AEW kicked off with All In and followed it up with a lively All Out event on Saturday. The show was packed with thrilling moments, injuries, highs and lows, all detailed in the AEW All Out – 9/26/2026 results summary, along with columns highlighting three things we disliked and three we enjoyed. Now, it’s time to judge the event’s standout winners and losers. This isn’t about literal victories or defeats; sometimes, winners don’t win and losers shine. For example, Will Ospreay faced hardships while some teams in the AEW World Tag Title ladder match emerged stronger despite not winning. WWE also came under scrutiny for their choices this weekend. The discussion continues in the comments, so share your thoughts!
Starting with the biggest loser: WWE. This isn’t a contest forged by AEW, but WWE decided to schedule a Chicagoland event directly against All Out, turning it into a competition in the public eye. Their move seemed aimed at hurting AEW’s ticket sales but failed, only managing to siphon some media attention with questions about whether their event would be broadcast live. WWE opted to air it on tape delay, just an hour before this week’s “AEW Dynamite,” on top of which the whole approach looks increasingly embarrassing. Trying to bury the event’s recording has resulted in the “Streisand Effect,” making the misstep even more visible, dragging the company through negative headlines all week.
On the upside, every participant in the three-way ladder match — The Young Bucks, Cope n’ Christian, and FTR — came away as winners. Initially, FTR’s involvement seemed like a disruption to what could have been a smooth passing of the torch, but they delivered an impressive performance that many felt stole the show with emotionally charged spots and wild ring work. The match met and perhaps surpassed fans’ high expectations reminiscent of legendary TLC matches. The intense and brutal spots did not stop the competitors from finishing strong, and The Young Bucks secured a dominant moment that solidifies their legendary status. This contest symbolized a transition era, with veterans ushering in a new legacy in tag team wrestling.
Will Ospreay, however, stands as a notable loser. After delivering one of this century’s greatest matches last month against Kenny Omega, Ospreay was expected to have a strong title defense at All Out, facing Jon Moxley, an equally important figure in AEW history. Unfortunately, the match was marred by interruptions and distractions, resembling a disjointed brawl more fitting for older independent wrestlers relying on younger talent to carry them, despite both Ospreay and Moxley being capable of much more. As champion and winner, Ospreay found himself in a tough spot—while victory is his, the quality of the match likely fell short of what AEW and fans hoped for. His upcoming defense against Kazuchika Okada is anticipated to be a redemption opportunity.
Thekla emerged as one of the evening’s biggest winners. Initially viewed as just a stepping stone for Willow Nightingale’s storyline, AEW recognized and capitalized on Thekla’s genuine charisma and unpredictability, which has proven magnetic to audiences. She’ve rejuvenated any negative connotations associated with the term “B****” and displays the dangerous edge reminiscent of an early Jon Moxley. Her victory ensures she remains a prominent figure rather than fading away, setting up future storylines that could create compelling television, especially in her dynamic contrast with Mercedes Moné.
Another winner is The New Level—Austin Creed and Kofi Kingston—who seem to have quickly adapted to AEW’s atmosphere. Many forgot that Creed’s wrestling history runs parallel to stars like The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega, making their seamless integration less surprising. Despite being relative newcomers to AEW, they’ve already made the roster feel fuller and more exciting, rekindling the spirit and fun they once had in WWE’s New Day. Their chemistry with Swerve Strickland has added fresh layers to ongoing feuds and existing alliances, especially complementing Hangman Page and Brodido’s dynamic. The only question is how they’ll handle AEW’s fiercely competitive tag team division after their initial success.
Fan Take: This breakdown highlights the evolving landscape of professional wrestling, showing how AEW continues to innovate and elevate talent while WWE’s missteps reveal struggles to match that momentum. For fighting fans, these outcomes hint at a shift toward more exciting, unpredictable storytelling that could push the sport to new creative heights.
Source: www.wrestlinginc.com
