The John Report: AEW Redemption 2026 Review – 6 Title Matches! LIVE!

This is AEW Redemption, featuring Kenny Omega facing Kevin Knight, Jon Moxley & Will Ospreay teaming up against The Young Bucks, and more.

It’s the first-ever AEW Redemption PPV, which is one month before the biggest show of the year, All In London on August 30th. This card should have a lot of outstanding matches, but I don’t know if it will be that newsworthy. I do applaud AEW for moving the start time to 7 p.m. ET instead of 8 p.m. ET since Forbidden Door went just under five hours last month, so at least starting an hour earlier is better. There are 10 matches set for the PPV broadcast.

The pre-show matches took place before the main show. I don’t watch the pre-show matches because the main shows are long enough. I’ll put the BUY IN match result here:

* The Conglomeration (Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong, and Kyle O’Reilly) (c) defeated The Lethal Twist (Jay Lethal, Blake Christian, and Lee Johnson) by pinfall.

I ordered this show from AEW’s YouTube channel for $64.40 Canadian, including tax. Do I wish it were cheaper? Yes, but I enjoy AEW’s product, and they do produce great PPVs. Let’s get to it.

AEW Redemption
From Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Sunday, July 26, 2026

It’s Sunday, and you know what that means. It was Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, and Nigel McGuinness on commentary to start the show.

The entrances for the six guys in the Ladder Match took place at the end of the pre-show, so at least they got right to the action right away.

Six-Way Ladder Match to determine the #1 contender to the AEW International Championship: Jack Perry vs. The Beast Mortos vs. Komander vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey vs. Nick Wayne vs. El Clon

Bailey is the crowd favorite in his hometown. There’s a contract hanging above the ring, so the winner has to climb a ladder and retrieve the contract to win. Good luck to me keeping up with the action.

They started out with guys doing spots in the ring and the other four guys are on the floor waiting their turn. Wayne hit a back elbow on Bailey and Perry dropkicked Wayne. Clon worked over Perry with kicks. Mortos ran into a ladder that Clon was holding and then Morton hit a popup Samoan Drop on Clon. Mortos set up a ladder. Komander and Bailey knocked down Mortos and tried a ladder climb, but Mortos shoved the ladder to knock two guys down. Mortos press slammed Bailey onto a ladder against the turnbuckle, so the fans booed that. Komander tripped Mortos into a ladder and Komander hit a Superfly Splash off the top onto Mortos. Clon kneed Komander and hit a moonsault onto a ladder. Perry flipped Clon into a ladder. Wayne hit Sliced Bread on Perry. Wayne dropkicked a ladder into Komander. Wayne hit a somersault over the top on Komander. Mortos hit some strikes on the floor, and then Clon hit a double DDT on the floor. Bailey hit a moonsault and Perry hit a bulldog right after. Bailey went for the tallest ladder on the stage, so then the other guys all went over to the stage area with the bigger ladder. Bailey climbed up the big ladder, then everybody stood underneath and Bailey hit a moonsault onto four of the guys. Perry was even holding the ladder while Bailey was on it.

Perry also hit a moonsault off the ladder. That led to Perry bringing the taller ladder into the ring. Bailey and Perry exchanged strikes on the apron, and then Wayne joined in with a Cutter on Bailey on the apron. Perry put the taller ladder under the contract and Mortos was back up to press slam Perry over the top to the floor onto some other dudes. Mortos climbed the ladder, so Komander walked the ropes and hit a missile dropkick to knock Mortos down. Nice. Komander put the ladder across the throat of Mortos, but then Mortos was able to push the ladder, so Komander jumped onto Bailey and Clon across the ring. Mortos ran the ropes with a twisting cross body block on two guys on the floor. Perry hit Mortos in the back with a ladder. There were three ladders set up near the contract, which led to some knockdowns and bumps into the ropes. Mortos was still on the biggest ladder, but he was too hurt to climb likely because he was waiting for somebody to push his ladder, so that led to Perry pushing the ladder over. Perry pulled out three tables from under the ring. There were several referees on the floor talking to the wrestlers to likely give them timing cues. Perry superkicked Mortos and hit a hurricanrana through a table on the floor. The table barely broke. Klon jumped off the top wit ha diving foot stomp onto Bailey through a table on the floor. Komander ran the ropes and hit a twisting Spaceman moonsault onto Wayne through a table on the floor. That’s an amazing move.

It was Klon, Perry and Komander fighting in the ring after they put their opponents through a table. Mortos was back up with a headbutt on Perry. Mortos gave Perry a Powerbomb onto a ladder against the turnbuckle. Klon hit a backbreaker on Mortos. Klon and Komander battled on a ladder bridge and hit a twisting slam onto the mat. The referees were holding ladders to help them. Wayne hit a neckbreaker on Klon and put Klon on a ladder. Wayne went up a ladder halfway and hit a Phoenix Splash to put Klon through a table. Perry tried to climb a ladder, Wayne went after him on the ladder and Perry hit a Canadian Destroyer on Wayne onto a ladder bridge that broke the ladder. Bailey was back up, so the fans were loud again. Bailey waited for Mortos to do their spot that included three kicks by Bailey. Bailey went up top and hit the backflip double knee attack on Mortos. Bailey climbed the ladder, the others were unable to stop him and Bailey reached up for the contract to get the win. It went around 20 minutes.

