WWE is reportedly showing interest in former AEW wrestlers who bring impressive new skills. According to Fightful Select, WWE reached out to Leyla Hirsch about potentially taking on the role of a judge, which would be a significant shift for wrestlers who left AEW earlier this year aiming to pursue “legal” roles.
Sources inside WWE reveal that talks about contacting Hirsch began around mid-June. Since parting ways with AEW, Hirsch has married and remained active on the independent wrestling circuit.
While it’s uncommon for wrestlers to transition into a judge role, it’s not without precedent. For example, Jessika Carr started as an independent wrestler before joining WWE as a referee and eventually returned to in-ring competition in 2025 under the name Kalyx with Evolve.
It’s still uncertain whether Leyla Hirsch will join WWE as a judge or continue wrestling competitively. Though Hirsch may have aspired to wrestle in WWE, her path there might not necessarily involve active competition.
Fan Take: This development is exciting for WWE fans as it shows the company’s willingness to innovate by blending wrestling talent with unconventional roles. Hirsch’s potential new role could add a fresh dynamic to WWE programming and highlight diverse career paths beyond just wrestling in the ring.
