Former WWE NXT Champion Hints at Joining AEW

A former WWE superstar and two-time NXT Champion has expressed interest in joining the rival AEW promotion.

Before AEW opened its doors in 2019, WWE usually had no problem getting top superstars to sign new deals. But the likes of Chris Jericho, Jon Moxley (Dean Ambrose in WWE), Adam Cole and Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan in WWE) saw better opportunities in Tony Khan's promotion and never looked back.

Last summer, WWE unsuccessfully attempted to extend the contract of Karrion Kross (real name Kevin Kesar). He turned it down and later signed with Major League Wrestling, having previously worked there in 2020 and 2022.

During an interview on "The Ariel Helwani Show" (h/t F4WOnline.com), Kross expressed interest in eventually signing with AEW.

"This is what I will say: I have a tremendous amount of respect for Tony and he knows that," Kross said. "And I prefer to keep those conversations private out of respect for Tony and myself...I think it's always been open."

Recently released WWE superstars like Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods and Aleister Black have been widely mentioned as possible targets for AEW. Could Kross also be on the company's radar? Stay tuned.

Karrion Kross Is a Well-Traveled Wrestler

Kross joined the WWE in 2020, and he won the NXT Championship twice in his first stint with the promotion. He was let go from his contract in Nov. 2021, only for WWE to bring him back nine months later.

Speaking to Helwani soon after his WWE departure last August (h/t Fightful.com), Kross said that the company never offered a new contract to his wife, Scarlett Bordeaux. Additionally, Kross said he had only 24 hours to accept WWE's offer

Appearing as "Killer Kross", the veteran wrestler returned to MLW appearing as "Killer Kross" at the Don Gato Tequila pay-per-view on Nov. 20, 2025.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 3:54 PM.