Buy-In: Ethan Page and The Gunns vs The Hardys and Hook
Back story
The Firm owned Matt Hardy and Private Party’s contracts, but they won their way out of it after pretending to be aligned with Page and The Firm for months. This has been an undercard feud with a lot of groundwork being laid on Dark Elevation at first and then Rampage.
Now, Page’s contract is on the line. Not sure they deal Hook his first loss in a Trios match, but I really think Page and the Gunns should win here. Then, you move Hook into a real singles feud with Page while the Hardys re-enter the tag division in a feud with The Gunns.
Prediction
Ethan Page and The Gunns
House of Black (c) vs TBA - AEW Trios Championships
Back Story
Open House Rules Challenge. I’m loving everything about the House of Black right now.
Prediction
House of Black retains over The Acclaimed
Blackjack Battle Royal - AEW International Championship
Back story
Orange Cassidy has become the workhorse champion of champions defending his title 20+ times since winning it from PAC last October. While his reign has been lacking in long-term feuds, the overarching story is that he is running himself into the ground with weekly defenses, and we’re not sure how much longer he can keep this up. His last few wins have been by the skin of his teeth and with his “injured” hand he hasn’t hit the Orange Punch or Beach Break with full effectiveness in over a month.
It’s tough for me to see his reign coming to an end in a Battle Royal, but I could certainly see him scrapping his way to the final two, battling for a while, and having him finally run out of gas. He certainly wouldn’t look weak for losing this match.
Still, I think he comes out on top, but loses the title very soon.
Prediction
Orange Cassidy
Christian Cage vs Wardlow (c) - Ladder Match for the TNT Championship
Back story
Since the return of Christian Cage and Luchasaurus, Christian’s eyes have been set on Wardlow’s TNT Title. The bad guy with the henchman wants the title, and the good guy fights to retain. With this being a ladder match, I actually think we might see Christian win this one, which I don’t mind at all. Still, if Wardlow can pull off the win in a match that Christian helped make famous, that would be quite the notch on his belt.
Still, if Christian wins, maybe we see them reignite something with Jack Perry. Although, I have an inkling that Jack may be heading down a different path post-DoN.
Prediction
Christian Cage
Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal vs FTR (c) - Mark Briscoe as Special Guest Referee for the AEW World Tag Team Championships
Back story
These two teams came together due to FTR and Jay Lethal’s mutual friendship with Mark Briscoe. Lethal and Jarrett have been the classic old school heels throughout, outsmarting FTR along the way, and repeatedly gaining the upper hand.
While I enjoy their heel antics, Lethal and Jarrett shouldn’t be tag champs. This is a side quest for FTR.
Prediction
FTR
Toni Storm vs Jamie Hayter(c) - AEW Women's World Championship
Back story
Jamie Hayter defeated Toni Storm back in December at Full Gear for what was then referred to as the interim title. Immediately following Hayter’s win, Thunder Rosa relinquished her title, and Hayter became the undisputed champ. Storm was referred to as interim champ for her entire reign despite the fact that she is now recognized as the lineal champ for her time.
Since then, Storm turned heel and formed the Outcasts with Saraya while Hayter and Britt have beat the odds to not only remain friends, but to turn face together.
Hayter is dinged up and nobody knows the full extent at this juncture. I think there’s a decent chance Toni wins the title back, not only because of the injury, but because the Outcasts need a jolt, and Hayter winning the title back at Wembley would be a huge moment.
Prediction
Toni Storm
Taya Valkyrie vs Jade Cargill (c) - TBS Championship
Back story
Taya debuted two months ago and immediately drew the ire of Jade Cargill due to their finishers being the same. Jade got a cease a desist that disallowed Taya from using the move, and here we are.
Jade has really cooled off recently, and I think a lot of that has to do with them keeping her separated from all the main eventers.
They need to remedy that post-DoN.
Prediction
Jade Cargill
Adam Cole vs Chris Jericho - Unsanctioned Match
Back story
Cole won his return match against JAS member, Daniel Garcia, and Jericho didn’t care for the extent to which he celebrated. After a few weeks of side-eying each other, the two finally came to a head. Jericho orchestrated a brutal attack on Britt Baker by the Outcasts while Cole was handcuffed to the ropes.
In the weeks since, Roddy Strong debuted to help Adam against Jericho and JAS, and for the Unsanctioned Match, Cole has brought in Sabu to help even the odds.
Cole seems to be heading toward MJF and the title while Jericho has been losing quite a bit since December when he lost the ROH Title. I think that trend continues with a Cole victory and JAS inches closer to their inevitable end.
Prediction
Adam Cole
The Elite vs Blackpool Combat Club - Anarchy in the Arena
Back story
This all started when Moxley legit KO’d Page in a title match back in October. Upon Page’s return the two traded wins in a series of physical matches before Page eventually gained the final singles victory against Mox in Texas Death at Revolution.
This story is about far more than Mox and Page though. This is about the reunion of Hangman Page with The Elite. BCC and The Elite are fighting for the soul of AEW. Omega was left out to dry by his long-time friend, Don Callis, who had also involved Takeshita in this feud prior to his turn (more on him later). Bryan Danielson returned after some time off following his IronMan loss to MJF at Revolution and has been the hard-nosed, ruthless leader of the BCC.
I think BCC wins this match with help from a returning Takeshita, which sets up the debut of Kota Ibushi for Blood and Guts.
Prediction
BCC
Jack Perry vs Sammy Guevara vs Darby Allin vs MJF (c) - 4 Pillars Match for the AEW World Championship
Back story
Jack Perry… Sammy Guevara… Darby Allin… MJF… The four pillars of AEW. They’ve each had wildly different paths that brought them here. Jack, finding success in the tag division, Darby and Sammy battling over the TNT title, and Max reaching the pinnacle (pun intended)
Since the Dynamite after Revolution, it was clear this is where we were heading. They swerved us a few times with Guevara and MJF briefly aligning before that ultimately blew up and led to the match we see on the card.
There’s a reason MJF was the one to reach the mountain top first, these other guys aren’t quite ready. Still, this build has given each a chance to shine and grow. Darby looks the most ready for this maine vent feud, but I’d argue Sammy has shined the most throughout. That leaves Jack, who has been teasing a dark turn.
I have little doubt that MJF is winning this one, but this has the potential to be an outstanding match, and AEW typically finds a way to make me believe anything can happen and anyone can win during the course of their matches.
My big question is, what’s next? Is it Cole? Punk? Okada at Forbidden Door?
Prediction
MJF
