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WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN SUNDAY - THE AEW REVOLUTION 2021 TIP SHEET

All Elite Wrestling presents The Revolution PPV on Sunday night.  Here's our take on what will happen.

Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch for the AEW World Championship:  Kenny Omega versus Jon Moxley

Dave: Well, Tony Khan is certainly living out his wrestling fandom now that he has a company of his own.  This should be a spectacle, if nothing else.  I hate that they are using barbed wire as I think any intentional usage of blood is irresponsible, but they don't care what I think.  After floundering for most of AEW's run, Kenny finally has become interesting in his new character.  It's way too soon to end that by taking the Title off of him.  Kenny retains.

Mike: It is way too soon for Omega to lose the title in my opinion.  My prediction is like Clubber Lang in Rocky - PAIN.  This should be an insane scene.  They have made it obvious that this will be going 30 minutes as there's zero reason to announce the countdown clock and the massive explosion and not deliver it.  If they can make this work and have a truly tremendous, program-ending, violent spectacle, they could conceivably create a 21st century version of what the steel cage was before it was over-utilized and became passe, a match that by definition could be the end-all match that is only pulled out when there is "no choice" but to use it to end the feud.  I just hope that they have the technology practiced because if the timing is off or something goes wrong, time will stand still in the worst way possible.  I saw that happen in ECW once when Balls Mahoney wrestled Vic Grimes and man, it wasn't pretty.  This story has been going, on and off, since the first Double or Nothing, so they need something massive to close it up.  I guess blowing up the entire ring will do the trick!  I just hope everyone comes out injury-free.

Cory: For them to go to such a massive stipulation so early in the feud makes me think that this has to be the ending of the feud for some reason. They have Kenny Omega as a big part of the “forbidden door” being open, so he will have to be the focal point of that whole story line. They have also been hinting that Kenny and Don Callis have been making a special part for the match (the Extermination chamber), and Kenny is just starting his title reign, so I expect him to win with shenanigans.

Anthony: There's an old adage about a match needing a stadium (see Parade of Champions 1984) vs a stadium needing a match (see Parade of Champions 1985).  AEW got it in their heads they needed an Exploding Ring Barb Wire Death Match come hell or high water.  Way too early in the feud to have a match like this and way too earlier to take the belt off of Omega.  No doubt, this will be an awesome spectacle. But where do they go from here.  Omega retains.  I just really hope these guys come out if it in one pieve

Richard:  Who would have thought that I would be attending an Exploding Barbed Wire match before Dave or Mike?  I honestly don't know what to expect in this match, but these two men deserve credit for putting themselves in this situation for the business they love and for the fans.  The best result will be that no one gets hurt during the match.  With his history, Moxley should have the advantage, but you never know what will happen with Omega.  I think Omega finds a way to retain the title.  I wish they wouldn't have done the baby reveal for Cody and Brandi because what better way to tell if it is a boy or a girl than to have blue or pink smoke when the landmines explode?

AEW Women's Champion Hikaru Shida versus Ryo Mizunami

Dave: They know each other very well so they should put on a good show.  Shida needs to retain however.

Mike: I don't see a title change here but I expect a hell of a match.  Mizunami was put over in a strong way over the course of the Eliminator and came off like an overpowering force.  Shida took the fight to her on Dynamite but to me, the best story is that the challenger looks strong and Shida has to fight from behind en route to victory.  Either way, the great news is that AEW has done a LOT to rebuild their Women's scene in recent weeks.   This should be more of that.

Cory: This could be one of the best matches of the night and I am looking forward to this the most. Shida should retain, as she is doing such a great job as champion, and they have more people to match her again.

Anthony: AEW is very invested in Shida.  Mizunami got cursory mentions on Dynamite until Wednesday.  She looked impressive and I'm sure the match will be very good to great.  Taking the belt off of Shida would be insane.  Shida wins

Richard:  I was really impressed with the Eliminator Tournament and Mizunami might not have been someone I was too familiar with prior to it starting, I am really looking forward to this match.  AEW has definitely rehabilitated their women's division over the last few months.  I don't think they are going to take the title off Shida, but this could be the best wrestling match on the show.

AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks versus The Inner Circle (Chris Jericho and MJF)

Dave: The build for this has been really good.  Papa Buck getting trashed was fun stuff.  I don't see how The Bucks don't get revenge here but they still could lose the belts.  I would have it so the Bucks pull a Johnny Gargano at Takeover, they have it won but anger takes over and that causes them to lose.  Then, they can chase the heels.

Mike: We know this is opening the show and the build has been strong.  I suspect a title change here, for a few reasons.  One, it gives Chris Jericho something new to do and a new reason for MJF to be even more obnoxious, rubbing the other members of The Inner Circle the wrong way.  Two, it firmly lands The Bucks back in a babyface role where they can have sympathy and chase for the titles.  Three, this gives everyone a longer program to sink their teeth into.  This should be fun.

