Tony Khan has revealed the full bracket for the tournament that will decide the next challengers for the AEW World Tag Team Championship. The Hurt Syndicate, consisting of Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin, have held the championship for over 180 days since winning it in January. The upcoming tournament’s winner will face them at the Forbidden Door event scheduled for August 24th in London, England.
At AEW’s All In Texas event, The Hurt Syndicate successfully defended their titles against the Jetspeed team of Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight in a hard-fought contest. On the July 23rd edition of AEW Dynamite, a tournament was announced to determine the next contenders, with the first match seeing FTR’s Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler defeat Jetspeed’s Bailey and Knight.
Teams Competing in the AEW Tag Title Eliminator Tournament
Following the opening round, Tony Khan disclosed the entire list of participating teams via social media. FTR will face the winner of Bang Bang Gang, made up of Austin Gunn and Juice Robinson, versus Big Bill and Bryan Keith, who are associated with Chris Jericho’s faction known as The Learning Tree. This match-up was scheduled for the July 26th episode of AEW Collision.
On the opposite side of the bracket, The Outrunners will collide with The Young Bucks, while Gates of Agony will take on the Brodido team, which features Brody King and Bandido. According to Khan’s announcement:
“Full bracket reveal!The World Tag Team Title Eliminator Tournament continues 8pm ET/7pm CTSaturday Night #AEWCollisionTONIGHT!The tournament started hot at FTR vs JetSpeed Wednesday on #AEWDynamite+don’t miss the Bang Bang Gang colliding vs Big Bill/Bryan Keith TONIGHT! pic.twitter.com/JyXv42BKUS” —Tony Khan, AEW Owner and CEO
This setup could lead to a final that reignites the classic rivalry between FTR and The Young Bucks, as well as potentially renewing tensions with The Outrunners, who have recently been involved in feuds with FTR.
Tony Khan’s Strategy Behind Timing of Match Announcements
Some fans expressed frustration over the delay in revealing the full tournament bracket, as the announcement came three days after the tournament’s start. Tony Khan addressed this, explaining his preference for making match announcements on the day AEW shows air. He believes this timing maximizes fan engagement and discussion around the events.
“A lot of times, wrestling companies will make some announcements on the day of the show because they get engagement. It’s a way to get you talking about the show, get you interested in the show. Typically, those match announcements are the most engagement you’re gonna get on the day of the show. I think they do very, very well.” —Tony Khan, AEW Owner and CEO
This approach aims to increase viewer interest and interaction during live broadcasts, contributing to the overall excitement for AEW programming.
Looking ahead, the next significant AEW event to anticipate is the July 30th Dynamite episode, where Hangman Adam Page will defend the AEW World Title against Jon Moxley. This rare AEW World Title match on the main television show offers a special moment for fans.
Other Notable Updates from the Wrestling World
Outside of AEW, various wrestling news has surfaced, highlighting personal stories and developments among stars:
- MJF shared a memorable conversation about a WWE Hall of Famer with actor Adam Sandler, describing it as a fun day on the set.
- A notable WWE wrestler made an unusual proposal to team up with Alexa Bliss.
- An ex-multi-time WWE World Champion has been removed from AAA’s roster.
- Logan Paul received praise for his microphone skills from a former WWE veteran following a performance in Cleveland.
- Negative online remarks led a WWE star to temporarily leave social media for personal well-being.
- Drew McIntyre expressed criticism regarding the celebration of Jelly Roll’s recent weight loss.
- A former AEW champion remains sidelined and might undergo surgery in the near future.
- WWE legend The Rock paid tribute to Hulk Hogan, recalling their famous encounter at WrestleMania X8.
Implications and Outlook for AEW Tag Team Division
The announcement of the full Tony Khan AEW Tag Tournament bracket offers fans clarity and heightens anticipation leading up to Forbidden Door. The Hurt Syndicate’s long title reign has positioned them as dominant champions, while the tournament will showcase rising talent and veteran teams vying for an opportunity to dethrone them. Potential matchups, such as FTR versus The Young Bucks or confrontations involving The Outrunners, promise to reignite rivalries that have been pivotal in AEW’s tag team scene.
Khan’s strategic timing of announcements and the tournament’s structure reflect AEW’s commitment to maintaining strong viewer engagement. As the tournament progresses, each match will not only push storylines forward but also prepare the stage for a highly competitive title match in London.
