Since both WWE and AEW gain and lose talent often, there are situations where the grass is indeed greener on the other side. In the case of All Elite Wrestling, there have been quite a few stars that have become bigger stars under their banner. With that in mind, let’s look at 10 former WWE wrestlers that have been better in AEW.
Let your voice be heard on this interesting news on our all-new Fightline forums!
10. Toni Storm
Here is one that got away. WWE seemed ready to push her, and right after a nice debut she abruptly asked for and was granted her release. Given what has come out in the past year or so, I can’t help but wonder if there were some things going on that she wasn’t going to say for fear of being ostracized. I believe at the time, she had asked for her release due to mental health concerns.
In this day and age, you can’t help but respect those kinds of wishes. But, once she was in a better frame of mind, she became All Elite. I’d like to think WWE knew what she could do, and I do think she would have done just as well had she not exited but she did, and she’s doing well.
9. Swerve Strickland
This one is one of the easiest choices. WWE let him go, and Hit Row never clicked quite so good again (even if he wasn’t considered an original). I’d almost go on a limb and say this one could be the best former WWE Superstar in AEW.
WWE tried to lure him back, but he had no interest. He has to be considered one of the rising stars within the company, and he has put on some notable matches. Maybe a controversial one here or there too, but for the most part, everything he’s done in AEW has been better. I think WWE knew he had potential, but someone didn’t want to let it out so soon.
8. FTR
The best way I can say that FTR is doing better in AEW than in WWE is this: they haven’t had their backs shaved on AEW television. One of the best legit tag teams in the last number of years, they were in WWE at a time when only NXT valued tag team wrestling. Sure, they were good on the main roster, but they wanted better than some weird shower scenes. AEW has been good for them.
Read More: WWE SmackDown Results 2024: WrestleMania 40 Ladder Match Grows (Updated March 30)
7. Big Bill
Big Bill, formerly Cass in WWE, basically drank himself out of the company. He and his former tag partner Enzo Amore were loud brash and wickedly popular, especially within their run in NXT. Of course, of the two of them…their former manager (Carmella) has enjoyed the most success in professional wrestling. But, on his current trajectory? He could end up being one of the major former WWE Superstars in AEW.
6. Samoa Joe
Here’s someone the fans loved, in NXT and on the main roster. Joe had some really great feuds, primarily within NXT. He also had some really terrible luck when it came to injuries, and it seemed any time he started to build toward something major, he was sidelined for an extended period. WWE decided they couldn’t rely on that, and he was gone.
Even when he couldn’t wrestle, Joe did really superb work on commentary. In AEW, he’s finally gotten another chance to be a world champion though some might say it hasn’t moved the needle. Still, at least there, he’s had the chance.
Read More: WWE RAW Results 2024: Final Monday Before WrestleMania 40 (Updated April 2)
5. Pac
Pac, the former Neville in WWE, was one of my first exposures to NXT. Back then, WWE decided to run some NXT showcase matches on RAW and Neville impressed. Things didn’t work out for him within WWE despite winning the NXT championship, but they’ve been much, much better in AEW as he is considered one of the best workers on the roster.
4. Deonna Purrazzo
WWE had her and wanted her back, but the timing did not work out. Or so we thought. The Virtuosa did a stint in NXT before finding herself in TNA. When her time was up there, she quickly signed with AEW. In a conversation following her signing earlier in 2024, the AEW star noted that WWE didn’t offer her a deal, but that she also wasn’t looking for them to.
WWE was in the midst of a bit of a freeze, which prevented them from offering. However, it sounds like she always wanted to do her thing while being All Elite.
Read More: WWE Roster – Latest Rosters For Raw, SmackDown And NXT
3. Christian Cage
Speaking of making the most of it Christian Cage was an afterthought in WWE. A nostalgia act. Someone who I don’t believe could be or would be medically cleared. That, or WWE just didn’t have anything for him to do outside of some Legends appearances. AEW found things for him to do, and many fans consider what Christian is doing in AEW to be among the best work of his career.
2. Killswitch/Luchasaurus
In the same vein as Deeb, the man formerly known as Luchasaurus did indeed serve time within WWE. However, like many others, the time served was unremarkable. Suffice it to say, the man is making the most of his current time in AEW.
Read More: WWE Schedule 2024: WrestleMania 40 Week Arrives (Updated April 1)
1. Serena Deeb
I think by rule if their name shows up here and you cannot even remember them being in WWE? Then that explains why they are on this list. I would argue that her most notable role was as a member of CM Punk’s Straight Edge Society who shaved her head. Or, in other words, when she was in WWE, she wasn’t ready and the company wasn’t able to use her.
In fairness, at that time, a vehicle in the form of NXT did not exist in its current form. Some others on this list would have benefitted tremendously from that, but here we are.
