Backstage Update On AEW's Plans For All-Atlantic Title
Details on AEW's vision for PAC's All-Atlantic Championship.
PAC became AEW's first ever All-Atlantic Champion at Forbidden Door on 26 June, but his first defence won't be taking place on American soil.
As confirmed by Revolution Pro Wrestling last week, the British independent promotion will have the honour of hosting PAC vs. NJPW's Shota Umino for the strap this coming Sunday. Umino, who also competed at Forbidden Door, has been on an excursion with RevPro since September 2019.
Why this first defence is taking place under RevPro's banner, not AEW's, plays into Tony Khan's wider plans for the belt. Per Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the AEW CEO and founder put PAC vs. Umino together to establish the All-Atlantic Championship as a prize to be defended across different promotions. This gives it an identity of its own when compared to AEW's other titles.
PAC defeated Clark Connors, Miro, and Malakai Black at Forbidden Door, submitting Connors with the Brutalizer after hitting a 450 Splash on the New Japan Young Lion and Black simultaneously.
AEW had introduced the All-Atlantic Title in the weeks leading up to Forbidden Door, announcing a short tournament featuring international stars. PAC defeated Buddy Matthews at the first stage of this.