AEW just wrapped a loaded week headlined by Collision from the Chris Jericho Cruise, which produced title changes, surprising returns, and clear positioning for Full Gear next weekend. The company continues to build momentum around its main event scene while secondary titles are heating up.
#1. Will Ospreay
Currently holding the AEW World Championship and positioned as the promotion’s top draw heading into Full Gear. Ospreay remains at the center of AEW’s main event picture with Kyle Fletcher challenging him for the title, and now Andrade El Idolo has publicly set his sights on the championship, signaling Ospreay’s status as the mountain everyone wants to climb.
🏆 AEW World Championship
#2. Tommaso Ciampa
The story of the week: Ciampa captured the AEW National Championship from Andrade El Idolo on Collision, and he’s already generating intrigue with his next challenger potentially being Ilja Dragunov, setting up unfinished business. His title win has him positioned as a rising threat in the mid-card with main event implications.
🏆 AEW National Championship
#3. Andrade El Idolo
Despite losing his National Championship to Ciampa, Andrade is maintaining prominence through his public declaration that it’s “time for me to win every AEW championship,” explicitly targeting Ospreay’s World title. His loss isn’t slowing his push—it’s redirecting him toward a bigger prize at a crucial moment.
#4. Kyle Fletcher
Fletcher is in the spotlight as the active challenger for Will Ospreay’s World Championship heading into Full Gear, making him one of the most visible men on the roster this week. His rapid ascent through the singles ranks (TNT and International titles en route) has him pegged as a legitimate threat to Ospreay’s reign.
#5. Nick Wayne
Nick Wayne captured significant attention this week by publicly claiming credit for AEW Dynamite’s ratings victory over WWE NXT on Wednesday, demonstrating both his confidence and his role as a rising star in the promotion’s hierarchy. His willingness to take the mic and own his contribution signals he’s being positioned higher on the card.
#6. Mercedes Moné
The reigning AEW Women’s World Champion continues to operate at the top of the women’s division and backstage reports confirm a strong relationship with AEW, suggesting contract renewal is likely. Though her week was quieter on television, her stronghold on the women’s title keeps her in the conversation.
🏆 AEW Women’s World Championship
#7. Jon Moxley
Moxley remains a fixture in AEW’s heavyweight scene as a member of the Death Riders, and his stable’s rivalry with The Cut continues to generate major angles and attention. This week showed his faction engaged in high-profile segments that keep him relevant, though he’s not currently chasing a singles title.
#8. Chris Jericho
Jericho earned media coverage beyond wrestling this week for his appearance in the Muhammad Ali biopic *The Greatest* on Amazon Prime, with Diamond Dallas Page praising his work as Gorgeous George. His dual presence—active AEW performer and mainstream actor—keeps him culturally relevant while he continues hosting the Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea events.
#9. Darby Allin
Darby is being featured prominently in AEW’s multimedia push, appearing in the Thanksgiving advertisement alongside Paul Wight and Mercedes Moné, signaling his status as a centerpiece of the promotion’s branding. His presence in major promotional materials suggests he remains in AEW’s plans for significant positioning.
#10. Kairi Sane
Kairi’s surprise appearance on the Jericho Cruise among members of The New Level (Kofi Kingston and Austin Creed) has reignited speculation about her next move, with AEW being the obvious destination given the setting. Her resurfacing this week generated considerable intrigue and positions her as a potential free agent signing.
Keep eyes on Swerve Strickland, who’s been speaking openly this week about hardcore moments and the ceiling of AEW’s extreme content, signaling potential repositioning or creative direction change ahead of Full Gear.
