Every Major Wrestling Free Agent Right Now: Who's Available In 2025?

Both WWE and AEW have employed a Pokémon strategy over the years. In short, they've desperately grabbed any pro wrestlers they can think of in some sort of, 'GOTTA CATCH 'EM ALL' game. That's never sustainable, because there just isn't room for hundreds and hundreds of workers on the one roster. That's true even when WWE produces three major weeklies on TV and AEW produces two.

Something has to give, and it's why so many end up on the free agents market.

This list will be updated as and when wrestlers join free agency as 2025's WWE or AEW releases. The key word here is "major" though - this isn't an exhaustive list of every single pro not tied to WWE, AEW or another top company like TNA. That'd get ridiculous, so only the most interesting or urgent ones are included. A few might raise eyebrows given real-life controversies too, but they're involved for the sake of completion if they fit the "major" criteria.

Triple H and Tony Khan semi-regularly do some spring cleaning too. Unfortunately, that results in talent losing their jobs, which is never nice to report. The cloud's silver lining is that having multiple majors means those men and women have a real shot at getting steady full-time work that pays the bills elsewhere. Jumping ship between WWE and AEW has become more commonplace.

WWE departures don't necessarily mean a spell on the independent circuit anymore. Tony Khan is waiting. On the flip side, anyone Khan releases might be of interest to Hunter. This balance must give peace of mind to those cast out suddenly.

Here's every top, up to the minute free agent you need to know about.

Chris Jericho

Since: December 2025.

Previous Company: AEW

Right, so technically Chris Jericho is still under AEW contract until late-December 2025. Let's be honest though, it's looking more and more likely by the day that he's WWE bound for one last whirl in the company with which he cemented his legacy. 'Y2J' chants could ring out as soon as the 2026 Royal Rumble, and a WWE Hall Of Fame induction is practically guaranteed after that.

All Elite boss Tony Khan recently said he'd like to see Jericho stick around in his organisation, but that seems fanciful at this point. There's nothing left for the Canadian to achieve in AEW, and he isn't daft - Jericho will know he's been unwanted by the company's hardcore fanbase for a while now, which might be why he's been making not-so-subtle digs at Khan's operation.

Break the walls down (and enter the Rumble).

Karrion Kross & Scarlett

Since: 10 August 2025.

Previous Company: WWE

There was a bit of back and forth on whether or not Karrion Kross and Scarlett winding up with WWE was a work. It wasn't. The real-life couple's contracts expired on 10 August. Later, Kross revealed that WWE only gave him 24 hours to ink fresh terms, and they didn't want to extend the same deal to Scarlett.

So, Karrion waved goodbye and is now weighing up his future.

It's certainly very strange in the modern era for a worker to wrestle on a major show (Kross lost to Sami Zayn at SummerSlam) then find himself on the outs a week or so later. Once he's ready and free to do so, Karrion would be a big get for AEW. Or, maybe there is more to the WWE story than first meets the eye and he'll return someday.

Braun Strowman

Since: 2 May 2025.

Previous Company: WWE

Part of Braun Strowman's remit in 2025 was to get Jacob Fatu over as an absolute unit capable of tearing down even WWE's most muscular. In that sense, it was job done for burly Braun, but he must've been slightly surprised when top brass told him they'd be cutting his beefy contract in May.

Thanks for nothing!

Seriously, that had to come as quite the shock to him personally. It seemed like Triple H would always have a place on the midcard (at worst) for Strowman, and sticking him in another big/little man tag-team wasn't out of the question either. In the short term, Braun will host a food-based TV show on USA Network then take it from there.

Shane McMahon

Since: June 2024.

Previous Company: WWE

Expecting someone else? Yes, Shane McMahon is technically a major wrestling free agent. He left WWE in the summer of 2024, but there have been heavy rumours that he'll be AEW bound eventually. Tony Khan did hold talks with Shane before both parties elected not to follow up, reportedly because McMahon wanted to run the company.

A WWE return someday is hardly impossible. However, Triple H has clearly decided to try take things in a different direction away from tedious McMahon family melodrama. Technically, Shane's disgraced father Vince is a free agent too...

