CM Punk is headlining AEW All Out 2021 in a match against Darby Allin. If we told you that six months ago, you’d have probably laughed at us! But here we are. The Best in the World is BACK and he’s at the top of an absolutely loaded card for AEW’s annual All Out pay-per-view. When wrestling’s good, it’s really good. And right now, AEW is killing it. And it must just get even better since a certain man that likes to throw his fingers in the air and shout “YES!” at the top of his lungs is rumored to appear this weekend…
The AEW All Out 2021 Buy-In pre-show starts at 7:00 p.m. ET and will be available for free through the B/R Live streaming service. The show proper begins at 8 p.m. EST and is available through the B/R Live streaming service at a cost of $49.99, and you can also watch the event via the traditional PPV cable provider service for the price of $49.99.
Now allow our panel of experts will take you through each match on the card with their predictions.
Pre-Show ten-man tag team match: Orange Cassidy, Chuck Taylor, Wheeler Yuta and Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus) (with Marko Stunt) vs. The HFO (Matt Hardy, Private Party (Isiah Kassidy and Marq Quen) and TH2 (Angélico and Jack Evans)
AEW
Jason: I don’t think there’s a weaker stable in AEW than the Hardy Family Office. Well, maybe The Factory, but that’s besides the point. One team has Jungle Boy on it. That’s all you really need to know. Even with Wheeler Yuta in tow, I think the HFO is going down. Team babyface all the way.
Winner: Best Friends and Jurassic Express
Darius: This match is a vehicle to get Jurassic Express and Orange Cassidy in front of that Chicago crowd, and the other Best Friends and the HFO are all beneficiaries of that. I’m not sure which of those two will get the pin or which member of TH2 is taking it, but my money’s there. This is truly a “HFO vs Best Friends” feud, so it would make sense for a Best Friend to beat an Office member, but my money’s on Jungle Boy making Jack Evans tap, leading to a 17-month Jurassic Express vs HFO feud.
Winner: Best Friends & Friends
Trever: The part I’m most looking forward to about this match will be watching Chuckie T tell Yuta all the things he did wrong in a hotel room on BTE this coming Monday, but beyond that I don’t have much interest in this match despite being a pretty big fan of all involved.
Winner: Got to give the people what they want; Best Friends
21-woman Casino Battle Royale for a AEW Women’s World Championship match: Nyla Rose vs. Thunder Rosa vs. The Bunny vs. Big Swole vs. Julia Hart vs. Tay Conti vs. Diamante vs. Penelope Ford vs. Red Velvet vs. Hikaru Shida vs. Emi Sakura vs. Jade Cargill vs. Kiera Hogan vs. Abadon vs. Leyla Hirsch vs. KiLynn King vs. Rebel vs. Jamie Hayter vs. Riho vs. 2 TBA
AEW
Jason: The only thing I really want is for Ruby Soho to appear. I know the debutantes never win these things though, so I’m not predicting a Riottous victory. So long as Dr. Britt Baker DMD continues to be pushed as a heel, I’m going to assume a face takes this one – and the best option there is probably Thunder Rosa. She’s got history with the doctor, and we know they can put on amazing matches together, so why not give her a go until you develop a real challenger like Ruby, Conti or Hirsch. Failing that, lean into the fan’s love of Britt and give us the inevitable Jade Cargill match. Still calling this one for Rosa, though.
Winner: Thunder Rosa
Darius: I’m definitely counting on a Ruby Soho’s Joker debut, and unlike Mercedes Martinez, Matt Sydal, Brian Cage, and Lio Rush, I see Ruby getting a title shot sooner rather than later. However, I’m a sucker for the story that AEW is telling right now with the slow build-up of oen Tay Conti, so while Rosa’s going to get screwed by Jade and Nyla, and Diamante and Swole are probably going to take each other out, I think Sunday is rising babyface Tay Conti’s time. (Granted, this assumes that Abadon doesn’t actually eat everyone else first.)
