9 Wrestlers AEW Will Sign In 2024

5. Shelton Benjamin

Kazuchika Okada
WWE.com

Shelton Benjamin was released in September, and is now officially a free agent.

He parodied to amusing effect the now-traditional video in which the former WWE talent declares their intentions to take over the globe. Over footage from a Godzilla flick, Shelton complained about being tired - "It's been three months already?" - and synced up his yawns with the monster's roar. Benjamin said he needs to figure out a way of making some money, and happily for him, Tony Khan is very willing to part with it to sign almost anybody.

Benjamin was merely good in New Japan Pro Wrestling back in the early 2010s, and his shot at main event stardom was over years and years ago, to be absolutely blunt about things - but he remains in remarkable physical condition. AEW has a million guys under contract, scores of which haven't been handed the opportunity to prove they can move the needle, but Ring Of Honor could probably do with a performer of Benjamin's experience and mind.

As a tag team wrestler, player/coach or even a singles act, Benjamin would slot firmly in the role of respected pin-eater. After four years, it really doesn't seem that easy to get a new talent over - but Khan evidently still believes in that model.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!