Disaster Watch For These WWE and AEW Stars

After a wild ending to a year packed with unforgettable moments, the wrestling industry has turned its attention to 2026 and the hopes of fans that WWE and AEW will excel in the new year.

Unfortunately, for several Superstars across both major wrestling companies, issues are boiling to the surface in the ring and behind the scenes, putting them on Disaster Watch to start the year.

Here are the All Elite Wrestling and WWE stars who are starting 2026 on Disaster Watch.

CM Punk

There is no questioning CM Punk's immense popularity in wrestling, but his decision-making over the last several years in AEW and WWE proves he is a disaster waiting to happen.

With well-documented issues in every company he has worked for, it is only a matter of time before backstage drama and controversy create problems for WWE Creative.

Now, after burying Bron Breakker, it is clear the problems have already started for WWE.

Punk's issues with his character's direction were well documented before he previously quit the company, so there will always be lingering questions about his relationship with Triple H and the creative team.

Beyond the looming possibility of a physical backstage fight after his well-documented attack on AEW star Jack Perry, Punk's physical ability in the ring is deteriorating. Even WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash commented on how much time Punk has left after his recent appearances.

"Number one: if you're the Heavyweight Champion of the WWE and you wrestle in a T-shirt — ouch," Nash said on his Kliq This podcast. "Number two: his punches looked really slow. He looked slow. I think it's time for him, I think he's done… I think Bron should beat him."

Andrade

After his latest departure from WWE, Andrade made his return to AEW programming with massive fanfare, but questions soon arose about him potentially violating a 90-day non-compete clause due to his removal from television.

The good news for Andrade and company is that Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported in December that he would be free to sign with any company after his "WWE contract officially expired on December 12."

While Tony Khan and AEW should welcome the international Superstar back into the fold—Andrade is already stealing the show in New Japan Pro Wrestling—the company needs to be smart with how they handle the veteran performer and his contract.

The former WWE Superstar has bounced between the two major American wrestling companies over the last few years, leaving Khan to question whether Andrade can be trusted for long-term storytelling.

If AEW does choose to push the veteran again, the company will be on Disaster Watch, as Andrade has a history of backstage altercations—ask Sammy Guevara—that could become a potential problem in the future if not handled properly.

LA Knight

Over the last year, LA Knight has become one of WWE's most popular Superstars, but Triple H and the creative team have failed to capitalize on his momentum.

As a result, Knight is on disaster watch, as the company could be waiting for the organic momentum he has created.

While Knight was used in several marquee spots to end 2025, he always comes up short when the matches matter the most, leaving fans wondering if his momentum has stalled. Add in recent marquee losses to Logan Paul and Gunther, and hope is beginning to fade that Knight will reach his full potential in WWE.

Several years ago, Dean Ambrose got over with the crowds organically, but WWE chose not to capitalize on his popularity, which stunted his success when he did win a world title. The fear from the WWE Universe is that Triple H and company are making the same mistake here by failing to give wrestling fans what they want.

Another major problem is that some wrestling veterans—including WWE legend Bully Ray on his Busted Open Podcast—have openly questioned Knight's ability in the ring. In addition to his concerns about his wrestling prowess, Bully Ray also thinks his character isn't connecting with the WWE Universe on a deep enough level.

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