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As things stand in pro-wrestling, there are some big names that are still free agents. The likes of Brock Lesnar and Tessa Blanchard are not currently signed to big promotions as of this writing.
Lesnar could feasibly sign with All Elite Wrestling, but he will likely ink another short-term deal with WWE once fans return to shows. There are also some names that are due to become pro-wrestling free agents at the end of 2020.
Most of the time, pro-wrestling promotions like IMPACT, AEW, or WWE add a few stars to their respective rosters in the new year. If stars ink multi-year deals, it gives those companies the ability to grow new stars and have storylines play out.
All of the Undead Realm angles with Rosemary over the years are a good example. Su Yung may have "died", but she re-signed with IMPACT and was born anew.
One of the bigger names in Major League Wrestling, Davey Boy Smith Jr., left the company on December 3rd. His departure will obviously hurt MLW, but it will also open things up for another star to rise up the ranks.
While Smith Jr. is the key MLW name to become a free agent, there are several other big names in pro-wrestling that will surely make an impact in their new homes.
But where will they sign in 2021? Let's take a look at where these current and upcoming pro-wrestling free agents could end up.
#6 Pro-wrestling free agent Davey Boy Smith Jr.
The son of the British Bulldog started out his pro-wrestling career in the Hart Dynasty, alongside Natalya and Tyson Kidd. The latter is currently retired due to a serious injury, while Nattie is still kicking around the women's division in WWE.
Since leaving WWE over 10 years ago, Davey Boy Smith Jr. has competed for independent promotions throughout the United States. He's also competed for New Japan Pro Wrestling, MLW, and Pro Wrestling Noah in Japan.
Earlier this year, he appeared on an episode of WWE's The Bump alongside Nattie and Kidd. He was also recently interviewed by Sports Illustrated, and said a return to WWE "is very possible." It might have been a way to keep his options open, while it also keeps fans guessing.
With the Hart Family still very much represented in WWE, it could be similar to Drew McIntyre returning to WWE after improving his stock on the independent scene.
AEW also has an interest, as they should, as pro-wrestlers standing 6' 5" don't grow on trees. IMPACT could also very well be in play, and he would instantly slot into their main event scene.
Prediction: Davey Boy Smith Jr. signs with AEW
#5 Future pro-wrestling free agent Taya Valkyrie
Taya Valkyrie is the longest-reigning IMPACT Knockouts Champion to date and one of the more valuable female performers to IMPACT. Her ability to switch from annoying heel, to annoying tweener, to likable star has been a fun transition to watch. The interactions between her and Rosemary have been pure gold and are among the most interesting in all of pro-wrestling.
Since she's already in the record books as one of the pre-eminent female wrestlers in IMPACT, there isn't much else for her to do there. She could win the Knockouts Tag Team titles in early 2021, but those belts could be earmarked for a different duo.
Many felt that she would go to WWE last year since her husband, John Morrison, returned last fall. Any pro-wrestling promotion's women's division would benefit from having Taya in it, and her contract is up at the end of January 2021.
AEW could use about three or four more big names to help fill out its division. Meanwhile, WWE and IMPACT already have stacked divisions, but both would benefit from having her in their ranks. SmackDown's division, in particular, desperately needs reinforcements to add to the depth.
Prediction: Taya Valkyrie signs with WWE
#4 Future pro-wrestling free agent Ethan Page
There are not many stars in pro-wrestling like "All Ego" Ethan Page. He has come a long way from initially debuting in IMPACT Wrestling as Chandler Park, cousin of Joseph Park. From then, he went on to join Matt Sydal, but it was when he formed The North alongside Josh Alexander where he really took off.
The duo became the longest-reigning IMPACT Wrestling Tag Team Champions, beating all comers. They lost the titles to the Motor City Machine Guns, but then regained them.
It was a short second reign, however, as they quickly dropped the belts to the Good Brothers. Management probably wanted Anderson and Gallows to win the titles from heels instead of faces like the MCMG.
Page has also worked tirelessly on improving his physique. He's more lean than he was even two years ago, which it probably means his next move in pro-wrestling will involve a singles run.
He even tweeted out the day his contract with IMPACT ends, which is January 1st, 2021. The former tag team champ is one of pro-wrestling's bright young stars, and any promotion would benefit from having him.
He may stay away from WWE, and instead join Chris Jericho and MJF as a condescending heel that's great at running people down on the mic.
Prediction: 'All Ego' Ethan Page signs with AEW.
#3 Future pro-wrestling free agent Sami Callihan
Sami Callihan's next move in pro-wrestling is the hardest to predict. He's already reached the top of the mountain in IMPACT Wrestling. He also had a good run in MLW, and has featured prominently in independent promotions throughout the US.
