Five former AEW stars who became WWE champions

These stars transformed their careers with the WWE

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has been the pinnacle of pro wrestling and a dream destination for budding newcomers for decades. There are very few who are able to get a chance to showcase their skills inside WWE’s squared ring.

However, there are even a few wrestlers who transition in the WWE from another promotion and can achieve success in the Stamford-based promotion. Here will take a look at five such AEW stars who not only achieved fame and success in the promotion but also became WWE champions.

5. Andrade

Andrade initially debuted in the Stamford-based promotion in 2015 and made his in-ring debut at an NXT house show in Tampa, Florida on January 8, 2016, under the ring name “Manny Andrade”. He was released from the promotion in March 2021.

Andrade joined All Elite Wrestling (AEW) on June 4, 2021, and performed in the promotion until his contract expired at the end of 2023. Andrade made his return to Stamford-based promotion on January 27, 2024, at the Royal Rumble.

He returned as a surprise entrant in the men’s Royal Rumble match in Florida. In his second run in the promotion, he captured the WWE Speed Title after defeating Ricochet. Andrade’s 161-day title reign came to an end last month when he was defeated by Dragon Lee.

The former Speed Champion recently took part in a triple threat match against LA Knight and Carmelo Hayes at Crown Jewel 204 PLE, Knight’s United States title was on the line.

Also Read: List of all WWE champions as 2024 comes to an end

4. Lexis King

Lexis King started his pro wrestling career in 2017 on the independent circuit, he joined AEW in 2019. King was a participant in the Casino Battle Royale at All Elite Wrestling‘s inaugural PPV event, Double or Nothing in May 2019.

He left the promotion on July 11, 2023, after his contract expired, and joined the Stamrod-based promotion in 2023. King currently competes in the developmental brand NXT.

Lexis captured his first championship in the Stamford-based promotion on the 12/17 episode of NXT where he defeated Charlie Dempsey to seize the NXT Heritage Cup title.

Also Read: WWE NXT Heritage Cup: List of all winners in history

3. Ethan Page

“All Ego” Ethan Page signed a three-year contract with All Elite Wrestling and made his debut on March 7, 2021, at Revolution PPV, he was the mystery entrant in the Face of the Revolution ladder match.

Page also made an appearance on Ring of Honor (ROH), the sister promotion of AEW. He earlier competed in the promotion in 2014. Page made his surprise debut in the Stamford-based promotion on the May 28, 2024 episode of NXT as a heel.

Page quickly rose to the top of the food chain in the developmental brand and captured the NXT Champion in just two months of his debut. He won the title in a fatal four-way match at NXT Heatwave 2024 PLE where he defeated Trick Williams (c), Je’Von Evans, and Shawn Spears.

All Ego’s title reign ended in 86 days when he was defeated by Trick Williams on the 10/01 episode of NXT. Page recently failed in his attempt to challenge the NXT North American Champion Tony D’Angelo in the 12/10 episode of NXT.

Also Read: Top five shortest WWE title reigns of 2024

2. Jade Cargill

Jade Cargill left AEW in 2023 and joined the WWE signing a multi-year contract, and made her first appearance during the Fastlane pre-show on October 7. She later made her in-ring debut at the 2024 Royal Rumble.

Cargill was assigned to Friday Night SmackDown where she later teamed up with Bianca Belair. Belair and Cargill quickly achieved success when they defeated The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) at 2024 Backlash PLE to become the new Women’s Tag Team Champions.

Their first title reign ended in 42 days when they were defeated by The Unholy Union (Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn) in a triple threat match which also featured the team of Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark.

At Bash in Berlin 2024 PLE, Belair and Cargill exacted their revenge when they defeated the Unholy Union to become the Women’s tag champion for the second time. Cargill is currently out of injury since last month due to a backstage attack by a mystery assailant.

1. Cody Rhodes

After a mildly successful ten-year tenure in the WWE ‘The American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes left the promotion in 2016. Rhodes spent two years in different promotions before joining All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as a founding member and executive vice president.

However, he left the promotion in 2022 when he was unable to come to terms on a new contract. The American Nightmare returned to the WWE on the first night of WrestleMania 38 on April 2. Cody quickly became a fan favorite and rose to the top becoming the face of the promotion.

Rhodes created history when he defeated Roman Reigns ending his 1316 days of title reign at WrestleMania 40 to become the new Undisputed WWE Champion. Since winning the title in April he has been a workhorse champion, defending the title seven times at multiple PLEs along with SNME and SmackDown.

Cody is currently out of action due to an injury he suffered after the main event of SNME where he was attacked by Kevin Owens who believed a devastating package piledriver on the champion. This was Rhodes’ seventh title defense that took place at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale.

Who do you think attacked Jade Cargill? Who do you want Cody Rhodes to face next upon his return? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section.

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