But as we have seen in the past with guys like Hogan, DX, Triple H, Young Bucks and others, creative control is a blight that harms everything because nobody can make someone do anything without their say so.

After watching WrestleDream this past weekend, one of the biggest problems is that too many wrestlers have creative control and Tony Khan is not checking their power.

It’s been a long-standing problem since the start of the company as Tony used it as a way to recruit talent. Sign with us and you can have creative control and full IP patents on your characters and ideas. We will be the nice promotion and not the “evil” WWE who holds wrestlers down and tells them what to do was the premise

But the problem with that is that when too many wrestlers have power, then everyone else suffers and that is what has been going on.

The Young Bucks are the perfect example as their reign with the tag titles has bordered on obscene and cringe. Each match is the same ending as they beat their opponents cleanly after hitting all their signature moves. Despite fans wanting and begging for a title change due to the staleness of the Bucks, they have creative control over their matches and results.

You want to see a new rising tag team like MXM or the OutRunners dethrone the Bucks? Sorry pal that isn’t happening nor is dropping the titles to Private Party or The Acclaimed who have been over with the fans. Creative control rules dictate that only the Bucks will determine when and who they lose to when they are good and ready.

But it’s not just the Bucks as the Main Event of WrestleDream was another instance where creative control reared its ugly head.

And boy was the ending of that main event horrible and cringe due to Moxley’s creative control.

The main reason Moxley left WWE was due to wanting to do his own things and not be tied up with WWE’s scripts and silliness. In theory that was a novel idea as most felt that Moxley would thrive being more serious and more what he was in CZW. And for a while it did work as he was one of the better things in AEW and his early reign as World Champion helped elevate the company.

But his character that is based on a Neo-Nazi skinhead played by Russell Crowd in the Australian movie Romper Stomper has drawn groans and been controversial to say the least. But the other issue is that AEW seemingly has Multiple heel groups that are trying to take over AEW or invade with all of them having some form of creative control.

From the Blackpool Combat Club, The Patriarchy, The Elite, The Learning Tree, The House of Black to the Don Callis Family, all of them have some form of creative control and get to turn down angles or matches that they don’t want to do.

It’s the reality of the issues with creative control when you let “the inmates run the asylum”, you have chaos without any order. And any plans that you have, has to be approved by them or else they will have the power to turn it down and you’re at square one..

Take the main event of WrestleDream for perfect example; according to many wrestling sources and insiders the plan was for Bryan Danielson to eventually drop the title to a younger star as a way to make him. Candidates were rumored to be either Darby Allin, Orange Cassidy, MJF or someone that was not an ex-WWE star but rather one AEW could claim as their own.

But instead thanks to Danielson and Moxley’s creative control and their friendship, Moxley defeated Danielson for the title and then beat him down to a muted crowd. What could have been something better between a beloved champion going out to a rising star and serenaded by the home crowd, was an angle that has been met with disgust and apathy.

All because Tony Khan did what Eric Bischoff did in WCW and allow the wrestlers to be able to call the shots and use creative control.

Tony’s problem has been that too often he treats that he likes as if they are his friends and his partners. He wants to be their pal and their friend instead of a mean boss and has let wrestlers reject ideas too often.

It has to stop because at the end of the day, Tony Khan is the head of AEW and their boss which means that he is the only one who should dictate what happens. If the wrestlers don’t like it, then they can leave for something better instead of getting creative control

The problem with any wrestler is that by nature they will look out for themselves due to the unwritten law of the industry. That its every man and woman for themselves and there is nobody who is going to back you up if you lose your job or can’t make ends meet.

And as we have seen, when wrestlers are allowed to have creative control, they abuse it and hurt the product. This isn’t opinion but fact as history has shown that everyone from Harley Race to Ric Flair to Hulk Hogan to Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart to even the Young Bucks have abused creative control. It is understandable as the old proverb is that “Absolute power will corrupt absolutely” and anyone who argues against, has never had power.

But this is where Tony has to take control and start putting his foot down as the product has suffered and become stale due to the creative control. Wrestlers such as Chris Jericho, The Young Bucks and even Mercedes Mone have become “TV toxic” due to their cringe characters and the creative control they influence.

It’s time for Tony to take it back as he has them over a barrel because at the end of the day, what can they do.

Do you think Mercedes or Jericho are going to give up the big pay days and go back to WWE? Fat chance as the company has shown an unwillingness to pay big money for older talent or talent that isn’t invested full time in the company.

