5 WWE legends who might work with AEW

All Elite Wrestling is the talk of the sports entertainment world. With a billionaire’s backing, the buzz of All In behind Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks, and huge initial signings like Chris Jericho and the former Neville, AEW looks poised to leapfrog promotions like Impact Wrestling, Ring of Honor, and Lucha Underground to debut as the new number two wrestling company in the US.

Billy Gunn has already announced his commitment to AEW in a backstage role, and the question is now in play: what other WWE legends might make the jump to this start-up company? Between AEW having the money to bring in big names, and WWE having its share of enemies or people on less than ideal terms, we could quickly see some very familiar names sign on. This article takes a look at five noteworthy WWE alumni who look like prime candidates to join in.

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#5 Bret Hart

Bret Hart could be an invaluable player behind the scenes and perhaps in an authority figure role.

Bret Hart is an all-time great who ended his original WWE run on about as ugly terms as possible as a result of the Montreal Screwjob. The Hitman and WWE mended fences to do business on DVD compilation sets, a Hall of Fame induction, a WrestleMania 26 angle, and a handful of other guest appearances and short stints. Nonetheless, some hard feelings seem to persist as Hart has both commented on feeling he was relieved of his kayfabe GM role prematurely and has openly criticized Triple H, Seth Rollins, and other current talents.

Hart may not have the biggest personality in wrestling, but when it comes to figuring out the mechanics of a match, there are very few people alive who can compete with The Hitman. Hart would be an invaluable signing in agent or possibly even booker role for AEW, besides having the respect and fan following to justify an authority figure position on camera.

#4 Jeff Jarrett

Jeff Jarrett has been known to try to compete with WWE.

A year ago, Jeff Jarrett did what few had ever expected, in returning from his exile from WWE for a Hall of Fame induction amidst rumors that Triple H intended to on-board him as part of his backstage team when he took over creative for the company. Jarrett hasn’t appeared for WWE since last WrestleMania weekend and, indeed, the last time he did appear before a national wrestling audience it was at All In.

Jarrett has a good mind for wrestling rooted in many years in the ring as well as in management, including the experience of heading up Impact Wrestling. In a consulting role, he could be a real asset for AEW. Within the proper limitations, he could be a valuable creative contributor, too and potentially an on-screen character for selected storylines, particularly to appeal to Impact Wrestling fans from years back who have since abandoned that product.

#3 Alundra Blayze

Alundra Blayze could be valuable in a variety of roles.

All Elite Wrestling has not yet said anything about a women’s division, but in the current wrestling landscape, it’s hard to imagine a major promotion not featuring female talent to at least some extent.

Be it as a trainer, agent, broadcaster, or even part-time talent, AEW could do a lot worse than to bring Alundra Blayze into the fold.

Blayze reconciled with WWE after a deep rift formed between the two sides during the Monday Night War. However, since that time the relationship has seemed tenuous, including WWE quietly rescheduling and not hyping a Network special dedicated to her career, and filming but then cutting her broadcast work for the original Mae Young Classic.

Blayze did work the Evolution battle royal, and it’s not out of the question that she’d remain an occasional contributor to WWE programming. AEW may offer a platform on which she’s more consistently respected, though, and can play to the hardcore fan base that most appreciates her legacy.

#2 Sting

Does Sting regret having gone to WWE?

For years, a big part of Sting’s legacy was that he was the biggest star of his generation to never defect from WCW to WWE, nor sign with the company after WWE bought them out. By all indications, that wasn’t a result of WWE not wanting him, but rather matters of timing and, by Sting’s own admission, not entirely trusting what WWE would do with him.

Things have changed. Sting did sign with WWE and worked two major angles with the company, besides doing interviews for documentaries and WWE Network shows, and accepting a Hall of Fame induction. However, given the fact that he decisively lost both of his major programs to Triple H and Seth Rollins, and given his limited engagement with WWE programming since, there are questions as to whether Sting ultimately feels good about having gone to WWE. Moreover, he’s a guy with big-time name recognition who probably doesn’t have any business actually working a match at this stage, but could be useful as an on-air personality for the fledgling AEW.

#1 Rob Van Dam

RVD has never been much of a fit for WWE's culture.

Rob Van Dam notoriously marches to the beat of his own drum, and was always an awkward fit for the corporate structures of WWE. Indeed, his lone WWE Championship reign and how it played out is a testament to the poor fit as RVD got the push of a lifetime only to get busted for drug possession shortly thereafter, derailing both his big opportunity and WWE’s plans.

Now that he is in his late forties, Van Dam probably doesn’t have a lot of wrestling left in his tank. Like Chris Jericho, though, he could offer a marquee name to help AEW get off the ground working with younger talent and legitimizing the top of the card for the company’s first couple of years. After all, given his popularity in ECW, his lengthy tenure with WWE, and even having worked the top of the card for Impact Wrestling, Van Dam is one of the more recognizable legends out there without any meaningful current connection to WWE.