This is a list of wrestlers who aren't officially All Elite, but have made multiple appearances on All Elite Wrestling programming, from dark tapings to vlogs to weekly shows or are reserved for special events like the pay-per-views.
Jeff Cobb
A former free-style wrestling Olympian who participated at the 2004 Athens Games, he was hired by The Inner Circle to take out Jon Moxley in February 2020. He later came back with the rest of The United Empire in May 2022 in order to participate at the Forbidden Door pay-per-view where he defended the IWGP Tag Team Championship with his partner, the Great-O-Khan. On the last episode of Dynamite in March 2023, Cobb returned to AEW to challenge Kenny Omega for his IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship.- Acrofatic: It isn’t enough of him to be as strong as an ox, but Cobb has displayed jaw-dropping levels of agility for a guy his size.
- Finishing Move: "Tour of the Islands" (reverse-spin scoop powerslam)
- Leotard of Power: Wears customized singlets from SPLX.
- Lightning Bruiser: Despite being under six feet, he's a former Olympic wrestler, weighs around 250 pounds and tends to steamroll his opponents with suplexes and powerslams. Also, one of his signature moves is a standing moonsault fallaway slam, followed by a standing shooting star press.
- Red Baron: "Mr. Athletic".
Glacier
A WCW veteran, Glacier made his AEW debut in the Casino Battle Royale at AEW Double or Nothing 2019.Tommy Dreamer
An ECW veteran, he made a cameo at AEW Double or Nothing 2019 in the Casino Battle Royale where his legs were destroyed (but not really, obviously) by Orange Cassidy.Ace Romero
A 400-pound wrestler that can do dropkicks and suicide dives, Ace Romero appeared at the Casino Battle Royale during AEW Double or Nothing 2019, but left and signed up with Impact Wrestling.The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows)
An Impact Wrestling tag team consisting of two Bullet Club veterans, they acted as Kenny Omega's muscle during 2021.- Honorary True Companion: They're considered honorary members of The Elite mainly due to their history in The Bullet Club.
KiLynn King
- Amazonian Beauty: King is over 5'10" tall, something emphasised by her teaming with Big Swole (5'5") and Red Velvet (5'1"), causing her to tower over them.
- Brave Scot: Her gimmick leans into this archetype.
- Fiery Redhead: Has dark red hair and is a beast in the ring.
- Smash Sisters: She's tag-teamed with her good friend Red Velvet in several matches.
- Student–Master Team: Despite not being officially on AEW's roster, she's a member of the Nightmare Family as of Fall 2021, and apparently a handpicked protégé of Cody Rhodes (along with "Big Shotty" Lee and Red Velvet).
- This Means Warpaint: Has a blue, woad-like streak across her face.
Baron Black
- Jobber: He has no wins in AEW. In fact, he was even one of the opponents when fellow long-time jobber Fuego del Sol got his first win (although at least it was Black's tag team partner Ryzin who ate Fuego's pin).
- Red Baron: "The EmphBruh"
Madi Wrenkowski
Ryzin
- Badass Preacher: Gives off the image of a priest who can wrestle with the best of them.
- Fiery Redhead: He has red hair and looks and acts like a evil priest.
- Sinister Minister: Has blood red pentagrams decorating his priestly garb.
Maki Itoh
- Cloud Cuckoolander: She's... not all there, to say the least.
- Cute and Psycho: Acts like an Idol Singer (she was formerly a member of the idol group LinQ), but is also a psychotically dangerous heel.
- Hard Head: Not only is her head the best offense, but also the best defense. If she is hit in the head by an arm or a leg, said arm or leg suffers more damage than her skull.
- Use Your Head: She headbutts her opponents a lot. One of her signature moves is the Kokeshi (headbutt drop).
