• Top AEW Star Isn’t Returning
Jay White surfaced briefly at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 to honor Hiroshi Tanahashi. This fueled immediate questions about whether White was nearing a comeback. Those expectations were quickly tempered.
According to Fightful Select, AEW sources clarified following the event that White has not been cleared for in-ring competition and is not expected to return in the near future. He is also not currently part of any active creative planning.
White has been sidelined since 2025 after suffering a hand injury and later undergoing shoulder surgery, a procedure that removed him from active competition.
At this stage, White’s status remains unchanged: still recovering, still inactive, and still outside AEW’s short-term plans. The Wrestle Kingdom appearance was a one-off exception.
The perfect example to follow, yet no one will catch him.
The Greatest to ever do it.
Thank you, Ace. pic.twitter.com/hCq1gqw1S5— Switchblade Jay White (@JayWhiteNZ) January 5, 2026
• Jim Ross Returns & Reacts To Orange Cassidy Grabbing Toni Storm & Mina Shirakawa
Below are the results from the first episode of AEW Dynamite in 2026:
– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross returned to commentary.
Welcome “The Voice of Wrestling” @JRsBBQ back to the commentary desk!
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/mD7Xpd36df
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 8, 2026
– AEW Continental Champion Jon Moxley def. Shelton Benjamin
After the match, Moxley offered a handshake and Benjamin accepted.
– Jack Perry and The Young Bucks def. The Demand
After the match, The Don Callis Family attacked Jack and The Bucks. Andrade El Idolo made his return to All Elite Wrestling and rejoined The Don Callis Family.
Just as @Boy_Myth_Legend + the @YoungBucks were celebrating their victory, @TheDonCallis Family is showing off their dominance including @JakeSomething_ + @AndradeElIdolo!
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/Z7tRakf2Da
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 8, 2026
– Willow Nightingale, Harley Cameron, and Kris Statlander held a celebration for Willow becoming the new TBS Champion. Mercedes Mone was invited to the ring, but she crashed out and attempted to ruin the celebration. Willow took out Mercedes with a powerbomb and kept the celebration going.
– The Triangle of Madness challenged Kris Statlander, Willow Nightingale, and Harley Cameron to a 6-woman tag team match at AEW Maximum Carnage.
– ROH World Champion Bandido def. ROH Tag Team Champion Sammy Guevara
After the match, AEW World Champion MJF and Jon Cruz made their way to the ring. MJF said he is a Lucha Libre Legend and is a bigger star in Mexico than Bandido will ever be. MJF said he has 6 Dynamite Diamond Rings and the one that Bandido has should also belong to him. MJF attempted to steal Bandido’s ring, but Bandido stopped him and took him out with the 21 Plex. Bandido posed with the AEW World Title.
– Brody King said sometimes violence is the answer and declared that he is coming for the throne.
– “Timeless” Toni Storm def. Marina Shafir via DQ after The Death Riders pulled the referee out of the ring
After the match, The Death Riders were about to attack Toni & Mina Shirakawa, but Roderick Strong and Orange Cassidy made the save. Cassidy grabbed Toni and Mina, which led to Jim Ross saying the following on commentary: “He’s got his hands full.”
– Darby Allin attacked Pac backstage and threatened to smash his ankle unless he agreed to give him a rematch. Pac gave in and accepted.
– “Hangman” Adam Page and Swerve Strickland def. The Opps (Powerhouse Hobbs and Hook) in a Lights Out Match
