This is my second year for my AEW Predictions and I always have fun with these articles. AEW is in an interesting moment. They’re settled in, but how will they continue to grow? It will be interesting to see what happens with them in 2023, after a tumultuous year in 2022. If you would like to read my 2022 Predictions review for AEW, CLICK HERE. I’m not going to waste much time here, so here is what to expect. I begin by giving my overall opinion of the state of the company. This is my current, general opinion of how I think AEW is doing as a company and their outlook for the upcoming year. Then, I give 5 talking points that may or may not come up during the year. To close things out, I give 10 bold predictions. Let’s dive in.

Current State of AEW

If you asked me about 3 or 4 months ago, I would say that AEW is in shambles. They are trending downwards, and things aren't looking great, but if you ask me today, I think AEW is going to be OK. At the moment, they’re not improving. They’re not growing, but they’re also not sinking. I’m not sure what can be done for them to grow as a brand, but they’re OK right now. Just as long as viewership and the quality of the wrestling doesn’t drop, they will stay afloat. Something tells me that Tony Khan isn't going to be content with staying afloat in 2023 though. They want to move the needle. Hopefully AEW can continue to grow. I’m not really optimistic or pessimistic about AEW right now. I think they’re cruising.

Where Do They Go from Here with CM Punk?

The topic that has been non-stop since September has been CM Punk. He has dominated the wrestling media for months and not for good reasons. He has proven to be a narcissist and a man on a mission to take down any company or anyone that stands in his way. I don’t think this was his intention, however. I think it just happened that way. Punk is currently healing from injuries sustained in his final match, but where does AEW go from here with his situation? Backstage drama isn't usually at the forefront of the media and AEW uses this to their advantage. I don’t think this was one of those times.

Can he come back after all of this? If the things that transpired were true, I don’t see how he can. Wrestling has always had drama and sometimes has real-life heat attached, but Punk openly disrespected AEW’s top stars and the owner of the company in front of their faces for everyone to see. He tarnished everything they worked so hard to build in a matter of minutes. All Out was the only PPV from AEW that I didn’t buy, because I honestly didn’t care to see it. It wasn’t a must-watch show in my opinion and that was because of Punk and his childish antics leading up to the event. Not knowing the full scope of things and the fact that he is still on the company’s website tells me that there is hope for a return, but I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Punk is done wrestling.

Will We Continue to See Companies Working With AEW?

It appears that NJPW has a great relationship with AEW and I think that will continue. I think another Forbidden Door PPV is in the works and that is great news. AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door last year was phenomenal and having another show is going to be must-watch. This opened my eyes to a lot of Japan’s best performers and I think it will continue to do so. I’m writing this the day after Wrestle Kingdom 17 and the big news of Mercedes Mone making her debut is making waves in the wrestling world. If you don’t recognize her name, she was formerly known as Sasha Banks in WWE. It appears that the women’s division is growing with a new belt added to the IWGP. Kairi (formerly Kairi Sane) is the current champion and there is a lot of interest in potential matchups for these women with AEW’s roster. I’ll keep dreaming that WWE and AEW will work together, but in the meantime, I will enjoy AEW working with New Japan.

Breakout Star for 2023

Last year seemed like a no-brainer for breakout stars, but this year is different. I have a definitive pick for the men’s division, but I am having trouble picking someone in the women’s division. For the men’s division, there are a number of options, but I can't think of one any better than Ricky Starks. It seems like it is his time to shine. There are so many options to choose from, but the wheels have been set in motion for a big Ricky Starks payoff at some point in 2023 I feel like. Starks going toe-to-toe with MJF on the mic and in the ring are proof that he is here to stay. I feel like I jump the gun with a lot of these picks, but I’m confident that Ricky Starks will be big this year.

With the addition of Saraya, and the emergence of Toni Storm and Jamie Hayter last year, it makes things tougher to predict for the women’s division. Hayter is the champ at the moment and Jade Cargill doesn’t appear to be giving up the TBS Championship any time soon. So, who’s next for the women? My pick is going to be a risky one, but I think this is her year to shine. My pick is Kris Statlander. Despite her injuries, she has been consistently improving and I think she can go toe-to-toe with the best that AEW has to offer. If she can stay in the ring and have a healthy 2023, think it will be her year. She isn't my pick, but I think Athena will potentially have a great 2023, but like Statlander, she has had her injury woes throughout her career as well.

What is Going on with Ring of Honor?

Since acquiring ROH, the belts have been defended on AEW and they have had a couple PPV events, but the weekly show hasn’t started yet. Fans were anxiously awaiting the announcement of a TV deal, but it turns out that ROH will be back to a weekly show on their own platform. In a streaming service called HonorClub, they will air their weekly program and it will have archive content of all ROH shows in the past. The idea is cool, but I don’t think the number on it will be great. You need to have a TV deal to be successful. I don’t anticipate ROH getting a lot of weekly viewers. Largely because ROH is going to be the developmental brand of AEW. Fans aren't going to pay 10 dollars a month to see green wrestlers each week. I am hoping for the best here, but it doesn’t appear that Ring of Honor is going to be too successful in its revival stage. Hopefully I am wrong.

Will We See AEW Performers Jump Ship?

We haven’t heard as many rumblings of performers in AEW being unhappy over the last couple of months, but it was a big topic a few months ago. Most of the people that have signed with AEW have long-term deals, so I don’t think it will be easy for a lot of them to get out of deals. With WWE being the place to be at the moment, I can see a lot of those people wanting out, especially those like Andrade El Idolo, Miro, Malakai Black and other ex-WWE guys that aren't getting a lot of TV time. A lot of this goes back to the fact that they have limited TV time and too many talents. I could see Andrade and Miro going back to WWE, but getting out of their contracts would be the tough thing. Also, with Vince McMahon back in the fold, I don’t know how that will affect things.

Bold Predictions

- The Elite will win the Trios Championship next week and not drop them throughout 2023

- Bryan Danielson will defeat MJF at Revolution

- Jade Cargill will lose her first match before Double or Nothing

- Ethan Page will be TNT Champion before the end of the year

- Jeff Hardy will not return to AEW

- Hikaru Shida will become the first 2-time Women’s Champion

- At least 3 performers on the current AEW roster will go to WWE

- Saraya will not become AEW Women’s Champion in 2023

- Jon Moxley will not get a shot at the AEW World Championship in 2023

- MJF will lose the belt, but like in 2022, he will end the year as AEW Champion.

Yacs

AEW Predictions for 2023