AEW’s most brutal, out-of-control event of the year takes place in Nashville, Tennessee, this Wednesday. Will it end the power struggle between The Elite and AEW? Blood and Guts, as a match, delivers in many ways. Claret gets spilled. Viciousness and danger are guaranteed. Both in storytelling and real life, with several participants suffering injuries in the past.
There is some uncertainty about AEW’s match beyond that. It’s the gamble of the night for this week’s episode for reasons I will discuss later. I am quietly optimistic this could be the best version of the match yet, even though the storyline build has been a victim of AEW’s nirvana/pothole creative dilemma.
However, riding the momentum of a string of attention-grabbing shows gives Dynamite a strong chance to add another pearl to their string in 2024. Momentum towards Wembley is increasing. In comparison to last year’s All In, it’s starting to feel like it could be the event of the summer.
Some directions have been teased after Dynamite 250 but are not yet added to the next PPV card. With MJF scheduled to speak after becoming the new AEW International Champion, we may get confirmation of where last year’s Wembley headliner fits into August’s card.
The undercard includes two interesting prospective matchups. Chris Jericho takes on Murder Grampa Minoru Suzuki with the Learning Tree’s entourage banned from ringside. A legacy feud gets a new chapter, with Dr. Britt Baker taking on her career rival, Hikaru Shida. After Collision this weekend, this match might be the catalyst for something new. “The Glamour” Mariah May will also debut.
Cue the music!
#AEW‘s most violent match #AEWBLOODandGUTS is LIVE WEDNESDAY between #TeamAEW and #TeamElite from the @brdgstonearena in Nashville, TN at 8pm ET/7pm CT on @TBSNetwork! pic.twitter.com/zesUDRihh1
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 21, 2024
Announced Card Thus Far:
Matches announced:
- Blood and Guts: The Elite (The Young Bucks, Kazuchika Okada, Jack Perry and “Hangman” Adam Page) vs. Team AEW (Swerve Strickland, The Acclaimed, Darby Allin and Mark Briscoe)
- Dr. Britt Baker, DMD vs. Hikaru Shida
- FTW Championship: Chris Jericho vs. Minoru Suzuki
Other segments announce:
- The debut of Mariah May, “The Glamour”
- We’ll hear from the new AEW International Champion, MJF
Speculation:
- More build/match announcements for All In
- Bryan Danielson to speak/build towards All In
The Doctor Returns to the Ring
Returning ten months after returning from the ring, Dr Britt Baker will have her first match against the woman she defeated to become the AEW Women’s World Champion. Hikaru Shida issued the challenge after her referee stoppage victory over Skye Blue on Collision. An irate Shida seems to take issue with Baker’s return and demands to get a TBS Championship shot.
This plays into the pair’s history. Shida fights for honor, for the right and reason to call herself the best. Baker demands, talks, and cheats her way to victory. Shida, it seems, believes she is ahead of Baker in the pecking order, and she is somewhat right. Shida’s record in 2024 is 4-1. Baker has not wrestled once in 2024.
Yet something is changing about this rivalry and The Shining Samurai. In her interview with Lexi Nair, Shida’s demeanour was more ruthless. More aggressive. In promising to make Baker bleed again, is something about to snap in Shida? Is Shida about to turn heel?
Britt’s story of overcoming injury and a severe health scare has openly endeared the dentist even more to fans who deeply missed her presence. Ten months is a long time out of action, but against an opponent she has wrestled on eighteen occasions in various matches, this could be a great warm-up.
However, an upset over Britt could be possible. Britt is ring rusty. Shida could be about to give into the yakuza vibes displayed during a recent cosplaying photoshoot. Shida could be incredibly ruthless. Taking a loss would not necessarily, if the story was right and the turn for Shida done in such that reflects both women’s history, could add more intriguing developments to AEW’s women’s division.
New AEW International Champion, MJF- Set up for Wembley?
