10 Most Shocking AEW Signings (So Far)

In its short history AEW have already built a strong reputation for being able to pull off big surprises, which often manifests itself in the signing of major talent.

Tony Khan and co. have been able to attract not only some of the top indie stars from around the world, but also legends of the industry and those who were considered 'lifers' elsewhere, for roles both in front of and behind the camera.

With AEW's All Out pay-per-view taking place tonight, rumour has it that one more will be announced in the form of Bryan Danielson, AKA former WWE Champion Daniel Bryan.

Whether it will or it won't happen at All Out, it's bound to happen sooner or later and will be another huge coup for a promotion that is really starting to gain momentum.

That momentum has, in part, been built by the efforts of the following ten surprising signings.

10. Malakai Black

All Elite Wrestling

The idea of the former Tommy End/Aleister Black showing up in AEW after he was one of the many to receive a WWE release during their bit of 'spring cleaning' wasn't such a shocking one.

He has talent, name value and being in his mid-thirties, should be in the prime of his career right about now. Plus he has friends in the AEW locker room and people in positions of power have sung his praises publicly before.

No, the signing of Black was not shocking as much as the manner of the signing was.

He was released by WWE on June 2, 2021 and showed up unannounced on the Road Rager episode of Dynamite on July 7.

Most WWE performers who receive their release have to wait 90 days before they can show up elsewhere, but it was reported after Malakai's AEW debut that WWE had made a 'clerical error' when it came to his contract, allowing him to do as he pleased after just 30 days.

Basically, WWE failed to update his deal to reflect his promotion from NXT to the main roster and his standard 30-day non-compete (which all NXT performers have) was there, waiting to be exploited.

Oops.

9. Taz

All Elite Wrestling

For a while there, it looked as if Taz was done with the wrestling business.

He left his position as an announcer for TNA/Impact in 2015 and, between then and showing up in AEW in October 2019, did little of note in wrestling (besides a guest spot as on an ECW-themed WWE Network special).

Post-Impact he settled into a gig hosting a nationally syndicated morning radio show, as well as his own podcast (which did discuss wrestling goings-on).

The Human Suplex Machine's AEW career began slow and steady, first by doing a guest spot of commentating on an episode of Dark, then showing up to call the action on the 2019 Full Gear pre-show.

He was drafted in as a replacement for Tony Schiavone on the January 1, 2020 episode of Dynamite and, two weeks later, signed a full-time contract with the company.

He has been a joy to watch and listen to since, whether cutting promos, seconding members of Team Taz during matches or joking about with Excalibur on commentary.

One of the more unlikely (but welcomed) wrestling comebacks of recent times.

8. Tully Blanchard

All Elite Wrestling

One of the more refreshing aspects of AEW is how they have looked after and presented some of the industry's true legends.

You know, as opposed to turning them into a walking joke, like some companies are want to do.

Tully Blanchard was in his day a fantastic performer, but his full-time career practically ended when he was fired by WWE in 1989. He gradually faded away from the business and (as a born-again Christian) decided to focus his energies on his prison ministry.

How nice it was, then, to see him show up on AEW TV as the 'exclusive advisor' to Shawn Spears.

Since the association with Spears he has transitioned into becoming the manager for FTR, guiding them to the AEW Tag Titles and, amazingly, worked his first match in fourteen years.

The Horseman looked great tagging with Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler to take on and defeat Jurassic Express on the March 3, 2021 edition of Dynamite.

I wouldn't have put one penny on Blanchard, of all people, making such a prominent return to such a big wrestling company so many years after practically retiring, but this is a funny old business, isn't it?

7. Jim Ross

All Elite Wrestling

While the relationship between WWE and Jim Ross was at times fractious and he didn't always get the respect he was due from some high up in the company, it was thought by many that he would be a WWE 'lifer'.

He worked there, off and on, for the better part of 26 years, not just as a lead announcer for Raw, SmackDown and pay-per-views, but also backstage as the Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and in other various roles.

