In the wake of one of the best shows in the promotion’s history, AEW Dynasty goes down this Sunday on the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia. Headlined by an AEW World Championship conflict between MJF and Kenny Omega, Dynasty would be the final pay-per-view earlier than AEW’s flagship present, Double or Nothing, subsequent month in New York.
The Uncrowned Horsemen — Kel Dansby, Robert Jackman, Drake Riggs and Anthony Sulla-Heffinger — are right here to preview the cardboard, reply burning questions and make our large predictions for this weekend’s occasion.
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Let’s journey!
1. We all felt final 12 months that it was a matter of when, not if, Will Ospreay would change into AEW World Champion. Does that highway lastly begin with a win over Jon Moxley on Sunday, or is Ospreay teflon sufficient {that a} loss gained’t matter as we peek towards All In: Wembley?
Jackman: Don’t remind me — a few of us ended up with the proverbial egg on our faces final 12 months when Ospreay did not win the Owen Hart Cup. I’m undecided I’ve predicted something so confidently in writing to then see it go down in flames hours later. That stated, I bear in mind Ospreay being a severely heavy favourite on the betting markets, so we clearly weren’t alone on that entrance.
As for what occurs to Ospreay this weekend, I’m actually undecided. If you had been going by the plain playbook, you’d ship him on a crowd-pleasing successful streak within the run-up to All In. But everyone knows that Tony Khan likes to be contrarian generally, so who is aware of? Plus, it is not like Moxley’s reserving is especially predictable in the meanwhile both, which simply provides one other layer of uncertainty.
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Sulla-Heffinger: Ospreay is in such a singular spot right here. Not solely does he not must win right here, however even when he did, does his trajectory change in any respect with the Continental Championship? I might argue no.
Barring an harm, Ospreay completely ought to win this 12 months’s Owen Hart Classic and be in the principle occasion of All In: Wembley in August. Any different reserving can be a disservice to each entity concerned, particularly the followers.
Ospreay hasn’t misplaced since he returned to motion final month and this might be his greatest take a look at. I feel his path is a smidge extra compelling if he faces some adversity and Jason Solomon made an amazing suggestion on this week’s Uncrowned Wrestling Show when he fantasy booked a rematch of this for the ultimate of the aforementioned Owen Hart Classic.
Riggs: Both may be true. A loss would not derail Ospreay a lot in any respect, however the time is definitely now to construct his approach towards his coronation.
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The timing of Sunday’s present works out fairly completely, too. Whether it is MJF or Kenny Omega standing throughout from him on the time of his large title tilt, there is not any dropping with both of these pairings, and every choice delivers drastically various kinds of enjoyable. However, with Omega’s clock far more restricted than MJF’s, that could possibly be all that is wanted to intertwine these storylines sufficient to get us there.
Honestly, the Continental Championship’s inclusion right here looks like one thing of a roadblock — except AEW does a sensible factor and consolidates championships, with the Continental being absorbed into a future world title conflict. That’s simply my fantasy reserving, however finally, Ospreay is amid his contemporary, thrilling return. There’s now not any good purpose to pull out his second atop the mountain, particularly after getting by way of the “Hangman” Adam Page saga — for now.
Dansby: Ospreay’s delay in changing into AEW World Champion has at all times felt extra tied to accidents than reserving. If he had been constantly accessible since signing in 2023, there’s a robust probability he would have already had a title run by now. He’s even acknowledged that his high-flying fashion has taken a toll over time, which makes availability simply as necessary as expertise in his case.
If he’s wholesome now and can keep that approach by way of the summer time, this feels just like the second to totally commit. He shouldn’t lose right here. Build that momentum, maintain him scorching, and let it carry all the best way to Wembley, the place he feels destined to headline for the AEW World Championship.
Kenny Omega challenges MJF for the AEW World Heavyweight Championship. (Lee South, AEW)
(Lee South)
2. Since his return, Kenny Omega’s ambition has been for yet one more run with the AEW World Championship. If we’re forecasting for the remainder of this 12 months, who can do extra for the main-event image: Omega or MJF?
Riggs: I type of talked myself into the result after that final query — one final journey for Omega, establishing a wildly epic finale in August with Ospreay.