Winner: “Speedball” Mike Bailey

The win means that Mike Bailey gets a shot at the AEW International Title.

Analysis: ****1/4 It was a great ladder match as you’d expect. I think it needed more moments where guys were trying to win the match. These guys were so focused on doing spots with the ladders and tables. Most ladder matches in this era are going to be good because the athletes are so talented and we have seen so many of these matches over the last 30 years. There wasn’t a storyline here, so it made sense for the popular Bailey to get the win. I certainly don’t mind that decision because Bailey is a talented guy and it’s smart to make the fans happy in a match like this. Komander really impressed me in the match and he’s somebody I think AEW should use more. Anyway, this was a lot of fun for an opening match. Good choice to start the show.

The Death Riders duo of Will Ospreay & Jon Moxley facing The Young Bucks is up next. There was a video about it.

Death Riders – Will Ospreay & Jon Moxley (w/Marina Shafir) vs. The Young Bucks – Matt & Nick Jackson

Moxley is the AEW Continental Champion. Will is getting an AEW World title shot at All In London next month. They are all babyfaces, but Moxley is a heel sometimes.

It was Nick in control early on with a spin kick on Will. The Bucks were both in the ring with double team moves, including a kick by Nick and a double foot stomp by Nick for two. Will and Nick did a collision spot where they sold it like they smashed heads, but it was more like shoulders. Matt tagged in and checked on Nick, who sold it like he was dazed. Will hit a slingshot cross body block on Matt on the floor. The inept referee Rick Knox checked on Nick on the floor and Moxley told Will to focus on the match. Matt hit a DDT on Will and kicked Moxley on the floor. Shafir tripped up Matt and sent him into the steel steps while the referee was looking at Will. There were quick tags by the DR boys as Will hit a backbreaker. Moxley was back in with a shoulder tackle. Moxley suplexed Matt for two. They did a spot where Moxley pulled Nick on the apron and gave Nick a piledriver on the floor to further the possible concussion story. Will jumped off the top with an elbow to Matt’s back and a Liger Bomb for two. Matt tried to fight out of the opponent’s corner and hit a cross body block on Moxley on the floor. Matt countered a Will move and flipped around to send Will face first into the mat.

Nick tagged himself in and connected with punches, kicks, and knees. Nick hit a bulldog/clothesline combo. Nick hit an impressive counter Stunner on Will for a two count. Will stomped onto Will’s back into a Powerbomb for Matt and that got a two count. Nick also hit a dive onto Moxley on the floor. Moxley attacked Nick on the apron. Moxley went into the ring illegally because it’s AEW, so that led to Will hitting a Styles Clash on Nick for two and Moxley hit a Piledriver on Matt at the same time. Will and Moxley took turns hitting clotheslines on Nick and Moxley hit a Cutter on Nick. Will kicked Matt off the apron to the floor. Will hit a twisting dive onto Matt on the floor. Nick hit a superkick and Moxley bounced back with a lariat. Everybody decided to sell a bit after that. Will jumped off the top with a forearm, Nick moved and Will hit Moxley by accident. Nick slammed Will face first into the mat. Moxley countered Matt into a sleeper, but then Nick hit a dive on Will. After Will hit a top rope splash on Nick, there was no selling and the Bucks hit a BTE Trigger on Moxley. Nick charged at Will, who moved and Will hit a Hidden Blade on Matt. All four guys were down again. After Nick tagged in, Nick sold it like he was stumbling around, so Will told him to tag out. Nick hit forearms, so Will hit him with forearms to the ribs. Will hit a rolling elbow and superkick, so Nick sold it like he was dazed again. Will hit another superkick. Will hit an elbow to Nick’s face and Moxley celebrated. Will stepped on Nick’s back and showed hesitation. Matt went in illegally to cover his brother and save him. Moxley threw Matt out of the ring. Moxley hit a Stomp on Nick for a two count. Moxley applied a Bulldog Choke, then he let go and hit Nick with some light forearms to the back. Matt superkicked Moxley. Matt left the ring, Will moved and Matt superkicked Shafir on the floor. Nick got a nearfall on Moxley. Moxley hit Matt with a forearm. Moxley hit a Paradigm Shift on Nick and another Paradigm Shift. Moxley hit a Death Rider lifting DDT with no cover. The fans were booing Moxley, who brought a chair into the ring. Moxley shoved the referee down when the referee tried grabbing the chair. Will went into the ring and pulled the chair from Moxley, so Matt superkicked the chair into Will. Nick was back up so the Bucks hit a BTE Trigger on Mox. Moxley did a double finger salute at the Bucks. The Bucks superkicked Moxley about ten times in a row and Nick laid on top of Moxley for the pinfall win after 20 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The Young Bucks – Matt & Nick Jackson

Analysis: **** That was very good. I’m not going to rate it more than four stars because of all the illegal and double team offense that exists in Young Bucks matches, but I still enjoyed it. It was an entertaining match that told a story throughout the match. Nick Jackson was selling the head injury, Moxley had him finished with three finishing moves in a row and then Moxley didn’t even attempt a pin. Will stopped Moxley from using a chair, and the Bucks capitalized to win. That means Moxley could be mad at Will for stopping him from using the chair. I thought The Young Bucks would win to set them up for a Tag Team Title match at All In London, and now they got the big win to likely set up that title shot.

