Who actually deserves the next shot at the AEW World Championship?

This Week's Wrestling Power Rankings

The AEW World Championship scene is in desperate need of a shot in the arm as we head into the summer. With top stars spinning their wheels in repetitive storylines, Tony Khan needs to make a bold booking decision rather than playing it safe with the usual suspects. The current hierarchy is stale, and it is time to look at who actually deserves to step up to the plate next.

The summer of 2026 is a pivotal moment for the promotion, especially with rumors of roster shuffles and contract expirations looming. Fans are growing tired of predictable tournaments and multi-man tag matches that lead nowhere. We need a singular, dominant challenger who can push the champion to the absolute limit.

#1. Gabe Kidd

The newly signed Gabe Kidd has immediately injected some much-needed malice into the locker room. After jumping ship, Kidd slammed New Japan Pro Wrestling for their organizational incompetence, proving he has no interest in playing the grateful newcomer. That level of raw, unfiltered aggression is exactly what the championship picture is missing right now.

Kidd is not just a talker; his brutal in-ring style makes him a terrifying matchup for any champion. Imagine him dropping the champion with a devastating brainbuster on the apron, or locking in a deep choke at the fifteen-minute mark to secure a submission victory. He brings a legitimate, unscripted threat level that AEW has struggled to replicate since the departure of other top stars.

Booking him in a championship match immediately establishes him as a top-tier threat. Giving him the shot right out of the gate would reward his outspoken attitude and force the locker room to adapt to his violence. It is a high-risk, high-reward move that Tony Khan should pull the trigger on.

#2. Will Ospreay

Will Ospreay remains the most spectacular wrestler on the planet, but his path to the title has become too predictable. He regularly delivers classic matches, like hitting a Hidden Blade into a Storm Breaker for a near-fall at the twenty-minute mark. However, his booking feels like a slow march toward an inevitable coronation, which robs his matches of actual drama.

If he gets the next shot, it needs to be under circumstances that force him to work from underneath. He is at his best when selling a damaged shoulder or fighting through a ribs injury sustained during a grueling match. A straight-up exhibition match against the champion would feel like just another high-rated showcase rather than a battle for the top spot.

He deserves the shot based on work rate alone, but the story must match the physical performance. Let him chase the title through a gauntlet of opponents who try to take out his knees before he can hit the Oscutter. That is how you build a babyface champion the fans will rally behind.

#3. Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho is the veteran who refuses to fade away, constantly reinventing himself to stay in the spotlight. Even decades after Eric Bischoff expressed surprise that the former WCW Cruiserweight Champion achieved such massive success in WWE, Jericho continues to command television time. Love him or hate him, his ability to generate heat makes him an easy choice for a transition challenger.

Jericho's matches are no longer about high-flying maneuvers, but rather about psychological warfare and sudden violence. He can still catch an opponent off guard with a Judas Effect out of nowhere or lock in the Walls of Jericho to slow down a faster wrestler. His current faction work ensures that any title match he enters will be chaotic and full of interference.

While fans often groan at his continued presence in the main event, he is a reliable hand who can make a babyface champion look like a star. A short, intense program with a younger champion would give the title scene some narrative structure. He does not need to win, but he deserves the spot to elevate the man who beats him.

#4. Scorpio Sky

Scorpio Sky is the ultimate wildcard in this ranking, primarily because his time in the company may be running short. Reports suggest Sky's contract is expiring sooner than most fans realize, creating a classic now-or-never scenario. If AEW wants to get any value out of the inaugural tag team champion, they need to thrust him back into the spotlight immediately.

Sky has always possessed the athletic tools, from his clean TKO cutter to his springboard dropkicks. He is a smooth performer who rarely botches, but he has suffered from inconsistent booking and long stretches of television absence. Giving him a sudden championship opportunity is a bold way to test his drawing power before negotiating a new deal.

Some might argue he has done nothing recently to earn a title shot, which is a fair criticism of his booking. However, professional wrestling thrives on sudden, unexpected opportunities that force wrestlers to sink or swim. Putting Sky in a high-stakes championship match is the best way to see if he still belongs in AEW's long-term plans.

#5. Jon Moxley

Jon Moxley is the foundation of AEW, the man the company calls whenever they need to stabilize the ship. He does not need an elaborate storyline to justify a title shot because his reputation as a three-time champion precedes him. His matches are always physical wars, characterized by biting, bleeding, and executing the Death Rider onto concrete floors.

However, Moxley's constant presence at the top of the card can sometimes stifle the growth of younger talent. His promos are legendary, but the matches can occasionally devolve into repetitive brawls that lack clean wrestling sequences. He remains a top contender, but a title shot for him right now would feel like a default choice rather than an inspired one.

If he does get the next shot, it should be in a stipulation match where his violent tendencies are fully unleashed. A Texas Death Match would allow him to showcase his grit while giving the champion a grueling test of endurance. It is a proven formula, even if it is one we have seen many times before.

Ones to Watch

Behind the top five, several other contenders are lurking in the shadows, waiting for their chance to strike. Orange Cassidy remains a merchandise machine who can deliver in the ring when the spots demand it, but his relaxed persona often makes him feel detached from the championship hunt. He needs a serious, focused storyline to transition from a midcard attraction to a legitimate main event threat.

Konosuke Takeshita is another powerhouse who should be much higher in the rankings if work rate were the only metric. Under the guidance of Don Callis, he has put on clinics, executing devastating German suplexes and stiff forearm strikes that leave opponents dazed. His lack of promo time in English is still a hurdle, but his physical presence in the ring is undeniable.

Finally, we cannot ignore the Ring of Honor division, where the ROH World Champion is always a potential crossover challenger. With ROH hosting events like the upcoming Cincinnati show, the lines between the two rosters remain fluid. A surprise challenger from the sister promotion could provide the exact kind of unpredictable spark that the summer title picture needs.