3 names who could, but will never reach the AEW World Championship

All Elite Wrestling is a benefit and necessity in the professional wrestling industry. It creates an opportunity for more performers and backstage workers to have jobs in a business that was once nearly monopolized by the WWE. It’s become the promotion where some names are getting a second and third chance to be the top performers fans wanted to see. Yet, everyone can’t reach the top and become AEW World Champion. Here are three performers who fans hoped to see reach that point, they have the ability to be champions, but sadly, will not hold that title over their heads.

Claudio Castagnoli

Everyone remembered how much wrestling fans wanted to see Cesaro get his opportunity as a major champion in WWE. Not only did it never come, but the discourse was that Vince McMahon and company didn’t see him as a champion outside of the tag team titles. When Claudio Castagnoli made the jump to AEW, there was hope that he could be a top contender. He achieved some acclaim as the Ring of Honor World Champion, but it was clear immediately that he was too far back in the pecking order. Castagnoli has remained around main event storylines, but he’s never been the sole focus. He’ll continue to be a great worker and may hold additional singles titles along the way, but it’s hard to see him getting to the world championship when there are so many names in front of him.

Malakai Black

Malakai Black came into AEW in the perfect position. He was slotted against Cody Rhodes, quickly squashing one of the most important men in the promotion. But that momentum never led to anything. Even though the House of Black captured the AEW Trios Titles, they never seemed to be the force that they should have been. With Brody King and Buddy Matthews by his side, Black checked all the boxes when it came to the type of champion performer AEW seemingly wanted. Now, there’s speculation that his time with the promotion may be ending, and that would be an unfortunate way to end his run after so much fanfare.

PAC

This is the one that hits the hardest. PAC is not only one of the greatest wrestlers in the world, but he’s one of the best on the AEW roster. Unfortunately, he’s the man who is consistently used to prove that a new contender is worthy of being in the title picture. PAC has challenged for the title in varying forms but come up short each time. With names on the roster like Will Ospreay, Kazuchika Okada, and Jay White – it is hard seeing PAC getting time at the top before any of them and perhaps some others who’ve already been champion.