Published: Jul 14, 2026 by SP3 | Last Updated: Jul 14, 2026 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 Dynamite Beach Break 2026, Kenny Omega defeated MJF to win the AEW World Championship.
After winning the gold, there could be any number of options on the AEW roster to be the next world champion.
From former titleholders winning back the championship to first time ever world champs, the possibilities are endless who could be next in line for the top prize in All Elite Wrestling following ‘The Cleaner.’
Here are eight new potential AEW World Champions after Kenny Omega.
8. MJF
MJF is in elite company as a three-time AEW World Champion with only Jon Moxley having more reigns with the richest prize in the promotion.
After winning the gold twice in the past six months, it feels like an easy option to say MJF will become the world champion again before long.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman seems to always find a way to get back into the mix and get his hands back on the Triple B.
Whether it be at AEW Redemption or following All In London 2026, MJF seems destined to become a four-time AEW World Champion in the near future.
7. Swerve Strickland
2026 has been a year where Swerve Strickland has been focused on his pursuit of power.
‘The Most Dangerous Man in AEW’ was just moments away from winning the Owen Hart Cup against Will Ospreay at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2026.
Looking to sit at the mountaintop of All Elite Wrestling, Strickland could find himself in title contention coming off the heels of Kenny Omega’s AEW World Title win.
With his established feud against ‘The Best Bout Machine,’ Swerve might have what it takes to dethrone Omega and finally get the power he desires by becoming a two-time AEW World Champion.
6. Andrade El Idolo
Since returning to All Elite Wrestling at the start of 2026, Andrade El Idolo has made it clear that his focus is on the AEW World Championship.
In just a few short months, El Idolo has scored pinfall victories over former AEW World Champions in Kenny Omega and Swerve Strickland.
Considering his win over Omega, Andrade should find himself getting an opportunity before long.
With Grand Slam Mexico 2026 coming soon, Andrade could be the challenger for Omega or whoever is champion and could win the richest prize in the company in his home country.
5. ‘Hangman’ Adam Page
On the July 11 edition of AEW Collision, ‘Hangman’ Adam Page made his return to All Elite Wrestling for the first time in nearly four months.
Back at AEW Revolution, Page lost to MJF in a Texas Death Match for the AEW World Championship.
Thanks to this loss, ‘Hangman’ can no longer challenge for the AEW World Title per a pre-match stipulation and agreement.
After clarifying his stance on wanting to keep to this stipulation, ‘Hangman’ could break the hearts of the fans by going against his word, challenging and defeating Kenny Omega to win the AEW World Championship sooner rather than later.
4. Kevin Knight
No one has been more obsessed with becoming the AEW World Champion more than Kevin Knight as of late.
Despite being the current TNT Champion, ‘The Jet’ has kept his sights on the top prize in All Elite Wrestling.
Now that Kenny Omega is the champion, Knight might feel like he has a better chance than when MJF and Darby Allin held the title.
“The Jet” dethroning Omega for the AEW World Championship would easily be the biggest win of his career and allow him to ascend to the mountaintop in the promotion.
3. Kazuchika Okada
At AEW All In Texas 2025, Kazuchika Okada defeated Kenny Omega to become the first ever AEW Unified Champion.
This evened their record against one another to two wins a piece with one time limit draw as well.
After losing the International Championship to Konosuke Takeshita at Double Or Nothing 2026, Okada could change course to his longtime rival and the new AEW World Champion.
Considering he never received his scheduled title match against Darby Allin in May, ‘The Rainmaker’ may be due more than one opportunity at the AEW World Title now that Omega is the new champion.
2. Kyle Fletcher
It would not be surprising to see anyone call Kyle Fletcher the fastest rising star on the AEW roster today.
‘The Protostar’ is only 27 years old and has already placed his name among the best wrestlers in the world today.
While he recently defeated Konosuke Takeshita to win the AEW International Title at Beach Break, Fletcher could still see the AEW World Championship as the true goal.
Fletcher dethroning Omega for the title would be fitting and prove to be a “passing of the torch” moment from the first generation of AEW to the current one led by ‘The Protostar.’
1. Will Ospreay
At AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2026, Will Ospreay defeated Swerve Strickland to win the Owen Hart Foundation men’s tournament final to earn a shot at the AEW World Title at All In London 2026.
Now that he has punched his ticket for the Wembley Stadium main event, it feels like nothing is stopping ‘The Aerial Assassin’ from realizing his dream.
Being the home country boy, Ospreay will walk into AEW All In London 2026 with all the momentum in the world.
With this being the third and decisive showdown between these two men, all the stars are aligning for Ospreay to walk out of Wembley Stadium as the new AEW World Champion and ending Omega’s second reign at All In.
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