10 New Directions After AEW All Out 2022
Is AEW set for even more backstage drama after CM Punk's explosive All Out rant?!
AEW launched in 2019 with significant goodwill from a pro wrestling audience totally burnt out on Vince McMahon's product. People craved a legitimate competitor that'd force WWE to adapt, and All Elite Wrestling has affected change on the industry in a largely-positive way.
Are things falling apart though?
That's a question drenched in drama, but it's an understandable one. Reports of unrest behind the scenes are becoming juicier than most of the angles Tony Khan is putting in front of cameras on Dynamite, Rampage and pay-per-view, and this past weekend's All Out special proved no different.
Wondering where AEW goes on-screen is fun, but there's a ton of speculation about where things go off it too. CM Punk's explosive post-All Out media scrum comments add an extra layer to his coming feud with the returning MJF, and there are also question marks over one of the company's most exciting ex-WWE hires on the midcard.
Elsewhere, female stars are about to become breakout babyfaces, yet another heel faction is set to dominate airtime, and another group may well lose a member by the time Dynamite wraps up midweek.
It's all kicking off.
10. Malakai Black Disappearing
Reports from fans there live for All Out suggested that this could be a wrap on Malakai Black's run...at least for now. According to arena-goers on Twitter, Black was blowing kisses and waving goodbye following House Of Black's six-man tag loss to Darby Allin, Sting and Miro.
Concurrent news claims Malakai will take some time away from AEW for personal reasons. That's absolutely his right, and the entire wrestling world will surely wish Black well, but the question must be posed; what does this mean for Buddy Matthews and Brody King in the interim?
They're pretty much lost without their onscreen leader, and it's hardly like things have been going well for HOB in the first place. So, should this be considered a soft end for a group which once looked like it had a real shot at becoming AEW's first ever Trios Title winners?
For now, it does look like Malakai will be phased out.