AEW Redemption 2026 preview: Biggest matches and storylines explained

That alone would make the inaugural pay-per-view significant, but the Montreal event has plenty at stake in its own right, with a stacked match card. Kenny Omega returns to Canada for his first defence as AEW World Champion, Jon Moxley and Will Ospreay join forces against The Young Bucks, and six championships are on the line as several of AEW's biggest rivalries reach a pivotal stage.

Here are the biggest storylines heading into AEW Redemption.

Kenny Omega's homecoming begins his latest title reign

There could hardly be a more fitting main event for AEW's first Redemption than Kenny Omega defending the company's biggest prize in front of a Canadian crowd.

Having regained the AEW World Championship, Omega now faces TNT Champion Kevin Knight in his first title defence. Knight may not have been the obvious challenger, but the rapidly improving high-flyer has the chance to secure the biggest victory of his career against one of wrestling's modern greats.

While Omega's expected showdown with Will Ospreay at All In looms large, overlooking Knight would be a costly mistake. Redemption offers Omega the opportunity to re-establish himself as the face of AEW before the road to Wembley reaches its climax.

Can Jon Moxley and Will Ospreay coexist?

All Elite Wrestling

One of the biggest matches on the Redemption card was only made official on the latest episode of AEW Collision, where Jon Moxley and Will Ospreay agreed to face The Young Bucks after tensions between the two teams continued to escalate.

Matt and Nick Jackson have spent weeks attempting to drive a wedge between Ospreay and AEW World Champion Kenny Omega, repeatedly questioning Ospreay's intentions ahead of his expected world title challenge at All In. Now, they have the opportunity to back up their words against two of AEW's biggest stars.

For Moxley and Ospreay, victory would provide valuable momentum heading into the biggest period of AEW's calendar. For The Young Bucks, defeating two former world champions would reinforce their claim to still being the standard-bearers of the tag team division.

Can Willow Nightingale reach the summit?

Willow Nightingale's return from injury has gathered momentum quickly.

After winning the Casino Gauntlet on Dynamite, Nightingale earned another opportunity to capture the AEW Women's World Championship and now stands opposite one of the division's most dangerous champions in Thekla.

The match also carries major consequences beyond Redemption.

Mercedes Moné has already staked her claim after attacking both competitors, meaning whoever leaves Montreal with the championship is likely to have one of AEW's biggest stars waiting at All In.

The Death Riders are chasing domination

The Death Riders are involved in two of the night's biggest matches, underlining their influence across AEW.

While Moxley teams with Ospreay against The Young Bucks, Claudio Castagnoli and PAC challenge Adam Copeland and Christian Cage for the AEW Tag Team Championship.

After weeks of escalating hostilities, Copeland and Christian have decided to meet the Death Riders head-on rather than continue absorbing attacks, setting up one of the card's most physical encounters.

Should the Death Riders enjoy a successful evening, they could leave Montreal with even greater control over AEW's landscape.

The Don Callis Family remains at the centre of the title picture

The Don Callis Family continues to cast a shadow over several championships.

Mark Davis defends the AEW National Championship against Andrade El Idolo after Andrade's fractured relationship with the group spilled into open conflict, while Kyle Fletcher puts the International Championship on the line against ROH World Champion Bandido.

Both contests represent opportunities for AEW's challengers to disrupt one of the company's most influential factions, while Callis will be desperate to ensure his stable leaves Redemption with its championship collection intact.

Chris Jericho embraces the Painmaker once more

(AEW)

Chris Jericho has reached into his past in an attempt to end his rivalry with Tommaso Ciampa.

Following the violence that erupted after their previous meeting, Jericho has revived his Painmaker persona for a No Holds Barred rematch, promising a very different encounter to a standard wrestling contest.

With the rules removed and pride on the line, Redemption could finally provide a decisive conclusion to one of AEW's most personal feuds.

AEW Redemption 2026 match card

• AEW World Championship: Kenny Omega (c) vs. Kevin Knight
• AEW Women's World Championship: Thekla (c) vs. Willow Nightingale
• AEW Tag Team Championship: Adam Copeland & Christian Cage (c) vs. Claudio Castagnoli & PAC
• AEW International Championship: Kyle Fletcher (c) vs. Bandido
• AEW National Championship: Mark Davis (c) vs. Andrade El Idolo
• AEW TBS Championship: Hikaru Shida (c) vs. Maya World
• Jon Moxley & Will Ospreay vs. The Young Bucks
• No Holds Barred: Chris Jericho vs. Tommaso Ciampa
• Double Chain Tag Team Match: Jay White & Juice Robinson vs. David Finlay & Clark Connors
• Six-Way Ladder Match to Determine No. 1 Contender for AEW International Championship: Jack Perry vs. The Beast Mortos vs. Komander vs. "Speedball" Mike Bailey vs. Nick Wayne vs. El Clon