Winner: Tay Conti
Trever: With most of the women announced and Ruby Soho clearly teased for a return to wrestling, it only makes sense that this should be an opportunity for her to debut, get her sh*t in, set up a feud, get eliminated, and still crown someone else the winner. I’d like to see Tay Conti win because she’s one of the more legit athletes in the women’s division and I think she would end up having a Thunder Rosa level barn burner with Britt, but I’m inclined to believe the this match will end up seeing Emi Sakura (who got a big push on Elevation and Dark this week) left in the ring for a match on Dynamite that only Kenny Omega is really a fan of.
Winner: Emi Sakura
Jon Moxley vs. Satoshi Kojima
AEW
Jason: This should be a fun one, but it’s really just a showcase for Mox until he gets Tanahashi. I expect good competition and probably some real strong style, but this ends with a paradigm shift, or preferably a DEEEEAAATH RIIIIDDDDDDAAAAA!”
Winner: Jon Moxley
Darius: Moxley vs Tanahashi is either happening at Wrestle Kingdom or (fingers crossed) on American soil at an event like Full Gear, and to continue the build for that, Moxley is going to have to dismantle the leader of Bread Club. Moxley promised us felonious assault and a scalping, but as an avid Kojima fan, I sure hope we don’t get that. Just a Paradigm Shift, Death Rider, or Dirty Deeds 3.0 for me, please.
Winner: Jon Moxley
Trever: I’m admittedly not a NJPW guy but I tend to enjoy what I see of it when I watch. I don’t know much about Kojima but it doesn’t matter. Moxley is one of the baddest motherf*ckers in AEW and he won’t phone this match in, so I’m stoked to see him get his rocks off in an AEW ring.
Winner: MOX
Paul Wight vs. QT Marshall (with Aaron Solo and Nick Comoroto)
AEW
Jason: Here’s the thing, I haven’t liked Paul Wight since he was the Giant in WCW, and I’ve never liked QT Marshall or his weird gang of cronies in bowling shirts. This feels like AEW’s first real dud of a match on PPV (and that includes the non-match squash that was Dustin Rhodes vs. Shawn Spears), so I just don’t care.
Winner: Probably Paul Wight
Darius: It’s going to be the 60-minute epic that we’ve been waiting for since the moment it was announced that Kenny Omega was signing with All Elite Wrestling, and the kicker is that Omega isn’t even involved. QT and Wight are out to put on a classic, likely filled with barricade dives, top rope dragon suplexes, and rest spots full of Factory and Gunn Club interference. Now, as this is your standard 20-minute time limit match, a 60-minute epic seems impossible, but you’re discounting the double restart as a draw isn’t good enough for Wight’s debut. When the clock strikes 59:59, Wight is going to release the Skull End and foolishly go for that stupid moonsault, and then he’s going to WIN. That’s not a prediction. It’s a spoiler.
Winner: “No More BS” Paul Wight
Trever: So, legitimately, I’m stoked about this match. This is the most excited I’ve been for a Big Show match in 20 years and the wrinkle of Gun Club heel turn has me actually rooting for Paul Wight, instead of just ironically cheering for QT–who’s doing some of the best old school heel work in all of wrestling right now and I’m just refreshed to have some good ole fashion rasslin’ between a giant and a dickhead with a big mouth.
Winner: Paul Wight
Chris Jericho vs. MJF – If Jericho loses, he must retire from in-ring competition
AEW
Jason: Jericho is old school carnie, so it’s possible that he “comes out of retirement” at some point in the future, but I think he wins this one. MJF has had enough of a rub by beating Y2J at every turn thus far, so let Jericho win the blowoff to save his career. Why not? It doesn’t have to be clean. Honestly, it’s better if it’s not. I just don’t think Jericho is actually ready to retire to the commentary desk quite yet.
Winner: Chris Jericho
Darius: Alongside the tag title match, this is the biggest toss-up of the night for me. “Never” is such a big word, and while Jericho is definitely at retirement age, I just can’t envision him staying put at that commentary table. But, realistically, what else is there for him to do? He’s fought Kenny, the Young Bucks, Cody, and Hangman. He’s fought Darby, Jungle Boy, and MJF. He’s teamed with Sammy. Sure, there are matches like PAC and Punk that haven’t been done here, but they’ve been done elsewhere. The timing is right for Jericho to sit down, and I just can’t imagine him pinning MJF, but can he commit to never — EVER — wrestling again? Is this the end of my long-time favorite wrestler and personal GOAT’s career? I just don’t know. But I’ll bite.
