The State of AEW Heading into Redemption
AEW remains in a transition phase, balancing legacy star power with the necessity of elevated mid-card talent. As we look toward the Redemption pay-per-view this Sunday in Montreal, these ten figures are defining the product.
The Ranking
1. Jon Moxley. He sits at the top not just for his championship pedigree, but for his ability to anchor any card. Despite losing the title to Hangman Adam Page in a Texas Deathmatch at last year's All In, his drawing power remains unchallenged. He is reportedly the primary target for a marquee slot at this year's All In London.
2. Hangman Adam Page. Page proved his viability as a top-tier champion by besting Moxley in the 2025 All In main event. His ability to thread a narrative through a high-stakes match sequence is currently unrivaled within the roster. He holds the belt with a legitimacy that forces every contender to elevate their technical game.
3. Kenny Omega. Booking him against Kevin Knight for Redemption has raised eyebrows among the faithful. While management insists this is a strategic move, the discrepancy in star power feels like a missed opportunity to showcase a veteran rival. Even in a questionable booking spot, his in-ring psychology remains the gold standard for the company.
4. MJF. He is currently navigating a period of relative quiet, but his presence looms over the main event scene. His ability to shift merchandise and dictate television ratings makes him the company's most essential asset. He is effectively waiting for the right moment to insert himself into the championship picture.
5. Will Ospreay. He has become the workhorse of the promotion, delivering high-intensity performances on nearly every episode of Dynamite. His athletic output is physically taxing, which does raise legitimate concerns about potential burnout as he nears the 300-day mark of his active touring schedule. He remains a must-watch talent every time his music hits.
6. Swerve Strickland. Strickland has managed to stay relevant through character evolution rather than just title pursuits. His recent promo work has been sharper than almost anyone else on the roster, providing a necessary foil for the more traditional babyfaces. He represents the modern athlete-entertainer shift the company needs to prioritize.
7. Kevin Knight. Landing a spot on the Redemption card against Omega is the biggest break of his career. While skeptics argue he is not ready for the spotlight, reported backstage feedback suggests the company wants to test his ability to keep pace with a veteran anchor. This is a sink-or-swim moment that will dictate his push for the remainder of 2026.
8. Britt Baker. She remains the anchor of the women's division, carrying the weight of multiple storylines simultaneously. Her consistency on the microphone allows others to benefit from the rub of sharing the ring with her. However, the division needs a fresher set of challengers to avoid stale repeat feuds.
9. The Young Bucks. Their influence over tag team wrestling remains dominant, even when they occupy heel roles that frustrate the audience. They consistently produce the most complex tag sequences in the promotion, forcing every other team to evolve or get out of the way. Their match quality has plateaued, but their relevance is 100 percent locked in.
10. Claudio Castagnoli. He is the unsung hero of the upper mid-card, capable of taking any challenger to a 20-minute barn burner. He lacks the main event push he deserves, serving often as a gatekeeper rather than a featured attraction. Moving him into an active title pursuit would inject some much-needed technical variety into the scene.
The Big Picture
AEW is betting on a mix of tried-and-true stars and high-risk investments ahead of the Redemption PPV in Montreal this Sunday. The product lacks a clear challenger for the top spot, and some booking choices suggest the creative team is struggling to maximize the depth of the roster.
Honorable Mentions
Malakai Black, who continues to be underutilized in meaningful feuds, and Mercedes Moné, who is waiting for a proper return to the prime title picture. Both occupy a space of constant potential that the current creative direction hasn't quite unlocked.
