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WWE and AEW are currently two of the hottest destinations for wrestlers. While several other promotions across the world have talented stars in their ranks, the two aforementioned promotions are the ones that attract the cream of the crop.
New stars joining a particular company always excite their faithful. This gives them a chance to think of various storylines, rivalries, and fantasy matches that weren't possible earlier.
WWE just got done with WrestleMania a few days ago, with the show being one of the most trending events in sports entertainment. The week after WrestleMania in WWE has always been the stage for grand returns and debuts.
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While WWE is on the constant lookout for new and talented wrestlers to diversify their roster, rivals AEW do not hold back either. All Elite Wrestling is always on the hunt for high-class talent, and Tony Khan has shown in the past that he doesn't mind hiring former WWE talents.
With a new year in the pro wrestling calendar upon us, here are three free agents who could join WWE and two free agents who could join AEW.
#1 Brock Lesnar could return to WWE
It's been more than a year since the WWE Universe has seen Brock Lesnar. He was last seen in the squared circle against Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 36, where he lost his WWE Championship to The Scottish Warrior. It was later reported that Lesnar's contract with WWE had expired, making him a free agent.
Being the private person Brock Lesnar is, no one has seen much of the Beast lately. The former WWE Champion was seen once or twice clicking pictures with fans at restaurants and other social places.
Lesnar's on-screen advocate and real-life friend Paul Heyman has claimed across multiple interviews that currently Brock Lesnar is very happy being home and being a father. However, if the business is right, we will see The Beast return.
This timing could be the right for Lesnar to return. Bobby Lashley put Drew McIntyre to sleep at WrestleMania this year to reclaim his WWE Championship. Assuming Bobby Lashley goes past McIntyre again at Backlash, the WWE Universe could finally get to see the dream match between Lesnar and Lashley.
The Beast going to the Blue brand also could be a massive move. After Roman Reigns win over Edge and Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania, The Tribal Chief will soon be short of legitimate challengers sooner rather than later.
This would be a much different Reigns-Lesnar rivalry from over the years. This time, Lesnar would be the babyface while Reigns would be a heel with Heyman on the side of The Tribal Chief.
#1 & #2 Former WWE Superstars Andrade and Zelina Vega could join AEW
Andrade and Zelina Vega were tipped to be a huge success in WWE when they moved up to the main roster from NXT in 2018. He also had a highly acclaimed match against AJ Styles in his early days.
Andrade was a huge superstar in the Black and Gold brand, holding the NXT Championship for a solid 140 days. Unfortunately, on the main roster, apart from a United States championship reign, there weren't many opportunities given to the Mexican star.
Zelina Vega had been with Andrade since his NXT days back in 2017. She tried her hand inside the ring but didn't see much success. Due to WWE wanting to control superstars' on third-party apps, Vega decided to move on and was released in November 2020.
A few months later, in March 2021, Andrade requested his release due to a lack of opportunities. WWE initially denied his request but later allowed him to leave the company.
AEW can be a perfect platform for Andrade to showcase his talent. With more creative freedom compared to WWE, El Idolo can make a fiery debut like how Miro did last year.
Zelina Vega could also join him as an on-screen manager. This could be good for her, as there would no restrictions on her pursuing other ventures outside wrestling.
AEW gives its talent freedom to perform elsewhere and do not have any problem with their ventures outside of wrestling. Jon Moxley wrestling in Japan and Bloodsport or Jericho appearing on WWE Network's Broken Skull session are two of the most recent examples.
#2 Rob Van Dam could return to WWE
RVD got inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2021 a week ago. The High Flyer has had a historic career and certainly is 'one of a kind'.
After becoming an established name in ECW, RVD joined WWE 20 years ago in 2001. Since then and now, Rob Van Dam has had two stints with the company and has achieved massive success in terms of championships and legendary moments.
In 2021, he returned again to WWE, however, this time, it was to take his rightful place in the Hall of Fame. In the past few months, rumors have been circulating that RVD wants to return to WWE, especially after the company announced a documentary on him. The rumors got even stronger after his Hall of Fame induction.
In an interview with the Dropkick Podcast, Van Dam claimed his desire to wrestle is dead. However, he did say that if the price is right, he would consider a return.
“But you know money talks, you know what I mean? Like if it was right then it’s worth it, but definitely I don’t have any interest in being, you know [full-time]. I don’t get excited about working with young kids, I don’t miss being in the ring, I don’t care. If it’s worth it, it’s worth it. It’s not that I don’t care, but It’s just you know I go with the flow and that’s how I make my decisions. I wouldn’t hold my breath to see me wrestle on TV again.”
Van Dam returning would be a big boost for WWE as the Hall of Famer still has some gas left in his tank.
#3 Could AEW lure former WWE Superstar CM Punk into joining them?
Despite not stepping inside a pro-wrestling ring for over seven years, former WWE Superstar CM Punk is still the hottest free agent in the business today. Punk did try his hand at MMA in UFC but didn't see any success.
Punk had many issues with WWE during his time in the company over the way they used him. He also wasn't happy with the creative direction and the opportunities he was given. This led to the very famous 'pipebomb' promo.
In 2014, after he left the company, fans felt they would never see him in WWE again. However, he did come back years later in 2019 to the show WWE Backstage, though he was employed by Fox Sports and not WWE.
As anticipation, rumors, and hope build regarding Punk's return, The Voice of the Voiceless addressed them recently in an interview UPROXX. CM Punk claimed there are two stars he'd be interested in wrestling if he returns, and one of them happens to be the AEW World Champion.
“From a creative mind standpoint, stepping back and looking at the landscape of everything, there are people in WWE that I have wrestled before that maybe, in a certain situation could be interesting. There’s also the business side of things. What’s the biggest possible match for CM Punk? I think there’s Kenny Omega on the one side. And, you know, unfortunately, ironically enough, for me to go back to WWE, who’s the biggest match for me? It’s probably Triple H. That’s ironic because it’s nothing I’m interested in. It’s just what it is. Am I going to be a businessman and say that’s the match, that’s the big-money match? Well, it’s not my money, so it’s not for me to say.”
CM Punk as a brand is guaranteed money, and him walking into AEW will definitely make them the biggest talking in professional wrestling. We could also get to see Punk in the World Championship picture for the first time in years against another huge star in Kenny Omega.
#3 Davey Boy Smith Jr could rejoin WWE
Davey Boy Smith Jr. was last seen in WWE recently inducting his father, The British Bulldog, into the Hall of Fame. Bulldog passed away in 2002 and Smith followed his father's footsteps into pro wrestling to continue the legacy.
The former tag team champion joined WWE in 2006. However, he performed on the main roster between 2009 and 2011 as a member of the Hart Dynasty. Smith failed to make an impact and got released in 2011.
Since then, Smith has wrestled in Japan and various other independent promotions, building credibility and gaining more experience. He also had a good run with Major League Wrestling from 2018-2020 in the company's version of The Hart Foundation alongside Teddy Hart and Brian Pillman Jr.
In a recent interview with Metro UK, Smith confirmed there had been talks with WWE.
"I think that the plan – or what they were hoping – was for me to come to NXT UK. But unfortunately right now because of Covid, those doors are kind of locked, we’ll see. There has been interest in me going to NXT down here in Orlando. I live down here in Tampa, Florida, so I’ve just been feeling things out, trying to get a lay of the land, so to speak."
WWE played it smart by re-introducing Davey Boy Smith Jr. during his father's induction into the Hall of Fame. Smith certainly has a lot of potential, and if used wisely by WWE, he could another Drew McIntyre story.