Winner: MJF
Trever: I’ve been all over the place on this feud and ultimately I’m in the position of wanting it to just be over. This has gone one more match than I care about and I almost want Jericho to lose just so he has that kind of send off but also gives that HUMUNGOUS rub to MJF, who will wear that as a feather in his cap for 25 years. Jericho is super important to AEW and despite my cuckoo claim on the pod that he might still re-sign with WWE for one last run, I think he might actually try to retire with some semblance of respect and integrity…..YEAH RIGHT.
Winner: Jericho
Miro (c) vs. Eddie Kingston – Singles match for the AEW TNT Championship
AEW
Jason: Miro should never lose. He will destroy Eddie Kingston and devour his soul for the Bulgarian god. Then his wife will love him. Super happy to see this character coming out of Miro, and I just hope they let him sustain it for a good while and don’t Cena him like some other company would.
Winner: The Redeemer Miro
Darius: Now that WALTER is no longer the NXT UK Champion, I’m hitching my wagon to Miro as the official Forever Champion in professional wrestling. He’s God’s Favorite Champion, and he’s going to arrive at the pearly gates with that pure white TNT Championship around his waist, Kingston or no Kingston. Should still be a great match, though.
Winner: Miro
Trever: I don’t know. Miro is gonna kill Eddie Kingston. I think it’s that simple. I’m actually worried for Eddie because Miro is God’s champion and I’m starting to think he (Miro) has worked himself into a shoot on this one. I don’t think this match will last very long. I hope for Eddie it doesn’t.
Winner: MIRO
The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) (c) vs. Lucha Brothers (Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix) (with Alex Abrahantes) – Steel Cage match for the AEW World Tag Team Championship
AEW
Jason: I get the feeling that AEW has weird cold feet about pushing the Lucha Bros. It feels like they should be a bigger deal than they are. All the same, I fully expect the Elite to walk out of Chicago with all of their belts still intact. I kind of feel like they’re building toward Jurassic Express being the ones to unseat the bucks, and while I think this match will be awesome (anything with Rey Fenix would have to be), I just don’t see the masked men being champs to further their storyline with Pac and Andrade.
Winner: The Young Bucks
Darius: I just DON’T KNOW. Seriously. I feel like the Young Bucks’ reign would be coming to a premature end even after all this time, but if the numbers’ advantage of the Elite is what’s holding back their challengers, I think a steel cage match is just the way to get those belts off of them. Also, looking at the rest of my predictions and the ending of this past week’s Dynamite, I think this show is going to be really depressing if the Young Bucks do win this one. So, I expect some real nail-biting shenanigans from the Elite leading up to the finish!
Winner: The Lucha Brothers
Trever: This match is probably gonna try to steal the title of “greatest tag match I’ve ever seen ever” from Bucks vs Hangman/Kenny and the fact that it will be in a steel cage has me terrified for Fenix and Nick Jackson, both of who I fully expect to do some crazy sh*t from high up. I’m currently holding my breath in anticipation for this match and I figure the Bucks gotta keep the train rollin, no matter the circumstances. This match will probably break some wrestling metrics, tho.
Winner: BUCKOS
Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. (c) (with Rebel) vs. Kris Statlander – Singles match for the AEW Women’s World Championship
AEW
Jason: Pfft, yeah. Britt’s not dropping this belt to the Alien. She’s too popular to lose it to someone with only a few weeks of build. I think she holds this until some major babyface emerges or Jamie Hayter turns on her. Either way, Statlander will look strong, but she’s going to pass out in the lockjaw.
Winner: Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.
Darius: Tony Khan’s golden girl vs the woman whose undefeated streak was built up on Dark. I love Kris Statlander and the Best Friends, and I think she’d make a great AEW Women’s Champion a few runs from now — in fact, if not for Thunder Rosa, I’d say Kris is the one I want to take the belt off of Baker — but this build hasn’t been it, chief, and they are likely going to use the handicap match from this week’s Rampage to excuse Kris’s defeat. I just hope Chicago gets behind Statlander since she’s absolutely the face here.