Do you think the Young Bucks would walk from AEW and go back to New Japan or join TNA? No on your life as they have contracts that are probably triple what they could get anywhere and neither man has good standing with either company.

Even Moxley and Danielson wouldn’t go back to WWE as both men enjoy not being scripted or having to follow the “WWE rigid script” that comes with working for the company.

AEW is living proof that you can’t give creative control to everyone or else the product becomes stale. Angles are dropped at a second’s notice almost because someone has the grand notion that their idea is great. Creative control has become like a drug in which everyone seems to want it and eventually abuse it.

One of the biggest positives of Paul Levesque is that he has given WWE wrestlers more input with their character but not handed over full reigns. It allows there to be more harmony with the wrestlers but also establishing that the buck stops with management

Tony Khan has got to start reigning in the wrestlers and becoming more of a boss and less as a friend or else nothing will change. Creative control will end up drowning this company because the wrestlers want to go their own ways.

And right now, creative control is nothing more than out of control chaos with the company’s direction in the ring.

To listen to interviews from fighters, sports reporters and more check out the website at www.LastCallPodcast.com or follow me on www.twitter.com/LastCallwChrisC

The post AEW’s Creative Control problem – Tony Khan has got to start reigning in the wrestlers appeared first on NoDQ.com: WWE and AEW Coverage.

Boy, was I wrong about the whole thing and warning to everyone reading this column, this is going to be just a pure rage against stupidity and carelessness. And the sad part is that I am sober writing this but just irate at how far AEW has fallen with no end in sight.

Let’s start with the first match and just go from there; Match 1 MJF defeats Daniel Garcia. In 2021, MJF was touted as a can’t miss star and the face of AEW and with good reason as he has everything you want. He can talk, mostly looks the part of what a pro wrestler should look like, and has charisma. He was matched very well with guys like Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Chris Jericho and Hangman Page. And the truth is that when you put him in there with those guys, he didn’t just hold his own he helped elevate them.

Fast forward to 2024 and he is now paired with Daniel Garcia, a guy who doesn’t look the party, doesn’t have the charisma to match him and someone who has zero special qualities. Instead of MJF working with the bigger names and being in the world title chase scene, he has found himself on the opening card in a feud with nothing of importance

Most opening matches set the tone for the rest of the card with the caveat of not trying to do too much and burn things out. Instead, this match was 25 minutes of bleeding, kicking out of finisher moves, long extended time in submission holds and even low blows.

It did nothing but hurt MJF that a guy who is a former World champion and probably has a twenty-pound advantage barely beat a guy who looks like a middleweight. Then after beating him, MJF offers the hand of respect, tried and fails for a low bow, gets beaten down and then left lying by Garcia.

Nobody got anything out of this match as MJF looks weaker by being taken to the limit while Garcia comes up short. What made it wore was that nobody seemed to care for large portions of the match and it dragged way past the time it should have been.

We then move to the next match where the Young Bucks defeat Blackpool Combat Club to retain the Tag Titles. At this point, the Bucks are just toxic for wrestling fans as their act has grown stale, the gimmick has become staler and they are not what they once were. The match was very indy-riffic, crowd didn’t do much and to make matters worse, the Bucks win again and do so by making BCC look stupid.

By the way, we are now an hour into this Pay Per View and my prediction was that they were going to extend this to 11:30 am, which meant a FOUR and A HALF HOURS from Pre-Show to Main Event. As Mr. Tito can tell you, that is not a happy thought having to watch this driven.

The next match was Will Ospreay defeating Pac in a match filled with tons of high spots and lots of moves that made me cringe. I actually like both men but after all the talk of CTE, concussions and neck/spine injuries, watching Ospreay and Pac getting slammed and suplexed on the ring apron and mat are worrisome. Both men at times don’t sell enough to tell the story as it often feels like they are trying to get their move set in. And don’t get me started on why Ricochet (who they just signed) was not even on this card because… Tony Khan folks.

In a Chicago Street Fight, Kris Statlander defeated Willow Nightingale by submission in one of the best matches on the card. Both women used plunder without going over the top and worked to their strengths. Statlander is someone who deserves a bigger platform in AEW and Nightingale has gotten better as the year has gone along. While the action at times felt too rushed and there was seemingly zero stakes to this match, I for the most part really enjoyed it.

