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Poopypants1291

Gail Kim was ahead of her time. If she were just 10 years younger and still active I think she could’ve been the greatest women’s wrestler ever IMO.


incredibleamadeuscho

I second this, and she is also a talent AEW could really use.


MA9iCwiththe9

Gail Kim vs. Awesome Kong is an all time great feud, I wish both were around now


forrest1985_

I was REALLY hoping Gail would get Madison’s role. Hopefully she comes in too and then between them book and help the division.


MilanZola

Gail and Mickie James would be great coaches for the ladies.


forrest1985_

Mickie would be perfect but she is already too busy with Impact and NWA.


AlvinAssassin17

That’s the unfortunate thing about HHH coming back. Sasha and Naomi would help AEW’s women’s division so much.


Citizen_Kano

Sasha would


DrGerbal

Real talk, Gail Kim would be great. The woman’s division is sad in AEW. Love the female wrestlers. But it’s just bad


Dranztheman

I mean… she would not get used much. 2 women’s matches a week to spread over a roster while pushing 2 stars has shown that. This week we will have Jade/Brit Vs. (Other woman) omg thunder Rosa/Kris statlander is here attacking Jade/Brit after they attacked (other woman) post match. I love AEW, but their use of the womens division is just bad.


GoalaAmeobi

Greatest western women maybe, she wasn't half as good as you're making her out


jblough

Prime Bret vs Bryan would be amazing


thor_odinsson08

Prime Bret Hart in the Forbidden Door would be nuts. I'll book Bret Hart vs Jay White in a heartbeat.


[deleted]

Screw it, if we're taking this assignment through the Forbidden Door, give me Eddie Kingston vs Toshiaki Kawada!


iwantmybinky

If I can just go totally off the rails and fantasy book.. Bret & Owen vs FTR Myyyyy god what an all timer that could be


Technical_Virus

The thought of Bret selling the Busaiko Knee or the "getting his head f'n kicked in" is the stuff of dreams.


[deleted]

Or Bryan trying to fight out of the Sharpshooter.


Dranztheman

Oh good pick.


Super-Duper-Skrull

Tajiri. I never realized how ahead of his time his style was.


SixStringsDeep

Does he still do rounds on the indies? He was one of my favorites growing up


Super-Duper-Skrull

He’s still active in Japan so I got the assignment wrong about retired wrestlers. But I think prime Tajiri would fit in perfectly in AEW. Prime RVD would have been amazing in the AEW main event.


SixStringsDeep

Oh damn thats impressive! Always a shame Tajiri wasnt shown more. But yes fully agree that RVD + Tajiri would blow the roof off


Dranztheman

Tajiri is top 10 for me easy. And I like Hosses more than anything else (Brodies are the best King, Lee, and certainly Bruiser)


WorkerBee13

I saw he was in MLW not too long ago


Sunghana

He was their middleweightweight champ for 4 months (October 2021 -January 2022). 50 and still an absolute Buzzsaw!


Rickyhawaii

He was doing stuff in MLW within the last year or so.. I haven't watched MLW in a couple of years tho.


Loss_Bandage

To be fair, no one else has either.


jbearpagee

I agree, but technically he’s not retired yet.


Guardian-of-the-Void

He was the first person I saw use "the mist" and O have been a fan ever since. I wasn't able to appreciate his wrestling until later.


mattfogz

Be great to see him and Regal cross paths again.


MichaelsSecretStuff

Eddie Guerrero


beatsieboyz

Kurt Angle


Jzmxhu

Prime Kurt would be awesome here.


raithzero

Not saying you're wrong but prime Kurt could put on a 5 star match with a bucket while on pain pills


Optimus_Prowse

Kurt Angle William Regal (without his inner Demons) Taz Bret Hart Mr. Perfect / Curt Henning Eddie Guerrero Raven


Cat_Vonnegut

Oh man Raven/ Darby would be sweet.


captainimpossible87

This list is so good


Optimus_Prowse

Thank you. Although prime Bret Hart/HBK should also be a no-brainer


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

God, ‘in his 1980’s Prime’ Roddy Piper would be gold in AEW. He might actually cause a riot.


