In 2018, the wrestling world was introduced to a new brand of sports entertainment that promised to return to what mattered the most—a place to see some of the highest-quality in-ring talents in the world. All-Elite Wrestling seems to take its rivalry with top company WWE to the console world this year with the release of its debut video game,AEW: Fight Forever.
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The game looks to throwback to the arcade style of wrestling games, featuring a stacked roster of the company’s best talent. Among the stars in the game are several former WWE athletes who have made a name for themselves in AEW, but which of them stands out as thebest WWE converts in theAEW: Fight Forever?
10The Hardys
Two legendary pioneers of the Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match, icons of aerial wrestling Matt and Jeff Hardy epitomize what it means to be “extreme”. During their time in WWE in the 2000s, the Hardy Boys would win tag team gold on numerous occasions and would have some of the most memorable rivalries in the company’s history toput some well-deserved respect on the tag division.
While their inclusion in AEW did not come with high expectations given both stars are past their primes, old-school wrestling fans are appreciating the nostalgic value of the brothers being reunited in the ring again.
9Saraya
One of the feel-good stories in women’s wrestling was the re-emergence of Saraya to competition. She was once a household name in WWE under the ring name Paige, which saw her capture numerous titles during her time with the company. She was the youngest-ever Divas Champion and the first-ever NXT Women’s Champion. Her career was unfortunately cut short due to neck injuries, which resulted in her announcing her retirement at age 25.
Much to the surprise of many, Saraya her first appearance in AEW in September 2022 to confront Britt Baker, which eventuated with her announcing that she is now medically cleared for competition. While she hasn’t been a very active member of the AEW roster, it is great to see such a talent return to in-ring action.
8CM Punk
He is a famouslypolarizing and controversialfigure wherever he goes, but there is no denying that, love him or not, CM Punk puts backsides in seats. A former WWE Champion, Punk boasts one of the longest title reigns in WWE history, spanning over 430 days.
Punk certainly didn’t need any help rising to stardom, but his debut on AEW in August 2021 provided one of the biggest crowd pops in any wrestling event across any brand in that year. He has gone on to win the AEW World title a number of times, adding to his storied career in the ring.
7Christian Cage
During his tenure in WWE, Christian Cage was synonymous with his “brother” Edge, and Tables, Ladders, and Chairs (TLC) matches. In the early 2000s, Cage was popular in the iconic tag team using just his first name, playing a pivotal role in the memorable TLC matches with The Hardys and the Dudley Boys. He would eventually turn on his brother andhave a successful run as a heel, including capturing the Intercontinental and World Heavyweight Championships.
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Cage is also finding success in AEW, having captured the Impact World Championship on his debut in 2021 against Kenny Omega. Currently, he is teamed alongside the hulking presence of Luchasaurus and has had solid storylines with the likes of Wardlow.
6Claudio Castagnoli
WWE fans would remember Claudio Castagnoli as Cesaro, a former multiple-time Raw and SmackDown Tag Team Champion alongside Sheamus in their popular pairing known as the Bar. While his popularity was continuing to build in WWE, Castagnoli was never able to take his career in the WWE to the next level, deciding to move on from the company following the expiration of his contract.
The move would prove positive for Castagnoli’s professional career, with the Swiss athlete winning his first major world title in AEW’s sister brand Ring of Honor. He is currently in his second reign as ROH World Champion and a member of the Blackpool Combat Club with other former WWE stars Jon Moxley and Bryan Danielson.
5Malakai Black
Formerly known as Alastair Black in WWE, Malakai Black has realized his potential as one of the most popular stars in AEW. As head of the popular group House of Black, he has been pivotal in the team’s dominant reign as AEW Trios champions. As Alastair Black, mainstream wrestlingfans were introduced to his martial arts styleand dark persona, which has been amplified as part of AEW.
Black’s group also includes Buddy Matthews, formerly known as Buddy Murphy in WWE, who has also seen a more significant rise in popularity since joining AEW. The House of Black faction has been the perfect embodiment of the persona that Malakai Black brings to the table each time he steps into the ring.
4Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho could have retired 10 years ago and have absolutely nothing left to prove as one of the greatest talents of his era. Having starred in the top echelon of wrestling as part of WCW, WWE and now AEW, Jericho is no stranger to success in the squared circle. Perhaps his greatest accomplishment in wrestling happened during his time in WWE when he defeated The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin on the same night to become the first-ever Undisputed Champion.
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Jericho would find success in AEW as well, despite no longer being in his physical prime. He was the first man to be crowned the AEW World Champion and held the title for over 180 days. These days, he leads the Jericho Appreciation Society as thecharismatic and antagonizing heelfor which he is so well-known.
3Bryan Danielson
Once considered the most popular babyface in WWE, Bryan Danielson spent over 10 years as one of the company’s top talents under the stage name Daniel Bryan. During that time, Danielson would join an elite group of athletes that became Grand Slam Champions by winning the WWE, World Heavyweight, Intercontinental, United States, and Tag Team Championships during his tenure.
Danielson was an important acquisition for AEW in their pursuit to take over the world of professional wrestling. While he has not held the AEW Championship, the company has benefited from his inclusion in the Blackpool Combat Club,one of the most popular groups in AEW.
2Adam Cole
While he may not have fully achieved his potential on the main roster in WWE, there was no mistaking the raw talent on display by Adam Cole during his time on the developmental brand, NXT. During his tenure, he would amassthe longest NXT World Title reign in history, before departing the company due to creative disputes.
Cole has perhaps had the most to gain from his transition into AEW as he was finally able to establish himself among the company’s top talents. As a member of the main roster, he has had rivalries with the likes of Christian Cage and Orange Cassidy in memorable tag team events. He is slated to be the most likely to overthrow current AEW World Champion MJF after narrowly missing out on the victory in a timed match against the champion.
1Jon Moxley
Best known in his time in WWE as the “Lunatic Fringe” Dean Ambrose, Jon Moxley was part of the legendary group The Shield, which terrorized the entire WWE roster from 2012 until 2019. Since the group disbanded, all three members of the trio, which also featured WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns and World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, have continued their success as solo competitors.
Moxley is among the most popular AEW stars and has held plenty of gold in his own right. He is the first to hold the AEW World Championship three times, having lost the title most recently in November 2022 to current champion MJF, and affiliates himself with the Blackpool Combat Club alongside Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli.
AEW Fight Foreveris available June 29 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch
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