Add as a preferred source on Google Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite will feature an unusually loaded lineup, and the reason ties directly into the FIFA World Cup. The show will take place at the Rio Rancho Events Center in New Mexico and will be the final episode before Forbidden Door.
According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, Tony Khan decided to put together a stronger-than-usual show because Dynamite will be going head-to-head with soccer. The episode will feature eight announced matches, up from the recent standard of four to six bouts per episode.
“One of the reasons it is so loaded is because Tony Khan is a soccer guy. He is well aware of the World Cup and he’s trying to put on a hell of a show going against World Cup soccer, and that is part of it. And again, building this pay-per-view for Sunday.”
That factor is not exactly surprising. In addition to running AEW, Khan also works in soccer as Fulham’s vice chairman and director of football operations, while also holding roles with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
WOR: The reason there’s so many matches on AEW Dynamite this week is due to FIFA World Cup airing head-to-head against the show in New Mexico.
— Drainmaker (@TheDrainmaker) June 23, 2026
“One of the reasons it is so loaded is because Tony Khan is a soccer guy. He is well aware of the World Cup and he's trying to put on a… pic.twitter.com/E5N5i1iyAa
The direct competition will mainly come from the final Group A matches in the World Cup, with Mexico vs. Czechia and South Africa vs. South Korea scheduled opposite Dynamite’s main U.S. timeslot.
Among the announced highlights for the show are Konosuke Takeshita defending the AEW International Championship against Ricochet, Will Ospreay vs. El Phantasmo, Swerve Strickland vs. Daniel Garcia, Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Jack Perry, and Death Riders vs. Mistico, Bandido, and Brody King.
Queen Aminata vs. Red Velvet and Harley Cameron vs. Marina Shafir will also serve as Survival of the Fittest qualifiers, while The Young Bucks will face TMDK.