10 Booking Steps For The AEW World Title Tournament

3. (Somewhat) Faithful Rankings Bracket Semi Final Results:

Kenny Omega Orange Cassidy
AEW

Hangman Page Vs. Scorpio Sky

AEW likes to play with symmetry - to create visual moments that convey something that unites and divides two characters all at once, to deepen the mystery of if and when that dynamic might explode (see: MJF/Chris Jericho).

Hangman Page will lose in the semi-final in a moment of vengeance loaded with pathos. As he looks to explode over the top rope with the Buckshot lariat, he struggles. The camera pans down to reveal Matt Jackson clutching his leg in a mirror image of the Gauntlet match in which Page cost the Bucks the shot at All Out.

AEW also likes to plot curious developments that reveal themselves to make sense in retrospect to enrich the storylines and deftly weave them together. Why are the Young Bucks acting like they are?

Possibly, to lead to this exact moment.

The heel versus heel programme building between the Bucks and FTR feels strange, but with AEW, one programme is never booked in isolation. This is a shared universe that collides, thrillingly, with itself.

The Bucks will feel a similar sense of remorse to that which has shattered Page's psyche, reverting back to babyfaces in the process and restoring the dynamic ahead of their World Tag Team Title match at Full Gear.

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!