All Elite Wrestling is back with their annual April PPV — Dynasty! The third show baring that name comes our way from Vancouver, with the usual 8 p.m. Eastern start time.
Including a streaming pre-show that starts an hour earlier, the event will feature 12 total matches as of this writing. It’ll build to a big Men’s World championship main event, the last of eight title matches!
It’s a lot to process. But we’ve got your backs. Cain previewed the whole affair here, and our motley crew is back to make
predictions about the matches coming our way this evening, and muse about all things AEW along the way. Editor’s note: AEW head honcho Tony Khan loves to get the last few matches in at the last minute, so Saturday’s additions don’t have picks from the whole crew.
Let’s get to it.
AEW DYNASTY PREDICTIONS
MJF (c) vs. Kenny Omega for the AEW World championship
Sean Rueter: Some of this may just be lingering resentment that Max beat my beloved angsty cowpoke last PPV cycle, but I’ve talked myself into one last run for the EVP and God of Pro Wrestling before his career catches up to him for good. It would create a lot of intrigue for the next several months worth of World title matches, which otherwise might feel perfunctory. Pick: Kenny Omega
Claire Elizabeth: I would never ever bet against Kenny Omega, but his claims of being 100% simply do not hold water. Even setting aside the diverticulitis of it all, the man is 42 and has been doing this at an incredibly high level for eighteen years. He’s got some miles, and Max’s freshness plus his absolute willingness to cut any corner that presents itself will win the day. Pick: Maxwell Jacob Friedman
Cain A. Knight: Kenny’s intestines will probably explode just before the referee’s hand hits the mat for the third time following the One Winged Angel. Pick: MJF
Manolo H. Pizzazz: At this point in Omega’s career, MJF is better than him, and I think that Omega knows that deep down in his soul. Pick: MJF
Marcus Benjamin: They need to continue riding the MJF wave. This is one of those matches where the legend does the favors for the better long term bet. My question is how do they set up what’s next. Pick: MJF
Kyle Decker: I think the real question is at what point in the match is Kenny going to bleed out of his mouth because of diverticulitis. Kenny has that blood capsule ready to go. Pick: MJF
Jon Velez-Jackson: The champ has been on a hot streak lately. I don’t seen it ending here. Pick: MJF
Thekla (c) vs. Jamie Hayter for the AEW Women’s World title
Sean Rueter: That belt will stay toxic and spider-y until babyface Mercedes returns, methinks. Pick: Thekla
Claire Elizabeth: I have a conundrum here, I like Thekla but I hate spiders. Can I pick the spider lady? Have I in the past? (I am not going to check.) Yeah… I like Jamie but I don’t think she’s gonna win here. Pick: Thekla
Cain A. Knight: This is the easiest match on the main card to predict. Jamie Hayter is just a filler opponent due to the abbreviated four week build to the PPV and no Toni Storm. Pick: Thekla
Manolo H. Pizzazz: This is Thekla’s world, and Jamie Hayter is just living in it. Or maybe not much longer after Thekla kills that dumb (expletive). Pick: Thekla
Marcus Benjamin: Much like the men’s champ, Thekla is too hot to stop at the moment. Keep building her as a dominant heel champ until an even bigger face comes through. Pick: Thekla
Kyle Decker: I’m a big fan of Thekla – she’s got a different vibe than a lot of the other women. I don’t see any reason to do a change this soon. Pick: Thekla
Jon Velez-Jackson: While Hayter has been one of AEW’s biggest stars on the women’s roster, the company showed a huge vote of confidence by recently extending Thekla’s contract. She’ll prove whey they believe in her at Dynasty. Pick: Thekla
Jon Moxley (c) vs. Will Ospreay for the AEW Continental championship
Sean Rueter: If there’s one thing I know about predicting how AEW will book Jon Moxley and Will Ospreay, it’s that I don’t know how AEW will book Jon Moxley and Will Ospreay. But I’ve seen this idea a few places about the wrestle web this week, and have become a bit enamored with it, so here goes. Bruv falls short, setting him up to make the Owen Final for the second straight year, where he runs into Mox again. Unlike last year, he wins to claim the main event at Wembley. And I think we all know what happens there. Pick: Jon Moxley
Claire Elizabeth: Will is back, he’s better than ever, and he’s got backup. (Yes I know the backup is irrelevant under Continental Championship rules.) I’m not gonna say Moxley doesn’t stand a chance, because he always stands a chance, but I will be very, very surprised if Jon gets his hand raised here. Pick: Will Ospreay
