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AEW has gradually created a terrific roster made up of highly talented wrestlers. The names include legends of the industry such as Sting, modern-day greats such as Bryan Danielson and CM Punk, and the future pillars in MJF, Darby Allin and Sammy Guevara.
The roster also includes notable names working as managers, commentators, and backstage interviewers.
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WWE's rapid budget cut in pandemic has seen numerous superstars from the main roster, NXT, and the Performance Center losing their contracts. Several talents from the released bunch have moved on to a new career with AEW.
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Meanwhile, certain wrestlers were dissatisfied with WWE's way of booking and asked for their release. Those who were successful enough to obtain their release looked for greener pastures, and some of them joining AEW.
In AEW, several former world champions were successful in WWE. Here is a list of five such world champions in WWE who currently ply their trade in AEW.
#5 AEW commentator Paul Wight (fka Big Show)
Paul Wight's in-ring debut was seen as a minor miss, as his contest with QT Marshall was an antithesis of what AEW promotes. After a few moments of shenanigan, Wight quickly defeated Marshall to win his first AEW match. He has since returned to his commentary duties on Dark Elevation.
Wight may not have won a world championship in AEW, but he is a legend who dominated WCW and WWE at the peak of his career as a dangerous big man. Even in the twilight of his career, his KO Punch has generally been highlighted as a prominent finisher.
His achievements include two reigns each as WWE and World Heavyweight Champion. Wight was widely considered a WWE loyalist before surprisingly leaving for AEW.
#4 AEW star and Impact World Champion Christian Cage
Christian Cage has enjoyed tremendous success since his AEW debut. Receiving matches against Kenny Omega, he managed to upset The Cleaner to become the Impact World Champion.
Initially known as TNA, Impact was the first promotion to understand Christian's true potential. While WWE mostly used him as an upper mid-card talent, Edge's retirement provided him with a perfect emotional story.
Christian and WWE capitalized on the situation, and Captain Charisma became a two-time World Heavyweight Champion, with relatively short reigns.
#3 Former AEW World Champion Chris Jericho
When Chris Jericho became All Elite, he was the biggest star in the rising promotion. The biggest acquisition quickly became the top guy on the roster when he won the promotion's world title.
Jericho was the inaugural world champion in the Tony Khan-led promotion and the first performer to win world championships in both WWE and AEW.
Le Champion's WWE career has been highly successful with multiple world championship reigns. He even managed to defeat The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin on the same night to become the first undisputed WWE champion.
#2 AEW star CM Punk
CM Punk is enjoying AEW. His happiness is apparent through his expressions and promos. He has never lost a match in the AEW ring also helps his cause. While Punk is currently embroiled in minor rivalries, his endgame is the promotion's World Championship.
Punk knows the taste of being a world champion. In WWE, he won the WWE Championship twice and the World Heavyweight Championship thrice. He would have won more if not for the seven-year-long hiatus from the professional wrestling industry.
#1 AEW star Bryan Danielson
CM Punk left WWE partly because of WWE not letting him main event WrestleMania. Bryan broke through all shackles to achieve the same dream. With fans firmly behind him, he defeated all active Evolution members in a single night for a climactic end to the Yes Movement storyline WWE focussed on for months.
Bryan won the WWE Championship four times, with three short reigns during his prime, followed by an incredible heel stint. He first won the World Heavyweight Championship after a famous cash-in.
Now he looks forward to winning the AEW World Championship shortly and adding another feather to his cap.
