The stakes for Chicago are higher than ever

AEW returns to the NOW Arena for All Out 2026, and the promotion is clearly feeling the heat. They have spent the last six months rebuilding their main event scene after the departure of several key pillars. If they want to prove the company has a future beyond its original foundation, this card needs to be flawless.

The main event features Swerve Strickland versus the current AEW World Champion, Ricochet. Ricochet has finally found his footing as a vicious, technical technician rather than just a high-flyer. Expect a grueling 30-minute iron man match structure where Swerve takes the title with a House Call in the final two minutes. It is time to elevate Strickland back to the top of the mountain.

Mid-card chaos and the tag division

The TNT Championship match between Darby Allin and a debuting international star is the sleeper hit of the night. Darby has been taking insane bumps for years, but his character work has peaked recently. He wins this one via a Coffin Drop through a table set up on the stage. It is a classic spot, but it never fails to pop a Chicago crowd.

Then we have the tag team title scene, which has been in shambles since the Young Bucks moved to purely administrative roles. The Acclaimed are facing a new faction led by Malakai Black. It is a bizarre clash of styles, but the crowd will eat it up. The challengers should walk away with the gold, signaling a shift toward a darker, more serious tag division.

Where the booking falls flat

Not everything about this projected card is promising. The Women's World Championship booking remains a glaring issue for AEW. Pitting Jamie Hayter against a lackluster challenger who has not been on television for three months is a mistake. The fans want to see Hayter in a grudge match that actually means something, not a placeholder defense.

Compare this to the golden days of the division when Thunder Rosa and Britt Baker were tearing each other apart. The current creative direction lacks that same intensity. Unless they inject a real storyline into this feud, the crowd might be dead during the entrances. It is a missed opportunity to build on the momentum Hayter has garnered since her return.

The return of the tournament structure

The card also hinges on the conclusion of the Owen Hart Foundation tournament. Putting a title shot on the line for the winner is a smart move that gives matches legitimate stakes. I expect a final between PAC and a returning top-tier babyface. PAC is the best worker in the company, yet his win-loss record rarely reflects his talent level.

If the company follows through with these predictions, they might stop the bleeding of their viewership numbers. Recent reports suggest wrestling industry analysts are keeping a close eye on these gate receipts. The pressure to deliver a cohesive narrative has never been higher in the history of the promotion. Tony Khan needs this show to remind everyone why fans fell in love with AEW in 2019.