5 wrestling legends who have appeared in both WWE and AEW

WWE and AEW are established on the tangibility of nostalgia. Hence, veterans form a vital part of the business, usually receiving massive cheers whenever they appear. Both promotions have worked with iconic figures to give a surprise factor to their events.

Another method of utilizing yesteryear performers is as managers of up-and-coming professional wrestlers to develop a specific edge to their character and associate them with a prominent name.

WWE has had half a century of narrative and other chronology acquired by ownership of other significant promotions. Thus they often bring back legendary performers or onscreen talents, with the commentary team accentuating their achievements in the company.

AEW, a relatively new promotion, does not have the advantage, but numerous legends appear on their shows in various capacities.

Here is a list of five legends from the professional wrestling business who have appeared in WWE and AEW. Excluded from the list are legends who are active performers or regular onscreen talents for either promotion.

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#5 Former WWE Women's Champion Jazz

After debuting on ECW, Jazz gained prominence in WWE. During her first reign with the Women's title, the promotion changed its name. Thus she became the final Women's Champion under the WWF banner and the first under the freshly established WWE banner.

She wrestled for decades, including a stint with NWA that saw her win the historic NWA Women's Championship. In 2019, she appeared on AEW All Out, participating in the Casino Battle Royale. She was eliminated from the match by ODB. She is currently working on Impact as a manager of Jordynne Grace.

#4 WWE Hall of Famer Greg 'The Hammer Valentine

The son of famed wrestler Johnny Valentine, the one-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, successfully escaped his father's enormous shadow. The Hammer went on to win championships everywhere in the US and become an undoubted legend in the business.

Valentine's AEW appearance came under poetic circumstances. Mr. Brodie Lee and Cody Rhodes wrestled in a dog collar match for the TNT Championship, and Valentine, a competitor in the most well-known dog collar match in history, was invited to attend. The Hammer's presence increased the prestige of the match.

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#3 WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff

Eric Bischoff's debut appearance on WWE Raw was outright startling. No one thought that the WCW kingpin would shake hands with his greatest enemy. Bischoff remained in WWE for quite some time and has appeared sporadically in recent years.

AEW announced Bischoff's appearance as part of his long-awaited return to TNT, where WCW once aired. In an amusing segment with Chris Jericho and Orange Cassidy, Bischoff's presence intensified the atmosphere.

Bischoff later stated that Jericho, Tony Khan, and Cody Rhodes had reached out to him. Since then, He has appeared on AEW Dynamite on multiple occasions.

#2 Impact Hall of Famer Awesome Kong

Former WWE and Impact wrestler Awesome Kong is a widely recognized icon of professional wrestling. She changed the way women's wrestling was perceived in the US and was one of the pillars of Impact's knockout division.

Unfortunately, neither WWE nor AEW decently used her. Although her WWE debut made headlines, Kharma did not succeed in the Vince McMahon-led promotion and returned to Impact.

In AEW, Kong was made a member of The Nightmare Collective, a faction led by Brandi Rhodes, which became AEW's first failure. Kong took time off to shoot GLOW, and AEW decided not to renew her contract.

Kong has since retired from in-ring competition and became part of the Impact Hall of Fame.

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#1 WWE Hall of Famer Bret 'The Hitman' Hart

One of the greatest in-ring performers to ever enter the squared circle, Bret Hart had an incredible career in WWE. However, his wish to join WCW led to the infamous Montreal screwjob. His WCW stint was equally lackluster, and he retired due to an injury. The Excellence of Execution rebuilt his burnt bridge with WWE and appeared at their events from time to time.

In 2019, Hart made a surprise appearance at AEW's inaugural pay-per-view Double or Nothing. He presented the World Championship belt of the new promotion.

As the ring announcer announced his arrival, the spectators were instantly on their feet to see one of WWE's greatest legends appearing on a rival show. Hart has never appeared on AEW again, but things may alter with the upcoming Owen Hart tournament.