10 Booking Steps For The AEW World Title Tournament

8. (Somewhat) Faithful Rankings Bracket

Kenny Omega Orange Cassidy
AEW

AEW can't no-sell the rankings system entirely.

At present, the balance is perfectly acceptable; most reasonable fans accept that this isn't a real league, with an even number of competitors within each division, that would enable a fixture list that prohibits storyline development. Wrestling is a worked soap opera; the rankings system is as much a storyline driver as it is a device with which to maintain - and visually reinforce - the idea that wins and losses matter. Fans accept that, even if MJF was ranked #1 in the spring, he's too good a talker not to build a match that would (and in fact, did) draw on a late-summer pay-per-view.

But it can't spiral out of control as pretext to do whatever. It has to exist for a reason, even if that reason is stretched, otherwise the very purpose vanishes. It has to inform the make-up of the tournament.

This bracket does not account for MJF, currently ranked #3, because a grudge feud with Chris Jericho is closer to here than the horizon. Lance Archer (#1) gets his chance on the October 14 Anniversary show. Cody (#4) cannot contend for the title. Brian Cage (#2) and Scorpio Sky (#5) must be included to retain trust in the process, and they should be joined by Page, who has racked up noteworthy televised singles wins, and Darby Allin. Shawn Spears has a more impressive record, yes, but it's wrestling.

Wrestling needs draws to exist, and Allin vs. Starks pulled in a tremendous number on this week's Dynamite. His inclusion also allows for dovetailing booking.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!