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AEW is attempting to install itself as a major competition and possible replacement for WWE, a spot that has been empty since the demise of WCW two decades back. AEW has a roster full of talent, both young and experienced, and some of the industry's most revered icons are lending their support to the fledgling promotion, either as on-air talent or behind the scenes.
With talents such as Bryan Danielson, CM Punk and Kenny Omega doing their best to entertain the audience with impeccable in-ring action, AEW has managed to acquire a faithful following. They currently have a genuine top-tier babyface in Hangman Page and an obnoxious heel faction in The Elite. However, Tony Khan's tendency to continually challenge WWE has attracted some criticism.
AEW has primarily managed to maintain its promise of providing shows based on in-ring action. However, one mistake the Tony Khan-led promotion must not commit is booking the wrong wrestler to win important matches. AEW is already guilty of several such mistakes early into the promotion's lifetime, and the company must take steps to prevent further mistakes.
Here is a list of five AEW matches where the wrong person ended up victorious.
#5 Cody Rhodes vs Malakai Black (AEW Dynamite: 23rd September 2021)
AEW drew sharp criticism for having Cody Rhodes win a match against Malakai Black. Black had continually targeted Rhodes' babyface psychology, and a win for the former AEW TNT Champion would only be logical if he had turned heel. Adding to the criticism was the complete no-sell of Black's finisher by Rhodes.
The problem was not in the quality of the match but in Rhodes' reluctance in turning heel. Fans showered the company's EVP with jeers as he pretended to soak up adulation and indulge in a babyface moment of successful redemption. The commentary team made no mention of the loud disdain voiced by the audience.
#4 Matt Hardy vs Sammy Guevara (AEW Full Gear 2020)
AEW Full Gear saw Matt Hardy face Sammy Guevara in one of his signature Hardy Compound encounters and he proved to be the victor. The match itself was fine and saw two surprises in the form of 'Hurricane' Shane Helms and Gangrel.
This was the final match in the rivalry between the veteran and the rising star, and the company inexplicably made the veteran win. Hardy gained nothing from the victory and soon transformed into the leader of the Hardy Family Office, a faction that has failed to become a success.
#3 Orange Cassidy vs Powerhouses Hobbs (AEW Rampage: 16th October 2021)
Orange Cassidy is a bigger star than Powerhouse Hobbs and his win was no surprise. However, Hobbs has recently been booked as part of several important matches, including a match against CM Punk. A win for Hobbs wouldn't have hurt Cassidy much, as the fans already love him.
Dutch Mantell believes that AEW could have let Cassidy gain victory via disqualification, which would have helped to simultaneously protect Hobbs and allow Cassidy to advance to the next round of the tournament.
#2 Miro vs Sammy Guevara (AEW Dynamite: 29th September 2021)
Miro's AEW booking was originally a disaster, with his gimmick hiding his incredible skills in the ring. Since the introduction of The Redeemer gimmick, Miro has become a force to be reckoned with.
Miro's AEW TNT Championship run was the most dominant in the title's history. He lost the title to Sammy Guevara, which was a surprising result. Miro hasn't wrestled a match since the loss.
Guevara is embroiled in a bizarre rivalry with Dan Lambert's American Top Team, which appears to somewhat eclipse his recent championship status. Miro could've remained a champion until Guevara's story with American Top Team was concluded.
#1 Chris Jericho vs MJF (AEW All Out 2021)
Chris Jericho shouldn't have won his match against MJF at All Out.
The young pillar of AEW is a gem on the microphone, spitting unrestricted and diabolical verbal poison, however, his in-ring successes have not yet caught up to his skills on the mic.
A definitive victory in a rivalry with Chris Jericho would have provided MJF with a boost. However, the stipulation of the match made Jericho's victory a certainty.
The rivalry was more successful in solidifying Jericho as a face than turning MJF into a wrestler capable of backing up his claims.
