{"id":151937,"date":"2026-01-29T15:13:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T20:13:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=151937"},"modified":"2026-01-29T15:13:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T20:13:16","slug":"who-had-the-best-month-in-aew-january-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2026\/01\/29\/who-had-the-best-month-in-aew-january-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Who Had the Best Month in AEW? – January 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

AEW has had an exciting start to the year. January 2026 saw debuts, returns, and CMLL dual-contract announcements. Sadly, there were also a high number of releases and contract annulments. However, AEW kicked off their year in style with thrilling matches without even a pay-per-view. Plus, fans were treated to Kenny Omega’s return.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recapping this month\u2019s best wrestlers wasn\u2019t easy. I\u2019m genuinely sad I couldn\u2019t include more, but that speaks to the testament of those who cracked the top five. From drastic improvements to fantastic first impressions<\/a> and everything in between, I think January has placed AEW in a great place.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, who stamped their place as the most valuable players on the roster?<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Willow
Photo Credit: AEW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Willow Nightingale Pounced into Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Starting with the most obvious, Willow Nightingale stepped into January as the TBS Champion. On December 31, 2025, New Year\u2019s Smash, she dethroned Mercedes Mone\u2019s 584-day reign and reunited with past ally Kris Statlander. She\u2019s a double champion, carrying the Women\u2019s Tag Team Championship alongside fellow Babe of Wrath Harley Cameron.<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout the month, she was embroiled in a feud with the Triangle of Madness. Joining her are Cameron and Statlander in a dominant force to challenge the chaotic evil faction. Babes of Wrath and Statlander began the year defeating Maya World, Hyan, and Vertvixen, but lost a trios match on the Maximum Carnage edition of Dynamite. However, Nightingale soundly defeated Julia Hart to retain her TBS title on the pre-recorded Collision on January 21.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nightingale began the year with heavy momentum, everything going her way. I\u2019ll go as far as to say that she\u2019s become one of AEW\u2019s \u201cmain characters.\u201d I love to see it. That cheery smile, infectious demeanor, and overall hoss power, it\u2019s hard not to root for her, a perennial babyface. In a time where it\u2019s increasingly hard to smile, she\u2019s a wrestler who makes it easier. This is the energy we need to carry into 2026. That\u2019s why she\u2019s one of January\u2019s MVPs.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Andrade El Idolo Strips Away His Non-Compete<\/h2>\n

After a year or so of meandering in WWE and a tease for AAA, Andrade El Idolo departed the company. WWE cited multiple wellness violations, but looking in his eyes, it\u2019s apparent he had wanted out in 2025. Returning on the 6th Anniversary edition of Dynamite, Andrade was soon removed from television due to a cease-and-desist order from WWE. Using a year-long non-compete clause threatened to prevent Andrade from competing anywhere, without pay.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thanks to some excellent lawyers, the former superstar escaped that clause. Since then, he\u2019s enjoyed a brief world tour before returning to the United States. Once more in the Don Callis Family, Andrade has gone on to defeat Angelico and CMLL\u2019s Magnus. Andrade finished January by defeating former Men\u2019s World Champion Swerve Strickland on January 28. This places him against Kenny Omega on February 4 en route to a championship match with the current Men\u2019s World Champion, MJF. Great start to 2026 for Andrade.<\/span><\/p>\n

WWE\u2019s clause only helped Andrade\u2019s momentum, leaving wrestling fans viewing him as mistreated, myself included. In covering his matches in Japan and the U.S., it\u2019s undeniable. He\u2019s a star. Despite his reputation for bouncing from place to place, it\u2019s understandable why promotions covet him. He oozes charisma and aura.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Both @SwerveConfident<\/a> + @AndradeElIdolo<\/a> left it all on the line for a chance to further their aspriations for the AEW World Championship in our Dynamite Main Event!<\/p>\n

Watch the #AEWDynamite<\/a> replay RIGHT NOW on @SportsOnMAX<\/a>! pic.twitter.com\/N2K8jEHM2J<\/a><\/p>\n

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 29, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n