However, we were followed with the Four way match that AEW seems to be famous for with Kazuchika Okada defeating Orange Cassidy, Mark Briscoe and Konosuke Takeshita for the AEW Continental Championship.

Remember when TNA was rightfully blasted for wasting Okada then AEW should take heat for wasting him as well. Remember when he was touted as the big main event star by Tony Khan and signed to a big contract?

Its now been over 9 months and Okada has been turned into a smiling, middle finger flexing goof and far away from the main event scene. Gone is the Rainmaker who was considered the best in the world and instead another member of a stable with go away head.

Anyway, back to the match and like every AEW Fatal Four way, it features zero storyline sense, everyone getting in their big moves, lots of dives and basically just spot fests. If you watched this match, you probably forgot anything about it within thirty minutes of it passing because it was as generic as possible.

At this point, I was cursing the fact I paid fifty bucks for this and that because we are now at 10 pm Eastern and I realize that this card was going to at least midnight.

In a match that was as stupid and underwhelming as everyone feared, Mercedes Mone defeated Hikaru Shida for the TBS Title. The more I watch Mone, the more its clear that she is not the wrestler she was in WWE and doesn’t care as much. Blame it on wanting to be a singer/fashion designer/actress/celebrity but she just has gotten sloppy. Too often I watched the match and its clear she doesn’t have the strength to do alot of these moves. Despite Kamille being banned from Ringside, Mone beats Shida and is on pace to beating everyone in AEW. All because she has creative control which history has shown us is a bad thing in pro wrestling.

And just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, AEW found a way to outdo itself and that says something.

In the co-main event, Bryan Danielson defeated Jack Perry to retain the AEW World Title in a match that was average at best. But the worst was the after-match shenanigans which made zero sense and proves that AEW is hot shot booking. And because it was so much clutter, I figure I would list them in order

Young Bucks interfere in the match after a ref bump, beat up Bryan only to then get chased off by BCC’s Yuta and Claudio.

After beating Perry, Danielson is then jumped by Killswitch who then teases an alliance with Perry that leads to … nowhere

Christian Cage and the Patriarchy make their way to the ring, teasing Cage cashing in his Title shot contract

The Moxley and the BCC meet the Patriarchy at the ring apron, mild stare down (4 men vs. 2 men, a teen and a woman… how brave babyface-ish of the BCC) only for the Patriarchy to retreat to the back slowly

After, Danielson and the BCC hug and celebrate in the ring, Mox, Pac, Claudio and Marina Shafir jump Danielson, beat him down, choke him with a plastic bag around his head, while Yuta is held back like a small child as he is crying.

To recap, Danielson looked like an idiot, the BCC turned on him for zero reason and with no build, and the guy who is considered a “Young Pillar” takes a clean loss and comes away with nothing to gain. And that Elite are running the AEW Angle that Tony had taken a tombstone for has no payoff really.

And at this point it is past 11, we got one more match to go, and I am ready to throw the towel in and consider that nothing else on this card can upset me.

But just as I thought that, Swerve Strickland and Hangman Page made me foolish in thinking that as the next match was… It was hot garbage and literally has made me still seething.

In a Lights Out Steel Cage match, Hangman Page knocked out Swerve Strickland in what I can politely call a gutter trash match.

This match featured Swerve no selling getting stapled a half dozen times and then stapling Page in the spine, head and face. He nearly suplexed Page onto a CEMENT BLOCK in which he scraped and cut up Page’s back. (Was lucky he did snap his spine by mere inches but hey, “Enjoy all Wrestling.”)

Swerve then nearly attempted murder by taking a wooden spike and ramming it into the head of Page. After more barbwire antics, tables, plunder, Page then gets in control… and powerbombs Swerve, spine first onto the cinderblock. How nobody died at this point or got crippled is a miracle of God as it stopped being wrestling.

The ending though was the perfect way to surmise this horseshit of a match as Page first STUCK A SYRINGE INTO SWERVE’s MOUTH. A Hypodermic syringe shoved into his inner cheek that if he wasn’t lucky could have gone more inside and really killed him. And then just like AEW knows how to do because they believe in REAL Pro Wrestling… Page knocks out Swerve with an unprotected steel chair shot on Swerve’s head.

And at this point, its midnight, I am just sick to my stomach, tired and have realized that this promotion is just a lost cause.

