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A number of AEW stars wrestled in the independents or in other promotions before All Elite Wrestling formed in 2019. A number of AEW stars have even appeared on WWE television, wrestling matches or as extras.
While recently rewatching some old clips, I remembered that Matt Jackson of The Young Bucks had wrestled the Big Show on SmackDown early on in his career, years before they would be co-workers again in AEW. This led me down the rabbit hole of checking out some other AEW stars who wrestled in WWE and some of their matches.
#5 Matt Jackson vs Big Show (WWE SmackDown, 2008)
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Matt Jackson wrestled a couple of matches in WWE in 2008 as well as doing some extra work. The match I'm focusing on today is his match against Big Show on the October 16, 2008, episode of WWE SmackDown.
Big Show was set to face The Undertaker at the following pay-per-view, Cyber Sunday, and fans could vote on WWE.com for three stipulations -- Knockout, I Quit or Last Man Standing.
Show was in the ring with Chavo Guerrero and decided to demonstrate the three matches for the fans in attendance and for those watching from home. He beat the first two enhancement talents in quick succession -- the first in a knockout match and then in an I Quit match.
Next up was the Last Man Standing match and who was his opponent? None other than a young Matt Jackson. Big Show quickly beat down Matt Jackson before chokeslamming him through a table to win.
What was surreal about that match was not only that we had Big Show and Matt Jackson in the ring along with Chavo Guerrero, who also recently appeared in AEW, on the apron but also the fact that we had Taz and Jim Ross on commentary, who are also now signed with AEW.
#4 Kris Statlander and Karissa Rivera vs The IIconics (WWE SmackDown, 2019)
On the SmackDown following WrestleMania 35, The IIconics were in the ring to celebrate winning the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships at the show of shows. The duo said that they were fighting champions and were ready to put their titles on the line immediately. They faced the team of Karissa and Kristen -- The Brooklyn Belles.
Karissa was independent star Karissa Rivera while Kristen was none other than current AEW star Kris Statlander.
The IIconics made short work of the Brooklyn Belles, with Peyton Royce pinning Karissa for the win.
Kris Statlander made her AEW debut in November 2019 before being signed to a contract the following month.
#3 Frankie Kazrian vs Nunzio (WWE Velocity, 2005)
Frankie Kazarian was signed to WWE in 2005 and sent to their developmental program at Ohio Valley Wrestling. He wrestled his first televised match on an epiosde of Velocity on July 16, 2005, against Nunzio.
Kazrian, dubbed 'The Future,' impressed in the match and beat the veteran with a Fisherman Suplex a few minutes in. Kazarian cut a promo after the match saying the he was the future.
Kazarian wrestled a number of other tryouts matches before asking for his release later in the year and returning to TNA in 2006.
Frankie Kazrian signed with AEW in 2019 along with his SCU partners -- Christopher Daniels and Scorpio Sky. Kazarian is currently feuding with members of The Elite and is aligned with Christian Cage and Jurassic Express.
#2 Fuego Del Sol vs Rowan (WWE RAW, 2020)
An unmasked Fuego Del Sol faced Erick Rowan on an episode of WWE RAW in January 2020. This was while Rowan was still doing his cage gimmick and Fuego, was clearly terrified of it. Rowan, when he finally got his hands on Fuego, won the match pretty quickly. Post-match, he drove Fuego's face into the cage at ringside. A terrified Fuego then ran backstage.
Fuego went on to become a regular on AEW Dark before earning himself a contract, becoming All Elite on the debut of Rampage.
#1 Ricky Starks vs Kane (WWE Main Event, 2013)
Ricky Starks made a number of appearances as an extra or enhancement talent for WWE in 2012 and 2013. In 2013, Starks faced his stiffest challenge in WWE, a singles match against the 'Big Red Machine' Kane on WWE Main Event.
Kane made short work of Starks, dominating the match against the future AEW star. The Big Red Machine then hit Starks with a chokeslam to pick up the win.
After impressing in an open challenge against Cody Rhodes on AEW Dynamite in 2020, Starks was quickly signed to a contract. He's now a member of Team Taz and the FTW Champion.
