AEW have signed a host of names since their inception and well, these haven’t quite hit the heights that were expected of them. Here’s a rundown of the top 10 disappointing AEW signings.
10. Kota Ibushi
Ibushi is one of the very best to ever step foot in the ring. Perhaps not as well known as the wrestlers in the American companies (even though Ibushi appeared in the Cruiserweight Classic in WWE), Ibushi made his name in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Ibushi has won lots of gold during his run in NJPW, including multiple tag team championships (one of which was with Kenny Omega), and a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion and IWGP Intercontinental Champion.
On July 13th 2023, Ibushi appeared for AEW, reuniting with former teammate, Kenny Omega. He was revealed as the mystery partner in the Blood and Guts match with the Golden Elite vs The Blackpool Combat Club. He later signed a contract on November 15th.
Ibushi has appeared at All In (London) and WrestleDream in what were losing battles, however, many fans have commented that this Ibushi is not the same as the NJPW version – who was regarded as one of the best in the business. Something is missing. He was known for his heavy-hitting and athleticism, but it seems perhaps age and, more likely injuries, are catching up to him.
During the Blood and Guts match, it was clear that Ibushi was moving around a bit slower than usual and many fans noticed this. When Kenny Omega was paired with Chris Jericho later that year, Ibushi was left with not a lot to do. Whether this was down to injury is unknown, but what is known is that he went into a match on January 2nd 2024 at a NOAH show and came out with problems in both ankles.
He hasn’t been seen in AEW for quite some time now and probably should take time to fully heal up before trying to rediscover his old form.
9. Satnam Singh
The first former NBA basketball player from India to grace an AEW ring, Satnam Singh makes this list as I think he has the potential to be something bigger (if that’s possible – Singh stands at a huge 7 foot 2″). Signed by AEW in September 2021, Singh has done very little of note. He aligned with Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal and his last match was a six-man tag at All Out last September.
Singh is currently back in India and is awaiting direction on how and when to return. In other words, we got nothing for you pal!
8. Jake Hager
Although it wasn’t a particularly memorable reign, Hager is a former WWE Champion. As Jack Swagger in WWE, he didn’t really get going (despite winning the top title) and departed the company in 2017 to take up MMA. After 3 victories in MMA, Hager retired and joined AEW in 2019 with more hype now, due to his victories in Bellator MMA.
Hager debuted on the first episode of Dynamite and joined Chris Jericho, forming the Inner Circle faction. He later followed Jericho into the Jericho Appreciation Society but has only wrestled in 54 matches in his entire run in the company. I think he could have been built stronger when he came in and it would have been believable due to his MMA record.
7. Jeff Hardy
Jeff Hardy. What a career this man has had. From incredible ladder matches and TLC matches, to being intoxicated in the ring with Sting and instantly losing a PPV main event because of it. He is an enigma. Jeff joined AEW in March of 2022 when he saved his brother from an attack (remember his dancing on the way to the ring as Matt was being attacked in the ring?!)
Despite Jeff being a former, multiple time world champion, his performances in AEW have been pretty poor and he has been very sluggish. Jeff has been through a lot and dealt with many demons, and perhaps should ride off into the sunset with his legacy already cemented, but he hasn’t, and while he does perform, fans expect magic and we just don’t get it.
Jeff has been vocal in the past few months as The Hardys haven’t been used much, and when they have it has usually been on Rampage.
However, in his last appearance against Sammy Guevara, Jeff took a brutal blow from Sammy’s knee into the face. Hopefully, he recovers soon and can give the fans one final slobberknocker before hanging it up.
6. Saraya
Saraya won the Women’s Championship at All In (Wembley) in what was really nothing more than a moment created for a pop. In front of her home crowd, Saraya won the title, but a very lacklustre reign followed and she soon dropped the title. She has had a little success in the form of the group The Outcasts, with Ruby Soho and Toni Storm, however this fizzled out as it seemed to be a rinse and repeat every week of them beating down the same people, before Storm and Soho both departed the group.
