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AEW set out to disrupt the wrestling industry and has been pretty successful so far. Despite WWE still being unquestionably the biggest promotion, their monopoly has been reduced. No longer do wrestlers have just one top company to make a name for themselves, as AEW presents a viable alternative.
This becomes even more prominent when WWE goes ahead with its annual budget cuts, releasing plenty of highly talented superstars.
As unfortunate as that is for the released performers, it presents an opportunity for them to look for different avenues, as well as other promotions to bolster their rosters.
AEW has shown this repeatedly, signing the likes of Andrade, Mr. Brodie Lee (Luke Harper), Malakai Black (Aleister Black) and Miro (Rusev), among others, to enhance their own roster.
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This isn't to say that only WWE-released superstars are talented; there are plenty of highly talented workers currently working independently who would be fine additions to AEW's already stacked roster.
Despite fan anticipation being at an all-time high and recent reports, CM Punk will not be included as he's more of a retired veteran than a free agent. With that out of the way, let's take a look at 5 big names AEW fans are clamoring for.
#5. The IIconics to AEW
While AEW can be credited for a lot of things, their women's division still needs some work despite recent improvements.
The IIconics (Peyton Royce and Billie Kay) were released in April 2021 from WWE after a solid stint wherein they won the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 35. The charismatic duo were quite over with the WWE Universe and arguably the best tag team in WWE's women's division.
Although not on par with the best women's wrestlers in the world, the Australians are wonderful at being sneaky, annoying heel characters, which is what got them over in the first place. They also bring a certain amount of star power with them.
Peyton Royce's partner Shawn Spears is already in AEW and the IIconics' non-compete clause expired on July 14, 2021. In June, they filed a trademark for "The IInspirations" which could end up being their new tag name.
Considering their popularity, abilities and the injection of star power in the women's division, AEW should try and get them on board as soon as possible.
4. Rob Van Dam to AEW
Rob Van Dam is a wrestling legend and would be a shrewd signing for AEW. The 2021 WWE Hall of Fame inductee has been a professional wrestler for the better part of 30 years and wrestled in all the big promotions in North America.
His last appearance in a major wrestling show was for IMPACT Wrestling in 2020 and he's been out of action since. The Greatest ECW Superstar of All Time probably has one last stint left as a full-time performer and AEW would be the perfect place for him to showcase his greatness.
Rob Van Dam's high-flying style inspired many wrestlers and his hardcore style earned him plaudits throughout his career. His natural charisma made him a constant fan-favorite and his victory over John Cena at ECW One Night Stand for the WWE Championship elicited one of the wildest crowd reactions ever seen.
RVD possesses a "cool factor" that appeals to the young demographic that AEW is known to target. Moreover, his mix of high-flying style and in-ring psychology will benefit the AEW roster which is quite good when it comes to performing moves but needs work with telling a story with those moves.
Let's not forget some exciting fantasy matchups he could have against the likes of Pac, Darby Allin and Kenny Omega or revisit old rivalries against Ethan Page and Matt Hardy.
#3. Mickie James to AEW
Mickie James is as big a legend as they come when it comes to women's wrestling. AEW should do everything in their power to sign the 5-time WWE Women's champion.
As touched upon before, the AEW's women's division still sticks out as a sore thumb and they are in need of a star attraction. It's not like the talent isn't there, with some of the best women in wrestling like Thunder Rosa, Serena Deeb, Dr. Britt Baker and Hikaru Shida plying their trade in AEW.
But Mickie James being added to the mix will be just the shot in the arm AEW needs, especially with some interesting dream matches.
Mickie James played a significant role in shifting the perception of female wrestlers in WWE with her stellar in-ring ability forcing people to take her seriously as a wrestler and not just a diva. Her efforts played a huge role in what we have now in the form of high-quality wrestling and storylines in WWE's women's division.
James is a highly respected veteran who has given a lot to wrestling. Her getting released from WWE and the subsequent events should not be the final memory of her in the biggest promotion in the world.
Yes, she's spearheading the all-women NWA EmPowerrr pay-per-view but a final run at AEW as the top woman in a major promotion would be the satisfactory end a legendary career like hers deserves.
#2. Buddy Murphy to AEW
Should AEW sign Buddy Murphy, he will follow in the footsteps of Miro, Andrada 'El Idolo' and Malakai Black as world class talent released inexplicably by WWE to end up at AEW.
Buddy Murphy is as good a wrestler as they come. He is capable of being a high-flyer, as seen during his run in the WWE 205 Live division as the WWE Cruiserweight champion, or put on showstealing, hard-hitting, highly technical matches as seen in his battles on WWE's main shows against Aleister Black and Daniel Bryan.
Not just AEW, every promotion should be all over the Australian wrestler once his non-compete clause is over. The expiry date isn't too far off either, as Murphy is set to take on Brian Cage in an independent promotion in September in a highly anticipated return to the ring for "The Best Kept Secret."
At one point it did seem like WWE had major plans for Buddy Murphy, booking him strongly against the likes of Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan. He had multiple excellent matches against Aleister Black but again, it amounted to nothing.
AEW will be just the right place for him to unleash himself as the sensational performer he is.
Well, speaking of Daniel Bryan...
#1. Daniel Bryan to AEW
You are probably living under a Titanic-sized rock to not have heard of AEW reportedly signing Daniel Bryan. As unbelievable and unthinkable as it was at first, it looks increasingly possible that AEW could land one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.
There is no bigger name than Daniel Bryan when it comes to free agents and AEW signing The American Dragon would be groundbreaking for the company. Whichever way you look at it, the "Yes Man" benefits AEW in ways that cannot be counted.
He is a main event draw, arguably the best wrestler in the world, an excellent talker, a selfless person in and out of the ring and well, he's Daniel Bryan!
AEW signed two huge ex-WWE names in Chris Jericho and Jon Moxley, but signing the former WWE Champion and the former main event of WrestleMania will eclipse those signings.
Bryan Danielson is the type of name that will take AEW to a different stratosphere. He will have plenty to impart to the young guns in AEW as a master of storytelling and as an in-ring specialist. The dream matches practically write themselves.
If it hasn't happened already, Tony Khan needs to do everything humanly possible to sign the "Bearded GOAT" as there might never be an opportunity to sign someone of the caliber and stature of Daniel Bryan again.
Ex WWE writer blasts Liv Morgan HERE