The Draw could feasibly re-sign with IMPACT, as he is currently acting as Ken Shamrock's ally/manager. That pro-wrestling partnership just sprung up over the last few months.
Ken was suspended on the latest episode of IMPACT TV. Prior to that in 2020 and before, the two were at each other's throats. His deal is up at the end of 2020, so this could be his last feud in IMPACT Wrestling.
Callihan had a lot of success with OVE, but that group was broken up over the last year. The rest of the members are currently off TV, but the former IMPACT Champion is not. He's been the leader and voice of any group he's a been a part of in any pro-wrestling company.
If he wants, he could easily sign a new deal with IMPACT or go back to competing in MLW and other independent companies. Would he consider going back to WWE or NXT? Does he have any interest in AEW and does AEW have interest in his services?
The main thing with Callihan is that it will be surprising when he announces his decision.
Prediction: Sami Callihan re-signs with IMPACT.
#2 Pro-wrestling free agent Tessa Blanchard
Tessa Blanchard has been the Knockouts Champion and the IMPACT Wrestling World Champion. Things didn't end well with IMPACT, when she became one of the highest-profile free agents in all of pro-wrestling earlier this summer.
Blanchard elected to stay home in Mexico during the pandemic, thus making things a bit more difficult. It would have been different had it been a mid-card champion or a non-title holder, but as it was, it happened to be the performer holding their world title.
Once it was immediately revealed that she was a pro-wrestling free agent, it came out that both AEW and WWE may have interest. More recently, however, it was rumored by the Wrestling Observer that AEW won't pursue Blanchard, due to past attitude issues. Another report came out shorty after saying that both WWE and AEW are still interested in acquiring her.
She gave a reason for her hiatus from IMPACT in September, stating that she wanted to "take control of her own life and focus on her wedding and honeymoon." Blanchard and pro-wrestling star Daga are now a married couple.
Whether she has attitude issues is still up for debate, but her run in IMPACT speaks for itself. She was consistently booked as a top star and even "the" star in the company at the beginning of 2020. The global pandemic really altered things immensely this year and people have dealt with the repercussions in their own ways.
Regardless of where she signs, Blanchard would immediately slot in as one of the top stars in women's division. She's one of the top women in all of pro-wrestling, but neither AEW or WWE would pull off making her world champion. She would, however, certainly be a fixture atop either's female division. Even Le Champion, Chris Jericho, said he'd like her in AEW.
Her decision may come down to making a huge splash and a lot of money. Both AEW and WWE could allow her to do that, but the latter offers her many more intriguing feuds and matches.
WWE gives her the option to battle Asuka, Charlotte Flair, Bayley, Sasha Banks, and Bianca Belair, as the first names that come to mind. The conflicting reports make it hard to gauge exactly where she will end up, but pro-wrestling enthusiasts will be watching.
Prediction: Tessa Blanchard signs with WWE.
#1 Pro-wrestling free agent Brock Lesnar
Due to having no fans - or minimal fans - in attendance at WWE and other pro-wrestling shows, some have guessed that WWE hasn't made any huge signings for the main roster. They have signed stars to the WWE Performance Center though, like Dez and Wentz of the Rascalz.
Brock Lesnar worked WM 36 by dropping the WWE Championship to Drew McIntyre, but he hasn't been seen since. WWE officials probably didn't want to use any of the Beast's contractual appearances, because he doesn't work every show.
Both Lesnar and the WWE are probably waiting for fans to completely return to shows. In the interim, however, his latest contract expired.
It mean's the former UFC heavyweight and WWE Champion is currently a free agent, and can sign with any pro-wrestling company. He could even go back to the UFC for another fight or two.
With the Royal Rumble around the corner and WrestleMania season right behind it, the two sides will likely come to some sort of a deal sooner rather than later. There are matches with Roman Reigns, McIntyre, Keith Lee, and the Fiend that could easily be booked.
The Beast shouldn't immediately be thrust right back into a title scene, but that's usually what he shows up for. His name is still one of the biggest in all of pro-wrestling.
Going to AEW doesn't seem like a realistic option for him. Outside of Chris Jericho and maybe Kenny Omega, there aren't any opponents that would make a lot of sense.
Brian Cage comes to mind, but Lesnar wouldn't sign with them to lose to anyone. For that reason, his choice is clear as long as he doesn't go back to the UFC. He likes to play MMA and pro-wrestling against each other for maximum money, so anything could happen.
Prediction: Lesnar signs a deal with the WWE.
