Jon Moxley has been the AEW World Champion for roughly six weeks.
Ever since dethroning Bryan Danielson in a transparent instance of intra-Blackpool Fight Membership politicking, icing out the “American Dragon’s” full-time profession with a plastic bag over his head, Moxley and his reconfigured faction, the Loss of life Riders, have taken the promotion by storm, icing out the Younger Bucks, beating up on the babyfaces, and getting into right into a feud with The Conglomeration that may doubtlessly culminate within the Full Gear fundamental occasion.
Since that fateful day in October, Moxley has defended his belt precisely zero instances, as a substitute presumably having Marina Shafir carry it round in a briefcase, however that hasn’t stopped the three-time World Champion from letting his presence be identified. Over his six-week reign of terror, Moxley has “taken the Tremendous Station,” reduce a half-dozen promos on how a lot he hates AEW, and simply usually been a menace to Orange Cassidy and the remainder of the babyfaces, with the whole destiny of the promotion seemingly falling on his turtle neck-covered shoulders.
Now, to his credit score, Tony Khan is all concerning the concept of operating again his 2023 All Out fundamental occasion at Full Gear, as he believes that Moxley versus OC has loads of juice left to be squeezed, however why? Effectively, as a result of the duo have historical past worthy of revisiting inside this new dynamic, as he famous on the Full Gear press convention.
“Final 12 months, whenever you take a look at the place the corporate was, they stepped up at AEW All Out right here round Chicago they usually had the nice fundamental occasion,” Khan mentioned through Wrestling Inc. “Final 12 months at Full Gear, Orange Cassidy recaptured the title. And now how a lot the corporate’s modified over a 12 months, a lot rides on this match. Orange Cassidy vs. Jon Moxley, they’re two of the best stars for the reason that starting of the corporate.”
Will this match seize the hearts and imaginations of followers in Newark, New Jersey? Sure, most likely so, however the way it’s booked might have a serious influence on the way forward for the promotion, for higher or worse. However how will it really shake out? Effectively, that will depend on how lengthy TK needs to maintain this Loss of life Riders storyline going, because it may very well be the ending or just the primary chapter of one thing way more expansive.
1. Orange Cassidy wins the AEW World Championship… simply not but
AEW World Champion Orange Cassidy – form of has a pleasant ring to it, proper?
Initially introduced into the promotion as a enjoyable comedy character who famously didn’t strive in a match till his effort in opposition to PAC, Cassidy has quickly turn into one of the vital vital wrestlers within the promotion’s historical past. His Worldwide Championship run is known for having probably the most title defenses of any title run in AEW, his matches persistently recover from with the in-arena crowd, and thru all of it, he stays a critical merch mover for a promotion with its preliminary roots within the merchandising enterprise.
And but, if there’s one factor Cassidy wants to essentially get himself over, it’s turning into the brand new face of AEW because the promotion’s World Champion.
With in depth historical past wrestling in opposition to Moxley, together with dropping the Worldwide Championship to the previous Protect member on the United Middle in Chicago earlier than efficiently defending the strap in a rematch of kinds two months later at Full Gear in Los Angeles, this match will resolve who has the all-time lead of their 50-50 sequence… no less than till they wrestle once more sooner or later.
Key phrase? Once more.
If this was a Cody Rhodes-esque scenario the place OC by no means bought to problem for the title once more if he received, or Moxley would by no means maintain the belt once more if he misplaced, the end result of this match would really feel moderately apparent. However as a result of the 2 males can wrestle once more at any level sooner or later, giving Mox a win over Cassidy now will solely make his reign look extra imposing and match the person who defeats him, be that Darby Allin, OC, or one other star like Will Ospreay, look even higher sooner or later sooner or later.
2. Bobby Lashley defeats Swerve Strickland to open up their program
Inform me in the event you’ve heard this one earlier than: a former WWE star is positioned ready of prominence inside a brand new faction and is straight away thrown in opposition to one of many greater stars in AEW in a match with quick and long-term ramifications.
That’s simply the principle occasion, proper? Sure, sir, however it’s additionally the first-ever match between Bobby Lashley and Swerve Strickland, who will probably placed on a present late within the occasion after being featured prominently within the promotional materials for Full Gear.
Now, on one hand, the concept of Strickland beating Lashley in his first-ever AEW singles match can be a serious feather in his cap, as it could successfully place him in a distinguished place inside the promotion and sure line him up for one more shot on the World Championship. Lashley nonetheless has unimaginable clout for his spectacular resume, and if the objective is one other huge Strickland run, then this is able to be the right option to kick that off.
With that being mentioned, why pull that set off now? Why not have Strickland be unable to defeat Lashley with Shelton Benjamin, MVP, and doubtlessly some Harm Syndicate reinforcements serving to them out to kick off an extended, months-spanning feud loaded with fascinating twists and turns? Strickland has confirmed he can deal with the largest storylines AEW can provide through his headlining match at Wembley Stadium, and Lashley has already mentioned he needs to wrestle for a 12 months or two extra and put some younger guys over alongside the way in which. If Strickland finally ranges up due to the Lashley rub, rising up the ranks by defeating MVP, Benjamin, and whomever else alongside the way in which, it’s going to solely lead to higher long-term prospects for the previous AEW World Champion in All Elite Land.
3. Daniel Garcia defeats Jack Perry to turn into the AEW TNT Champion.
If AEW Full Gear shakes out this fashion, with Lashley and Moxley getting huge wins over fan favorites like Strickland and Cassidy, the present has an actual probability to be a licensed bummer, proper? Possibly so, however it’s protected to imagine TK will give followers no less than one title change from dangerous to good to ship followers dwelling glad, which is sweet, contemplating all however one of many titles within the promotion proper now belongs to a heel.
Will that swap be Ricochet going over Konosuke Takshita? 50-50. Or how about Kris Statlander defeating Mercedes Mone mere miles from the place she realized to wrestle? 20-80 at finest. No, of all of the titles on the road, the one which feels most “get-able” must be the TNT Championship at the moment held by Jack Perry, who will wrestle Daniel Garcia for the strap at The Rock.
Initially linked up with the Younger Bucks and Kazuchika Okada as the brand new Elite, Perry is the one man left standing in that gimmick, with the previous opting to “do business from home” after dropping their straps to Non-public Celebration and the latter gearing up for the Continental Basic. Now kind of on his personal, AEW might “sacrifice” Perry’s run for an extended take a look at Garcia, who might convey some babyface magic and weekly competitors through one other open problem that encourages weekly watches of Dynamite or Collision.
Bonus – “Huge Growth” AJ beats QT Marshall
Come on, does this even want an evidence? Give the folks what they need: double chunk chocolate cookies and The Rizzler. Growth!
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