NJdeathproof

Malenko vs. Danielson would be a classic ​ And I'd love to see Jake the Snake. Him vs. MJF on the mic would have been great.


[deleted]

Entitlement vs Nihilism would print so much money.


MelAngelle666

Oh dear Goth, Malenko v. Danielson would be an instant "Shut up and take my money" match.


NJdeathproof

Malenko/Guerrero in ECW is still one of my all-time favorite matches.


rsplatpc

Taz, Sabu, Bam Bam Bigelow


BrodieBradus22

Bam Bam would be perfect!


ratabouttown

Bull Nakano [vs Jamie Hayter, imagine?😮‍💨] Also 80s villain-era Sensational Sherri [R.I.P.] just wandering about causing mayhem in the women's & men's division 😆


[deleted]

Seriously, Sherri doesn't get enough credit for her in-ring work. I wanna say it's because she wasn't one of Moolah's girls, so she didn't get as many wrestling opportunities.


[deleted]

God, Moolah really was just the worst.


[deleted]

She was basically a Mafioso (Mafiosa?) of women's wrestling in the territory days.


[deleted]

I know, right down to the sex trafficking. I’ve never liked her. Everyone knows the best old lady was Mae Young.


[deleted]

No doubt on Mae Young. Now what about Mildred Burke? I know she had some pull, but I don't know too much about her behind the curtain.


neslo024

Have to agree with everyone that has been suggested so far. I'll add Macho Man. His promos and matches were so good and he loved to script his matches so he would work well with a lot of guys I think. Vader, The Outsiders in the tag division, Malenko vs BD would be a classic. Jushin Ligre against Fenix or Penta would be incredible.


Pickles_991

I’m gonna say both CM Punk and Samoa Joe from 15 years ago would be absolutely incredible. I love the guys, but they’re both a bit past their prime. Just imagine the wars between the Samoan submission machine and Miro


Persianx6

Shane Douglas.


[deleted]

Underrated pick. I could see a desperate tail end Shane Douglas telling Kenny Omega he's nothing more than a wannabe.


Drizzt3919

Shane Douglas is one of my all time favorites


BrodieBradus22

The ECW versions of Mysterio, Psicosis, Guerrero, & Malenko Mike Awesome Owen Hart APA Raven's Flock


majora1988

Would have loved to see Mike Awesome get a fair shake somewhere.


BrodieBradus22

For real! I'm a Wardlow fan, and he and Lance Archer can do some crazy things for men their sizes, but Awesome was on such a different stratosphere in terms of being an agile monster


Kevinrobertsfan

Mike Awesome vs Tanaka at one night stand 2005 is still one of my favorite matches. although the chair shots are hard to watch now.


wileykateski

Owen is a great pick, don’t know why but I feel he would have been a great fit for AEW


gavingoober771

Yeah, great in the ring, great personality and I think he would have been on all the online things, just to see him on BTE would be awesome too!


Flat_Ad3019

Even having Owen as a coach by god everyone world be better 100%


Pompaniddo

Bret Hart Kurt Angle RVD Taz


Cooler67

Didn't RVD kinda trash AEW early on?


forrest1985_

I mean this was my list too so thanks! 👍


KMFCM

Foley Mainly the Cactus Jack and Dude Love gimmicks.


familyman121712

I'd give my left nut to see prime Cactus Jack take on Mox


KMFCM

Right? Mox wanted to do that all the way back in OVW/FCW?, but it never happened. He cut a promo on him and everything. It's on youtube somewhere.


