WWE Debuts That Will & Won’t Happen In 2025

WWE is entering 2025 with major momentum thanks to the Netflix deal opening up the potential of many new viewers. The company’s recent success with Triple H leading the way helped erase the difficult years of Vince McMahon’s decline. Many changes to freshen up the product are expected, including new talents.

Penta debuting on the second Netflix episode of Raw is already a huge hit thanks to strong social media numbers and a tremendous first impression. Rumors are circulating about other talents potentially getting a chance on the biggest stage. The following names either have a great chance of debuting for WWE in 2025, or it won’t happen at all.

UPDATE: 2025/03/10 17:30 EST BY JOEY HAVERFORD

2025 is only a few months old, but a lot has changed in the professional wrestling landscape. Fans have witnessed WWE taking some chances for WrestleMania season and the rest of the industry shaking things up. Contracts ending and business partnerships have shined a light on some earlier predictions.

Free agency sees some big names already joining WWE and others having news providing a deeper insight on their futures. Time will tell what happens with every name involved, but some talents have already had their future decided. 2025 is on pace to be a major year for WWE and the entire industry when it comes to talent changes.

10

Will Happen: Rey Fenix

Joining Penta As Lucha Brothers Is Obvious

The ugly departure of the Lucha Brothers from AEW saw plans changing for Rey Fenix. Penta’s contract expired before Fenix’s due to the latter having injury time added for the months missed while rehabbing and unable to compete.

AEW reportedly plans to have Fenix’s contract run out in September, but that still provides enough time for him to join WWE before the year ends. Penta having such a great debut may be for the best as he can establish himself and make Fenix’s debut bigger rather than joining together as a tag team.

Update: Penta debuting in WWE has led to incredible success of fans connecting with him. WWE is reportedly impressed with the luchador becoming a top merchandise seller and developing a connection with the audience. Rey Fenix is still under contract to AEW, but Penta’s success confirms he’ll join WWE when he can.

AEW ending the contracts of Ricky Starks and Miro made them instant free agents. Fenix was not included in those names, but it could open a faster release. WWE is fully expected to sign Fenix and have him join Penta at some point either way.

9

No Chance: Wardlow

Injury Time Can Be Added To His Deal

The future of Wardlow is unknown as fans wonder if he’s frustrated about how his AEW career played out. Wardlow had a great chance to break out during his storyline turning face by standing up to MJF, but his TNT Championship reigns were so poor that his time as champion hurt him.

A spot in Undisputed Kingdom randomly ended, but it was revealed Wardlow missed a lot of time in 2024 due to an injury. Wardlow will likely have time extended to his AEW deal like other recent wrestlers to ensure they don’t leave for WWE.

8

Will Happen: Jordynne Grace

Official Debut As Contracted Talent Expected

The TNA working relationship with WWE has had its fair share of hits and misses, but one huge positive has been Jordynne Grace breaking out. Grace has appeared in NXT storylines and even got to represent TNA in the Royal Rumble match.

Reports are out that Grace’s deal is ending soon, and she’s currently being written off TNA TV. WWE will likely sign Grace instantly and have her debut in a main roster role due to her established success in NXT and TNA.

Update: The TNA contract of Jordynne Grace expired and placed her on the free agent market. There was no doubt that Grace would end up in WWE since her connections from the NXT time made her a favorite of Shawn Michaels and Triple H.

Grace had an appearance in the Royal Rumble match to gain some momentum with the main roster audience. NXT currently hosts the extremely talented woman, but most expect her to get called up quickly due to her immense potential and established reputation.

7

No Chance: Tessa Blanchard

Return To TNA Meant Not Involving WWE

There has been some fan concern of Tessa Blanchard landing a WWE job after she returned to TNA. Blanchard still has a lot of critics feeling she doesn’t deserve another chance after allegations of her bullying and being racist to talents in the past destroyed her reputation.

TNA bringing back Tessa was done to boost their women’s division due to losing Jordynne Grace and some other talents soon. Blanchard will likely be distanced from any WWE working relationship involvement to make TNA her full-time home hoping to repair her reputation for good.

Update: Fans are mixed over if Tessa Blanchard’s TNA return can lead to her ever working for WWE. The history of the business side of WWE shows they’ll work with controversial names, but there is too much risk involved with Blanchard.

TNA fans have heckled Tessa with some loud chants calling her a racist to make news in media headlines. Blanchard would create too much negative press, especially since some of her biggest enemies like Chelsea Green are on the WWE roster.