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AEW’s main-event scene could also be more energizing if MJF stays champion and continues to excel in methods solely he can. But Omega is Omega — a bulletproof power and eyeball magnet, who will most assuredly get a spectacular sendoff, as he rightfully ought to.
It’s a win-win scenario irrespective of how the pie is reduce. If we have now to choose, siding towards MJF would really feel considerably flawed, but it surely’d be removed from a catastrophe contemplating the ample potential nonetheless surrounding “The Cleaner.”
Dansby: The reply remains to be MJF.
He’s the perfect heel AEW has, particularly in a panorama crammed with simple babyface challengers. More importantly, he constantly elevates whoever he’s within the ring with, whether or not they’re chasing him or standing throughout from him in a significant match.
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Like Ospreay, Omega’s momentum has been slowed by accidents, and the timing simply doesn’t really feel proper to shift the title onto him. A traditional match between MJF and Omega solely strengthens MJF’s reign and units the stage for a large showdown with Ospreay at Wembley, one that might carry a real international major occasion really feel.
Jackman: I bow to nobody in my admiration for MJF, however I feel there is a case to present this one to Kenny Omega. The man himself has been clear in latest interviews that he is not sure how for much longer he can maintain going, and it could nonetheless be a massively highly effective second to see him get one final run with that beautiful title round his waist.
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Omega additionally has the proper of pristine good-guy credentials you’d must do a convincing babyface-vs.-babyface title match with Will Ospreay. The picture of Omega elevating the arm of Ospreay at Wembley Stadium can be iconic in its personal proper, however it could additionally say rather a lot concerning the journey of AEW itself.
That stated, I nonetheless assume MJF is the more than likely winner on Sunday, therefore me ticking him in our predictions sweepstakes beneath. You must be strategic, proper?
Sulla-Heffinger: If we’re working beneath the belief that the winner right here is dropping AEW’s prime title to Ospreay this summer time, I feel you pull the set off on Omega and arrange an epic conflict at All In: Wembley, with it being a real passing-of-the-torch second.
That reserving isn’t a knock on MJF or his title run — he’s the current and way forward for AEW in additional methods than one — however the actuality is Omega is nearer to the top of his profession, and who’s to say you’ll get a chance like this once more? Plus, MJF can at all times declare Ospreay beat a diminished foe for his first AEW World Championship and insert himself proper again into the combination later within the 12 months. Considering the marginally simpler path again to the main-event image MJF has, I feel Omega presents the stronger situations for the remainder of 2026.
Is it time for the reign of Cage and Cope? (Ricky Havlik, AEW)
(Ricky Havlik)
3. The final time Cage and Cope confronted FTR, the present champions got here up brief. Would you set FTR over this time to arrange a 3rd showdown, or give Canada the payoff by crowning new champions?
Jackman: I imply, Canada has already had their large hometown pop from seeing Cage and Cope group up at All Out 2025, with the schmaltzy entrance alongside Wendel Clark and Bubbles. These issues have diminishing returns for those who do them too typically.
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What’s extra, I feel there could possibly be some respectable mileage in having FTR win this one in entrance of the Vancouver crowd. I at all times bear in mind being in Cardiff when Roman Reigns defeated Drew McIntyre, in entrance of a crowd who half-expected a title change. That confirmed me how a lot potential there may be in having the native hero get screwed out of their crowd-pleasing second.
In the long term, FTR clearly must get their comeuppance after that brutal spike piledriver on Beth Phoenix, however I feel I’d be tempted to present them the underhanded win on this event. That approach you possibly can maintain the cathartic payoff nonetheless within the financial institution for All In. I can solely think about what “Metalingus” goes to sound like in Wembley Stadium. …
Riggs: FTR staying champions is undeniably the proper factor to do purely as a consequence of age, proper? But the pop in Vancouver could also be an excessive amount of to beat for AEW, and I get it.
As a lot as WWE will get flak for loving its “moments,” all wrestling firms are prisoners to them in their very own methods.
