AEW often does a good job booking unique and fresh matchups and feuds, with each week feeling different to the last. There have been several great storylines throughout the last three years, with Adam Page vs Kenny Omega and CM Punk vs MJF being two notable stand-outs.
However, not every feud has been a hit, and there are some which AEW must try and avoid going forwards throughout the remainder of the year, but also some that they should certainly push towards in order to create some great rivalries and television.
10 Should Book: The Elite vs Undisputed Era
Whether The Elite keeps their name or if Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, and Bobby Fish inherit the “Elite” title, these two teams need to clash this year. Whether it be the Young Bucks teaming with Adam Page or Kenny Omega, a trios feud would be great, and it would pay off several months of underlying tension.
Leaving this to brew for too long could lessen the impact of an eventual storyline, so doing it before the year closes would help to give AEW a top storyline to carry them through the Autumn and Winter months.
9 Shouldn’t Book: Thunder Rosa Vs Britt Baker
It feels as though AEW is once again heading in the direction of Thunder Rosa and Britt Baker battling over the AEW Women’s World Title, but they must avoid another singles match at all costs.
At one point, this was looked at as the defining feud for women in AEW, but now it is seen as something overdone and lacking, with their last chapter being quite underwhelming. Other women need to be given a chance at the top and having these two dominate the title scene again will be tiresome.
8 Should Book: CM Punk Vs Jon Moxley
It does feel inevitable that these two will clash at some point, although AEW could easily change things up by having Moxley lose the Interim Title before Punk makes a return. However, AEW should ensure that Moxley remains champion to set up this feud.
This shouldn’t just be for the championship though – it should be a personal, intense rivalry that allows both men to do what they do best on the microphone to build to a heated matchup. This is a title match which has money written all over it, and it should be the first thing Punk does when he is back in action.
7 Shouldn’t Book: Chris Jericho Vs Hook
There seems to be a trend with hot young prospects and other hugely popular talents in AEW – they all seem to cross paths with Chris Jericho. Sammy Guevara, MJF, Daniel Garcia, Orange Cassidy, Eddie Kingston, and more have either teamed with or feuded with Jericho.
Whilst some of these competitors have benefited, it hasn’t done a whole lot for them in the long run unfortunately, with these feuds lasting for too long, with Jericho often getting the decisive victory. Hook is someone with a lot of hype and popularity, which means he could eventually feud with Jericho, who seems drawn to this type of competitor. However, at least for this year, Hook needs to remain on the rise, and not get stuck in a never-ending Jericho feud.
6 Should Book: Eddie Kingston Vs Claudio Castagnoli
These two men have a storied hatred of one another, but in their time spent together in AEW, they have managed to put their bad blood aside to fight a common enemy. However, some seeds have been planted, with Castagnoli taking Kingston’s big win at Blood and Guts.
This shouldn’t be immediate, but their dislike should continue brewing for a few months before finally they implode. Keeping them both as babyfaces will be tough, but it will work – just like it did for Kingston vs Punk last year.
5 Shouldn’t Book: CM Punk Vs Jeff Hardy
It is unclear when exactly Jeff Hardy will make an AEW return, but if and when he does, a feud with one of his all-time great rivals, CM Punk, should be avoided. Hardy’s time in the company has been plagued with personal issues, but those exact issues were the focal point for their bad blood in WWE.
Highlighting that whilst also rehashing something that was done before could paint a bad image on the company, even if they could undoubtedly create some compelling television.
4 Should Book: MJF Vs Bryan Danielson
MJF is someone who sees himself as a complete pro wrestler and sports entertainer, who has his sights set on bigger and better things, with him hinting at joining WWE. Bryan Danielson is someone who left the glitz and glamor to focus on professional wrestling, joining AEW.
These two are polar opposites, but opposites in a way which makes them the perfect foes for one another. If MJF does have one foot out the door, then capitalising on money matches such as this should be a priority. Danielson and MJF would create magic both inside and outside the ring.
3 Shouldn’t Book: Wardlow Vs Sammy Guevara
AEW has had a lot of trouble in the last nine months when it comes to the TNT Championship. With Wardlow winning the title and taking it away from the likes of Sammy Guevara and Scorpio Sky, things are hopefully on the up.
To ensure that things keep improving, AEW cannot reintroduce Guevara to the TNT Title scene. The pair have a history, with them both being former Inner Circle members, but AEW must show restraint to not bring back unpopular names to this division, even if Guevara is still a hot prospect and multi-time champion.
2 Should Book: Young Bucks Vs FTR
It looked as though the Young Bucks and FTR were set to battle in a deciding match in their trilogy over four different tag titles, but that seems to have been put on the back burner for now. However, fans are desperate to see the culmination to this trilogy, and it should happen later this year.
However, instead of a quick build, this needs to develop and be ramped up week after week with promos, brawls, and great angles in order to make their deciding encounter the best it can possibly be.
1 Shouldn’t Book: MJF Vs Tony Khan
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While it could be argued that this feud has already started, MJF’s return should not bring about the on-screen character of Tony Khan. It could certainly happen, especially with what has occurred already, but if Khan becomes a regular on TV then it could set a bad precedent for AEW’s future.
Bringing back MJF to feud with other wrestlers is the right way to go, even if they are acting in the interests of Khan and AEW. Their feud can still happen in some sense, but not with Khan appearing on TV, and certainly not wrestling a match.