NZPWI Roundtable: AEW All Out predictions, preview

by NZPWI

August 31, 2019

NZPWI Roundtable: AEW All Out predictions, preview

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All Elite Wrestling (AEW) returns to the place where it all began, Greater Chicago’s Sears Center Arena, for All Out!

The second major AEW pay-per-view event is headlined by Adam Page vs. Chris Jericho to determine the first AEW World Champion.

Kenny Omega faces Pac in the Englishman’s AEW debut. The Lucha Brothers defend the AAA World Tag Team Championship against The Young Bucks. Cody and Shawn Spears meet in a grudge match.

Who will leave Chicago with a win, and build momentum for AEW’s United States television debut in October? Join the NZPWI Roundtable as we break down the card for AEW All Out…

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AEW World Championship:
Adam Page vs. Chris Jericho

Mister J (80% accurate for 2019):
I’m in the minority in that, while I respect all that Jericho has done in his career, and admire his ability to reinvent himself and stay relevant, I also find him kind of dull. That being said, he is entirely in the driver’s seat for this one, and will no doubt set the pace for the match. That being the case, as good as Adam Page is, he is not yet at the level of Chris Jericho.
Winner: Chris Jericho

Grady Hooker (70% accurate for 2019):
This is a hard one because Jericho has the experience factor and has held a massive number of championships before, but Page is really hungry for this. I’m going to swing towards Jericho as the first AEW World Champion.
Winner: Chris Jericho

Steve McCleary (70% accurate for 2019):
Jericho has the experience factor and no shortage of confidence. He’s the man.
Winner: Chris Jericho

Richard Butler (67% accurate for 2019):
This match is so interesting. It’s the age-old classic of youth vs. experience. Jericho has to have the edge going into this – he has been in countless world title matches over his career as opposed to Hangman Page, where this is pretty much uncharted waters. I can’t overlook the sheer amount of experience Jericho has in this one.
Winner: Chris Jericho

Sammy G (55% accurate for 2019):
I’ve been excitedly apprehensive about this match. I dig what both men are doing, and I’m excited to see the match. But, after months of hype, I think the t-shirt will say it all: AEW is Jericho! (Also, Thank You!)
Winner: Chris Jericho

Kenny Omega vs. Pac

Mister J:
Omega was number one in the PWI 500 last year, yet this year only managed to come in at number eight (no doubt due to removing himself from the title picture in Japan). Pac is coming in as a last minute replacement but also coming in hungry to prove himself. No doubt it’s going to be a great match, but I have to give the edge to the Omega Man (no, not Charlton Heston, work with me here).
Winner: Kenny Omega

Grady:
A last-minute change because of injury means Pac is going to show up, and that is a scary prospect for Omega. Let’s go with Pac to win and cement himself in the upper card of AEW right off the bat.
Winner: Pac

Steve:
Well, from the ashes of a dynamite feud comes a replacement that’s pretty electric. As much as I love Pac, Omega has much to prove to himself and his former opponent, Moxley.
Winner: Kenny Omega

Richard:
Omega looked good in his last outing against Cima after going down to Jericho. To be honest, I haven’t seen any of Pac’s work since he left WWE. In my estimation, Omega has been wrestling the higher class opponents and, as the saying goes, steel sharpens steel.
Winner: Kenny Omega

Sammy:
Pac has been on the sidelines of AEW studying the roster, preparing himself for any opportunity. With Moxley out, Omega finds himself against an opponent he wasn’t expecting or prepared for, which could play into Pac’s advantage.
Winner: Pac

AAA World Tag Team Championship, Escalera De La Muerte/Ladder of Death:
The Lucha Brothers (Pentagon Jr & Rey Fenix) (c) vs. The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson)

Mister J:
This one is tough to call. Though we can be assured it will be highlight reel material from start to finish, exactly who will end up on top (no pun intended) is a much more difficult affair. The Lucha Brothers are coming in as champs, and I’m going to say their desire to hold the gold is going to be stronger than the Bucks’ desire to take it.
Winners: The Lucha Brothers

Grady:
Ladder of Death sounds spooky. For this one it’s going to come down to one thing – that The Lucha Brothers are simply the better team.
Winners: The Lucha Brothers

Steve:
One team has no fear and the other makes YouTube videos. Wow, what a tough call.
Winners: The Lucha Brothers

Richard:
This will be an absolute highlight reel of a match. “Ladder of Death” might be a very apt translation as these two teams push the limits of tag wrestling whenever they meet. Who knows what kind of crazy things will happen here? As tough as it is to say, I think The Lucha Brothers take this one.
Winners: The Lucha Brothers

Sammy:
The Young Bucks have two victories over The Lucha Brothers in AEW to date, but it was Fenix and Pentagon Jr who challenged The Bucks to the ultimate ladder match – meaning there’s more fight in them, and a hunger to win!
Winners: The Lucha Brothers

Cody vs. Shawn Spears w/ Tully Blanchard

Mister J:
I’ve actually followed this feud since its beginnings in OVW (where Spears was an absolute standout). With the inclusion of Tully Blanchard (one of the great heels of the 80s), and the chance to finally shine on a world stage, I think Spears will be unbeatable.
Winner: Shawn Spears