Saraya

Since: 26 March 2025.

Previous Company: AEW

The ex-Paige could become the future Paige if WWE show interest in bringing Saraya back into the mix. The Brit has been very open and upfront about missing that role, but later reports indicate it could be a while before fans see Paige skip onto screens or launch a comeback that once seemed impossible for health reasons.

Her AEW run had some choice moments, but it was generally unsatisfying to sit through. Saraya seemed to agree with some of that too - she outright said "I just don't fit in right now" upon leaving Tony Khan's major in March.

Where to next then? She'll be cooking something up, that's for sure.

Shayna Baszler

Since: 2 May 2025.

Previous Company: WWE

The Pure Fusion Collective that Shayna Baszler had going on with Zoey Stark and (originally) Sonya Deville ended up going nowhere fast. Shayna must've been bummed out by that after watching a prior tag-team with real-life MMA chum Ronda Rousey go to the dogs as well. If she wanted PFC to be a reprieve, then no dice.

Baszler did return to WWE's fold in July as a match producer on NXT, but it doesn't seem like that was a concrete, full-time role. Recently, she's been telling the media that she'd entertain a jump to AEW so she could get back to basics and rekindle successes on WWE's third brand.

Fair enough. Watch this space.

Dakota Kai

Since: 2 May 2025.

Previous Company: WWE

Dakota Kai routinely made 'one to watch' lists amongst fans willing her to breakout on her own away from Damage CTRL and become a standalone singles success. That would never really happen before her unceremonious departure from WWE this past May. Indeed, Kai was largely overlooked by management throughout her latest stint with the promotion.

She was wrestling on episodes of Main Event by the end, which is depressing.

Dakota clearly has talent, so maybe she can harness her disappointment into something worthwhile outside WWE's confines. AEW would be a natural landing spot, but TNA could offer a road back onto NXT, Raw and SmackDown in the long term.

Carlito

Since: June 2025.

Previous Company: WWE

He spits in the faces of those who don't want to play WWE 2K25 on PS5.

Carlito must be looking over at R-Truth and wondering why the same fan sentiment didn't come his way post-release too. People were not chuffed that Ron Killings got cut in June, and the campaign to criticise WWE or get him rehired proved successful. Truth returned at Money In The Bank. Meanwhile, Carly has gone back to Puerto Rico for a gig with the WWC.

Since leaving, Carlito has disclosed details on a "terrible" WWE/TKO contract offer that his agent warned him not to sign. So, he didn't.

Elayna Black (Cora Jade)

Since: 2 May 2025.

Previous Company: WWE

Recently, Cora Jade has taken a mental break from pro wrestling and had to fend off allegations she was a bully at WWE's Performance Center training facility. She also broke the internet by launching a subscription-only service that reportedly raked in serious cash, but it doesn't look like Cora (renamed Elayna Black) will be doing much in-ring work any time soon.

That's her choice, and people will respect it.

There was a time when Jade seemed like a surefire success who'd tear it up on Raw or SmackDown alongside NXT peers like Roxanne Perez. She's only 24 years old, so there's plenty of time to make that happen, but the former NXT Women's Tag-Team Champ isn't interested for now.

Gigi Dolin

Since: 2 May 2025.

Previous Company: WWE

Unlike most on this list who were released by WWE or AEW, Gigi Dolin has been doing some serious wrestling since leaving the NXT nest in May. At time of writing, she's already put together a full 33 matches for groups on the independent circuit, including GCW.

More will come, that's for sure.

It's hard to imagine that WWE won't come calling again someday. After all, Dolin didn't ruffle any feathers in the company, and she only left because her contract had expired. There isn't much bad blood to speak of, which is something that could serve Gigi well going forwards.

Gallus (Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey & Wolfgang)

Since: 2 May 2025.

Previous Company: WWE

This is a 3-for-1 special on Scottish beef.

Gallus trio Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey and Wolfgang seemed to be doing fairly well before being released by WWE in May. They'd memorably been called upon to help The Rock prep for WrestleMania 40 in 2024, and it seemed like a dead cert that Joe (in particular) would eventually sustain singles success on NXT.