Last week’s opening hour of Dynamite 250 was, as I described in my #ANDNEW AEW International Champion MJF article, a match that encapsulated AEW’s past, present and future. Divisive was guaranteed. Yet the precision of the ending, the fall coming with two seconds to spare, is a feat many fans and wrestlers have dreamed of.
The story boiled down to Will Ospreay being able to beat MJF from an athletic standpoint. MJF again needed an oxygen mask, like after his match with Bryan Danielson. However, MJF will always be overcome by underhand means. Ospreay’s inability to hit the kill shot and risk seriously injuring an opponent cost the Billy GOAT again. Like on previous occasions, AEW has shown what they have to offer and teased a rematch.
Many are already fantasy booking the rematch for All In. However, what about PAC? The Bastard won an AEW International Championship shot in Calgary in the Global Four-way match. PAC said he was calling his shot for All In. This leads to several possible options.
MJF always has a lot to say. His reign as the International Champion may seem to have focused on wrestling opponents in AEW’s partnership promotions and taking a very pro-American gimmick. Already, MJF will defend his championship in CMLL. Could MJF also head to NJPW at some point?
On Wednesday night, MJF might be interrupted. Whether it’s PAC, Ospreay or both, the road to Wembley should become clearer. A dream match or rematch may be set. If it’s not MJF vs Ospreay at All In, I did suggest a potential alternative in my #AndNew piece.
At All In, I did suggest a potential alternative in my #AndNew piece.
Gamble of the Night: Blood and Guts!
Getting the negatives out of the way, AEW does have a Blood and Guts issue. The annual event, like themed WWE PLCs, feels like a destination on the calendar rather than a destination to finish a white-hot feud. I’ve praised, and I am still enjoying The Corporate Elite saga. They’ve addressed some of the criticism thrown at AEW. Something I discussed in a previous article here.
What’s undermined in this feud is the gaps in reasoning. The battle for the heart and soul of AEW is played out. This match has no meaningful stakes (which I’ve discussed here). Previous Blood and Guts have also struggled with weak endings.
I think there is potential for the outcome of Blood and Guts to have a serious effect on the rest of AEW’s summer.
The match itself, with these players involved, is guaranteed to slap for the sickos. The risks that Darby Allin and Mark Briscoe will take will highlight reel worthy. Jack Perry is a low-key hardcore psychologist. The Young Bucks know how to make a violent display. Those fans criticizing AEW’s booking of Okada as a comedy character could be about to see the smile turn into a twisted grin. The Rainmaker looks to mutilate the opponent. The Acclaimed are wildcards.
The big story may center around the two men destined to fight each other again for the AEW World Championship. The champion Swerve Strickland and the man who has made it his objective in life to end the Mogul’s reign, “Hangman” Adam Page. When thinking about AEW and cinema, no one is on the level of Hangman Page as a storyteller. Character development will happen amidst the blood.
Looking for an AEW Deep Dive?
James has also written a series that takes a deep dive into AEW’s short but impactful history. In part 1, James discussed how AEW changed the wrestling industry (here). In Part 2, James discussed how AEW’s continued existence benefits wrestlers and fans alike (here).
Part 3 has been divided into two articles. One discusses the differences between in-ring action and storytelling (here). The other excellent in-ring action is compensating for wider issues in AEW creative (here). The final part will discuss AEW’s future. Including discussing the problems that AEW faces and questions, Tony Khan will have to address. In a bonus article, James evaluates the criticism levelled at the company on social media and podcasters, as well as the company’s response (here). In the final upcoming part, James examines how, for AEW’s future, Tony Khan can compete with WWE beyond just in the ring (here).
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
Header photo – AEW – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world. As well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can catch AEW Dynamite on Wednesday nights at 8 PM ET on TBS. AEW Rampage airs on TNT at 10 PM EST every Friday night. AEW Collision airs Saturday at 8pm Eastern on TNT. More AEW content available on their YouTube.
