Next AEW World Champion

On the January 14 edition of AEW Dynamite, there were certainly some compelling developments regarding the AEW World Championship.

With MJF able to defeat Bandido in order to retain his beloved title, an entire swath of future challengers emerged with one thing in common – they’re coming after MJF.

Here are six potential next AEW World Champions that could dethrone MJF.

6. Hangman Adam Page

With Hangman clearly having something to prove, he had a brutal bout against Bryan Keith on the January 14 edition of Dynamite that was hard hitting and violent.

With Keith’s tag team partner Big Bill at ringside to continually interfere, Hangman ended up getting an assist from Swerve Strickland who neutralized Big Bill with a chain.

Definitely making his intentions to get back to the world title clear, Page looks more threatening now than ever.

Certainly poised to still take his intensity both inside the ring and outside of it straight towards the hunt to reclaim the AEW World Championship, Page could end up being the perfect one to take down MJF.

Click the next page button below for more

5. Swerve Strickland

Another former AEW World Champion that has made it clear that he is in the hunt to reclaim gold is Swerve Strickland.

While he seems to have made amends with Hangman Adam Page and built a solid alliance, it remains clear that both Page and Swerve Strickland’s goals are aligned.

Both want to win back the AEW World Championship and both are willing to go to serious lengths in order to do so.

With Swerve certainly serving as a top tier foil to MJF, this rivalry could be legendary in AEW.

Click the next page button below for more

4. Kenny Omega

On the January 14 edition of AEW Dynamite, Kenny Omega was already scheduled to make a return appearance but his arrival came earlier in the night than some fans were expecting.

Joining a segment after the match between Hangman and Bryan Keith, with Swerve Strickland still also in the ring, it ended up a showdown between three former World champions.

With Kenny Omega returning to competition after having been largely out singles of action since dropping the International Championship, it could be that his time to reclaim the AEW Championship is now.

Making it clear that he was calling his shot, Omega would be met by an interrupting Don Callis who stoked the flames of conflict with resulted in a match being made official for next week on Dynamite as Kenny Omega returns to action on Wednesday nights when he takes on Josh Alexander.

Click the next page button below for more

3. Kyle Fletcher

One intriguing next AEW World Champion might be former TNT Champion, Kyle Fletcher.

While Fletcher remains a dastardly heel associated with the Don Callis family for now, it could be the experience of winning the AEW World Championship that ends up causing him to turn babyface.

Able to find character growth through the achievement, it may end up being Fletcher that not only topples MJF but ends up completely reinventing himself in the process.

Potentially finding out how little regard the Don Callis Family has for him in the event he has something his rivals in the faction don’t — the AEW World Championship, it will end up being Fletcher ousted from the group rather than coming to a change of conscious on his own.

Click the next page button below for more

2. Bobby Lashley

With a storyline that has already been teased, there is solid foundation laid for MJF’s former run-ins with the Hurt Syndicate could come back around to haunt him.

Since during his previous time affiliated with the faction MJF had been clear he wanted to reclaim the AEW World Championship, it might even be interesting to see a temporary alliance again between the parties.

With MJF able to get some comeuppance even before the title bout by having to face off against the likes of Shelton Benjamin and MVP, a feud against Bobby Lashley could unlock an intriguing emotional story for MJF.

Somewhat similarly to his feud with CM Punk, MJF’s battle with Bobby Lashley could prove to be just as much about fighting his own demons (feelings rejection, unworthiness and distrust), as it is actually beating Lashley.

Click the next page button below for more

1. Darby Allin

After putting life and limb on the line time and time again in AEW, perhaps the time is right for Darby Allin to make a run at the AEW World Championship.

Certainly able to find some emotional ground in a feud with MJF and potentially harkening back to their former ‘four pillars’ showdown at Double or Nothing 2023 which also featured Sammy Guevarra and Jack Perry in the match — the time for Allin to shine is now.

Able to not only be an enjoyable character to beat the cocky and classist MJF, Allin taking home the title brings about some fascinating future feud options.

Possibly tangling again with Jon Moxley, Allin would also need to still be watching his back for the likes of Andrade el Idolo, Ricochet or even Powerhouse Hobbs — Darby Allin could reinvent what it means to a World Champion in AEW.

To make sure you stay up to date with all the biggest wrestling and WrestleTalk news, follow us on Threads by clicking this link!