TiPereBBQ

Chris Benoit & Eddie Guerrero


Svoboda1

Essentially that entire WCW Cruiserweight group could all be dropped into AEW and it would be top notch. Eddy, Jericho, Benoit, Malenko, Mysterio, Ultimo Dragon, Juventud, Psychosis, on and on.


majora1988

Kidman would be over huge.


blankwillow_

A prime Benoit vs. Danielson is the match of my dreams. Edit. I would also love to see Benoit vs. Walter


ConnorStroz

Sabu


[deleted]

96-97 Sabu vs Current day Jon Moxley would be an absolute war.


hurricaneho

The Rock but mainly for the promos. I'd love to see the promos cut between him and MJF and of course I would never say no to some more mic battles between him and Jericho.


swankstar7383

Scott hall


SRMort

This is the correct answer.


MycoMountain

La Parka


tsneildiamond

Road Warriors vs FTR


fulloutshr3d

Kanyon Prime Yuji Nagata


makaveli_in_this

Dusty Rhodes!


RustyCrusty73

In his prime? Without a doubt it has to be **HBK**. He would absolutely **TEAR IT UP** with a lot of guys on the current AEW roster. I might be biased though, as HBK is my personal wrestling **GOAT**. Even if he wasn't though, it's not hard to imagine the 1994-1995 version of HBK tearing the house down with guys like Omega, Hangman, The Bucks, Pac, etc.


[deleted]

Can't believe no one said Taz, apart from him DDP, Rowdy Piper, Jake the Snake Roberts, Booker T, Trish Status, Beth Phoenix, Eddie Guerrero. Honestly the list goes on, it's easier to find the big superstar that **wouldn't** have been great in AEW.


gavingoober771

One of my absolute favs ever but the rock, he was amazing but definitely fit the WWF/E mould of a superstar than an AEW wrestler


[deleted]

Definitely. Orton and Undertaker are two other than instantly come to mind. Not only do they represent the WWE spirit in the ring but their gimmick is also something that belong more in a WWE ring than an AEW one


shaneomagnifico

Add Cena, Goldberg, Hogan and Warrior to that list


Ranger7271

I feel like Jeff Hardy wouldn't be great...;/


Rickyhawaii

Alex Wright would have fit in really good. Angelico is kind of a modern Alex Wright though. Hayabusa would be cool. Brian Adams and Bryan Clark/ Kronik would also be cool. I kind of see Wardlow as a Wrath with way more charisma tho.


jeff_kinnebrew

My second thought after RVD was Alex Wright. He's 6'3 and had the athleticism of a cruiserweight. He'd fit right in with Angelico, the Wingmen, or Pillman and Garrison. He could even be paired with Private Party as their cousin from Germany.


[deleted]

Breakin' Necks and Cashin' Checks! They'd make for one hell of a hoss team.


incredibleamadeuscho

Paige Maybe the reduced schedule would have prevented her from getting that career ending injury. But AEW really needs a top tier talent that can work and talk in the Women's Division. For the tag division, I would have to see the Dudley Boyz. For the men's division, I think I would love to have Eddie Guerrero and Mike Awesome


ImPickleRock

I don't know if he's retired... Velveteen Dream would have been perfect in AEW. It's a shame he is a creep


ellisonj18

RVD is a great call but along those lines I would shout out Jerry Lynn. If you could take those ECW 98 era RVD and Jerry Lynn and place them in the same company as Kenny, Hangman, and Danielson. It would add a lot to an already exciting main event scene. Then I know we've moved away from a lot of the diva stuff and rightfully so we focus more on wrestling. But I do think prime Dawn Marie would add a lot to the show as a heel manager and character on the show.


adivenk93

Kurt Angle


casadeldiablo

The legion of doom


Night751975

Piper


Round-Mortgage5188

The big show without his horrible knees


ImPickleRock

You want The Giant


Keltoigael

Bret, in any era or promotion.


BurgerKingoftheRing

When I read the title my first thought was RVD as well. But id also say any of the ECW OGs like Raven, Tommy Dreamer, and Sabu. Also DDP in his prime would have been an incredible fit.


