Winning a world title once is hard. Keeping it while everyone from Tokyo to Berlin wants to take your head off? That's a different story entirely. Right now, the wrestling world is split between two very different realities: the scripted chaos of the WWE and the bone-crunching, lung-burning mats of the international amateur circuit. Whether you're tracking the Undisputed WWE Champion or the latest UWW gold medalist, the landscape in early 2026 is unrecognizable from just a few years ago.
Honestly, if you haven't been paying attention lately, you've missed a massive shift in power.
Drew McIntyre and the WWE Power Struggle
On January 9, 2026, the hierarchy of professional wrestling took a massive hit. Drew McIntyre reclaimed the Undisputed WWE Championship in a brutal "Three Stages of Hell" match against Cody Rhodes. This wasn't just some regular Friday night in Berlin. It was a statement. McIntyre won the first and third falls—standard singles and a steel cage—to cement his third reign as the top guy on SmackDown.
It's kinda wild when you think about it. Cody's story was the central theme of the industry for years, but the "Scottish Warrior" basically kicked the door down.
Meanwhile, over on the Raw brand, things are just as volatile. CM Punk is currently holding the World Heavyweight Championship. He’s in his second reign, having won the vacant title back in November 2025 after Seth Rollins had to relinquish it due to injury. Punk is currently fending off younger guys like Bron Breakker and preparing for a massive defense against Finn Balor in Belfast. It’s a nostalgic run, sure, but the matches are as physical as they’ve ever been.
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The Real-World Mat: Who Rules the UWW?
If you're talking about "real" wrestling—the kind where you don't get a script and you definitely don't get a break—the names change but the intensity stays the same. The World Wrestling Championships 2025 in Zagreb set the stage for how 2026 is playing out.
Look at the 125kg freestyle division. Amir Hossein Zare from Iran is the name you need to know. He’s a three-time world champion now. He beat Giorgi Meshvildishvili 5-0 in the Zagreb finals, prove he's arguably the best heavyweight on the planet. He’s got that mix of size and agility that just isn't fair.
Then there's Akhmed Tazhudinov. The guy is a machine. Representing Bahrain, he’s the current 97kg gold medalist from the Paris Olympics and the reigning world champ. He’s been dominating a weight class that used to belong to legends like Kyle Snyder and Abdulrashid Sadulaev. Speaking of Sadulaev, the "Russian Tank" moved to 92kg and took gold there in late 2024, but the 97kg throne currently belongs to Tazhudinov.
Current Champions You Should Watch
Wrestling isn't just one person; it's a list of specialists who are the best at their specific craft. Here is a breakdown of who is currently sitting at the top of the mountain across the major styles and promotions as of January 2026.
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Men’s Freestyle Leaders:
- 57kg: Rei Higuchi (Japan) - Olympic Gold medalist still hovering at the top.
- 61kg: Zavur Uguev (UWW/Russia) - Recently took his third world title in Zagreb.
- 86kg: Zahid Valencia (USA) - He put on a clinic against Ishiguro Hayato to take world gold.
- 125kg: Shamil Sharipov (Bahrain) - Currently ranked #1 by UWW after a stellar 2025.
The Major Pro Titles:
- Undisputed WWE Champion: Drew McIntyre
- World Heavyweight Champion (WWE): CM Punk
- AEW World Champion: MJF (The "Big Burberry Belt" is back after he won a four-way at Worlds End).
- NXT Champion: Currently Vacant (Oba Femi walked away and left the belt in the ring).
What Most People Get Wrong About the Rankings
You’ll hear people argue about "who is the best" all day. But the UWW ranking system is based on points, not just who won the last match. For example, even though Zavur Uguev won the world title at 61kg, the rankings often fluctuate based on how many international "Ranking Series" events these guys attend.
In the pro world, it's even more subjective. Is MJF better than Drew McIntyre? You can't measure that with a stopwatch. But in terms of drawing power and match quality in 2026, MJF’s second reign in AEW is being treated as a "final boss" run. He’s holding that title with a death grip, recently surviving a four-way against Samoa Joe, Swerve Strickland, and Adam Page.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Athletes
If you're trying to keep up with the current world wrestling champion—whichever version you follow—you have to look at the schedule. The 2026 Senior World Championships are headed to Manama, Bahrain, in late October. That’s where the "real" world titles will be unified again.
For those of you looking to get into the sport or just follow it better:
- Watch the Tape: If you want to see technical perfection, watch Akari Fujinami from Japan. She hasn't lost a match in years and is the gold standard for women's freestyle.
- Follow the Rankings: Use the UWW "Athena" portal. It's the only way to see who is actually active vs. who is just resting on their laurels.
- Pro Wrestling Transitions: Keep an eye on the "Road to WrestleMania." With CM Punk and Drew McIntyre holding the top titles, the next few months will likely see huge shifts as the Royal Rumble approaches.
Wrestling moves fast. One day you’re the king of the world, and the next you’re nursing a torn ACL or getting pinned in a steel cage. Whether it's the scripted drama or the Olympic grind, the champions of 2026 are proving that the sport is more athletic—and more unpredictable—than it’s ever been.