6

Will Happen: Danhausen

CM Punk’s Friend Sells Merchandise

The wrestling character of Danhausen is a bit hard to forecast since he has a polarizing style. Danhausen gets by on pure gimmick, but AEW has slowed down on using him over the past year with some comments indicating frustration on his part.

CM Punk having a close friendship with Danhausen and fans noticing Danhausen has supported Punk against AEW may explain why he’s not used. WWE taking Punk’s suggestion to hire Danhausen could see him becoming a strong NXT act since he’s established and is a major merchandise seller.

5

No Chance: Brody King

AEW Making It Clear They’re Pushing Him

The House of Black trio is officially ending in AEW after Malakai Black’s contract ran out to allow him to have his eventual WWE return. Fans have speculated about the futures of Buddy Matthews and Brody King regarding if they stay in AEW or follow Black to WWE.

Both wrestlers received recent spotlight matches and promos of bigger names endorsing their futures. King is expected to have an AEW push moving him up the card in a singles role. AEW heating up Brody during the Continental Classic foreshadowed a bigger position to keep him happy.

4

Will Happen: Josh Alexander

Revealed He’s Planning To Leave TNA

WWE’s working relationship with TNA gives them an in to sign talents once entering free agency. Josh Alexander has been arguably the most important wrestler for TNA over the past few years to help the company rebuild to a safer situation.

TNA losing Alexander shows him wanting to work for a bigger promotion and just two obvious choices existing. WWE’s closer connection to TNA should make Alexander the next big name they sign for NXT or the main roster after thriving as a TNA World Champion.

Update: A surprising twist has happened with Josh Alexander now rumored to sign a deal with AEW, but nothing is official yet. WWE’s working relationship and Alexander’s past partnership with Ethan Page seemed like an easy fit on paper.

However, it appears AEW offered an enticing offer to lead to rumors of credible reporters believing Alexander is heading there. Alexander being known for his wrestling skills over his character makes AEW a better fit to get over by being an absolute beast in the ring.

3

No Chance: Mike Bailey

Rumors Have Speedball Joining AEW

“Speedball” Mike Bailey became the most exciting TNA star to help provide the feel for previous generations having AJ Styles or Samoa Joe steal the show every week. Classic matches against Will Ospreay, Josh Alexander, Mustafa Ali, and many others showed that Bailey could thrive bell to bell with anyone.

Reports have been going around for a few months before 2024 ended that Speedball was planning to sign a contract with AEW. Even though he’s yet to debut, there is too much smoke to the story for there not to be fire of Bailey joining AEW over WWE.

Update: The rumors of “Speedball” Mike Bailey joining AEW were recently confirmed via a video package on Collision. Bailey deserves respect for helping TNA gain back some goodwill with the audience by having must-watch matches.

Reports suggest AEW is trying to help Speedball get his Visa status fully figured out before his debut. Bailey’s incredible performances will lead to plenty of dream matches in AEW as one of the best bell to bell workers in the industry today.

2

Will Happen: Ricky Starks

Contract Expires During Spring Or Summer

One of the biggest names fans think about as a free agent is Ricky Starks, even though he’s still under contract with AEW. Starks had an option year added to his deal, but he’s not been on AEW TV in months due to the assumption that AEW believes he will sign with WWE once he’s a free agent.

A close connection to Cody Rhodes and other WWE names saw Starks attending multiple WWE events to cause AEW’s concern. Regardless, WWE will have a huge moment once Starks’ contract expires in the spring or summer months to debut him and add another major player to the roster.

Update: AEW ending Ricky Starks contract after months of drama led to him instantly having the option to sign anywhere. Starks wasted no time signing a WWE contract like everyone and their mother expected once a free agent.

NXT debuted Starks a week into the news breaking that he was a free man and positioned him as a top player on the developmental brand. The hype is real for Ricky to have a strong NXT run and have major main event roster potential.

1

No Chance: Britt Baker

Too Important To AEW’s History To Lose

The curious case of Britt Baker has fans wondering exactly what the plan is for her future in AEW. Baker looked to be in the best shape of her career when returning in mid-2024, but she’s been inconsistently used after a disappointing dream match against Mercedes Mone.

There is a belief that AEW has lost faith in Baker to make fans question her future potentially leaving for WWE. However, no real reports have questioned Britt leaving AEW any time soon. Injury time could easily be added to her time missed, and Tony Khan has always valued Baker too highly to lose her without a fight.