The Big Picture

Double or Nothing is 4 days away and the momentum in AEW is shifting toward a collision of massive egos. Maxwell Jacob Friedman is back to playing the role of company defender while the locker room faces internal accusations of disloyalty. This is the definitive ranking of who actually matters as the promotion heads to Las Vegas on 2026-05-24.

The Power Rankings

10. Toni Storm

Timeless Toni Storm remains the anchor of the division through sheer force of character. While other stars cycle in and out of relevance, Storm has lived in her black-and-white cinematic world for over a year without the act growing stale. She has turned the women’s title scene into a legitimate theatre production, proving that technical skill is secondary to a character that the fans actually care to boo or cheer. Her presence is felt across the show even when she isn't in a match. She is a reminder that professional wrestling is as much about the professional acting as it is the grappling.

9. Swerve Strickland

Swerve Strickland is no longer just a rising star; he is the established king of the mountain. His reign as World Champion has been defined by a cold, calculating violence that separates him from the fighting champions of the past. Swerve doesn't just want to win; he wants to humiliate his opponents. His entrance remains the most electric moment of any AEW show, and his ability to bridge the gap between wrestling and hip-hop culture is a massive asset. He heads into Las Vegas with more momentum than almost any other champion in the history of the company.

8. Malakai Black

Internal friction is the story for Malakai Black this week. MJF recently took aim at the leader of the House of Black, suggesting he used AEW as nothing more than a stepping stone to return to WWE. As F4WOnline reported, MJF referred to Black as a mark who lacked loyalty to the project. This is a damning critique of a man who was once seen as a foundational pillar for the company’s darker aesthetic. It raises serious questions about Black’s future in the company as his contract status remains a constant topic of speculation. If the locker room leader thinks you have one foot out the door, your ceiling is effectively capped.

7. Willow Nightingale

Willow Nightingale is quietly becoming the most consistent champion on the roster. Her TBS Title defense against Red Velvet on Collision showed a level of poise that few in the division can match. Willow isn't just a powerhouse; she has mastered the art of the selling phase of a match, making her opponents look like world-beaters before she shuts them down. PWTorch graded this as a significant Hit for the Saturday night show. She is the clear anchor for the women’s mid-card and a massive fan favorite.

6. Mark Briscoe

Mark Briscoe has a new target, and it is a name that shocked the audience this past Saturday. Briscoe used his television time on the May 16 Collision to call out Ciampa, signaling a potential high-profile singles feud. Briscoe’s intensity has not wavered since he took on the mantle of representing the Briscoe legacy in AEW. Seeing him move into a program with someone as methodical as Ciampa is a fascinating stylistic clash. As noted in the PWTorch hits and misses report, this call-out was one of the high points of the week. If this match makes the Double or Nothing card, it could easily be the sleeper hit of the weekend.

5. Kazuchika Okada

The Rainmaker has fully integrated into the Elite, and the result is a level of dominance that feels inevitable. Kazuchika Okada doesn't just wrestle; he dictates the pace of the entire show. His work in the Continental division has added a layer of prestige to a title that risked being lost in the shuffle. Okada brings a big-fight feel that is rare in the modern era. Every time his music hits, the audience knows they are about to see something that will likely earn a five-star rating from the critics. He is the ultimate insurance policy for the company’s in-ring reputation.

4. Mercedes Moné

Mercedes Moné has transformed the presentation of the secondary titles. The CEO isn't just a nickname; it’s a mission statement for how she carries herself in the backstage segments and the ring. Her presence brings a level of star power that AEW has lacked in the women’s division since its inception. While some critics argue her promos can feel overly scripted, her in-ring results are undeniable. She has a target on her back, and she seems to enjoy every second of the pressure that comes with it. She is the most important female signing in the history of the promotion.

3. Will Ospreay

Will Ospreay is the reason MJF can claim AEW has the best wrestling on television. Since arriving full-time, Ospreay has put on a clinic every single time he steps through the ropes. Whether it is a random Wednesday night or a stadium show, the Aerial Assassin delivers a level of athleticism that feels like it belongs in a video game. He is currently being positioned as the Final Boss of the workrate-heavy contingent of the roster. A typical Ospreay match will blow past the 30-minute time limit and still leave the fans wanting more. He is the standard-bearer for the entire industry right now.

2. Darby Allin

Darby Allin continues to prove he is the soul of this company. On the May 16 edition of Collision, Allin survived a brutal encounter with Sammy Guevara. The match was a reminder of why Darby is the most reliable daredevil in the business, managing to pull out a victory despite Guevara’s relentless offense. The victory was secured right at the 15-minute mark with a desperate roll-up. PWTorch noted that Darby survives Guevara, which is an accurate description of his entire career trajectory. He moves into the Vegas weekend with all the momentum of a runaway freight train, even as his body count of injuries continues to rise.

1. MJF

Maxwell Jacob Friedman is officially the loudest voice in wrestling again. Whether he is appearing on the Ariel Helwani Show or defending the quality of AEW’s roster, he remains the most vocal advocate for the brand. His recent assessment that AEW has the best wrestling on television was not just a promotional line; it was a challenge. MJF doubled down on this by claiming the gap between AEW and the competition isn't even close. He is the barometer for the company’s health as they move toward the pay-per-view cycle.

The most explosive part of MJF's recent media tour involves his former rival, CM Punk. MJF didn't hold back, using a sharp slur to describe the current WWE star while simultaneously acknowledging his greatness in the ring. As WrestleTalk detailed, MJF described Punk as an incredible professional wrestler despite their personal friction.

Punk is a f**king c*nt, but he's an incredible professional wrestler.

This kind of honesty is why MJF stays at the top of these rankings. He acknowledges reality while maintaining the heat that made their 2022 feud legendary. He is the only man in the industry who can bridge the gap between two rival promotions while keeping his loyalty to his own locker room clear.

Honorable Mentions

Orange Cassidy continues to be the workhorse of the mid-card, though his momentum has slowed recently. The Young Bucks remain the most influential backstage figures, even if their on-screen EVIL personas have drawn mixed reviews from the hardcore fan base. Jay White is always a threat to the top five, but he lacks a defining win in this calendar year. Finally, Sammy Guevara remains a polarized figure; his work is elite, but the audience's connection to his character remains a consistent Miss in the weekly ratings.