Will Ospreay was frustrated about the loss as he looked at Moxley on the mat. I thought there might be a post match story, but they went on to the next match.

It’s Kyle Fletcher facing Bandido next, so there was a video package about it.

AEW International Championship: Kyle Fletcher vs. Bandido

Everybody is banned from ringside. Bandido is the ROH World Champion for nearly 500 days, but that title is not on the line here.

There was a bridging pin attempt by Bandido early on and it got a two count. Kyle regrouped on the floor. Back in the ring, Kyle hit a boot to the head. Bandido did a headscissors to send Kyle out of the ring. Kyle hit a body slam. Kyle stomped on Bandido and hit some forearms. Bandido tried a moonsault on the floor, so Kyle superkicked Bandido to stop that. Kyle hit a Powerbomb on the ring apron. Kyle applied a Full Nelson submission, along with body scissors, so Bandido got to the ropes to break that. Bandido with chops that were no sold and then Kyle hit a forearm to the face for a two count. Bandido deadlifted Kyle into a suplex and Kyle sold it unlike some people in this company. Bandido kicked Kyle and went up top with a twisting cross body block. Bandido was a press slam. Tony was in awe of it even though Bandido does it in every match. Bandido went up top and hit a Frog Splash for two. Kyle got some offense going with a lariat while on the apron. Kyle hit a sheer drop Brainbuster on the apron.

Kyle continued the attack with a Powerbomb for a two count. Kyle did a Half N Half Suplex. Bandido hit a German Suplex. Bandido bounced off the ropes and hit a Dragon Suplex for a two count. They were fighting on the apron again and this time Bandido kicked Kyle in the ribs. Bandido jumped on Kyle’s back and went for a Powerbomb, but Kyle blocked it briefly until Bandido hit a Powerbomb on the floor. The referee counted them out during other spots, but this time there was no count at all. That inconsistency hurts AEW. Bandido went up top and hit a Frog Splash from the top onto Kyle on the floor. The fans chanted, “Holy Shit” for that. Bandido went up top and hit a Shooting Star Press for a two count. They each went for suplexes that were countered, Kyle hit a superkick, Bandido sent Kyle into the turnbuckle and then Bandido hit an impressive DDT. Tony said he’s not sure if he’s ever seen three better matches to start a PPV, but of course Tony thinks every match is the greatest of all time as it is happening. Anyway, Kyle and Bandido headbutted eachother on the mat. Kyle kicked Bandido, who hit some more headbutts. Bandido went for a knee, but Kyle blocked it and hit a forearm. Kyle put the knee pad down, he charged and Bandido launched Kyle into the air and slammed him into the mat. They went over to the turnbuckle and Bandido hit a top rope fallaway slam for a two count because Kyle’s hand was on the rope. Bandido hit a knee lift to the face. Bandido went for the 21 Plex off the ropes and he connected with it for just two because Kyle got his right shoulder up! The fans chanted “Fight Forever” for them. Kyle hit a clothesline and a running knee. Kyle hit the sheer drop Brainbuster for 1…2…no because Bandido got the right shoulder up. Kyle went for a Brainbuster by the turnbuckle, but Bandido was there to counter it and send Kyle ribs-first onto the turnbuckle. Bandido jumped up, Kyle caught him and Kyle hit a Michinoku Driver off the middle turnbuckle. Kyle launched Bandido into the turnbuckle and running kick to the back of the head. Kyle hit a turnbuckle Brainbuster for the pinfall win after 26 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Kyle Fletcher

Analysis: ***** That was an outstanding match. I’ll go just 5 stars for it. That’s as high as I go. The first ten minutes of it weren’t that interesting and had a lot of stalling by Fletcher, but then the pace really picked up after that. I liked the pacing throughout the match because they didn’t rush through their spots and they actually sold moves. There are too many matches in AEW, especially tags, where guys are not selling moves and want to do the next spots. What I like a lot about Fletcher is he can do the moves, but he is smart enough to sell and knows how to do it properly. Bandido is outstanding at everything too. I looked at this match like when Bandido challenged Jon Moxley for the Continental Title. I knew Bandido wasn’t going to win that match just like this match, but they put Bandido in spots like this because he’s always going to put on a great performance.

Kyle Fletcher celebrated the win with manager Don Callis.

The Double Chain Match between the Bang Bang Gang and The Dogs was next. A video aired to set it up.