The final AEW PPV of 2024 is upon us, capping off an absolutely stellar run of events, arguably the best single calendar year of wrestling PPVs to date. If anyone's got a better example, comment below. But AEW's weakest PPV this year was probably Double or Nothing, which I still gave 9 out of 10. That's remarkable.
Anyway on to Worlds End 2024. Once again this show is partly about crowning the Continental Champion, and unlike last year we have the semis and finals all on one card, plus a host of other strong bouts (and likely one or two more to be added last-minute).
SPOILER ALERT: The final CC bouts haven't aired on TV yet, so some of you may not already know who's in the semis.
International Championship: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Powerhouse Hobbs
This one stems from the fact that Don Callis allowed Hobbs' contract with the Callis Family to run out while Hobbs was on the shelf. Since returning Hobbs has gotten right in the faces of the Family, and thus we have this title match. Should be a pretty great, hard-hitting match. Problem is I don't really want to see either of these guys lose here. I think Takeshita probably has more time with the belt, but Hobbs also needs to get the big push because he's a potential breakout star.
Pick: I think Takeshita retains through nefarious means
TBS Championship: Mercedes Mone vs. Kris Statlander
I'm very glad to see this rematch, as their first contest was fantastic. I can't see Kris coming up short a second time so I think she probably unseats Mercedes here and the CEO eventually works her way up to the big belt.
Pick: Kris
Dynamite Diamond Ring: MJF vs. Adam Cole
Finally after a full year since Cole turned on MJF we're getting the payoff to this long feud. People have been complaining because of how it's been handled, but under the really inconvenient circumstances I'm not sure how they could've improved it. Cole was out indefinitely, MJF turned heel in the meantime. The choices were either flip roles or scap the feud altogether, which would've been way worse. So it's fine. Cole turned on Max because he knew Max was about to do it to him. Actually my suggestion if the guy is cleared would be to add Wardlow and make this a three-way feud. Wardlow has a reason to hate both dudes and that would be unique and might actually launch him into a main event role.
Pick: I think Cole probably wins to finally put this thing to bed
Women's Championship Street Fight: Mariah May vs. Thunder Rosa
This one is clearly meant to keep Mariah busy until Toni Storm's identity crisis plays out. Can I just say I absolutely adore Toni and I feel like she can make any gimmick work. Seeing her go around introducing herself to everyone (including people she knows very well) as though the last two years didn't happen has been quite amusing. I think she'll eventually go back to being Timeless once the psychotic break fully takes effect; we'll go from All About Eve to The Three Faces of Eve. But back to this match, it should be a lot of fun, neither of these women has any qualms about violence and blood. Mariah's obviously not losing the belt yet.
Pick: Mariah retains
Continental Classic Semifinal: Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher
These matches are obviously going to be the toughest to pick since all three of them could go either way. Very glad to see an Ospreay-Fletcher rematch and this could once again steal the show. I personally think Fletcher should win this whole tournament but I dunno if I can see Ospreay losing to him twice in a row. Plus Ospreay is the only babyface left in the bracket now that Ricochet's going full douche. I guess Will probably avenges his Full Gear loss here.
Pick: Ospreay
Continental Classic Semifinal: Kazuchika Okada vs. Ricochet
Another match that should be excellent. I can't see the current champion not making the finals, especially when that current champion is Okada. So Okada wins here and we have a battle of second-place finishers in the finals.
Pick: Okada
Continental Classic Final: Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay (predicted)
So yeah I think this classic NJPW feud gets resurrected here for the first time in an AEW ring. I could be totally wrong but since Okada vs. Fletcher and Ospreay vs. Ricochet already happened in the tournament this just seems like the most probable final. And these two always deliver big. I think Ospreay unseats Okada for the Continental Title.
Pick: Will Ospreay
AEW World Championship: Jon Moxley vs. Orange Cassidy vs. Hangman Page vs. Jay White
Weird choice, this one, but the match should be great and the build has been fun. Cassidy, Page and White don't like each other but they've tried to work together to fend off the Death Riders, and now they're all vying for the belt so they'll never stay unified against Mox and whichever of his friends decide to get involved. My biggest gripe with the Death Riders is they still haven't made it clear what exactly they want. They've talked about rebuilding AEW from the ground up, but what does that entail exactly? Motivations need to be made explicit. Anyway, I still think we're headed toward Moxley vs. Darby at Revolution, so Mox ain't losing here.
Pick: Moxley retains
Projected Match: Swerve Strickland vs. Bobby Lashley
This hasn't been announced yet but I'd be shocked if it doesn't happen, unless they're saving it for the New Year's show. Swerve is due some payback so he's gotta be winning this rematch whenever it happens.
Pick: Swerve
So World's End may feel like a smaller PPV but really look at this lineup; there's a ton of good shit here and I expect this show to overdeliver by a lot. Enjoy the final PPV of 2024!
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