AEW has a wide array of talent that has competed at the highest level of the professional wrestling industry, which has allowed them to become World Champions. Whether it is in AEW, WWE, or another promotion around the world, the company has got a lot of wrestlers that have reached the mountaintop of the industry.
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However, they are not all viewed as World Championship material in AEW and that is why many of them won't end up holding the title ever again. Whether it's because their career is slowing down or because there are better options that have brighter futures, there are plenty of wrestlers who simply won't hold the top prize again.
10 Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho is a multi-time World Champion, which is something he achieved plenty of times during his WWE career, but he is also the first ever AEW World Champion as well. His name is etched in history at the highest level because of that, and there's no doubt he deserved every opportunity he was given.
However, while he might still be working at a high level there is no need for Tony Khan to put the top title back on him. Fans aren't interested in seeing Jericho work at that level right now, and using him in non-title storylines is the right way to go from now on.
9 Paul Wight
Paul Wight may not have wrestled in a while due to injuries, but he is not officially retired and he does plan on competing once again down the line. However, capturing the World Championship is something that he isn't going to do ever again, simply because he is past that stage in his career.
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Wight isn't able to compete at the same level he did when he held the World Title, and because he has dealt with so many injury issues it is time for him to focus on other things. Wight's main ambition now is to thrive as a commentator and that is a perfect spot for him.
8 Christian Cage
Christian Cage has been putting some great work together since his return from retirement and AEW has benefited from having him on the roster. During his time with the company, he has been able to hold a World Title as he became the Impact World Champion, proving that he is still capable of pulling that off.
However, it is unlikely he is going to be given that opportunity again. Cage isn't working at the main event level in AEW, and while it is possible he could hold a different title at some point, the World Champion is likely not something he will be again.
7 Jeff Hardy
AEW signing Jeff Hardy was a big deal for the company considering the star power that he has coupled with the fact that he is one of the most popular wrestlers in the business. However, inside the ring, it is clear that he is beginning to slow down a little, and he often appears to be in a little pain.
Because of that and the issues he has had outside the ring, it is very unlikely that AEW, nor any other wrestling company would want to put a World Championship on him right now.
6 Brian Cage
Brian Cage has all the tools to be a major star inside the ring considering his size and athletic ability, and that is something that led to him holding the Impact Wrestling World Championship in the past. However, his run with AEW hasn't quite gone to plan as he hasn't been pushed to that level.
While he currently holds the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team titles, the idea of him becoming a World Champion for either ROH or AEW seems very unlikely given how Tony Khan has positioned him.
5 CM Punk
CM Punk is a huge draw for AEW, therefore it would make sense for the company to put the AEW World Championship on him for a third time. His upcoming return is going to be a big deal for AEW and seeing him compete in the main event level is something everyone expects.
However, after the terrible PR that he brought the company last time he held the title it is unlikely Tony Khan would trust him in that spot again. Punk can do a lot without holding the ultimate prize, which is probably the safest bet at the moment.
4 Jeff Jarrett
Jeff Jarrett even being on the active AEW roster is something that nobody expected before it happened, however, he has proved to be a fantastic heat magnet for the company. Tony Khan has done a great job booking Jarrett, and having him focus on the tag team division, which is somewhere he could legitimately hold gold.
However, when it comes to being a World Champion again that might be a stretch too far for the Last Outlaw. While he can still go inside the ring, he's not capable of putting on the main event-style matches that fans expect from those who hold that level of title nowadays.
3 Jake Hager
Jake Hager has had a solid spot in AEW ever since he joined the company, effectively working as Chris Jericho's heater. He has been the muscle for the veteran and that is a role that has suited him well as Hager is a talented worker, but not someone that fans want to see at the very top of the card.
That is why he is someone who won't be a World Champion again in his career. Most people were surprised when WWE gave him that opportunity in the first place after he won the Money in the Bank briefcase, but it's hard to see him getting it again.
2 Bryan Danielson
Bryan Danielson is one of the biggest names on the AEW roster and when it comes to in-ring ability there are few people better than him in the entire world. Danielson is more than capable of putting on world-class matches and considering the reactions he gets, putting the World Championship on him makes sense.
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However, the American Dragon himself has admitted that the idea of holding the World Championship isn't something that brings him joy, and it's clear he doesn't have the desire to do so. Instead, he is focusing on putting on great matches and storylines elsewhere which is benefiting the overall product.
1 Sting
Sting has had a career decorated in championship gold and fans would certainly love to see him claim another one before he wraps up his career. However, the World Championship is unlikely to be that one, with Sting more likely to become an AEW World Tag Team Champion than anything else.
Sting is the oldest member of the active AEW roster, therefore giving him the chance to hold the title wouldn't make the most sense in terms of pushing the business forward.
