{"id":210827,"date":"2026-01-21T17:01:35","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T23:01:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=210827"},"modified":"2026-01-21T17:01:35","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T23:01:35","slug":"bold-predictions-for-aew-in-2026-including-britt-baker-kevin-knight-will-ospreay-megan-bayne-womens-division","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2026\/01\/21\/bold-predictions-for-aew-in-2026-including-britt-baker-kevin-knight-will-ospreay-megan-bayne-womens-division\/","title":{"rendered":"Bold predictions for AEW in 2026 including Britt Baker, Kevin Knight, Will Ospreay, Megan Bayne, Women&#8217;s Division"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-2040415722\" class=\"pwtor-before-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><hr \/><b>SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... <\/b>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?show_id=3076978&theme=light&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"140px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\r\n<hr \/><\/div><p>Coaches don\u2019t make game plans by predicting exact plays; they study tendencies on film. Wrestling predictions work the same way. You\u2019re not calling outcomes; you\u2019re identifying patterns, pressure points, and the situations that make certain results more likely than others.<\/p>\n<p>Looking ahead to 2026, AEW presents a roster and creative structure full of these clues. None of what follows is guaranteed \u2014 but each scenario reflects a logical extension of choices AEW could make. With that in mind, here are five bold but plausible predictions for AEW in 2026, along with the pathways that could realistically lead there.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>(1) Britt Baker &amp; Jamie Hayter Capture the Women\u2019s Tag Team Titles<\/h3>\n<p><strong>The prediction:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>AEW uses Britt Baker\u2019s return and a brief women\u2019s tag title reign as a narrative vehicle \u2014 not a long-term destination \u2014 to fuel a heel turn and ignite a major feud at the top of the women\u2019s division.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How it could happen:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Assuming Baker is healthy, AEW leans into tension rather than nostalgia:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Baker returns, aligned with Jamie Hayter, framed as unfinished business<\/li>\n<li>They win the women\u2019s tag titles quickly, positioning themselves as dominant but uneasy champions.<\/li>\n<li>Cracks form as Baker\u2019s self-interest collides with Hayter\u2019s momentum.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The titles become a catalyst, not a reward \u2014 accelerating distrust, resentment, and ultimately betrayal.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why it matters:<\/strong><\/p><div id=\"pwtor-757107828\" class=\"pwtor-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>AEW doesn\u2019t need the tag titles to be the endgame here. Using them as a storytelling tool allows AEW to generate immediate heat, launch an organic high-profile singles feud, and elevate multiple layers of the women\u2019s division at once.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>(2) Kevin Knight Turns Heel and Becomes TNT Champion<\/h3>\n<p><strong>The prediction:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>AEW accelerates Kevin Knight\u2019s rise by repositioning him as a modern, high-energy heel \u2014 one designed to inject renewed \u201ccool factor\u201d into the product while appealing to a new generation of fans.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How it could happen:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>At 29 years old, Knight is already operating in a prime window AEW needs to prioritize:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A loss or near-miss exposes frustration beneath his upbeat presentation.<\/li>\n<li>Knight trades crowd-pleasing rhythm for urgency and edge.<\/li>\n<li>His TNT Title win comes through decisiveness and intent, not luck.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The turn isn\u2019t cartoonish; it\u2019s competitive, rooted in ambition rather than malice.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why it matters:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>AEW\u2019s long-term growth depends on cultivating talent that feels contemporary and aspirational. Knight\u2019s athleticism, presence, and age align perfectly with that need. Elevating him signals that AEW isn\u2019t just maintaining credibility \u2014 it\u2019s actively building relevance. The TNT title becomes a launchpad, not a placeholder.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-3939679229\" class=\"pwtor-content-1 pwtor-entity-placement\"><!-- Tag ID: pwtorchcom_test_300x600 -->\r\n<div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __300x600\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><em>ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW&#8230;<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Check out the latest episode of the &#8220;All Elite Conversation Club&#8221; with Joel Dehnel and Gregg Kanner, part of the PWTorch Dailycast line-up: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spreaker.com\/episode\/all-elite-conversation-club-dehnel-kanner-discuss-powerhouse-hobbs-departure-rascalz-signing-maximum-carnage-results-rumble-trivia--69474141\">CLICK HERE<\/a> to stream (or search \u201cpwtorch\u201d on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other iOS or Android app to subscribe free)<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"All Elite Conversation Club - Dehnel &amp; Kanner discuss Powerhouse Hobbs' departure, Rascalz signing, Maximum Carnage results, Rumble trivia\" src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?episode_id=69474141&amp;theme=light&amp;playlist=false&amp;playlist-continuous=false&amp;chapters-image=true&amp;episode_image_position=right&amp;hide-logo=false&amp;hide-likes=false&amp;hide-comments=false&amp;hide-sharing=false&amp;hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"200px\" frameborder=\"0\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>(3) The Women\u2019s Division Finally Main Events an AEW Pay-Per-View<\/h3>\n<p><strong>The prediction:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>AEW closes a major pay-per-view with a women\u2019s match for the first time, marking a shift from symbolic progress to structural commitment \u2014 one Tony Khan has increasingly acknowledged when asked about it in recent interviews.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How it could happen:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The pieces are already in place, both on-screen and off:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Khan has framed the decision around timing and story readiness rather than reluctance.