AEW All In Preview, Where Titles are Poised to Change
As the wrestling world mourns the loss of Terry Funk and Bray Wyatt, a much-needed distraction will arrive this weekend with AEW’s All In pay-per-view.
Sunday’s show will be a celebration of pro wrestling as more than 80,000 people are expected to fill Wembley Stadium in London. So as we continue to process the deaths of two beloved men who dedicated their lives to pro wrestling, it will be good for the soul to watch–and cheer or critique or laugh and cry–what is unfolding in the ring, instead of the tragedy occurring outside of it.
The nine-match pay-per-view also includes two more on the pre-show for a total of eleven matches.
Here are my predictions for All In, beginning with the world title match:
AEW champion MJF vs. Adam Cole
MJF defends the world title against Adam Cole in the main event of All In.
I have a sneaking suspicion that we’ll see outside interference from The Kingdom. Though I am a fan of Matt Taven, Maria, and Mike Bennett, I question whether adding them into this spot is the right move. By no means is that an indictment of their talent, but it is difficult to insert three new faces into the main event.
Since we’re here, MJF and Cole also kick off the pre-show with a tag title bout against Ring of Honor champions Aussie Open. The storyline between MJF and Cole has surpassed expectations, so it makes sense to have them win the ROH belts. Then, no matter what happens in the main event, the two will still be interconnected (plus, it gives people more of a reason to watch ROH while they are champs).
Courtesy AEW
As for the world title match, my gut tells me we’re crowning a new champion. Perhaps, this time, the story will be that MJF made a rare mistake by putting his trust in someone–and Cole will capitalize on that. Either way, the visual of 80,000 people screaming “Bay Bay!” should be spectacular.
Prediction: Adam Cole
****
AEW women’s champion Hikaru Shida vs. Toni Storm vs. Dr. Britt Baker vs. Saraya
I’ll preface this by saying that I think a lot of titles are going to change hands on Sunday. Tony Khan is a difficult booker to predict; unlike WWE or New Japan, where there is a certain protocol and pattern that makes it easier to foresee title changes, Khan is a bit more unpredictable.
With that being the case, am I crazy to see an unexpected finish here?
Courtesy AEW
Hikaru Shida won the title three weeks ago, and she appears to be establishing herself for a long run. Yet I get the sense it is going to be interrupted for a week as Saraya pulls off the surprise victory at All In.
I could be wrong. Saraya, who was Paige in WWE, is now limited by the plethora of injuries she suffered over the course of her career. But this show is in London, not too far from her hometown of Norwich, and I think the plan here will be to give her a title win.
Prediction: Saraya
****
Tag team champions FTR vs. The Young Bucks
This should be extraordinary.
FTR and The Young Bucks have only wrestled twice before, and both of those matches were excellent. But neither was quite perfect. The first was during the pandemic in front of a small crowd, and Nick Jackson of the Bucks had just battled a bout with Covid. The rematch was outstanding, but it was on Dynamite so it did not have the flexibility of a pay-per-view to fully flesh out the story in the ring.
Unfortunately, this one isn’t perfect either, as FTR’s Cash Wheeler was arrested last week, which casts a shadow over this match. Yet that may even motivate these four to be even better.
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All four members of this match are highly fueled by the idea that they are part of the best tag team in the world. The Bucks and FTR put an immense amount of pressure on their shoulders to live up to that standard, which will help bring this match to an even greater height.
Following Wheeler’s arrest, I cannot see FTR retaining the belts. Plus, the original All In was helped created by the Bucks, so a title celebration at Wembley would be a fitting moment for them.
Prediction: The Young Bucks
****
Sting and Darby Allin vs. Swerve Strickland and Christian Cage in a Coffin Match
Over the past few weeks, I have noticed a common theme in my interviews.
In my conversation with New Japan star Hiromu Takahashi, he expressed his desire to wrestle Darby Allin.
In an interview with CM Punk, he singled out Darby Allin as the future of AEW.
