The AEW All Out 2026 results confirmed a night of extreme volatility at the NOW Arena in Chicago, Illinois, as All Elite Wrestling (AEW) delivered a high-stakes pay-per-view defined by championship shifts, factional warfare, and a significant medical emergency.
Key Takeaways
- Will Ospreay successfully defended the AEW Men’s World Championship against Jon Moxley in a chaotic main event involving heavy outside interference.
- The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) captured the AEW Men’s World Tag Team Championship for the fourth time in a destructive three-way ladder match.
- Steven Borden sustained a legitimate head injury during a tag team match, resulting in a referee stoppage and subsequent hospitalization.
- Thekla emerged as the number one contender for the AEW Women’s World Championship, setting up a confrontation with Mercedes Moné at the upcoming WrestleDream event.
- Major Factional Conflict: The night saw intensified hostilities between the Death Riders and the United Empire, influencing multiple championship outcomes.
- If you follow the World Title scene: Expect a continued, violent rivalry between the United Empire and the Death Riders, with the championship likely serving as the focal point of their factional warfare.
- If you are a fan of the Tag Team division: The Young Bucks’ fourth reign establishes them as the benchmark for excellence, likely setting up future clashes with the newly established number one contenders, Kevin Knight and Kyle Fletcher.
- If you are tracking the Women’s division: The upcoming WrestleDream event on October 17 will be a pivotal moment to watch the Moné vs. Thekla showdown.
- WrestleDream (October 17): The highly anticipated clash between Mercedes Moné and Thekla will determine the direction of the Women’s World Championship.
- The Return of Wardlow: Teasers during All Out suggest that Wardlow will be making an imminent return to the AEW roster, which could disrupt existing power dynamics.
- Medical Recovery: The health and eventual return of Steven Borden will be a significant storyline to monitor.
- AEW Worlds End (December 19): Scheduled for the Target Center, this event will likely serve as the seasonal climax for many of the feuds ignited at All Out.
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What Happened: A Night of Chaos in Chicago
On September 26, 2026, AEW held its eighth annual All Out event at the NOW Arena, a sold-out venue in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. The event, which began with a “Tailgate Brawl” pre-show on TNT and HBO Max, transitioned into a high-intensity main card that featured seven championship bouts.
According to reports from Fightful, the event was characterized by extreme violence and heavy interference from various stables, including the Don Callis Family, the Death Riders, and the United Empire. The night began with Jack Perry defeating Katsuyori Shibata in a physical singles match, though the victory was overshadowed by a post-match attack from Samoa Joe, who delivered a headbutt to Perry.
In the opening match of the main card, Andrade El Idolo successfully defended his AEW National Championship against PAC. While some analysts described the match as a “fun opener,” others noted inconsistent pacing. The bout was heavily influenced by Marina Shafir, whose interference allowed Andrade to secure a roll-up victory for his fifth successful title defense.
The Medical Emergency: Steven Borden’s Injury
The most concerning moment of the evening occurred during the match for the AEW Men’s World Tag Team Championship number one contendership. Darby Allin and Steven Borden faced off against Kevin Knight and Kyle Fletcher. The match reached a premature end when Borden suffered a legitimate head injury following a high-risk collision during a rope leap.
Referee Bryce Remsburg was forced to call a doctor’s stoppage, awarding the victory to Knight and Fletcher. Following the match, AEW commentator Tony Schiavone provided a live update to the arena, stating that Borden was conscious and responsive. According to subsequent updates, Borden was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation and underwent a CAT scan. This incident highlights the inherent risks of high-impact maneuvers in professional wrestling and has prompted discussions regarding athlete safety protocols.
Championship Shifts and Successful Defenses
The middle of the card saw several high-profile defenses and a historic title change. The TBS Championship was successfully defended by Persephone against challenger Dani Luna. The match was heavily shaped by the interference of Dr. Britt Baker, DMD, who assisted the champion in securing the win with a Razor’s Edge.
In a highly physical encounter, Kazuchika Okada retained the AEW International Championship against Tommaso Ciampa. The match was noted for its intense strikes and psychological elements, including a moment of tension involving Ciampa’s young daughter at ringside. Despite interference from Don Callis involving a screwdriver, Okada secured the win with his signature “Rainmaker” maneuver.