Matt Cardona
Best known as "Zack Ryder" from WWE, the self-proclaimed "Indy God" Matt Cardona made his AEW debut on the July 29, 2020 episode of Dynamite to assist Cody Rhodes against The Dark Order. His last AEW appearance would be in an eight-man tag team match at All Out 2020 until he became the first opponent for Adam Copeland during his second TNT Championship reign on the March 30, 2024 episode of Collision.- Continuity Nod: Commentators during Cardona's match against Copeland made mention about how the former was the "student" to Adam being the "master". During his run as Zack Ryder in 2007, Cardona was an ally to Edge.
- Finishing Move: "Radio Silence" (jumping leg lariat)
- Red Baron: "The Deathmatch King" and "The Indy God"
Ryo Mizunami
- Years Too Early: Says this word for word when challenging Hikaru Shida for the belt. Before AEW Mizunami consistantly defeated Shida numerous times.
KENTA
The first athlete from New Japan Pro-Wrestling to cross through the "Forbidden Door", he attacked Jon Moxley during AEW Beach Break 2021 and later teamed with Kenny Omega to battle Moxley and Lance Archer.- Enemy Mine: Explicitly tells Kenny Omega he's not his friend despite the both of them having history in the Bullet Club. He's only there to fight their common enemy Moxley.
Yuji Nagata
A legend and long-time New Japan mainstay, Yuji Nagata battled Jon Moxley for latter's IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship in May 2021.- Worthy Opponent: He and Moxley both bowed respectfully to each other at the end of their match.
Nick Gage
When MJF issued the second of the "Five Labors of Jericho" during 2021, he decided to bring in one of the most dangerous free agents in professional wrestling - Nick Gage, the biggest deathmatch veteran of CZW and GCW fame, who challenged Jericho to a No Rules match at AEW Fight for the Fallen 2021.- Ax-Crazy: MJF laid it in thick when talking about his past deeds, which included stabbing "his opponent in the jugular" during a match and robbing a bank without hiding his identity.
- Blood Knight: Known for being an especially brutal deathmatch wrestler.
- Garbage Wrestler: Considered to be the modern day king of hardcore wrestling, when fighting Jericho, he employed the use of a pizza cutter, fluorescent light tubes, and a pane of glass.
Hikuleo
A New Japan wrestler and member of The Bullet Club, Hikuleo challenged Lance Archer for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship at AEW Fight for the Fallen 2021. He would reappear in AEW at the onset of Forbidden Door 2022.- The Giant: At six foot eight inches, Hikuleo towers over the already huge Lance Archer.
- Power Stable: A member of The Bullet Club.
- Wrestling Family: Meng (uncle/adoptive father), Tama Tonga (brother), Tanga Loa (cousin/adoptive brother), Bad Luck Fale (cousin).
Juventud Guerrera
As the third of the Five Labors of Jericho, MJF decided to bring an old enemy of Chris Jericho’s after being inspired by a Call-Back to an earlier Dynamite episode where Jericho mentioned said person in passing. Who was that man? Former WCW Cruiserweight Champion and the man Jericho unmasked for it - "The Juicy One" himself, Juventud Guerrera.- Arch-Enemy: Was one to Jericho in WCW.
- Masked Luchador: Oddly he wrestled in AEW with a mask on despite losing his mask to Jericho years ago and has mostly wrestled without one over the years.
- Red Baron: "The Juice".
- Ring Oldies: Still wrestling in his mid-40s.
- Wrestling Family: The son of Fuerza Guerrera, brother to Fuerza Guerrera Jr/El Hijo de Fuerza Guerrera and Hija de Fuerza Guerrera and the uncle of Furia Guerrera.
Jora Johl
The latest member of the Andrade Hardy Family Office.- Bald of Evil: He's bald and part of the HFO.
- Evil Counterpart: To Wheeler Yuta, both of them being the newest members of their feuding groups.
Rocky Romero
Trent Baretta's old tag team partner in New Japan and one half of Roppongi Vice.Lulu Pencil
- Ascended Fan: She's a journalist who's a huge fan of wrestling, despite having very little skill in it.
- Battle Butler: She acts as Emi Sakura's butler in AEW and is technically a wrestler in her own right... barely.
