All Elite Wrestling comes our way live from Jacksonville, Florida. Last week, the first round of the AEW number one contender tournament began and concluded, Britt Baker unhinged her opponent’s jaw, Cody talked about getting swole, MJF & Jericho put on a high school theatre worthy musical, and The Young Bucks won the chance to face FTR for the championships.
This Week’s Headliner:
For the past several months, AEW has been booking and building Orange Cassidy into a star. Frankly, all he lacks now is gold around his waist. Tonight could be his opportunity to rectify that situation and win the TNT Championship from Cody.
But it wouldn’t be an OC match without some kind of over the top basically unnecessary gimmick; thus, tonight’s match is going to be a lumberjack match.
Look, I’m really torn here; OC should win, but it’s Cody, and, frankly, Cody is turning into AEW’s version of LOL CENA WINS.
It makes TONS of sense for Orange Cassidy to win this belt and practically NO reason for Cody to hold it. Hell, even Cody is proselytizing on how he gained weight to be a heavyweight contender. He doesn’t need a mid-card belt, and he certainly doesn’t need to beat Orange Cassidy, practically wiping away all those hard months of turning the comedy genius into a bonafide wrestling threat. Sure, he can’t “technically” challenge for the main belt, but he owns the company, so I’m sure he’ll find a way.
JUST GIVE THE BELT TO ORANGE CASSIDY YOU COWARDS!
The Title Scene:
After some heartfelt, Emmy-worthy promos from both The AEW Champion, Jon Moxley, and his former friend, Eddie Kingston, we learned that the two will face-off at Full Gear in an “I quit” match. Tonight, Eddie faces off with Matt Sydal, but let’s call this what it is - a practice match. And you know Moxley can’t help himself. I’m sure he’ll be somewhere in the building “watching,” aka ready to stir up trouble.
Well, who knows what’s going on with the AEW Women’s Championship, but tonight the freshly signed Serena Deeb will be defending her new NWA women’s championship against Leyla Hirsh. It seems clear that Deeb will win, but what is still sketchy on the details is just what this seemingly ongoing partnership with NWA and AEW will mean for the whole roster. More specifically, the women’s division. The NWA writers are clearly more adept at writing for women, and at this point, it may result in better matches if AEW just hands the division off to them.
With less than two weeks left before Full Gear and absolutely ZERO effort once again put into the women’s title scene, I expect we’ll get another bout of champion vs. champion on the PPV.
In last week’s main event, The Young Bucks won their four-way scramble and officially earned the chance to challenge for the Tag Team Championships at Full Gear. FTR preceded to “congratulate” The Bucks on their win by offering them beers they clearly didn’t want and then trying to break Matt Jackson’s leg with the help of their manager, Tully Blanchard.
Tonight expect a medical update on The Young Bucks, a pissed off promo, and, perhaps, a little bit of revenge.
Other Things to Keep an Eye On:
-The Inner Circle decides whether to extend a membership invitation to MJF. Unclear as to whether or not this will happen in song.
-TNT #1 Contender Tournament semifinals are tonight. Kenny Omega will face off with Penta El Zero while his former tag team partner, Hangman Adam Page, will face Wardlow. The road to Hangman vs. Omega continues.
-Is the Dark Order going soft? They actually took care of Colt Cabana after his loss to Hangman Page last week! Wholesome!
-Matt Hardy is set to DELETE Sammy Guevara at Full Gear. Will we get a sneak peek into the madness tonight?
-Ricky Starks being mad at Darby Allin.
-Will Britt Baker find a way to torture Tony while reminding Shida that she is climbing the ranks?
Tune into AEW on TNT at 8 p.m. EST to see how this all plays out!