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Really, it ought to rely upon the place the match is slotted on Sunday’s lineup, simply as we noticed when Dustin Rhodes lastly gained a singles title halfway by way of the night time at All In: Texas. Perhaps the one approach AEW feels it could steer towards that fantastical TLC match between these two pairings and the Young Bucks is by getting the belts on the previous Edge and Christian — and at this level, why not? Who is aware of how a lot time they’ve left? Let’s get loopy for one grand finale run — equally, however totally different, from Sting’s.
Sulla-Heffinger: If we will get to a triple-threat ladder match between the Young Bucks, FTR and Cope & Cage like Drake urged, I’m ALL IN. (See what I did there?)
The babyface Bucks ought to run in and value FTR right here, defending the perfect tag-team on this planet — yeah, I went there — whereas concurrently giving us a possible all-time AEW second with Cope and Cage successful their first tag-team championship collectively in 25 years.
Dansby: Cage and Cope — and sure, I nonetheless generally name them Edge and Christian — are clearly on borrowed time. Cope has been open about retirement being on the horizon, and successful the tag titles collectively looks like one thing they wish to test off earlier than that door closes.
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That stated, Dynasty doesn’t really feel like the proper stage for that payoff. Double or Nothing has traditionally carried extra weight as a present, and for those who’re going to shut out a trilogy with FTR, it ought to really feel large. Save the title win for a stipulation match there. A TLC match to finish the feud and crown them champions would really feel like the correct sendoff.
There’s no relaxation for the weary for Tony Khan’s promotion.
(Erick W. Rasco by way of Getty Images)
4. In the wake of the frontrunner for present of the 12 months (Revolution) and weeks earlier than AEW’s longest-running occasion, Double or Nothing, does Dynasty’s scheduling want altering?
Sulla-Heffinger: I are likely to lean sure right here, if solely as a result of a lot of what I’m excited about is All In-based, relatively than Double or Nothing. I’m positive this present might be nice (nearly each AEW present is at this level), however I do assume having a bit extra of a buffer can be a superb factor. This is an effective downside for AEW to have.
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Dansby: Dynasty has settled into a reasonably clear position. It’s normally a robust in-ring present with one notable twist, however largely it serves as a bridge between Revolution and Double or Nothing.
This 12 months feels no totally different. It would assist to have slightly extra respiration room between these spring pay-per-views, however so long as the matches ship, the tight schedule isn’t a dealbreaker. Not each present must really feel huge. Sometimes it’s sufficient to maintain the momentum going.
Jackman: I used to complain about AEW’s lumpy pay-per-view schedule, however they appear to have made it work. It definitely did not maintain them again final 12 months, which ended up being one of many strongest runs for the model in ages (or possibly even ever).
You’re proper that Dynasty has much less of a robust id than Revolution or Double or Nothing, however I do not assume that is an issue both.
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Riggs: This looks like one thing that must be assessed after the present. As it at present stands, I might say no, particularly with the cardboard being so gentle on matches on the time of writing. That’s a pleasant transfer.
And contemplating what’s on faucet, it might be the proper dessert after an epic like Revolution, whereas concurrently wetting the palate for Double or Nothing.
Predictions
AEW World Championship: MJF (Dansby, Jackman) vs. Kenny Omega (Riggs, Sulla-Heffinger)
AEW Women’s Championship: Thekla (Dansby, Jackman, Sulla-Heffinger) vs. Jamie Hayter (Riggs)
AEW World Tag Team Championship: FTR (Dansby) vs. Cage and Cope (Jackman, Riggs, Sulla-Heffinger)
AEW Continental Championship: Jon Moxley (Jackman, Sulla-Heffinger) vs. Will Ospreay (Dansby, Riggs)
Andrade El Idolo (Dansby, Riggs, Sulla-Heffinger) vs. Darby Allin (Jackman)
Chris Jericho (Jackman, Riggs, Sulla-Heffinger) vs. Ricochet (Dansby)
Young Bucks (Dansby, Jackman, Riggs, Sulla-Heffinger) vs. Kazuchika Okada and Konosuke Takeshita
Alex Windsor (Jackman, Riggs) vs. Marina Shafir (Dansby, Sulla-Heffinger)
2026 standings
Anthony Sulla-Heffinger: 11-9
