All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has plenty of stars up and down the card who hit their stride throughout 2025.
Whether it be the belt collecting of Mercedes Moné or the redemption of Hangman Page, these talents were the most prominently featured throughout the past 12 months.
Heading into 2026, the company will have the chance to launch new names into the stratosphere for a big push in the new year.
Here are 10 new AEW stars to be potentially pushed by Tony Khan in 2026.
10. Kyle O’Reilly
On the November 12 Blood & Guts special of AEW Dynamite, Kyle O’Reilly claimed victory for his team with the Conglomeration, Roderick Strong and Darby Allin against The Death Riders by making Jon Moxley tap out in the Men’s Blood & Guts Match.
To continue his momentum, O’Reilly got another significant victory over Moxley in a No Holds Barred Match at AEW Full Gear 2025.
A post match attack from Moxley prevented O’Reilly from taking part in the Continental Classic tournament.
After missing out on the year closing series, fans should expect O’Reily’s push to continue in the new year where he could possibly mix it up with more main event talent now.
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9. Triangle of Madness (Thekla, Julia Hart & Skye Blue)
Triangle of Madness have become the latest stable to be created in All Elite Wrestling in 2025.
With Thekla joining forces with the Sisters of Sin, they have made life a living hell for many in the AEW women’s division.
Coming off their key win in the Women’s Blood & Guts to close 2025, this evil trio should be in line to be a major part of AEW TV in 2026.
Considering Thekla is currently being positioned to challenge Kris Statlander for the AEW Women’s World Championship heading into Worlds End 2025, the new year could start with Triangle of Madness already having gold.
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8. JetSpeed (Kevin Knight & Speedball Mike Bailey)
In 2025, two of AEW’s best free agent signings had to be Kevin “The Jet” Knight and Speedball Mike Bailey.
While they were introduced as singles talent, Bailey and Knight came together to form one of the most exciting and sensational tag teams in AEW called JetSpeed.
After forming as a duo, JetSpeed have put on spectacular matches against the likes of FTR, The Young Bucks and El Sky Team in AEW as well as CMLL.
With the opportunity to bring their act to NJPW and further elevate up the card in AEW, JetSpeed should continue to cement themselves among the best tag teams in the world today in 2026.
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7. PAC
At AEW All Out 2025, PAC made his return to All Elite Wrestling from an ankle injury to help Jon Moxley defeat Darby Allin in a Coffin Match.
Since then, PAC has been a mercenary of sorts for The Death Riders, taking out any threats to the group like Allin.
This led to “The Bastard” defeating Darby Allin in a singles meeting at AEW Full Gear 2025.
Considering these recent wins and the current state of The Death Riders, fans should expect PAC to be in line for a major push after he leads the way for Jon Moxley’s excommunication from the faction.
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6. MegaProblems (Megan Bayne & Marina Shafir)
The AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship Tournament has created several different duos within the women’s division.
One of the better tandems that has struck fear in their opponents’ hearts is the pairing of Marina Shafir and Megan Bayne.
Pitting two of the most intimidating forces in the AEW women’s division, Bayne and Shafir were a dominant team in the tournament despite not winning.
Now known as MegaProblems, Marina and Megan seem destined to become AEW Women’s Tag Team Champions if they stay together or will be in the running for the Women’s World Title if they go their separate ways.
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5. Kyle Fletcher
2025 marked the biggest year of Kyle Fletcher’s career as he rose the ranks of All Elite Wrestling and made a name for himself.
“The Protostar” has proven himself to be a breakout star for the company and captured the TNT Championship this year.
At just 27 years old heading into 2026, Fletcher should be a high priority to Tony Khan in making sure his meteoric rise continues.
After challenging for the AEW World Title at All Out 2025, the new year could be where fans see Fletcher finally win the big one and sit atop the entire promotion.
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4. Brody King
Brody King has been one of the most underrated and underappreciated stars in All Elite Wrestling for quite some time.
After finding success as AEW World Trios Champion in the House of Black, 2025 saw Brody form a new tag team with Bandido that reached even higher heights.
Becoming Brodido, King and Bandido became the highlight of the company’s programming and defeated both FTR and Hurt Syndicate to win the AEW World Tag Team Championships at Forbidden Door 2025.
Following their loss to FTR for the title at AEW Full Gear 2025, the company would be wise to give Brody King an opportunity as a solo star to see him mix it up with the top stars like Jon Moxley, Swerve Strickland or MJF.
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3. Bandido
Speaking of Brody King, Bandido is another star on the AEW roster who deserves a huge push in 2026.
2025 saw Bandido make his comeback to in-ring competition after an injury sidelined him for much of 2024. Without missing a beat, the luchador went on to have his best year ever as a performer.
Whether it be in AEW, CMLL or anywhere around the world, Bandido wowed fans with his extraordinary in-ring prowess and combination of strength as well as agility as the reigning ROH World Champion.
After his instant classics with Konosuke Takeshita, Mascara Dorada and Hechicero in 2025, Bandido should be moving on to bigger and better things in 2026 as Tony Khan puts a bigger spotlight on him as a singles star in All Elite Wrestling.
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2. Konosuke Takeshita
To start 2025, Konosuke Takeshita came into the year as the reigning AEW International Champion. After losing the gold to Kenny Omega at AEW Revolution, “The Alpha” did not allow that to slow him down.
Returning to New Japan Pro Wrestling, Takeshita became the NEVER Openweight Champion and set the record for most title defenses in a single reign.
From there, Takeshita won the G1 Climax 35 tournament and parlayed that into defeating Zack Sabre Jr. to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Title at NJPW King of Pro Wrestling in October.
While he walks into the new year as a champion, Takeshita deserves a bigger push in his home promotion of AEW and should come in the form of finally going head-to-head with Kazuchika Okada over the Unified Title.
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1. Willow Nightingale
Willow Nightingale has been no stranger to success since she officially signed with All Elite Wrestling three years ago.
From humble beginnings, Nightingale climbed the ladder to win the NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship, the CMLL Women’s World Title and AEW TBS Championship.
Despite all of those accolades, it has always felt like Willow is worthy of so much more and should have already captured the AEW Women’s World Championship by now.
After becoming one of the most popular stars in the entire AEW women’s division, Willow should reach unprecedented heights in her career in the new year where she finally wins the big one and stands at the mountaintop of the company.
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