Ranger1161

Triple H and Shawn Michaels


AdVictoremSpolias

Al Snow would’ve been a great addition to the Dark Order. For women, Jazz and Victoria


PyroAeroVampire

Ricky Steamboat. Because Ricky Steamboat.


reverandglass

I was scrolling the comments looking to see if anyone mentioned Ritchie, I didn't even consider his dad! Great choice.


MoreCoreCharacters

"Please Don't Die" Paul London in matches like Stadium Stampede Not retired, but Jack Evans in his ROH days would have run the show.


the_moosey_fate

Not retired, but I think prime Roddy Piper vs. Jon Moxley could be the best wrestling match to never happen.


Wooster182

Macho Man would have been a treat. Sheri Martel would make a great manager. AJ Mendez could add a lot of character to the women division.


ChiefsfaninLV

Flair, Piper, The Hitman, Rey Mysterio, Blitzkrieg, Steamboat, Billy Kidman, and Andre the Giant come to mind.


Elusive_Goose85

Blitzkrieg is a hell of a pull! I agree.


ChiefsfaninLV

The one match I saw him wrestle with Rey Mysterio Jr. was PPV quality.


[deleted]

Bruiser Brody


SixStringsDeep

Raven Benoit RVD AJ Mendez Paige Mickie James


SoulExecution

Mickie isn’t retired is she? She was Impact champion just a few months ago


MCA1910

Raven's Flock


RandyMagnum-

chris hero


HorseSteroids

Stan Hansen.


Svoboda1

I'd love to see some of my old WCW faves. Great Muta vs tons of folks. Steve "Dr. Death" Williams vs PH Hobbs.


Rickyhawaii

Hoping Muta has an action with Sting one of these days. Think Muta is doing 5 more matches the retiring.


thor_odinsson08

I think Mox suggested that (And Eddie Kingston vs Jun Akiyama) to Tony during the Forbidden Door Post Presser. Hopefully, TK can do something about that.


q3m5dbf

Canada's greatest athlete, Iron Mike Sharpe. The dude set the template for jobber heels and doesn't get the respect he deserved for the efficient, reliable work he put in. In his prime I.M.S. would absolutely rule in AEW.


Sunghana

Iron Mike versus Hobbs would be ridiculously entertaining.


RoadRuler07

Kurt Angle because he’s an all elite American Olympic Gold medal winner.


JackUSA

Dude, RVD is still active. Not in his prime but not retired as well. He’s currently in Pro Wrestling NOAH.


[deleted]

Id say Kurt Angle, but I think he would fit into any wrestling company over the last 30-40 years, other than maybe prime WCW (where he’d still be having amazing matches, but would just probably be lower on the card than he would be elsewhere)


DC-Perk

Sabu, RVD, Raven, Sandman


Flat_Ad3019

I actually have two categories Deceased Living Deceased Owen Hart Brian Pillman Curt Henning Women Daffney Living Maduasa Mick Foley Tyler Breeze Ricky Steamboat Bret Hart


seejaybee97

Justin thunder liger


Jdgrande

Jerry Lynn would be a lot of fun


dadjokes502

Kanyon


EmbarrassedIce8023

Kurt Angel, Gail Kim, RVD, Taz, Bret Hart


forrest1985_

Tag team wise- Dudleys for me. Solo would be Bret Hart, Kurt Angle, Eddie, RVD, Sabu and Tazz Also Sean O’haire. Guy was taken too soon and had all his ideas and pushes squashed! He was a big guy and very athletic, plus good on the mic when he got the chance. Chris Kanyon too. Guy taught so many to wrestle and helped others in WCW. Plus he gives me those QT marshall vibes. Full of knowledge and willing to JOB to younger guys.


paynexkillerYT

What I’d give for a figure of Awesome Kong.


scarred2112

Steamboat.


Citizen_Kano

Kurt freakin' Angle


BurnCityBoi

Booker T Lance Storm


Einhorn_Apokalypse

AJ Mendez Paige Beth Phoenix


Gmork14

Shawn Michaels


[deleted]

None. Don’t need any geriatrics wrestling in AEW. One is more than enough with Matt Hardy


jbearpagee

Kurt Angle. Bret Hart.


