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5 Wrestling Free Agents We Want In WWE (& 5 In AEW)
Over the past few years, wrestling fans have been treated to some great surprise moments thanks to free agents debuting with promotions. From the double shock ending to AEW All Out ’21 with Bryan Danielson & Adam Cole, to Cody Rhodes at WWE WrestleMania, to Mercedes Mone at Wrestle Kingdom, there have been some huge moments.
As there have been mixed reports on WWE entering a hiring freeze for free agents while AEW is about to debut a new Saturday night show, the wrestling landscape is still a very interesting place for the free agent market. Looking at unsigned wrestlers, some are better suited for the land of Sports Entertainment, while others should find themselves becoming #AllElite.
10 Trish Adora – AEW
Somewhat shockingly, Trish Adora has still not been locked down to a contract with any major wrestling company. Still working as a freelance star, Adora makes the rounds across the independent scene while also popping up in AEW, ROH, and overseas in Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling. Currently standing out as one of the most talented unsigned women’s wrestlers, Adora is a name that more fans need to be familiar with. Having wrestled a number of matches in both ROH & AEW, Adora appears to be on Tony Khan’s radar, and would make for a great signing for either company.
9 Mandy Rose – WWE
One of the biggest shocks in 2022 would be the spontaneous release of Mandy Rose. Having been booked as one of the most dominant NXT Champions in history, which left fans polarized to say the least, her reign would end without spectacle and she would be fired the day after. Since then, Rose has not popped up in wrestling anywhere else, and has even said she would consider a return to WWE.
Looking at the field, Mandy wouldn’t really fit in AEW. Impact Wrestling would make for a good choice for Rose if she continues to wrestle, but with how over she got during her time as NXT Women’s Champion, it feels like a return to WWE would probably be the best choice.
8 Willie Mack – AEW
Having a number of matches in AEW throughout the first half of 2023, it seems as if Tony Khan is getting behind Willie Mack. Recently, Mack has been featured on Ring of Honor and appears to be a name that could become a featured member of the ROH roster. This is a great move, as for the past several years, Willie Mack has been one of the most underrated acts in North America. With Impact Wrestling never getting fully behind Mack, he spent most of his time in the company as a tag-team guy, failing to truly break out on his own. With his contract status up in the air, Willie Mack would be an awesome addittion to AEW/ROH.
7 Jake Something – WWE
Despite Impact Wrestling seemingly getting behind Jake Something in 2021 & 2022, the company would drop the ball by choosing to not put the X Division Championship on Jake, as he would wind up leaving the company in March 2022. At 33 years old, Jake has a lot left to give in pro wrestling, and with his build and charisma, he feels like a natural fit for WWE. With the company having called up a lot of NXT talents in the WWE Draft, Jake Something would make for a great signing for NXT.
6 Mercedes Mone – AEW
Many AEW fans had their hopes and dreams dashed this past January when Mercedes Mone didn’t debut at the company’s Los Angeles edition of AEW Dynamite. Since then, Mercedes has had a fun run in NJPW/Stardom, though it seems her time in Japan is winding down, as she looks to possibly become the first-ever NJPW Strong Women’s Champion, a belt that will mainly be defended in North America.
As New Japan Strong has featured a lot of AEW talent, and with Mercedes still a free agent, it would be amazing to see her make the jump into the AEW Women’s Division, even as a part-time act. With money matches against names such as Jamie Hayter, Hikaru Shida, Riho, and Toni Storm, there are a lot of options for Mone should she land in AEW. Looking ahead, either Forbidden Door II or AEW All In at Wembley Stadium would make for great debut venues for The CEO of Women’s Wrestling!
5 Matt Cardona – WWE
Following Chelsea Green’s return to WWE, many fans assumed her real-life husband, Matt Cardona would be soon to follow. That has yet to occur, though Cardona has just finished up his latest run with Impact Wrestling, meaning this could still be on the horizon. Whether it be a full-time return or a one-off, Matt Cardona feels like he has raised his stock to an insane degree following his WWE release a few years ago.
With he & Chelsea becoming just a staple joint act on the independent scene, the two reuniting on-screen in WWE could lead to the company finding its next great heel duo. Time will well if Cardona returns, but it feels like it would be a match made in heaven.
4 Jordan Oliver – AEW
At age 23, Jordan Oliver is one of the fastest-rising stars on the American Independent scene. Currently holding both the JCW World Championship and the GCW World Tag Team Championship alongside future AEW wrestler, Nick Wayne, Jordan Oliver would make a lot of sense as another strong young hire for AEW. Proven himself as both a heel and babyface, Oliver would be a great signing for AEW as the company continues to grow its number of young stars as they prepare for the future.
3 Nash Carter – WWE
Having been released from his NXT contract in the midst of a strong run in the NXT Tag Team Division alongside Wes Lee, Nash Carter has found himself wrestling on the independent scene once again as Zachary Wentz. Since his exit, Wes Lee has become quite a big singles star, with a great reign as NXT North American Champion. With that said however, the two felt like they had a lot left to give before Carter’s firing.
Should WWE not be an option for the former Nash Carter once more, him returning to Impact Wrestling to re-form The Rascalz alongside Trey Miguel would certainly be a great decision for the young wrestling star.
2 Kota Ibushi – AEW
It seems strange to say, but there was a brief period where signs were pointing towards WWE landing both Jay White and Kota Ibushi as new signings in 2023. Though the tables would turn, with White joining AEW the week after WrestleMania, and rumors abuzz that Ibushi will be joining All Elite Wrestling sooner rather than later. With the ongoing blood feud between The Elite & Blackpool Combat Club, it seems that Ibushi already has a roster spot waiting for him in one of the hottest feuds in wrestling at the moment.
Regardless of when he lands in AEW, it feels like a guarantee that before 2023 is over, The Golden Star will leave his mark within AEW, either as a singles star or in reuniting the Golden Lovers tag team with Kenny Omega.
1 Tama Tonga – WWE
Following his defeat of WWE Superstar Karl Anderson at Wrestle Kingdom this past January, rumors began swirling that WWE had interest in both Tama Tonga, and his younger brother, Hikuleo. Nothing has come of it yet, though word has gotten out that Tama has been working in New Japan without a contract. Clearly in the later stages of his career at this point, Tama totally re-invented himself over the past two years, becoming a great singles wrestler and all-around babyface star.
He has the look that WWE loves, and can also cut a hell of a promo, so despite his older age, Tama Tonga feels like a free agent that WWE should hope to pick up. Should he join the Sports Entertainment giant, one would assume he could slot in with The O.C. or could reunite with the original leader of Bullet Club, Finn Balor.
