3 AEW Stars Who Could Return During Ospreay vs Moxley at All Out 2026

Will Ospreay will defend the AEW World Championship against Jon Moxley at All Out 2026, creating several possible openings for major returns during the title match.

AEW All Out 2026 is set to deliver another major chapter in Will Ospreay’s reign as AEW World Champion, with Jon Moxley standing across the ring as his next challenger. The high-profile match in Chicago could also provide the perfect setting for a surprise return.

Ospreay reached the top of AEW at All In: London, where he defeated Kenny Omega to finally capture the company’s premier championship. His victory completed a major milestone in his AEW career, but his path since then has remained complicated by alliances, rivalries and tensions involving the Death Riders and United Empire.

Moxley, meanwhile, enters the contest as the reigning Continental Champion and a former AEW World Champion. His history with Ospreay adds another layer to a match that already carries major championship implications.

Because of the storyline connections surrounding both wrestlers, several absent AEW stars could logically become involved. Here are three names whose returns could have a direct impact on Ospreay vs Moxley at All Out 2026.

1. Callum Newman Could Reappear With United Empire

Callum Newman is one of the most intriguing possibilities because of his complicated relationship with Will Ospreay and the wider United Empire story.

Newman has been closely associated with Ospreay and has viewed him as an important mentor figure. However, their relationship has experienced several difficult moments as Ospreay’s involvement with the Death Riders created tension between the two.

When Ospreay returned to New Japan Pro-Wrestling earlier this year, Newman and other members of United Empire supported him against the Death Riders. That alliance suggested that their relationship could survive the disagreements surrounding Ospreay’s decisions.

However, Ospreay’s decision to train with Moxley’s group after Dynasty 2026 created another source of friction. The situation became even more complicated when Ospreay eventually became associated with the Death Riders after winning the Owen Cup.

Although Ospreay eventually separated himself from the Death Riders at Redemption 2026, the damage to his relationship with Newman was not immediately repaired.

Ospreay later reconciled with Newman ahead of his AEW World Championship match against Kenny Omega at All In: London. Newman, Francesco Akira and HENARE were in Ospreay’s corner at Wembley Stadium as he defeated Omega and captured the AEW World Championship.

Newman’s Relationship With Ospreay Remains Complicated

The story did not completely settle after Ospreay’s championship victory. Newman and other United Empire members later helped Ospreay when he was attacked by The Demand and The Dogs.

However, Newman reportedly remained unhappy about Ospreay’s plans to establish an All Elite branch of United Empire. Another disagreement followed when Francesco Akira agreed to team with Ospreay and Andrade El Idolo against the Death Riders without Newman’s approval.

That history makes Newman particularly interesting for All Out.

If the Death Riders accompany Moxley to ringside and attempt to influence the AEW World Championship match, Newman could potentially appear with United Empire to neutralize them. Such an appearance would immediately connect the title match to the unresolved tensions surrounding Ospreay’s alliances.

Newman’s involvement could also go in either direction from a storyline perspective. He could help Ospreay retain the AEW World Championship and reinforce their repaired relationship, or he could turn against Ospreay and allow Moxley to gain an advantage.

Either possibility would advance the United Empire storyline while giving Newman a meaningful reason to return.

2. MJF Could Return With Ospreay in His Sights

MJF is another former AEW World Champion whose return could dramatically change the situation surrounding the title match.

While Ospreay celebrated one of the biggest victories of his AEW career at All In: London, MJF’s night ended in frustration. Andrade El Idolo secured a guaranteed future AEW World Championship opportunity during the Men’s Casino Gauntlet, taking away a chance that MJF had been pursuing.

Following the event, MJF made it clear that he still had unfinished business with Ospreay.

The tension between the two goes back to Ospreay’s involvement in MJF’s AEW World Championship defense against Kenny Omega at Beach Break. MJF subsequently lost the championship to Omega, and he has continued to view Ospreay as one of the people responsible for the events surrounding that loss.

MJF has also maintained his belief that he is the rightful top star in AEW. His absence from television has only added uncertainty about when and how he could make his next move.

Why MJF Could Target the AEW World Championship

MJF has a strong storyline reason to appear during Ospreay vs Moxley. He has unfinished business with Ospreay, while Moxley represents another potential path toward the AEW World Championship.

If MJF wanted to weaken Ospreay without immediately taking the championship himself, interfering during the title match could be an effective strategy. He could potentially cost Ospreay the championship and allow Moxley to become AEW World Champion.

That scenario would create another major storyline between MJF and Moxley while preserving MJF’s long-term interest in the championship.

