The Elite bring things full circle with “All Out” before starting the next phase of All Elite Wrestling.
Cody Rhodes, Kenny Omega, Hangman Page and The Young Bucks are back at the Sears Centre, the site of last year’s “All In” show that laid the foundation for AEW. The company now needs to use Saturday’s All Out pay-per-view (8 p.m., B/R Live) as a launching pad into the upstart promotion’s television debut on TNT on Oct. 2.
It’s set up to be just that. All Out is where the company will crown its first world champion, set a contender for its women’s championship and see a team earn a bye in its tag team title tournament — along with giving you a very personal feud.
Here are five things to watch for at All Out:
Golden opportunity
Only a few of the 21 participants in the women’s Casino Battle Royale on “The Buy In” preshow (7 p.m., YouTube, B/R Live) have been announced, and AEW is known for surprises. There are plenty of intriguing entrants. Britt Baker, who wrestled at All In, has been cleared following a recent concussion. Awesome Kong being involved could set up a fun story with Brandi Rhodes or even Nyla Rose. You also have Teal Piper, the daughter of “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, and the legendary Jazz in the mix. The winner gets a spot in a match to crown AEW’s first women’s champion during the debut TNT show. It’s been rumored the bout between Riho and Hikaru Shida could determine the other spot.
Tag, you’re it
The AEW tag team picture will become a little clearer after All Out. The winner between the Dark Order and the Best Friends earns a bye in the tag team tournament. SoCal Uncensored, which features Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian and Scorpio Sky, can build momentum with a six-man tag match victory over Luchasaurus, Jungle Boy and Marko Stunt, as can the winner of the Angelico and Jack Evans vs. Private Party bout.
Most importantly, we will find out who “the best tag team in the world” is when The Young Bucks, Matt and Nick Jackson, try to win back the Lucha Libre AAA titles from the Lucha Brothers, Pentagon and Fenix, in a ladder match. The bout could steal the show, and the winner is one of the clear favorites in AEW’s tournament.
The replacement
Kenny Omega was supposed to wrestle Jon Moxley, but the former WWE star (where he was known as Dean Ambrose) had to pull out of the event. Moxley announced last week that he had a staph infection in his elbow. AEW immediately replaced him with PAC, who was a late scratch from AEW’s Double or Nothing show in May because of creative differences.
Sliding him in was an excellent save by AEW after losing the Omega-Moxley angle it had built since Double or Nothing. Omega cut a biting promo on Moxley for missing the show, so that feud is far from over.
Board meeting
The Chairman vs. The Captain. Shawn Spears, formerly Tye Dillinger in WWE, faces former friend Cody Rhodes is the card’s most personal match.
Their relationship dates back to 2006 during their stint in WWE’s Ohio Valley Wrestling, and it took an on-screen turn when Spears hit Cody with a controversial chair shot at Fyter Fest. Spears escalated things by bringing in legend Tully Blanchard, who feuded with Cody’s dad Dusty, as a special advisor because he wants every advantage he can get while trying to make a name for himself by beating Rhodes.
Blanchard will be in Spears’ corner. Who will Cody bring? Will it be his wife Brandi, his brother Dustin, his friend MJF, or is this the spot for the CM Punk wild card if he decides it’s clobberin’ time again?
Thank you cards
Someone will be in for a “thank you” after Chris Jericho and Hangman Page decide AEW’s first world champion. If Jericho wins, he will continue to ask for a company-wide thank you for being the catalyst for AEW’s success.
Either Jericho will keep running his mouth or Page will be in line for a thank you for shutting up Jericho on his way to finally claiming the top spot in a company and a world title that’s escaped him throughout his career. Page said he’d be champion from the AEW launch. Jericho would provide a recognizable face heading into the TV launch; Page would provide a fresh one.
Predictions
Britt Baker wins the Casino Battle Royale (Winner competes for AEW women’s championship)
Baker was the first woman to sign with AEW. They pay that off by giving her a title shot.
The Dark Order over the Best Friends for a bye in the AEW tag team tournament
The Dark Order needs to be booked carefully. A victory here means the threat of them looms later in the tournament and lets them pop up on whomever they will face.
Private Party over Angelico and Jack Evans
AEW has put Private Party in some featured spots, but they need this win to boost their resume before TV starts.
Riho over Hikaru Shida
Riho defeated Nyla Rose and Yuka Sakazaki at Fyter Fest, and her momentum continues here to possibly earn a shot at the AEW women’s championship.
Darby Allin over Joey Janela and Jimmy Havoc
Allin already has some good rub from his time-limit draw with Cody Rhodes at Fyter Fest. AEW continues to build up his unique character with a victory.
Luchasaurus, Jungle Boy and Marko Stunt over SoCal Uncensored
Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy get the boost they need, with the help of the diminutive Stunt, heading into the tag team tournament.
Shawn Spears over Cody Rhodes
Spears is at the beginning of his heel run. You can’t halt his momentum right out of the gate with a loss.
The Young Bucks, The Lucha BrothersAEWThe Lucha Brothers (c) over The Young Bucks in a ladder match to retain the AAA tag team championship
Lucha Libre AAA has a show at the Madison Square Garden theater on Sept. 15. The Lucha Brothers keep the belts for that and The Young Bucks concentrate on the AEW tournament.
Kenny Omega over PAC
Omega needs the singles win much more than the fill-in PAC does. A victory keeps Omega strong for when Jon Moxley is healthy.
Hangman Page over Chris Jericho to become the first AEW world champion
AEW branded itself as being “fresh.” You can’t call yourself that if Chris Jericho is your champ. Hangman wins and fulfills his promise from the launch press conference.
