This Week's Wrestling Power Rankings

The road to AEW Double or Nothing on May 24 is starting to look a bit like a construction site with no foreman. Between contract rumors swirling around top stars and some truly bizarre booking choices on weekly television, the main event scene is in a state of flux. We are less than a month away from one of the biggest nights of the year, and yet the hierarchy feels more unsettled than it has in years.

#1. MJF

MJF is still the sun that this entire company orbits around, even if he just got embarrassed in Fairfax. Watching him lose to Kevin Knight on the April 29 episode of Dynamite was a genuine shock that felt like a glitch in the simulation. The match went 15:18 and ended with a roll-up that left the former champion staring at the ceiling in disbelief.

While the roll-up is the classic 'protected' loss, it is a massive mistake to have your top drawing card losing to a midcard champion this close to a pay-per-view. MJF should be breathing down the neck of the World Champion, not trading wins in 15-minute sprints with guys he should be beating in five. Despite the loss, his promo work remains the only thing that feels essential on Wednesday nights.

He deserves the next shot because AEW simply lacks gravity without him in the title picture. When MJF isn't the focal point of the main event, the entire show feels like it's drifting into secondary territory. He needs to move past this TNT Title diversion and get back to the gold that defines his legacy.

#2. Jack Perry

The Scapegoat is currently the most interesting person in the building, mostly because he seems to have stopped caring about the script. During a recent Twitch stream with Anna Jay, Perry made headlines by flipping off a journalist and dropping a few NSFW lines that set social media on fire. According to reports from Ringside News, his attitude is reaching a boiling point.

Perry has leaned into the villain role with a level of sincerity that most wrestlers can only dream of. He isn't just playing a bad guy; he is acting like a man who has been genuinely wronged by the system. This edge is exactly what the World Title scene needs right now to shake off the stagnation of the last few months.

His in-ring work has also found a new mean streak that was missing during his 'Jungle Boy' days. He isn't just doing dives anymore; he is grinding opponents down and using the environment to his advantage. If Perry doesn't get a main event spot at Double or Nothing, it will be a wasted opportunity to capitalize on the most organic heat in the industry.

#3. Will Ospreay

Ospreay is the best wrestler in the world, and at some point, that has to result in him holding the big belt. Every time he steps into the ring, he raises the bar for what is physically possible in a squared circle. Whether it's a Hidden Blade or a Stormbreaker, his execution is always flawless and carries a weight that feels different from the rest of the roster.

The only knock on Ospreay right now is that he feels almost too good for the current storylines. He is frequently put in 'dream matches' that don't have much narrative weight, which is a disservice to his potential as a franchise player. We need to see him in a gritty, long-term feud that tests his character as much as his cardio.

Putting the title on Ospreay would be a signal that AEW is prioritizing work rate above everything else. It would turn every title defense into a potential match of the year candidate. For a company that built its brand on 'The Best Wrestling,' there is no better representative than the Billy Goat.

#4. Malakai Black

The leader of the House of Black has been a victim of stop-start booking for far too long. However, Jim Ross recently gave some insight into the relationship between Black and AEW, suggesting things are in a good place despite past rumors of a return to WWE. As F4WOnline noted, Black remains a top-tier talent that is ready to be unleashed.

Black brings a unique visual and psychological element to the show that no one else can replicate. His matches are less about traditional wrestling and more about a methodical dismantling of his opponent's spirit. The spinning back kick—now known as the Black Mass or The End—is still the most protected and devastating finisher in the game.

He deserves a shot because he represents a different side of the AEW roster. We've had the technical wizards and the loudmouth talkers, but we haven't had a champion who feels truly dangerous. It's time to see if the House of Black can actually rule the entire company instead of just lurking in the shadows.

#5. Hangman Adam Page

The anxious millennial cowboy has turned into a bitter, vengeful veteran, and it is the best work of his career. Hangman's obsession with the World Title is the most relatable motivation on the roster. He doesn't just want the belt; he feels like he is the only one who truly understands what it means to carry the company on his back.

