The Big Picture
AEW is hurtling toward All In at Wembley Stadium with its booking board completely redrawn. The fallout from the June 28 Forbidden Door pay-per-view in San Jose has established new championship contenders while exposing deep fractures within top factions. As August approaches, the locker room is bracing for major returns and unexpected shifts in power.
10. Jeff Jarrett
Jeff Jarrett remains a vital backstage locker room presence for AEW. The 58-year-old recently made headlines by discussing how he mended fences with Vince McMahon before his 2018 WWE Hall of Fame induction, as Jarrett explained on his podcast. While Jarrett still delivers value on screen, his ongoing prominence highlights a systemic AEW booking issue that relies on legacy acts rather than elevating fresh talent. His veteran authority keeps him ranked here as AEW navigates its summer roster dynamics.
9. Andrade El Ídolo
Andrade El Ídolo completely fractured the Don Callis Family at Forbidden Door on June 28. He walked out on his partners mid-match during the 12-man steel cage match, leaving MJF and Kevin Knight short-handed. His exit allowed Team Briscoe to secure the pinfall victory after 30 minutes of chaotic violence. Andrade is now positioned as a lone wolf, but his history of inconsistent booking makes this face turn a risky gamble for creative. He ranks at ninth because this defection resets his trajectory, though he must build momentum quickly.
8. Adam Copeland & Christian Cage
The veteran duo captured the AEW World Tag Team Championship by defeating FTR in an "I Quit" Street Fight at Double or Nothing on May 24. They followed that up by retaining their titles against Clark Connors and David Finlay at Forbidden Door. While the crowd pops for their nostalgia act, keeping the tag titles on two men with a combined age of over 100 blocks younger teams from rising. Their rank at eighth reflects their championship status, but their reign represents a safe booking choice that limits division growth.
7. "Hangman" Adam Page
The former world champion has been MIA since March 15, 2026, when he lost a Texas Death Match to MJF at Revolution. That stipulation banned Page from ever challenging for the world title again, forcing him into a lengthy television hiatus. However, rumors reported by Wrestling Inc suggest that Page is primed for an imminent return. He ranks seventh because his return represents the most volatile wildcard in AEW's summer plans, capable of disrupting the entire main event scene.
6. Thekla
Thekla has dominated the division since capturing the AEW Women's World Championship from Kris Statlander on February 11, 2026. She recently added another title defense to her resume by defeating Starlight Kid at Forbidden Door. Her aggressive style has brought legitimacy to the title, but she faces a massive hurdle in her next defense. She sits at sixth because she is the anchor of her division, but she ranks below her next challenger due to the sheer marketing force behind her opponent.
5. Darby Allin
Darby Allin's obsession with extreme stunts reached a breaking point during the cage match at Forbidden Door. He rigged an exploding trap at the top of the cage that detonated when Kevin Knight climbed up, sending Knight crashing through tables. That explosion has now cost Allin his shot at the TNT Championship, as Don Callis has blocked him from getting a title match. Allin ranks fifth because he remains the heart and soul of AEW's high-risk style, even if his reckless approach sidelines him from traditional title success.
4. Kevin Knight
TNT Champion Kevin Knight is enjoying a breakout run, successfully defending his title against Lio Rush on the July 1 episode of Dynamite. However, as WrestleTalk reported, Knight and Don Callis have flatly dismissed Darby Allin's championship challenge. Callis has publicly labeled Allin a criminal for the exploding trap incident, shielding Knight from a dangerous defense. Knight ranks fourth because he holds a major singles title and is backed by the company's top manager. The only drawback is that he risk looking weak if Callis continues to fight his verbal battles.
3. Mercedes Moné
Mercedes Moné secured her spot by defeating Maya World to win her second consecutive Owen Hart Cup at Forbidden Door. The victory guarantees her an AEW Women's World Championship match against Thekla at All In. Moné has been a dominant force, but her victory in the tournament felt highly predictable and drew criticism from fans wanting a fresh winner. She ranks third because she is the most marketable star in the division and is almost guaranteed to walk out of Wembley as champion.
2. Will Ospreay
Will Ospreay cemented his status as AEW's premier in-ring performer by defeating Swerve Strickland to win the Men's Owen Hart Cup. By winning the tournament, Ospreay earned a guaranteed shot at the AEW World Championship at Wembley Stadium. His high-flying offense and work rate have made him the top babyface in the company. He ranks second because he is the chosen challenger for the biggest show of the year, carrying the expectations of the entire fan base.
1. MJF
MJF sits atop the AEW mountain as the reigning World Champion, having won the title from Darby Allin in a Title vs. Hair match on May 24, 2026. He followed up his victory with a successful title defense against Mark Briscoe on the July 1 episode of Dynamite. MJF's heel run has been highly entertaining, though his reliance on low blows has drew some criticism for repeating old booking tropes. He ranks first because he is the focal point of AEW television and holds the ultimate prize in the industry.
Honorable Mentions
Kiera Hogan has recovered from shoulder surgery and is accepting independent bookings as a free agent since her AEW contract expired in September 2025. As Ringside News confirmed, Hogan is eyeing a return to TNA to reunite Fire 'N Flava, leaving her AEW days behind. Lio Rush also deserves a nod after his stellar, high-octane performance against Kevin Knight on the July 1 episode of Dynamite.
