5 AEW stars who had tryouts with WWE but didn't get signed

#1 AEW star Kenny Omega used to train in WWE developmental

Former AEW world champion Kenny Omega reigned over the company for a year as the top heel. He only just relinquished the title to 'Hangman' Adam Page at the Full Gear PPV and had outstanding matches with the likes of Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson and Christian Cage.

Considering The Cleaner is seen as one of the best wrestlers in the world, a lot of people might forget, or don't realize, that the AEW EVP spent time in WWE's developmental system. Even though he didn't ultimately make it to the main roster or compete for NXT, he did try out for the company.

He spent a year in the company's feeder territory, Deep South Wrestling, and while it didn't lead to him becoming a WWE Superstar, there's no doubt that he learned valuable lessons from the experience. Reflecting on his time in DSW, Omega said:

"I was in their developmental system. They develop you to be a star on their television show when they feel like you're ready or they have a spot for you," said Omega. I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would... I really want to prove to them that I could be more to them and the business than what they thought of me. So I decided to leave WWE and started my journey to Japan."

Omega went on to become one of New Japan Pro Wrestling's most decorated foreign wrestlers ever, winning the G1 Climax and NJPW Heavyweight Championship and leading the Bullet Club stable. If WWE had signed Omega, he might never be the 5-star wrestler he eventually became in Japan. AEW also benefitted from this decision as Omega was one of the first major signings to put AEW on the map.