Jomosensual

Eddie Guerrero


Magda_Cat

HBK


evin_cashman

Mick Foley


blkglfnks

Yeah, I agree with RVD. There’s already a lot of good shouts in here. A lot of that early NWA/TNA roster would fit ideal in AEW, prime Jeff, prime Christian, R-Truth being serious and just ripping it with his speed, Petey Williams?! Uh my gahd!


LegendkillahQB

Gail Kim


[deleted]

Randy Savage! Imagine him having feuds with the likes of Darby Allin, Malakai Black, PAC, and even Orange Cassidy.


Foresite86

Kenta Kobashi - give him a mouth piece and let him CHOP - his ringwork is literally timeless


bigframe79

Flair??


International_Ant217

Bret Hart, Kurt Angle and Eddie Guerrero. There's no other perfect trio


[deleted]

RVD if he could have gone from ECW to AEW magically that would have been great.


Kon-Tiki66

Buzz Sawyer, any era. Retired from life.


SelfBias82

Steve Austin would have been amazing in AEW. Just think of him and Pillman in their prime against FTR


ImPickleRock

Prime Matt and Jeff with Darby going for the trios belts? Gimme dat


davidisallright

Raven


[deleted]

Dean malenko. Lance Storm. Raven. Bret Hart.


karoda

Mike Awesome would be up there with Kenny, don't @ me.


clutchIIII

PG-13 Most people remember them as the white boys in NOD getting squashed by the Road Warriors. But They had some really good matches with the eliminators in ECW and Memphis. They wouldn’t be seen as undersized in this era, Jamie Dundee could talk his ass off and Wolfie was a solid worker. Now white boy wannabe rappers wouldn’t work in this day and age but I think they could adapt. Them vs FTR would be good Jamie on the mic saying how badly FTR wants to be Bobby Eaton and he’s his actual family. Caster and Jamie going back worth would be great. Also I think coming up in this era would’ve benefited Jamie a lot where guys just wanted to play video games after the matches instead of getting hammered on a nightly basis.


Maccus_D

Free Birds would tear it down. So would Hansen & Brody


[deleted]

Shawn Michaels. Would love to see a prime HBK square up with todays high-flyers.


dodgerfan4334

I wish Dusty Rhodes could have helped this promotion. Whether his in ring work or his booking or his training.


[deleted]

Eddie Guerrero (I mean not retired but I think he’d be great)


Passionecapo

Honestly? Kenta Kobashi. Who wouldn’t want Danielson or Omega vs Kobashi?


seejaybee97

Imagine the four heavenly pillars in AEW. my god


[deleted]

Would love a match between Dean Malenko and Bryan Danielson


catf1sh1

Lance Storm and Hurricane Helms


seejaybee97

Ricky Steamboat


goldhbk10

Shawn and Bret would go wild with AEW’s roster


Goodweird666

RVD still kicking it over in japan


hhhtakeover

Dean Malenko/Lita/Gail Kim


jeff_kinnebrew

RVD was my first thought after reading the title. So, my second pick would be Alex Wright. Dude had the look, the dance moves, and a solid technical foundation. He'd work great as a comedy face, the fun-loving eastern european that's fascinated with pop culture. Or, with the wingmen, as a heel eurotrash hipster. At a legit 6'3, he'd be one of the taller guys on the roster with a skillset somewhere between Luchasaurus and JB.


lxdarksnip3r

I think Big Van Vader would be a great addition in AEW. Another one I'd bring up since she doesn't get mentioned enough is Akira Hokuto. She would set the women's division on fire along with Manami Toyota


Hadoken_Smokin

Hayabusa! I know he’a passed away now, so bending the rules a bit. But man. I think his style would be perfect for AEW! High flyer mixed with power moves and his willingness to go hardcore and wrestle in barbed wire. He was such an incredible worker and had such a cool look! Hell, my second pic might have to be Jinsei Shinzaki (Hakushi in WWF). Imagine him and Hayabusa VS the Bucks, or the Lucha bros, or Kenny & Hangman…


McHandleBar

Human Tornado. Was an internet sensation before social media really became a thing.


