Cody Rhodes became the first big name to defect from AEW to WWE when he made his return at WrestleMania 38.

Thus far the movement between companies has very much been one-way traffic, in terms of superstars signing for AEW after their departure from WWE. However, will the move made by Cody and the success he’s already made of the new venture prompt AEW stars to look at WWE as their next destination? 

GiveMeSport looks at some possible candidates who may see WWE as part of their future.

MJF

This one almost seems destined to happen at some point down the road, as WWE and MJF just look like a three-lettered acronym match made in heaven. Maxwell’s contract with AEW runs out in January 2024 and has already gone on record that he has no plans on re-signing with the company anytime soon. That doesn’t mean he’s definitely WWE-bound, as a lot can happen between now and then, but it certainly looks like we could see a bidding war from both companies for MJF’s services. The 26-year-old knows his worth and his classic heel style would fit the current landscape of WWE perfectly, so it’ surely only a matter of time that we see him strutting his Burberry-laden stuff in WWE. 


Jon Moxley 

Dean Ambrose feels like a lifetime ago now that we’re all seeing what we’re seeing from Jon Moxley in AEW - who’s currently riding high with Bryan Danielson as part of the Blackpool Combat Club. However, it feels like the former Lunatic Fringe may have some unfinished business in WWE, not completely dissimilar to that of Cody Rhodes. Moxley may have tasted world championship gold during his WWE run, but there was always a feeling he was ‘third-best’ compared to his brothers in The Shield, and his character was never fleshed out enough to make it convincing. Could then a hybrid of Ambrose and Moxley go back to WWE, with his stellar work in AEW behind him, and receive a hero’s welcome, just like former comrade Rhodes? 


Jade Cargill 

The AEW women’s division almost centres around one name, but it’s unlikely we’d see Britt Baker take the leap across anytime soon - especially with her Baybay now part of the company. But in Jade Cargill AEW do have another legit star and one you would imagine WWE would love to have in their ranks. Jade’s physique and distinctive look would add something to WWE’s women’s roster that they don’t already have and add a fresh challenger to the likes of Bianca Belair and Becky Lynch - something they’ve lacked over previous years. Yes, she’s still has much to learn, but WWE seems like a playing field where Cargill could really become a star. 


Wardlow

Currently treading the boards in the classic Diesel/Batista formula, there’s no doubting that Wardlow is mega over with the current AEW fanbase as a baby face. There’s no question that the 34-year-old fits the mould of a ‘WWE Star’ given his size and ability to move around the ring, so it’s interesting he initially never made the cut during his try out with the company. Whatever he didn’t have then, he’ll for sure have now, because he looks every bit the type of Superstar Vince McMahon would long to have part of his roster. 


Chris Jericho 

Chris Jericho in action

There’s no denying that whatever happens, Jericho will go down as one of the OG’s of AEW - and he’s still not done, yet. However, seeing how Jericho is always ahead of the curve when it comes to his ‘brand’ and his legacy, it would be such a shock if we didn’t see one more run in WWE for the future Hall of Famer. Quite brilliantly it wouldn’t matter what version of Jericho it would be, and even leaning into his AEW personas would still make any WWE return both emotional and legendry all the same. Seeing Chris Jericho finishing his career on a greatest hits tour run in WWE has to be the way Y2J winds down his illustrious career.