3 stars whose departures would be a huge loss to AEW

In a mere six years since its inception, AEW has become a global powerhouse in professional wrestling, and much of its rise can be credited to the wrestling talent it possesses.

While talent shuffling is a common thing between wrestling promotions, especially high-profile ones between All Elite Wrestling and rival WWE, most companies often build a strong core of loyal wrestlers who are unlikely to ever leave. But beyond that, some wrestlers can become extremely vital to the organisation based purely on their output, and to such an extent that if they were to leave, their promotions could suffer immediate consequences.

Today, we are examining three such All Elite Wrestling stars whose departures from the company could cause a significant blow:

Details of Goldberg's last match HERE

#3. Swerve Strickland: AEW cannot risk losing the Realest

Swerve Strickland has evolved into one of the most dynamic and beloved figures in AEW. Once a menacing heel, his recent babyface turn has skyrocketed his popularity. The former World Champion recently led his team to a thrilling victory in the Anarchy in the Arena Match at Double or Nothing alongside Willow Nightingale, Kenny Omega, Samoa Joe, and the Opps.

Expand Tweet

Beyond in-ring accolades, Swerve's charisma has driven strong merchandise sales and social media traction. The kind of crowd reactions he gets on weekly programming is a huge testament to how deeply the fans have gotten behind him. President Tony Khan is also a huge Strickland fan, showering praise on him on multiple occasions. He is known to have called him one of the most talented and charismatic performers in the wrestling industry.

Moreover, Strickland had expressed loyalty to the Jacksonville-based promotion from time to time and even showcased disdain for its rival WWE earlier over the global juggernaut's comments about him. If he were to leave, Tony Khan would lose his most compelling baby face and a bona fide main-event draw.

#2. Will Ospreay: AEW can't lose its global ambassador

Will Ospreay has become one of AEW's most bankable stars and spearheads the promotion's global aspirations. He recently hit a new milestone when Dave Meltzer gave him a rare five-and-a-half-star rating for his recent main event matchup with Hangman Page in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Final, further solidifying his place among the company's best performers.

Ospreay stands out on any card thanks to his unique combination of emotional storytelling and amazing athleticism. Additionally, Ospreay serves as the promotion's link to important markets like Japan and the UK, where he has a devoted following and a significant merchandise presence.

Meanwhile, The Aerial Assassin has actively berated and denied any interest in rival WWE and regularly commends AEW's creative freedom, stating that the Jacksonville-based promotion gives him the platform to be the best version of himself.

Ospreay’s exit would be a massive setback for Tony Khan in terms of having a solid in-ring worker and a global footprint.

#1. Toni Storm: AEW must hold on to the centerpiece of their women's division

Toni Storm has become the face of AEW’s women’s division, and her current reign as Women’s World Champion has been nothing short of impactful. She’s delivered high-caliber title defenses against top names, helping to push the division to greater heights.

Fans have fully gotten behind Timeless Toni’s retro persona and gritty in-ring style. Her promos trend regularly on social media, and her chemistry with other top female talents has helped elevate the division.

Critics consistently highlight Storm as one of the best female wrestlers in the world, and Tony Khan has made it clear she’s central to the promotion’s women’s wrestling vision. The Timeless One has also expressed commitment to that vision in older interviews.

If Toni Storm were to leave AEW, the women’s division would face a major setback. As both a champion and locker-room leader, her absence would slow momentum and impact the division’s continued rise.

About the author

Karan Raj is a senior writer in Sportskeeda's AEW division. He holds an engineering degree from Manipal University, but his passion for sports motivated him to pursue an MSc in Sports Business from the University of Liverpool. Karan has been in the sports marketing industry for the past seven years.

As a lifelong WWE fan and enthusiast of wrestling entertainment, he has always been drawn to the industry's unique blend of sports and storytelling. Karan was introduced to the business by his elder sister when he was 10 years old.

Before assuming his current role at Sportskeeda, Karan worked for several reputable organizations, such as Ting Works LLP and Sportz Interactive, wearing different hats. He also wrote the anthem of UP Rudras, a hockey team that played in the Hockey India League. Karan conducts thorough research while writing articles and only relies on credible sources for information.

Karan's favorite pro wrestler is Seth Rollins. He admires The Visionary's versatility as a performer and his ability to play both heel and babyface characters to perfection. Besides Rollins, Karan looks up to Roman Reigns for his storytelling skills and ability to captivate audiences.

In AEW, he enjoys watching Will Ospreay compete inside the ring. Karan loves The Aerial Assassin's technical in-ring ability and athleticism. If Karan could go back to the Attitude Era, he would combine forces with Jericho and promise to elevate his career to the same level as The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin.When not writing about pro wrestling, Karan loves to play and watch football. It is a huge part of his life.

He is also a massive fan of tennis and is learning to play the sport. Apart from sports, he also knows how to play the ukulele.

Know More

Edited by Sayantan Niyogi