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Since All Elite Wrestling is moving forward as a promotion, a lot of speculation turns to just who will join the promotion. People have already guessed which WWE stars seem destined to join the upstart promotion once they are either released or done with their current contracts.
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But for someone to leave WWE in order to join AEW would take an enormous leap of faith. The promotion isn't established yet and the jury is out regarding just how much they can offer free agents in contracts.
Having billionaire son Tony Khan as the money man surely helps, but so many current WWE superstars have families and might not want to uproot them in order to join the young promotion.
Karl Anderson is married with four kids, so would he really leave the comfort and cushy check of WWE in order to potentially get a little more time on screen? It all depends on the wrestler's desires.
Since there are more wrestling promotions around the world than ever, superstars from all various parts of the world could join AEW in a full-time status or on per-show deals.
Just who might join All Elite Wrestling in their endeavour of competing with the likes Impact Wrestling, WWE and potentially New Japan and Ring Of Honor? Here are some possibilities.
#10 Christopher Daniels and SCU
Ok, so this technically doesn't count as one, but we're going to group them together. SCU has appeared in several episodes of 'Being the Elite'. They are clearly great friends with the Bucks and the rest of the Elite and have even been in various feuds throughout their times in Ring of Honor.
Kazarian and Scorpio Sky faced the Briscoes at All In while Christopher Daniels defeated Stephen Amell at the event.
Since all three wrestlers are on good terms with the Elite, it wouldn't be hard to envision all three wrestlers in All Elite Wrestling at some point. Daniels could even take on a backstage booker or producer role and still be an on-screen personality.
ROH ran an angle on TV of Daniels being offered a new contract for 2019 only for Shane Taylor to show up and rip the contract to shreds. It might be the end of Daniels in ROH as he preceded that attack with basically a 'Goodbye to ROH' speech.
Scorpio Sky and Kazarian also lost at Final Battle but will face the Briscoes for the ROH Tag Titles on ROH TV next week. If they lose, then the writing is on the wall of a departure from ROH.
#9 Kota Ibushi
During their time in Japan and NJPW, the Young Bucks became friends with one of the world's most talented wrestlers in Kota Ibushi. His friendship with Kenny Omega was one of the main storylines in NJPW over the last year or so.
He eventually became allies of the Elite and became a member of the 'Golden Elite' with Omega and the Bucks. He even had matches against the Bucks and against Cody at last year's Wrestle Kingdom event.
Ibushi teamed with the Young Buck in the main event of All In against Rey Fenix, Bandido and Rey Mysterio, Jr. Since that relationship is still strong and they thought enough of Ibushi to have him in the main event of All In, it's not hard to fathom him showing up in AEW.
Being a freelancer gives Ibushi the freedom to pick and choose his dates, something that he likely would not have done had he signed with WWE after the Cruiserweight Classic. It was probably the best decision for his career at the time.
#8 Austin Aries
Since Austin Aries basically walked out of Impact Wrestling after Bound for Glory, the jury's out as to what his plans are for 2019. He's pushing 40 but still has it. Would he be open to a spell in a brand new promotion?
Aries probably won't be going back to WWE due to his unhappiness with his booking in the company. He never won a title but often challenged for them. He has been rumoured to be a handful to deal with backstage during his time in Impact, TNA, ROH and WWE.
But since AEW might not be signing every talent to full-time contracts, it might work out best for both sides. Aries is popular no matter where he goes and can play the arrogant heel or the scrappy face.
He's a name known throughout the wrestling industry and would be a good signing in the early stages of the promotion's growth.
The main question is, would Aries feel he is above a promotion just starting up or would he want to be a part of something new? He hasn't burned any bridges there (that I know of) so he could conceivably be a part of AEW.
#7 Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho has remained relevant in pro wrestling for the better part of nearly 30 years. He's consistently reinvented himself and his characters even while branching out into other avenues (Fozzy).
He's had a good run as the hated foreign heel in NJPW and it seems there is a rumour linking him to the promotion almost every day.
If he does indeed join AEW, he would help out in several facets. He is a great wrestler, a great talker and has a great mind for business. If not, he wouldn't have pulled off his cruise.
Jericho could also be a good booker and agent due to his creativity and acumen regarding the business. He allegedly helped create the Money in the Bank Ladder Match which is now one of the most anticipated events yearly in WWE.
Should the rumours turn to reality, it wouldn't be a shock to see Jericho's have a hand in many parts of the new promotion. He's done a lot in his career, and helping out a young wrestling promotion would be another addition to his already hall of fame career.
#6 ACH
It seemed that ACH was destined to head to WWE a few months ago. Some reports suggested it was a done deal since he was done with ROH. He had been competing in NJPW and other independent promotions, so perhaps he is finishing up obligations.
One thing is for sure - wherever he decides to go will have acquired a talented wrestler. His athleticism rivals that of Apollo Crews and Seth Rollins but in a slightly smaller package.
Perhaps he would be shoehorned into the Cruiserweight division if signed by WWE. That might be a factor in his decision to sign elsewhere.
