All Elite Wrestling looks to be gearing for an even more exciting 2026 with several stars feeling like they are coming into their own.
After seeing the likes of Hangman Page, Kris Statlander and Brodido become champions in 2025, the new year should have even more talent on the roster capturing gold.
From first time champions to former champs regaining gold, there should be several significant title changes in 2026.
Here are nine AEW stars to potentially become a champion in 2026.
9. The Elite (Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks)
At AEW Full Gear 2025, The Young Bucks and Josh Alexander defeated Kenny Omega and Jurassic Express to win $1 million.
However, The Bucks chose their friendship with Omega over the money when they helped Kenny fight off the Don Callis Family post match.
This reunited The Elite and should lead to some championship gold for this legendary stable in the new year.
The Elite heading into 2026 should be considered favorites to win the AEW World Trios Championships in the new year.
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8. JetSpeed (Kevin Knight & Speedball Mike Bailey)
One of the best additions to the AEW roster throughout 2025 was Kevin Knight and Speedball Mike Bailey.
Coming in as singles stars and eventually becoming a tag team, Knight and Bailey have become the duo known as JetSpeed.
With their thrilling in-ring style and undeniable chemistry, JetSpeed has all the makings to be champions in the near future.
JetSpeed going on to defeat FTR for the AEW World Tag Team Titles would feel like a fitting end to their rivalry that started just a few months back and could happen in the new year.
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7. Marina Shafir
There is an argument that no one has gained more from the creation of The Death Riders than Marina Shafir.
Playing the role of enforcer for the group, Shafir has been seen by Jon Moxley through most of his biggest matches in 2025.
However, this year also featured “The Problem” becoming a singles star and mixing it up more in the AEW women’s division.
Whether it be one of the singles titles or her and Megan Bayne bringing MegaProblems to the tag scene, Shafir should bring some gold to The Death Riders in 2026.
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6. Megan Bayne
Signing with All Elite Wrestling in 2025, Megan Bayne immediately placed herself among the best female stars that the company has to offer.
Going on a multi-month undefeated streak, Bayne came up short in her first bid at the AEW Women’s World Championship against Timeless Toni Storm back at Dynasty 2025.
Since suffering her first loss, Bayne has gotten herself back on a roll by going unbeaten after that.
Now in a pairing with Marina Shafir called The MegaProblems, it seems impossible that Bayne will not win some gold in 2026.
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5. Bandido
Bandido kicked off his year returning from injury and thrusted himself into the ROH World Title picture, which led to his win over Chris Jericho at AEW Dynasty 2025.
Not resting on his laurels, Bandido looked to get even more gold when he formed a pairing with Brody King to take part in the number one contenders tournament for the AEW World Tag Team Titles.
Winning the gold and going on a three-month reign, Brodido became one of the best duos in all of wrestling for 2025.
Whether it be with King or on his own, it feels like Bandido could add more championships to his resumê in the new year.
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4. Willow Nightingale
Another star who found success in the tag team scene this year has to be Willow Nightingale.
Ahead of the AEW Women’s World Tag Team Title Tournament, Nightingale formed a tag team with fellow babyface Harley Cameron.
Becoming known as The Babes of Wrath, Willow and Harley fought through it all to finally defeat Timeless Love Bombs to become the inaugural champions at AEW Dynamite: Winter Is Coming 2025.
While she goes into 2026 as a champion, fans will be begging for the day that Willow can get her hands on singles gold again whether it be against Mercedes Moné for the TBS Title or against her former friend Kris Statlander for the top prize in the company.
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3. Konosuke Takeshita
Konosuke Takeshita also finds himself walking into 2026 with championship gold, but not from All Elite Wrestling at the time of this writing.
After winning the G1 Climax 26 tournament, Takeshita went on to defeat Zack Sabre Jr. to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at NJPW King of Pro Wrestling 2025.
Coming into 2025, “The Alpha” held the AEW International Championship before losing it to Kenny Omega, which is a fate that could happen again if Yota Tsuji dethrones Takeshita at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4.
After this, Takeshita could focus on AEW and try his hands back on gold in his home promotion, which could potentially happen at the end of the Continental Classic tournament.
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2. Kyle Fletcher
There is no denying that 2025 was a transformative year for Kyle Fletcher after turning heel at the end of 2024.
Fletcher came into the new year embroiled in a memorable rivalry with Will Ospreay that culminated in an epic steel cage match at AEW Revolution 2025.
After losing this blowoff match, “The Protostar” would become the TNT Champion, tie the record for most successful title defenses and challenged Hangman Page for the AEW World Title in the main event of All Out 2025.
Fletcher has every tool necessary to be a future AEW World Champion and could achieve that dream next year in 2026.
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1. Will Ospreay
Will Ospreay is currently sidelined following neck surgery that he underwent following AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2025.
After several months away from the company, latest reports have indicated that Ospreay is expected back in the first half of 2026.
This should set the stage for Ospreay to come back and be thrusted right into the AEW World Title picture.
After coming up short in the Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament Finals against Hangman Page at AEW Double Or Nothing 2025, Ospreay has to be considered a favorite to win the Owen and go on to become AEW World Champion at All In London.
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