*These rankings are a satirical take on pro sports power rankings and treat AEW as such. Any reference to sources or reports should not be taken seriously. Quotes are not real.
AEW officials feel good heading into Fyter Fest but they are concerned about the antics they seem to end every edition of Dynamite with. They want things to remain professional ahead of their larger events and don't want guys and girls getting injured with unsanctioned action.
Otherwise, AEW continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and Speaking Out movement in wrestling, ready to take action when needed.
AEW Power Rankings - Week 37
1. Wardlow
AEW officials don't like who Wardlow is associated with but they are extremely impressed with his talent. And they admit that MJF has done a great job as his coach. One source told me, "Yes, they want him away from MJF because they want everyone away from MJF, but MJF is the future, whether they like it or not." Expect big things from Wardlow in the future and potentially bigger things if he gets away from Wardlow.
2. FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood)
FTR were very pleased that SCU ended up being the replacement team for the Nightmare Family. They wanted the Nightmare Family because they were fresh off an AEW Tag Team Title match and they wanted a similar team as a replacement. Thought Daniels and Kazarian were not the first AEW Tag Team Champions, they are a veteran team and one of the most respected teams in the business. FTR were excited to test themselves against a veteran team who have won tag team gold all across the world and they feel they proved why they are the best tag team in the world.
As far as the Fyter Fest match goes, they aren't thrilled that they have to work with The Young Bucks, but they also think the match is a total mismatch on paper.
3. Matt Hardy
Hardy has plenty in the tank, no matter which version he is. He wanted to teach Guevara a lesson, but was happy to still pick up the victory, feeling it strengthens his case in teaching Private Party. "If I lose, they may doubt my teachings. But victory is the ultimate elixir."
4. Brodie Lee & Colt Cabana
Lee's mission was to prove to Cabana that the Dark Order would accept him. He succeeded as Cabana was impressed with how Lee treated him during the match and how he's treated him during training over the last week. Cabana's contract with Dark Order has been extended through Fyter Fest. He is expected to make his decision following the match with SCU.
5. Hikaru Shida
Shida did what Shida does. She wanted to make a statement and prove that even if she wasn't 100% focused on her opponent with Penelope Ford being ringside, she had tunnel vision and can take care of business. Penelope Ford refused to comment after the match, seemingly a bit shaken.
6. Brian Cage
Cage had no issue stepping in for Jon Moxley against Jon Cruz. Cage wants Moxley healthy for Fyter Fest. "No excuses," said Taz.
7. Orange Cassidy
"Fired up," said Orange when I asked him how he was feeling after the brawl with Chris Jericho.
8. Lance Archer
Archer has been stewing since his loss to Cody, but he did not handle business the correct way. AEW officials said, "If Archer wants a match, his manager Jake Roberts can request a match. He doesn't need to attack men after they've already competed." Archer was fined for his actions.
9. Cody
Cody wasn't happy that Jake Hager showed up, did the pose, and then left. He feels Hager is very unprofessional, though not unexpected. "That's what happens when you associate with Chris Jericho. The press conference is the press conference. As long as he makes weight and shows up to the fight, that's all I care about. That's when I'll show up how a professional should act."
10. Jake Hager
Hager is a master of mind games and feels he's in the head of Cody. It might be false bravado because plenty of wrestlers have felt they've been in the head of Cody since his loss to MJF at AEW Revolution and all Cody has done since then is win. Hager feels he's different than Darby Allin, Shawn Spears, Lance Archer, Marq Quan, and Ricky Starks, and that they were playing checkers while he is playing chess.
11. Chris Jericho
Jericho is happy on Orange Cassidy exploded on him the way he did at the end of AEW Dynamite. Jericho wants that kind of fire from Orange at Fyter Fest because he wants to beat the best version of him, not the sloth version.
12. Luchasaurus
Luchasaurus isn't too disappointed with the loss because of how it happened. He and Jungle Boy were not happy that the official missed the end of the match, which should have seen Wardlow be disqualified. Luchasaurus was very careful in his words following the match as he didn't want to be fined by AEW for criticizing the officials. He still feels he's better than Wardlow and is excited to get another opportunity against him at Fyter Fest. He's also happy to get an opportunity at MJF. Luchasaurus feels he let Jungle Boy down with his coaching leading into AEW Double or Nothing and wants to prove that he's a worthy coach.
13. Santana
Satana was a late replacement for Sammy Guevara, but was confident stepping in to take on Matt Hardy. He was disappointed following the loss, believing Hardy to be past his prime, but seemingly forgetting that Matt is 3,000 years old and doesn't die because he's extreme. Santana & Ortiz have both been fined for their post-match attack.
14. SCU (Christopher Daniels & Kazarian)
Daniels & Kazarian continue to search for their place. The tag team division is stacked and they have a lot of miles on them as an older team. Look for them to add some youth at some point and start a rebuilding phase. Scorpio Sky is the franchise player on the team, Daniels & Kazarian are the veterans, but they need a can't miss prospect to bring them back to a championship level. That or a handful of better role players.
15. Bad Romance (Joey Janela & Sonny Kiss)
AEW has come under fire for covering up the gas station incident involving Janela and Kiss to use as a vehicle on their own programming. Many in the press believe something like that should not be used to promote, comparing it to the bus incident with Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
As far as their performance against Lee & Cabana goes, the duo was disappointed with how they performed. Lee & Cabana have no real chemistry together as Cabana is on a 10-day contract and hasn't even been practicing with Lee and the Dark Order. Yet they were able to defeat Janela and Kiss. Expect Bad Romance to refocus and spend less time fighting at gas stations and more time training.
16. Red Velvet
Will likely get an opportunity on Dark but needs much more seasoning.
17. Jon Cruz
He'll remain on Dark for more seasoning.
