*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.
Night one of AEW Fyter Fest is in the books and while AEW officials were happy with the night, they weren't happy about having to change directions next week. AEW wants to stick to its schedule and they hate flexing out of matches. In this case, they feel they didn't have a choice in the matter.
AEW monitored Moxley's situation and couldn't clear him for next week, but he will be back in two weeks.
AEW Power Rankings - Week 38
1. Hangman Page & Kenny Omega
Page and Omega worked together in the ring flawlessly as usual. But it was after the match that has everyone talking. As you would suspect, Hangman Page was not pleased that Kenny Omega poured out the beer. "HE WASTED IT!" Hangman screamed as he walked by me backstage. Hangman doesn't care that Omega doesn't drink as much as him, but if you have a friend that drinks and you're offered a free beer that you don't want, you give it to your friend. You don't waste it. Omega told me that he was saving Hangman from himself. "We have a big match again next week. It was not the time to celebrate. I value winning over drinking."
2. Cody
Cody survived Hager. That's the best way to put it. He is open to a rematch, but only if Hager earns it. "It was a wrestling match, not a fight. Professional wrestling, amateur wrestling, doesn't matter, he got pinned. If he wants another shot at the title, punching officials won't do it." When asked about Dustin's involvement in the match, Cody said, "Dustin is responsible for his own actions."
3. Hikaru Shida
Shida knew she would be in for a battle against Penelope Ford and she was not wrong. Shida came away impressed with Ford's tenacity and ability. That said, Shida also proved why she is at the top of the AEW women's division. She is the most talented wrestler in the division and she believes that her ability to focus and execute separates her from the rest of the division. She feels she needed a match against Ford to prove she could lock in and not overlook anyone in the division. Expect Shida to only grow stronger after Fyter Fest.
4. Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus
Luchasaurus was ecstatic following the victory. He feels he's let the team down with his performances and coaching since the start of Dynamite, but scoring the victory at Fyter Fest feels like the start of something new for Jurassic Express. Luchasaurus was very complimentary of Jungle Boy and couldn't thank him enough for sticking with him during the rough times.
5. Private Party
Matt Hardy's teachings are already paying off as Private Party picked up a big win over Proud N Powerful. Unknowingly to Private Party, they earned a Tag Team Title match with their victory on Wednesday. Marq Quen and Isaiah Kassidy were stunned to find out the news, and though they would like more time to prepare, they also know that when opportunity knocks, the door must be answered. Hardy already has them in the gym preparing and studying footage for the match. Private Party were off to celebrate their victory when they found out the news and Hardy immediately canceled the after party to get them prepared.
6. Brian Cage
Taz was thrilled Moxley delayed the match because he knows Moxley isn't training while at home while he has Cage in the best shape of his life. When I asked Taz about Cage potentially over training and not peaking at the right time due to the delay, Taz was unconcerned saying, "I'm unconcerned."
7. Best Friends
Expect Trent to undergo a change following Wednesday's loss. He did not expect the jokes at his expense when his mom kissed him. "Have you ever seen the Spongebob episode with grandma's kisses? That's what this was like. The heckling wasn't nice. I don't need my mom's kisses or her mini van. I'm not a baby, I'm an adult. Check out my sideburns."
8. Penelope Ford
Ford was disappointed in losing and didn't even take the moral victory. "It's about wins and losses, Lambert. I performed well, but did I win? That's rhetorical. I'll be back and better prepared now that I know what it feels like. This will only make me hungrier."
9. Jake Hager
Hager has been suspended one week without pay for striking an official following his loss to Cody. Hager is also filing a complaint with AEW, feeling the tape should be reviewed and he should be declared the winner. At the very least, he wants a rematch against Cody. Hager only has himself to blame for the loss as he had Cody beat, but made a rookie mistake by not letting go of the hold. Hager still believes Cody passed out before the three count. AEW officials pointed to the famous Matt Hughes vs. Carlos Newton fight, where Hughes may have been out from the triangle choke, but he was able to slam Newton and knock him out. Hughes was declared the winner despite not exactly knowing he won.
*UPDATE: AEW has increased Hager's suspension to ten days.
10. MJF & Wardlow
MJF and Wardlow stormed out of the arena after the loss. To clarify, MJF stormed out of the arena and left Wardlow behind. He was irate with Wardlow's performance. MJF believes Wardlow has all the talent in the world, he just needs him to stay out of the way during their tag team matches. In this instance, Wardlow did not stay out of the way. MJF was not only angry at Wardlow for his mistake, he was angry at AEW management for booking a tag team match as he believes he and Wardlow are better as singles stars.
11. Proud N Powerful
Chalk up another loss for Santana & Ortiz, who are growing frustrated with not being able to put things together in AEW. Some believe that Santana & Ortiz were never good and that they benefitted from being a big fight in a small IMPACT pond. Now that they are in the big leagues, they have been exposed as just a mediocre team. True insiders don't believe that is the case, but they also can't pinpoint exactly what is wrong with them. Some thing it's Chris Jericho's influence as Jericho, despite what he says, needs everything to be about him, thus taking away the shine from the rest of The Inner Circle.
