9 Predictions For Chris Jericho's AEW Mystery Partners

5. LAX

Chris Jericho Enzo Amore Big Cass
Impact Wrestling

LAX are an awesome tag team.

Boasting a marketable gangland look and a dangerous aura that forces the audience to take it seriously, the work is as powerful as the gimmick: Ortiz and Santana are the sort of all-round in-ring polymaths that wrestling frequently spawns in this era of unreal depth, but it's all powered by an elusive, intangible cool factor. And, having kept Impact Wrestling on life support by making it destination viewing for the most dedicated, LAX are now free agents.

The only issue, really, is that Ortiz and Santana aren't a mainstream act. This shouldn't be a problem on the night and in the arena - the hardcore fandom will receive them as stars - but the all-important Twitter engagement might paint this as a gamble, or even a disappointment. That is, unless LAX get over in the match, which seems inevitable.

The idea is that those unfamiliar will infer their star power - but this is the approach WWE takes with those promoted cold from NXT, and without vignettes or consistent booking, it very rarely works.

Likelihood: 80%

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!