Courtesy AEW
The future is now. Allin is special, and hopefully he will take the majority of dangerous bumps, keeping those spots far away from Sting. Adding Christian Cage gives more star power to this match, and it should serve as another stop on Darby’s highlight reel.
Prediction: Sting and Darby Allin
****
CM Punk vs. Samoa Joe
CM Punk is wrestling as the real world champion, a storyline that should gain more momentum after this match if Punk pursues a title unification bout.
For now, the story is the history between Punk and Samoa Joe. Their rivalry dates back to 2003, and their matches from Ring of Honor are now part of wrestling lore. Until their recent match on Collision in AEW, Punk was never able to upend Joe. Yet that changed in AEW, and I expect to see Punk win again here.
Courtesy AEW
I never thought we’d have the chance to watch a Punk-Joe match on pay-per-view. It should be special to watch these two finally get that moment. As for Punk’s belt, I think he will challenge the winner of the main event, setting up the main event for next week’s All Out show in Chicago.
Prediction: CM Punk
****
The Golden Elite’s Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, and Hangman Page vs. Konosuke Takeshita and Bullet Club Gold’s Jay White and Juice Robinson
I can’t envision this match with Kenny Omega not getting his hand raised at Wembley. That also goes for Kota Ibushi and Hangman Page.
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While it is disappointing that Omega is not wrestling in a singles match, this particular bout has the potential to really surprise people. Omega has tremendous chemistry with Jay White and Juice Robinson, and he continues to build his feud with Konosuke Takeshita. Ibushi is also an old rival of White, and their moments together in the ring should be captivating.
Hangman is in need of some momentum, so I’ll go with him pinning Juice for the win.
Prediction: The Golden Elite
****
Chris Jericho vs. Will Ospreay
I have been asked why this Will Ospreay against Chris Jericho instead of someone else, namely Jon Moxley. While Moxley and Ospreay could have had a great match, Jericho provides Ospreay with an opponent with an extremely high profile.
Courtesy AEW
This match reminds of Jericho’s bout against AJ Styles at WrestleMania 32. I never expected to see Styles lose, but that is exactly what happened. Though Ospreay is on his upward trajectory, I see a similar story presenting itself at All In.
Ospreay will get his revenge, but I see Jericho getting the surprise victory.
Prediction: Chris Jericho
****
The BCC and Santana and Ortiz vs. Eddie Kingston, Penta, Orange Cassidy, and The Best Friends in a Stadium Stampede match
This one should be chaotic. But Eddie Kingston hasn’t been able to get the better of Jon Moxley in AEW, and his luck won’t change at All In.
This match will be a showcase for the BCC’s Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta, as well as for the returning Santana and Ortiz. There should also be an opportunity for the incredibly athletic Orange Cassidy to leave the crowd breathless.
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After losing their Blood & Guts match to The Elite, the BCC needs to restore order in AEW. That process begins with a victory at All In.
Prediction: The BCC
****
House of Black vs. The Acclaimed for the Trios titles
The crowd loves to cheer for The Acclaimed. Why not give them what they want?
Max Caster and Anthony Bowens deserved a longer run with the tag titles, but they can now inject life into the trios titles. Billy Gunn briefly flirted with retirement, but he is back–and one more title run would be an appropriate end to his legendary career.
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This feud should continue. The House of Black also has a lot to offer, but they represent agents of chaos who don’t need to wear gold to wreak havoc.
Prediction: The Acclaimed
****
Jack Perry vs. Hook
If you believe there are too many titles in AEW, then you’re probably not the biggest fan of the FTW championship.
I agree that it is unnecessary; if the goal is to make Perry champion, then he should dethrone Orange Cassidy for the International championship or Luchasaurus for the TNT title.
Courtesy AEW
The belt does have history to Taz in ECW, so there is a logical reason why his son Hook would want it. So I’ll take the bold step of predicting that every title in the card changes hands, including Hook winning the FTE belt.
Prediction: Hook
