Five recently released major WWE names that Tony Khan should sign to AEW

AEW President Tony Khan could sign some top names on the free market.

In the aftermath of WrestleMania 42, WWE released a plethora of names from the main roster as well as the developmental brands. Major names like Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, the entire Wyatt Sicks faction, the Motor City Machine Guns, and Kairi Sane were part of the release.

Despite massive fan support and some even partaking in active storylines, these stars were laid off largely due to WWE managing salary caps, continuing the aggressive TKO strategy to maximize profits.

That said, AEW President Tony Khan could capitalize on the releases by signing these fan-favorite stars to boost AEW’s roster and create new, intriguing matchups. Here are five such supertstars/factions Khan could sign once the “non-compete” period is over.

5. JC Mateo/ Jeff Cobb

Jeff Cobb, better known among WWE fans as JC Mateo, is an accomplished amateur wrestler who represented Guam in the 84 kg freestyle category at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. He made his debut with WWE in 2025.

However, Mateo was never used properly in the promotion, only playing a side role as part of Solo Sikoa’s faction. Despite an impressive resume in NJPW, ROH, and AEW, he wrestled a handful of matches before his release last week. Khan could decide to bring up Mateo and push him as a singles star.

Also Read: Multiple WWE stars took pay cuts amid TKO contract restructuring – Report

4. Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin)

Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) arrived in WWE in 2024, and fans were hyped to see the legendary tag team feud with top names.

While Shelley and Sabin initially had multiple memorable matches and even some good feuds, their momentum on the brand was drastically hampered, as WWE shifted its focus away from the tag team division on SmackDown. Shelley and Sabin’s addition to AEW‘s tag team roster will produce some iconic feuds and matches.

3. Wyatt Sicks

Wyatt Sicks (Uncle Howdy, Nikki Cross, Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy & Erik Rowan) were among the shocking releases, despite massive fan popularity. The faction was another case of being criminally underutilized by WWE, and the company had no clear or decent creative direction for them.

The release also continues the trend of WWE moving away from supernatural or eerie characters and themes, as TKO reportedly isn’t a fan of it. However, Khan and AEW don’t shy away from any such things and are loved by their edgy programming and the faction would be an incredible addition.

2. Kairi Sane

One-half of the Kabuki Warriors, Kairi Sane’s release, shocked fans as she was beloved by her peers and fans. Sane was actively involved in the Asuka-Iyo Sky feud, and her release sparked loud calls from fans to bring her back.

While murmurs hint at her potential return at Backlash, Khan shouldn’t miss the opportunity to sign such a gifted in-ring performer like Sane, who has also displayed impressive comic timing in segments and can create viral moments with names like Tony Storm, Hikaru Shida, Thekla and more.

1. The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods)

Calls for the legendary tag team, the New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods), to join AEW were audible as soon as their exit from WWE became public. Unlike other stars, Kingston and Woods’ deal with WWE neither expired nor were they laid off. They simply refused to take a pay cut and restructure their deal and were subsequently granted their release.

Woods and Kingston are one of the most beloved tag teams in pro wrestling, and it would simply be a great business move to sing them. Fans will definitely love to see them feud with FTR, The Young Bucks, and The Hurt Syndicate, among others.

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