First for the AEW sickos and diehards who refuse to criticize or blame Tony, you part of this problem and have enabled them. Countless times we have seen this promotion nearly cripple and hurt its wrestlers because of the lack of oversight, dangerous moves and nobody seems to care.

But the next person who tells me that “Enjoy Pro Wrestling” or “WWE does this” … you can go screw. This is not pro wrestling but more just a spot fest between backyard wannabes who use tables, lightbulbs, staple guns, syringe’s, cinderblocks and anything else they think is cool.

Imagine what WBD officials will think when they see highlights of this and realize they are right now in bed with this company. Honestly, if David Zazlav cancelled AEW the next day, I wouldn’t blame him as this is just embarrassing for everyone associated with this company.

But what makes it more upsetting is that after 5 years, the product has gotten worse, there is nobody who seems to have an idea how to market the product beyond the sick niche fans, and this company continues to shoot itself in the foot.

Honestly, I am praying that AEW loses its TV deal and they go under and disappear because they are doing more harm and good.

Let TNA, NWA and MLW take their spot as all three promotions are run by actual businessmen and not some rich kid who has zero idea what he is going. WWE can also take some of the talent while the rest can go to TNA and NWA and actually work wrestling matches that are (gasp) actual wrestling matches and not XPW homages.

If you try to compare WWE and AEW right now, WWE actually has legit real wrestling matches that follow what fans grew up watching. You don’t see too many wrestlers getting broken bones or concussions because of stupid moves and that is on design. Its run by adults who understand how dangerous this business is and don’t want to see someone die in the ring.

Meanwhile Tony Khan continues to allow the inmates to run the asylum and its once again a small miracle nobody has died. It nearly has happened to Matt Hardy thanks to Sammy Guevara and other wrestlers who have been dropped on their heads, but thank God for small miracles.

I end this by saying to any AEW wrestler who reads this and think I want you to lose your job and money; I would rather you become a free agent and hate my guts than have to watch you become paralyzed or maimed. All because some sickos and a rich child playing promoter thinks its a “cool” spot. I am sorry but I just care for your well being too much to see you ruin your health for nothing.

To listen to interviews from fighters, sports reporters and more check out the website at www.LastCallPodcast.com or follow me on www.twitter.com/LastCallwChrisC

The post ALL OUT 2024 Review: AEW = XPW appeared first on NoDQ.com: WWE and AEW Coverage.

AEW All Out 2022 will be…interesting.

While I can admit that the show hasn’t had the greatest build-up compared to prior years, the event still has the ability to be one of the best of the year. As with any new company (yes, compared to WWE and many others, AEW is still pretty brand-new), there will be growing pains. This has led many to believe that for some reason, AEW is on a downward spiral to the end.

They said the same thing about TNA nearly 20 years ago, and they nowhere near had the star-power, finances, exposure, and TV deals that AEW currently has.

However, with the backstage changes implemented by Tony Khan, some beefs being squashed, and a stupidly full card, AEW has the opportunity to get back on track after Sunday.  With that, let’s dig in.

–

Pre-Show Matches

Tomohiro Ishii vs. Eddie Kingston

Who will win: Eddie Kingston
Who should win: Eddie Kingston

History: Ishii and Kingston first squared off at New Japan’s Capitol Collision on May 14th, 2022 in Washington D.C. After a hard-hitting affair with LOTS of chops, Ishii came out victorious.

If you like classic Puroresu, you’re going to like this match. I can see these two square off for a third time either on Dynamite, or in Japan for a future NJPW event. Don’t sleep on this match; for anyone fans who don’t know who Ishii is, they’re in for a treat.

Hook (c) vs. “Cool Hand” Angelo Parker – FTW Championship

Who will win: Hook
Who should win: Hook

History: Parker and Menard have been an annoyance to Hook over the past few weeks, and well, that’s really it. Which is fine; Hook is still in the stage of being well protected while still looking very dominant over his opponents.

Expect a very quick, yet enjoyable, Hook victory here.

PAC (C) vs. Kip Sabian – AEW All Atlantic Championship

Who will win: PAC
Who should win: Kip Sabian

History: Sabian has been wearing the “Underrated, Over it” box on his head for nearly a year now after being wrecked by Miro in April of 2021. As of recent, Sabian had been following PAC around and showing up in-person (in-box) for his title defenses. On the 8/24 Dynamite, Sabian revealed himself and attacked PAC, thereby setting this match up.