Now, the entire faction has been cut loose by the company. There's good news back home though. Gallus has been announced for a Clan Wrestling event at Glasgow's Braehead Arena on 30 November. They'll almost definitely follow that up with more appearances as a collective.

Carmella

Since: 21 February 2025.

Previous Company: WWE

Carmella has suffered through a few health issues post-pregnancy, so WWE fans haven't seen her do her thing since 2023. Anyone hoping she'd be back on Raw or SmackDown soon must've been disappointed to learn that Mella's contract with the company expired in February 2025. They didn't come to terms on a renewal.

If she can get over the drop foot issue, then Carmella might fancy striking out on her own elsewhere in the future.

Matt Cardona

Since: 15 April 2020.

Previous Company: WWE

The artist formerly known as Zack Ryder seems pretty content picking and choosing his own bookings on the independent circuit, and he has done since being released by WWE five years ago. Matt Cardona has worked for everyone from AEW to IMPACT/TNA, but he made a memorable return as part of the John Cena retirement tournament on the 14 November episode of SmackDown. There, he lost to LA Knight.

Rumours about a Ryder/Cardona return flared up once his wife Chelsea Green launched her own successful WWE comeback.

Bishop Dyer (Baron Corbin)

Since: 1 November 2024.

Previous Company: WWE

The former Baron Corbin has lifted the lid on thoughts that somebody in WWE creative was "holding [him] down" since leaving the promotion in late-2024. His release came as a slight surprise at the time, 'cause it looked like Corbin would find success as a stalwart babyface on the main roster following a hot stint on developmental brand NXT.

He's since renamed himself Bishop Dyer on the indy scene.

Raj Dhesi (Jinder Mahal)

Since: 19 April 2024.

Previous Company: WWE

AEW, TNA or somebody else could get their hands on a former WWE Champion if they ink a deal with Raj Dhesi. Of course, he's best remembered as WWE's Jinder Mahal. A lot of folks would consider Mahal one of the worst World Champs in promotional history, but...he's on the open market if anyone fancies it.

The dude has a ton of experience and lots to offer.

Ronda Rousey

Since: October 2023.

Previous Company: WWE

Ronda Rousey never seemed to like pro wrestling fans, and vice versa. Everyone cooled on Ronda big time following her tremendous debut match at WrestleMania 34. Two separate spells in WWE fell flat, then she formally retired from wrestling after leaving the company in late-2023. Since then, Rousey has worked a match here or there, so the retirement didn't last. She's been very outspoken about WWE, so a third stint would be surprising.

That doesn't mean Ronda couldn't turn up in AEW full-time though.

Isla Dawn

Since: 8 February 2025.

Previous Company: WWE

It seems like yesterday that Isla Dawn was winning the WWE Women's Tag-Team Titles with good pal Alba Fyre on Clash At The Castle 2024 in her native Glasgow, Scotland. Fast forward to 2025 and she's a free agent after being cut loose by Triple H in early-February. Who knows what's next for the witchy female star?

AEW handed Dawn her debut on a special Collision and Dynamite double taping in her native Glasgow, Scotland in August, but it remains to be seen whether that was a one off or not.

Mandy Rose

Since: 14 December 2022.

Previous Company: WWE

Mandy Rose was riding high as a linchpin of NXT's women's division when she was suddenly released under questionable circumstances right before Christmas in 2022. Financially, Rose is set due to her various business ventures outside wrestling, but she sure has some unfinished business with the eh...biz.

Nobody has been able to coax Mandy back in over the past few years. Yet!

Sonya Deville

Since: 7 February 2025.

Previous Company: WWE

Not many saw Sonya Deville's release coming when it happened, including Sonya herself. However, to her immense credit, Deville has refused to bash WWE for their decision and instead decided to focus on the positives from her near decade long stay on the market leader's books; Sonya signed following a spot on Tough Enough in 2015.

She's comfortable on the mic and might have something to prove in-ring. Don't rule out an AEW berth or WWE comeback.

Leyla Hirsch

Since: 27 February 2025.

