5 AEW Superstars who Vince McMahon will regret releasing

Several WWE stars and legends have jumped ship to AEW. Some of the biggest names such as Jon Moxley and Chris Jericho had completed their commitment to WWE and jumped ship, while other legends like Paul Wight, Mark Henry, and Sting decided to embark on a new challenge.

AEW has been the platform for several WWE stars, so much so that they've received criticism for picking up the pieces that WWE has dropped off. But if you were to ask the former WWE stars who jumped ship, they will likely tell you that they got a new lease on life. Here are five AEW stars whom Vince McMahon might regret releasing:

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#5. CM Punk - Does Vince McMahon regret not signing the AEW Star?

CM Punk made his official return to wrestling after seven-and-a-half years away. His retirement period was just short of his entire WWE run. However, it came as no surprise that AEW was his chosen destination and not WWE.

Before anyone points to Punk "walking out" of WWE, he was technically released by the promotion. He served a two-month suspension after walking out and was handed his termination papers on his wedding day, something which he revealed was the final straw for him and WWE.

It took seven-and-a-half years, and AEW was the promotion that convinced him to return to wrestling. His star power was instantly felt and it was considered a "game-changing" signing. So much so that even FOX sports was reportedly upset with WWE for not making an effort to sign CM Punk.

Sportskeeda's Arpit Shrivastava wrote:

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that the higher-ups at FOX are unhappy that WWE didn't pursue CM Punk enough, which opened the doors for him to join AEW. FOX has been the home for SmackDown since late 2019, and it's understandable why they would be upset at the recent turn of events.

When asked by FOX, WWE reportedly responded that CM Punk's asking price was "too high", and FOX offered to help pay for his signing. However, it ultimately fell through.

While Punk said that WWE was never really an option, Vince McMahon might end up regretting it. Ultimately, he has done business with superstars with whom he has had a far worse falling out.

Tony Khan has already described Punk as a game-changing signing, and it's no surprise why.

#4. Malakai Black - An instant AEW top star

Malakai Black is now a rising star in AEW, still undefeated. However, his release from WWE was undoubtedly one of the most shocking between April 2020 and July 2021.

After Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman, it could be argued that Black was the most shocking WWE release from 2021. He described joining AEW as a "no brainer" and didn't seem to be worried about getting released by WWE at all.

Interestingly enough, WWE seemed to have had an entirely new character laid out for Black. Apart from just a character change, it involved a big change in theme song as well. He returned to feud with Big E and was released soon after.

Whoever handled Black's contract botched the non-compete clause, and he was free within a month as opposed to the normal three. He jumped ship to AEW and has been thriving since then.

It's easy to see the Dutch star's trajectory to main event status in AEW. If he makes it big in the upstart promotion, Vince McMahon will certainly regret releasing him.

#3. Miro - Thriving in AEW after getting released

It could be argued that current AEW TNT Champion Miro was one of WWE's more underutilized superstars on their roster. During his six-year tenure on the WWE main roster, he enjoyed championship success, becoming a 3-time US Champion.

However, despite once emerging as a WWE title contender, he couldn't reach the level that he desired. With Miro/Rusev, the difference in utilization during his WWE and AEW runs isn't as clear yet, especially since he also had a dominant first year with his former promotion.

Either way, it will be interesting to see how the future pans out. It started off a bit lukewarm, but he picked up a significant amount of momentum in 2021. In the first half of May 2021, Miro reached the highest point of his AEW career (so far) as he beat Darby Allin to capture the TNT Championship.

It's hard to say if Miro will reach main event status, especially given how stacked AEW is with top-tier talent. But if he thrives, Vince McMahon might just end up regretting his 2020 release.

#2. Ruby Soho - Can she finally become the centerpiece of AEW's Women's division?

When Ruby Soho made her debut at ALL OUT, it was a feeling unlike any other. While she had fans in WWE, she never felt the level of love and respect that she did in AEW.

Soho, fka Ruby Riott in WWE, was never viewed as a top-level star by upper management. Instead, she was underutilized more often than not, making rare championship challenges.

That changed instantly in one night at ALL OUT. When she made her surprise debut at the Casino Battle Royale, she instantly got a great reaction, winning the match and becoming the #1 contender to Britt Baker.

Soho may not become the Champion on her first, second, or even third attempt. But the fact that she was instantly a title contender upon her debut shows how much the company values her.

Admittedly, Ruby Soho may not be a name who Vince McMahon frets over when looking back upon released superstars. However, success at her new home would be a big message to send to WWE and McMahon.

#1. Kenny Omega - Does WWE already regret releasing the AEW World Champion?

When AEW announced Kenny Omega as one of its first signings, it was clear that he would be made into one of the centerpieces of the company. While he wasn't the first or second AEW World Champion, but he is the longest-reigning one.

Omega and WWE have an interesting history together. He was signed to WWE on a developmental contract in the mid-2000s, but his experience as a trainee in Deep South Wrestling quickly turned rotten.

It was Omega who personally requested his release, and he took a chance on himself by reinventing his entire character and moveset. It was his 11-year stint in Japan that ultimately established him as one of the best wrestlers in the world.

While it has been forgotten about, many don't realize that Kenny Omega was offered a contract by WWE in 2014, 2015, and 2019. There was a point when Omega was arguably among the hottest wrestlers in the world -- more so than most of WWE's top stars.

Ultimately, AEW was the destination he chose and in hindsight - it was the right call. Omega was always going to win the AEW World Championship. Although he might not be AEW's long-term plan, he probably won't mind that either.

Kenny Omega might be an AEW star who Vince McMahon regrets releasing.