<\/li>\n<li>AEW commits to a long-form feud anchored by established stars such as Toni Storm, Kris Statlander, Willow Nightingale, and Mercedes Mon\u00e9<\/li>\n<li>The match is positioned as the emotional and narrative peak of the show, not a historical checkbox.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When it happens, it won\u2019t be sold as a milestone; it will be presented as the most important match on the card.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why it matters:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>AEW no longer lacks credible women to headline a pay-per-view. The hesitation has been about commitment, not capability. Trusting Storm, Statlander, Willow, or Mon\u00e9 with the final slot signals that the division is no longer supplemental \u2014 it\u2019s foundational.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>(4) Megan Bayne Dethrones Willow Nightingale to Win the TBS Championship<\/h3>\n<p><strong>The prediction:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>AEW shifts the tone of the TBS title from emotional momentum to physical dominance, adding a new layer to the women\u2019s division hierarchy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How it could happen:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Willow\u2019s reign is built on resilience and connection. Bayne\u2019s rise is built on inevitability:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Bayne strings together decisive wins with minimal vulnerability.<\/li>\n<li>Commentary frames her as a structural problem for the division, not just another challenger.<\/li>\n<li>The title match feels unavoidable rather than shocking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The story isn\u2019t \u201cCan Willow survive?\u201d; it\u2019s \u201cWhat happens when heart finally meets a wall?\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why it matters:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The TBS Title has thrived on likable champions. A Bayne reign forces new match dynamics, creates fresh babyface chases, and deepens the division\u2019s sense of power balance \u2014 without undercutting Willow\u2019s credibility.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong>(5) Will Ospreay Wins the AEW World Title and Powers All In Past Its 2024 Attendance<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The prediction:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>AEW surpasses its All In 2024 attendance figure by centering the event around Will Ospreay\u2019s crowning moment \u2014 winning the AEW World Championship in a defining feud with MJF.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How it could happen:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The story unfolds across continents:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ospreay is written off at Forbidden Door, selling the toll of chasing AEW\u2019s top prize.<\/li>\n<li>He returns months later in England, framed as unfinished business.<\/li>\n<li>MJF, fully committed as the best heel in the industry, frames Ospreay as the challenger who doesn\u2019t belong on his level.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The All In main event isn\u2019t just a match, it\u2019s the culmination of absence, resentment, and inevitability. Ospreay wins the big one on home soil.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why it matters:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This is the kind of narrative AEW was built to tell. Ospreay isn\u2019t just a great wrestler \u2014 he\u2019s a global draw with deep roots in the UK market. Giving him a career-defining title win against MJF transforms All In from a spectacle into a moment. That emotional gravity \u2014 not just card depth \u2014 is what pushes attendance beyond previous benchmarks.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Final Thoughts<\/h3>\n<p>AEW\u2019s 2026 won\u2019t be defined solely by ratings, attendance, or competition \u2014 it will be defined by confidence. Choosing focus over excess, patience over panic, and trust over hesitation are the decisions that separate momentum from stagnation.<br \/>\nIf AEW commits to those choices, the outcomes tend to take care of themselves.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>PODCAST PLUG<\/h3>\n<p>Be sure to check out Collision Caf\u00e9, the show I host with PWTorch\u2019s Amin Ajani, available exclusively to PWTorch VIP members.<\/p>\n<p>Did you know you can read an ad-free, silky-smooth-loading version of this website with a PWTorch VIP Membership? You\u2019ll also unlock 35+ years of archives, including nearly 2,000 PWTorch Weekly Newsletters dating back to the late 1980s, hundreds of retro radio shows from the 1990s, and two decades of podcasts \u2014 including Post-PPV Roundtable Podcasts dating back to the mid-2000s. Plus, new VIP-exclusive articles and podcasts throughout the week, fully compatible with the native Apple Podcasts app.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorchvipinfo.com\/\">CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON VIP MEMBERSHIP<\/a><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Wade Keller Post-show (1\/14) - AEW Dynamite w\/Keller &amp; Lilly\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UrldE8DhWgo?start=4&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-2214450216\"><div id=\"pwtor-1643013131\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU FOR VISITING<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>Coaches don\u2019t make game plans by predicting exact plays; they study tendencies on film. Wrestling predictions work the same way. You\u2019re not calling outcomes; you\u2019re identifying patterns, pressure points, and the situations that make certain <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2026\/01\/21\/bold-predictions-for-aew-in-2026-including-britt-baker-kevin-knight-will-ospreay-megan-bayne-womens-division\/\" title=\"Bold predictions for AEW in 2026 including Britt Baker, Kevin Knight, Will Ospreay, Megan Bayne, Women&#8217;s Division\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":176659,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[52,61,27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-210827","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opnionandanalysis","category-guesteditorials","category-specialists"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2024\/04\/Screenshot-2024-04-10-at-11.48.50\u202fAM.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210827","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=210827"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210827\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":210833,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210827\/revisions\/210833"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/176659"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=210827"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=210827"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=210827"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}