AEW Dynamite returns on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, from Akins Ford Arena in Athens, Georgia, for a special edition of the show called AEW: Rebel Heart Dynamite. The show will honor original AEW roster member Tanea Brooks, better known to wrestling fans as Rebel, who was diagnosed with ALS in March 2026. Wednesday will also mark AEW’s first episode of Dynamite since the passing of roster member Andy Williams over the weekend. While nothing has been officially announced, a tribute to Williams during the show seems extremely likely.
It’s also a loaded card, with five matches already announced, including Will Ospreay vs. David Finlay in an AEW World Championship Eliminator Match and Swerve Strickland & The New Level defending the AEW World Trios Championship against The Conglomeration.
We’ll have all the latest updates right here on DraftKings Network as additional matches and segments are announced for Wednesday’s AEW: Rebel Heart Dynamite from Athens, Georgia!
Below is our full AEW Rebel Heart Dynamite preview for September 9, 2026, including the confirmed match card and predictions.
What Is AEW: Rebel Heart Dynamite?
AEW: Rebel Heart Dynamite is a special edition of Dynamite dedicated to Tanea Brooks, better known to wrestling fans as Rebel, who was diagnosed with ALS in March 2026. Rebel was an original member of the AEW roster and has been part of the company since its first year.
AEW announced that Wednesday’s show will honor Rebel while raising awareness and support for the ALS community. The special event is being held in partnership with I AM ALS and Team Gleason.
Rebel will also be part of the show, appearing on a special edition of The Waiting Room alongside Britt Baker, with Persephone and Hikaru Shida announced as special guests.
AEW Rebel Heart Dynamite Match Card & Predictions
Here’s a look at the matches announced for AEW: Rebel Heart Dynamite on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, along with our predictions for the show.
| Match | Championship / Stipulation | Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| Will Ospreay vs. David Finlay | AEW World Championship Eliminator Match | Will Ospreay |
| Swerve Strickland & The New Level (c) vs. The Conglomeration | AEW World Trios Championship | Swerve Strickland & The New Level |
| Darby Allin & Steven Borden vs. Mark Davis & Josh Alexander | Tag Team Match | Darby Allin & Steven Borden |
| Young Bucks vs. Kyle Fletcher & Kevin Knight | Tables Match | Young Bucks |
| Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D., Persephone & Hikaru Shida vs. Maya World, Hyan & Thunder Rosa | Trios Match | Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D., Persephone & Hikaru Shida |
Will Ospreay vs. David Finlay – AEW World Championship Eliminator Match
I don’t think anyone is expecting Finlay to win this match, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t expect a really solid match between these two. Finlay has yet to win a singles match in AEW, although he’s only had a handful of them. I’m really hoping we eventually see The Dogs get a legitimate push, as I think they’re an extremely talented trios team that could be a real factor in AEW.
As for Ospreay, it’s been quite some time since we’ve seen him lose a singles match. His last singles loss came back in April against Mark Davis, when the referee stopped the match and awarded Davis the victory. Since then, Ospreay has been on one hell of a run, which eventually led to him becoming AEW World Champion at All In: London.
Finlay should give Ospreay a very competitive match, but I don’t see the AEW World Champion taking a loss this early into his reign. Ospreay gets the win, but I’m expecting Finlay to look strong in the process.
Will Ospreay vs. David Finlay Prediction: Will Ospreay earns the victory
Swerve Strickland & The New Level (c) vs. The Conglomeration – AEW World Trios Championship
This is another match where the outcome feels fairly obvious, as I don’t see Swerve Strickland & The New Level dropping the AEW World Trios Championship this early into their run. That being said, the quality of their opponent is high, and The Conglomeration should give the champions a tough test.
I fully expect Swerve & The New Level to continue being showcased as a dominant team moving forward. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if we eventually see The New Level carrying both the AEW World Trios and Tag Team Championships at the same time. There’s a lot AEW can do with this group, and I think we’re only scratching the surface of what their run will look like.
Swerve Strickland & The New Level vs. The Conglomeration Prediction: Swerve Strickland & The New Level retain the AEW World Trios Championship
Darby Allin & Steven Borden vs. Mark Davis & Josh Alexander – Tag Team Match
This will be the first televised match for Steven Borden, but don’t let that fool you into thinking he’s completely inexperienced. Borden has been getting plenty of reps under his belt in AEW, wrestling in dark matches since 2025 with 25 matches already logged. Now, he’ll get his first opportunity to show what he can do on AEW television alongside Darby Allin.
