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Vince McMahon's WWE no longer holds an almost monopoly-like situation in the pro wrestling business. Since its inception in 2019, AEW has offered pro wrestling fans an alternative that many have been yearning for years.
AEW is probably the first pro wrestling company since the demise of WCW to run WWE close. Tony Khan has utilized his financial power to bring in some star names and legends of pro wrestling, including some from Vince McMahon's company.
Several multi-time world champions have switched sides to join the land of The Elite. Here are 5 former WWE world champions who are in AEW currently.
#5 Chris Jericho - 6 world titles in WWE
One of the first big names to join AEW from WWE was Chris Jericho. This signing was a huge acquisition by Tony Khan’s company as Jericho was and still continues to be a very relevant star.
His signing showed that AEW was to be a serious contender to WWE's dominance as he was seen as someone who would have been with Vince McMahon's company until his retirement. In his almost two-decade stint with WWE, Jericho was a six-time world champion, winning the Undisputed WWF Championship, World Heavyweight Championship, and the WCW/World Championship, apart from numerous other singles and tag team titles.
He had a Hall of Fame-worthy career in WWE, but is crafting a new story for himself at AEW in what has been a very impressive pro wrestling career.
Jericho has been one of the mainstays of AEW over the last two years and was also the inaugural World Champion. He held the title for just over 180 days, before losing it to the next former WWE star on the list...
#4 Jon Moxley - 1 world title in WWE
Jon Moxley, formerly known as Dean Ambrose, let his contract run down in WWE and joined AEW in 2019. Moxley is perhaps one of the biggest current generation wrestlers to make the switch to AEW.
Moxley was hugely popular as part of The Shield, alongside Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. While Rollins and Reigns have had fantastic careers, Moxley's last year in WWE was forgettable, which led him to leave the company.
Moxley was a one-time WWE Champion. But his Championship reign was short-lived as he held it for just over 80 days, losing to AJ Styles later in the year.
Moxley debuted in AEW at their first pay-per-view, Double or Nothing, and attacked both Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega, who headlined the show. The former Shield member's AEW debut sent shockwaves through the pro wrestling world and fans lapped it up as Moxley got a huge reception.
Moxley went on to win the AEW World Championship from Chris Jericho and reigned as the Champion for 277 days before dropping it to Kenny Omega.
#3 Paul Wight - 5 world titles in WWE
The signing of Paul Wight - formerly known as Big Show in WWE - by AEW came as a huge shock as Wight had been a loyal employee to Vince McMahon for over two decades. Wight had been an influential figure in the ring, as well as backstage as one of the locker room leaders in the company.
Wight won the WWE Championship twice and the World Heavyweight Championship twice in his career. He also held the ECW World Championship once and the WCW World Heavyweight Championship twice.
Wight, surprisingly, joined AEW earlier this year in February after becoming frustrated with the creative direction in WWE. He did however state that he wasn't angry or bitter at how it ended and that he wanted a "fresh start".
He is a part of the commentary team for AEW's Dark: Elevation show, which airs on YouTube, while he will also step into the ring to wrestle. He is yet to make his in-ring debut in AEW, with his last match coming last year when he faced Randy Orton in WWE in an unsanctioned match.
#2 Christian Cage - 4 world titles in WWE
Christian Cage, also known as Christian in WWE, joined AEW earlier this year. After Paul Wight teased the addition of a "Hall of Fame-worthy" Superstar on his AEW debut, Christian Cage debuted at the Revolution pay-per-view.
He wrestled in his first match later that month against Frankie Kazarian and has had a few matches since. Cage was a part of the Casino Battle Royale at the Double or Nothing pay-per-view.
Christian Cage's signing was also a big surprise as he had wrestled at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view earlier this year, his first match in seven years. Captain Charisma had to step away from the ring due to concussion-related injuries. But, after being cleared by doctors, he returned at the men's Royal Rumble match and had a memorable moment with Edge.
But WWE hadn't signed him on a contract which meant that he could join another promotion.
Christian won four world titles in his WWE career, with two reigns of the ECW Championship and two reigns of the World Heavyweight Championship, as well as a number of tag team titles.
#1 Mark Henry - 2 world titles in WWE
Mark Henry is the latest WWE legend to make the switch to AEW. The World's Strongest Man's switch to AEW was just as surprising as the rest on this list. Unlike the others on this list, Henry hasn't wrestled for another promotion apart from WWE since he signed for them in 1996.
Henry has been a part of various eras in WWE and won a number of accolades in his spell with the company. Following the end of his in-ring career, Henry played a role backstage as a producer as well as a mentor.
The World's Strongest Man had recently revealed that he wants to have one more match and had gotten in shape. Many expected it to be in WWE, but it seems that it will most likely happen in AEW.
Henry will be a commentator on AEW's upcoming show, Rampage, while also being a coach. It is expected that he will get his final match as well.
Mark Henry held two world titles during his career as he won the ECW Championship and the World Heavyweight title. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 by AEW star Paul Wight.