Lest we forget, Kip Sabian is very, very good in the ring. While I don’t think TK will take the title off of PAC so quickly, I don’t believe it would hurt him if he lost to Sabian.  Even if through heelish and dastardly tactics, Sabian returning with a championship victory would be a greater benefit than losing his first match back.

–

Main Show

Ladder Match for AEW Championship shot: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Rey Fenix vs. Rush vs. Dante Martin vs. Andrade El Idolo vs. Penta vs. Wheeler Yuta vs. a mystery entrant.

Who will win: Dante Martin or Adam Cole (mystery entrant)
Who should win: MJF

History: None. It’s a #1 contenders match.

Yes, everyone might THINK MJF is going to be the mystery participant. In a booking sense, this would be fantastic. MJF wins a future championship shot to either cash in the very same night, or hold it over everyone’s head in his return. But my gut tells me that this simply won’t happen.

That being said, Dante Martin is a solid choice to win if not the mystery opponent. While he’s not ready to win a major championship yet, it only keeps his momentum going to face an opponent like Moxley or Punk in a future show. Martin is one of many young stars this company will need to build moving forward.

But in all reality, I think it will be a returning Adam Cole. he’s due for a return, and SHOULD be in the world title picture anyway. He’s my pick outside of announced participants.

Jade Cargill (c) vs. Athena – TBS Championship

Who will win: Jade Cargill
Who should win: Athena

History: For months now, Athena and Kris Statlander have been in a feud with Jade’s “baddies”. With Statlander now out due to injury, as well as Red Velvet, this match sets itself up.

It’s not that I think Athena SHOULD win the match, but rather, who is left for Jade to defeat? Yes, you want someone Jade can drop the title to that will give said young talent a boost. However, nobody in the women’s division really fits that bill at the moment. Athena’s win leaves a fresh set of opponents to challenge for the TBS Championship, and frees up Cargill for a future AEW Women’s Championship feud down the road. But something tells me this simply won’t happen yet.

Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Ricky Starks

Who will win: Powerhouse Hobbs
Who should win: Powerhouse Hobbs

History: After literal years together as a part of Team Taz, Hobbs hit his breaking point after Starks lost the FTW championship to Hook. In a surprise betrayal, Hobbs clobbered Starks in the back of his (once injured) neck a few weeks ago on Dynamite. This sets up this grudge match between two former friends.

Let’s be honest — both of these dudes could be future main eventers; sooner than later. Let’s also be clear: Starks doesn’t need to win this match. This is a case where the heel needs to go over and look strong. AEW needs good heels to give Wardlow some legitimate competition for his TNT Championship; and a monster Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Wardlow at Full Gear could tear the house down.

Future booking aside, creating sympathy for a babyface Ricky Starks in a loss with a ‘powerful’ performance by Hobbs will only strengthen both competitors in the end.

FTR & Wardlow vs. Jay Lethal & Motor City Machine Guns

Who will win: FTR & Wardlow
Who should win: FTR & Wardlow

History: None. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Let’s face it; Khan dropped the ball a little here with FTR and Wardlow. You have three of your most over faces and you have basically nothing to do with them. Don’t get me wrong; I love the Motor City Machine Guns in this match, and I think they’re one of the best tag teams in the last decade. An FTR/MCMG match down the road would be nothing short of incredible.

But with that, this was pretty hastily thrown together. I don’t expect anything more than the faces to come out victorious in a match to appease the live crowd.

Jungle Boy vs. Christian Cage

Who will win: Christian Cage
Who should win: Jungle Boy

History: After long managing the former AEW Tag Team Champions in Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus, Cage would turn his back on “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry on a June 15th episode of Dynamite. After Luchasaurus seemingly sided with Christian in Perry’s absence, it would be revealed that in the end, Luchasaurus is still loyal to Jungle Boy. After Christian Cage and Jungle Boy have now publicly traded a slew of personal potshots, this match promises to be one of the more emotionally driven contests of the night.

I want this feud to end, and for Jungle Boy to pick up the W, and move on to bigger and better things. This is a future star in the works. However, I don’t think we’re getting that at All Out. I think we’re getting the Luchasaurus double-turn, as he will finally reveal his ultimate true colors and cost Jungle Boy the match setting up a long-winded road to redemption for Jungle Boy culminating at Full Gear. This wouldn’t be a bad story, and I support the storyline overall — I’m a sucker for long-term booking —  but more of me feels that Perry just needs to move on as a future major player.

