Three names that benefit from a return to WWE from AEW

Will fans want to see more stars leave AEW for WWE?

Triple H’s takeover of WWE creative and talent relations was a major spark for professional wrestling. WWE’s product has gained momentum that is seen in both the ratings and the response from viewers. One of the more intriguing stories surrounds the potential that wrestlers who were released from WWE and signed with AEW may be interested in returning to their former employer. Malakai Black’s name has been at the forefront of this debate, but according to reports, he is not the only individual. Looking at what has transpired over the last three years, it’s an interesting question to ask who would be “better off” if they returned to WWE after their stints in AEW.

Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Black was not the only individual to ask for a release from AEW.

“When Paul Levesque [Triple H] took over from Vince McMahon, WWE contracted a number of former WWE talents that were working there that either had left on their own or that Vince McMahon had fired,” Meltzer wrote. “Black was not the only person to ask for his release at the time.”

That last line will set off a major and toxic debate among AEW and WWE fans, but it is still an interesting question. All Elite Wrestling has done an exceptional job booking some performers that were formerly on the WWE roster, but that can’t be said for everyone. Individuals like Tony Nese, Keith Lee, and Swerve have been booked well since joining AEW. Here are three names other than Malakai Black who could benefit if they returned to WWE.

Ruby Soho

Ruby Soho is a perplexing member of the AEW women’s division. It’s clear that the company counts on her as a part of that roster that can help elevate some of the younger talent on the roster. But her fans expected much more of her utilization when she joined the company at All Out 2021. She’s been pushed to the title picture twice and was heavily pushed in the Owen Hart tournament but came up short each time. There’s money in a Ruby Soho title run, but it’s hard to see how that will happen with how the women’s division is booked overall.

Back in WWE, where would Soho fit? Well, at first glance she could be a major foil to Liv Morgan. These two women have a history together that hasn’t truly been told in the company. The added wrinkle of Soho being released and Morgan being kept and rising to become champion is an added layer to the situation. Plus, they could reform the Riott Squad and immediately be a top team in the developing women’s tag division.

Andrade

When Andrade joined AEW in 2021, it was expected that he would be elevated into the title picture. Things were slow with Andrade, and more than a year later are still moving at a snail’s pace. Andrade even shared the ring with Kenny Omega when he was collecting championships across promotions, and their match wasn’t promoted by AEW once; raising eyebrows as to why that did not occur. There are several names on the AEW roster that Andrade could create magic within the ring, but those opportunities seem further and further outside the realm of possibility.

But how would Andrade be used if he returned to WWE? There was a moment in NXT where he was booked as a top name, but that didn’t truly translate to the main roster. Early in the pandemic he, Zelina Vega, and Andrade were utilized heavily when the roster was limited. He stood in the main event briefly, but that was more of an exception than the norm. Would things be different with Triple H in charge fully? That seems to be the case and it would be interesting seeing him mix things up with names like Seth Rollins, Johnny Gargano, and Santos Escobar.

Miro

Miro is the guy that AEW fans consistently want to see more of. He’s reached the TNT Championship, but injuries and outside opportunities kept him out of the ring for an extended period. He’s returned to the roster but hasn’t been used frequently. He could easily be inserted into the main event at any moment, but there seems to be hesitation to do so.

Could Miro fit into WWE if he returned? The answer is yes and he’d fit immediately. He could be a threat to Roman Reigns right out the gate. The company needs someone that can come off as a big-name opponent and Miro could be such an individual. Plus, he’s someone that could carry Monday Night Raw if the promotion ever gets one of those championships off Reigns’s shoulders.

The “go to AEW” narrative has certainly changed in the last two months with Triple H in charge and making concerted changes in the WWE product. If these three individuals made the jump back to the organization based in Connecticut, these would be some interesting additions to the roster and perhaps slot them into better places than they are placed in All Elite Wrestling.