Previous Company: AEW

Does Leyla Hirsch qualify as a "major" free agent? That's up for debate, but somebody would be signing a 28-year old ready to hit her prime as a worker if they took the plunge. AEW let Hirsch's contract tick down in late-February 2025, which brought the curtain down on Leyla's five year stay in the All Elite/ROH system.

Wrestling news says there are further names coming that'll add to the growing list of AEW releases.

AOP

Since: 7 February 2025.

Previous Company: WWE

Authors Of Pain duo Akam and Rezar didn't achieve much during their second stay in WWE. They were members of the often-overlooked Final Testament stable led by Karrion Kross, but the pair never really came close to doing anything special as a tag-team beyond appearing in various beatdown segments.

Physically, AOP will always be impressive. They could find their way back into WWE because the pair have an imposing look, but don't bet on third time being a charm if so.

Samantha Irvin

Since: October 2024.

Previous Company: WWE

There were plenty of stunned looks when Samantha Irvin announced that she was leaving WWE to focus on her music career and other ambitions in late-2024. Irvin had blossomed into one of the best ring announcers in the game, so she's been a massive loss to the onscreen product.

Rumours persist that she'll join real-life fiancé Ricochet in AEW eventually.

Matt Riddle

Since: 22 September 2023.

Previous Company: WWE

Matt Riddle would be one of the first to acknowledge that he wasn't the easiest employee to manage during his time in WWE between 2018-2023. The ex-UFC man courted controversy throughout his run, and that caught up with him in the end. WWE became sick and tired of dealing with Riddle's drama.

He's since appeared in TNA, AAA and MLW. Will WWE ever give him another chance? The jury is out on that one.

Ridge Holland

Since: October 2025.

Previous Company: WWE

WWE dumped ex-Brawling Brutes man Ridge Holland in October, but originally planned to keep paying some medical bills tied to injuries suffered whilst working under the promotion's banner for TNA. Then, once Ridge had made cutting comments to the media about how WWE was doing the "bare minimum" to look after him and other talent, things went south.

Rumours circulated that the company viewed those words as a breach of contract, so they moved to terminate Holland's deal early. He can probably discount a return to WWE someday soon, but may find a place elsewhere eventually. However, this has not been an enjoyable process for Ridge.

In a depressing admission, he added: "I never thought I'd not be able to pay my mortgage".

The Good Brothers

Since: 8 February 2025.

Previous Company: WWE

Experienced campaigners Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson joined AJ Styles and Michin in a revamped OC, but it didn't lead to much merriment for The Good Brothers. In fact, their second go-around in WWE was one to forget. Some fans forgot Gallows and Anderson were on the roster by the time their respective releases were announced in early-February 2025.

Having friends in high places over at AEW could be beneficial.

Bea Priestley (Blair Davenport)

Since: 7 February 2025.

Previous Company: WWE

Things never really got going for poor Blair Davenport once she traded NXT for the main roster. WWE made a bit of noise about Blair going to SmackDown in the 2024 Draft, but she was barely featured on TV before being let go. A criminally short run next to Unholy Union duo Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn apparently failed to satisfy the people who matter most.

Back to Bea Priestley it is then.

Giovanni Vinci

Since: 7 February 2025.

Previous Company: WWE

It must've been painful for Giovanni Vinci to watch ex-Imperium stablemates Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser tear it up over on Raw as World Heavyweight Champ and solid midcarder respectively. Meanwhile, on SmackDown, Vinci was repackaged then jobbed out like his name was Gillberg. Months of nothingness followed before he was let go from his contract.

Giovanni may well have a chip on his shoulder after that sobering experience. WWE wasted everybody's time with those vignettes hyping Vinci as someone special who'd make a splash on Friday nights.

Nixon Newell (Tegan Nox)

Since: 1 November 2024.

Previous Company: WWE

Injuries crippled Tegan Nox's time in WWE across several spells, but it did look for all the world like Triple H would do right by the Welsh native once she returned in 2022. Not quite. She was rarely featured as an important part of the women's division before being released for a second time in November 2024.

Nox has gone back to her roots as Nixon Newell, but a controversial walkout before an episode of AEW Collision in November 2025 won't have done her any favours.

