AEW has begun 2026 with a significant roster adjustment, parting ways with three veteran talents whose contracts have officially expired. According to Fightful Select, Matt Taven, Mercedes Martinez, and Alex Abrahantes are no longer with the promotion.
Matt Taven leaves the company as one of the most decorated performers in ROH history. A Grand Slam Champion, Taven has held the ROH World, Television, Tag Team, and Six-Man Tag Team Championships.
His career highlights include a notable victory over Adam Cole for the TV title in 2013 and winning the ROH World Championship in a ladder match at the historic G1 Supercard in Madison Square Garden in 2019. Beyond his singles success, Taven was an original member and eventual leader of The Kingdom, a faction that bridged eras in ROH and captured gold in both Japan’s NJPW and Mexico’s CMLL.
Mercedes Martinez concludes a 20-year career that saw her become a pioneer of women’s independent wrestling before her AEW and ROH runs. Known as “The Latina Sensation,” she was a cornerstone of Shimmer Women Athletes and a three-time WSU Champion. In ROH, her legacy was cemented when she defeated Willow Nightingale at Supercard of Honor XV to unify the ROH Women’s World Championship, a title she held with distinction throughout 2022.
Alex Abrahantes, a Pennsylvania State University alumnus, transitioned from the Spanish announce team to become one of the most recognizable managers on AEW television. His career was defined by his passionate advocacy for the Lucha Brothers (Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix), serving as their voice during their climb to the AEW World Tag Team Championships at All Out 2021.
AEW turns its focus to this week’s episode of Dynamite from Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the BOK Center, which is expected to be headlined by a tag team lights out match.