Grady:
I could see an upset Shawn win here, but it is very unlikely so I’ll take Cody. Happy honeymoon, Shawn!
Winner: Cody

Steve:
It doesn’t get more personal than this. Again, I think the edge goes to the one with more to prove.
Winner: Shawn Spears

Richard:
Having Tully in his corner is a big advantage for Shawn Spears, and I won’t be surprised when Tully interferes in this match one way or another. I think this might be too much for Cody to overcome.
Winner: Shawn Spears

Sammy:
The “Chairman” vs. Executive Vice President – a feud that has broken boundaries, spread to indie events, and become real personal in the process. This is an opportunity for Spears to cement himself as a major player in AEW. All 10s from me!
Winner: Shawn Spears

Best Friends (Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta) vs. The Dark Order (Evil Uno & Stu Grayson)
[Winners receive a first-round bye in the AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament]

Mister J:
As much as I like The Dark Order, I just don’t see it here. They have, thus far, failed to impress in AEW. I expect this will be their best showing, but fear it will be too little, too late.
Winners: Best Friends

Grady:
Am I really going to tell Beretta and Chucky T that they are going to lose? Of course not.
Winners: Best Friends

Steve:
I like the Best Friends, but I tend to side with the group with the bigger entourage. Always kept me alive.
Winners: The Dark Order

Richard:
I just hope it’s Best Friends as The Dark Order have been a massive flop for me.
Winners: Best Friends

Sammy:
Usually, most mystical stables can grab my attention from their inception, but The Dark Order hasn’t done that for me yet. However, Chuck and Trent have impressed since day one with AEW. Their teamwork is solid, and it will be awesome to see their ascension to the AEW tag titles!
Winners: Best Friends

Darby Allin vs. Jimmy Havoc vs. Joey Janela

Mister J:
I can’t even imagine. I can’t look… away…
Winner: Jimmy Havoc

Grady:
I really love Jimmy Havoc, and triple threat matches having no disqualifications by default makes me pick him as the winner too.
Winner: Jimmy Havoc

Steve:
This should be fun! Even for the competitors, if it gets a lil’ violent. All three need this win, to start some momentum in AEW.
Winner: Darby Allin

Richard:
This will be a car-wreck of a match, and I mean that in the best way possible. We have three guys here who have no regard for their own safety and even less for their opponents’. I’m not sure there is a winner for this match, more of a survivor.
Winner: Darby Allin

Sammy:
This is a hard one! All three are equally twisted minds in a wrestling ring, and will let their bodies take a lot of punishment to get a win in the process. Allin has impressed me with his last few outings, so has my support in this one.
Winner: Darby Allin

Hikaru Shida vs. Riho

Mister J:
I’m far from an expert on the Japanese women’s scene, so my guess here will be just that. Both have held various championships in Japan and come to the match with much experience. But Riho has actually been involved in wrestling more than half her life, starting at age nine, and winning her first title a year later. With that level of experience and drive, she will be tough to beat.
Winner: Riho

Grady:
I don’t know a lot about this match so I’m hyped to be surprised. As for a winner, I’ll flip a coin and take Riho.
Winner: Riho

Steve:
Looking forward to this! Both joshi warriors will be keen to make an impact and this could go either way.
Winner: Hikaru Shida

Richard:
I dont know enough about these ladies to make an educated guess so I’ll just pick the name I recognize. I dont mean that in a bad way either. I think it’s great that we get to see some more international talent in the ring.
Winner: Riho

Sammy:
Both debuted for AEW as teammates at Double or Nothing and picked up a victory. Since then, Riho has continued to impress with each appearance, but does have a record of 2-1. In a company where “wins and losses mean something” I’m sure Shida will want to keep her 1-0 undefeated record intact!
Winner: Hikaru Shida

Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus & Marko Stunt vs. SCU (Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian & Scorpio Sky)

Mister J:
When I was younger, one of my favourite comics was Devil Dinosaur. It’s a story about a dinosaur, and his best friend, Moon Boy. You can probably see where I am going with this…
Winner: Jungle Boy, Luchasarus & Marko Stunt

Grady:
This is hard because I like both teams here. Obviously SCU has the advantage as they have been together as a unit for a long time now and I think that’s what they’ll need to defeat the other trio.
Winners: SCU

Steve:
Another potentially show-stealing match right here. I know SCU has the experience, but damn if their opponents don’t have a tremendous upside.
Winners: Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus & Marko Stunt

Richard:
I think Jungle Boy and Luchasauraus are awesome… not so sure about Marko Stunt. Hopefully he doesn’t let the team down and they can pull out the win.
Winners: Jungle Boy, Luchasarus & Marko Stunt

Sammy:
There is a lot of experience within the team of SCU, which could easily overcome the forces of Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus and Marko Stunt. To me, Stunt is also the weak link of the trio, so if SCU can isolate him it could be an easy victory. That said, I’m still backing the “under-saurs” here!
Winners: Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus & Marko Stunt