This is no secret AEW Fight Forever was not the game many fans were hoping for. Yes, he had strengths like his nostalgic playstyle that hearkened back to old wrestling games, but his flaws were far greater. Outdated visuals, a lack of commentary, and entries that were unfinished were just the tip of the iceberg, as the frustrating pin system, lack of match types, and deeply disappointing character creator were the deeper issues. The lack of a My GM equivalent was another pain, but perhaps the biggest problem with the first AEW game was its roster.
While AEW Fight Forever the roster was nothing to scoff at when the game first dropped, it's been painfully outdated ever since. Quick roster updates are essential for any sports franchise as changes can happen quickly and professional wrestling is no different as signings and departures happen all the time. Fight forever now it's been years without an update and it shows; seeing the likes of CM Punk in an AEW ring in 2026—even a digital one—feels bad about his infamously messy exit. Similarly, one of Fight foreverThe super expensive DLC spots going to Danhausen, someone who took shots at the company via social media when he was signed and right after he left, are also outrageous. There are really big stars missing Fight foreverand one look at the card for Double or Nothing 2026 shows just how different AEW's next game is likely to look.
A new day for AEW Video Games is perhaps just around the corner
With All Elite Wrestling rumored to be making a big signing for their tag division soon, there could be another push for a new video game.
Some of the biggest Double or Nothing matches can't be done in Fight Forever
The AEW Double or Nothing 2026 match card is as follows:
- Darby Allin vs. MJF (hair match vs title)
- Thekla vs. Hikaru Shida vs. Kris Statlander vs. Jamie Hayter (AEW Women's World Championship)
- Kyle O'Reilly vs. Jon Moxley (AEW Continental Championship)
- Konosuke Takeshita vs. Kazuchika Okada (International Championship)
- Cage and Cope vs. FTR (I ended the match for the AEW World Tag Team Championship – if Copeland and Christian lose, they leave as a team)
- Jericho, The Hurt Syndicate and The Elite Vs. The Demand, The Dogs and The Don Callis Family (Stampede Stampede)
- Samoa Joe vs. Will Ospreay (Owen tournament quarter finals)
- bandido vs. Swerve Strickland (Owen tournament quarter finals)
- Athena vs. Mina Shirikawa (Owen tournament quarter finals)
Looking at this card comes a pretty shocking revelation: 7 of the 9 matches couldn't have existed Fight foreverunless someone wants to use the game's missing character creator to try and create some of these stars. No Will Ospreay means his match is axed while neither Athena nor Mina are in the match, eliminating Owen's match. The women's foursome can't be done without Thekla, so that's out, as is the Stadium Stampede due to the lack of Ricochet, The Demand, The Dogs, Mark Davis, and the Hurt Syndicate. No Kyle O'Reilly means no Moxley match and no Bandido means Swerve's match is also impossible. And even though they are the best of Japan's best wrestlers, Takeshita and Rainmaker aren't there Fight forevereither
Place the consoles in the correct order.
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Place the consoles in the correct order.
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In the current AEW game, only the World Men's Championship and World Tag Team Championship matches are possible, and even those don't feel quite right. The MJF model felt dated, though Fight forever released like he was in the middle of his Better Than You Baybay arc and was the champion, looking like he did in the early days of the company. Similarly, Christian Cage's iconic dad-turned-heel-turned-tweener persona isn't used today. Fight foreverwhich means the match also looks bad due to the missing turtle neck. Such things can also be seen throughout the game. Jungle Boy is less of a boy these days, Kris Statlander is no longer an alien, Jamie Hayter has a whole new sense of style, and Jericho has had about five gimmick changes from his current look. Fight forever. That's not even counting those not on the Double or Nothing card, like Toni Storm, who has truly become timeless with her gimmick change.
Basically, whether it's successful gimmick moves or new stars stepping into the limelight, Double or Nothing 2026 highlights how dating Fight forever is – and by extension how promising AEW's next game is. Putting on countless bangers like Bandido, being a threat like Jon Moxley's iteration of Death Rider, and dominating the women's division like Thekla should really be possible in AEW. And that's not even considering all the stars who aren't on the DoN card but deserve a slot on the next edition – Alex Windsor, Mercedes Mone, Billie Starkz, Willow Nightingale, Brody King, Roderick Strong, Tomasso Ciampa, Mark Briscoe and Kyle Fletcher come to mind. AEW has evolved in incredible ways since their last video game, and the next game needs to truly represent those improvements – and not just with roster additions.
The next AEW game is also a clear chance to improve the DLC offering. Wrestler themed packs like what WWE 2K it could work great before with its downloadable content. A Legends pack could include Brodie Lee, Owen Hart, Jay Briscoe, Bryan Danielson, Jeff Jarrett and Taz, while another example would be an ROH pack with Nigel McGuinness, Jay Lethal, Lee Moriarty, Athena, Billie Starkz and Blake Christian.
Every former AEW star is playable in WWE 2K26
With stars constantly bouncing back and forth between wrestling's two biggest companies, it's no surprise that WWE 2K26 features several former AEW employees.
Double or Nothing's Strong Stories Prove that a true cover star for the next AEW game is viable
Contrary to what AEW detractors can be seen claiming online, the company has told some truly excellent stories over the years, from Hangman and Swerve's house-burning rivalry to Mariah May and Toni Storm's Hollywood Ending arc. Double or Nothing 2026 is no different as there are several storylines that highlight potential cover stars and a showcase-like story mode about them. While Fight foreverThe key art showing as many stars as possible made sense since it was AEW's first real video game, the company now has a real legacy after several years of stories – a legacy that launched a number of star careers.
There is perhaps no better candidate for the honor of the first solo AEW game cover star than MJF. Arguably the best in the world on the mic and a top 10 contender for his in-ring work, Maxwell Jacob Friedman has been and will continue to be a huge draw. Maintaining kayfabe on social media and in interviews has made him a unique heel in the modern era, and his film roles have shown that WWE isn't required to successfully make it to the big screen. MJF on the cover of the next game would easily help her sell copies because by betting on himself and being someone so good that even most WWE die-hards can't disrespect him, he became a modern day megastar.
What kind of weapon is that?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
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Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s) Medium (5.0s) Hard (2.5s) Permadeath (2.5s)
Still, there's an equally good choice for AEW Games, Tony Khan, and whichever developer takes Yuke's place in the next edition: MJF's Double or Nothing opponent, Darby Allin. The current world champion is having a truly incredible run so far, packing tons of his signature lethal moves and several 5-star matches in just a few weeks. Unlike MJF, who would shine just as brightly in WWE, Darby presents unique characters and matches to AEW that “anywhere else” wouldn't allow. Whether they are too violent, too “unmarketable” or just too real, the likes of Eddie Kingston, Mark Briscoe and indeed Darby Allin have endeared themselves to fans by being themselves. That's odd, especially when WWE offers so little room for unique characters and has pushed a certain look for so long. Naturally, complimenting it by putting Darby on the box would be great.
Ultimately though, AEW is spoiled for choice when it comes to cover stars. It doesn't matter if it's company ace Jon Moxley, the beloved Will Ospreay (who's in the middle of a fascinating Death Rider arc that could be a viable story mode option), the most dangerous Swerve Strickland, Anxious Millennial Cowboy Hangman Adam Page, or a true legend like Sting. Targeting one of these stars via a special mode and matching cover would be a huge step forward, learning from what WWE 2K the series gets the truth. And if that's coupled with a decently extensive roster (plus a better character creator so you can add new signatures yourself), hopefully a game as impressive as the company it's based on is just around the corner.
