Over the years, we have seen several former WWE Superstars jump the ship to join AEW. With All Elite Wresrling's cross-promotion event Forbidden Door around the corner, this creates a perfect occasion for the young promotion to announce their new signing.
With many stars recently entering free agency, there is a possibility that some might end up in the Jacksonville-based company soon. Here's a short list of the five former WWE Superstars who could make a splash appearing at Forbidden Door 2024.
#5. Former WWE Superstar Dolph Ziggler could decide on an AEW stint
Dolph Ziggler grabbed headlines in 2023 when WWE announced his release. Since then the former Money in the Bank winner has been appearing on NJPW, TNA, and Lucha Libre AAA programming.
Now known as Nic Nemeth, the former World Heavyweight Champion recently lost his IWGP Goble Heavyweight Championship to David Finley at a recent NJPW TV show. The former WWE Superstar has also teamed up with his brother Ryan Nemeth in TNA Wrestling.
With NJPW and AEW producing Forbidden Door together, there's a good chance Nemeth could appear at the event. If he decides to join, his role in the company will already be cut out - that of an industry veteran who has seen it all, and doesn't back off from teaching the younger wrestlers a lesson or two about how it's done.
#4. King of Bros Matt Riddle might finally decide to fit himself into an AEW match
Former United States Champion, Matt Riddle is one of the most popular stars in the WWE. Last September, Riddle was released from his contract after getting involved in controversies.
Since his release, Riddle has been competing in various indie promotions including Major League Wrestling. The King of Bros also worked in Japan and recently lost the NJPW World Television Title to Zack Sabre Jr.
The former RAW Tag Team Champion has previously expressed his interest in joining Tony Khan's roster and Forbidden Door could be a perfect place for Riddle to make his All Elite debut.
#3. Mansoor of the Maximum Male Models might decide to come to Forbidden Door 2024
Mansoor has seen the big leagues, working in WWE from 2018 to 2023, the Saudi-American wrestler has appeared in several big events for the Stamford-based company. However, his screen time slowly went downhill after LA Knight left Maximum Male Models in 2022.
Mansoor was released in September 2023 and was previously rumored to make his AEW debut with his Maximum Male Models' stablemate Mace, however, those plans were seemingly scrapped. The 28-year-old has been active in the indie circuit and could appear at the upcoming cross-promotion pay-per-view, with several tag teams and stables already in place his debut alongside Mace could be a game-changing move.
#2. Mace might join his tag-team partner Mansoor in the Tony Khan-owned wrestling promotion
Mace is a formidable force to reckon with, and the former football player is popular with the wrestling crowd. After his release, the former member of Maximum Male Models returned to Reality of Wrestling in 2024, a promotion he debuted in 2016.
The former Maximum Male Models tag team partner has made a surprise appearance at another wrestling promotion, Deadlock Pro-Wrestling, so there's every chance he might decide to sign up with AEW alongside Mansoor.
#1. Becky Lynch might decide to call out TBS Champion Mercedes Mone
Becky Lynch is one of the biggest names in pro wrestling. She recently grabbed headlines after her current WWE contract reportedly expired and currently, her status is up in the air.
The Man went on a hiatus following her defeat to Liv Morgan in a Steel Cage Match for the Women's World Champion on the May 27 episode of RAW. With Lynch achieving almost everything in WWE, fans expect Big Time Becks to jump ship and join AEW.
With wrestlers like Mercedes Mone, Saraya, and others already in AEW, this could be a great opportunity for Lynch to face new challenges in her career. At Forbidden Door 2024, The Man could appear and confront one of her former rivals, Mone, who is the current AEW TBS Champion. A feud of that magnitude could possibly take AEW's women's division to new heights.