It certainly feels as if AEW has bigger plans for Borden moving forward. We got another glimpse of that at All In, when his dad, Sting, let Borden take the leap off the ladder during Allin’s match against Kevin Knight. That was a huge spot on AEW’s biggest show of the year, and now he’s immediately following it up with his television debut on Dynamite.
I don’t expect Borden & Allin to have an easy night whatsoever. Mark Davis and the recently returning Josh Alexander should beat the hell out of them and make Borden earn his first televised victory. I fully expect Allin & Borden to take a beating before eventually finding a way to come out on top.
Darby Allin & Steven Borden vs. Mark Davis & Josh Alexander Prediction: Darby Allin & Steven Borden earn the victory
Young Bucks vs. Kyle Fletcher & Kevin Knight – Tables Match
This is easily one of the toughest matches on the card to predict, as I could honestly see it going either way. We haven’t seen these four mix it up much in AEW, and putting them together in a Tables Match makes the outcome even more unpredictable.
The Young Bucks have already been announced for a three-way ladder match against Cope & Christian and FTR at All Out, so I could easily see Wednesday’s match being used to further build toward that. FTR interfering and costing The Young Bucks would make plenty of sense, especially in a Tables Match where the Bucks can lose without being pinned.
Even with that possibility, I’m going to stick with The Young Bucks. This is a match I have very little confidence predicting, but I’ll side with the Bucks finding a way to come out on top.
Young Bucks vs. Kyle Fletcher & Kevin Knight Prediction: The Young Bucks earn the victory
Britt Baker, Persephone & Hikaru Shida vs. Maya World, Hyan & Thunder Rosa – Trios Match
For me, the biggest story in this match is simply seeing Britt Baker back in an AEW ring. This will be Baker’s first match in AEW since November 13, 2024, when she defeated Penelope Ford on Dynamite. When Baker initially aligned herself with Persephone, I wondered if she was going to be used more in a managerial role moving forward, so it’s great to see her officially getting back into the ring.
It’s also fitting that Baker’s return match will take place on Rebel Heart Dynamite. Baker and Rebel have a long history together in AEW, with Rebel spending years alongside Baker during one of the biggest runs of her career. With Wednesday’s show honoring Rebel, having Baker back in action adds another nice touch to the night.
As for the match itself, I’m siding with Baker, Persephone & Shida. With Baker wrestling for the first time in nearly two years and the connection she has to Rebel, this feels like the right spot to give her team the victory.
Britt Baker, Persephone & Hikaru Shida vs. Maya World, Hyan & Thunder Rosa Prediction: Britt Baker, Persephone & Hikaru Shida earn the victory
AEW Dynamite Results (September 2, 2026)
- AEW World Trios Championship Match: Swerve Strickland & The New Level (Austin Creed & Kofi) (c) def. The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier, Myron Reed & Zachary Wentz)
- TNT Championship Match: Darby Allin (c) def. Mark Davis
- Singles Match: Megan Bayne def. Alex Windsor
- AEW Continental Championship Eliminator Match: Jon Moxley def. AR Fox
- 10-Man Tag Team Match: AEW World Champion Will Ospreay, Andrade El Idolo & United Empire (Henare, Francesco Akira & Callum Newman) def. The Dogs (Gabe Kidd & Clark Connors) & The Demand (Ricochet, Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun)
Key Takeaways from AEW Dynamite
- Jon Moxley will challenge Will Ospreay for the AEW World Championship at AEW All Out on September 26.
- Swerve Strickland & The New Level successfully defended the AEW World Trios Championship against The Rascalz in The New Level’s first Dynamite match.
- Adam Copeland & Christian Cage challenged FTR and The Young Bucks to a three-way match at All Out involving chairs, tables and ladders.
- Thekla interrupted Mercedes Moné’s AEW Women’s World Championship celebration and made it clear she wants the title back.
- MJF promised payback against AEW World Champion Will Ospreay following All In: London.
- Persephone & Britt Baker laid out their new partnership as Baker continued her return to AEW.
- Don Callis paired Kyle Fletcher & Kevin Knight together, although Fletcher made it clear he wasn’t happy about the decision.
- Will Ospreay, Andrade El Idolo & United Empire won the main event before the Death Riders arrived and Ospreay’s All Out title match against Moxley was revealed.
How to Watch AEW: Rebel Heart Dynamite (September 9, 2026)
Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Time: 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT
TV Channel: TBS
Streaming: HBO Max (simulcast)
Location: Akins Ford Arena — Athens, Georgia
AEW: Rebel Heart Dynamite airs live Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on TBS and streams simultaneously on HBO Max.
