The moment we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived! I’ve begged, pleaded, and implored All Elite Wrestling to give me trios titles, but they answered with everything else but that! It’s finally happened though. This week on Dynamite kicks off a Trios tournament to crown the Inaugural Trios Champions!
This may or may not have been my literal reaction:
AEW is built for a trios title and this bracket proves why. This bracket includes a brand new (TrustBusters) and New Japan (United Empire) team, but doesn’t include the likes of the Blackpool Combat Club or Jericho Appreciation Society. You could even add a makeshift team like Miro, Darby, and Sting (they’ll be tagging soon enough) to throw a wrench in the mix. All Elite Wrestling has a massive roster and only including eight into this feels a little light, but I still love the possibilities.
How do I think this tournament shakes out? Let’s find out!
ROUND 1
Young Bucks/??? vs. La Faccion Ingobernable
Let’s kick off the predictions with everyone’s favorite team, the Young Bucks. I put question marks next to the Young Bucks name because that’s how AEW has stylized this match, but everyone knows who the third is.
The Cleaner is returning. Kenny Omega has been off since Full Gear, last November, after losing the AEW title to Hangman Adam Page. He’s coming back to team with his best friends against the Andrade led ‘La Faccion Ingobernable’. I cannot wait to see this match. Dragon Lee is joining Andrade and brother Rush for this one too, which will no doubt set up crazy high-flying spots.
Andrade and Rush have been on a hot streak lately, but there’s zero percent chance of Kenny and the Bucks losing here. The Elite win a match of the year contender. Honestly, this trios tournament could add a few names to that list…
Winner: The Elite
United Empire vs. Death Triangle
The Forbidden Door has opened again! Will Ospreay and Aussie Open have returned to face Death Triangle in this round one matchup. PAC and Ospreay in the same ring is sure to break my brain. Death Triangle has been a trio lacking in success. More like Defeat Triangle, am I right!?
(I’ll see myself out)
It is true though. Death Triangle have been routine losers since forming this faction. PAC’s travel troubles have been an issue, but their lone feud in 2022 against the House of Black has been horrible for them. They need a big win. Unfortunately, I don’t see it in this tournament. Will Ospreay and United Empire were awesome at Forbidden Door. They continue their AEW success with a victory to set up a Social Media teased confrontation against Kenny Omega.
Winner: United Empire
House of Black vs. Dark Order
Up next is an interesting one. The House of Black is a well-oiled machine. They are undefeated as a group, which matches up well against the broken and disconnected Dark Order. The loveable friend’s faction has lost members and isn’t the same since Hangman won the title. They supported the champ, Hangman wanted to do things his way, and the Dark Order went on their own. Unfortunately, that way was off of television. Can the Dark Order band together and rally around Hangman, who now seems to be solidly in their corner?
I’m fantasy booking this tournament, knowing full well everything could come crashing down right here; with a swift Black Mass kick to shatter my dreams. The Dark Order overcomes all the odds and beats the unbeaten House of Black to advance in the tournament. If AEW wants to protect the House of Black a little bit, maybe Sting or Miro shows up at some point to distract and set up their inevitable All Out trios match.
(Should All Out have two Trios matches though?)
Winner: Dark Order
TrustBusters vs. Best Friends
I do not understand the TrustBusters. Ari Daivari had some really good matches with WWE on 205 Live, but the additions of Parker Boudreaux and Slimm J make this an odd pairing. Boudreaux has high potential, but he’s still a prospect. Not exactly sure why he’s being put on the forefront already. And I’ve never even heard of Slim J, so I’m just curious where this is all going. Adding Sonny Kiss on this past week’s Rampage was cool though. I’m happy for them.
Enter the Best Friends. They need a good win on television. Orange Cassidy has his share of ups and downs, but I’d love to see Chuck Taylor and Trent join in on the fun. The TrustBusters have momentum, despite my misunderstanding of the new team, so I could be completely off base with this one. I’m taking the newly tie-dye clad Best Friends.
Winner: Best Friends
ROUND 2
United Empire vs. The Elite
If you look at the Semi-final Bracket you can see that a collision course is imminent, but Will Ospreay and United Empire will do everything in their power to deny the fans what they want. We want the Elite facing off against the Dark Order, but will that come true?
Will Ospreay and Kenny Omega have squared off on social media for months. Ospreay is one of the top dogs in New Japan now and believes he can take out Omega. He’s even used Kenny’s finishing move:
Will Ospreay sure knows how to be a dick. But will all of these mind games pay off and score United Empire a victory against The Elite?
I just don’t see it happening. The Elite seems destined for All Out, which is why I have them moving on.
Winner: The Elite
Dark Order vs. Best Friends
It’s a battle of friendship in this Semi-Final matchup, as The Dark Order takes on Best Friends to advance to All Out and face the Elite for the inaugural Trios Championship. Two teams with their fair share of losing finally build some momentum to possibly go to a huge PPV. Unfortunately for Cassidy, Chuck, and Trent, I believe the collision course is imminent. I’m sure there will be fifteen near falls with Cassidy hitting Orange Punches, but the loveable Dark Order finally gets their PPV debut against old rivals, The Elite.
Winner: Dark Order
I double-checked that, by the way. The Dark Order has never been featured in a match on a PPV. Silver and Reynolds have only been on a Buy-In and in the Casino Tag Royale at last year’s Revolution. I’m happy for them!
ALL OUT FINALS!
The Elite vs. Dark Order
This HAS to be how it ends, right?! I’ve thought about this tournament for a while now, but it has to be this. This rivalry can culminate at All Out now that Kenny Omega has returned and Hangman Adam Page is the best version of himself to date. But who wins the third bout between these two factions?
I’ve gone back and forth ten times already. The Wildcard is still Hangman Adam Page because we don’t know if he’s entering himself into the tournament with the Dark Order or staying on the sidelines. The Cowboy has had a little reuniting of sorts with the Young Bucks, but how will his allegiance play out with huge belts on the line? Have Hangman’s insecurities been overcome to watch his former friends be champs again?
Here’s my fantasy booking, which is now playing as my prediction
Hangman is not in the match, but at ringside supporting his friend’s attempt to win gold in AEW. The match is amazing, but it’s hotly contended and Hangman seems conflicted at ringside. He seems concerned for both teams as the intensity ramps up. Kenny and the Bucks show a continuing dark side, which is still their natural form, but they too seem conflicted with their actions. After a perfect match with twists and turns, Hangman gives the Bucks his nod of approval as they hit their finishing move and win the titles for the Elite. A beautiful callback to Hangman’s AEW title win, which leads to an Elite and Dark Order reconciliation.
Winner: The Elite
Now, what do you think!? Do you think this tournament is a little easy to predict too? Let me know on Twitter!