House of Black vs. Darby Allin, Sting and Miro

Who will win: Allin, Sting, & Miro
Who should win: House of Black

History: This has been a feud months in the making from multiple mini-feuds. From Brody King’s 7/2 victory over Allin in a Battle Royal, to their coffin match — to Black’s black mist spat into the face of Miro in late June – to the same black mist spit into to the face of Sting. Sting now wears a dark spot on his face paint similar to what Julia Hart had for some time. These six are all very talented, and should put on a hell of a match.

So why do I think House of Black should get the W? I’m biased, and Malaki Black is my personal favorite. Other than that, I just want this stable to gain some momentum moving into 2023. While it’s possible Sting “turns” on his teammates due to Black’s mist; it’s also a bit late in his career for character change. Miro and Black need wins more than anyone, and as long both look strong, perhaps a clear-cut winner isn’t as important here.

Chris Jericho vs. Bryan Danielson

Who will win: Chris Jericho
Who should win: Chris Jericho

History: Danielson’s Blackpool Combat Club and Jericho’s Jericho Appreciation Society haven’t been getting along for months now. This match stems from their Blood and Guts match on the June 29th Dynamite. After Danielson took some time off due to the match itself, he faced JAS’s Daniel Garcia in his return match. Garcia surprisingly defeated Danielson, which setup a second match between the two, which resulted in a loss for Garcia.

However, after gaining the respect of Danielson, the “American Dragon” referred to Garcia a “wrestler” and not a “sports entertainer”. Garcia’s loyalty between Jericho and Danielson has been teased for weeks now going into this match.

The bottom line is this: Daniel Garcia makes a better heel than a face. Like many young stars in AEW (Starks, Perry, Allin, Hobbs, Guevara, Wardlow, Hook, etc.), Garcia has a spot in the same conversation. But he’s just a natural heel; at least in this point in his career; which is why he will cost Danielson the match in the end and remain a heel.

Swerve in Our Glory (c) vs. The Acclaimed – AEW World Tag Team Championship

Who will win: Swerve in Our Glory
Who should: Swerve in Our Glory

History: Lee and Strickland likes The Acclaimed, so they offered them tag team title shots.

Yeah, not great. However, with so much story being played out in other contests, it’s not so bad to just turn up the fun factor and enjoy this match for just that — FUN. These are four great talents, and while it’s not The Acclaimed’s time yet, they aren’t that far away. Their stock is only growing in AEW, and i could see them holding gold by the end of 2023 at the rate they’re going.

Toni Storm vs. Dr. Britt Baker vs. Jamie Hayter vs. Hikaru Shida – AEW Interim Women’s World Championship

Who will win: Toni Storm
Who should win: Jamie Hayter

History: Thunder Rosa and Britt Baker do not like each other. Whether or not this beef is based in reality is irrelevant, but is the base for this match in some ways. At Forbidden Door, Rosa would defeat Storm in a banger of a match. From this, a respectful alliance formed between Storm and Rosa, and they started to team together. However, Baker and Hayter soon became involved with the duo, and shenanigans ensued, leading to the four to feud with each other. With Rosa’s sudden injury, this four-way presents itself in what should be a pretty damn good match. Baker and Storm are real life good friends, and Storm, Hayter, and Shida, have all worked in Stardom in Japan.

Stardom is simply amazing, but that’s besides the point…

With the injury to Kris Statlander seemingly taking her out of title contention in a match with Thunder Rosa (rumored original plans), Storm was put in her place instead. Originally, Storm was allegedly slated to pick up the win here. However Rosa’s injury now gives ample opportunity to change course.

Storm doesn’t need to win this title — not yet. Why not have Hayter win it in a total upset? In case you didn’t know, Jamie Hayter is actually great on the mic, and is proven to be great in-ring. She can easily carry a world championship.

There is a built-in story here with Hayter’s win, as a win will instantly create conflict between her and Baker. This also sets up future world title bangers between challengers for Hayter, including Storm and Shida separately. If anything, friction between her and Britt could lead to Hayter joining the Blackpool Combat Club, as she has mentioned in past non-AEW interviews.

But my faith in Khan booking women is next to non-existent. So he’ll do the easy thing here and just give it to Toni Storm. :/

AEW World Trios Championship: Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks vs. The Dark Order

Who will win: The Dark Order
Who should win: The Dark Order

Now I am assuming that The Dark Order, now with “Hangman” Adam Page as their partner, wins their match on Rampage to advance to the finals. I will re-write this section if wrong…

History: Where do I begin?

