WWE has been the biggest pro wrestling company in the world for a very long time. However, just 5 years ago Tony Khan started his pro-wrestling outfit named All Elite Wrestling. It is now one of WWE’s most formidable rivals. The new company didn’t just outclass the pre-existing competition for WWE, it has also given tough competition to WWE itself. It has also won a few battles against the former empire of Vince McMahon. Now WWE is under Triple H.

AEW has made a lot of headway under the leadership of Tony Khan, they even managed to build themselves up with the support of several former WWE superstars. However, WWE still remains the top destination for every pro wrestler in the world. In fact, the same goes for AEW superstars who have now started moving to WWE after making a name in AEW. So, how many pro wrestlers have made their way to AEW and left the new rival of WWE behind?

High-profile wrestlers that went to WWE from Tony Khan

Cody Rhodes

Cody Rhodes, a co-founder of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), spent just over three years with the company before returning to WWE. During his time in AEW, Rhodes served as one of the company’s four Executive Vice Presidents while also competing in the ring. He held the AEW TNT Championship three times, including as the inaugural titleholder.

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In early 2022, Rhodes left AEW and returned to WWE at WrestleMania 38. Since then, he has won the Men’s Royal Rumble Match and headlined WrestleMania 39, unfortunately losing out to Roman Reigns. After winning the 2024 Royal Rumble, Rhodes is set to face Roman Reigns and The Rock, a new member of the Bloodline, at WrestleMania 40.

CM Punk

From 2019 to 2020, he served as a pundit on WWE Backstage before sparking a return to the ring in 2021 with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he secured the AEW World Championship twice. He was loved by Tony Khan himself and was one of his favorite wrestlers too. However, he was released in September 2023 due to backstage controversies.

Making a comeback to WWE two months later at Survivor Series, he recently suffered a re-aggravated injury  in the Royal Rumble. Currently, on the road to recovery, he is expected to return in 6-7 months. He wishes to fight Seth Rollins pretty soon.

Other Stars in the making that have left AEW for WWE

Jade Cargill: Cargill was one of AEW’s top stars. She is the longest reigning TBS champion and had an undefeated streak lasting over a year. After leaving AEW, Jade Cargill joined the WWE Performance Center in Orlando in September 2023, reportedly signing with WWE. On September 26, WWE confirmed her multi-year contract and training at the Performance Center. She made her debut match at this year’s Royal Rumble.

Blair Davenport: Formerly known as Bea Priestley, Blair Davenport emerged as one of the top prospects in independent wrestling before catching the eye of AEW in 2019. Despite signing with the promotion, her momentum was disrupted by the global pandemic, leading to her departure in August 2020. Nearly a year later, she joined WWE, competing as Blair Davenport in NXT UK before transitioning to the US-based NXT. Presently, she is prominently involved in the NXT Women’s Title scene.

Dragon Lee: Dragon Lee briefly appeared for AEW on August 17th, 2022 Dynamite, teaming with Rush and Andrade El Idolo for La Facción Ingobernable. Despite tensions within LFI, Lee returned to Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide before signing with WWE. Now a regular on the NXT roster, he’s competed in numerous premium live events and collaborated with Rey Mysterio.

Andrade El Idolo: Andrade held the WWE United States Championship from 2019 to 2020 before departing WWE in March 2021. He joined AEW in July of the same year but returned to WWE at the Royal Rumble in 2024 after leaving AEW in December 2023.

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Lexis King: PWInsider reported on July 16, 2023, that Pillman underwent a tryout with WWE at the Performance Center. Officially joining the developmental brand NXT in late August, videos teasing his debut as Lexis King started airing in September. WWE wasted no time in showcasing him as a prominent member of the NXT roster.

Who else made the list?

William Regal: Regal had an impressive AEW debut at Revolution 2022, establishing the Blackpool Combat Club and leading the faction for the rest of the year. His tenure came to an abrupt end when MJF betrayed him at Full Gear in November 2022. Regal then rejoined WWE in a backstage role as Vice President of Global Talent Development, working with his son, NXT’s Charlie Dempsey.

A recent Wrestler who signed with WWE and left Tony Khan

AEW original Shawn Spears has returned to WWE after a five-year absence. He was previously known as “The Chairman” in AEW for his infamous chair shot to Cody Rhodes. Spears may continue with this persona. Prior to AEW, Spears had a stint in WWE as Gavin Spears on ECW, which ended in 2009.

He later returned in 2013 as Tye Dillinger, gaining popularity as “The Perfect 10.” Now on the 27th February NXT episode in 2024, he makes a comeback. Many other wrestlers have also taken to Twitter to express their excitement for this development.

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