His match quality hasn't dipped a bit, and his Buckshot Lariat is still the most anticipated move in any arena. There is a visceral reaction from the crowd every time his music hits, regardless of whether he is acting like a hero or a villain. That kind of connection is rare and should be the foundation of any title program.

Hangman is the heart and soul of AEW, and his return to the top feels inevitable. He is the perfect foil for a flashy champion because he brings everything back down to earth. A title win for Page would feel like a homecoming for the fans who have followed him since day one in 2019.

#6. Jay White

Switchblade Jay White is a master of the small details that most wrestlers overlook. From the way he rolls out of the ring to catch his breath to the technical precision of the Blade Runner, he is a pro's pro. He has successfully transitioned the Bang Bang Gang into a legitimate threat, but he needs to step back into singles competition to remind everyone why he was a Grand Slam champion elsewhere.

The problem right now is that White feels like he's treading water in the trios division. While the chemistry with the Gunns is great, it’s a waste of a world-class talent to have him chasing secondary belts. He should be the one dictating the pace of the main event scene with his calculated, agonizing style of wrestling.

#7. Adam Copeland

The Rated-R Superstar is clearly having the time of his life, but his presence in the title picture is starting to block younger talent. He is still in incredible shape and his spear looks better now than it did a decade ago. However, we've seen this story before, and at this stage of his career, he should be the one elevating others rather than hunting for more gold.

His veteran instincts are undeniable, and he knows how to structure a match to get the maximum emotional response. But if AEW wants to move into the future, they can't rely on the stars of the past to carry the load. Copeland is a legend, but his place in the power rankings is slipping as the younger generation finally begins to find its footing.

#8. Konosuke Takeshita

Takeshita is a physical marvel who has everything needed to be the face of the company. Under the guidance of Don Callis, he has become a ruthless machine capable of out-wrestling and out-muscling anyone on the planet. His Blue Thunder Bomb is a work of art, and his knee strikes look like they could genuinely knock a man's head off.

The issue is the mouthpiece. Don Callis is a great heat-seeker, but at some point, Takeshita needs to stand on his own and show some individual personality. He feels a bit like a secondary character in the Callis Family drama rather than the world-beating champion he is clearly destined to become. A dominant title run would fix that overnight.

#9. Christian Cage

The Patriarch is the best heel in the business, period. He knows exactly how to get a crowd to hate him without ever having to raise his voice or do a single flip. His focus on 'father figures' has been one of the most consistent and entertaining storylines in the company for over a year. He is the ultimate gatekeeper for the main event scene.

However, his in-ring style is slowing down, which is expected at his age. He relies more on interference from Killswitch and Nick Wayne than his own abilities, which works for his character but makes a World Title run feel unlikely. He is perfect for the TNT Title level, but a move back to the World Title might be a bridge too far in 2026.

#10. Darby Allin

Darby Allin is the ultimate underdog, but we've seen him lose too many big matches recently for him to be higher on this list. He is the guy who will throw himself off a 20-foot ladder just to get a two-count, which the fans love, but it doesn't always translate to winning championships. His resilience is his greatest strength and his biggest weakness.

He deserves a mention because he is a fixture of the AEW landscape, but he feels more like a perennial contender than a future champion right now. He needs a significant win over a top-five name to prove that he can actually finish the job when the stakes are at their highest. Until then, he remains the most spectacular bridesmaid in the company.

The Big Picture

The AEW title scene is currently a chaotic mix of established legends and rising stars who are struggling to find a clear path to the top. While the in-ring quality remains high, the lack of a focused narrative heading into Double or Nothing is a concern for many fans. If the company doesn't start making some definitive choices about who their top guy is, the May 24 show risks feeling like just another episode of Dynamite.

Ones to Watch

Keep an eye on the returning Allie, who made a splash in TNA on the April 30 episode of iMPACT. While she's currently in Syracuse, the revolving door between promotions could see her back in the AEW fold sooner than later. Also, the contract status of Anna Jay remains a major talking point; she confirmed her deal is coming up soon, and where she lands will have a massive ripple effect on the women's division. Finally, watch out for Kevin Knight, whose win over MJF on the 343rd episode of Dynamite has instantly made him a player to watch in the coming months.