5 surprise debuts we could see at AEW Winter is Coming - NXT Triple Crown Champion, former WWE Universal Champion

2. Killer Kross could make his AEW debut

AEW does have an imposing dark character in Malakai Black, but nobody else who can challenge him on that level. Killer Kross went by a slightly changed name in WWE, Karrion Kross. Before his awful debut on the main roster, Kross was booked as a monster heel and had one of the most impressive entrances.

If Kross gets booked even half as good as he was in NXT, in AEW he could become a megastar. Kross is not just imposing with a cool entrance, he also has the ring work to back it up. Kross is a grappler and his wrestling would go well up against the likes of CM Punk and a powerhouse like Miro in AEW.

So far, Kross has been keeping fans up to date about his life on social media. Not only has he been keeping fit, but his image has changed as he sports hair and stubble. Kross could be moving away from his WWE image and repackaging himself as a different kind of wrestler. Recently, Killer Kross has been confirmed to be appearing at Qatar Pro Wrestling's "Superslam 3 event, on March 18 and 19 2022.

1. Johnny Gargano could debut after NXT Wargames

Johnny Gargano is likely one of NXT's best wrestlers, who was spared from a main event call up and ruining his persona. Calling himself "Johnny Wrestling" as a call to his deep love for wrestling, Gargano is the type of wrestler that AEW could do a lot with. Although at the time of writing, Gargano had not officially announced his parting with WWE, Wargames 2021 felt like a goodbye.

Gargano worked hard to join WWE, making dark match appearances at WWE and NXT as far back as 2015. His first televised match was beside his longterm teammate, Tommasco Ciampa. Gargano continued to work with NXT into 2016, where on April 2nd he was finally signed by WWE. He did not sign a full-time contract until July 21st.

Together with Ciampa, Gargano would create a moderately successful tag team called #DIY. The two would hold the NXT Tag Team titles together on one occasion. Gargano would also lead the stable, The Way, sometime after breaking away from Ciampa. He is also the first NXT Triple Crown champion.

All these accolades at WWE makes Gargano a hot superstar, and his contract with WWE is rumored to be over. Gargano making a debut at Winter is Coming to his entrance song, "Rebel Heart", could be a moment to top even Sting's AEW debut.