WWE Roster Cuts: Who Could Jump to AEW?
Recent waves of WWE roster cuts have opened a visible pipeline to AEW, and the next few months will show how many of those names actually make the jump. The question now is which released wrestlers carry enough name value, fan demand, or stylistic fit to land on Tony Khan’s roster before the next pay-per-view cycle.
April wave timeline
The largest single group of releases hit on April 24, 2026, after WrestleMania 42. More than two dozen wrestlers were let go, including Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, Kairi Sane, Santos Escobar, Apollo Crews, Alba Fyre, Zoey Stark, and the Motor City Machine Guns. Most main-roster contracts carried ninety-day non-competes, so those wrestlers became free agents in late July.
The group also included the entire Wyatt Sicks faction, whose members have scattered across TNA and the independents since the split. Their mass departure set a precedent for AEW to cherry-pick established characters without paying WWE-style guarantees.
Fans tracking social media noticed immediate speculation about Kairi Sane and the Motor City Machine Guns, both of whom already had U.S. television exposure and measurable merchandise sales before their exits.
September developmental cuts
A second round of releases targeted NXT and Performance Center talent on September 4-5, 2026. Ten names were cut, among them LFG Season 1 winner Jasper Troy, Wendy Choo, Adriana Rizzo, and referee Gary Wilson. These contracts carried thirty-day non-competes, meaning most are already fielding offers.
AEW scouting reports, confirmed by Fightful, listed several September releases as active targets for the women’s and tag divisions. Shorter non-competes give Khan an advantage over WWE when both sides court the same talent pool.
Jasper Troy has already rebranded as Kairo D. Reign for indie bookings, a move that often precedes an AEW appearance once the thirty-day window closes.
Sheamus free agency
Sheamus declined a restructured extension and became an unrestricted free agent on October 1, 2026. The four-time world champion has not wrestled since late 2025, yet he remains one of the most recognizable names on the open market.
AEW has previously signed high-profile veterans for short runs that boost pay-per-view numbers and international markets. Sheamus fits that pattern, particularly if Khan wants a ready-made opponent for established stars like Jon Moxley or Adam Copeland.
Merchandise data still shows consistent sales for Sheamus in the U.S. and Europe, giving AEW a clear revenue argument if contract talks advance.
Recent AEW arrivals
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods debuted at AEW All In London on August 30, 2026, joining Swerve Strickland as New Level and winning the Trios titles. Their path from released WWE talent to champions in one night set a benchmark for what future signees can expect.
The Motor City Machine Guns followed the same route after the April wave and are already positioned in the tag division. Their signing demonstrated that AEW can absorb two-man acts without long tryout periods.
Ilja Dragunov is also reported to be AEW-bound once his contract expires, reinforcing the idea that European talent released by WWE has a direct line to Khan’s office.
Women’s division fit
Kairi Sane and Zelina Vega remain the most discussed names from the April wave for AEW’s women’s roster. Both have history with current AEW talents and could slot into existing storylines without extensive rebuilding.
Wendy Choo and Adriana Rizzo from the September cuts offer younger upside and tournament potential. AEW’s current women’s schedule includes more multi-woman matches, creating openings for wrestlers who excel in that format.
Scouting notes indicate AEW has already contacted several September releases, though no formal offers have been announced.
Tag and trios needs
The Motor City Machine Guns filled one gap, yet AEW still lacks depth in the mid-card tag division. Santos Escobar and Apollo Crews were released together in April and have worked as a unit before, making them a ready-made package.
Wyatt Sicks members Erick Rowan and Dexter Lumis have appeared on independent shows since their releases. Their size and character work could translate to trios matches if Khan decides to expand that division again.
AEW’s current booking favors faction warfare, so any released WWE act that can arrive as a pre-formed unit has a practical advantage in contract negotiations.
International market angle
Sheamus and Kairi Sane both carry measurable international followings that AEW has targeted in past expansion pushes. Their addition could support future touring plans in Europe and Asia without extra marketing spend.
Ilja Dragunov’s reported interest adds another European name who already draws in Germany and the UK, markets where AEW has run successful live events.
Contract length and travel guarantees are the main variables still being negotiated, according to multiple reports.
Non-compete and timing
Main-roster wrestlers released in April cleared their ninety-day windows in late July. Developmental talent from September cleared theirs by early October. This staggered schedule gives AEW multiple entry points rather than one crowded signing period.
Kairo D. Reign’s quick rebrand and indie bookings show how released wrestlers use the non-compete window to stay visible. AEW has historically waited until that period ends before making formal offers.
Sheamus faces no non-compete restriction, which accelerates any potential talks if both sides want a deal before the end of the year.
Contract and money factors
AEW’s recent signings of former WWE talent have come with shorter guarantees and performance-based upside. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods accepted this structure, and reports suggest the same model is being offered to current free agents.
Sheamus’s merchandise history gives him leverage for a higher base salary than most released talent, yet AEW has shown willingness to meet veteran numbers when the name adds PPV value.
Developmental releases operate under lower salary expectations, making them easier fits for AEW’s current budget structure.
Next steps for free agents
Sheamus remains the highest-profile name still unsigned. Any announcement would likely coincide with a major AEW television episode or pay-per-view build. The remaining April and September releases are testing the indie market while waiting for formal offers.
AEW’s track record shows it can absorb multiple former WWE wrestlers in a single cycle without disrupting ongoing storylines. The next wave of signings will test whether that pattern holds through the holiday period and into 2027 touring plans.
