13 Ups & 5 Downs From AEW All Out

2. The Right Choice

Chris Jericho AEW Champ
AEW

Though some may mourn Hangman Page's All Out main event loss, Chris Jericho was the right guy to go with as AEW's first World Champion.

Fight for the Fallen cooled Page off to a degree that couldn't be recovered on Being the Elite and Road To. A shame, as he's likely the wrestler AEW's future will be built around - but that's another reason why he didn't have to win. Why rush it with Page? He's only 28 years old, is still developing, and should be here for a long, long time. His coronation can wait.

Jericho, meanwhile, is comfortably the biggest mainstream name in the company. Though his athleticism has diminished and the main event was flawed, he's the familiar face that AEW need to lead their product when they debut on TNT next month. Him carrying the belt into those first few tapings should help draw and maintain a bigger audience.

It'll be interesting to see who AEW build as his first challenger, but no more 25-30 minute matches, please.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.