Donovan Dijak

Since: 27 June 2024.

Previous Company: WWE

You've got to give big powerhouse Dijak one thing - the man knows how to stir up a conversation on social media by ripping it at the drop of a hat any time he gets the chance. WWE didn't see that as enough of a reason to keep the former Retribution member around past the summer of 2024, sadly.

Dijak has since shown up in MLW.

Trevor Lee (Cameron Grimes)

Since: 23 April 2024.

Previous Company: WWE

Trevor Lee, who was known as Cameron Grimes in WWE circles, was understandably emotional after being cast out by the promotion. Grimes should be considered one of the biggest 'what ifs?' coming up from NXT. There, he developed a bubbly character that connected with fans, but Cam never got the chance to keep that going on SmackDown.

Here's hoping this isn't the last wrestling fans have seen of the guy in a major promotion.

Lacey Lane (Kayden Carter)

Since: 2 May 2025.

Previous Company: WWE

Ex-WWE star Kayden Carter now wrestles as Lacey Lane and believes she was "held back" in the promotion before being released alongside her tag-team partner Katana Chance in early-May. Despite being despondent about that chapter closing, Lane reckons she could show what she's capable of if given the chance in another company soon.

AEW, anybody? Again, like with several other female stars here, it's true that duos like Carter and Chance could bolster a would-be All Elite tag-team division. Failing that, Lacey Lane would surely love to do some "Lucha Strong Style" work generally.

Fingers crossed she gets that opportunity soon enough.

Katana Chance

Since: 2 May 2025.

Previous Company: WWE

Of course, Carter's pal Katana Chance was the other half of that tag-team release referenced above. Together, they managed to hold the NXT and main roster Women's Tag-Team Titles in WWE, but the creative team never seemed especially interested in pushing them for longer than a few weeks. They tried to care and run a soft party girl gimmick on Raw, but the writers lost interest quickly.

Who knows if Chance will show up alongside Carter/Lacey Lane when her old partner debuts somewhere else? They might just go their separate ways completely and try their luck at singles runs in AEW, ROH, the NWA etc.

Shotzi Blackheart

Since: 3 May 2025.

Previous Company: WWE

Shotzi has since gone on record to say she feels like WWE "gave up on [her]" long before the promotion released her from her contract in May 2025. In truth, it was a struggle for Blackheart post-NXT - nothing seemed to stick on the main roster, almost like the writing team on SmackDown didn't get her character or what they were supposed to do with it.

She's put her nose to the grindstone and started working hard on the independent circuit since leaving. Nobody has inked a full-time deal with Shotzi just yet, but she seems content enough with what she's doing outside the majors for now.

It'd be interesting to find out if she'd privately love another crack at WWE.

Dezmond Xavier (Wes Lee)

Since: October 2025.

Previous Company: WWE

Former NXT North American and 2-time Tag-Team Champion Wes Lee ended his 5 year stay with the top promotion in the land come October. He'd already been making side quest stop offs in TNA towards the end of his WWE run, and that's continued now he's a free agent. However, Lee hasn't signed on the dotted line with Impact chiefs.

He's still doing his thing on the independent circuit when it suits.

Wes has reverted to his old Dezmond Xavier ring name for the indy scene too. He'll surely be at least a little bit disappointed he didn't get to show his wares on Raw or SmackDown during his time in WWE. That proved elusive, which is a crying shame considering how well he was working out in NXT.

Elektra Lopez

Since: 7 February 2025.

Previous Company: WWE

Legado del Fantasma's Elektra Lopez only enjoyed a cup of coffee run on WWE's main roster before being cut loose in February 2025. Indeed, she only got work 2 matches on SmackDown (vs. Zelina Vega and as part of a Triple Threat involving Naomi and Tiffany Stratton) before she was released. That had to be frustrating for Lopez, especially when she looked handy during the latter 3-way.

Interestingly enough, Lopez has gone on to work opposite AEW's Deonna Purrazzo on the independent scene since departing the WWE roster. She's also launched an OnlyFans account, which was likely smart. There's money to be made, after all!