Predictions for AEW All Out continue with a wild triple threat match! (You can see my preview of the last match here.)
Darby Allin vs. Jimmy Havoc vs. Joey Janela
So during my preview for the fatal four way match at Fyter Fest, I made mention of the fact that matches like this traditionally don’t have disqualifications. That didn’t end up being particularly relevant in that match, somewhat surprisingly given Havoc’s involvement. But if it doesn’t come up in this one, I’ll frankly be shocked. And even if weapons don’t come into play, this is still likely to be a chaotic one. This bout pits three of AEW’s most reckless competitors in a free for all.
The trio was put on the same side of a six-man tag match at Fight For The Fallen, but after their losing effort, they quickly descended into a brawl, blaming each other for the defeat. After showing this fight get pulled apart, they naturally immediately announced this match. You can see a video of the scuffle as part of Episode 2 of Road To All Out below:
For Darby Allin, this comes on the heels of a career making moment.
He caused quite a stir when he took Cody to the limit at AEW Fyter Fest, quite literally. The 20 minute time limit draw was one nobody saw coming. But it was upstaged somewhat by Shawn Spears’ attack on Cody afterwards, and Darby’s attempt at retribution in the aforementioned six man tag didn’t go his way. In fact, Spears can now say he pinned the man that Cody couldn’t… obviously, Darby is pissed at this turn of events and looking to put himself back on track at AEW All Out.
But the funny thing about this match is that you could say the same for everyone involved. Havoc hasn’t looked bad in any of his appearances thus far but he also hasn’t shone near as much the other two involved here. Allin has his draw with Cody, Janela has a main event appearance against Moxley under his belt… Havoc has little in comparison. Defeating the both of them here would be quite the feather in the cap, however…
Janela was also notedly furious in the scuffle, mentioning his 0-2 record, which he and Havoc share. In theory, he’s the biggest name of the bunch or certainly was coming in, anyhow. His indy sensation status has translated well so far but he does need a win to solidify himself.
You could say the same for all three men, as each looks for their first victory at AEW All Out.
One might take a story like that as indicating that this match is low on the totem pole, but it’s a good exemplifier of wins and losses mattering, that they’re all so ready to scrap and claw just to get that single W. They’re popular and impressive in varying degrees but looking good in defeat only gets you so far. They’re all aware of that. They need the win to rise and might just tear each other apart to get it.
So… who takes it? Smart money might be on Darby, as he’s gotten quite a bit of focus… but I’ll say Joey Janela takes this.
Jimmy is probably at the stage of his career where he’s mostly a hardcore hand, so to speak. And Darby, while he has a lot of superstar potential, is likely being looked at as more a longterm project. He’ll be a star, no question, but not one that needs to be made immediately. And he might be better suited to clawing his way up the card slowly anyway, makes more of an underdog out of him. Joey on the other hand is about at that age where he should be peaking, and they already thought enough of him to have him headline Fyter. Makes sense to me to give The Bad Boy a big win here.
AEW All Out takes place on Saturday, August 31st. It hails from the Sears Centre Arena in Chicago, Illinois. It will be airing live on Pay-Per-View and streamed on Fite.tv and B/R Live.