8 AEW Nightmares That Could Come True In 2026

Here it is. The number one worry that'll leave AEW hardcores sweating like never before.

Currently, AEW is generally considered to be the second option behind WWE in the biz. It offers something a bit different. That's slightly less true nowadays, but the vibe that All Elite is the go to alternative has lingered. The question is: Will it linger for much longer? TNA’s booming attendances and working relationship with WWE has taken a chomp into that idea, and this could continue into 2026.

There are simply no guarantees that AEW will maintain that second spot for the entire year. Not one living soul can confidently guarantee that Tony Khan's league will be viewed as second best behind WWE come close of business on 31 December 2026. TNA shattered their own attendance record back at Bound For Glory in October, and it looks for all the world like they're not going to stop there.

There's a buzz about the TNA brand that hasn't existed for a long, long time. AEW doesn't have that same sense of excitement. Their own future is shrouded in a veil marked: 'More of the same', and that may not be enough to hold onto the number 2 spot forever, especially if WWE ploughs further resources into TNA.

The palpable feeling AEW harnessed during their earlier years has faded. For some, it'll never return. The promotion just isn't sexy anymore, and those who have lost interest don't believe in Khan's management style or booking philosophies. It would've been unthinkable back between 2019-2023 to suggest that TNA could race ahead of AEW, but that isn't so absurd going into 2026.

What other AEW nightmares could come true in 2026? For more wrestling, check out 12 WWE Nightmares That Could Come True In 2026 and 10 WWE Fates Worse Than Death!