2026 has been an excellent year for AEW so far. They recently held Forbidden Door in San Jose, California, and the event was a monumental success. The Tony Khan-led promotion is currently preparing to host Redemption. The upcoming pay-per-view will take place later this month in Canada.
AEW Redemption has the potential to be an historic show. Only one match has been announced so far: the Women's World Championship showdown. However, more matches will eventually be added. Interestingly, many fans believe that the pay-per-view will feature some shocking returns.
Here are six shocking returns Tony Khan can pull off at Redemption.
Toni Storm is a modern-day great. She has held the Women's World Title multiple times and is one of the most successful names in the company. However, she is currently on a hiatus. It is unknown when she will make a comeback, but fans miss her dearly.
The Timeless star could unexpectedly show up at Redemption. She might interfere in the Women's World Title match and either cost Thekla or Willow Nightingale. If this happens, the pop will be thunderous. Hopefully, she will have a high-profile match at AEW All In: London.
Former TNT Champion Adam Cole heartbreakingly announced at All In 2025 that he will go on an indefinite hiatus due to unknown health reasons. It is not known if and when he will return. However, his absence is felt every week. After this announcement, he released a touching statement on social media.
The former WWE star might make a non-wrestling appearance at Redemption. He might show up backstage or have a segment where he gives an update on his status. Nevertheless, fans in the arena will welcome him with applause. Hopefully, his in-ring return will happen sooner rather than later.
FTR lost the AEW World Tag Team Titles to Adam Copeland and Christian Cage at Double or Nothing 2026. This was an excellent match. Interestingly, a few days after this showdown, Dax Harwood announced on Instagram that he and his tag team partner, Cash Wheeler, are taking a break. The post even said that the duo is unsure when they will return.
This might be an elaborate work. Harwood and Wheeler might unexpectedly appear at Redemption and do something shocking. After all, they are one of the greatest tag teams of all time, and All In 2026 will feel incomplete without them.
Britt Baker joined AEW when the company was founded in 2019. Tony Khan initially pushed her well and made her the Women's World Champion. However, it seems like he has forgotten about her. Her last appearance on All Elite Wrestling programming took place in November 2024. Even though the company's women's division has improved tenfold over the years, many fans want her to make a comeback.
The 35-year-old might make her anticipated return at Redemption 2026. She might show up during the AEW Women's World Title match and attack Willow Nightingale. Furthermore, she might join hands with the Triangle of Madness and become their fourth member. This will be a shocking segment, and fans worldwide will go berserk.
The former Women's World Champion certainly deserves another chance. She is a good wrestler and an amazing talker. Hopefully, she still has a future in the Jacksonville-based company.
Buddy Matthews got injured right before his match at Grand Slam Australia in February 2025. Nevertheless, he has been recovering well. He made an unexpected appearance at an independent wrestling promotion earlier this year, where he announced that he would be medically cleared in October.
The Australian native might have already been cleared, and the above announcement was a work. He might show up at Redemption and shock fans worldwide. The 37-year-old has won the AEW World Trios Title once, but a man of such talent deserves much more. Hopefully, he will win a singles title someday.
All this is speculation right now. Nobody knows what will happen at Redemption.
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