It seems lost on people just how monumental this is. A company under five years old has broken the record for the all-time paid attendance for a wrestling show and it’s happening this Sunday. To be completely honest, the card is not at all what I expected and it leaves a little to be desired, but the atmosphere will almost certainly elevate this show to classic status.
Much debate has been had over whether the card or not lives up to the billing of Wembley Stadium, but we’re not here to discuss that. Here are my predictions for each match happening at AEW’s All In:
ROH World Tag Team Title Match: Aussie Open (C) vs. MJF and Adam Cole
MJF and Adam Cole is undoubtedly the hottest storyline headed into the PPV and it’s thanks to some incredible character work from both men. This feud has so many layers and so many possible directions spinning out from the two matches “Better Than You Bay-Bay” is involved with. They could lose the titles and plant seeds of descension between the two, but who wants to see these guys stop being BFFs? They could win the title and have an awkward situation after one of them loses in the main event. That is what is so special about this rivalry.
Personally, I think MJF and Cole should win this match. Later on, I would have one of them cheat to beat their tag partner and have them be on unsteady ground but be forced to work together to keep their tag championships. It’s probably going to be MJF who turns because, after all, he is the devil himself, but he is so unbelievably over as a babyface, that I can’t help but want more.
Prediction: MJF and Adam Cole win.
Women’s World Championship: Hikaru Shida (C) vs. Saraya vs. Toni Storm vs. Britt Baker
This is lazy booking. People have tried to defend this by saying this is a call-back to the original All-In, but that should be an indictment of the first show rather than a cute detail. Shida winning the title felt like AEW was finally giving this division the reboot it needed, but it has been the same old lack of storytelling as before. Why did Toni Storm get a by into this match, but the champion didn’t? Why did they not even try to add a story?
I hope Shida retains so we can avoid more of the repetitive Outcasts storylines that have been infecting AEW television.
Prediction: Hikaru Shida retains.
World Trios Championship: House of Black (C) vs. The Acclaimed
This match seemed destined to have a stipulation in which “Daddy Ass” put his career on the line for one last chance at the trios’ championship. With that stipulation not being in place, it makes me think AEW will keep the belts on the House of Black. This match wasn’t very good at Double or Nothing so hopefully all of the build with Billy Gunn teasing retirement will elevate this match to something special
Prediction: House of Black retains.
Coffin Match: Darby Allin and Sting vs. Christian Cage and Swerve Strickland
This was such an incredible storyline and after this week’s dynamite, it seems to have had a shaky last week. We went from Swerve randomly kicking AR Fox out of the Mogul Embassy to Darby Allin forgiving him in less than 5 minutes.