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AEW Reportedly Made Significant Change To AEW All In: Texas Title Match

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AEW Tweaks “All In” Texas Title Match in a Move That’s Turning Heads

On the heels of the 2023 AEW “All In” event— the first time the company’s flagship “All In” show has taken a stage in Texas — an official announcement from the promotion has sent ripples through the wrestling community. According to a report by Sports Illustrated’s wrestling fan site, AEW has made a “significant change” to the Texas title match that was slated to headline the Houston show. While the original blueprint called for a headline‑level championship bout, the new plan repositions the match, alters its stipulation and, crucially, swaps a world‑premier title for a regional belt that has yet to exist.


The Original Pitch

When AEW first announced the 2023 “All In” event, the company positioned the show as a “Texas‑specific” celebration, drawing parallels to the historic 2019 “All In” that was hosted in Los Angeles. A key attraction was the announcement of a Texas Championship match that would pit the reigning World Champion, MJF, against Will O. The Wisp. The initial premise was that the match would be a World Championship bout featuring the Texas belt as a temporary, localized crown that would only be defended at the event. In that sense, the belt was more a narrative device than a permanent title.

The promotion also teased a “Texas‑style” finish: a 60‑minute time limit, no disqualifications, and the use of a Texas‑specific “high‑voltage” stipulation that could involve the unique Texas Arena infrastructure. Fans were told that the belt would carry a distinctive design incorporating a stylized map of Texas, underscoring the event’s regional flavor.


What Changed

In the week leading up to the event, AEW’s official Twitter account ([ @AEW ]) posted a cryptic video of a steel cage being set up on the “All In” stage. The accompanying caption read: “Texas is about to get a real title.” Fans quickly realized that AEW had shifted from a one‑off belt to a permanent Texas Championship. The new match now reads: MJF vs. Will O. The Wisp for the brand‑new Texas Championship — a title that will be defended across all AEW programming, not just at “All In.”

In a separate press release, AEW announced that the Texas Championship would debut with its own unique belt design featuring a Texas star and an engraved line of the state’s motto. The championship will be recognized across all of AEW’s television shows—Dynamite, Rampage, and Collision—and will have a full title lineage that starts with MJF as its inaugural champion.

Beyond the change in title status, AEW also tweaked the match stipulation. While the original plan was a no‑disqualification, 60‑minute time limit bout, the new version will be a Texas‑style 30‑minute time limit match with a “high‑voltage” twist that allows the use of power‑tools (e.g., an “electric chair” gimmick) that will be revealed during the event. This has been described by AEW officials as a nod to the “hard‑edge” tradition of Texas wrestling and a way to bring a fresh feel to the match.


The Storyline Context

The shift to a permanent title comes amid an escalating feud between MJF, the self‑styled “Best in the World” heel, and Will O. The Wisp, a charismatic “face” who has been building a momentum‑based storyline over the last two months. In the build‑up, Will O. The Wisp claimed that he’d earned a shot at the World Title by winning a “Texas Open‑Tournament” that saw him defeat a series of high‑profile competitors. MJF, however, had “stole” the belt by ambushing Will O. The Wisp in a backstage segment two weeks before “All In,” setting up the need for a proper title match.

When the change was announced, MJF’s Twitter account posted a short clip of him in front of a “Texas” backdrop with the caption, “Texas is now a reality.” In the video, MJF declared that the new title would be “the crown of the Lone Star State,” and that he would not “take it lightly.” Will O. The Wisp responded in an interview on AEW Dynamite, saying the change “only makes the stakes higher” and that he’s “ready to defend the belt.”


Fan Reaction and Industry Speculation

The announcement has sparked a flurry of discussion across wrestling forums and social media. Many fans welcomed the idea of a regional championship that could give smaller talent a platform, while others warned that a new title might dilute the prestige of AEW’s core championships. A segment of the community is also excited about the “high‑voltage” stipulation, which echoes the brutal match types of classic Texas wrestling shows.

A senior editor at Pro Wrestling Insider weighed in, noting that the introduction of the Texas Championship could be a strategic move to “anchor AEW’s growing presence in the southern United States.” They also speculated that the belt could serve as a feeder title, allowing future stars to establish credibility before moving on to the World Championship.


What’s Next for the Texas Championship

AEW’s official press release indicated that the Texas Championship will begin its lineage at “All In,” with MJF being crowned the first champion. The title is set to be defended on a weekly basis on Dynamite and Rampage, with a guaranteed title match at each major pay‑per‑view after “All In.” AEW has promised a “storyline roadmap” for the title, hinting at future rivalries that could involve some of the company’s rising stars, such as The Young Bucks, Samoa Joe, and Molly Holly.

Furthermore, AEW has announced a series of “Texas Throwback” episodes on its YouTube channel that will pay homage to the region’s rich wrestling history. In these segments, the promotion will showcase classic matches and legends like Jody Hamilton and Dusty Rhodes who are credited with popularizing Texas wrestling in the 70s and 80s.


Bottom Line

While the initial “All In” Texas title match was conceived as a one‑off, World Championship bout with a temporary belt, AEW’s decision to turn the title into a permanent championship has changed the dynamic of the event entirely. The move not only adds a new layer of prestige to the upcoming show but also signals the promotion’s intent to cement a lasting presence in Texas. Whether the Texas Championship will become a key fixture in AEW’s title landscape remains to be seen, but for now, the state’s wrestling fans have a brand‑new title to rally around.


Read the Full Sports Illustrated Article at:
[ https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/aew/aew-reportedly-made-significant-change-to-aew-all-in-texas-title-match ]