Coming off the heels of AEW Worlds End 2025, a new year is on the horizon for All Elite Wrestling, one that could see a number of title changes.
Looking at the AEW roster, there are a wide variety of stars who could become a new champion over the next 12 months.
From popular talent on the roster to rising stars looking to break through, various names will be getting their hands on championship gold that should become highlights of the new year.
Here are eight AEW stars to potentially become a champion in 2026.
8. Willow Nightingale
Back at AEW Dynamite: Winter Is Coming 2025, Willow Nightingale and Harley Cameron, known as The Babes of Wrath, defeated Timeless Love Bombs to become the first ever AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champions.
In their first title defense, Babes of Wrath picked up a win over Mercedes Moné and Athena to retain the gold at AEW Worlds End 2025.
The ending of the bout saw Willow pin the reigning TBS Champion and earn herself an opportunity at the title on the upcoming AEW Dynamite: New Year’s Smash.
With this scheduled title clash, fans should see Nightingale become a singles champion to go along with her AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship as soon as the final Dynamite heading into 2026.
Click the next page button below for more
7. Marina Shafir
Over the course of 2025, Marina Shafir went from mostly being featured as a cornerperson for Jon Moxley to taking a more active role inside the squared circle.
“The Problem” has become one of the most feared and intimidating competitors on the AEW roster today.
Whether it be in singles competition or in her MegaProblems tag team with Megan Bayne, Shafir seems destined to become a champion in All Elite Wrestling.
With the new year right around the corner, Marina Shafir feels like someone who will definitely get their hands on some gold over the next 12 months.
Click the next page button below for more
6. Megan Bayne
Speaking of Marina Shafir, her current tag team partner Megan Bayne has been one of the best women’s wrestlers in the world today.
From her work in AEW to traveling the world to prove herself, Bayne has showcased a wide variety of skills that makes her a major star that the company has to utilize in a significant way.
Signing with the company in 2025, Bayne worked to establish herself as one of the top performers for the AEW women’s division over the past year.
Heading into year two with AEW, it would not be surprising at all to see Bayne’s dominance continue and lead to some championship gold in 2026.
Click the next page button below for more
5. Swerve Strickland
At AEW Full Gear 2025, Swerve Strickland made his return to the company and immediately thrusted himself into the main event picture.
Then at AEW Worlds End 2025, Strickland fell just short of capturing the AEW World Title in a four-way main event against Samoa Joe, Hangman Adam Page and eventual winner MJF.
After establishing a budding rivalry with Maxwell Jacob Friedman over the past few weeks, this could position Swerve as the top challenger for MJF in the new year.
Challenging MJF could see Strickland join an elite group of two-time AEW World Champions over the next 12 months.
Click the next page button below for more
4. Kyle Fletcher
2025 saw Kyle Fletcher win his title in All Elite Wrestling when he captured the TNT Championship from Dustin Rhodes in July.
“The Protostar” has become the breakout star for the company and put on some of the most spectacular matches that was seen in the promotion.
After losing the TNT Title to Mark Briscoe at AEW Full Gear 2025, Fletcher came very close to claiming another championship by making it to the semifinals against Jon Moxley at Worlds End.
Following that latest loss, it shouldn’t be a shock if Fletcher finds himself back into title contention sooner rather than later and adds another championship to his résumé in 2026.
Click the next page button below for more
3. Kazuchika Okada
At AEW Worlds End 2025, Jon Moxley defeated Kazuchika Okada to win the Continental Classic tournament and the AEW Continental Championship.
With this loss, “The Rainmaker” saw his 647-day AEW Continental Championship reign come to an end.
Now that he has lost the gold he’s had for his entire run with All Elite Wrestling, fans should see Okada change his approach and be in hot pursuit of winning some gold again.
Whether it be regaining the Continental Title or going after a different championship, Okada should become a champion once again in 2026.
Click the next page button below for more
2. Konosuke Takeshita
To start 2025, Konosuke Takeshita came into the new year as the AEW International Champion.
Over the course of the past 12 months, Takeshita has become the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion in New Japan Pro Wrestling.
However, Takeshita’s big title match against Yota Tsuji at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 could see him lose his gold inside the Tokyo Dome.
Following that match, “The Alpha” could refocus his direction to win another AEW title in the new year.
Click the next page button below for more
1. Will Ospreay
Following AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2025, Will Ospreay was taken out by Jon Moxley and the Death Riders, getting stretchered out of the arena.
Getting neck surgery earlier this year, Ospreay has been sidelined from AEW television for the remainder of 2025.
“The Aerial Assassin” is still one of the most popular and biggest stars on the AEW roster today.
After his return to the company, it shouldn’t take Ospreay too long before he finds himself back into contention for the AEW World Title and potentially winning the championship sometime in 2026.
To make sure you stay up to date with all the biggest wrestling and WrestleTalk news, follow us on Threads by clicking this link!
Comments.
Loading comments…