All Elite Wrestling (AEW) saw a significant surge in YouTube viewership during January 2026, led by the highly anticipated debut of Tommaso Ciampa. The former WWE star’s arrival immediately resonated with fans, driving the most views for any AEW video on the platform that month.
Ciampa’s debut, which saw him defeat Mark Briscoe to capture the TNT Championship on , garnered an impressive 784,000 views. While his reign with the title was short-lived – Kyle Fletcher reclaimed it just 11 days later – the initial impact of his signing clearly translated into online engagement. According to reports from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, this debut performance comfortably secured the number one spot for the month.
The impact wasn’t limited to Ciampa’s initial appearance. Swerve Strickland emerged as a consistent draw for AEW’s YouTube channel throughout January. Highlights from his match against Andrade El Idolo, a tag team contest alongside Adam Page against Hook and Powerhouse Hobbs, and a particularly heated in-ring promo featuring Kenny Omega all landed within the top ten most-watched videos.
Andrade El Idolo’s return to AEW also proved popular, securing the fifth spot on the list with 165,000 views, boosted by his appearance alongside Jack Perry and the Young Bucks. This suggests a continued fan interest in the veteran performer and the storylines surrounding his return.
Beyond these key figures, segments featuring established AEW stars also contributed to the overall viewership numbers. MJF’s promo following his match against Bandido, Jon Moxley’s contest against Shelton Benjamin, and highlights from Kris Statlander’s match against Thekla all made the top ten. Willow Nightingale’s celebration and a promo featuring Kenny Omega, Adam Page, and Swerve Strickland rounded out the list, demonstrating the broad appeal of AEW’s diverse roster.
Here’s a complete breakdown of AEW’s top ten most-watched YouTube videos for January 2026:
- Tommaso Ciampa debut – 784,000 views
- Don Callis Family vs Death Riders angle from January 17 Collision – 185,000 views
- Adam Page and Swerve Strickland vs Hook and Powerhouse Hobbs – 184,000 views
- Andrade vs Swerve Strickland highlights – 170,000 views
- Young Bucks save Jack Perry and Andrade returns – 165,000 views
- MJF promo following the Bandido match – 150,000 views
- Jon Moxley vs Shelton Benjamin – 137,000 views
- Kris Statlander vs Thekla highlights – 124,000 views
- Willow Nightingale celebration – 116,000 views
- Kenny Omega, Adam Page and Swerve Strickland promo – 113,000 views
The strong YouTube numbers for January 2026 highlight AEW’s ability to generate online buzz and engage its fanbase. Ciampa’s arrival clearly provided a significant boost, but the consistent performance of other stars like Swerve Strickland and the continued interest in established names like MJF and Jon Moxley demonstrate the overall health of the promotion’s digital presence. The figures suggest a successful start to the year for AEW in terms of fan engagement and content consumption.
The prominence of tag team matches and multi-person promos within the top ten also indicates a fan appetite for dynamic and collaborative storytelling. AEW’s willingness to showcase a variety of in-ring action and character interactions appears to be paying dividends in terms of online viewership. The relatively high view counts for segments featuring women’s wrestlers, such as Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale, are also encouraging signs for the continued growth and visibility of AEW’s women’s division.
While the TNT Championship match between Ciampa and Briscoe topped the charts, the consistent presence of Swerve Strickland across multiple videos suggests he is quickly becoming a key figure in AEW’s digital strategy. His matches and promos consistently draw significant attention, positioning him as a valuable asset for the promotion both in the ring and online. The success of the Don Callis Family vs. Death Riders angle, landing at number two, also indicates a strong fan interest in the ongoing storylines and faction rivalries within AEW.
Looking ahead, AEW will likely aim to capitalize on the momentum generated in January by continuing to deliver compelling content and showcasing its diverse roster. The success of Ciampa’s debut sets a high bar for future signings and appearances, and the promotion will undoubtedly be looking to replicate that level of engagement with upcoming storylines and events.
