Happy New Year!
2021 was an incredible year for AEW, despite Covid-19 doing it’s best reunion tour in the second half of the year. The young company is growing year over year and now moving to TBS for it’s flagship show. There are so many possibilities for AEW because of new talents signing monthly. The product has improved hand over fist since its inception in 2019 with 2022 looking to be the best year ever.
In the spirit of the new year, here are five “New Year’s Resolutions” for AEW in 2022. These aren’t predictions by any means, but things that I personally want to happen.
Serena Deeb TBS Champion
Just getting this one out of the way first! This resolution is me manifesting it for 2022.
Serena Deeb TBS champion
Serena Deeb TBS champion
Serena Deeb TBS champion
Think that’s enough?
The inaugural TBS champion will be crowned on the TBS debut of AEW Dynamite between Jade Cargill and Ruby Soho. Regardless of who wins, at some point in 2022 Serena Deeb NEEDS to be champion and prove to everyone that she’s the best in the division. Not Thunder Rosa, Britt Baker, Ruby Soho, nor Kris Statlander. Those ladies are all awesome, but Serena Deeb is the total package in the AEW women’s division. She needs to have a weekly TBS open challenge where she proves it. Give her ten minutes a week to put a clinic onto the whole division.
Serena Deeb TBS champion
Fingers crossed!
Hangman Adam Page long title reign
Everyone loves the Hangman. He is AEW’s first created megastar and 2022 needs to be his year. 2021 was all about Omega and the Elite dominating over everyone, but this year needs to be Hangman’s time to shine in amazing matches. Hangman’s first title defense against Bryan Danielson was an epic 60-minute time limit draw. We get to witness the rematch at the TBS debut and I’m truly excited to see how they plan on topping it.
So far so good for Hangman. His title win at Full Gear and first defense have been perfect matches revolved around perfect stories. Let’s keep that going! Bryan Danielson is an unbelievable first opponent for Hangman, but will he take the belt from him?
I sure hope not! I want a long title reign that only strengthens the champion. Create an unstoppable hero throughout 2022 that we think is unstoppable…until he’s not. Until the ultimate villain comes for the belt and takes out our loveable Cowboy.
But I don’t want to see that until late in the year! I want Hangman to defend his title numerous times in amazing matches. He has earned the right to be in the spotlight.
Wardlow face turn
Another man who is getting a light turned onto him is Wardlow. The big man has started changing who he is in the ring. He’s dominating opponents with a chorus of powerbombs at the behest of the AEW crowd. He’s technically in the Pinnacle, but his character is changing.
He’s turning face.
This resolution is the only one here I’m fairly confident in happening. It seems to already be in progress as the seeds have been planted for awhile. He’s disobeying MJF, playing up to the crowds, and seemingly plotting MJF’s demise behind his back. It’s only a matter of time before Wardlow costs MJF or throws him through a table. The world will rejoice when that happens!
Jericho transition away from In-Ring
All Elite Wrestling would not exist in the form it does now without Chris Jericho. His inclusion in AEW’s debut roster gave the upstart company a credibility with an American audience that they wouldn’t have had otherwise. One could even argue that his debut match with Kenny Omega in 2018 at the Tokyo dome started the upward momentum towards AEW in the first place. We cannot take away Y2J’s importance to the origins of the company.
However, I would really like to see him transition away from an in-ring presence in 2022.
His star power is no longer needed in a company loaded with bona fide top draws. AEW is bursting at the seams with major players begging for screen time. There’s Kenny Omega (hurt but will be back), Cody Rhodes, Jon Moxley (will be back), Miro, and our new champion, Hangman Adam Page, all credible for the top spot in the company. Not to mention the newest additions of Adam Cole, Malakai Black, Bryan Danielson, and CM Punk adding their superstardom to the roster. There’s only so much room on three hours of television.
Finally, Jericho hasn’t been a part of anything fun since August. His LONG feud with MJF was hit and miss, but the Inner Circle/ Men of the Year rivalry was childish and average at best. I believe that feud also killed any kind of positive momentum Sammy Guevara had after winning the TNT Championship.
Time for Jericho to give his time to others in 2022.
Championship consistency!
AEW has a championship belt problem. There are too many belts being displayed on AEW television without explanations as to why or what they are. Here are the belts that have appeared on AEW television in the last six months: the four AEW championships, IWGP United States championship, AAA World Tag titles, and the FTW title. That’s a lot of belts and going to introduce the TBS Championship in the Women’s division.
Don’t get me wrong. I love the variety that AEW brings to the table. It’s awesome to possibly see New Japan, Impact, or AAA wrestlers in AEW. However, I would like to see a little more consistency in the sanctioned AEW championships first. For example, Britt Baker last wrestled on Black Friday’s Rampage. She’s been around in small backstage segments or supporting Jaime Hayter, but why has the AEW Women’s champion not been in featured segments or matches?
It is amazing how fun and frantic both Dynamite and Rampage are. Both shows absolutely fly by, but maybe that’s to the detriment of consistency. I honestly don’t know how to fix this issue, but in 2022, I would love to see a little more consistency with the AEW champions. Give these champions some stories!!! The champions of AEW should be one of the main focuses throughout the weekly shows.
Now it’s your turn! What are your “Resolutions” for AEW in 2022?
Do you agree or disagree with me!? Let me know on twitter!