In the leadup to a seemingly inconsequential Dynamite match between Buddy Matthews and Pac, Tony Schiavone made an announcement few fans saw coming: AEW is debuting another new championship.
Alright, cool, the promotion has been hinting at a trios title for years now; it's good to see that it will finally be introduced.
… except that isn't what happened.
No, instead, AEW is adding an All-Atlantic Championship to honor their expansive fanbase across the world, from the UK to Mexico, Japan, and even India, and the match between Matthews and Pac would instead be the first of four qualifying matches in an impromptu tournament.
Huh.
#AEW proudly presents All-Atlantic Championship, a new Title that represents the AEW Fans watching around the world in over 130 countries!
Tune in NOW to #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS! pic.twitter.com/60ZlIY0XZM
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 9, 2022
The tournament, which will feature seven AEW competitors and a mystery member of the NJPW and will culminate at Forbidden Door, where the four initial winners – including Pac – will face off in a four-way for the belt.
All things considered, this is an interesting development, to say the least.
While some will complain that AEW is diminishing the prestige of their titles by adding superfluous belts to the promotion's portfolio, the prospects of even more consequential matches, even more meaningful feuds, and even more cross-promotional activities with New Japan is ultimately a good thing for wrestling as a whole, as it presents interesting opportunities for mid-card wrestlers to take on a bigger role and land on a bigger stage.
Whether it's Pac, Ethan Page, Miro, or Malikai Black who ultimately makes it out of the final battle at Forbidden Door, AEW giving four more of their wrestlers something meaningful to compete for on what could be the biggest pay-per-view of the year is a net positive.
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