AEW Poised for Talent Influx Amid WWE Releases
AEW's Potential New Signings
All Elite Wrestling (AEW), a key competitor to WWE, is likely to welcome a wave of new talent following WWE's recent roster cuts. In 2026, AEW has been more selective in signing high-profile wrestlers compared to previous years. However, the return of Andrade El Idolo, who made headlines by transitioning from WWE to AEW and back again, has been a significant boost for the organization. Additionally, AEW has secured contracts with notable figures such as The Rascalz and CMLL's Persephone. Reports indicate that approximately seven wrestlers are currently in line to join AEW, although their identities remain undisclosed, and there could be more potential signings on the horizon.
WWE's Recent Roster Changes
WWE Made Major Releases Recently
As of April 25, WWE has released 23 wrestlers from its Raw, SmackDown, and NXT brands. This includes prominent names like The Motor Machine Guns, the entire Wyatt Six faction, and former AEW star Aleister Black, who all departed in a single wave of cuts. Following the expiration of their 90-day non-compete clauses, these talents are now eligible to sign with AEW immediately. WWE also parted ways with Sheamus, a 13-time tag team champion and former world champion, after nearly two decades with the company. Shortly thereafter, The New Day duo of Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods expressed interest in re-signing notable talents under more budget-friendly terms.
Tony Khan's Insights on Free Agency
Tony Khan On Free Agent Market
Tony Khan, AEW's president, is acutely aware of the influx of major talents entering the free agency market. During a recent media call for AEW Redemption, he remarked, "There are a lot of great free agents in wrestling, particularly right now. There’s a lot of people coming out of contract. And it's something I am keeping an eye on because I'm very cognizant that there's a lot of really talented people that just got cut or fired or released, and I am keeping an eye on that." Although he did not disclose specific names, his comments hint that AEW fans can expect to see a number of former WWE stars joining the roster soon.