The AEW Men’s World Championship has been a central focus in All Elite Wrestling throughout 2026, with numerous top contenders competing for the title. MJF currently holds the championship and will defend it against Hangman Page at AEW Revolution on March 15. Although MJF has already defended the title against Bandido and Brody King, stars like Andrade El Idolo, Kenny Omega, and Swerve Strickland remain eager for a chance at the belt. Samoa Joe was also expected to contend for a third reign but had to pause due to an injury.
Reasons Behind the Planned MJF vs. Hangman Page Match at AEW Revolution
Dave Meltzer, speaking on a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, shed light on AEW’s decision to book MJF versus Page at Revolution rather than at an earlier event. This matchup is part of a longer-term strategy involving Samoa Joe and Hangman Page’s previous victories over MJF.
Hangman beat MJF twice last year, and that was always the goal when MJF left to do the movie thing. Then Hangman did not lose the title to MJF because Tony did not want Hangman to lose to MJF because he’s beat him twice, and MJF was going to be the champion. So he used Samoa Joe as the buffer, which actually like makes sense, it’s long-term planning. Where Joe would be the one to beat Hangman with the screwjob, interfering and all that stuff, so that was the main gist of everything. MJF won in the four-way where he doesn’t beat Hangman, so he’s never beaten Hangman. So because of that, I don’t see anyone beating Hangman until he gets his shot at MJF.
— Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Radio
Emerging Contenders and Future Prospects
Meltzer also discussed Andrade El Idolo’s rise within AEW. Though he has yet to receive a shot at MJF’s title, Andrade’s victories over established competitors like Swerve Strickland and Kenny Omega have elevated his status among fans and the wrestling community.
Andrade beating Swerve and Omega is good enough to propel him to where now people see him as a main eventer, and I think that worked.
— Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Radio
Implications for the AEW Championship Landscape
The current booking reflects AEW’s intention to carefully build storylines and rivalries around the AEW Men’s World Championship. Using Samoa Joe as a transitional figure to protect Hangman Page’s credibility against MJF maintains a strategic balance in their narrative. Fans can expect the AEW Revolution event to showcase the next big chapter in this championship rivalry, while wrestlers like Andrade El Idolo continue to make significant strides toward main event opportunities.
