Published: 27 seconds ago by SP3 | Last Updated: 1 second ago by SP3
Born in Harlem, New York and now living in the Bronx, Sid Pullar III aka SP3 is a lifelong wrestling fan who has been covering the industry for over nine years as a podcaster and writer. His passion for the industry has been documented with over 3,000 videos on YouTube and 8,000 written pieces across multiple outlets, such as WrestleTalk, Sports Illustrated and more.@TruHeelSP3
AEW
At AEW All In London 2026, Darby Allin won his third TNT Championship.
Following this victory, Allin stated during the post-show media scrum that he plans to bring back the TNT Championship Open Challenge.
With his first defense of this run expected to be on this week’s AEW Dynamite or Collision, it should be interesting to see who will step up to answer Darby’s challenge.
Here are seven AEW stars to potentially answer Darby Allin’s TNT Championship open challenge.
7. Kevin Knight
At the AEW All In London 2026 pay-per-view, Darby Allin defeated Kevin Knight in a Falls Count Anywhere Match to win the TNT Championship.
This ended the over four month run for Knight that saw him set the record for most title defenses in a single reign.
“The Jet” might want to avenge his loss at Wembley Stadium almost immediately.
Knight stepping up to challenge Darby Allin for the TNT Title could further take their rivalry to a fever pitch.
6. “Jungle” Jack Perry
Back at AEW All In London 2024, Jack Perry defeated Darby Allin in a Coffin Match to retain the TNT Championship.
Over the past two years, Perry has undergone a personality change and embraced his “Jungle Boy” past.
After re-signing with All Elite Wrestling earlier this year, Perry has been on a mission to prove himself against former AEW World Champions to show he is ready to win the richest prize in the company.
Perry challenging Darby Allin for the TNT Title would be a two-fold mission where he can win back the gold he once held and also beat a former world champion.
5. Tommaso Ciampa
On the April 22 episode of AEW Dynamite, Darby Allin defeated Tommaso Ciampa to retain the AEW World Title.
Since this bout, Ciampa has stated that Allin became his pro wrestling soulmate that night.
Prior to his battle against Allin, Ciampa made history by becoming the first male star to win a championship in his first AEW match when he defeated Mark Briscoe to win the TNT Title in January.
Allin clashing with Ciampa again could offer yet another memorable bout between these two rivals over the TNT Championship.
4. Mark Davis
Another AEW star who won his first title in the company is Mark Davis.
Back at AEW Fairway To Hell, Davis defeated “Jungle” Jack Perry to win the AEW National Title.
This has elevated Davis and helped to establish himself as a singles star in the promotion.
Davis challenging Darby Allin could provide a show-stealing “David vs. Goliath” battle for the AEW TNT Championship Open Challenge.
3. Nick Wayne
Ever since returning from his tour in NJPW for the Best of Super Juniors tournament, Nick Wayne has felt like one of the most improved wrestlers on the AEW roster.
The 21-year old star is on the cusp of breaking out in a significant way and could be on the verge of winning major championship gold.
Back in 2023, Wayne came into the company thanks to his then-mentor Darby Allin before turning on him to align himself with Christian Cage later that same year.
Wayne facing Darby in the TNT Championship Open Challenge could showcase just how far he has come in the past three years.
2. Kyle Fletcher
The AEW TNT Championship has long been a title that the company uses to elevate young stars.
Over the past 18 months, Kyle Fletcher has broken out as a future top star by solidifying himself through his reigns as TNT Champion.
After two previous reigns, Fletcher may want to bring the title back to The Don Callis Family after Kevin Knight dropped the gold at AEW All In London 2026.
“The Protostar” facing Darby for the first time would make for a potential Match of the Year candidate if they clash over the TNT gold.
1. Ilja Dragunov
While most of this list features AEW stars, there are those outside of the company that can come in to answer the TNT Championship Open Challenge.
At the beginning of August, it was revealed that Ilja Dragunov was departing WWE after his contract expired.
In the past, the TNT Championship Open Challenge has been used to introduce new talent to the AEW roster, such as Eddie Kingston and Tommaso Ciampa in the past.
Darby Allin holding the open challenge could see Dragunov come in and take championship gold upon signing with All Elite Wrestling.
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