Cory: This is where my prediction that Sammy and MJF are working together comes in, as this is where the Inner Circle breaking apart should explode. I see the Bucks retaining and MJF finally turning on Jericho.

Anthony: Well I'm going to give AEW credit.  This here is the endgame for the 6 months of MJF's build in this story line.  No need for me to rehash what I hated about this 6 months ago.  They've righted the ship.  I think there's wheels to this particular feud and I'm not yet ready to see Jericho either turn or get turned on.  I'm going with the upset. We'll have new AEW World Tag Team Champions

Richard:  Is this the night that The Inner Circle gets tag team gold or is it the night that the Inner Circle explodes like the ringside area during the main event of the show.  My money is on the latter.  I don't know if Sammy Guevara is involved but The Bucks retain and we can see the aftermath on the Inner Circle on Wednesday night.

Sting and TNT Champion Darby Allin versus Team Taz (Brian Cage and Ricky Starks) in a Street Fight

Dave: I don't see them having Sting and one of their champs lose to a team that isn't really a team, or in the upper card pantheon.

Mike:  Sting is not losing his comeback match.  The lure here is to see him howl, do the Stinger Splash and team with Darby as he throws his signature punches.  To give the fans anything else would be insane.  I suspect Ricky Starks is taking the pin.  Will Taz get nailed with a bat?  We'll see.

Cory: Sting won't lose in his first match back. I see this to have a lot of brawling to allow Sting to look good, and while he should not take the pin, Rickuy Starks will end up looking at the lights to keep Cage from looking weak. Even though Team Taz is the weakest faction in the company./

Anthony: Poor Team Taz. That's all I'm going to say.  I just can't with the way they've been neutered and will be again here.

Richard:  This is Sting's first match in AEW so I would expect them to win the match.  The question is do they let Sting get the win or let Darby get the pinfall.  Ricky Starks is someone who appears to be on the treadmill while we wait for the next step for him.  The only way I see Team Taz win is if Hook is put in the match.

Adam Page versus Matt Hardy in a Big Money Match

Dave: Since Page outsmarted Matt, it wouldn't make any sense for him to then lose here.  Page wins and gets Matt's money.

Mike: I'd like to see AEW get something grander out of Matt, but using him as a veteran to continue building Page is fine.  I expect this will be solid. Page losing would be the most shocking thing on the show in my opinion.

Cory: Page needs to win to fuel Matt to get revenge, as that's his motivation to go after the Dark Order. I also like that Matt realized it was time to change up his character, and everyone he works with looks better. Private Party has improved since teaming with him, and I can see him working with other guys who need to learn to slow down.

Anthony: Page needs to win to fuel Matt to get revenge, as that's his motivation to go after the Dark Order. I also like that Matt realized it was time to change up his character, and everyone he works with looks better. Private Party has improved since teaming with him, and I can see him working with other guys who need to learn to slow down.

Richard:  Adam Page is the future of this company and he should win this match and move on to something more important.  I expect some shenanigans from Hardy to try to win the match, but it will backfire.

Face of the Revolution Ladder Match:  Cody Rhodes versus Scorpio Sky versus Penta El Zero M versus Lance Archer versus Max Caster versus TBA for a Future TNT Title Match

Dave: I was going to say Sky until I heard him do commentary this week.  He didn't wow me.  So I will go with TBA!

Mike: Lots of potential talents who would have fun matches with Darby.  Lance winning here and then taking the title would make sense to me given he's had some damn good momentum of late.  I wonder if the last guy will be Kingston.  I'd love to see Max Caster shock everyone and take the win here, but really just about everyone involved would mesh well with Darby.  Why does Cody need to win a rematch against Darby since he never got one?  This should be a big spotfest.

Cory: Going by his commentary, Scorpio Sky has gone heel, and after dropping off the face of the Earth for a while, giving him a commentary spot is a green arrow pointing at him winning.

Anthony: I'm in compete agreement with Cory. It's like they completely forgot they had a talent like Sky on the roster. Him on commentary, to me, is a pretty decent hint of him winning here.  That, combined with the quality of the ensuing match with Darby makes him my pick.

Richard:  Unless they are going to debut someone new in this match, I would add Jungle Boy and have him win to face Darby.  This is a strong field and any of the five already in the match can be a logical pick to win the match.  It seems like it has been a long time since Scorpio Sky has been in a high profile match after his early AEW run.

Casino Tag Team Royale featuring Bear Country, Dark Order (John Silver and Alex Reynolds and Evil Uno and Stu Grayson), The Inner Circle (Santana and Ortiz), The Butcher and the Blade, Private Party, Top Flight, Death Triangle (Pac and Rey Fenix), Varsity Blonds, Matt Sydal and Mike Sydal, SCU, The Natural Nightmares, Chaos Project, and Gunn Club (Austin Gunn and Colten Gunn) for a Future AEW Tag Title Match

Dave:  Since I booked Jericho and MJF to win, I will book Santana and Ortiz here to have them face off with their brothers.