Like the members of SCU, the Young Bucks have crossed paths with ACH in ROH, so it's not like they'd be getting into bed with a completely unknown superstar. His high-flying style mixed with bits of technical wrestling would also mesh well with the Young Bucks style.
A lot depends on what type of wrestling the Elite will try to showcase in their new promotion, but if All In is any indication, ACH would fit in perfectly.
#5 Matt Cross
For those of you who are unaware of just who Matt Cross is, let me talk to ya (thanks Eli Drake). If you watch Lucha Underground, he's portrayed Son of Havoc and is one of the best high-flyers not from Mexico.
He also competed in one of the first ever Tough Enough seasons but obviously didn't win. Cross is also known as M-Dogg and was a groomsman in Johnny Gargano's wedding. He's a great all-around wrestler who has worked for various independent promotions around the world.
The reason why I include him on this list is that he competed at the All In event booked by the Elite. He defeated MJF or Maxwell Jacob Friedman in a singles match at the event. Since he's done business with them before, it wouldn't be hard to envision him doing so again in 2019.
Lucha Underground's status for a fifth season is currently up in the air, so Cross could easily join the new promotion as one of the trusted veteran's of the company.
#4 Angelico
Like Matt Cross, with whom he held the Lucha Underground Trios Titles, Angelico is probably most well-known to fans who saw him in Lucha Underground.
He was one of the first wrestlers to make an insane jump off of a balcony into the middle of the ring, and it was probably one of the moments that defined the first season.
Unlike Cross, however, is the fact that Angelico asked for his release from LU back in the Spring of 2018. He has been on WWE's radar since the first season of LU, but apparently turned down an offer from WWE back in 2015.
Since he's such a talented high-flyer and striker, he may eventually show up in either NJPW, ROH or All Elite Wrestling. He's known enough in the business to make an impact and he's currently a free agent.
The word exciting doesn't even start to describe his style, so he'd be a great signing for any of the major companies. He has done a lot of his work in AAA so he might return to Mexico or he could travel to Japan.
He's from South Africa, so he apparently doesn't have an issue with travelling. Angelico has also competed for wXw, so add Europe as another continent he has competed on.
#3 Joey Ryan
Joey Ryan as a character is great. He's a sleazy, filthy goofball who is overtly sexualized. His nickname is the 'King of D**g Style' for those who don't know but he's a hilarious character.
He's a talented wrestler but wouldn't be one that could be pulled off in WWE. He's also been pretty adamant about staying out of the world's biggest company due to the fact it would force him to move across the country and accept a pay cut.
Ryan has done work with the Young Bucks in the past and both are staples in the California/West Coast Wrestling scene.
Since he's on good terms with the Bucks and has participated in almost every non-WWE promotion, he's almost a lock to show up in AEW at some point. Ryan was one of the wrestler's who helped create Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, so he has experience in running a promotion.
To make a long story short, Ryan is the epitome of the independent wrestler and AEW is going to be a promotion that cultivates that in the business.
#2 Pac/Neville
It's a shame that WWE decided to push Enzo Amore over Neville in the Cruiserweight Division. It was a case of choosing the character over the wrestler. Neville, now going by his previous name of Pac, stated that Enzo's push helped facilitate his desire to leave WWE.
Can you blame him? Amore was sloppy in the ring, a nuisance backstage and out in public and got by due to his ability to spin a yarn. He also has the spectre of being a creep following him, which led to his release.
Since Pac's release from WWE, he's already captured gold, winning the Open the Dream Gate Championship in Dragon Gate Wrestling. He was one of the most naturally gifted athletes in WWE but wasn't booked nearly as he should have been on the main roster.
He has a huge history of competing in Japan and appears to be a freelancer a la Kota Ibushi. Pac signing with AEW would be both a great signing for the new promotion and somewhat of a way for Pac to get back at WWE.
During his tenure in WWE, he was one of my favourite performers, and his finishing move of the Red Arrow was one of the most stunning finishers to watch. The crowd loved it. Too bad the backstage officials weren't big fans of his.
#1 CM Punk
I think CM Punk might be the only one who thinks he still has a career in MMA. If he didn't realize that by his first two outings in the UFC, he might never realize it. Perhaps he likes the challenge, but Dana White said he wouldn't be in the octagon any more.
Punk was teased as being involved with All In, but it never came to fruition. The man himself has said he is done with pro wrestling, but perhaps he just meant that he's done with WWE and big companies like it.
The Elite invited him to join the Bullet Club and his anti-establishment and 'Voice of the Voiceless' mantra would fit right in with all of the antics of the Elite over the years.
Punk was always vocal about not giving a lot of deserving people like Zack Ryder or other mid-card wrestlers the opportunities they deserved and it appears that the Elite are on the same wavelength.
If CM Punk did opt to return to pro wrestling, it would likely be with ROH, NJPW or AEW. He still is a name everyone wants to see return to the ring. Him doing so would be a huge win for AEW and a likely a shot at his former employers.
He is clearly someone who holds grudges, so I cannot see him returning to WWE. Can I see him return to pro wrestling? Since the wrestlers are the bookers, he would likely be more amenable to ideas from fellow performers rather than those in suits.
