At the end of WrestleDream, the camera panned to two AEW babyfaces who looked exhausted and exasperated after Jon Moxley beat Bryan Danielson to become the new AEW World Heavyweight champion. They had to stave off an attack by the Blackpool Combat Club; one in which cemented Wheeler Yuta's turn toward the dark side.
It was significant, as if to say, who is going to step up and defeat the big, bad BCC?
Bruh they ended this like Avengers Infinity War wth lol there’s no way Bryan Danielson goes out like this. Sheesh #AEWWrestleDream pic.twitter.com/Wt7xnWVvad
— SwaydayWrestling (@SwaydayWrestlin) October 13, 2024
At the end of the show, we the viewers were supposed to wonder who was going to step up. Was it going to be Orange Cassidy, who received a weird mid-PPV pep talk from Jerry Lynn? Was it going to be Darby Allin who lost his world title shot in a silly way to Moxley in the first place. Or are they going to be stepping stones until the real hero comes to save the day.
I asked folks on Team Fight Game Media for their thoughts about who should be that person to eventually dethrone Jon Moxley.
Sam Schipman: Orange Cassidy
Orange Cassidy redefined what it means to be International Champion and showed that he is a true workhorse. He quieted any questions if he could actually go many times over. Cassidy is a true man of the people. For Jerry Lynn to pull Cassidy aside backstage mid-PPV and tell him he can be the “The Man” if he wanted signals that many within AEW think he can be World Champion if he wants it. HOOK agreed and told Cassidy to listen to Lynn. Moving Cassidy away from The Conglomeration more often for singles bouts can re-establish him as a singles star before he dethrones Mox.
Jeremy Finestone: Will Ospreay
Jon Moxley should have a stranglehold on the AEW World title for the better part of a year. The title needs stability, with him defending against a run of guys who aren’t quite up for the task of beating Moxley while one guy waits for his chance and that’s Will Ospreay.
Fair play to Adam Cole, Orange Cassidy, Darby Allin and Daniel Garcia. Each were featured in the decimation of Bryan Danielson and they’re all fine options, but fine options aren’t a compelling main event direction.
The World Title scene needs to be the anchor of the promotion. The treasure no one can attain. The prestige needs to be rekindled and to do that, AEW needs to commit to making the next big star now. Will Ospreay has been positioned as the next face of pro wrestling, let alone AEW. There shouldn’t be anyone else to beat Moxley before next summer, and certainly not two more title switches in between.
Paul Fontaine: Kenny Omega
No one knows when he’s ready to come back but I’ve heard strong rumours that it might be January in time for Wrestle Dynasty. So for that reason, I think the person to dethrone Jon Moxley and “save AEW” would be the guy who should be the new heart and soul of the company with Bryan Danielson’s full time career having come to an end. That person is Kenny Omega. Perhaps reuniting with Kota Ibushi and leading a babyface group with Darby Allin and others.
GG: Swerve Strickland
I am all for pushing some of the younger talent. But they all have major flaws in their game at this moment. Orange Cassidy's character needs a slight adjustment if he's going to be the fighting babyface. Daniel Garcia would need to go on a many match winning streak to go from underdog in the Continental Classic to top fight babyface. Darby Allin's silly storyline is the reason that Moxley even got the title shot. No one stands out right now. So you'll have to build and build and build. That hasn't been AEW's strong suit in the last couple years. Of those three, Allin coming full circle and righting his wrong is the way to go. But he's also a wild card because of his style. Would you bet on him being injury free for the next year?
But my pick has a flaw too. Swerve Strickland is a tweener babyface. As we saw during Blood & Guts, his style isn't suited to be your normal babyface. But he has a unique charisma and a budding star power. He has crossover potential. And most of all, he has an equity with the fanbase having already overcome mid-card status and grown to main event champion.
If I'm betting for someone not named MJF to go to the next level and hopefully take AEW with them, it's Swerve.
We also had some folks from our Discord chime in with their thoughts.
Ryan Pike: Darby Allin
If they want the story they're telling to pay off, it almost HAS to be Darby.
Lou Lion: Kenny Omega
I think if healthy it should be Kenny O. If he is not healthy, it should be Swerve. I love Darby. In my mind he is a solid number two but not a champion.
Matt B: Will Ospreay
Ospreay is the guy who can cut great in ring promos every week and whose title matches will always generate interest.
