7 biggest AEW stars not born in the US

AEW has a number of top stars from outside the United States of America.
AEW has a number of top stars from outside the United States of America.

AEW has assembled an exceptional roster of established talent and rising stars, drawing fans from all over the world. From CM Punk to Cody Rhodes, All Elite Wrestling has assembled a who's who of the wrestling world on Dynamite and Rampage weekly. They have also signed some competitors who are either compelling characters or outstanding in-ring performers - or both.

This bevy of stars includes stars from the United Kingdom, Japan, Mexico and beyond. It is quite astonishing that in just three years they have accomplished so much as a company. When the world finally opens up again, All Elite Wrestling will have talent that can be featured in just about every region of the world.

Whether it be singles, women's or tag team divisions, the company has been able to highlight performers from all over the globe. They have been champions and major components of the promotion. In this article, let's take a look at the seven biggest AEW stars not born in the United States.


7) AEW star Andrade El Idolo

Andrade El Idolo was granted his release from WWE last March and arrived in AEW in May. The former NXT Champion has already shown his in-ring excellence in bangers against PAC and Cody Rhodes. Andrade now finds himself in an alliance with Matt Hardy and his Hardy Family Office stable.

The Mexican-born star has been a force to be reckoned with for pretty much every promotion that he has worked for. Andrade El Idolo won the top title for CMLL in Mexico and then won the IWGP Intercontinental Championship for NJPW in Japan. He was widely regarded as a fabulous in-ring worker before he ever signed with WWE.

In NXT, he won the top prize and put on one of the greatest matches in WWE history with Johnny Gargano at TakeOver: Philadelphia. After getting called up to the main roster, it didn't take the former La Sombra long to win championship gold there. Andrade would defeat WWE legend Rey Mysterio to win his first United States Championship and hold it for 151 days.

6) Former AEW Women's World Champion Hikaru Shida

The building blocks of AEW are in The Elite, and they have a strong connection and history in Japan. Many fans expected the company to feature prominent talent from across land of the Rising Sun. This wouldn't just include just some of the top male competitors, but the stars of Joshi women's wrestling as well.

Hikaru Shida quickly became one of the stalwarts of the All Elite Wrestling women's division. She is also the longest reigning Women's World Champion in the company's history with a run of over a year. She has had countless great matches against the likes of Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D., Nyla Rose and Penelope Ford. Shida will remain a featured talent in this fledging division.


5) AEW star Malakai Black

Malakai Black has been a name mentioned quite often over the past few years. The Netherlands-born star earned fans with his efforts on the UK and US independent scenes before eventually signing with WWE in 2016. He quickly became an anchor of the company's NXT brand, winning the top title and having standout feuds with Velveteen Dream, among others.

After a shocking release from the promotion last summer, Black shocked the wrestling world with his debut for All Elite Wrestling. He inserted himself into a feud with Cody Rhodes where he scored two straight wins over the American Nightmare. Malakai has furthered his influence by aligning with Brody King as the Kings of the Black Throne.

4) AEW star PAC

Since the very beginning of AEW, one of the most consistent in-ring performers has been PAC. From Newcastle upon Tyne, England, the Death Triangle member has delivered classics against Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, Andrade El Idolo and Orange Cassidy.

PAC has achieved a lot throughout his career. During his run with WWE, the former Neville won the NXT Championship for the black and gold brand and held it for 287 days. His main roster call-up had a very slow start due to injuries and booking, despite the exciting hype that preceeded it. However, his most successful period was as Cruiserweight Champion. He has kept that edge from this run since then in All Elite Wrestling.


3) Former AEW TNT Champion Miro

Speaking of individuals with a chip on their shoulder from their time in WWE, Miro came into All Elite Wrestling looking to prove people wrong. The Bulgarian-born competitor was an individual who should have been more successful in Vince McMahon's promotion than he was.

Miro is a former two-time United States Champion and was a huge merchandise mover with his Rusev Day gimmick. However, he has shown a totally different side to himself, working for Tony Khan. As God's Favorite Champion, Miro cut some of the best promos of his career and hit another level as a character. His run with the TNT Champion made him a revelation and helped see a future with the top prize.

2) Former AEW World Tag Team Champions The Lucha Brothers

The Lucha Brothers are former AEW World Tag Team Champions and have been a part of the greatest tag team bouts of the past decade. Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix have a spectacular chemistry with one another and have created magic with so many different teams. From the Young Bucks to SCU, two-thirds of the Death Triangle consistently produce quality.

The Mexican-born brothers have also achieved many accolades outside of All Elite Wrestling. They are former two-time AAA World Tag Team Champions and IMPACT Tag Team Champions. The Lucha Brothers have also won gold in MLW, PWG and countless other independent promotions. With Fenix out with an arm injury, fans will have to wait a little while before Lucha Bros. tears it up again.


1) Former AEW World Champion Kenny Omega

Without Kenny Omega, this list would feel incomplete. The Cleaner is one of the original building blocks - as well as one of the EVPs - of All Elite Wrestling. Omega was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He started in smaller independent promotions there before signing to WWE Developmental. The run was shortlived before he began catching eyes on the independent scene.

Omega's success led to him getting an opportunity in Japan. His matches with Kota Ibushi in DDT eventually evolved into a friendship and partnership. The Golden Lovers became a wildly popular act and got the chance to wrestle for NJPW. Both men went on to singles success before Omega turned to the dark side and joined the Bullet Club.

Kenny Omega achieved new levels to his star power by winning the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on two occasions, the IWGP Intercontinental Championship and then became the first gaijin to win the G1 Climax tournament. The Best Bout Machine went on to Wrestle Kingdom 11 and had one of the greatest wrestling matches ever against Kazuchika Okada.

Following another landscape shifting bout against Chris Jericho, Omega defeated Okada to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Dominion 2018. After getting to the mountaintop for New Japan, The Cleaner signed with All Elite Wrestling. He stumbled out of the gates with losses to Chris Jericho, PAC and Jon Moxley.

This led to a partnership with Hangman Adam Page and winning the AEW World Tag Team Titles. They held the titles for 228 days before losing to FTR. Omega immediately focused on singles action and won the AEW World Championship at Winter Is Coming. He held the top title for 346 days, becoming the longest reigning champion. That's why Kenny Omega is the biggest AEW star not born in the US.

2 more stars coming from AEW to WWE? More details right here

Quick Links

Edited by Kevin Christopher Sullivan