The Impossible List: Tony Khan’s Three Biggest Dream AEW Signings For 2025 And Beyond

The landscape of professional wrestling is constantly shifting, and no one understands this better than All Elite Wrestling (AEW) President, Tony Khan. As AEW closes out a landmark year in 2025, marked by major events like the highly successful AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door at The O2 Arena in London, the focus inevitably turns to what—or who—comes next. Khan has been very open in recent interviews, particularly on "The Superstar Crossover," about his philosophy on talent acquisition, making it clear that the bar for entry has never been higher, focusing only on the most elite available talent. The question of his "dream signing" has yielded some truly fascinating, and often surprising, answers that range from historical legends to current free-agent powerhouses.

This article dives deep into the three biggest names Tony Khan has recently mentioned as his ultimate dream signings. From an all-time great who would need a time machine to a non-wrestler crossover star he desperately wants back, and a highly sought-after current champion, these are the entities that represent the pinnacle of Khan's ambition for the AEW roster.

Tony Khan’s Dream Signings: A Look at the ‘Impossible’ and the ‘Imminent’

Tony Khan’s vision for AEW has always been about creating a true alternative, built on a foundation of high-level wrestling and unpredictable "dream matches." When asked in various 2025 interviews about his ultimate wish list, he provided a trio of names that perfectly encapsulate his ambition—a legendary wrestler, a powerhouse celebrity, and a modern in-ring phenomenon.

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1. The ‘Greatest Wrestling Star of All Time’: Stone Cold Steve Austin (In His Prime)

The biggest, most definitive answer Khan has given regarding a dream signing is a name that would require a trip through time: "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.

• The Entity: Stone Cold Steve Austin
• Khan's Quote: Khan stated that if he could sign any wrestler in history, with no limits on time or availability, his choice would be the "greatest wrestling star of all time."
• The Intention: This dream signing is purely speculative, representing the ultimate, culture-shifting star power that AEW seeks to embody. Bringing a prime "Stone Cold" to the company would instantly create a seismic shift in the industry, offering dream matches against current stars like MJF, Swerve Strickland, and Will Ospreay.
• Topical Authority Entity: The "Attitude Era" legend is a key figure in wrestling history, and his inclusion in Khan's dream list highlights AEW's desire to stand alongside the biggest eras of the past.

2. The Highly Sought-After Current Champion: Ricochet

In a much more immediate and actionable development, Tony Khan has recently spoken highly of the current AEW National Champion, Ricochet. Ricochet's signing and subsequent National Championship win at Full Gear 2025 were major news, and Khan's comments underline his value.

• The Entity: Ricochet (Current AEW National Champion)
• Khan's Quote: Khan explicitly called Ricochet a "highly sought-after signing right now," indicating that multiple promotions were vying for his services.
• The Intention: This is less a "dream" and more a successful acquisition Khan is immensely proud of. Ricochet is positioned as a cornerstone of the roster, with Khan noting the National Championship will be defended globally. His high-flying, elite in-ring style meets Khan's 2025 mandate of signing only the most elite available talent.
• Topical Authority Entities: AEW National Championship (a new title), Full Gear 2025, and the focus on "elite available talent" are all fresh, current entities that ground the article in the present.

3. The Dream Celebrity Crossover: Shaquille O'Neal

AEW has a history of successful celebrity appearances, most notably with the undefeated Jade Cargill, and Khan has a clear preference for which non-wrestler he would love to sign permanently.

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• The Entity: Shaquille O'Neal (NBA Hall of Famer)
• Khan's Quote: Khan named the NBA Hall of Famer as his ultimate "dream celebrity signing," noting his previous successful appearance in the promotion.
• The Intention: Shaq represents the perfect crossover star—instantly recognizable, physically imposing, and a proven draw. While he has wrestled in AEW before, Khan's continued desire to bring him back for a more permanent or high-profile role speaks to the value of mainstream celebrity involvement in pro wrestling.
• Topical Authority Entities: NBA Hall of Famer, Jade Cargill (another successful celebrity crossover), and the concept of "crossover stars."

The New Strategy: Why AEW’s Roster Bar is Higher Than Ever in 2025

The era of mass signings appears to be over for All Elite Wrestling. In 2025, Tony Khan has repeatedly emphasized a shift in strategy, moving from broad roster expansion to a highly selective, "quality over quantity" approach.

The High Bar: Khan has stated that it is now a "high bar to reach" the current AEW roster, and the company is committed to maintaining the quality and depth of its talent pool. This means any new free agent signing must be an undeniable, elite-level talent who can immediately contribute to the main event picture or a high-profile feud. This new selectivity is a direct response to the roster's maturity and the need to keep all programs feeling essential.

Focus on Elite Free Agents: The signing of a talent like Will Ospreay, and the intense competition for Ricochet, are prime examples of this new focus. The company is no longer simply looking for "former WWE talent" but rather the absolute best free agents on the market, regardless of their previous employer. This mindset is what keeps AEW's product fresh and its roster dynamic, allowing new stars like Swerve Strickland to flourish in the main event scene.

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Topical Authority Entities: Will Ospreay, Swerve Strickland, Free Agent Signings, Quality over Quantity, Roster Depth, and Elite Talent Acquisition.

The Forbidden Door and Future Dream Matches

While the "dream signing" conversation often revolves around former WWE stars, a significant part of Tony Khan's vision involves cross-promotional dream matches, particularly with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). The success of the annual AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view is a testament to this, with the 2025 event being held in London, UK.

The Ultimate Crossover: Forbidden Door 2025 delivered a stacked card featuring key rivalries and championship matches, including the AEW World Championship on the line. The event itself is a yearly fulfillment of the "dream match" concept, allowing stars like the BC War Dogs, Jay White, David Finlay, Jon Moxley, Shota Umino, and Zack Sabre Jr. to clash with AEW's top talent.

Potential Future Targets: Beyond the current NJPW roster, the conversation often drifts to other free agents who could create instant dream matches. Wrestlers like Wes Lee are frequently mentioned in fan discussions as solid pickups who could immediately face stars like Will Ospreay and Ricochet, further solidifying the "elite" status of the roster.

Tony Khan’s dream signings are not just about filling out a roster; they are about making a statement. Whether it’s the impossible dream of a prime Stone Cold Steve Austin, the proven draw of Shaquille O'Neal, or the successful, high-profile acquisition of Ricochet, each name reflects a company driven by ambition, star power, and a relentless pursuit of the next monumental moment in professional wrestling.

Topical Authority Entities: New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), Jon Moxley, Shota Umino, Zack Sabre Jr., Wes Lee, BC War Dogs, Jay White, David Finlay, The O2 Arena, Cross-Promotional Events, and Pro Wrestling Dream Matches.