Jason Burgos
On Friday, WWE’s latest round of yearly roster cuts saw 23 veterans and prospects released from their current contracts. Some of the most notable names among the releases this week were every member of the Wyatt Sicks, Kairi Sane, and wrestling power couple Aleister Black and Zelina Vega.
While it was bad news for those wrestlers, it drops a boatload of intriguing talents into pro wrestling free agency at a time when the industry is strong. Including veteran performers that All Elite Wrestling should take a hard look at signing soon. With that in mind, here are seven former WWE stars AEW must target on the open market.
Kairi Sane
AEW’s women’s division has come a long way over the last few years. However, it still pales in comparison to the absurd amount of talent on WWE’s roster. But WWE just offered up several talented female wrestlers that Tony Khan would be smart to snap up quickly. The most notable is Japanese veteran Kairi Sane.
Khan has mentioned being a fan of Sane in the past and an obvious love for talents from the land of the rising sun. While Sane is no longer in her prime, she is still a good performer who will have a lot of sympathy on her side because she wasn’t given the chance to finish her long-brewing storyline with Asuka in WWE.
Motor City Machine Guns
AEW probably has the best bell-to-bell wrestling in the world. Another thing they do well is put a spotlight on tag wrestling. It has been a weakness for WWE during the Paul “Triple H” Levesque era, and it’s why TNA legends the Motor City Machine Guns had an underwhelming run in the company.
There were rumblings that they could sign with AEW when they hit free agency a couple of years ago. Going back to TNA seems very unlikely, and there are far more interesting matchups for Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley as a team or singles in AEW.
Alba Fyre
AEW has made major inroads with European wrestling fans. It is why they can go to Wembley Stadium every year and do very well. So, former women’s tag champion Alba Fyre should be a top target in free agency.
She is a strong wrestler and gives them another talent that draws and keeps fans in the UK. Plus, her former WWE tag partner, Isla Dawn, is already under the AEW umbrella.
Santos Escobar
AEW has heavily embraced its working relationship with Mexico’s CMLL, as well as Spanish-speaking audiences. That is why it would be smart to scoop up Santos Escobar. However, unlike most of CMLL’s talent that perform in AEW, Escobar is fluent in English and can connect with fans of both languages.
Furthermore, he is just hitting his prime and is underrated on the mic while being a strong wrestler in the ring.
Zoey Stark
Zoey Stark was absolutely snakebit by injuries during her time in WWE, including tearing up her knee ligaments twice. However, when healthy, she was one of the most athletic and skilled female wrestlers on the roster.
Her latest knee injury probably took more of her athletic gifts away. However, at just 32 years old, she feels like a perfect fit for AEW and a fantastic addition to the women’s division.
Nikki Cross
Nikki Cross is such a talented performer who was handled poorly as a member of the Wyatt Sicks. Because WWE had trouble booking the unique group, she never had one match while a part of the faction. Her wild character work is always entertaining, and she is a rock-solid worker in the ring.
Furthermore, like Alba Fyre, she would be an addition that not only strengthens AEW women’s division but also the company’s links to UK wrestling.
