'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgf/2gAIAQEAAAAAkJ3/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAECEAAAAF//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAAG//xAAhEAAABQMFAQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEEQUhMQAGEhRBcv/aAAgBAQABPwDdp6fS9uUF02paBVVuYlAxhMAR6OLzeMXHTtzTu0tLFeeY4cx786//xAAZEQEAAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAAIFYbH/2gAIAQIBAT8AxS2qjvs//8QAGBEAAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQzkbH/2gAIAQMBAT8AckrD/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
AEW is gearing up for its first pay-per-view of 2022 with Revolution on March 6th. The show is headlined by several blockbuster matches, including Hangman Page vs. Adam Cole for the World Championship, CM Punk vs. Darby Allin in a Dog Collar match, and the latest two matches to be confirmed; Chris Jericho vs. Eddie Kingston and Bryda Danielson vs. Jon Moxley.
But could Tony Khan throw in a few more surprises to round out the card? Some new signings have joined the roster, bringing excitement to the audience.
But there are also a couple of wrestlers currently sitting on the sidelines or recovering from injuries who are chomping at the bit to make an impact once more. Let's talk about five such stars who could make a surprise return at Revolution.
#5 on our list of AEW stars who could return at Revolution pay-per-view - Former FTW Champion Brian Cage
Former FTW Champion Brian Cage has been missing in-ring action ever since he lost a Street Fight match against Team Taz member Ricky Starks last year. It's a disappointing fall since he initially debuted in All Elite Wrestling.
The heavyweight wrestler is a former IMPACT Champion and was primed for big things when he won the Casino ladder match on his debut and challenged then-world champion, Jon Moxley. But his run as FTW Champion with Taz didn't amount to much, and he's now lost in the shuffle amidst new stars.
That said, he's still active on the independent circuit, having wrestled a few matches in the last few months. With rumors that his contract might be expiring soon, perhaps Brian Cage has one last shot at relevance if he were to return to Revolution. Could he interfere in the Face of the Revolution match and take out Will Hobbs and Ricky Starks?
#4. KENTA could return to AEW to challenge CM Punk
NJPW star KENTA, formerly known as Hideo Itami in WWE, recently teased confronting CM Punk at AEW Revolution 2022.
The Straight Edge Superstar's rematch with MJF on the March 6th pay-per-view was seemingly confirmed on last week's Dynamite, where Punk laid down a challenge for a Dog Collar match. The match will indeed be a marquee attraction at Revolution 2022, and the stipulation promises to make it a brutal encounter.
Immediately following The Second City Saint's promo on AEW Dynamite, KENTA took to Twitter to write that he would be in Orlando on March 6th and that he could put someone to "sleep."
For those unaware, both CM Punk and KENTA have the same finishing maneuver, Go To Sleep. It is worth noting that the two performers never crossed paths despite being in the business for so many years. It'll be interesting to see if KENTA's latest tweet adds up to anything concrete.
Considering AEW has a working relationship with NJPW, and KENTA was one of the first performers to walk through the "forbidden door," it wouldn't be surprising to see him show up again to challenge CM Punk.
#3. Former TNT Champion Miro could return to AEW
Former TNT champion Miro has been absent on AEW television for a while. It's a shame as his Redeemer gimmick was consistently the most entertaining thing on Dynamite, and he certainly brought prestige to the TNT championship when he held it for the majority of 2021.
Most fans thought he would take the next step and challenge for the world title. Instead, he disappeared entirely from our screens as recent vignettes showed that he was lost in the void.
Miro needs to return as soon as possible or risk fading into obscurity. Could he be the next challenger for Hangman Page? It would be a great moment if he appeared at the end of Revolution and revealed his intentions to the Cowboy.
#2. Kenny Omega could return to AEW in time for an Elite civil war
Former AEW World Champion Kenny Omega has been out of action since losing the belt to Hangman Page at Full Gear 2021. After carrying the promotion for over a year as the Belt Collector and winning numerous 'Best Wrestler of the Year' accolades along the way, Omega deserved a break to nurse his litany of injuries.
In an interview with Wrestling Observer Radio, Omega spoke about his health and the various injuries that delayed his return. Omega honestly believed that he'd be wrestling by February:
"The plan, of course, and I was a little too optimistic, I was hoping to be back by February. It's not looking that way anymore. That's not to say there's a huge snag or that there's something terribly wrong. It's not that. It's just that when you're trying to get appoinments and things fixed, you have it in your brain that, 'oh yeah, I could just call a number and I'll get in the next day.'"
In the void left behind by Omega, The Elite witnessed a power vacuum right now. While Adam Cole serves as the interim leader, The Young Bucks have conflicted with his reDRagon brothers. After Jay White's surprise debut, the whole situation is chaotic at best.
If Kenny Omega beats the odds and makes a return to Revolution, it will be interesting to see where his allegiances lie. Can we see the start of an Elite Civil War?
#1. Cody Rhodes makes a shocking return to AEW
News of Cody Rhodes' exit from AEW sent shockwaves across the wrestling world. At first, it was difficult to believe, but the three-time TNT Champion and EVP is officially gone.
While many could not help but notice that Rhodes was having a tough time connecting with fans recently, a departure from Tony Khan's promotion was unexpected. The fact that Rhodes held such a high position in AEW and still decided to leave is especially telling.
While many have penned WWE as the American Nightmare's next stop, neither Vince McMahon nor Cody has confirmed the news. It's a definite possibility that the former TNT champion may make his way back to All Elite Wrestling.
As a current free agent, it's certainly plausible that Cody Rhodes and Tony Khan could have secretly worked out a deal so that the American Nightmare could return at Revolution and swerve the wrestling world. The question is, will the company finally pull the trigger on a long-awaited heel turn?