To a generation of fans the 'voice of wrestling', some of JR's calls are iconic and he is the soundtrack to some of the greatest matches and moments in WWE history.

Despite that, WWE were seemingly fine with him choosing not to renew his contract in March 2019 (he only made three WWE appearances in the whole of 2018).

A week after his WWE deal ended, AEW announced the acquisition of Ross on a three-year deal, which would see him not only provide commentary but also work as an Executive Advisor behind the scenes.

He's had a couple of ropey moments at the announce desk, but few would argue the presence of the man in the black hat adds significant credibility to the product and when he's on, he's still among the best to do it.

6. Christian Cage

All Elite Wrestling

That Christian was able to return to wrestling at all is quite simply remarkable.

WWE had refused to clear him after he suffered a number of concussions and he was forced to retire from active in-ring competition in 2014.

Like Daniel Bryan and Edge before him, Captain Charisma was finally able to get the all-clear after undergoing a litany of tests (and refraining from bumping for many years) and made his shocking return as an entrant in the 2021 Royal Rumble match.

The assumption was that Christian was back and would be building towards a major WWE match, likely at the forthcoming WrestleMania.

However, it soon became clear that his Rumble appearance was a one-off and that he wasn't under WWE contract. He then showed up at AEW Revolution as the 'Hall of Fame worthy' talent hyped up by Paul Wight and signed his contract with the organisation.

He was one of the names heavily rumoured beforehand, but it was still shocking to see him walk out on the night.

He's since found himself in the thick of it and has the chance to unseat Kenny Omega for the AEW Title (while simultaneously holding the Impact World Championship) at tonight's pay-per-view.

5. Mark Henry

All Elite Wrestling

A pro wrestler who has never known what it's like to wrestle for anyone outside of WWE (and their developmental systems), Mark Henry is another who you'd have bet on being a part of the company for life.

The World's Strongest Man was an in-ring performer for the company for over twenty years, a career that saw many ups and downs but, ultimately, secured him a place in the WWE Hall of Fame.

He last wrestled in 2018 and then transitioned into a role as an analyst, mentor and ambassador for the company, while also making frequent appearances as a guest on Busted Open Radio.

His last on-camera WWE appearance was being humiliated by Randy Orton the January 4, 2021 Legends Night episode of Raw.

A hell of a sendoff it was, because after that his contract expired and he spoke with Tony Khan. AEW made him an offer and at the Double or Nothing pay-per-view it was revealed that Henry had signed on to be a commentator for new show Rampage, as well as being on hand to act as a backstage coach.

Seeking a new challenge and looking to give back to the business he loves, the 50-year-old Texan has made it known that he alwo wants to step back into the ring at least one more time.

I, like many others, expected to see the former World Heavyweight Champion giving speeches at Be a STAR rallies and showing up every now and again on WWE's pre-show panels for years to come, not jumping over to the competition.

4. Chris Jericho

All Elite Wrestling

Outside of his fairly recent matches with New Japan Pro Wrestling, Chris Jericho had been a 'WWE guy' since signing with the company back in 1999.

Sure, he'd taken a couple of years away after suffering burnout in the mid-2000's and would intermittently duck out in order to tour with Fozzy and whatnot, but he always came back, whether it was for a major storyline or just to work non-televised live events.

He famously turned down offers from other companies, such as TNA/Impact, out of loyalty to Vince McMahon.

So it was a bit of a shock to see him walk out during AEW's initial media event on January 8, 2019, where he signed a three-year contract.

It was a big 'get' for the fledgling group, as he had a name and reputation not just within the industry, but further afield too. His presence, along with the likes of Cody, the Young Bucks and PAC, showed that All Elite Wrestling was far from some rinky-dink organisation. This was the real deal.

And the Demo God's time in AEW has been a huge success, for both him and the company.