- Bifauxnen: In AEW, Lulu is Emi Sakura's butler, not her maid, and dresses appropriately. With her short bob hair style, she can even plausibly be mistaken for a pretty man at a casual glance
. - Jobber: She's never won a match, ever. In fact, her losing streak is a crucial part of her character.
- Plucky Girl: Despite having a massive losing streak and no wrestling skill whatsoever, she never gives up and keeps on smiling.
- Put on a Bus: She eventually had to return to Japan, much to the disappointment of both the fans and the commentators.
Satoshi Kojima
Considered one of the greatest Japanese professional wrestlers in the 21st century, Satoshi Kojima made his AEW debut fighting Jon Moxley at AEW All Out 2021. At Forbidden Door 2023, he fought CM Punk in the men's first round of The Owen Hart Cup Tournament. He returned at AEW WrestleDream, joining Keith Lee, Billie Starkz and Athena in a mixed tag team match against Mercedes Martinez, Diamante, Shane Taylor and Lee Moriarty.Minoru Suzuki
The father of proto-mixed martial arts company "Pancrase", leader of Suzuki-gun, and all around the most sadistic fighter that New Japan has to offer, Minoru Suzuki made a surprise appearance at AEW All Out 2021 following Kojima and Moxley's match. He would sporadically appear in AEW during 2021 and 2022, even winning the ROH World Television Championship at Supercard of Honor XV. During 2023, he returned to AEW to assist The Jericho Appreciation Society and faced Darby Allin, Sting and Tetsuya Naito at Forbidden Door 2023.- Combat Sadomasochist: He flat out enjoys getting into a striking contest with his opponents and laughs when his opponents hits aren't enough to down him.
- The Dreaded: Has a monstrous reputation among fans and wrestlers alike.
- Leitmotif: Kaze Ni Nare
- Ring Oldies: In his 50s and still wrestling with the best of them, to the point that many fans have nicknamed him "Murder Grandpa".
- Sadistic Teacher: The biggest reason for his feared reputation.
Homicide
"The Notorious 187" made a surprise appearance at AEW Rampage Grand Slam 2021 to aid Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston in their match against Suzuki-gun.Ari Daivari
Originally appearing as "Ariya Daivari" in November 2021, he wrestled in occasional matches on AEW Dark. During July 2022, when his trust fund finally kicked in, he shed his old name in favor of "Ari Daivari" and began recruiting other wrestlers into his new faction, "The Trustbusters", by proclamining himself "the richest man" in All Elite Wrestling.Tomohiro Ishii
Another New Japan wrestler, Tomohiro Ishii made his AEW debut in November 2021 during Dynamite, partnering with fellow CHAOS stablemate Orange Cassidy to fight The Butcher and The Blade. He would reappear in April 2022 to compete in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. At Forbidden Door 2023, Ishii teamed with Eddie Kingston and The Elite to face The Blackpool Combat Club, Konosuke Takeshita and Shota Umino.- Red Baron: "The Stone Pitbull"
Erick Redbeard
Former tag team partner of Mr. Brodie Lee, Erick Redbeard made his AEW debut during the Brodie Lee Celebration of Life in honor of his friend by helping out The Dark Order in their match against The Inner Circle. He would return for a second appearance when Death Triangle invited him to fight against The House of Black at AEW Revolution 2022.Gangrel
Former leader of "The New Brood", Gangrel made a surprise appearance at AEW Full Gear 2020 during The Elite Deletion match between Matt Hardy and Sammy Guevara, chastising Hardy for his disloyalty when Gangrel mentored him (referring to his time in The New Brood) before making an unsuccessful attempt to aid Guevara. He reappeared again on the go-home Rampage episode before AEW Double or Nothing 2022 in a parody by The Young Bucks against The Hardys.The United Empire (Will Ospreay, Jeff Cobb, Great-O-Khan, Aussie Open (Mark Davis & Kyle Fletcher), Aaron Henare, TJP)
