The latest AEW pay-per-view features six title matches and an overall card that has several potential match of the year candidates. Let’s get started with the first match.
AEW World Heavyweight Championship match: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Swerve Strickland
Will Tony Khan pivot from original plans and give the title to Strickland? They did it with the Jeff Jarrett storyline, and unfortunately, the Death Riders saga just hasn't gotten any better. I find it interesting that Swerve isn’t in the Owen Hart Tournament. Surely, he’ll have a big match at All In, but as the AEW World Heavyweight Champion? I don’t see it.
If Tony Khan wanted to move away from the Death Riders angle then giving it to Swerve is not a bad idea. The Hangman is in the Owen Hart tournament, so that feud could easily lead into All In; however, oddly, Swerve just doesn’t feel like the guy right now.
As much as I want this Death Riders thing to end, I’m also interested in potential Moxley matches against Will Ospreay and Hangman Page. Personally, those would be the guys that Mox should drop the belt to. I can see a screwy finish to protect Swerve, but I just don’t see the title changing hands on Sunday. At the same time, it wouldn’t be a surprise if it did either.
Winner: Jon Moxley
AEW Women’s World Championship match: Toni Storm (c) vs. Megan Bayne
Interesting enough, this match is harder to predict than it should be. On one hand, this could be the monthly push that Tony Khan gives new AEW wrestlers when they first sign to the company.
Taya Valkyrie, Deonna Purrazzo, and Athena are prime examples of this. But it’s possible that Megan Bayne takes the top spot as Storm doesn’t need the championship. Just give her compelling feuds. At the same time, Storm still has some fresh matches waiting; Athena, Jamie Hayter, and Mercedes Mone are strong and fresh contenders for the AEW Women’s World champion, with Hayter being my pick as her All In opponent.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Megan wins here. But I don’t think she will. Sure, it kills the aura of her character if she loses this early in her run, but she can bounce back with a quality women’s feud after this. You don’t need a championship for a compelling story.
Winner: Toni Storm
AEW Trios Championship match: Pac, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta vs. “Rated FTR” Adam Copeland, Dax Harwood, and Cash Wheeler
The drama surrounding this match has put more spotlight on Dax turning heel than the trio beating Pac, Claudio, and Wheeler. If this was a couple of months ago then I would’ve picked Rated FTR, but I don’t see them dropping the belts here. There’s the possibility of Rated FTR winning and the slow burn of dissension continues for a couple more months, but I get the feeling that this is leading to a match at All In.
What match? I don’t know. I thought that Edge & Christian vs. FTR would happen as Christian Cage is having issues with his group, but there’s problems between Dax and Cash as well. Either way, The Death Riders aren’t losing here.
Winner: Pac, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta
TNT Championship match: Daniel Garcia (c) vs. Adam Cole with no time limit and no outside interference
This is a hard one. It feels like a Daniel Garcia heel turn here. He showed flashes on heel tenatics after his time limit draw. I also noticed that disqualifications and countouts are still in play. Hopefully, AEW doesn’t pull a cheap stunt like that though.
However, I can see Adam Cole winning here. In fact, Cole turning heel is another possibility. That feud with MJF really damaged him and The Undisputed Kingdom. Adam Cole feels cold right now. He will win a singles championship eventually. Garcia could use the character development as well since his run as TNT Champion has been flat. However, that blame is on AEW’s booking, not Garcia himself. This match has so many intriguing possibilities, but I feel that one result is happening here.
Winner: Adam Cole
Triple Threat match for the AEW International Championship: Kenny Omega (c) vs. Mike Bailey vs. Ricochet
The only way Kenny Omega is dropping the International Championship is if Okada interferes and attacks him. This is a Triple Threat match, so there are no disqualifications. I can see Ricochet leaving with the belt. Mike Bailey is here to just showcase to the world his talents.
I do believe that there will be a unification match for the International and Continental titles. Neither belts are necessary so it’s smart to consolidate them. That means the most obvious winner gets my pick here, though I am open to Ricochet winning as he’s firing on all cylinders right now.
Winner: Kenny Omega
ROH World Championship match: Chris Jericho (c) vs. Bandido in a title vs. mask match
It’s rare that a luchador loses his mask. Plus, I can see the beginning of the end for The Learning Tree. Chris Jericho doesn’t need the ROH World title. Though honestly, I would prefer if Bandido wasn’t put behind the ROH paywall, but this feud seems designed to put him over. Though I can’t deny that I’ll be more intrigued with Bandido if he loses this match.
Winner: Bandido
Owen Hart Foundation Tournament match: Mercedes Mone vs. Julia Hart
We’re getting Athena vs. Mercedes Mone in this tournament. Until then, Julia will be showcased strong, but Mone is walking out the winner.
Winner: Mercedes Mone
Owen Hart Foundation Tournament match: Will Ospreay vs. Kevin Knight
This will be a great showcase for Kevin Knight, but Will Ospreay is NOT losing this early in the tournament.
Winner: Will Ospreay
Owen Hart Foundation Tournament match: Kyle Fletcher vs. Mark Briscoe
There's still a good story to tell with Mark Briscoe. Plus, it's clear that Tony Khan likes the former ROH World Champion. But it would be shocking if Briscoe made it past the first round since Fletcher has been getting the push these past few months. However, a babyface is winning this tournament. Like I said before, there's a compelling story with Mark Briscoe and him facing Jon Moxley isn't a bad idea for a match. Fans like Briscoe, and there's a sympathy factor in him chasing for the world title. It can work if the story is told right. On the surface, Kyle Fletcher seems like the obvious winner, but I think Briscoe is going to pull off the upset here.
Winner: Mark Briscoe