Since its unveiling on 25th May 2019 at the inaugural Double or Nothing event, a grand total of two individuals have held the AEW World Championship. While a tiny number have won this coveted prize, a succession of compelling storylines and memorable matches have transformed it from just another world championship to perhaps wrestling’s pre-eminent title.
Following All Out, the direction of the AEW World Championship is unclear. Jon Moxley has been champion for 200+ days and dispatched every challenger that’s come his way. Matches with Jake Hager, Brodie Lee, Brian Cage, Darby Allin and MJF have been and gone, and a showdown with Lance Archer is on the horizon. But what does that mean for the championship, and will we see it change hands for a third time on the AEW Dynamite Anniversary Special?
Sure – you can make a strong case for Lance Archer standing tall with the belt come 14th October, but how does his potential compare to other leading contenders? Let’s take a look at the top 5 wrestlers who could capture the AEW World Championship next…
5. Chris Jericho
Le Champion has been a fixture of AEW’s upper echelons since its launch. As the first champion, he laid the foundations for the AEW World Championship and its prestigious reputation before losing it to Jon Moxley at Revolution in February. Undoubtedly, a second reign will be on the cards at some point and fans would love to see it – he is the Demo God after all. But with Chris Jericho and Jake Hager now seeking the AEW World Tag Team Championships, it seems unlikely that he’ll be next in line for a big singles title win.
4. MJF
Maxwell Jacob Friedman went to war with Jon Moxley at All Out in a bloody main event. He ultimately succumbed to the Paradigm Shift, despite it being banned. While he took the three count on that occasion, the fiery feud between the two and controversial ending to the match raises the prospect of a further battle – maybe even at Full Gear. He might walk away with the strap on that night, but the timing doesn’t seem quite right. MJF is fantastic on the mic and great in the ring, but there’s definitely room for growth before pulling the proverbial trigger and cementing him at the top.
3. Lance Archer
The Murderhawk Monster has come a long way since his utterly forgettable stint in WWE and is next up for a shot against Jon Moxley. With a strong 13-1 win/loss record in 2020, he could very well sweep in and take the title on 14th October.
Following a successful NJPW run – including a career defining performance in 2019’s G1 and a United States Championship reign – Archer signed with AEW in February. Having aligned himself with legend Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts, he has dominated the competition and proven he’s ready for a world championship. The only thing standing in his way is the sheer popularity of Moxley as champion. Are AEW likely to end his run in favour of Archer, and is that what fans really want to see right now? I don’t think so.
2. ‘Hangman’ Adam Page
Adam Page is a star in the making. He’s a beer-swilling badass that fans can relate to and WANT to get behind. And as one of AEW’s most popular names since its launch, his subtle transformation into a tweener (neither babyface or heel) has only reaffirmed that.
Coming off the back of his epic but turbulent AEW World Tag Team Championship reign with Kenny Omega, fans are clamouring for the Hangman to take the leap into pro wrestling superstardom by claiming his first world title. But it won’t be that simple – he wants to recapture the tag titles first. The next man on this list has other ideas, and I expect Adam Page will be going to war with him for the AEW World Championship down the road instead.
1. Kenny Omega
After their brutal collision at Full Gear last year, Omega and Moxley are destined to fight again – this time for the World Championship. Whether at Full Gear 2020 or a bit later on, Kenny is the man to take the strap from Mox. It feels so right. He’s finally dropped the AEW World Tag Team Championships and is moving away from that division at last. And while the mere prospect of Moxley vs Omega II is enough to get fans salivating, the actual thing itself will have us eating it up.
Once that’s all said and done, it seems to me that Kenny Omega vs Adam Page is the final stage in a master plan. Two former friends, teammates and champions battling it out for the ultimate prize – perhaps over a series of matches – in what’s sure to turn Page into AEW’s first major breakout star. I can’t wait, but Kenny has to take home the gold first.
Do you agree with our top 5 ranking? Who do you want to see as the next AEW champ? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other pro wrestling articles!
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Featured Image Credit: All Elite Wrestling (AEW)
