All Elite Wrestling knows how to do the Professional Wrestling. AEW fans in 2022 are spoiled rotten by incredible in-ring action, but it’s how AEW tells stories that sets them apart. They layer and intertwine story paths in a beautiful way. I’ve created a series to focus on that. It’s easy to appreciate what the competitors put their bodies through, but the stories themselves can be equally as awesome.
AEW loves complex stories. Fans love to fantasy book. We’re combining the two by covering my current favorite stories in wrestling and where I believe them to go. If my PPV prediction track record is any indication, I will be very wrong. The unpredictability is all of the fun though!
Where will the stories lead? Let the speculation begin!
CM Punk/Wardlow/MJF
Wardlow has been MJF’s bodyguard for a long time. MJF has had protection from the big man ever since his battles with Cody in late 2019. However, Something has changed between the two. Wardlow has found a groundswell of crowd support through ‘Powerbomb Symphonies.’ He continuously drives his opponent through the mat at the behest of the crowd. Such a unique way to grow support for someone.
Being the Salt of the Earth as he is, MJF hates that Wardlow plays to the crowd. As the crowd has slowly grown support for him, Wardlow has equally become unhappy with MJF’s antics and beratement. He looks to have had enough and just waiting for a moment to strike. This almost happened after MJF cost Wardlow his match against CM Punk.
Speaking of the Best in the World, his feud with MJF has been a thing of beauty. They haven’t even stepped into the ring with each other, outside of that generational promo battle from a month ago, and any interaction between the two is can’t miss television. Unfortunately, MJF has been ducking CM Punk ever since, but I assume that won’t last long.
The monumental presence of MJF and CM Punk hae
Look into the Future!
The monumental scope and presence of this feud has overshadowed the most important person in it. MJF can’t duck CM Punk forever, but their eventual match will end in a little payback. Punk and Max will square off at Revolution and MJF will be on the verge of victory. Wardlow will finally give him the biggest powerbomb of powerbombs after the referee is incidentally knocked out. CM Punk will take advantage and hit the GTS for the victory.
Serena Deeb
Class is in session! The Professor of Professional Wrestling has elevated herself to another level after dismantling Hikaru Shida and Skye Blue on Dynamite. Serena has set her sights on taking over the women’s division, and looks to be headed down the path of success.
Look into the Future!
Serena Deeb is about to go on a tear through the division. Her immediate future and opponent remain unclear, but I think there’s massive success coming for the Professor. Deeb destroyed Skye Blue on Dynamite and needs a new target. Tay Conti and Anna Jay came to Shida’s aid after Deeb destroyed her knee, so Deeb probably faces one of them at Revolution.
Looking further out after Revolution, however, AEW is going to hold the Owen Cup tournament. Serena Deeb will win the Women’s tournament, which will project her towards AEW gold in the immediate future.
Cody and the TNT title
Cody Rhodes is an absolute enigma. His intense feud with Malakai Black has seemingly sent him down a dark path. Cody needed to acquire a dark side to beat Black, but there were lasting consequences. He might not be overt about it, but Cody has turned heel. He has a cocky edge not seen since his ROH championship run. It’s very subtle, but I love it.
Cody forced himself back into the TNT Championship picture and beat Sammy Guevara on Christmas day. Sammy Guevara didn’t go away, however, and beat Dustin Rhodes at Battle of the Belts to acquire the “interim” TNT Championship while Cody was away with COVID. There will be a unification ladder match this week on Dynamite.
Look into the Future!
Cody isn’t losing.
I love this version of Cody. His promo on Dynamite this past week was a thing of beauty. He turned a heckling crowd into one eating up everything he said. There’s a screw loose in Cody’s brain right now. Something will snap in Cody during the ladder match, causing him to finally Pedigree Sammy Guevara and capture the Undisputed TNT Championship.
And that’s the first rendition of “Game Over Guesses!”
What are your favorite AEW stories currently? What’s your fantasy booking? Let me know on twitter @EikelberryNick and @game_gimmicks!