AEW Dynamite: Winter is Coming Preview and Predictions

AEW: Dynamite is back this Wednesday and will be broadcast live on TBS from Garland, Texas, as AEW’s flagship program presents its annual Winter Is Coming episode.

The past couple of Winter is Coming shows have produced some great moments in AEW. On these respective shows, we saw “Hangman” Adam Page and Bryan Danielson wrestle to a 60-minute time limit draw, Kenny Omega turn heel and beat Jon Moxley for the AEW World Title, as well as Sting making his shocking AEW debut.

Let’s take a look at the announced card for AEW Dynamite’s Winter Is Coming show and what to expect from each match.

Death Triangle vs The Elite in match four of the best-of-seven series for the AEW Trios Titles

After getting a break from this matchup on last week’s Dynamite, The Elite and Death Triangle will renew acquaintances, as they battle in match four of their best-of-seven series.  The Elite will be looking to square the contest up at two apiece, while Death Triangle will have their sights set on grabbing a commanding 3-1 lead.

These matches have been a lot of fun, despite the fact that they are nearly a weekly occurrence.  We haven’t seen the same match run back this many times, week after week, since Vince McMahon was running WWE.

It is a testament to the talent of the six men involved in this program that the matches have yet to grow stale. As to who wins this Wednesday, that is basically a coin flip. It depends on if Tony Khan deems it more exciting to have the teams tied up at two heading into the final three matches, or if The Elite falling into a 3-1 hole before coming back and winning the Trios Titles is his preferred way to go. My guess is the former. Winner: The Elite

The House of Black in action

To the surprise of many, the House of Black returned to television recently with Malakai Black in tow.

AEW must start to build the House of Black into a dominant trio over the next couple of months.  Having them run roughshod over the rest of the trios in AEW on their way to becoming the next Trios Champions is the proper way to book this team. There is simply too much talent in this faction to do anything else. Wednesday’s match should be the start of that. Winner: House of Black

Tay Melo vs Ruby Soho

Another recent return, though far less surprising than the return of Malakai Black, was that of Ruby Soho. Soho’s first order of business has been settling the score with the obnoxious Tay Melo.

This is a match that is tough to call. Soho has been criminally underutilized since joining AEW and a win here could help elevate her all the way to eventually challenging Jamie Hayter for the AEW Women’s World Title down the road.

On the other hand, Tay Melo has embraced the heel role to its fullest extent, and anyone affiliated with the Jericho Appreciation Society always has a decent shot of picking up an underhanded win.

Melo will continue to get heat whether she wins or loses this match. Soho, on the other hand, desperately needs this win to get back on track in AEW. Look for a Ruby Soho win, a post-match beatdown of Soho by Tay Melo and Anna Jay, and then a save by Willow Nightengale, setting up a future tag match between the four ladies. Winner: Ruby Soho

Ricky Starks vs MJF for the Dynamite Diamond Ring and the AEW World Title

MJF’s first defense of the AEW World Title will take place this Wednesday and it comes against Ricky Starks.

Starks is a star in the making that has absolutely every skill you could hope for in a professional wrestler. He is smooth on the microphone, can do it all in the ring, and oozes charisma. Whether a heel or a face, Starks incites crowds in a way that only a handful of people can.

This match is a big deal for Starks. He has spent a lot of his AEW career working the midcard when it has been pretty clear that he is capable of much more. But unfortunately, with such a big roster and very limited television time, it is impossible to book everyone up to their potential.

While it would have been preferable to let this feud develop for another week or two, it is nice to see Starks finally get his shot. Starks is extremely over and a great showing against the likes of MJF will only increase his popularity.

Even though he isn’t leaving Dynamite as the new AEW Champion on Wednesday, this match and the way he is booked over the next few weeks will be critical in establishing if Ricky Starks is the next big thing, or if he will be booked into mediocrity the way Darby Allin, Wardlow, and other extremely over wrestlers have been before him. Winner: MJF