Winner: Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.
Trever: Buttlander stinks. She’s okay but I don’t think she lives up to the hype, I have watched most of her undefeated streak (as its happened largely on Dark and Elevation) and I’m just not impressed. Rosa vs Britt will be great and probably several other feuds, but this does nothing for me. Sorry, Kris.
Winner: Britt
Kenny Omega (c) (with Don Callis) vs. Christian Cage – Singles match for the AEW World Championship
AEW
Jason: I’m glad Christian got the Impact title, but he’s not lifting the AEW belt on Sunday. I’m not sure they’re going to wait until Hangman is back from paternity leave, but I don’t think TK thinks Christian is the guy to take down world champion Kenny. And he’s right. Christian needs to start putting over some more up-and-comers anyway, and a loss to Kenny on Sunday is a good way to kickstart that process. Not that Kenny is an up-and-comer by any stretch, just that this loss should mark the end of Christian’s undefeated streak.
Winner: Kenny Omega
Darius: If this exact build was done with a different performer, I’d say there could be an interesting storyline with the challenger winning here. Omega loses the IMPACT Championship and eats his first pinfall loss in around a year to the same man, and then, when it’s time for the rematch, the guy STILL has Omega’s number? It’s not the ideal build, but it would put the guy over huge. That “guy” just shouldn’t be Christian Cage, though. Christian’s going to be great for IMPACT as he’s already a legend there, and I look forward to seeing his next feud in AEW, but the man just can’t be AEW Champion. Though Jericho was used to establish AEW, Christian winning would certainly be a bad look.
Winner: Kenny Omega
Trever: Kenny better fucking win this brutally and clean. I love Christian as a dude, a personality, a podcaster, but he is so fucking “meh” in the ring that it frustrates me to even write about this match. It already f*cking happened, I was BS at the finish then, I just want to see Kenny hit the One Winged Angel on Christian 5x and call it a f*cking night. This is getting me hot. Get Christian out of the main event. Good grief.
Winner: Kenny Omega
CM Punk vs. Darby Allin
AEW
Jason: While I think Christian should lose to start putting over younger talent, my stance is completely shifted on this one. Punk needs to win to remind the fans that he is the best in the world. He’s got to shake off 7 years of ring rust and an embarrassing run in the UFC, and you don’t do that by losing in your return match in your hometown. This is AEW, not the WWE. Punk will make Darby look strong in defeat, but there’s no way the Second City Savior isn’t getting his hand raised on Sunday. Welcome back, Phil!
Winner: CM Punk
Darius: Unlike the Mountie, Darby doesn’t always get his man. He debuted in a draw with Cody Rhodes, then lost a couple more matches before finally beating him. Darby lost to Jericho, Miro, and Moxley, but he’s also defeated Brian Cage, Sammy Guevara, and Ethan Page. Darby’s got this perfect spot carved out where he can lose the big match but not lose his luster, and there’s no bigger match right now than CM Punk’s debut/return. The match will elevate Darby, and if they give Darby the win, even better! I wouldn’t mind seeing that. But I don’t think the ring rust story is what we need right now. I think CM Punk needs to remind folks that he’s the Best in the World. Or we can saw ,“Screw it,” and Punk DOES lose in Chicago, but I like it when Darby Allin is alive.
Winner: CM Punk
Trever: This is f*cking awesome. CM Punk is actually back. MAN! So, Punk has to win. Darby will take him to the limit, but Punk will win. And Punk will cry when he wins. And he will hold up Darby’s hand in victory. And if they know what they are doing, they will turn his ass heel in the moment and have him fucking kill Sting. I’mstoked Punk is back, but he works best as a heel and my cynical 39 year old self is starting to get bored of “happy to be here” Punk, especially if it continues much past this match. That said, I have the utmost faith that TK and AEW will handle this all well and I just want to sit back and enjoy this evening. This is going to be one hell of a show no matter what happens or who debuts.
Winner: CM Punk
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