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AEW has signed a whole host of former WWE talents since its inception in 2019. Some have found huge success by jumping ship, such as Chris Jericho and Jon Moxley. Unfortunately, a few others have had underwhelming runs for the promotion.
These former WWE Superstars might have joined the company with certain expectations on how they will be utilized. But several of them would later realize that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.
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Whether it's due to a stacked roster or not enough television time, these wrestlers are lost in the shuffle or have had to contend with bit-part roles. Here are five superstars who shouldn't have left WWE for AEW.
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#5. Ruby Soho has underwhelmed since debuting at AEW All Out
There were high hopes for Ruby Soho following her All Out debut. The former Riott Squad member was a surprise entrant at the event's Casino Battle Royale, which she would eventually win. After a disappointing run in WWE, the former Ruby Riott looked for a new home in the form of AEW.
The beloved sup had a groundswell of support and many fans thought she would finally win a singles title in All Elite Wrestling. However, she would go on to lose two high-profile Championship matches against Britt Baker for the Women's Championship and Jade Cargill for the TBS title. Since then, she has gradually faded into the background. It remains to be seen if Soho can bounce back in a big way this year. She is too talented to be satisfied as an undercard talent.
#4. Shawn Spears has been relegated to a bit-part player in AEW
AEW fans were excited for Shawn Spears when he initially made his debut in the company. After his stint in WWE as 'Perfect 10' Tye Dillinger, he was immediately thrust into a high-profile feud with Cody Rhodes in All Elite Wrestling and was rechristened as "The Chairman".
However, it seemed like that would be the peak of his career in the company. Since then, he has aligned himself with MJF and The Pinnacle and is firmly entrenched as an undercard talent.
Shawn Spears has defended the company's booking by saying that Tony Khan prioritizes the audience. The company did try in the beginning, but it didn't work out. If there's one thing that everyone can agree on, it's that Spear's run has been a flop. Perhaps he's always meant to be a "good hand" after all.
#3. FTR is lost in the shuffle of a stacked tag team division
Before Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood joined the promotion, the Young Bucks vs. FTR was considered a dream match. They are among the best tag teams in the world and many thought they would have a lengthy run with the titles. However, aside from a one-off match at Full Gear 2020, which they lost, FTR eventually slid down the card as other duos took prominence in the company.
Many fans were expecting FTR to be treated better, but their current run has been underwhelming to say the least. Their old-school style makes them stand out from the rest of the pack and they should absolutely be given a bigger spotlight to showcase their talents.
Harwood and Wheeler have made it abundantly clear that they want a rematch with long-time rivals, The Young Bucks. Maybe in the future they could have a proper run, but at the moment, despite being very talented, they fail to live up to expectations.
#2. Matt Hardy's AEW persona has not resonated with the fans
Matt Hardy's run in AEW has been a peculiar one. He debuted in the company during the height of the pandemic in an empty arena. Initially positioning himself as the "Broken" Matt Hardy character, he would then transition into a manager role in the Hardy Family Office as "Big Money" Matt.
While the 47-year-old veteran still enjoys considerable screentime and gets to help mentor young talents such as Private Party, it doesn't seem to help connect him with the audience. It's clear that he was much more popular in WWE and even IMPACT wrestling.
Fans hope Matt Hardy turns his career around soon and perhaps the imminent arrival of his brother Jeff could help him gain mainstream relevance once more in 2022.
#1. Jake Hager debuted on the first AEW Dynamite as a big deal but now barely appears on television
When Jake Hager debuted on the very first episode of Dynamite, he was immediately positioned as a top star. Aligning himself with Chris Jericho and The Inner Circle, he was the stable's bodyguard and featured in top storylines. Tony Khan made it a point to highlight his real-life MMA credentials and hype up his undefeated streak.
But taking away his Inner Circle involvement, what exactly has Hager done for the company, three years on? In WWE, he was at least an ECW and World Heavyweight Champion. Not only has Hager now won any titles in Tony Khan's promotions, he comes across as very bland and had no interesting or significant feuds to speak of.
Perhaps the over-saturation of stables and talent in AEW might be a reason for overshadowing the veteran. Furthermore, new major signings like CM Punk and Bryan Danielson have also impacted his relevance in AEW. With The Inner Circle seemingly reaching the end of their run, it would be interesting to see where this leaves Hager and whether he can stand out alone in a stacked division.
