3 WWE stars Triple H has given up on who could shine in AEW

WWE and AEW have continued exchanging talent over the past few years, as the Jacksonville-based promotion has gradually built itself into a viable pro wrestling brand competing with the sports entertainment juggernaut. Last year saw All Elite signings of Ricochet and The Hurt Syndicate, though the Stamford-based company responded by bringing in The Lucha Brothers, Ricky Starks, Ethan Page, and, more recently, Blake Monroe.

While WWE has gained considerable momentum over the past two years, the company and its creative team have faced criticism for underutilizing a number of its contracted talent. Since Triple H likely has his hands full managing stacked rosters across the promotion's various brands, there are a few names who could potentially either grow or put a bow on their careers in All Elite Wrestling instead of remaining where they are.

Let us consider three such WWE names who could excel in AEW.

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#1. Dragon Lee could return to AEW

Dragon Lee cut his teeth in the pro wrestling business at CMLL, and proceeded to compete prolifically across various promotions, including Ring of Honor, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and Lucha Libre AAA throughout the 2010s. He even appeared at All Elite Wrestling in 2022, where he unsuccessfully teamed with Andrade El Idolo and his brother Rush to face The Elite in the first round of the AEW World Trios Championship tournament.

Later that year, Lee announced that he had signed a WWE contract and made his in-ring debut for the company in early 2023 in NXT. He competed for and briefly held the developmental brand's North American Championship and was eventually drafted to SmackDown, where the luchador aligned himself with the LWO. The stable was moved to RAW last year, where Lee performs primarily in tag matches, besides occasionally appearing on Speed and Main Event.

Despite the initial hype surrounding his signing, the 30-year-old has arguably not been used as prominently as he could have been on television, especially as a singles act. A star of his in-ring caliber could thrive in AEW, with its emphasis on high-quality and elaborate matches, not to mention the opportunity to reunite (or feud) with Rush and Dralistico and even compete in CMLL again through its partnership with All Elite Wrestling.

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#2. Shinsuke Nakamura - The King of Strong Style could sign with AEW and return to NJPW

Shinsuke Nakamura was recognized worldwide as one of the top pro wrestlers of his time when news of his WWE signing broke in 2016. After a star-making run in NXT, which included multiple reigns as NXT Champion and matches with Finn Balor, Samoa Joe, and Bobby Roode, The King of Strong Style made his main roster debut on SmackDown in 2017. He won the 2018 Royal Rumble and turned heel after failing to defeat AJ Styles for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 34.

Nakamura's later run mainly featured him in various mid-card feuds, enabling him to enjoy reigns as the United States and Intercontinental Champion. Throughout mid-to-late 2023, he tried to dethrone Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Title, and then engaged in a rivalry with Cody Rhodes before the 2024 Draft moved him to SmackDown. The star also feuded with LA Knight over the US Title recently, winning it at Survivor Series 2024 and losing it back to The Megastar on the March 7 episode of SmackDown.

Nakamura has only wrestled three matches on WWE television in the past three months. While his lighter schedule likely suits the 45-year-old veteran better, he might choose to end his career on a more active note. AEW could serve as the ideal platform for Nakamura's official retirement run. Instead of being off TV for weeks, the Japanese icon could be booked for one final full-time stint in the Tony Khan-led promotion.

After all, Nakamura has a history with several top names on the AEW roster, such as Kenny Omega, Kazuchika Okada, and Kota Ibushi. Signing with All Elite Wrestling would also allow Shinsuke to return to NJPW for a final run or match in the company that first helped elevate him to stardom. It could also open the door for potential dream matches against Konosuke Takeshita, Swerve Strickland, Hangman Page, and Jon Moxley.

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#3. Wes Lee could flourish in AEW

After building his reputation on indie promotions like CZW, PWG, AAW, and later TNA, Dezmond Xavier signed a WWE contract in 2020 with his tag partner Zachary Wentz. They debuted as Wes Lee and Nash Carter, respectively. Known as MSK, the duo competed in WWE's tag division until Nash was released in 2022. The Ohio native continued his solo career on the brand, standing out with his impressive NXT North American Championship reign.

After losing the belt, he pursued the NXT Championship, and after returning from back surgery last year, he tried to recapture the North American Title from Oba Femi, though unsuccessfully. Subsequently, he reunited with Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz to reform their faction, The Rascalz, and even returned to TNA with the group. However, Lee betrayed his teammates later at NXT: The Great American Bash, eventually defeating Wentz in a Street Fight during the show's premiere on The CW.

Currently, the 36-year-old is part of a new stable called The High Ryze, along with Tyriek Igwe and Tyson Dupont. While he has been featured on television more or less consistently, Lee's recent booking seems to confine him to NXT for now. With around 12 years of experience, The Livewire could potentially expand his wrestling wings considerably in AEW. He has already worked with several current AEW stars, including AR Fox, Angelico, Brian Cage, and "Speedball" Mike Bailey, in the past.

Jumping ship to All Elite Wrestling would allow Wes Lee to square off against the aforementioned names, and many more, and perhaps even inject new life into the promotion's TNT Championship picture.