Plotting the next moves for Keith Lee, Karrion Kross, Mia Yim, Ember Moon and others as free agents

WWE has released more than 100 performers and backstage personnel since the start of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Even as the company blames budget cuts for the releases, fans are aware the company is generating record-level revenue numbers. November 2 marks the end of non-compete clauses for multiple big names and they all would bring value to companies in their own way.

Karrion Kross, Keith Lee, Ember Moon, Mia Yim, Oney Lorcan, Gran Metalik, Lince Dorado, Harry Smith, Eva Marie, and Nia Jax are now listed as free agents since their non-compete clauses are over. It will be interesting to see where they end up next if they continue their careers in professional wrestling.

Keith Lee, Mia Yim, and Ember Moon are three names that fans of AEW have expressed interest in that promotion signing. Each one of those competitors would immediately boost the roster as it becomes increasingly stacked. Lee would be a force on the roster as a singles performer. Imagine putting him against the likes of Miro, Powerhouse Hobbs, Wardlow, and others for extended feuds. Even before his time in WWE, Lee was seen as a top talent and AEW would benefit from adding him to the roster.

Yim and Moon would do the same for the women’s division. As Jade Cargill’s star rises, Britt Baker’s momentum as champion seems to be stalling. While she’s still over with fans, there’s been a lack of important feuds for her since winning the title in 2021. Moon or Yim has the ability to answer that need. They could help both champions elevate their runs with the titles or even get the opportunity as a top champion that eluded them in the WWE.

Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik are two picks to watch on this list. They spent most of their time together as a team, but their skills as singles performers should not be overlooked. Expect Metalik to return to Mexico where he’s had multiple title runs in CMLL. But Dorado could pop up in AEW or IMPACT Wrestling as a strong get for either of those rosters. There was a concerted push to see him used as a singles wrestler in the WWE Cruiserweight division and a lone run in either of those promotions would be worth watching.

Karrion Kross is another on this list with main event potential. His run in WWE left much to be desired. After his initial debut on NXT, his momentum stalled and crashed even faster on the main roster. Everything about him seems like a star in waiting, but that did not translate due to circumstances outside his control. He could return to IMPACT and be seen as a main-event performer. Or imagine him facing off against Alex Hammerstone in MLW, that match would be huge in 2022.

Free agency is always an exciting time in professional sports and entertainment. AEW shook up the industry in 2021, signing some of the biggest names that left the WWE. There’s an opportunity for that trend to continue as more names are added to the list with their non-competes coming to a close.