Top five WWE stars who could jump ship to AEW in 2026

Nik O Connor has been Khel Now since 2024 and covers WWE.

Published at :October 31, 2025 at 2:00 AM

Modified at :October 31, 2025 at 2:00 AM

(Courtesy : WWE)

Some WWE stars might be heading to AEW next year

WWE has been the prime leader of professional wrestling since WCW closed its doors in 2001. After a dominant run for the next 18 years, they found competition, with Tony Khan incepting All Elite Wrestling in 2019 as a direct competitor.

Over the years, fans have witnessed many names from WWE jump ship to AEW and vice versa. Here are five WWE superstars who might become a part of AEW in 2026.

5. Tyler Bate

Tyler Bate has finally been cleared.My demon is coming back. pic.twitter.com/JzJifmqW9q
— Finesse (@ProWFinesse) February 5, 2025

Tyler Bate is one of the strongest superstars on the active WWE roster. He recovered from an injury this year, only to be repackaged as another El Grande Americano among two others. Such a booking might hurt his potential and lead to Bate leaving the company to join rival promotion All Elite Wrestling.

4. DIY

It's ALWAYS love for NXT from #DIY! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/5XXqBhI73o
— WWE (@WWE) September 3, 2025

DIY stars Tomasso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano are among this generation’s most exciting WWE tag teams. The duo has also found singles success during their tenure in WWE NXT. They have seemingly done everything as a team in WWE, and could seek new challenges in AEW, which has some of the most formidable units in its landscape.

3. Michin

Bucket list item checked off ✅ Cuddle a koala in Australia. Forever grateful for the life I live. #wwe #smackdown #wweperth #wwecrownjewel #wweaustralia pic.twitter.com/T997o7HqmU
— Big Meech 미친 (@MiaYim) October 9, 2025

Michin can be considered a company’s superstar who has done everything asked by WWE. Whether it has been working all three main shows for weeks or putting over superstars, Michin has done it all. However, WWE has not rewarded her with any title runs or meaningful storylines. This could see the former NXT star jump ship to AEW to find the ascension for her wrestling career.

2. Austin Theory

WWE RAW Austin Theory — (Courtesy: WWE/Netflix)

The WWE Universe has not seen Austin Theory for months on their television programming. He was last seen tagging alongside Grayson Waller as an exciting team before they disbanded. Moreover, Theory’s potential and caliber could excel well in AEW, and his lack of booking and absence could see him depart the company in the next year.

1. Bayley

Bayley WWE RAW — PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND – JULY 7: Bayley makes her entrance during Monday Night RAW at Amica Mutual Pavilion on July 7, 2025 in Providence, Rhode Island. (Photo by Heather McLaughlin/WWE via Getty Images)

One of the most accomplished and overlooked veterans in WWE is Bayley. She has won championships and accolades and headlined major events, yet has not been given a push similar to her Four Horsewomen cohorts, Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch. Like her best friend, Sasha Banks, frustrations could lead to Bayley leaving WWE for AEW in 2026 and beginning a road to ultimate stardom outside the global juggernaut.

When and where will AEW Full Gear 2025 take place?

The seventh annual PPV is set to take place on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Is Full Gear part of the ‘big five’ in AEW?

Yes, the PPV is regarded as one of AEW’s “Big Five” events, alongside Revolution, Double or Nothing, All In, and All Out, the promotion’s five premier annual shows.

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N. O'Connor

Nik O Conner is a long-time fan of professional wrestling. After dropping his Engineering regular studies in 2020, he decided to pursue his passion and became a writer. Over the last few years, he has written for multiple webs bringing a lot of skills and creativity to the table.