One of the most powerful stables from New Japan Pro-Wrestling, during the Three-Year Anniversary episode of Dynamite, Jeff Cobb returned to AEW alongside his tag team partner, the Great-O-Khan, and interrupted a match between FTR and Roppongi Vice, declaring their intentions just before Forbidden Door 2022, while group leader Will Ospreay brought his stablemates Mark Davis, Kyle Fletcher and Aaron Henare to attack FTR and Trent Beretta in an unexpected AEW debut. Its various members would make occasional appearances on AEW in 2022 and 2023 (Aussie Open and Ospreay would eventually sign into the promotion), as well as the second Forbidden Door and All In, where Ospreay challenged Kenny Omega for his IWGP United States Heavyweight title and faced Chris Jericho at Wembley Stadium, respectively. With the help of "The Don Callis Family", Ospreay also fought against Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho and Kota Ibushi at the inaugural AEW WrestleDream.- Sore Loser: After losing to Kenny and The Young Bucks for a spot in the finals to determine the inaugural AEW World Trios Champions at AEW All Out 2022, Ospreay and Aussie Open attacked them due to Will's grievances against Kenny from New Japan. This only intensified after Ospreay lost the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 17 and returned to AEW in June 2023 with a vengeance on Kenny to take back the title.
David Finlay
Son of Fit Finlay, four-generation wrestler David Finlay of New Japan Pro-Wrestling came to AEW to face "Hangman" Adam Page one week before AEW Road Rager 2022.Hiroshi Tanahashi
"The Ace" of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Hiroshi Tanahashi entered AEW to compete for the Interim AEW World Championship at the Forbidden Door 2022 pay-per-view against Jon Moxley. He returns to AEW for the second episode of Collision in a match against Swerve Strickland and at Forbidden Door 2023, he challenged MJF for the AEW World Championship.- The Ace: Literally his Red Baron status in New Japan, Tanahashi was the top man in the promotion for the better part of a decade and is regularly mentioned in discussions about the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.
Zack Sabre Jr.
Having called out Bryan Danielson, Zack Sabre Jr. proclaims himself "the best technical wrestler in the world" and headed into Forbidden Door 2022 against an opponent of the American Dragon's choosing - Claudio Castagnoli. He is the current and inaugural NJPW World Television Champion and challenged Orange Cassidy at Forbidden Door 2023 for his AEW International title. Zack returned to the promotion to face Bryan at AEW WrestleDream.- Red Baron: Per his entrance video, ZSJ is widely known as the "Submission Master".
Silas Young
Hailing from Ring of Honor, the two-time ROH World Television Champion Silas Young appeared on Dynamite to fight his old rival "Hangman" Adam Page days before Forbidden Door 2022.Bishamon (Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi)
Yoshinobu Kanemaru and El Desperado
LA Dojo (The DKC, Kevin Knight, Alex Coughlin and Yuya Uemura)
Shota Umino
Jon Moxley's protégé during his time in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Shota Umino took time out from his training excursion in the United Kingdom to assist his mentor in The Blackpool Combat Club's feud against The Jericho Appreciation Society, joining Eddie Kingston and Wheeler Yuta by facing Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara and Minoru Suzuki at Forbidden Door 2022. He returned to Forbidden Door 2023, teaming with The Blackpool Combat Club again, this time against The Elite.- Continuity Nod: Shota hasn't forgotten what Chris Jericho did to him (and to his father, referee "Red Shoes" Umino) in New Japan. At Forbidden Door 2022, Umino locked Chris into the Walls of Jericho, just like Jericho had done to him.
- In-Series Nickname: In New Japan, Jon Moxley gave him the nickname "Shooter" while tagging with and managing him.
