AEW tag team match at All Out 2026 ended via doctor stoppage after Steven Borden suffered an injury to the back of his head during a midair collision with Kevin Knight.
The AEW All Out 2026 tag match between Darby Allin and Steven Borden against Kyle Fletcher and Kevin Knight concluded via referee stoppage after Borden sustained a head injury during a high-risk maneuver, according to multiple outlets. The match was halted when Borden collided with Knight midair, causing him to fall to the mat with a hard impact to the back of his head. AEW physician Dr. Michael Sampson entered the ring to examine Borden before the referee called for the bell, awarding the victory to Fletcher and Knight.
The Match and the Injury
The match featured intense back-and-forth action, with Borden and Allin trading blows against Fletcher and Knight. Late in the contest, Borden and Knight climbed opposite turnbuckles and launched themselves toward each other. They collided in midair, with Borden appearing to strike the back of his head upon landing. Borden remained down as Sampson rushed to his side, prompting the referee to stop the match.
Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp corroborated the legitimacy of the injury, tweeting that the stoppage was “not an angleon September 27, 2026. Dave Meltzer also reported that Borden left on a stretcher, stating,
Steve Borden did go out on a stretcher — Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) September 27, 2026.”
Before the stoppage, Borden had received a strong response during his stretches in the ring, trading strikes with Fletcher and later running through both opponents after receiving a hot tag from Allin. The match was part of a storyline where the winners earned a future shot at the AEW World Tag Team Championship. After the stoppage, Fletcher and Knight were awarded the victory, securing their position as the number-one contenders.
Reactions and Aftermath
Taz acknowledged the risks of professional wrestling, stating that the safety of the wrestlers had to take priority.
He added, while viewers may want to see a definitive conclusion, the safety of the wrestlers had to take priority.
Tony Schiavone later updated viewers, confirming that Borden was conscious and responsive
and had been transported to the hospital for treatment. No further details about Borden’s condition were provided, but the match’s abrupt end underscored the physical dangers inherent in the sport.
The commentators also emphasized the legitimate risks involved in professional wrestling. Excalibur, Taz, and Tony Schiavone discussed the incident during the broadcast, with Taz specifically highlighting the importance of medical intervention. AEW showed one replay of the collision while Borden was being checked before cutting away to the commentary desk. Borden’s departure from ringside was not shown, and the cameras remained off him following the match.
The match’s conclusion also altered the trajectory of the AEW World Tag Team Championship storyline, as Fletcher and Knight now hold a clear path to a future title shot. The referee, Bryce Remsburg, called for the bell after Sampson’s examination, ensuring the match ended with the priority of Borden’s health.