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After winning the TNT Championship in a gruelling dog-collar match against Mr. Brodi Lee, Cody Rhodes lost it to the rising star Darby Allin at AEW Full Gear. A poetic outcome, considering Darby made his debut against Cody at Fyter Fest last year, which resulted in a time-limit draw. Allin was also defeated by Cody in the semi-finals of the tournament to crown the inaugural TNT Champion.
Though a newly introduced championship, only being held by Mr. Brodi Lee and Cody himself before Darby's victory, the title has already become recognised as one of the top belts of the promotion.
On the following episode of Dynamite after his loss, Cody announced that he will not invoke his rematch clause, thereby freeing the TNT championship and Darby for new potential challengers.
One of most exciting young talents on the roster, Darby Allin shows his in-ring prowess and high-risk offence everytime he enters the squared circle. Now, with the addition of the championship, the stakes are raised even higher for the up-and-comer.
With a stacked roster, there is seemingly no end of mouth-watering match-ups for the new TNT Champion. With this in mind, here are 5 possible challengers for Darby Allin's TNT Championship.
#5 Brian Cage
On the post-Full Gear episode of Dynamite, Darby's longtime rival Ricky Starks called out the newly crowned TNT Champion. But a clash with the other member of Team Taz, the current FTW World Champion, Brian Cage, seems inevitable.
The clash between the respective champions could also be a winner-take-all, possibly even a merger of the two mid-card titles. Cages' machine-like strength and athleticism against the high-risk, unpredictability of Darby Allin is a combination virtually guaranteeing a wonderful match. Add to that the on-screen charisma of faction leader Taz, the ever looming presence of Starks, and possibly the addition of another rising star in Will Hobbs, who has proved to be Darby's ally in the past, it could create a memorable and difficult first feud for the new champion.
#4 Lance Archer
Lance Archer has been one of the most dominant wrestlers on the AEW roster ever since his debut. After winning the Casino Battle Royal at All Out, Archer delivered a solid performance against the World Champion Jon Moxley in an ultimately losing effort on the AEW Dynamite Anniversary Show.
But despite his power, Archer has not won a championship in AEW yet. Whereas Darby Allin, who is relatively small in stature and light in weight, holds a belt of his own. Now that the World Title picture is centered around Moxley and Kenny Omega, Archer may seek the TNT title and Darby Allin instead.
In the TNT Championship Tournament, Archer reached the finals after devastating performances against Marco Stunt and Dustin Rhodes, only to come up short against the inaugural champion Cody Rhodes at Double or Nothing, after boxer Mike Tyson prevented Jake "The Snake" Roberts from interfering on Archer's behalf.
The brute force of Lance Archer against the sheer will-power of Darby Allin will make for a perfect David vs Goliath narrative, a formula which usually delivers, and the involvement of Jake Roberts could add another layer to an already intriguing match-up!
#3 Pac
Darby Allin has been a prominent part of AEW in recent months. Sadly the same can't be said for Pac. But, after a seventh month absence because of travel restrictions imposed due to the ongoing pandemic, Pac made his triumphant return to AEW on the 11th November episode of Dynamite, confronting Eddie Kingston and his "Family" after Kingston's loss to Jon Moxley at Full Gear.
Pac has been a top star ever since the inception of the promotion, defeating the likes of Kenny Omega and "Hangman" Adam Page in previous encounters. The new ruthless "Bastard" persona of Pac and his in-ring abiltes make him a credible opponent for anyone. In fact, in January, Pac defeated Darby Allin in a intense main event match, which would make Darby even more of an underdog in a rematch.
Though he has changed his wrestling style, Pac still remains one of the best high flyers in the world. Along with Darby Allin, with his unique aerial offence, including his signature move "The Coffin Drop". A clash between the two is bound to produce a high octane match to be remembered for the ages.
#2 Jon Moxley
The last time Darby Allin and Jon Moxley met, it could be argued they stole the show.
The brawler in Moxley found an equal challenge in the indomitable spirit of Darby Allin and the emotional aftermath, where the AEW World Champion payed his respects to his defeated foe, was equally powerful.
Moxley is set to face perhaps his greatest challenge yet, "The Cleaner" Kenny Omega, on the 2nd December edition of Dynamite. Should Moxley lose the title to a re-energised and motivated Omega, a rematch with Darby Allin could be in the cards, but this time the roles would be reversed, with Darby being the champion and Moxley being the challenger, fresh from what would be his biggest defeat.
Moxley won the AEW World Championship from "The Demo God" Chris Jericho at Revolution back in February, making him the second and, as of now, the longest reigning champion. Losing the title, and perhaps a further loss to Darby, could also set Moxley towards a more unhinged version of his character, as it did with Omega. This poetic twist of fate would be a fitting extension of their previous epic rivalry.
#1 Eddie Kingston
With his phenomenal promo-skills, and a gritty style of in-ring work, Eddie Kingston has risen to the top of the AEW Roster. Arguably picking up more steam than Darby Allin. For the past month, Kingston was engaged with Moxley over the World Championship, losing twice; Once on Dynamite due to a technical submission and, more recently, at Full Gear in a gruesome "I Quit" match.
Despite suffering a clean loss, 'The Mad King" continues to have a charismatic presence, entering into a feud with the returning Pac. Kingston's "Family" (The Butcher and The Blade, and The Lucha Brothers, Pentagon Jr. and Rey Fenix) offer a variety of different worries for Darby Allin, should he and Kingston go head-to-head.
But while Kingston's debut in AEW was a losing effort for the TNT belt against Cody, there's no doubt he's bounced back in a huge way. Similarly to when Darby first suffered a lost to self-proclaimed 'Prince of Pro Wrestling.'
The feud could be a star-making one for Darby Allin, who could prove that his victory over "The American Nightmare" was not merely a fluke, but a deserved opportunity grabbed with both hands.
What other names do you think could challenge Darby Allin for the title? Stay tuned to Sportskeeda for your latest wrestling updates.