Clark Connors
Because of Tomohiro Ishii exiting Forbidden Door 2022 for the inaugural AEW International Championship due to injuries, runner-up Clark Connors replaced him at the pay-per-view as the New Japan Pro-Wrestling representative.- Finishing Move: "Trophy Kill" (Belly-to-back suplex lift into a one-handed powerbomb)
Shingo Takagi
A member of Los Ingobernables de Japon from New Japan Pro Wrestling, Shingo Takagi appeared at Forbidden Door 2022 as a part of Darby Allin and Sting's team, "Dudes With Attitudes", in a match against The Young Bucks and El Phantasmo of The Bullet Club.El Phantasmo
Jonathan Gresham
A former Ring Of Honor World Champion, Jonathan Gresham made his in-ring debut during AEW Battle of the Belts II in April 2022. Upon partnering up with Lee Moriarty against The Gates of Agony in July 2022, Gresham betrayed his tag team partner by aligning himself with Tully Blanchard Enterprises.- Red Baron: "The Foundation"
- Shout-Out: The mask that Gresham wears when heading to the ring is modeled after the titular Great Old One from The Call of Cthulhu.
Miyu Yamashita
Cole Karter
Josh Woods
- Red Baron: "The Technical Beast"
Slim J
Mance Warner
- Red Baron: "The Southern Psychopath".
Dragon Lee
The younger brother of Rush from La Facción Ingobernable, Dragon Lee joined his sibling and Andrade el Idolo in August 2022 for the first match in the tournament to determine the inaugural AEW World Trios Champions.- You Have Failed Me: After losing their match to Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks in the World Trios Championship tournament, Andrade delivers a DDT to Dragon Lee for costing them the win.
Ricky Steamboat
A wrestling legend who perptually stayed a Face in professional wrestling, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat appeared on the House of the Dragon episode of AEW Dynamite in August 2022 as the special timekeeper for the 2 out of 3 falls match between Bryan Danielson and Daniel Garcia and the trios match between Kenny Omega with The Young Bucks and La Facción Ingobernable. One year later, Ricky served as the "special outside official" on AEW Collision for the "Real World Championship" match between CM Punk and Ricky Starks.- Call-Back: When confronting The Jericho Appreciation Society about Daniel Garcia, Ricky clearly hasn't forgotten what he and Chris Jericho went through more than 13 years ago.
- No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: Since Ricky was brought into the Real World Championship match to ensure there was no cheating between Punk and Starks, after the referee was knocked out, Ricky had to be the one to count the pinfall on Starks. Post-match, Starks began beating and whipping Ricky with his own belt.
- Red Baron: "The Dragon"
- Shut Up, Hannibal!: When Angelo Parker got in Ricky's face and tried to choke him, Ricky slapped Parker across the chest.
The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley)
Hailing from Impact Wrestling, this tag team was invited by Jay Lethal to join with him to fight Wardlow and FTR in a trios match for AEW All Out 2022.The Great Muta
The Rival to Sting during their time at WCW, The Great Muta appeared during the 2022 edition of Rampage Grand Slam near the end of a No Disqualification match between Sting and Darby Allin against The House of Black.- Super Spit: Muta's well known "Green Mist" is put to use once again when he sprays Buddy Matthews with it, giving Sting the chance to deliver a Scorpion Deathdrop on Buddy for the pinfall.
Dalton Castle
First appearing in AEW during 2022's Battle of the Belts II, Dalton Castle fought against then-Ring of Honor World Champion Jonathan Gresham, but failed to win. He would reappear on Dynamite Title Tuesday in October to challenge ROH World Champion Chris Jericho and in November's battle royal for a chance at winning the Dynamite Diamond Ring from MJF.Jun Akiyama
The former president of All Japan Pro Wrestling from 2014 to 2021, Jun Akiyama is currently signed to DDT Pro-Wrestling and made his AEW debut on Dynamite in November 2022 as the tag team partner of Konosuke Takeshita against Eddie Kingston and Ortiz.Trent Seven
Former member of British Strong Style, Trent Seven was Kip Sabian's selected opponent for Orange Cassidy in December 2022 on Rampage to challenge for the latter's AEW International Championship.Kushida
A former six-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and former ROH World Television Champion, Kushida from New Japan Pro Wrestling appeared on AEW for the first time in January 2023 on Dynamite to face Darby Allin's open-challenge for the AEW TNT Championship.- Shout-Out: Kushida's entrance attire is essentially Marty McFly's outfit from Back to the Future Part II.