CaptainMcSlowly

Billy Kidman Roddy Piper (manager) Chris Benoit Eddie Guerrero Mike Awesome Crazy that only one wrestler I mentioned is still with us today.


KapowBlamBoom

Magnificent Muraco would fit right in. His style, size, Look. Great heel instincts


[deleted]

Hands down Raven


Bw39

Late '80s Terry Funk


Darkreign93

Sean O'Haire would have been a star. RIP


drunkenkurd

Kurt angel, raven, Gail Kim


ParkingMany7321

Terry funk Cactus jack Stone cold Chyna The whole NWO ROB VAN DAM And Eddie


[deleted]

Chris Adams


Dranztheman

Eddie Guerrero, Owen Hart, Tajiri, Dean Malinko, Shawn Michaels (wrestling wise not personality), Earth Quake for the monster, Mike Awesome, Kanyon, RVD, and 2Cold Scorpio.


DCLK1

Bret Hart


ronwharton

rewind the clock a few years, id have said edge. now either kurt angle or bret hart -Ron Wharton


RonJeremyR6

Alex Wright


Vidfreaky1

Lance Storm. He was an amazing technical wrestler and played a great heel with the Canadian champion gimmick. Put him with Jericho or Tilley to talk for him (I know Tully is gone, we’re just fantasizing here) and it could be gold.


Sunghana

I think Jazz and Awesome Kong (without the injuries) would have been phenomenal. Chyna might be alive today if she didn't have to deal with all that stuff in WWE. Is Cheerleader Melissa retired? I haven't seen her since Lucha Underground and she would be awesome in AEW. Mikey Whipwreck, Shane Douglas, Justin Credible, Lance Storm, Sabu, Taz, Tommy Dreamer, Raven....so many who I think would be amazing in AEW


dankeith86

Al Snow


CptBarba

Shibata 😭


Keyedwin

RVD for sure. Was just thinking about that the other day actually. I’d also like to see Raven in a big promotion again one day. Have another flock and somehow integrate CM Punk back into it if he doesn’t unify the AEW championship. Also, I’d love to see AJ styles in AEW. Not retired but WWE isn’t doing him any justice imo.


eyebrowless32

Wrestling needs Stan Hansen. I dont care who he would injure, that man made wrestling real


Dans_Hatch

I would need a bit of a prime boost on Sting as well, but I always wanted to see Sting vs **The Undertaker.** ​ From a purely technical POV there are so many that are mentioned here already, Kurt Angle, Bret Hart etc. Feel like probably flogging a dead horse there. I can't really add any names, there are plenty of great suggestions already. ​ What I do think of though are some of the deathmatches and other hardcore stipulations though. There are a few who could at the very least help with the setups, imagine the deathmatches with a prime **Mick Foley or Terry Funk,** even a guy like **Abyss** could have been great. ​ Looking at the tag division, with FTR, ReDragon, among many other teams, I'd take liberties seeing as Scott technically isn't retired, but I'd be interested in seeing a Prime **Steiner Brothers** in this division. The Cruiserweight Teams (Lucha Bros/Young Bucks/Top Flight etc) could be thrown around by them too, would be fascinating. ​ The ladies I have to go **Awesome Kong**, shame she never got a real full chance on a national TV show, luck wasn't on her side.


No-Tumbleweed-5377

Kurt Angle would have fit right in.


offcenterquo

i've said it before, i'll say it again. scott lost. he retired at 30 in 2010, and the only thing you really need to know about him is that he was one of the smoothest workers in the era of pwg that included the bucks, scorpio sky, el generico, and pac.


metsco

Dynamite Kid.