There was a touch of irony in the Intercontinental Championship match on the March 2 episode of Monday Night Raw.
Dominik Mysterio, a homegrown WWE talent who “debuted” at just eight years old, fell to Penta after being “cursed” by Danhausen. Both Penta and Danhausen are former AEW wrestlers, highlighting a growing trend of talent moving between promotions.
Penta’s career spans multiple major promotions, including AAA and TNA, but many U.S. fans first discovered him in AEW. His prior AEW exposure was a key factor in WWE’s decision to sign him.
Danhausen is the latest former AEW star to debut on WWE television. Eight years after AEW’s formation, it’s worth taking a look at the biggest names who have made the jump from Tony Khan’s company to WWE.
Complete List of AEW → WWE Talent
- Jade Cargill
- Royce Keys (fka Powerhouse Hobbs)
- Cody Rhodes
- Ethan Page
- Ricky Saints (fka Ricky Starks)
- Penta
- Rusev
- Rey Fenix
- Aleister Black
- Shawn Spears
- Stephanie Vaquer
- Blake Monroe (fka Mariah May)
- Danhausen
Assessing AEW’s Impact on WWE
Even without commentary, this list speaks volumes about AEW’s influence on WWE’s current product. WWE doesn’t need AEW to exist, but it’s clear that AEW has shaped WWE’s creative decisions and talent acquisitions in a significant way.
Most notably, Cody Rhodes stands out. While he originally made his name in WWE, he co-founded AEW and became the company’s heart and soul in its early years. Now, he is WWE’s top figure—a trajectory that would not have been possible without AEW.
In fact, major moments like “The Greatest Five Minutes in Wrestling History” at WrestleMania 40 owe their existence, in part, to AEW’s influence.
The dynamic between the two companies isn’t quite like WWE and TNA—it’s more reminiscent of the WWF vs. WCW era, with an unofficial synergy that benefits fans and wrestlers alike.
And there’s room for more. The next spot on the list could soon belong to Chris Jericho, continuing the trend of AEW stars leaving their mark on WWE.
Article note: Some names, like Nathan Frazer, who wrestled less than a month on AEW dark matches, were omitted from the list.