5 AEW stars who could have been more successful in WWE

WWE has always been the land of opportunity in the wrestling industry. AEW has given wrestlers a new destination to look to in the past few years.

Founded in 2019, AEW has become one of the top promotions in the world. Many new and old faces have joined the promotion, and the company has been able to give a tough fight to WWE in recent months.

Daniel Bryan, CM Punk, Adam Cole, and Miro are some of the big names who recently found their way to AEW and are destined for a lot of success. However, some AEW stars haven’t been as successful as fans would've expected them to be.

These wrestlers could've been better off in WWE due to various reasons. WWE could've provided them with the screen time and bookings that would've helped them become bigger and more successful.

With that being said, take a look at the five AEW stars who could've been more successful in WWE.

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#5. AEW star Brian Cage looks tailormade for WWE’s current programming

WWE has historically loved big men who have a mean look. Brian Cage is one AEW star who would have tempted the higher-ups in WWE when he signed with AEW.

Cage was part of Team Taz for some time and went on to win the FTW World Championship. He was betrayed by his team and lost the title to Ricky Starks. Cage has the looks and charisma required to make a top heel. At times, it looks like AEW is underutilizing the star and not giving him the push he deserves.

AEW is currently loaded with some of the top wrestlers in the industry. That's one reason why Cage hasn’t received the push that could take him to the next title scene. Meanwhile, WWE could've provided Cage with the platform he needs on NXT before unleashing him on the main roster.

Brian Cage did sign with WWE for a short time in 2008 but didn't take off. Things have changed, and it looks like Cage himself is not against the idea of trying his luck in WWE again if the conditions are right.

"I'm not opposed ever going back there, which it would have to be the right time, the right situation, all that. If I don't ever go back, I'm more than happy," he said. "It wasn't until now that it feels like what I thought it would feel like as a kid to be a pro wrestler. I am the most happy and content in my career that I've ever been," said Brian Cage.

"Do I need to go back there? No, not at all," Cage continued. "Is there a chance I could go back there? If things line up accordingly to plan then no, I'm not opposed to going back," added Brian Cage.

Well-built wrestlers have usually fared better in WWE. The AEW star could get an interesting proposition from WWE down the line that could pull him to Vince McMahon’s company.

#4. AEW star Kip Sabian could have worked well on WWE NXT

Kip Sabian is currently out of action from AEW due to an injury. He signed with AEW in February 2019 after competing in English and European promotions for several years.

Sabian had some good matches and rivalries in AEW and introduced Miro to the fans. However, he hasn’t gotten a big push in the company as there are too many big stars crowding the championship picture.

Sabian is someone who could've been perfect for WWE NXT which has brought in several stars not considered giants but has managed to turn into big stars.

Kip Sabian’s style and persona could've worked well with NXT. His existing fanbase would've helped him get over with the WWE Universe and possibly become a big star. Sabian would've possibly been more successful in NXT than he is in AEW today.

Sabian has never worked for WWE before. However, it's never too late to make the jump and look for new opportunities. He has been underused by AEW, and a move to WWE could benefit him in the long run.

#3. AEW powerhouse Wardlow failed his WWE tryout

Wardlow is one of the bigger wrestlers AEW has signed since the company's inception. He is 6-foot-3 and weighs over 125kgs. He worked as MJF’s guard in AEW and became part of The Pinnacle soon after.

Wardlow seems the type of wrestler that the WWE would hire because of his size and physique. WWE usually goes for men with a good physique and pushes them from the start.

However, the AEW star failed his WWE tryout even though he believed he was the only true wrestler there.

“I was literally the only dude there in a suit. It was mind blowing. Dudes are there in shorts and t-shirts. That’s because they’re not recruiting wrestlers. They’re recruiting ex-NFL athletes or college wrestlers, people that have never watched wrestling.”

Surprisingly, WWE didn't sign a wrestler like Wardlow. He has all the tools in the ring and could have worked well against superstars like Drew McIntyre, Bobby Lashley, and Big E.

Wardlow hasn’t found much success in AEW, and he could look to try out for WWE once again after making a name for himself. Will the powerhouse make his way to WWE and become a prominent star on the main roster?

#2. AEW star Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) would work well as a heel in WWE

It’s no secret that Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) is one of the best heels in AEW today. He has been a true star for the company and has had a long rivalry with its top legend, Chris Jericho.

Many fans believe that babyfaces tend to do better in WWE than heels. However, heels have done extremely well in WWE over the past few years and changed the perception of fans. Roman Reigns, Bayley, Baron Corbin, and AJ Styles have played great heel characters in recent years.

MJF is someone who could also do very well in the WWE if given a chance. The AEW star comes across as a natural heel, like Randy Orton and Corbin. His work in the ring is remarkable, and he's great on the mic.

These unique qualities can allow MJF to be more successful in WWE than AEW. In a recent interview with Steel Chair Magazine, the AEW star admitted that he's a businessman and would listen to whatever offers come his way.

“Me and my boys, we’re willing to go wherever the money’s at, it’s that simple. Don’t get me wrong, AEW runs deep in me, I don’t want to leave, but I am a businessman at the end of the day, and I can’t help myself if somebody’s got an offer for me, I’m going to listen to it,” Said MJF.

Vince McMahon and his men have already seen how MJF can move the crowd with his heel work. He's already become a big name in the wrestling industry, and WWE could look to rope him in once his AEW comes to an end.

#1. AEW star Adam “Hangman” Page rejected a WWE contract

AEW star Adam “Hangman” Page has competed in some of the biggest wrestling promotions around the world. He's someone who's been moments away from becoming the next big thing in wrestling.

The 30-year-old has been one of the most sought-after wrestlers in the industry. Surprisingly, he hasn’t worked for WWE during his career.

Adam Page joined the State of Combat podcast to talk about the time he was offered a contract by WWE.

"They were more after me than most I would say. They put a lot more effort into me and time than others did, so it was a real consideration, but I guess when I was a kid that was [what] you wanted to do—you wanted to grow up and be in the WWE because it's the biggest thing ever—but it just didn't feel right and didn't become a goal for me anymore,” said Adam Page.

Page has already won the AEW World Tag Team Championship once with Kenny Omega. However, it feels like he would've been more successful had he joined WWE instead of AEW.

Vince McMahon has loved to push beer-guzzling cowboys on his promotion. The Hangman’s work in the ring, coupled with his gimmick, could've helped him become a top star in WWE. Do you think Adam Page would have done better in WWE than he is doing in AEW?