3 Former WWE Stars Who Could Debut at AEW Full Gear 2026

AEW is currently preparing to host Full Gear 2026. The upcoming pay-per-view will take place on November 14 and has the potential to be one of the greatest shows in the company’s history. Full Gear will feature several high-profile matches, including the awaited World Championship bout.

Here is Full Gear’s entire match card so far:

• “Hangman” Adam Page and Brodido (Brody King and Bandido) (c) vs. Swerve Strickland and The New Level (Austin Creed and Kofi) – World Trios Championship match
• The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) (c) vs. Davis & Doyle (Mark Davis and Jake Doyle) – World Tag Team Championship match
• Death Riders (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Garcia, Wheeler Yuta, and Gabe Kidd) (with Marina Shafir) vs. The Cut (Jay White, David Finlay, and 3 TBA) – Anarchy in the Arena match
• The Brawling Birds (Jamie Hayter and Alex Windsor) (c) vs. Wrathlander (Harley Cameron and Kris Statlander) – Women’s World Tag Team Championship match
• Mercedes Moné (c) vs. Marina Shafir – Women’s World Championship match
• Will Ospreay (c) vs. Kyle Fletcher – World Championship match

Many fans believe that Full Gear will see the debuts of one or more former WWE stars. Here are a few names who could show up at the upcoming show.

#3. Former WWE Champion Sheamus

Sheamus is a WWE legend. He is a dominant in-ring competitor, and he left the Stamford-based company this year. The Celtic Warrior is currently 48 and can perform for many more years. Rumors suggest that he is AEW-bound. Interestingly, many believe that he will make his debut in the Tony Khan-led promotion at Full Gear 2026.

Sheamus’ good friend and former the Bar teammate Claudio Castagnoli refused to comment on these rumors.

“I feel that’s not for me to talk about. I feel that is for him to talk about when he’s ready for it. I’ve stayed friends with him throughout. Of course, I would like to see my friends on a more regular basis, of course. But I do feel that is his to answer when he’s ready for it,” he said. [H/T: Cageside Seats]

Sheamus will likely be a good fit in All Elite Wrestling and is worthy of holding a singles title. He could make his debut in the Anarchy in the Arena match at Full Gear.

#2. Kairi Sane

Even though Kairi Sane achieved immense success in WWE, she never held a singles title on the main roster. This is a massive anomaly because she is a modern-day great. She deserves to win the Women’s World Championship, and that might happen in AEW. The Japanese star is reportedly close to signing with the Tony Khan-led promotion and might debut at Full Gear 2026.

Sane could have an extraordinary All Elite Wrestling run. She could not only win the Women’s World Title but also face huge names like Mercedes Mone, Thekla, Megan Bayne, Toni Storm, and more. Furthermore, she might show up during or after the Mone-Shafir showdown at the pay-per-view mentioned above.

In a recent interview with TV Insider, the Toxic Spider Thekla said that she is all in for the company’s roster getting better. However, she won’t believe the Kairi rumors until she sees her with her own eyes.

“I always like new faces coming in. I still consider myself a new face somehow. It has only been a little bit over a year for me. I’m a huge fan of people just going from one territory to the other, like in the old days. I’m very excited to see who’s gonna step up, you know? Kairi has been the talk of the town. I’m only going to believe it once I see it. For the fans, it’s always cool to see a new matchup. We’ll see. Let’s keep our fingers crossed. Let us see if we can pice it up a little bit,” she said.

Thekla vs. Kairi has a nice ring to it. This potential showdown has a nice ring to it.

#1. Steve Maclin might be a good fit in AEW

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Former TNA and WWE star Steve Maclin is rumored to join All Elite Wrestling. He is the husband of AEW star Deonna Purrazzo, and he recently had an extraordinary match with Adam Copeland at MLP Northern Rising.

In a recent appearance on TSN Sports, the former TNA World Champion said that he would love to work for Tony Khan.

“I’m always interested in that end of the world with AEW, especially with my wife there. But then a lot of my friends are also there, my best friend, Josh Alexander. You got the Rascalz there now, too. There’s dream matchups for me, as well. I would love the opportunity to go out there on AEW Dynamite, Collision, Ring of Honor,” he said.

Maclin could make his debut at AEW Full Gear. He might become a member of the Don Callis Family.

Edited by Debangshu Nath