10 Former WWE Stars Who Have Flourished In AEW
Although it might not seem like it, AEW is actually a good place for some wrestlers.
All Elite Wrestling has never felt so chaotic.
Once seen as 'All Friends Wrestling', the company's rapid growth over the past three years has seen an influx in talent walk through the door, which has clearly created a cultural change. Considering the backstage fallouts over the last month, it doesn't feel like that change has been for the better.
Tony Khan is on a steep learning curve right now, especially after how poorly handled the entire CM Punk post-All Out press conference was handled, and it feels that with Triple H running things in WWE, those who left for pastures new are wanting to return home.
The narrative has shifted, where the IWC is now pointing out how badly treated all of the ex-WWE stars have been booked by AEW and how they deserve their release.
Yes, people like Andrade and Malakai Black have been underwhelming since they joined the promotion, but let's not fabricate a false narrative. AEW has helped develop stars like Britt Baker, MJF, The Acclaimed and Hangman Page to name a few, and given opportunities to the likes of Eddie Kingston and Powerhouse Hobbs.
There are also many examples of ex-WWE stars who have walked through the All Elite door and proven exactly what they are capable of. Not everyone will be happy with their lot, and that's fine. But this list shows that the idea that every wrestler had it better in WWE is ridiculous.
10. Miro
Yes, 2022 hasn't been great for Miro, but that doesn't undo the fantastic presentation that saw him become the dominant force in AEW for most of 2021.
Upon his debut with All Elite Wrestling, Miro was placed in a partnership with Kip Sabian which turned out to be a failure, albeit a noble one. The act didn't really get over and the fans clamoured for Miro to break out on his own.
And boy, did he.
Reimagining himself as 'The Redeemer', Miro transformed into a god-hating brute who dominated everyone who stepped into the ring with him. Overnight, he became a shredded badass, spitting out incredible one liners and backing them up with every terrifying victory.
A dominant run as TNT Champion for half the year solidified the former Rusev as a force to be reckoned with, however his 2022 has been punctuated by injury and interests away from the ring.
The roster has grown considerably in his absence, meaning he's found it a little hard to find relevancy. But it should be a quick and easy course correction, and Miro is easily a man who can be slipped into any main event opening in the future.
It might be frustrating for him and his fans now, but it must be better than being cucked on live TV and getting absolutely no payback on the guy who did it.