He was their first ever AEW Champion but, more importantly, he's helped a lot of the younger talent immeasurably (particularly MJF) as he acts as not just a top star but also a giving veteran who is willing to put over and prepare the next generation.

It still wouldn't be a surprise to see Jericho go back to WWE down the road, but for now he is all-in on All Elite.

3. Sting

All Elite Wrestling

When Sting finally turned up in WWE in 2014, it was one of the better surprise moments in the company's history.

WWE and its fans had wanted the Stinger to wrestle for them dating way back to the late 80's/early 90's, but he stayed with WCW until the death and then later became one of the franchise players in TNA.

Sadly, everything after his Survivor Series debut was something of a letdown.

Both of his matches with Triple H (at WrestleMania 31) and Seth Rollins (at Night of Champions 2015) were decent, but he inexplicably did the job in the former and got seriously injured in the latter (while also coming out on the losing end).

It was thought that his career was over due to the injuries he sustained in the Rollins match, something Sting himself appeared to confirm when he announced his retirement while being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2016.

He remained under contract to WWE and showed up every now and again, as well as recording stuff for the WWE Network, but his contract expired in May 2020.

Still, just because he was on the free market, there was no guarantee he'd move to AEW and it was a pleasant surprise when he appeared on the December 2, 2020 Dynamite.

It was his first appearance on TNT since the final episode of WCW Nitro, on March 26, 2001.

More surprising still was the fact that Sting has signed a multi-year deal and has already performed in several matches, rolling back the years and looking great while doing so.

His act with Darby Allin is one of the most popular in the company and the perfect use of The Icon.

2. Paul Wight

All Elite Wrestling

The All Elite Wrestling Twitter account tweeting that Paul Wight had signed with them on February 24, 2021 blindsided the professional wrestling world.

Wight - better known as The Big Show - had been another of the legends put in their place by Randy Orton on the January 4 episode of Raw.

He'd also been a WWE performer for around 22 years (save for a break between December 2006 and February 2008) and was one of their most dependable ambassadors, as he entered something like semi-retirement and laced up his massive boots less and less often.

But Wight was frustrated with his position in WWE, as became apparent in interviews and podcast appearances following his AEW signing.

He didn't like the creative direction and felt as though he had a lot more to contribute to the company and business, while WWE were well into the process of phasing him out before, ultimately, putting him out to pasture.

When he and WWE were unable to come to terms on money, he spoke with Tony Khan and decided to put pen to paper with AEW.

Alongside his announcing duties, Wight will also be wrestling, starting tonight when he takes on QT Marshall at All Out.

1. CM Punk

All Elite Wrestling

Despite being (intentionally) the worst-kept secret in the world, CM Punk showing up unannounced on AEW Rampage was still a seismic moment in professional wrestling.

When the Straight-Edge Superstar sauntered out to the familiar strains of Cult of Personality, it was a moment over seven years in-the-making.

Punk had been MIA from wrestling after walking out of WWE in early 2014. He'd then acted, wrote comic books, engaged in some lawsuits and had a couple of fights in UFC, before signing on as an analyst for the FOX show WWE Backstage.

Some wondered whether this connection to WWE would open the door for a return to the company proper, but Punk maintained that he had no interest in coming back and, what's more, the show was cancelled in June 2020.

The rumblings of the Second City Saint potentially joining AEW alone were enough to sell out Chicago's United Center for the First Dance edition of Rampage (within minutes of tickets going on sale), as well as attracting a huge rating.

Punk looked like a completely different and much healthier person to the one who last wrestled in the 2014 Royal Rumble match when he came out and spoke to his hometown crowd.

As was well-known, he had grown resentful towards the business due to some unhappy final months and years in WWE, but he's back, focused and ready to work with a roster full of fresh talent.

It's amazing that AEW were able to convince Punk to come out of his self-imposed exile (with a big factor being how they handled Brodie Lee's tragic illness last year).

That they did makes him not only the company's most surprising signing, but one of the most unlikely comebacks in wrestling history.