Timothy Thatcher
Hailing from Pro Wrestling NOAH, Timothy Thatcher is the longest reigning Evolve Champion and appeared on AEW Dynamite at the start of February 2023 as Bryan Danielson's penultimate opponent as part of MJF's stipulation in order for Bryan to challenge against the latter's AEW World Championship.The Bollywood Boyz
Brothers "Gurv" and "Harv" Sihra, they first appeared on Dark: Elevation in a match against The Gunns in October 2022 during the promotion's debut in Canada, while their first televised appearance would be on the March 17th, 2023 episode of Rampage fighting 2.0.El Hijo del Vikingo
Originally scheduled to face Kenny Omega back in 2021, due to the latter's injuries after losing the AEW World Championship to "Hangman" Adam Page at AEW Full Gear 2021, El Hijo del Vikingo made his AEW debut in March 2023 on Dynamite to finish the intended match against Omega, but with Vikingo as the current AAA Mega Champion. He would continue to defend the belt in future appearances as well as participate in multiple AEW events.Blake Christian
Metalik
Lady Frost
Sabu
Yoh
Another member of CHAOS from New Japan Pro Wrestling, Yoh arrived in AEW on the last episode of Rampage before Forbidden Door 2023 to assist fellow stablemates Rocky Romero, Chuck Taylor and Trent Beretta in a match against Will Ospreay, Kyle Fletcher and Jeff Cobb of The United Empire and Swerve Strickland.Tom Lawlor
A mixed martial artist-turned-wrestler from New Japan Pro Wrestling, "Filthy" Tom Lawlor attacked Adam Cole on Rampage before Forbidden Door 2023 as a hire by MJF to be Cole's opponent at the crossover event. Due to Cole getting sidelined by illness, Lawlor was placed in a dark match against Serpentico instead.Douki
A member of the "Just 5 Guys" faction of New Japan Pro Wrestling, Douki fought "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry on Rampage before Forbidden Door 2023 as the latter's warm-up match before facing SANADA for his IWGP Heavweight Championship.SANADA
The current IWGP Heavyweight Champion of New Japan Pro Wrestling and another member of Just 5 Guys, SANADA headed into Forbidden Door 2023 by issuing an open challenge for the title, to which "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry accepted.Tetsuya Naito
The leader of Los Ingobernables de Japon from New Japan Pro Wrestling, Tetsuya Naito was Darby Allin and Sting's partner for Forbidden Door 2023 in a match against Chris Jericho, Minoru Suzuki and Sammy Guevara.Gravity
Hailing from the Mexican independent scene, Gravity first appeared in the promotion on AEW Dark in January 2023. Alongside a few Ring of Honor matches in June, he would make his television debut one week after AEW Blood and Guts 2023 on Dynamite facing PAC and make subsequent appearances on Collision.Rob Van Dam
Appearing on the 200th episode of Dynamite, Rob Van Dam was invited to be Jerry Lynn's replacement in a face-to-face meeting with FTW Champion Jack Perry. A week later, he challenged Jack for the title under FTW rules.TMDK (Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls, Bad Dude Tito)
Also known as "The Mighty Don't Kneel", the faction (of which Zack Sabre Jr. is also a member) will make its AEW debut at AEW WrestleDream to face The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn for the AEW World Trios Championship.Shane Taylor
- Power Stable: He leads his namesake faction "Shane Taylor Enterprises".
Josh Barnett
Willie Mack
Mistico
Ric Flair
Ross and Marshall Von Erich
Appearing at AEW Winter Is Coming 2023 with their father Kevin Von Erich, Ross and Marshall Von Erich joined Orange Cassidy on Rampage to face Jake Hager, Matt Menard and Angelo Parker.- Signature Move: "The Iron Claw" (clawhold), something Kevin would also use post-match against Jake.
