This Sunday (September 5th), All Elite Wrestling welcomes fans to their second home of Chicago, Illinois for one of their four annual pay-per-views. It’s highlighted by a tag title steel cage match, Chris Jericho’s career on the line, and of course, CM Punk’s in-ring return after a 7-year absence. Sam Roberts gives you his very professional predictions ahead of this tonight’s action.
Orange Cassidy/Chuck Taylor/Wheeler Yuta/Jurassic Express vs Matt Hardy/Private Party/TH2
Sam: Not too much to say here – all these stories need to come to an end, and good should triumph over evil (or at least poor management). A positive beginning to the show! Prediction: Orange Cassidy/Chuck Taylor/Wheeler Yuta/Jurassic Express vs Matt Hardy/Private Party/TH2
21-Woman Casino Battle Royal
Battle Royals aren’t always main show-worthy, but they are when they’re 1 of only 2 Women’s Division matches on the 10 match card. They especially deserve a place on the show proper if they’re the expected location of a major debut. We’ve yet to have a surprise joker entrant win the Casino Battle Royal (since Hangman Page won the inaugural), and a debuting Ruby Soho is in prime position to challenge Britt Baker as “The Runaway”. While there are many women on the roster that already deserve an opportunity at the title belt, the opportunity to place Soho at the top of the card immediately is too tantalising to turn away. Prediction: Ruby Soho
Paul White vs QT Marshall
This match feels incredibly superfluous. A short build, based on the unfounded anger of QT Marshall towards Paul White’s co-commentator, means very little to the fan base at large. Hopefully this is an opportunity for a short, feel-good match, where White puts QT through the canvas. Prediction: Paul White
Jon Moxley vs Satoshi Kojima
The former AEW Men’s champion promised the public execution of a legend, and I can’t see any reason why that won’t happen. I’m sure Kojima, much like Nagata before him, will put up an impressive fight against Mox. But there’s a definite modern status gap between the two. Moxley is in the middle of what many see as a slow turn to the more dark side of his violence, and brutalising an old man in the ring is an important stepping stone on that journey. Prediction: Jon Moxley
Chris Jericho vs MJF
I highly expect Jericho to one day transition over to a full-time commentary position, but not this weekend. He still has a valuable position in AEW as a respected veteran and their inaugural champion, that while he may not be able to perform to the same level in ring, it is not yet the time to remove him completely from that side of the business. I’ll be clear, MJF should win this feud – but it should have been their last match that ended things, not this unnecessary additional chapter. Prediction: Chris Jericho
CM Punk vs Darby Allin
Darby Allin has already been and will be again, a champion in this company. He has one of the most impressive records in the company, and his characterisation as a daredevil willing to do anything to win, alongside his unique presentation, are huge drivers behind him being one of the best performers for AEW’s ratings demo. Taking a sizeable scalp like that of Punk would be a huge moment for his relatively young career. But CM Punk hasn’t wrestled in 7 years and is still one of the industry’s biggest stars. While one may be nervous to let Darby lose any high-profile matches – it should be expected that he’ll look incredible in defeat, while Punk will be immediately cementing himself as a main event threat. Prediction: CM Punk
Miro (c) vs Eddie Kingston for the TNT Championship
I wish they’d had more opportunity for verbal barbs after this week’s insert package… Nevertheless, it’ll be a fun match. I expect Eddie’s brawling style to come out through veiled terror at what he’s up against. Heart goes above head sometimes, especially for Eddie. I anticipate Miro throwing Eddie’s entire torso above his head on Sunday. Prediction: Miro
Britt Baker (c) vs Kris Statlander for the AEW Women’s World Championship
Kris Statlander is an exciting prospect in wrestling, with many years ahead of her at just 25 years of age. She will be champion someday, but not with this lackluster of a build, nor while D.M.D. is still the universal headliner of the division. Prediction: Britt Baker
The Young Bucks (c) vs The Lucha Bros in a Steel Cage Match for the AEW World Tag Team Championship
It’s beginning to feel like The Young Bucks have done all they can do for now as champions, and the progressing story with Kenny Omega would be better served by them no longer holding the belts, while PAC would have less sway with The Lucha Bros if they hold gold. Yet at the same time, this particular match has been built to very quickly out of nowhere. The story is there, but the story isn’t one that necessarily revolves around The Lucha Bros. Keeping the rest of The Super Elite away from interfering in Young Bucks matches, after months of successful defences because of these interferences, is the perfect justification for the company’s second-ever steel cage match. Ultimately what sways me is who I’d rather see as belt holders – and the prospect of Lucha Brothers matches with additional stakes truly speaks to me. Prediction: The Lucha Brothers
Kenny Omega (c) vs Christian Cage for the AEW Men’s World Championship
Kenny Omega’s story has not yet been told in full (although I do like the story they’ve told in recent weeks). There’s one Lone Rancher yet to seek the reward for bringing the champ to justice. Dead or alive. Prediction: Kenny Omega
What matches are you most looking forward to this weekend? Make sure to let us know on our Twitter @NEARFALLSmedia
