3 big matches for Mike Bailey in All Elite Wrestling

Mike Bailey is a major free agent that is apparently on the market. Several outlets reported that his contractual obligations to TNA Wrestling are nearing an end. On Tuesday, Fightful Select took the conversation a step further by reporting that the “working plan” is for Bailey to join All Elite Wrestling. If that is the case, there are several big matches on the horizon for the man known as “Speedball.” Here are three that jump off the page.

Mike Bailey versus Ricochet

This match has never happened. But if Bailey does join All Elite Wrestling, it should be one of the first that are planned. Bailey versus Ricochet is one of those dream contests that could close out an episode of AEW Dynamite. Announcing this match weeks in advance and presenting it as a big deal would also draw in the viewers. These are two individuals with different styles, but an ability to mesh them well with any opponent in front of them. It would be interesting to see how their offense plays off each other. AEW has done an excellent job booking some of the “dream matches” that fans want to see. Mike Bailey versus Ricochet is certainly one of them.

Mike Bailey versus Konosuke Takeshita

Bailey and Konosuke Takeshita battled just a few weeks ago at MLP Forged in Excellence. This match went on for nearly 25 minutes and will be a front-runner for one of the top matches of the year. If not, it still needs to be on every fans’ “must-watch” list. Their BOLA 2023 match is another one that is worth a watch. Bailey and Takeshita are two excellent workers in every sense of the word. Allowing Bailey to become a contender to Takeshita’s AEW International Championship would be a great way to introduce “Speedball” to the AEW atmosphere, even though the AEW audience is already aware of his great talent.

Mike Bailey versus Buddy Matthews

The perfect opponent to introduce Mike Bailey against first would be none other than Buddy Matthews. Why? Because the two men have faced off against each other in the past, and Matthews has yet to find a way to get a win over Bailey. In fact, Bailey even defeated Matthews in only eight seconds at BOLA 2022. Their last match was at PWG Nineteen in which Matthews was able to last a lot longer but couldn’t get the victory. Giving “Speedball” a win here as a surprise opponent would be a great way to keep that story running and bring him to the forefront of the AEW midcard.