“All In: Texas” will be the promotion’s blockbuster event of the summer, featuring some of the most highly anticipated matchups in AEW history.
Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada will renew their storied rivalry, in a winner-takes-all match—putting their International and Continental Championships on the line, in exchange for the new AEW Unified Championship.
“Timeless” Toni Storm will defend her AEW Women’s World Championship against the belt-collector, Mercedes Moné: in an unprecedented one-on-one encounter. Meanwhile, “Hangman” Adam Page will challenge the inviolable ace, Jon Moxley, for the AEW World Championship.
There will also be a Men’s and Women’s Casino Gauntlet Match, as well as three other championships on the line: including Adam Cole’s TNT Championship, The Hurt Syndicate’s tag team titles, and The Opps’ trios titles.
So, without further ado, here is Ramblin’ Ray’s Gamblin’ Guide to “All In.”
(Betting odds courtesy of BetOnline)
Men’s and Women’s Casino Gauntlet Matches
It’s virtually impossible to accurately predict the winner of these Casino Gauntlet Matches. However, we do know that Mark Briscoe, MJF and Mistico will be competing in the men’s, while Kris Statlander and Megan Bayne will be competing in the women’s.
No singles competitor has ever won a Casino Gauntlet match, as the first or second entrant. And, I don’t think that will change this Saturday.
Men’s Winner: “Switchblade” Jay White
Women’s Winner: Athena
AEW World Trios Championship
The Opps [c] vs. The Death Riders
The Opps will defend their AEW World Trios Championships in a highly anticipated rematch against The Death Riders. However, this iteration of The Death Riders will exclude Jon Moxley. In his stead, they’ve recruited their ally, Gabe Kidd, from New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
This will be The Opps’ first title defense, since capturing them at “Spring BreakThru.” So, for the sake of their own integrity, I hope lightning strikes twice.
Winner: The Opps
TNT Championship
Adam Cole [c] (+200) vs. Kyle Fletcher (-300)
While Adam Cole is the reigning, defending champion—the betting odds paint a different picture. The challenger is the odds-on-favorite, while the champion is the underdog.
With all due respect to Cole, I agree with that estimation. It’s time for Kyle Fletcher to take the next step and hold championship gold, or at the very least, silver. The TNT Championship will be a fine addition to Fletcher’s ostentatious attire.
Winner: Kyle Fletcher
AEW World Tag Team Championship
The Hurt Syndicate [c] (-400) vs. JetSpeed (+500) vs. The Patriarchy (+250)
Last week on Wednesday Night “Dynamite,” JetSpeed and The Patriarchy ran roughshod over the AEW World Tag Team Champions—seemingly injuring both Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin. While they’re still the favorites in this scenario, it’s hard to imagine they can survive an onslaught from two dynamic teams.
Not to mention, this is a triple-threat, so The Hurt Syndicate don’t even necessarily need to be pinned to lose their titles. This is the perfect opportunity for Christian Cage & Nick Wayne to capture the titles and begin a new chapter in AEW’s tag team division.
Winner: The Patriarchy
The Young Bucks (-160) vs. Swerve Strickland & Will Ospreay (+120)
At a glance, this match has the recipe for success, by virtue of the talent alone. However, it’s the dueling stipulations that make this thoroughly intriguing. If The Young Bucks lose, they must forfeit their titles as Executive Vice Presidents. If Swerve Strickland & Will Ospreay lose, they’re prohibited from challenging the AEW World Champion for an entire year.
Both scenarios are equally as compelling. The Young Bucks’ abuse of their executive powers has become a tired narrative device. However, if Strickland and Ospreay lose, it creates a new and interesting dynamic for both wrestlers—with limitless possibilities.
While the odds are slim, I’m inclined to choose the underdog in this scenario.
Winner: Swerve Strickland & Will Ospreay
Winner Takes All
Kenny Omega [c] (-180) vs. Kazuchika Okada [c] (+140)
Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada’s historic rivalry will be renewed this Saturday, with their AEW International Championship and AEW Continental Championship’s on the line in a winner-takes-all match. The victor will receive the new AEW Unified Championship.
This has been billed as the most anticipated match in AEW history and it’s difficult to argue with that assertion. Omega and Okada’s rivalry in New Japan produced some of the greatest matches in pro-wrestling history, and elevated the promotion to ethereal heights. And, in an indirect way, certainly helped set the stage for All Elite Wrestling’s formation in 2019.
While Omega and Okada are both several years older and a step slower, this has the potential to be the match of the night.
Omega is 2-1-1 against the “Rainmaker.” This is the perfect opportunity for Okada to even the score at 2-2-1, and set the stage for a rubber match down the road.
Winner: Kazuchika Okada
AEW Women’s World Championship
“Timeless” Toni Storm [c] (-130) vs. Mercedes Moné (-110)
While Mercedes Moné is the slight underdog in this scenario, it’s virtually indistinguishable. That statistical discrepancy is indicative of the slim margins that separate champion from challenger.
While “Timeless” Toni Storm is the AEW Women’s World Champion, Moné is currently in possession of four unique championships and six title belts. More importantly, she hasn’t been pinned since she arrived in AEW.
There’s credence to the notion that this is the most important women’s match in AEW history. Storm will need all of the stars to align if she has any hope of halting the unstoppable force, that is the “CEO.” Unfortunately, I fear this might be the end of Storm’s incredible run as champion.
Winner: Mercedes Moné
AEW World Championship
Jon Moxley [c] (+450) vs. “Hangman” Adam Page (-850)
The betting odds are damning. “Hangman” Adam Page is the most overwhelmingly favored wrestler of the evening. And, it’s against the reigning, defending AEW World Champion, no less.
In many ways, these odds accentuate a growing sentiment amongst AEW fans. “Hangman” Adam Page feels like AEW’s avatar, with the highs-and-lows of his journey reflecting the company’s.
When Page was on his ascent, AEW was reaching its fever pitch. When he was its champion, the company felt like it was in its golden age.
Now, he’s finally climbed the proverbial mountain once again, and reached the summit. Simultaneously, AEW feels like it’s experiencing a renaissance, recapturing the magic that it once had in late 2021 and early 2022.
Page’s coronation as champion would be a crowning achievement for AEW. And, the Texas Deathmatch stipulation seems like the perfect way to reintroduce all of the pertinent elements of The Death Riders’ saga. From Will Ospreay and The Opps, to Darby Allin and Bryan Danielson—this match has the potential to be the summer blockbuster finale that this story deserves.
Jon Moxley’s reign of terror ends at “All In: Texas” and a new king will be crowned.
Winner: “Hangman” Adam Page
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