That's not a secret AEW Fight Forever It wasn't the match many fans were hoping for. Yes, it had its strengths, like an old gameplay style that hearkened back to the old wrestling games, but its flaws were far more numerous. Outdated visuals, lack of commentary, and intros that felt incomplete were only the tip of the iceberg, as the disappointing pin system, lack of match types, and deeply disappointing character creator were all deeper issues. The lack of my GM equivalent was another pain point, but the biggest problem of all with the first AEW game was its roster.
While the AEW Fight Forever While the roster was nothing to laugh about when the game first dropped, it has become painfully outdated. Quick roster updates are essential for any sports franchise because changes can happen quickly, and pro wrestling is no different, signings and departures are constant. Fight forever Now years have gone by without an update, and it shows; Seeing the likes of CM Punk in the AEW ring in 2026 – even digitally – feels wrong given his notoriously messy departure. Similarly, one Fight foreverThe super-expensive DLC spots going to Denhausen, who took shots at the company on social media when he signed and right after he left, are also offputting. There are some really great stars missing Fight foreverAnd one look at the card for Double or Nothing 2026 highlights just how different the next AEW match will look.
A new day for AEW Video Games is hopefully just around the corner
With All Elite Wrestling rumored to be making big signings for its tag division soon, there could be some more push for the new video game.
Some doubles or some big games can't be done forever in combat
AEW's Double or Nothing 2026 match card is as follows:
- Darby Allyn vs. MJF (Hair vs. Title Match)
- Thekla vs. Hikaru Shida vs. Chris Statlander vs. Jamie Hayter (AEW Women's World Championship)
- Kyle O'Reilly vs. John Moxley (AEW Continental Championship)
- Konosuke Takeshita vs. Kazuchika Okada (International Championship)
- Cage and Cope v. FTR (I leave the match for the AEW World Tag Team Championship – if Copeland and Christian lose, they retire as a team)
- Jericho, The Hurt Syndicate, and The Elite vs. Demand, The Dogs, and The Don Kallis Family (Stadium Stampede)
- Samoa Joe vs. Will Ospreay (Owen Tournament Quarterfinals)
- Bandido vs Swerve Strickland (Owen Tournament Quarterfinals)
- Athena vs. Mina Shirikawa (Owen Tournament Quarterfinals)
Looking at this card, a pretty shocking revelation comes about: 7 out of 9 games could not be located. Fight foreverUnless someone wants to use the game's lacking character creator to try to make these stars. No Will Ospreay means his match is intact, while both Athena and Mina are absent from the match, eliminating that Owen match. A women's four-way wouldn't be possible without Thekla, so that's out, as is Ricochet, The Demand, The Dogs, Mark Davis and the Stadium Stampede due to the absence of The Hurt Syndicate. No Kyle O'Reilly means no Moxley Match, and No Bandido means a Swerve match is also impossible. And while many of the best Japanese wrestlers are great, Takeshita and Rainmaker are not in it Fight forevereither
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Easy (5) Medium (7) Hard (10)
Men's World Championship and World Tag Team Championship matches are only possible in the current AEW match, and even they don't feel right. MJF's model also felt outdated Fight forever Released, as he was in the middle of his Better Than You Babe arc and Champ, he looked like he did in the early days of the company. Likewise, Christian Cage is no longer used to the iconic heel-turned tweener father figure. Fight foreverIn other words, due to the loss of the turtleneck, that match is also wrong. This kind of thing can be seen in all games, too. Jungle Boy is less of a boy these days, Chris Statlander is no longer an alien, Jamie Hayter has a whole new sense of style, and Jericho has experienced about five gimmick changes from the look he had. Fight forever. This isn't even factoring in doubles or those not on certain cards, like Tony Storm, who has truly become timeless for his gimmick change.
Essentially, whether it's through successful gimmick shifts or new stars who have stepped into the spotlight, Double or Nothing 2026 highlights how dated it is. Fight forever is – and, by extension, how promising the next AEW match is. Wearing countless bangers as Bandido, being a threat as John Moxley's Death Rider iteration, and dominating the women's division as Thekla should really be possible within an AEW match. And that's not even taking into account all the stars that aren't on the DoN card but deserve a slot on the next release — Alex Windsor, Mercedes Mone, Billie Starkz, Willow Nightingale, Brody King, Roderick Strong, Tomasso Ciampa, Mark Briscoe, and Kyle Fletcher all come to mind. AEW has evolved incredibly since its last video game, and the next match should truly represent those improvements – and not just roster additions.
Another AEW game is also an obvious opportunity to improve the DLC offerings. Love the Wrestlers Theme Pack WWE 2K The former may work better with its downloadable content. A Legends Pack might include Brody Lee, Owen Hart, Jay Briscoe, Bryan Danielson, Jeff Jarrett and Taj, while another example would be an ROH Pack featuring Nigel McGuinness, Jay Lethal, Lee Moriarty, Athena, Billy Starks and Blake Christian.
Every former AEW star playable in WWE 2K26
With stars bouncing back and forth between wrestling's two biggest companies, it's no surprise that WWE 2K26 features several ex-AEW employees.
Double or Nothing's empowering stories prove a true cover star that AEW's next match is viable.
Contrary to what you might see AEW haters claim online, the company has told some truly great stories over the years, from Hangman and Swerve's house-burning rivalry to Maria May and Toni Storm's Hollywood ending arc. Double or Nothing 2026 is no different, as there are multiple storylines highlighting potential cover stars and showcase-like story modes about them. While Fight foreverSince this was the first true AEW video game the main art to feature as many stars as possible made sense, after years of storylines the company now has a real legacy – a legacy that has launched many star careers.
There is probably no better candidate for the honor of the first single AEW match cover star than MJF. The best in the world on the mic, and a top 10 candidate for his in-ring work, Maxwell Jacob Friedman continues to be and will continue to be a huge draw. By maintaining a kayfabe on social media and in interviews, he's become a unique heel in the modern era, and his movie roles have proven that he doesn't need the WWE to successfully make the jump to the big screen. On the cover of the next match MJF would help it sell copies easily, as if betting on himself and being someone so good that even most WWE diehards couldn't help but respect him, he became a modern megastar.
What is that weapon?
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Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5 seconds) Medium (5.0 seconds) Hard (2.5 seconds) Permadeath (2.5 seconds)
Yet there is an equally good option available for AEW Games, Tony Khan, and whichever developer takes the UK spot on the next release: MJF's Double or Nothing opponent, Darby Allin. The reigning world champion has had a truly incredible run thus far, cramming his trademark death-defying stunts and several 5-star matches into just a few weeks. Unlike MJF, who would shine brightly in WWE, Darby represents unique AEW characters and matches that “another place” wouldn't allow. Whether they're too violent, too “unmarketable,” or just too real, the likes of Eddie Kingston, Mark Briscoe, and indeed Darby Allen endear themselves to fans by being themselves. It's special, especially with WWE giving so little room for unique characters and pushing a certain look for so long. Naturally, putting Darby in the box and honoring it would be nice to see.
Ultimately, though, AEW is spoiled for choice when it comes to covering stars. It doesn't matter if it's company ace Jon Moxley, beloved Will Osprey (who's in the midst of a fascinating Death Rider arc that could be a viable story mode option), the most menacing Swerve Strickland, anxious millennial cowboy hangman Adam Page, or a true legg. Honoring any of these stars with special mods and matching covers would be a big step, learning from this WWE 2K The series is correct. And, if paired with a suitably deep roster (as well as a good character creator to add new signatures to your own), a game based on the company is hopefully just around the corner.
