5 Wrestlers Who Could Be Adam Cole's Secret AEW Return Opponent

5. Matt Menard

AEW is an inherently story-based organisation.

What is said one week may transpire to be the critical point for a heel turn a number of months later. So deep is this focus on storylines that it means you won't get randomly-strewn first-time-ever matches put together on a random Dynamite with no build. Such star attractions as Kenny Omega vs. Bryan Danielson and Adam Page vs. Bryan Danielson occurred only because they'd been built to with the care and precision that is expected of the company.

Adam Cole vs. Chris Jericho, meanwhile, is yet to reach that destination, purely because its build is yet to begin. There's nothing there. But it could theoretically happen.

Cole's return as a babyface wasn't done to warrant a warm comeback - he'd have received one regardless, such is the admiration he possesses - but because AEW desperately needs more top babyface stars. Bryan Danielson "went home". Jon Moxley turned heel. CM Punk no longer exists as far as Tony Khan is concerned.

Switching Adam Cole's allegiance opens up a new book of potential opponents, one of which must be Chris Jericho. Eventually.

For Cole's official return match, send in Matt Menard to begin the build towards a proverbial Cole vs. Jericho showdown at Double or Nothing.