With only days to go until AEW All Out, the card is nearly set. The groundwork for many of these matches was teased and set well in advance.
There will likely be more additions to the PPV card on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday night. After the Cardiff go-home AEW Dynamite, here’s hoping for another excellent showcase of in-ring action, and final big developments with angles and promos.
It wouldn’t be AEW without some kind of controversy. Last week’s episode came with Jack Perry answering Bryan Danielson’s challenge for the AEW World Championship in Chicago. Perry remains divisive for some, partly due to his role in The Elite and issues with a Chicago native last year.
I’m going to save an analysis of this potential match-up for the All Out preview. However, when I recently discussed fresh dream match opponents Danielson should face before retirement, I did mention Perry.
After Perry attacked and beat down Danielson last week, both Perry and Danielson have the chance to prove doubters wrong. It’s hardly the first time either man has had to do this.
All Out could have a double or triple main event like Double or Nothing. Beyond the AEW World Championship match, the huge steel cage rematch between Swerve Strickland and “Hangman” Adam Page is the continuation of one of the most violent and deepest storylines in recent AEW history.
What happens between these two fierce rivals on Wednesday?
Also, with the return of Jon Moxley and his ominous comment that “this is not your company anymore”, what’s next for The Death Rider? Mox has Marina Shafir on his side.
Who else might join him? With the Blackpool Combat Club and PAC in action and in the building also, will there be some clarity on Moxley’s relationship with the group?
AEW Dynamite Announced Card Thus Far:
Matches announced:
- AEW Women’s World Championship: Mariah May vs. Nyla Rose
- AEW Trios Champions, PAC, Wheeler Yuta and Claudio Castagnoli vs. Will Ospreay, Kyle O’Reilly and Orange Cassidy.
Speculation:
- We will learn more about Jon Moxley’s new agenda and faction?
- Darby Allin to respond to Jon Moxley’s call out from last week.
- Further build and developments heading to All Out.
Beauty vs. Native Beast
The AEW Women’s World Championship match has been given a very cinematic subheading. Very befitting of The Glamour’s persona and history.
Don’t expect romance and flowers between the new women’s champion, Mariah May and her opponent. “The Native Beast” Nyla Rose finds herself positioned as the first challenger for the new women’s champion.
On the one hand, AEW’s women’s division has evolved into a stronger position than previous attempts (which you can read about here). And yet, the trope of using Rose as a new champion’s first defense as a former women’s champion feels transparent.
On the other hand, Rose’s size, strength, and uniqueness are something the new champion has yet to encounter. A challenger who won’t easily crumble with a headbutt or a shotgun dropkick.
A challenger who can take punishment and won’t be pushed around as easily as the women that May has previously bullied before beating. Rose will be the toughest challenge Mariah will face.
So, from an in-ring standpoint, this is going to push the new champion to a longer and more layered match-up. On a meta-level, this will show how (like last week with Ricochet) prepared May is to lead the division.
Besides Rose’s power, it’s also going to be a chance for May to demonstrate her cold calculating character. In previous contests, her icy demeanor and quick start attacks on her opponents are something new in the division.
In the face role, Rose’s wit mid-matches can lead to memorable moments. Rose commenting on Mercedes Mone’s attempt to suplex her was a standout moment of their TBS Championship match.
This isn’t going to be pretty, but it may help establish the division’s new leading lady. Before or post-match, could Mina Shirakawa finally confront May?
The credits have yet to roll on May vs. Toni Storm.
Jon Moxley’s New Direction – What’s Next?
Since losing the AEW International Championship, Moxley as a character has felt trapped in a storyless cycle. The version of Mox who is the greatest transitional champion of modern wrestling has been absent.
His performances since that point, for me, have been somewhat soulless. Excellent in the ring but the constant hard-man character, pounding his fists into opponent’s heads has been unemotive.
A bit parasocial to assume but it felt like Mox himself was bored. After finally taking a break, the creator of Death Jitsu has direction and seems engaged.
Reportedly, Moxley’s persona changes are inspired, according to Bryan Alvarez, by the Australian cult film “Romper Stomper” with Russell Crowe. One of its famous lines, “This is not your country”, inspired the end of last week’s return promo.
A clear vehicle for Moxley’s personal preferences and ideas of what wrestling could be, a new faction seems imminent. The inclusion of Marina Shariff, a wrestler Moxley has mentored and championed behind the scenes, brings up the question: Who else could be recruited?
Some have speculated that perhaps Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport alumni could be involved. Some have speculated the involvement of the former Hurt Business members, or the Shane McMahon.
However, other talented MMA-influenced hard-hitters on the AEW and ROH roster could also be utilized. Darby Allin?
Allin was named in Moxley’s promo. On Wednesday, these two may come face to face.
Or we will hear from one or both men. Does Moxley want Allin on his side?
Or could Moxley be setting himself up as Allin’s next opponent? Although both men have teamed with each other and been opponents, a feud between these two has not happened.
Banger of the Night: Trios Action
Seeing some combination of The Conglomeration in multi-man action has become a trope. Your mileage for these matches will vary.
However, this tweak to the formula, replacing Roderick Strong and Undisputed Kingdom with the new trios champions and adding AEW International Champion, Will Ospreay, could elevate it.
Pun is very much intended! Consider the individuals involved.
Their mixture of styles. The various combinations of the historic chemistry between partners and opponents.
It screams banger. A preview of PAC vs. Ospreay?
After last week’s poisonrana sneak attack? Yes, please.
Enough time has passed between Orange Cassidy and The BCC members to have some fun callbacks from their matches last year. Kyle O’Reilly in mini-match scenarios with Wheeler Yuta, PAC, and Claudio Castagnoli.
It sounds fun. And that’s without considering the wider storyline potential heading in and out of this match.
For starters, the stakes. The champions, like their challengers, are only two-thirds of a seasoned unit.
How will PAC co-exist with The BCC men? If the champions lose, does it set up a title match and challengers?
News post-All In stated Death Triangle was originally slated to win. The Lucha Brothers are done with AEW (click the links to read about their AEW highlights and their ceiling), how long does this reign go?
What’s the longer story after All Out? To connect back to Moxley’s return, how might Mox perhaps be a factor?
Before, during or post-match? Could someone like Ospreay and The Conglomeration be targeted?
What else might happen to stoke the fire between The Bastard and the Aerial Assassin after last week’s sneak attack? Is All Out’s International Championship match a one-and-done affair between of Britain’s best hybrid?
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