Cain A. Knight: I think the idea is for Ospreay to win the AEW world title at All In. He might as well hold on to the Continental title for a little bit before that happens, I guess? Pick: Will Ospreay
Manolo H. Pizzazz: I don’t think that Ospreay’s primary goal is to win this match. He just wants to hurt Moxley. Wrestling under the Continental rules prevents Death Riders interference, and that’s the real motivation for Ospreay to request the title bout. Mox will squeak out the win, and Ospreay will keep fighting him after the match. This is the type of feud that feels like it is heading to Lights Out. Pick: Jon Moxley
Marcus Benjamin: It’s hard picking against Ospreay in his first big match back from injury. So I won’t. Pick: Will Ospreay
Kyle Decker: This is an interesting one because Will Ospreay pretty has to win this. But I also think he’s going to win the world title at All In this year. So he’s not going to drop the Continental championship prior. But there are so many titles that it’s not the biggest deal if one person holds two of them. Pick: Will Ospreay
Jon Velez-Jackson: This will be a close battle with a lot of back-and-forth momentum. However, it’s time for Ospreay to have gold around his waist again. Pick: Will Ospreay
FTR (c) vs. Cage & Cope for the AEW Tag Team championship
Sean Rueter: There are a few ways I could see them going with this, and the one I think they’ll pick makes this both part two of a trilogy and part of the set-up for something bigger with The Bucks (and maybe The Rascalz? #DIY, even?) later this year. Seeing as the Canadians won the first one in Canada… look, admittedly, it got ugly for them after that, but they won… that’s another reason to go with the Top Guys. Pick: FTR
Claire Elizabeth: Cards on the table folks, I just wanna see Mama Stoke get some of that Christian Cage action. Pick: Adam Copeland & Christian Cage
Cain A. Knight: The old guys didn’t stay away from AEW all this time just to lose their return match. Pick: Christian Cage & Adam Copeland
Manolo H. Pizzazz: FTR’s days were numbered after putting hands on Cope’s wife. Pick: Adam Copeland & Christian Cage
Marcus Benjamin: This match is a long time coming. Do the obvious right thing and don’t overthink it. Pick: Adam Copeland & Christian
Kyle Decker: I think this leading to a triple threat with C&C, FTR, & the Young Bucks and that’ll probably be at All In. The question is does Cage & Cope win the belts here or at the bigger show. I’m actually going to go with All In. Pick: FTR
Jon Velez-Jackson: Who knows how much longer Cage and Cope have in the ring, but one last hurrah as tag champs seems fitting. Pick: Cage & Cope
The Young Bucks vs. Kazuchika Okada & Konosuke Takeshita
Sean Rueter: The Alpha’s got a reason to play nice (I still think Don Callis pulls the International title offer if his issues with his partner cost them this one), and they’ve got a whole Family of folks who can help out even in The Rainmaker predictably gives the middle finger to the whole affair. Pick: Kazuchika Okada & Konosuke Takeshita
Claire Elizabeth: There’s no way Okada and Takeshita manages to hold it together long enough to actually win here, and the only real question is who gets sick of who first and walks. (And for what it’s worth, I think Takeshita leaves Okada to his fate.) Pick: Young Bucks
Cain A. Knight: Okada and Takeshita can’t work well enough together to beat the best tag team of this generation. But maybe they have a shot against the Bucks. Pick: Young Bucks
Manolo H. Pizzazz: Okada will leave Takeshita hanging when it matters most. Pick: Young Bucks
Marcus Benjamin: This isn’t a story about the Bucks, at least not explicitly. It’s about whether Okada and Takeshita can truly get along. Don referred to them as “Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen” but the more apt comparison is Kobe and Shaq. That dynasty came to an abrupt ending because of their tension. I think the same thing starts in this match. Pick: The Young Bucks
Kyle Decker: If the Bucks are going to enter that all star tag team triple threat I’m posing here, they should be able to beat two guys who hate each other. Pick: The Young Bucks
Jon Velez-Jackson: Okada and Takeshita look to be feuding soon, and a loss here could be the impetus. Pick: The Young Bucks
Dynasty can be purchased on HBO Max, Amazon, YouTube, PPV.com, and DAZN, or you can buy it on traditional PPV.
