AEW has emerged as a formidable competitor to global wrestling giant WWE. Tony Khan and a group of top wrestlers founded the company in 2019 and turned it into a huge land of opportunity for superstars who now had another platform on which to thrive in the business.In its challenging journey over six years, All Elite Wrestling has clinched major network deals and signed some of the biggest names, like Mercedes Mone, Kenny Omega, Bobby Lashley, and more. Moreover, the Jacksonville-based promotion has also had sell-out shows, which have established its presence in the industry significantly.However, Tony Khan and his regime have been facing tough competition from WWE recently. Here are the three ways Khan can shock the audience and take the Jacksonville-based promotion to the next level in 2026:#3. Tony Khan may book Bobby Lashley to become the AEW World ChampionAEW made a major signing with former WWE Champion Bobby Lashley in 2024. This was seen as a huge addition to the company's immense star power. However, Tony Khan chose to align Lashley with his former cohorts, MVP and Shelton Benjamin, to form The Hurt Syndicate, which has proven to be a formidable unit in the promotion.However, Lashley has previously been a top singles attraction in World Wrestling Entertainment. The All Mighty is a two-time WWE Champion. His time in AEW as a main-event player could finally come in 2026, with Tony Khan booking him to win his first world championship in All Elite Wrestling.#2. Bryan Danielson may return for one more run as an in-ring competitorBryan Danielson's career as a full-time in-ring competitor ended at the 2024 WrestleDream event, where he lost the All Elite Wrestling World Championship to Jon Moxley. He remained off television for almost a year and made his grand return at All In: Texas 2025 to deliver some in-ring chops to the Death Riders.The American Dragon recently returned to weekly programming as a part-time commentator. Next year, he could take it one step further and return to AEW as an in-ring competitor for a brief tenure. Should Bryan return to the ring in 2026, it could be a major boost for All Elite Wrestling and pave the way for some dream showdowns he has yet to have in the company.#1. Bayley could make her shocking debut in All Elite WrestlingOne of the top names rumored to join AEW in the future is WWE veteran Bayley. The Role Model has been an accomplished name in the sports entertainment juggernaut for years. However, the last few months have been a downhill ride for her. She recently stirred conversation by showing interest in battling her best friend and current top All Elite Wrestling star Mercedes Mone one more time.Tony Khan can benefit from the shocking AEW debut of Bayley, whose current deal with the global juggernaut is reportedly set to end in late 2026. The Role Model has done almost everything in WWE, and a move to All Elite Wrestling could be a fresh and exciting chapter in her wrestling career.