Backstage update on if former WWE stars joining AEW or not - Reports

A new backstage update has surfaced that clarifies whether AEW will bring onboard some former WWE stars who were recently let go by the Stamford-based promotion.

AEW and WWE have been at odds ever since AEW's founding in 2019. Early on, the Jacksonville-based promotion relied heavily on former WWE talent to attract attention and gain quick success. However, Tony Khan's promotion has since established stability with its core roster, and now stars moving between the rival promotions is more common and a two-way process. Recently, the futures of four former WWE guys came under the microscope: Trey Miguel, Zachary Wentz, Myron Reed (collectively known as the Rascalz), and Wes Lee. While Trey and Wentz, currently signed with WWE's partner company TNA, are approaching the end of their contracts, Wes Lee was released by WWE earlier this month. Meanwhile, Myron Reed has been working independently. A new report by Fightful clarifies whether these stars will join the Jacksonville-based promotion, and the answer is not for now.

Responding directly to a related question, Sean Ross Sapp in the latest edition of Fightful Select claimed that All Elite Wrestling has no specific interest in bringing the stars in question to Jacksonville, although he mentioned that the situation could change in 2026.

AEW President Tony Khan is reportedly taking time to evaluate ex-WWE talents

In an earlier report, Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp stated that Tony Khan has adopted a more meticulous approach to evaluating free agents who recently left WWE before possibly bringing them into AEW. The Jacksonville-based promotion has not hesitated to sign former WWE talents, including high-profile names such as Chris Jericho, Adam Copeland, Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, and CM Punk. However, Sapp mentioned that there have been past issues with WWE signings, with some stars unhappy with their roles in Tony Khan's company.

The biggest example of this was Punk's time at All Elite Wrestling, marked by controversy and backstage tension that eventually led to his firing. All these factors contributed to Tony Khan becoming selective with signings, especially if they are ex-WWE guys.