Next AEW World Champion After MJF

With MJF successful in retaining the AEW World Championship at AEW Revolution 2026, the stipulation on the match guarantees a new challenger.

With “Hangman” Adam Page unable to challenge for AEW’s top prize again, there are plenty of intriguing options as to who will be the one to dethrone MJF.

Here are six AEW stars that could be the next AEW World Champion after MJF.

6. Will Ospreay

At AEW Revolution, there was a surprise return from fan favorite star Will Ospreay.

Making a return appearance after being out of action since AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door in August, Ospreay was back in top form.

Following a double fusion neck surgery, Ospreay is out for revenge against Jon Moxley and the Death Riders.

With AEW set to return to London for All In 2026 at Wembley Stadium on August 30, there is time for Ospreay to target Mox and then pivot towards taking down MJF.

5. Swerve Strickland

Another candidate to come after MJF is former AEW World Champion, Swerve Strickland.

In what could evolve to be a compelling war between the two dastardly heels, the feud could be a great example of two big personalities sharpening their skills through combat.

With “Hangman” Adam Page ineligible to challenge for the AEW World Championship again, the feud could also serve as a catalyst for a further pairing between Swerve and Hangman.

With the duo joining forces to topple MJF, the alliance could prove to be short lived with the pair’s working relationship certain to end in betrayal.

4. Adam Copeland

Since making a return at AEW Revolution 2026, Adam Copeland has taken aim at FTR and subsequently teased a feud with The Young Bucks as well.

With the three teams very likely to have a match in the near future, it could be that whether or not Cope and Cage capture the AEW World Tag Team Championships from FTR at AEW Dynasty — Copeland could be headed to become a double champion.

Able to have an amazing feud with MJF going back and forth with the legendary Cope, it could also serve as a fascinating test for the alliance between Copeland and Cage.

With plenty of interesting stories left to be told in AEW between MJF and former WWE legends, it could be a twist to see Copeland win his 12th world championship.

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3. Tommaso Ciampa

Since joining the AEW roster, Tommaso Ciampa has already had fan favorite babyface status that quickly morphed into true heel heat.

After he betrayed Mark Briscoe, Ciampa has shown off a renewed violence that could be incredible juxtaposed to MJF’s typical in-ring approach.

In what could be an intriguing way for MJF to meet his heelish match, it could be that the AEW World Champion ends up a sympathetic character if he were targeted by Tommaso Ciampa.

In many ways, their verbal exchanges could be just as interesting as their in-ring performance with each holding a very specific narrative for fans.

2. Bobby Lashley

With the foundation for a future feud already laid between MJF and the entire Hurt Syndicate, it would seem that eventually the AEW World Champion could end up tangling with them again.

Bobby Lashley was pointed in his comments towards MJF that he would be coming for him in the future if he were to regain the AEW World Title, and now that has happened.

Certainly able to have a compelling match, the build for the rivalry would be thoroughly entertaining and allow for MVP and Shelton Benjamin to get involved in the fun.

While Lashley picked up an injury back in November 2025, he clarified in February that he was ready to get back into action — a clue that he could be coming after MJF very soon.

1. Darby Allin

Potentially the most likely to actually topple MJF in order to secure the AEW World Championship is another one of AEW’s OG “Four Pillars”: Darby Allin.

With Allin continuing to be a likely next enemy for MJF, it would make complete sense to see the daredevil star end up capturing his first World title victory from his frequent foe.

Setting up for an intriguing series of interactions between the duo both in the ring and the on the mic, there could be brand new alliances that come to light.

With MJF potentially linking up with the likes of The Dogs or even an evil new iteration of Private Party — he could certainly bring along some reinforcements for any potential run-in with Darby.

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