Mike: I like that idea a lot.  If they don't go in that direction, I'd really like to see Silver and Reynolds get the win.  Silver has been so damn entertaining in recent months.

Cory: Death Triangle got the spotlight on Dynamite, so I expect them to win, but I also expect they will have angles coming out of this match as they have done with previous battle royals.

Anthony: Might be a good time hereto elevate Silver and Reynolds higher with win here. AEW's battle royals are usually pretty to very good.  I think Top Flight and The Varsity Blondes have areal chance to shine here.

Richard:  After their dominant victory on Wednesday night, I would think that Pac and Fenix are the favorites, but anything can happen in a battle royal.  This is the match where some teams can elevate their position with a strong performance.  Memo to the Sydals:  Avoid the turnbuckles closest to the stage farthest from the announce table. Why isn't FTR in this match or did they have their match for the month so they are off until April 1st? 

Miro and Kip Sabian versus Chuck Taylor and Orange Cassidy

Dave: Miro said we will see the real him finally.  I hope so because the fake him has not been good.  If we get the real him, the heels win.  If not, they lose.

Mike: If it's anything but MIRO SMASH, I may smash my remote.  Let the guy Hulk up and GO!  Taylor will lose nothing taking the pin and Cassidy is as Teflon as anyone today.

Cory: Miro and Kip need to get revenge for the Wedding, and I am hoping we finally get a conclusion to this feud which has promised so many things and delivered on next to none of them. Let Miro get the pin on Charles the Butler and let both teams move on to something else.

Anthony: The build is clearly for an eventual one on one with Miro and Orange Cassidy.  Miro and Kip Sabian winning keeps that on course. However, see Exhibit A of Team Taz' booking and you see why I'm a little nervous for Miro here.

Richard:  If there is a match that screams "BUY IN MATCH", this is that match.  Miro has been booked as if he came from NXT to the main roster and needs a solid performance in this match.  Miro needs the win but I can see Best Friends pulling out the victory

BUY IN Match:  Riho and Thunder Rosa versus Britt Baker and Rebel

Dave: I see Rebel looking at the lights in this one.

Mike: Rebel is a great secondary personality for Baker.  It makes sense she takes the pin.

Cory: I am looking forward to this match. Thunder Rosa makes every match she is in better, and Baker has upped her game over the last year. I like Riho as the scrappy underdog, and Reba is so good at her character, and is always just a half step off, which is a skill in and of itself. Reba will take the loss, but the match will be entertaining with a mix of solid work and Reba/Baker heel comedy.

Anthony: AEW has, in my opinion, one of the 5 most talented women in wrestling (Rosa) and one of the top 3 female personalities (Baker) and they're on the Buy In?  Why not put the Battle Royal or the Miro tag team match in this spot?  These four women deserve the spot on the PPV proper.  Riho and Rosa win and Baker's interaction with Rebel (REBA!!!!) will be great.

Richard:  Just like I think the Miro match belongs on the Buy In Program, this match belongs on the PPV.  Riho and Thunder Rosa had solid performances in the Women's Eliminator Tournament.  Baker is one of the best characters and her pairing with Rebel/Reba is usually entertaining.  I think Thunder Rosa pins Reba and it continues her feud with Baker.

The New Acquisition Paul Wight Mentioned on AEW Dynamite

Dave: Hall of Fame level means old, right?  When Wight said it, I was just thinking Dixie Carter.  I hate these kinds of announcements because they set the bar so high, like CM Punk having to say it's not him.  All I hope here is that it's not a groan moment but I wonder when promotions will learn to not set expectations so high.

Mike: There's a lot of names out there like Kurt Angle, Punk, Brock Lesnar (if he hasn't secretly signed with WWE by now), etc.   Based on online response and emails we've received, everyone is hoping for Punk or Lesnar.  I'd advise everyone to temper their expectations, just in case, especially since Punk says it's not him and he's not one to ever directly lie to his fan base.   Khan has done a good job of bringing back that 1990s era level of speculation around jumps and signings, so I hope it's something that will really surprise folks ordering the show.   If not, Twitter turns fast.  

Anthony: You say you're holding off a big announcement until the PPV?  It better be worthwhile or else we're delving way too far into Dixie Carter territory.  I have zero idea and, since the 2020 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony never took place, technichaly Batista isn't a hall of famer yet so I'm going with him.

Richard:  When he said 'Hall of Fame' level signing, my first thought was Kurt Angle.  However, just like the Wight signing, how much of an impact will it have for the in ring aspect of Dynamite.  I saw some people suggest it might be Brock Lesnar.  This needs to be a big deal or it just follows the 'BIGGEST SIGNING IN WRESTLING HISTORY' parade from TNA.  What if it is someone to shock the Women's Division, but who could it be?

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