Saraya has recovered from a career-threatening injury, so the fact she can get in a ring is incredible. However, her return to the business has been lacking and you feel it could have been so much more. Her return match against Dr Britt Baker bombed and despite angling that she is desperate to wrestle, there are no signs of Saraya making it back into the ring.
5. Parker Boudreaux
This one is just for the potential. Parker made his way into the Mogul Affiliates group with Swerve Strickland, who seems to strike gold whatever he does now, BUT… not with Boudreaux. He certainly has the look – big, strong, tattoos, mean looking face! But he is incredibly green and it showed. He was not ready for the position he was in, but I do believe if he was guided better and given an opportunity to train with someone and take on board the advice then who knows, in a year or two they could have had a major heel on their hands. Instead, Parker has now been released.
4. Keith Lee
Where to start with this one?! Keith Lee was a great performer in NXT but struggled big time when he was promoted to the big time in WWE. He was eventually released and quickly joined AEW, much to the delight of the fans as Lee is a big fan favourite.
Keith Lee joined forces with Swerve to win the tag team championships but they split and things were a bit strange. Keith spent many weeks away, making it hard for himself and Swerve to end their feud. Many rumours swirl regarding Keith’s health and perhaps this is why he doesn’t make many appearances. If this is the case then hopefully Keith Lee can get well, come back and deliver some magic for those fans who have been behind him. However, he has to be included on this list for his contributions.
His promos have also been very awkward when given TV time. There is something not quite right here and recently, Lee appeared (by accident or not, who knows?) on WWE TV when he wandered into shot, when CM Punk was being interviewed.
3. Andrade
Andrade joined AEW in 2021 and finished up at the end of 2023, before returning to WWE. He had an incredibly forgettable run on the main roster in WWE, but fans could see the potential. When he joined AEW, the AEW fanbase was ecstatic and when in the ring, there is no denying that Andrade can put on banger after banger. He is fantastic in the ring. However, his lack of promo ability severely hinders his ability to tell stories and get over to the point at which he should be. Andrade had lots of good matches in AEW, but he didn’t appear all that often and I struggle to think of one memorable feud.
2. Miro
Miro has been in AEW since 2020, and was an incredible TNT Champion. Since his long reign ended, he has been treading water and dealing with multiple injuries. Many would have expected him to kick on and maybe challenge for the world title, but this has not been the case.
You can see so much potential with Miro and he has had many good matches, but whether it’s injuries or bad booking, Miro hasn’t reached the heights we know he is capable of yet. He has come out in the past, almost calling out Tony Khan, for not booking him, but we do know that since the Worlds End PPV in December, Miro has been recovering from various injuries.
In a recent interview, Miro stated that he is almost ready to return and will be going after the world championship and would also fancy a run at Adam Copeland and his TNT championship.
1. CM Punk
He just had to be here, didn’t he?
CM Punk certainly creates drama wherever he goes. This may be controversial, but let me give the reasons. After leaving WWE, we all thought we would never see Punk in a wrestling ring again. After 7 long years, and months of anticipation, Punk returned to wrestling in AEW and the pop from the crowd was incredible.
He then went on to have several matches in AEW, against Darby Allin, Eddie Kingston, Hangman Page and of course, MJF. The MJF feud was fantastic with both being incredible on the mic.
You may be thinking, why is Punk number one on this list then? Well, it’s because we waited so long for his return to then be left thinking…what if? When he won his AEW world titles, he got injured and had the fallouts (we go into this in this article).
I’m left severely disappointed because we could have seen Punk feud with Kenny, Malakai, Adam Copeland, Christian, Moxley, Daniel Bryan, another feud with MJF to determine an undisputed champion and so many more. The whole fall-out left me feeling so disappointed that we fans have missed out on these matches and feuds.
Well, there we have it. What are your thoughts? Who would make your list? Let me know in the comments and thanks for reading!
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