page for the last year. He last wrestled at the Worlds End 2023 event and hasn't made a comeback since. Recently, a report claimed that the former TNT Champion asked for his release from the promotion.

Miro's contract reportedly expires in 2026, but if Tony Khan grants his release in 2025, he should immediately join WWE.

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#2. Athena

The longest-reigning ROH Women's World Champion has been All Elite for several years. Despite being signed to AEW, she has been one of the top stars of ROH but is only featured on the latter show. She wrestled her last match in the Jacksonville-based promotion in April 2024.

Athena wrestled as Ember Moon in WWE. While she didn't thrive in WWE before, her recent character has a huge potential, which could make her a world champion in 2025.

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#1. Adam Cole should leave AEW

The Panama City Playboy had an amazing run in the Tony Khan-led promotion when he signed with the company. However, his ankle injury was a major turning point in his career. AEW failed to capitalize on one of the most anticipated stories last year, which was Cole being revealed as Devil. The company couldn't do much with Adam Cole as he was injured. Also, his feud with MJF has been widely criticized.

Adam Cole was a main eventer in Triple H's NXT era. His return to WWE in 2025 could revive his career.

It remains to be seen who joins and leaves the Tony Khan-led promotion in 2025.