Austin Aries says a title win could add to an already impressive run he’s on in 2026.
Aries spoke with WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard ahead of this week’s new episode of MLW Fusion. Aries will challenge Blue Panther for the MLW National Openweight Championship, which he says would almost guarantee him a regular spot on TV.
“The Anamoly” praised Blue Panther for continuing to compete at a high level in his 60s. However, he also noted that he’s still at the top of his game at 48 years old, too.
“This guy is [65], and what he’s still able to do and the risks that he takes, in my estimation, is for no other reason than the love that he has for this art form, for competing. And yeah, he’s meant so much to lucha libre over the years. He’s done so much,” Aries said. “But hey, when you’re the champion, you’ve got a target on your back. All the respect in the world I have for him will be set aside when the bell rings because he has something I want, and frankly, something I need.”
Aries says he plans to win the Openweight Championship, which will open doors for him not just in MLW, but around the world.
“We’ll start calling it the ‘World Openweight Championship.’ In my mind, the minute I capture a championship, it’s now the most important title in the company because I have it, and I’m the best wrestler in the company,” Aries stated. “And so, again, with this MLW Fusion weekly TV, I want to be featured on it every week. There’s no better way to make sure that happens than by having some championship around your waist.”
Austin Aries is happy, but never satisfied
In January, Aries told WrestleZone that he saw 2026 as his “resurgence” year. Asked to assess how he’s done so far, Aries said he feels good after returning to full-time competition. He’s also seeing success through feedback, but ultimately, he’s letting his work speak for itself.
“The matches I’ve been having are out there. I’m getting positive feedback. More importantly, I’m getting positive feedback within the company, in the back, in the locker room, working with the team and in some other facets,” Aries said.
“And then just the new opportunities, going down to CMLL a couple of times, having that be successful again, feeling like that’s a place where I can go on a semi-regular basis. My schedule is as full as I need and want it to be. So from all those perspectives, I’m pretty happy. But I’m never satisfied,” he clarified. “There’s a difference between being happy and being satisfied. I’m always looking for the next challenge, the next mountaintop to climb. For me, it’s about controlling what I can control, putting my best foot forward, and letting everything else fall as it falls.”
MLW Fusion airs every Saturday on YouTube at 6:05 pm ET. This is followed by broadcasts on VEEPS at 9 pm and on beIN Sports at 10 pm.
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JUST ANNOUNCED: Austin Aries wrestles for his first MLW Championship in eight years when he takes on Blue Panther for the MLW National Openweight Title this Saturday on MLW FUSION!
— MLW (@MLW) June 16, 2026
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