The Big Picture
The professional wrestling hierarchy underwent a massive shift as legacy champions fell and international boundary wars heated up. From Sami Zayn's shocking title coronation in Riyadh to a promotional turf war exploding across the Mexican border, creative plans are in flux. This definitive ranking separates the genuine athletic breakthroughs from the booking missteps of the year so far.
1. Sami Zayn's Riyadh Coronation
Sami Zayn shocked Riyadh on June 27, 2026, pinning Cody Rhodes in a triple threat match also featuring Gunther to win the Undisputed WWE Championship. Zayn countered a Cross Rhodes into a roll-up to secure the win after a grueling 28 minutes. The win drew praise and sharp criticism. On his podcast, Eric Bischoff blasted Vince Russo's criticism of the title change, stating Russo can talk a great game but cannot deliver creatively.
"While he can talk a great game, he can't deliver one creatively." — Eric Bischoff on Vince Russo
2. AJ Styles Retires After Losing to Gunther
At the Royal Rumble on January 31, 2026, AJ Styles put his career on the line against Gunther. Gunther forced Styles to submit after a punishing 24 minutes, ending a legendary in-ring career. While the emotional farewell was a fitting send-off, the finish suffered from a slight referee miscommunication during the submission. Styles will now transition into a key developmental role to mentor WWE's next generation.
3. Will Ospreay Wins the Men's Owen Hart Cup
Will Ospreay defeated Swerve Strickland at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door on June 28, 2026, to win the Men's Owen Hart Cup. The high-stakes match lasted 27 minutes, earning Ospreay an AEW World Championship shot at All In. The victory solidifies Ospreay as the promotion's premier star, overshadowing Strickland's momentum. However, some fans argued the booking leaves Strickland in creative limbo heading into the summer.
4. MJF Becomes a Three-Time Champion
MJF recaptured the AEW World Championship on May 24, 2026, by defeating Darby Allin in a "Title vs. Hair" match at Double or Nothing. MJF hit an avalanche tombstone piledriver to secure the win, cementing his status as a 3-time champion. The post-match angle drew mixed reviews as TNT Champion Kevin Knight made a surprise appearance, only to turn heel and splash the injured Allin. The unnecessary chaos distracted from MJF's historic victory.
5. The CMLL vs. AAA Promotional Turf War
The Mexican wrestling scene is experiencing an unprecedented boom as CMLL and AAA battle for dominance. As Hall of Famer John "Bradshaw" Layfield recently analyzed, CMLL's weekly arena sellouts prove that business is on fire. WWE has entered the fray by partnering with AAA to counter-program CMLL's major shows. This corporate interference has drawn criticism from purists, but the intense competition forces both promotions to deliver stellar matches.
6. Brock Lesnar Dominates Oba Femi
WWE's Clash in Italy on May 31, 2026, featured Brock Lesnar returning to defeat rising powerhouse Oba Femi. The match was a display of pure force that left the crowd in Turin breathless, but it raised serious questions. The booking decision to have Lesnar clean-pin Femi was highly controversial. Protective booking of a part-time legend at the expense of a rising future star felt like a short-sighted mistake that halts Femi's momentum.
7. Sol Ruca Wins the Women's Intercontinental Championship
Sol Ruca achieved a career-defining victory in Turin by defeating Becky Lynch for the Women's Intercontinental Championship on May 31, 2026. The win marks a significant passing of the torch in the division. While the change represents a bold youth movement, the match suffered from pacing issues in the middle. The transition sequences felt sluggish, though Ruca's execution of her signature moves remained flawless. She now stands as the new focal point of the mid-card.
8. Roman Reigns Solidifies Tribal Chief Status
Roman Reigns continued his dominant run at Clash in Italy on May 31, 2026, defeating Jacob Fatu in Tribal Combat. The victory allowed Reigns to retain the World Heavyweight Championship and maintain his Bloodline dominance. Despite the high drama, the finish was marred by familiar run-ins. The constant interference detracted from what could have been a clean, classic victory, making the booking feel repetitive despite Fatu's spectacular performance. Reigns needs fresh challengers to keep his historic reign interesting.
9. Oba Femi Wins the King of the Ring
Oba Femi bounced back from his Lesnar defeat by winning the King of the Ring tournament on June 27, 2026. Femi defeated Jey Uso in a hard-hitting final match at Night of Champions in Riyadh. The match suffered from a slow start, as the crowd took time to engage with the early grappling. However, the explosive final stretch rehabilitated Femi's monster status and set him up for a massive summer push. Femi remains WWE's best hope for building a new heavyweight main-eventer.
10. Konosuke Takeshita Upsets Kazuchika Okada
Konosuke Takeshita defeated Kazuchika Okada at Double or Nothing on May 24, 2026, to win the AEW International Championship. The hard-fought contest in Queens was praised for its technical precision and stiff strikes. Okada's loss represents a questionable choice given his massive star power. Critics argue his reign was cut short prematurely before he could truly elevate the title, though Takeshita's win signals a major push that could redefine the international division. This win needs immediate follow-through to prove its worth.
Honorable Mentions
While the top ten captured the headlines, several other key moments deserved recognition. Sol Ruca's breakout performances on NXT paved the way for her title shot, and Jack Perry's Blackjack Battle Royal win at Revolution shook up the mid-card. Additionally, Jay White's surprise return at Forbidden Door generated massive buzz but has yet to materialize into a major storyline.
