Over the years, Tony Khan has signed a plethora of former WWE wrestlers to AEW. From big stars who were performing at the highest level to wrestlers who needed bigger opportunities, it's been a mixed bag in terms of success at this point, with the likes of Miro and The Hardy Boyz not quite reaching the standard that people thought they would.
10 Forgotten AEW TV Personalities
There are plenty of wrestling personalities that showed up on AEW TV that fans likely forgot about!However, other wrestlers have been competing at a completely different level since joining AEW. Even though some of the stars that Khan signed were big deals in WWE, many are putting together the best work of their careers as members of AEW's roster.
Big Bill Is Showcasing His True Potential
AEW Signing Date: August 2022
WWE Tenure | WWE Titles | AEW Titles |
|---|---|---|
2011-2018 | N/A | 1x AEW World Tag Team Champion |
When Big Bill signed for AEW there were a few eyebrows raised, as he was often known for his entertainment skills rather than his in-ring work throughout his WWE career. Despite going through some personal difficulties post-WWE, Big Bill has put together an incredible run since becoming All Elite.
He has showcased his ability to entertain and engage audiences on the microphone, while being an effective big man inside the ring. Bill utilizes his strength brilliantly, and that is something that should lead to him enjoying a lot of success moving forward.
Toni Storm Has Become Timeless
AEW Signing Date: March 30, 2022
WWE Tenure | WWE Titles | AEW Titles |
|---|---|---|
2017-2021 | 1x NXT UK Women's Champion | 3x AEW Women's World Champion |
Toni Storm always had real potential in WWE, but the company didn't truly pull the trigger on her. That's something AEW has had no problem with, which is why she's a three-time AEW Women's World Champion, and one of the biggest stars the women's division has ever seen.
She's had three distinct characters from her rock and roll attitude and being a member of The Outcasts to her recent run as Timeless Toni Storm, the latter of which is likely going to go down in the history books.
Juice Robinson Has Brought Tons Of Charisma
AEW Signing Date: December 2, 2022
WWE Tenure | WWE Titles | AEW Titles |
|---|---|---|
2011-2015 | N/A | N/A |
A lot of fans forget Juice Robinson ever worked in WWE, which is why it's no surprise that his AEW career has been a bigger success. However, he was part of WWE where he worked under the name of CJ Parker, but he never got past the level of just putting over others in NXT.
However, since leaving WWE he has gone from strength to strength, which is why he's working at the highest level right now in AEW. Robinson is showcasing tons of charisma and has often stolen the show when he's been involved which is why he's got such a bright future.
Pac Has Been More Intense
AEW Signing Date: January 8, 2019
WWE Tenure | WWE Titles | AEW Titles |
|---|---|---|
2012-2018 | 2x Cruiserweight Champion 1x NXT Champion 2x NXT Tag Team Champion | 1x All-Atlantic Champion 1x AEW World Trios Champion |
Pac had a good run in WWE working as Neville, but he was always limited to a certain level. He was often pushed because of his aerial ability, rather than being proven to be a serious badass, which he is. However, that all changed in AEW as he's brought a level of intensity that has taken him to new heights.
While he's been unfortunate with injuries, his body of work has been better in AEW because his in-ring skills have been the focal point of it, which is his main strength.
Samoa Joe Has Reached World Champion Level
AEW Signing Date: April 1, 2022
WWE Tenure | WWE Titles | AEW Titles |
|---|---|---|
2015-2022 | 3x NXT Champion 2x United States Champion | 1x AEW World Champion |
While he was never pushed as a World Champion in WWE, Samoa Joe did have a good run with the company. He was showcased seriously and allowed to play to his strengths, but AEW has done that and pushed Joe to the next level by making him the AEW World Champion.
6 Wrestling Personalities That Samoa Joe Gets Along With (& 3 That He Doesn't)
Samoa Joe is one of the most respected veterans in the business, with several close relationships and a couple of frosty ones as well.Joe is operating on another level right now and working like a man with decades worth of experience. While he might have slowed down slightly, he is just as intimidating as ever with his presence, promo, and match quality all being at a high level.
Swerve Strickland Is Proving The Hype Is Real
AEW Signing Date: March 6, 2022
WWE Tenure | WWE Titles | AEW Titles |
|---|---|---|
2019-2021 | 1x North American Champion | 1x AEW World Tag Team Champion |
Swerve Strickland showcased a lot of potential in WWE, and his Hit Row faction could have been something much bigger than it was. However, WWE's loss has been AEW's gain, as he has put together a fantastic run so far, particularly since the end of his partnership with Keith Lee.
Strickland has been allowed to be himself, which is working perfectly for him. He has now grown to the point where most expect him to be an AEW World Champion at some stage shortly, and there's no doubt his stock has risen much more than in his WWE days.
Sting Is Being Treated With Respect
AEW Signing Date: December 2, 2020
WWE Tenure | WWE Titles | AEW Titles |
|---|---|---|
2014-2020 | N/A | 1x AEW World Tag Team Champion |
When it comes to Sting, he is seen more as an ex-WCW or TNA star than WWE, simply because he spent much longer with those promotions. However, he did have a run with WWE where he originally chose to retire, and while that period was something people enjoyed he never truly reached his potential.
Sting's Definitive 10 Best TNA Matches, Ranked
Sting was a multi-time World Champion in TNA, putting on fantastic matches with some of the promotion's best wrestlers!A lot of that was down to how he was booked, and Tony Khan has had no problem giving Sting a lot of respect. He has been performing at a high level, putting his body on the line in some crazy displays while his partnership with Darby Allin has been brilliant to watch.
Jon Moxley Has Carried AEW
AEW Signing Date: May 25, 2019
WWE Tenure | WWE Titles | AEW Titles |
|---|---|---|
2011-2019 | 1x WWE Champion 3x Intercontinental Champion 1x United States Champion | 3x AEW World Champion 1x AEW International Champion |
Everybody knew how talented Jon Moxley was as a performer before he joined AEW, because he was pushed as a big name during his WWE tenure. However, working for AEW has seen him reach a new level as a performer. He's blended elements of his hardcore past, his WWE entertainment, and his love of technical and hard-hitting wrestling to become one of the best stars in the world.
Moxley has been one of the faces of AEW, and his work has been a joy to watch. He's stepped up continuously whenever the company has needed, and the more intense version of him has helped take Moxley to another level.