The Elite have consisted of The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, and Adam Page long before AEW ever came to fruition. Page and Omega held the tag team titles throughout 2020, which would lead to Omega’s eventual heel turn. After Omega defeated Page at a Full Gear eliminator in late 2020, he would go one to have a hell of a run as AEW World Champion.

However, Page would return the favor on Omega in their match at Full Gear 2021, capturing the AEW World Championship. Throughout this entire ordeal, Page was in and out of The Elite; but consistently befriended by The Dark Order. Page and The Dark Order have had an alliance now for well over a year. So when the Bucks approached Page to be their third partner before their first round trios match on a recent Dynamite, Page politely declined, as he didn’t plan to be in the tournament at all.

Enter a returning Kenny Omega to partner with the Bucks, and now they find themselves in the finals to face the winners of The Best Friends and The Dark Order on Friday’s Rampage. But with “10” and Evil Uno now out, this left John Silver and Alex Reynolds without a third partner.

Enter Adam Page, who agreed to be their third on this week’s Dynamite…

LONG-TERM BOOKING.

There is so much history here between Page’s former group and his current one, including the quiet tension between himself and Kenny Omega. This WILL be a hell of a wrestling match. However, Kenny Omega (in-story) is still not 100%, as alluded to by Don Callis this week. This will leave the trio just vulnerable enough for the Dark Order to pick up the win here.

This not only gives Silver and Reynolds a much deserved championship, but gives a respectful bow to Brodie Lee and The Dark Order as an AEW mainstay. Unless for some reason Khan has the Dark Order lose their match on Rampage, then clearly, The Elite will become the first ever Trios Champions — but I simply do not see that happening.

Jon Moxley (c) vs. CM Punk – AEW World Championship

Who will win: C.M. Punk
Who should win: C.M. Punk

History: Again, where to start? Between the dirtsheets losing their shit over whether or not Punk is causing chaos backstage and causing division, to potential real-life heat between Moxley and Punk, there are many interlacing stories here.

When Punk returned to face Moxley to unify the AEW World Championship on Dynamite a week ago, the world was shocked that it was a mere squash match after a worked injury by Punk. An open challenge by Moxley on this week’s Dynamite led to a fiery, yet emotional segment between Punk and trainer Ace Steel, where Punk accepted the challenge, even if not his usual “100%”.

So how do you book this match?

If Moxley wins, Punk ends up looking like a bit of a loser who came (again) too early, and was out-wrestled by a hot, and forever pissed off, Jon Moxley. You can’t book Punk to lose (clean) in his hometown on the biggest night of the year for AEW.

But context is king. 

In my mind, this goes one of two ways, and both involve a returning MJF. Because at this point, a result from this match where either one or the other win/lose and nothing more, leaves this entire feud with an unsatisfactory result. There needs to be a giant payoff.

1. MJF returns to help an injured, and barely surviving, C.M. Punk WIN his match against Moxley.
2. MJF returns after winning the Casino Battle Royal, challenges the winner on-the-spot, and WINS.

The first one makes the most sense. MJF not only helps turn C.M. Punk heel, but he can do so in the context that he was “helping his hero” overcome Jon Moxley — who MJF has a past history with. Of course, MJF is full of shit here, and does so do undermine the Chicago crowd and now holds Punk forever in his debt; leading to an eventual title match anyway.

And yes, MJF can still win the Casino Battle Royal with #1 applied as well.

If the match doesn’t end in this, or any variation of, then the main event risks being a semi-failure.

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Going Home

What a night this will be for AEW, the fans, the talent, and most importantly, Tony Khan.

This is his chance to “set things right” in his locker room. While I don’t believe there is complete chaos backstage, there is likely some truth to issues behind-the-scenes. As many AEW talent have alluded to, it’s not as bad a the internet makes it out to be, and AEW will certainly be around for quite some time. Any new company has growing pains.

But Khan can’t afford to keep losing momentum. Injuries have plagued his roster, and with WWE starting to (finally) improve under the helm of Helmsley, AEW doesn’t need a misstep.

AEW Out 2022 can still shape up to be the best PPV of the year so far — but it needs to get everything right. With that, it’s still an amazing time to be wrestling fan. Enjoy your Labor Day Weekend! Lets. Fucking. Go!

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