In Canada, the UK, and other international markets, it will be available on the new MyAEW.com service.
Andrade El Ídolo vs. Darby Allin
Sean Rueter: Given his loyalty to and advocacy for the brand, Darby will likely win the big one someday. But right now, he’s not the guy in this match fans are interested in seeing getting pushed towards the top. Pick: Andrade El Ídolo
Claire Elizabeth: Somethign about Darby’s desperation of late rings hollow to me. I believe he has concerns about his legacy and all, and I even believe he’ll do anything it takes to get to the world title and prove himself, I just ultimately think that in the end that will not be enough. Pick: Andrade el Idolo
Cain A. Knight: It looks like Darby is next in line for a world title match against MJF, even though AEW missed the right timing on his main event push. Maybe this is the loss that moves Andrade closer to leaving the Callis Family. Pick: Darby Allin
Manolo H. Pizzazz: Momentum to face MJF is hotter for Andrade at the moment. El Idolo is experiencing a surge in popularity thanks to taking off his pants and loving the ladies. Get him the world title match while the iron is hot, because there is no telling how long his peak will last. Allin can be reheated at any time. Pick: Andrade El Idolo
Marcus Benjamin: Andrade is the hot hand. As I keep saying, ride the hot hands. Pick: Andrade El Idolo
Kyle Decker: I actually think right now, Andrade should be the one who is protected more, but I don’t think AEW sees it that way. Pick: Darby Allin
Jon Velez-Jackson: I’m not sure how to call this one, but unless Andrade pulls some shenanigans, I think Darby picks up the W. Pick: Darby Allin
Chris Jericho vs. Ricochet
Sean Rueter: You know, if Jericho really wants to win back the majority of the AEW audience (even if just for a little while before inevitably turning), he should lose his return match. Interestingly, he’s facing one guy a lot of people don’t want to see win right now. But they seem convinced everyone will go back to hating him for mostly kayfabe reasons soon, and I imagine they’re right. Anyway, hopefully this does more than that Action Andretti win did… Pick: Ricochet
Claire Elizabeth: Let the record show that while I was as sick of Chris Jericho as anybody was when he left, I’m always glad to see him come back because he always comes back fired up and with something to offer, and this match is definitely going to be worth the proverbial powder. As far as winners go, well… (annoying bird laugh) Pick: Ricochet
Cain A. Knight: The old guy didn’t stay away from AEW all this time just to lose his return match. Pick: Chris Jericho
Manolo H. Pizzazz: Ricochet is jealous of Jericho’s hair, and that will be his downfall. Pick: Chris Jericho
Marcus Benjamin: This should be fun but also obvious. Pick: Chris Jericho
Kyle Decker: I just want to know if he’s picking up the Learning Tree story where it was left off. Pick: Chris Jericho
Jon Velez-Jackson: He didn’t return to lose. Pick: Chris Jericho
Casino Gauntlet for the vacant TNT title
Sean Rueter: Picked Kyle O’Reilly, but that was before Collision made me think he’s showing up elsewhere. So let’s go even further afield… Pick: Wardlow
Claire Elizabeth: Ugh I always hate these ultra open-ended matches because without a strong sense of the field I never know what to do with myself. But with the Hurt Syndicate sliding back onto the scene, let’s get them some gold, shall we? Pick: Bobby Lashley
