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. 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.

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...

Rey Fenix

Since: 3 March 2025.

Previous Company: AEW

It's finally over.

Tony Khan tacked on injury time to Rey Fenix's AEW contract, which meant the Lucha Bro couldn't join Penta in WWE earlier this year. That time has run out though, thus finally freeing Fenix up for a jump to Triple H's nest. It's expected that Fenix will show up on Raw or SmackDown shortly - some WWE news has him down for a WrestleMania 41 spot. Another tag-team run could be inbound alongside his brother.

Malakai Black

Since: 10 February 2025.

Previous Company: AEW

Go back to 2022 and you'll find countless pieces of social media conjecture about Malakai Black taking another stab at WWE now Triple H was/is at the helm. A return to the old Aleister forename could be in the works for Black now his near-four year stay in AEW has come to an end, but he's on the free agency market at time of writing.

In truth, Malakai's House Of Black stable never hit the heights many expected when he went #AllElite in 2021.

Miro

Since: February 2025.

Previous Company: AEW

"Never hit the heights many expected" would also sum up Miro's time under Tony Khan's rule. The one-time Rusev should've been a major player in AEW, but various injuries and a lot of creative frustrations held him back from fulfilling his clear potential. Could Hunter unlock that and bring the glory of "Rusev Day" back to prominence amongst wrestling fans?

Miro is certainly one of the industry's hottest free agents right now.

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.

Josh Alexander

Since: February 2025.

Previous Company: TNA

Recent reports in the AEW News suggest ex-TNA man Josh Alexander is all set to sign with Tony Khan's group. That could happen imminently, but it obviously hasn't yet at time of writing. That's why the former TNA World Champ is here! His future remains a mystery amidst claims he'll be #AllElite soon enough.

Alexander's rugged in-ring style would definitely suit AEW better than WWE, but he has options.

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's yet to make a much-anticipated return to his old stomping grounds or sign a full-time contract anywhere.

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 might come knocking, but she might also find a route back into WWE via TNA.

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.

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.

Cedric Alexander

Since: 7 February 2025.

Previous Company: WWE

One-time Cruiserweight division crown jewel Cedric Alexander was mired in a going nowhere team with former Hit Row member Ashante 'Thee' Adonis towards the end of his WWE run. Most predict he'll move over to AEW and link up with old Hurt Business pals MVP, Shelton Benjamin and Bobby Lashley in the retooled Hurt Syndicate faction.

That'd be a neat landing spot for Alexander. He has a lot to offer between the ropes, but arguably lacks some personality (or the necessary platform to show that side of himself).

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, and she seems determined to enjoy her wrestling again outside WWE's bubble. Good on her.

Indi Hartwell

Since: 1 November 2024.

Previous Company: WWE

People feared for Candice LeRae once news spread that her partner Indi Hartwell had been released in early-November 2024, but Candice has slotted in nicely next to Nia Jax on SmackDown. WWE didn't have any space for Indi though. At 28, she still has a real shot at bouncing back to put things right.

Maybe proving her chops as a solo artist in AEW or TNA would help her do that.

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.