AEW All Out 2026 Championship Status
| Championship | Winner | Status |
|---|---|---|
| AEW Men’s World Championship | Will Ospreay | Retained |
| AEW Men’s World Tag Team Championship | The Young Bucks | New Champions |
| AEW Women’s World Championship | Mercedes Moné | Held by Moné (Thekla is #1 Contender) |
| AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship | The Brawling Birds | Retained |
| AEW World Trios Championship | Swerve Strickland & The New Level | Retained |
| AEW International Championship | Kazuchika Okada | Retained |
| AEW TBS Championship | Persephone | Retained |
| AEW National Championship | Andrade El Idolo | Retained |
The Tag Team Revolution: The Young Bucks’ Fourth Reign
A centerpiece of the evening was the AEW Men’s World Tag Team Championship three-way ladder match. The contest featured the defending champions, Adam Copeland and Christian Cage, against FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) and The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson).
The match was described by SI.com as a “car crash” due to the sheer volume of high-risk spots, including ladder suplexes and participants being thrown through tables. The violence reached a peak when Stokely Colosimo attempted to interfere, only to be thrown through two tables.
Ultimately, The Young Bucks secured the victory by delivering a BTE Trigger to Christian Cage off a ladder. This victory marks the fourth time Matt and Nick Jackson have held the AEW Men’s World Tag Team Championship, cementing their legacy as one of the most dominant forces in the division’s history.
The Main Event: Ospreay vs. Moxley
The night culminated in a high-stakes defense of the AEW Men’s World Championship. Will Ospreay faced Jon Moxley, the leader of the Death Riders. The match was a grueling contest that transcended standard wrestling, evolving into a chaotic brawl involving multiple outside parties, including the United Empire and the Death Riders.
As the match progressed, the referee, Paul Turner, was incapacitated, leading to a period of lawlessness in the ring. Moxley utilized a briefcase to strike Ospreay, and the interference from Marina Shafir and Wheeler Yuta further complicated the proceedings. Despite the physical punishment and the overwhelming odds, Ospreay displayed significant resilience. He eventually secured the victory by hitting a Hidden Blade on Moxley.
Following the pinfall, a moment of professional respect was observed as Moxley placed the title on Ospreay’s shoulder and shared a handshake, though the tension between their respective factions suggests this peace may be temporary.
Why It Matters: The Shifting Landscape of AEW
The results of All Out 2026 signify a major realignment of power within AEW. The victory of the United Empire in the main event, combined with the dominance of the Young Bucks in the tag division, suggests a period of stability for the established champions. However, the rise of the Death Riders as a chaotic, interference-heavy faction presents a direct threat to the status quo.
In the women’s division, the landscape has been completely reset. Thekla’s victory over Willow Nightingale has set the stage for a marquee matchup against Mercedes Moné at WrestleDream. This development provides a clear narrative path for the division heading into the final quarter of the year.
What It Means for Fans
Counterpoints and Open Questions
While the event was a commercial and critical success, several questions remain. The referee stoppage in the Borden/Allin match has raised questions among some fans regarding whether the match was ended too early, or if the medical intervention was appropriately decisive given the nature of the injury.
Furthermore, the heavy reliance on outside interference to decide championship matches—seen in the Andrade, Persephone, and Ospreay bouts—raises concerns about the long-term impact on match quality and the ability of individual wrestlers to win on their own merit. Will AEW move toward more decisive, interference-free matches, or will the faction-driven chaos become the permanent identity of the promotion?
What Happens Next
The immediate future of AEW will be shaped by several key catalysts:
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the AEW Men’s World Tag Team Championship?
The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) won the titles by defeating Adam Copeland & Christian Cage and FTR in a three-way ladder match. This marks their fourth reign as champions.
What happened to Steven Borden at All Out 2026?
Steven Borden suffered a legitimate head injury during a tag team match against Kevin Knight and Kyle Fletcher. The match was ended via referee stoppage, and Borden was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation. He was reported to be conscious and responsive.
Who is the new number one contender for the AEW Women’s World Championship?
Thekla earned the number one contender spot by defeating Willow Nightingale. She is scheduled to face the champion, Mercedes Moné, at the upcoming WrestleDream event.
Did Will Ospreay retain his title?
Yes, Will Ospreay successfully defended the AEW Men’s World Championship against Jon Moxley in the event’s main match, despite significant interference from various factions.
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The AEW All Out 2026 results underscore a promotion in a state of intense transition
References
Featured image: Image via Wrestling Inc.
