Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen the latest iteration of the AEW World Championship Eliminator tournament. The tournament dates back to 2020, when Kenny Omega would defeat former tag team partner Hangman Page in the finals at Full Gear- highlighting his rise to the main event of All Elite Wrestling. In 2021, Bryan Danielson defeated Miro in the finals at Full Gear. However, 2022 will see the finals match no longer be featured on PPV – as it’s been moved to the following episode of AEW Dynamite instead.
Tony Khan Moves AEW World Championship Eliminator Tournament Finals To Dynamite
Right now, we know half of the finals of this tournament – as Ethan Page defeated Eddie Kingston to make the semi-finals, before punching his ticket to the finals defeating Bandido last night. However, the other half of the tournament ran into a snag. The first round match match of Ricky Starks vs. Lance Archer was delayed, and is set to take place the night before Full Gear on AEW Rampage.
Brian Cage has already made the semi-finals, and he will now face the winner of Archer vs. Starks during the Full Gear Zero Hour pre show. While many assumed that would just follow the finals later in the night – Tony Khan would confirm that is not the case. During a media call ahead of Full Gear, Khan would inform everyone that the finals will instead take place on the episode of Dynamite following Full Gear.
Off PPV, The Match Has A Better Chance To Stand Out
There are two ways to look at this situation. On one hand, the tournament finals being on PPV gave the match instant prestige. It was following in the footsteps of huge matches like Kenny Omega vs. Hangman Page and Bryan Danielson vs. Miro, making it massive. There was a brewing tradition there.
However, AEW PPV events have gotten a touch long – and it’s unlikely that if Archer or Starks make the finals – that they’d be able to be in peak form. It seems likely that had this match gone ahead on Full Gear, it would have been a short match – and lacked impact. Putting it on Dynamite lessens the instant prestige, but will allow it a lot more time to breathe – and a chance to be the main event of a show.
Do you think moving this match away from Full Gear was the right call? Who will join Page in the finals? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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