Cain A. Knight: Eddie Kingston hasn’t been on Dynamite or Collision in a while. Maybe he returns to AEW here and wins some gold. Pick: Eddie Kingston
Manolo H. Pizzazz: Mike Bailey is truest babyface on the roster right now. Give the people a role model to root for. Plus, winning the TNT title means he’ll be on TV every week putting on awesome matches. Pick: “Speedball” Mike Bailey
Marcus Benjamin: I always pick The Blade out of solidarity. Pick: The Blade
Kyle Decker: It’s time. Pick: The Blade
Jon Velez-Jackson: Even without knowing everyone that’s going to be in this, I’m going to predict the Psycho Killer comes out on top. Pick: Tommaso Ciampa
The Dogs (c) vs. Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong & ??? for the AEW Trios championship
Sean Rueter: Changed my previous pick when this was announced, so I’m not not picking the Kool Kyle comeback here. A one-day reign for Finlay’s crew isn’t great, but I seem to be picking against all the other Canadians on the card, so a feel good return win here works too. Pick: Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly
Cain A. Knight: I’m not picking against the babyface MYSTERY man. Pick: ???, Orange Cassidy & Roderick Strong
Manolo H. Pizzazz: Don’t be one pump chumps with the trios titles. Pick: The Dogs
Marcus Benjamin: Dogs 4 life. Pick: The Dogs
Alex Windsor vs. Marina Shafir
Sean Rueter: Both Brawling Birds really shouldn’t lose on the same night, but while Mox’s right-hand is over with crowds, she’s not win/loss proof. The Problem needs this more. Pick: Marina Shafir
Claire Elizabeth: Preshow babyface win, I don’t make the rules here. Pick: Alex Windsor
Cain A. Knight: Marina ranks above Windsor in the pecking order due to her association with Jon Moxley (and Ronda Rousey). Pick: Marina Shafir
Manolo H. Pizzazz: Windsor will set the tone for the Ospreay household. Pick: Alex Windsor
Marcus Benjamin: What Manolo said. Verbatim. Go Mrs. Bruv! Pick: Alex Windsor
Kyle Decker: I still think they’re trying to build Marina, despite back to back Ls to Toni Storm and Mina Shirakawa. Pick: Marina Shafir
Jon Velez-Jackson: Shafir should pick up a decisive win over Windsor. Pick: Marina Shafir
The Divine Dominion (c) vs. Maya World & Hyan for the AEW Women’s Tag titles
Sean Rueter: Another nice perk for World & Hyan’s decision to do business last year. Hope they survive it. Pick: The Divine Dominion
Cain A. Knight: I don’t know why Tony Khan added a jobber match to this show. Maya World and Hyan have never won a match on AEW programming, but now we’re supposed to think they have a chance to win the world tag team titles? Nope. Pick: Divine Dominion
Manolo H. Pizzazz: Pain. Pick: Divine Dominion
Marcus Benjamin: One of those matches that didn’t need to be here. I’ll flip a coin. Pick: Divine Domination
Jack Perry (c) vs. Mark Davis for the AEW National championship
Sean Rueter: The pop when Marko Stunt returns to help fight off the Callis Family should be… something. Pick: Jungle Jack
Cain A. Knight: Jungle isn’t losing his belt against a random Don Callis Family member on the pre-show. Pick: Jack Perry
Manolo H. Pizzazz: I would have liked a cinematic match between Jungle Man and the Aussie in the outback. I’ll settle for a pre-show banger. Pick: Jack Perry
Marcus Benjamin: Not picking against Jungle man at the moment. Pick: Jack Perry
That’s who we’ve got. Who are you taking, Cagesiders? Tell us in the comments, and there’s still time to jump into SoManyBirds contest for Dynasty in The Feed!
