When AEW began working with New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2021, an era of unprecedented collaboration began.
Now that WWE has purchased AAA and began working alongside both TNA and Pro Wrestling NOAH, the spirit of the “Forbidden Door” has unilaterally breathed new life into professional wrestling.
Still, the walls that separate the world’s two largest promotions seem insurmountable.
Even though a joint venture between WWE and AEW is unlikely, it hasn’t stopped some of the promotion’s top stars from meeting in the ring.
My criteria for coming up with this list:
- Both wrestlers currently work for either WWE or AEW.
- Neither wrestler has worked for both promotions. So, wrestlers like Cody Rhodes, Samoa Joe, and CM Punk are excluded.
Now, to the Top 5 dream matches between WWE and AEW stars that have already happened
LA Knight vs. Brian Cage
NWA Hollywood : Oct. 1, 2011
In 2023, at the age of 40, LA Knight took the world by storm – becoming a bona fide main event player and one of the WWE’s most polarizing forces. That doesn’t mean the self-proclaimed “Megastar” was an overnight sensation, though. Knight spent years grinding on the independent circuit, before finding solid ground in TNA and Billy Corgan’s NWA.
In 2010 and 2011, Knight – then known as Shaun Ricker – teamed with AEW star Brian Cage in NWA Hollywood. Known as Natural Selection, the duo was destined to dissolve, leading to a tumultuous rivalry. Here, Knight has enlisted the services of Percy Pringle III, better known as Paul Bearer, as his manager – throwing an interesting wrinkle in the affair.
Sami Zayn vs. Kenny Omega
DDT: Dec. 23, 2012
Long before Sami Zayn’s independent spirit burned bright in the WWE, the “Honorary Uce” wrestled under a hood as El Generico – an ironic caricature of a luchador. In the ‘aughts, Generico became one of the biggest stars on the independent circuit – frequenting Ring of Honor, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and Chikara. In Japan, Generico became a household name in DDT, defeating Kota Ibushi for the promotion’s top title. Generico’s reign came to an end at “Never Mind 2012,” at the hands of Ibushi’s tag team partner, Kenny Omega.
While “The Best Bout Machine” may never step foot in a WWE ring, at least he was able to share the ring with Zayn.
Asuka vs. Hikaru Shida
Pro Wrestling Wave/Oz Academy: May 10, 2015
Over the last decade, Asuka has become one of the most prolific women’s superstars in WWE history. As Kana, she became a defining figure in the world of joshi wrestling, and the undisputed ace of Pro Wrestling Wave. Here, she tested her mettle against the future three-time AEW Women’s World Champion, Hikaru Shida.
This was Asuka and Shida’s final singles confrontation before the former debuted in NXT, nearly five months later.
Gunther vs. Darby Allin
EVOLVE: June 23, 2018
A tale as old as time, like the eternal struggle between David and Goliath. The beauty of this match is the simplicity of its conceit, magnified by the individual performances.
Here, Darby Allin is a babyface for the ages, trying to overcome the inviolable and uncompromising “Ring General,” WALTER.
AJ Styles vs. Will Ospreay
RevPro: Feb. 15, 2015
For years, sycophants have been clamoring for a veritable dream match between AJ Styles and Will Ospreay. Now that Styles has announced his impending retirement in 2026, it seems like the chances of “The Phenomenal One” meeting “The Aerial Assassin” in the squared circle are slim-to-none. Fortunately, they’ve already shared the ring.
In 2015, Styles met a young Ospreay at RevPro’s “High Stakes,” in London’s York Hall. While Ospreay’s career was still in its infancy, there were glimmers of brilliance in this match. Much of that can be attributed to Styles steady, matching Ospreay’s unbridled exuberance with a deft hand.
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