Alternatively, MJF could target Ospreay regardless of the match’s outcome and make it clear that his ultimate objective remains the AEW World Championship.

A surprise appearance would also immediately remind fans that MJF remains one of the company’s most important former champions. His return would therefore have consequences beyond a single match.

3. Kenny Omega Could Return at All Out

Kenny Omega may have the strongest emotional connection to Will Ospreay among the three potential returning stars.

The two men recently competed in one of AEW’s most significant championship matches when Ospreay challenged Omega at All In: London. Ospreay ultimately defeated Omega to become AEW World Champion, ending their latest chapter with Ospreay standing at the top of the company.

However, their relationship before that match was anything but simple.

Omega had previously confronted Ospreay over his involvement with the Death Riders and warned him about the consequences of becoming too closely connected to Moxley’s group. Ospreay did not follow Omega’s advice, leading to further tension between the two.

Omega later blamed Ospreay for creating circumstances that contributed to their violent rivalry. The former AEW World Champion believed that Ospreay had deliberately put him in a vulnerable position before their championship encounter.

Their rivalry eventually reached its peak at Wembley Stadium.

Omega and Ospreay Have Already Reached an Understanding

Despite the intensity of their All In match, Ospreay and Omega appeared to move past their differences afterward. The two men shared an emotional embrace following the contest before heading backstage together.

Omega is currently away from AEW programming, but his absence does not necessarily prevent him from making a surprise appearance in Chicago.

If the Death Riders become involved in Ospreay’s title defense, Omega could return to even the numbers. His motivation would not necessarily have to be about reclaiming the championship immediately.

Instead, Omega could return because he does not want Moxley or the Death Riders to manipulate the outcome of the match.

There is another possibility involving MJF. If Friedman attempts to interfere and cost Ospreay the AEW World Championship, Omega could return to prevent him from doing so.

That scenario would connect several major AEW storylines at once: Ospreay’s championship reign, Moxley’s Death Riders, MJF’s unresolved issues with Ospreay and Omega’s complicated relationship with both men.

Why All Out 2026 Is Ideal for a Surprise Return

AEW’s major pay-per-view events have traditionally provided a platform for significant storyline developments. All Out 2026 is particularly well suited to a surprise appearance because the AEW World Championship will be at stake in one of the night’s most important matches.

Ospreay vs Moxley already has several established connections outside the championship itself. Moxley’s association with the Death Riders creates the possibility of ringside interference, while Ospreay’s history with United Empire creates another group that could become involved.

MJF and Omega also have unfinished or recently completed storylines involving Ospreay, meaning their appearances would not feel completely disconnected from the current AEW narrative.

That does not mean any of the three wrestlers will definitely return. Their involvement remains a possibility based on the storylines described in the supplied report.

How Each Return Could Change Ospreay vs Moxley

Each potential return would therefore serve a different purpose. Newman is closely connected to Ospreay through United Empire, MJF has a direct issue with the champion, and Omega has the strongest recent competitive history with him.

The Death Riders Could Be the Key Factor

The biggest variable in the match could be the presence of the Death Riders.

Moxley’s association with the group means ringside involvement could become an important part of the story. If members attempt to influence the championship contest, AEW would have an obvious reason to introduce another wrestler or group to balance the situation.

That is where Newman or Omega could become particularly relevant.

At the same time, an MJF appearance would work differently. Rather than protecting Ospreay, Friedman could view the chaotic situation as an opportunity to hurt a rival and create a path toward another AEW World Championship opportunity.

What Could Happen After All Out?

The consequences of Ospreay vs Moxley could extend well beyond All Out 2026. The result could determine the direction of the AEW World Championship picture while also reshaping several relationships.

If Ospreay retains, a returning MJF or Omega could become his next major challenger. Newman could also remain involved in the United Empire story.

If Moxley wins, the championship could become central to the Death Riders’ next phase, while Ospreay could have several reasons to pursue another opportunity.

A surprise return could therefore be more than a single dramatic moment. It could provide the starting point for AEW’s next major storyline.

Final Verdict

Will Ospreay vs Jon Moxley at All Out 2026 already has major AEW World Championship stakes, but the surrounding storylines create several realistic possibilities for surprise appearances.

Callum Newman has an obvious connection through United Empire and his complicated relationship with Ospreay. MJF has unresolved issues with the champion and could use the match to further his own championship ambitions. Kenny Omega, meanwhile, has a deep recent history with Ospreay and could potentially return to counter the Death Riders.

None of these returns is confirmed, but each would connect naturally to existing AEW storylines. With the AEW World Championship on the line, any surprise appearance during Ospreay vs Moxley could have significant consequences for the company’s title picture after All Out 2026.