AEW Dynamite Rewritten Due to Illness

Segments were changed after talent fell ill, including some who traveled from Australia.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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This week's episode of AEW Dynamite saw some segments rewritten due to illnesses among the talent roster, according to reports. While the TBS Championship match and the main event between Swerve Strickland and Kenny Omega went as planned, other parts of the show were revised at the last minute. The changes included adding a match between Beast Mortos and Kevin Knight that was not originally scheduled.

Why it matters

AEW has faced challenges with illnesses and injuries disrupting its programming before, and this latest incident highlights the difficulties of producing a live weekly show with a large roster. The company's ability to adapt and adjust on the fly is crucial to delivering a quality product to fans.

The details

According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, some of the talent who fell ill had recently returned from AEW's live events in Australia, while others who did not travel overseas also got sick around the same time. The specific wrestlers affected were not named, but the changes resulted in the addition of the Mortos vs. Knight match, which Knight won with a UFO Splash.

  • AEW hosted 'Dynamite' in Sacramento, California on February 19, 2026.
  • Just days prior, AEW ran a Grand Slam special and live event in Australia.

The players

Willow Nightingale

The reigning AEW TBS Champion who defended her title in a four-way match on the show.

Swerve Strickland

Defeated Kenny Omega in the main event of the episode.

Beast Mortos

An LFI member who was added to the card in a match against Kevin Knight that was not originally scheduled.

Kevin Knight

Defeated Beast Mortos with a UFO Splash in their impromptu singles match.

Dave Meltzer

A veteran wrestling journalist who reported on the changes to the Dynamite card due to illness.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know the names, but I was told in the afternoon that this show was rewritten, not completely. I mean, the Omega-Swerve [match] was exactly what was going to be. And I think that the four-way women's TBS Championship [match] was what it was going to be, but there were a lot of illnesses. Both people from Australia, and I think there were some injuries too. There were a lot of illnesses from people, some in Australia, but a lot who didn't go.”

— Dave Meltzer, Wrestling journalist (Wrestling Observer Radio)

“The feeling was that it may have been something where somebody must have been sick last Wednesday and a lot of people got it because people who were not in Australia also got sick all at the same time.”

— Dave Meltzer, Wrestling journalist (Wrestling Observer Radio)

What’s next

AEW will look to bounce back from the disruptions and deliver a full, healthy roster for its next live event.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the challenges that live entertainment productions like AEW face in keeping their talent healthy and able to perform, especially when traveling internationally. The company's ability to adapt on the fly and deliver a quality show despite setbacks is a testament to its professionalism.