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Ricochet Claims Ex-WWE Champions Are Not Joining AEW: “Don’t Get Your Hopes Up”

By John Canton • Published Jul 06, 2026 13:18 EDT
Ricochet
Ricochet in AEW - Image via @AEW on X

Ricochet has shared his thoughts on some former WWE superstars possibly joining AEW.

It was nearly three months ago, after WrestleMania 42, when WWE did its annual roster cuts. When it comes to wrestlers on the WWE main roster, their agreement has a 90-day non-compete clause in it, which means they can’t appear on another wrestling television show for those 90 days, which is about 3 months.

The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods were the most shocking of the cuts because they combined to spend over 35 years on the WWE roster, with Kingston right around the 20-year mark.

In the case of Kofi and Woods, it wasn’t an outright release. It was reported that they were asked to take a pay cut from their previous deals, they refused, and as a result, they were let out of their contracts.

Sheamus was let out of his WWE contract for similar reasons to The New Day. After being signed for nearly 20 years, WWE asked the former World Champion to take a pay cut, he didn’t want to do that, and now he’s already on the WWE Alumni page on the company website.

Since AEW has been a home for many former WWE superstars over the last 7 years, another former WWE superstar, Ricochet, gave his take on X about Kofi, Woods, and Sheamus going to AEW just like he did.

Everyone, listen. Neither New Day or Sheamo is coming to @AEW.

FOR 1. I’d kick Kofi and Creed’s ass in @Tekken. They know that.

And 2, I’d simply just kick Sheamus’ ass. Its easy.

Don’t get your hopes up. 👑 👌🏽 #Ahaa

It’s worth noting that wrestlers are often in character on social media, so having a heel like Ricochet say things like that is just a way to rile people up. It doesn’t mean Ricochet has any say in AEW’s hiring decisions.

The reality is, if AEW Owner Tony Khan thinks that Sheamus, Kofi, and Woods can help AEW, then they can likely offer them the best deal, and it could lead to the three men joining AEW soon.

Ricochet Nearly Joined AEW’s Hurt Syndicate

Speaking of former WWE stars in AEW, The Hurt Syndicate’s Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, and MVP have been part of the company for about two years.

While Ricochet is currently leading The Demand alongside Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun, MVP revealed in an interview that Ricochet nearly joined the Hurt Syndicate.

“Because Cedric was still under contract, we were coming over, and at the time you were still negotiating, there were a lot of pieces. We’re like, ‘Okay, we’re gonna reunite and we’re gonna Ricochet’s gonna have that spot, but in our business, we have the saying: card subject to change.

We did that spot in the ring with Bobby when he snatched you up, and that was supposed to have been like, where we start initiating Ricochet and where his character changes. He goes, and he becomes, ‘I hurt people,’ but as things sometimes happen organically, his career path went a completely different way, and selfishly, like I wanted him in the Hurt Syndicate, but I dare say things worked out better for you as they are.”

Also Read: Ricochet Has Done It Again, Buries WWE Legend In AEW