AEW: Who could have a career-defining performance at All Out?

Darby Allin

For the first time, Darby Allin got to show AEW what he could do inside of one of their rings. His very first AEW match was against Cody himself, and few expected Allin to pick up the win. The 22-year-old has been lighting things up and constantly improving since his debut in 2015, but that got pushed to another level at Fyter Fest.

Fresh off an emotional and bloody victory at Double or Nothing, Cody had to turn his focus to a young and fearless competitor. He was the clear favorite, but things didn’t go as Cody intended. After 20 minutes of action, the bell sounded. The time limit had expired.

In his first AEW outing, Darby Allin took Cody Rhodes to a time limit draw. Despite not managing to win, Allin had put his name in the mouths of everyone who saw Fyter Fest. Tomorrow, he has the chance to really set himself apart from the pack.

In the “Cracker Barrel Clash,” Darby Allin faces off with veterans Joey Janela and Jimmy Havoc. We can expect absolute carnage, but this is a chance for Allin to really shine and do so with a huge win. Neither of his opponents need the win as much, so this looks like the perfect time for Darby Allin triumphant career-defining victory.

Adam Page

Perhaps no other man has the potential to have a career-defining performance tomorrow night like “Hangman” Adam Page. The seeds for the main event were sown back at Double or Nothing. During The Buy In, Adam Page defeated 20 other competitors to secure a shot at becoming the inaugural AEW World Champion.

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Later that same night, Chris Jericho took on Kenny Omega to decide the other half of that inaugural championship contest. Despite Kenny Omega’s gutsy performance, it was the innovative Judas Effect by Jericho that garnered him the win and set the stage for All Out.

It’s no secret that AEW sees Adam Page as one of their key names moving forward. Even without a win, competing in the match to crown the first AEW World Champion is a huge accolade. A loss would have the potential to rile up fans to support him even more and hope to see him dethrone an evil veteran champion like Chris Jericho.

However, that’s not the outcome I’m expecting. With PAC facing Kenny Omega earlier in the night, due to Jon Moxley’s injury canceling his own match with Omega, we have a chance to set up an amazing first rivalry for the AEW World Championship. PAC has a history with Adam Page, and it was PAC’s damage to Page’s knee that almost cost Page this opportunity.

If PAC can pick up a win over Kenny Omega, I fully expect the end of the night to be a career-defining performance and win for new AEW World Champion Adam Page. Not only will he have proven himself against a decorated veteran like Chris Jericho, but we’ve got a ready-made and already bitter rivalry as PAC could stake claim to Page’s title with a win over Omega.

Regardless of who wins and loses, AEW is giving plenty of people a chance to shine tomorrow night. The company needs to start making their own stars, rather than relying too heavily on those who already have huge followings from outside of AEW. These competitors, more than any others, feel like they’re on the road to career-defining performances tomorrow at All Out.