5 potential AEW dream opponents for Chad Gable if he leaves WWE 

AEW currently lays claim to a roster consisting of some of the best wrestling talent from across the world. The blockbuster addition of Will Ospreay last year and of Mercedes Mone and Kazuchika Okada in the first half of 2024 has greatly ramped up excitement surrounding the Jacksonville-based promotion and its product among fans. However, Tony Khan has made it known that he will continue to court high-profile free agents and try to bring them to his company. WWE Superstar Chad Gable could be one such possible signing.

It was reported last month that The Alpha Academy leader's WWE contract was set to expire soon. Since then, Gable has supposedly received an "excellent offer" from the Triple H-led promotion. However, AEW is also reportedly interested in the Olympian, with many key figures in the promotion pushing for Tony Khan to hire Gable once his contract runs out. Although the likelihood remains that the former American Alpha member will stay with the sports entertainment juggernaut, the possibility of Gable opting for a run in AEW cannot be dismissed entirely.

As such, let us take a look at five opponents for Chad Gable if he signs with All Elite Wrestling.

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#1: Chad Gable going one-on-one with Will Ospreay

Chad Gable has been pursuing the Intercontinental Title for months. His obsession with the belt has led him to the dark side, driving him to turn on reigning champion Sami Zayn and regularly mistreat his Alpha Academy stable-mates. Gable and Zayn are set to square off for the IC Title at Clash at the Castle 2024. If he loses the match and later jumps ship to All Elite Wrestling, the former RAW Tag Team Champion could continue his pursuit of a "workhorse" title by going after the AEW International Championship.

This would put him on a collision course with Will Ospreay, who won the belt at Double or Nothing 2024. The Aerial Assassin would serve as an excellent opponent for Gable, pitting the former's high-flying and strike-based moveset against the latter's mat-based style in what would surely be a technical masterclass.

#2: Chad Gable squares off against Kazuchika Okada

AEW introduced a new championship, the Continental Title, as one of three belts making up the modern American Triple Crown which would be held by the winner of the 2023 Continental Classic, Eddie Kingston. The Mad King, however, lost the title to former NJPW star Kazuchika Okada on Dynamite earlier this year. The Rainmaker has since defended the title against Pac at Dynasty 2024 and against Dax Harwood on Dynamite last month. However, since then, he has been preoccupied with helping his new stable-mates, The Elite, run roughshod in AEW.

If Chad Gable does sign with All Elite Wrestling, he could go after Okada and the Continental Championship. A rivalry with the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion could not only set the 38-year-old star up as a key player in the promotion, it could also lay the groundwork for future programs Gable could be a part of, including a possible NJPW run.

#3: Chad Gable challenges Swerve Strickland for the AEW World Title

Swerve Strickland is set to defend his AEW World Championship against Will Ospreay at Forbidden Door 2024. The New Flavor has been a fighting champion, having defended his belt multiple times in title matches and eliminator bouts, most recently against Roderick Strong.

Swerve has shown no signs of backing down against new challengers regardless of his future scheduled title defenses. If Chad Gable opts to sign with All Elite Wrestling, he could feasibly call out Strickland and compete for the World Championship in another blockbuster match between the two former WWE Superstars. The Minnesota-native could also make history by winning his first World Title in AEW.

#4: Chad Gable faces off against Bryan Danielson

Bryan Danielson and Chad Gable share several similarities as performers. Both men are in-ring technicians also capable of engaging character work. Courtesy of their skills, both men have found success in WWE despite not fitting the long-standing mould of what top stars should look like. The American Dragon had a legendary run in WWE, and is currently wrestling through his last year as a full-time competitor.

A singles bout between Danielson and Gable could thus make for a barnburner of a matchup if the latter decides to sign with AEW. This would also allow the former WWE Champion to potentially pass the torch to Gable as the best technical wrestler in the promotion.

Bryan Danielson had an accomplished career at WWE

#5: Chad Gable takes on Kenny Omega

Kenny Omega has been out of action since December last year due to a life-threatening case of diverticulitis. Although he made his return to Dynamite last month, he was demolished by Jack Perry and The Young Bucks. The Cleaner has not been on TV since announcing the Anarchy in the Arena Match between The Elite and Team AEW at Double or Nothing 2024.

Omega revealed recently that he was set to undergo surgery soon, and it could be some time before he returns to the squared circle. Once he does, he could find a dream opponent in Chad Gable should the latter sign with All Elite Wrestling. The former AEW World Champion can easily grant Gable on of the best matches of his career, and a win over Omega would work wonders for the 2012 Olympic Trials winner.

Omega's participation at All In London this year is currently doubtful

Despite all likelihood of Chad Gable staying in WWE, it cannot be denied that he would enjoy a wealth of challenges and competition in All Elite Wrestling, should he decide to spread his wings.