5 AEW stars who had tryouts with WWE but didn't get signed

The AEW roster is jam-packed with exceptional wrestlers, all of whom have journeyed through different promotions throughout their careers. Some of the talents have obvious WWE histories, with the likes of Chris Jericho, Dustin Rhodes and JR all WWE legends. AEW might have convinced a whole slew of ex-WWE stars since the company's inception, but what about the other way round?

A few homegrown AEW wrestlers have tried out for WWE at one point in time but haven't made the cut past their developmental system for one reason or another. Some even had tryout matches on NXT with little buzz after that. In a sense, they were denied by WWE. Here's a look at 5 AEW talent who tried out for WWE but ultimately weren't signed.

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#5 AEW star Will Hobbs was once approached by WWE

Will Hobbs is one of the most promising, young stars in AEW currently wrestling as part of Team Taz. His 'Powerhouse' nickname is well-earned as Hobbs boasts one of the most intimidating physiques in the business, is it any surprise that WWE, the land of giants, previously took notice of him? During an appearance on the AEW Unrestricted podcast, Hobbs revealed that he had a WWE tryout a while ago, but they didn't follow up with him in the end. Later, WWE suddenly contacted him for a deal soon after he had a debut match on AEW in 2020. Here's what he told WWE:

"The (WWE) try-out was good. They said 'we don’t have anything for you right now.' Years later, they carrot dangled in front of me and I pretty much told them, 'F you.' Right when I appeared on AEW, you wanna be like, 'Hey, remember me?' The way I was raised, I don't have time for that s**t. I'm not 'boo boo the fool' as my Grandma would say. 'Hey, we've been thinking about you and are interested in you.' No, f**k you. I ain't no sucka. I'd rather you tell me 100% no than try to BS me."

WWE's loss is clearly AEW's gain as Hobbs is well positioned to be one of the most popular big men for the company in the coming years.

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#4 AEW tag team Young Bucks once imitated DX on WWE TV

AEW EVPs and former tag team champions The Young Bucks are responsible for the existence of the promotion in the first place. However, they were also two wrestlers who have appeared on WWE television early on in their career.

The two men were involved in the feud between Miz and Morrison and D-Generation X where they dressed up and mocked the legendary tag team before being beaten down.

Many independent wrestling talents hope to land an extra spot with WWE that will lead to bigger opportunities down the road. The Young Bucks each had a few roles as such throughout the years, when WWE needed extra talent in California. This is of course a long time before they became global stars in AEW.

A twist in the segment would see the Young Bucks getting brought in to parody Triple H and Shawn Michaels for The Miz and John Morrison’s Dirt Sheet segment. The heels attacked Matt and Nick after they performed their over the top impressions of D-Generation X. It is certainly ironic that the Young Bucks would start adopting the crotch chop as their taunt in the Bullet Club. It can be argued that if Young Bucks had signed for WWE, there would be no Elite or AEW subsequently.

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#3 AEW Women's Champion Britt Baker was once used as enhancement talent on WWE Raw

AEW Women's Champion Britt Baker might currently be the undisputed face of the company's female division, but once upon a time, she was used as an enhancement talent. Eagled-eyed fans might recall her receiving a few matches in NXT, but Baker also got a high-profile opportunity on Raw as well.

It was an anti-climatic appearance, though, as Baker was essentially squashed by Nia Jax. She was only used to put Jax over as a dominant heel and jobbed fodder for the heavyweight wrestler. She's a key piece of the AEW women's division now, thankfully. Speaking on her brief flirtation with WWE, Baker had this to say:

“WWE definitely let me know that they had interest in me, but it wasn't a mutual thing."

Baker may have felt let down by her WWE experience, but the AEW Women's Champions certainly bounced back and went on to have a successful wrestling career regardless.

#2 AEW star MJF once played a bodyguard on NXT TV and auditioned for WWE Tough Enough

AEW's current top heel MJF is a bonafide star in the company right now. He has just won the AEW Dynamite Diamond Ring for a third year running and is also locked in a feud with ex-WWE star CM Punk. But before all the stardom in AEW, MJF's involvement in WWE was somewhat less glamorous.

The young star appeared during Samoa Joe's NXT Takeover: Brooklyn II entrance where he was shown walking in the hallway alongside the then NXT Champion.

MJF played one of the security members and while his appearance was fairly brief, it ended with Joe shoving him into the wall after MJF tried to get past him slightly. Considering what his gimmick ended up being, this is certainly a very funny shot. MJF even acknowledged this later on in his career when he spoofed a segment on AEW television in 2020.

MJF also famously auditioned for WWE Tough Enough in 2015. His tape was even uploaded on the company's official YouTube. Even then, you could see his confidence and charisma oozing through his promo. It's a shame that WWE passed on the wrestler and it seems like the decision will come back to haunt him.

Last year, MJF opened up on his decision to sign a deal with AEW instead of WWE. He believed that WWE would try to change his character and the way he handles himself, and decided to head over to AEW.

"Deep down, I wanted to be part of something new and something fresh and something where I'd be able to control everything going on with me, because I knew if I went to the other place, and this isn't me shi--ing on the other place, it's just a fact, they would try to change me, and there is nothing to change."

Safe to say, MJF has made the right decision for his career and now he is now a main event player in AEW, but not for long if WWE has their way.

#1 AEW star Kenny Omega used to train in WWE developmental

Former AEW world champion Kenny Omega reigned over the company for a year as the top heel. He only just relinquished the title to 'Hangman' Adam Page at the Full Gear PPV and had outstanding matches with the likes of Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson and Christian Cage.

Considering The Cleaner is seen as one of the best wrestlers in the world, a lot of people might forget, or don't realize, that the AEW EVP spent time in WWE's developmental system. Even though he didn't ultimately make it to the main roster or compete for NXT, he did try out for the company.

He spent a year in the company's feeder territory, Deep South Wrestling, and while it didn't lead to him becoming a WWE Superstar, there's no doubt that he learned valuable lessons from the experience. Reflecting on his time in DSW, Omega said:

"I was in their developmental system. They develop you to be a star on their television show when they feel like you're ready or they have a spot for you," said Omega. I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would... I really want to prove to them that I could be more to them and the business than what they thought of me. So I decided to leave WWE and started my journey to Japan."

Omega went on to become one of New Japan Pro Wrestling's most decorated foreign wrestlers ever, winning the G1 Climax and NJPW Heavyweight Championship and leading the Bullet Club stable. If WWE had signed Omega, he might never be the 5-star wrestler he eventually became in Japan. AEW also benefitted from this decision as Omega was one of the first major signings to put AEW on the map.