5 AEW wrestlers who could join WWE in 2022

#2. AEW to WWE - Brian Cage

AEW's booking of Brian Cage has been disappointing. The former IMPACT star joined the company with a lot of hype and seemed destined to be a top main eventer. Alas, while his alliance with Team Taz and run as FTW champion was relatively successful, it seemed like he could not reach the next level.

After dropping his belt to Ricky Starks and being ousted from his own faction, The Machine is in limbo. Cage's booking hasn't always been the strongest, with his wife even taking to social media to complain about it.

It is easy to imagine Vince McMahon taking a liking to someone like Cage. He could easily thrive in the world of WWE, whether that be on the main roster or NXT with his superstar physique and athletic move-set.

With his physicality and experience, Cage could just be the exact type of wrestler that WWE would consider signing to bolster their ranks.

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#1. AEW to WWE - Cody Rhodes

In a surprising turn of events, Cody Rhodes is currently reported to be a free agent and is working without a contract. While he still features prominently on AEW television and has a ladder match scheduled for this week's Beach Break event, his future remains murky.

Rhodes is of course still an EVP with the company and has been one of the building blocks of the promotion. It would be especially shocking if he were to make the switch back to WWE after the amount of bridges he has burnt there.

During the latest edition of Sportskeeda Wrestling's SmackTalk, Dutch Mantell spoke regarding the current contract situation with Cody Rhodes. Mantell believes that Rhodes is working under a verbal contract right now with Tony Khan and not a signed contract.

"I think it's just something [Cody's contract situation] to get eyes and thoughts on AEW. I don't think that, I mean, he's [Cody Rhodes] one of the founders of AEW, just Tony Khan coming along and having the money, putting behind it."

"But I think they're just working it for what they can get out of it and it will turn into an angle too. I think he has a contract and it maybe just a verbal contract with Tony Khan right now, there may not be a signed one, so that does mean that he's working without a contract," said Dutch Mantell.

Cody's chances of appearing in this weekend's Royal Rumble might be slim to none but weirder things have happened in pro wrestling. Perhaps he has unfinished business in the WWE and wants to prove himself as a main eventer. A surprise appearance in the match would set the wrestling internet ablaze and that's why this is a news story that we should keep an eye on.