by With the first round in the books of the 2023 Owen Hart cup on the men’s side, we decided to breakdown the booking as things are shaping up exactly as we thought they would. Before we get to our predictions of the semifinal winners and the eventual winner, let’s review and breakdown the logic in the booking of the first round.
First Round Results
CM Punk pinned Satoshi Kojima at Forbidden Door.
Reason this occurred – There was no logic in bringing back CM Punk with so much hype only to have him lose his first singles match. This one was a forgone conclusion.
Samoa Joe submits Roderick Strong
Reason this occurred – Once the brackets came out, fans clamored for the first Punk vs Joe matchup in over a decade. They were begging for it, and now it can finally happen. Strong tapping out to Joe isn’t the end of the world for his push either, a good match that still gave everyone the result they wanted despite the babyface taking a loss.
Powerhouse Hobbes pinned Dustin Rhodes
Reason this occurred – The former Goldust may get some wins in dark matches, or the occasional TV win, but his main purpose right now and since arriving in AEW is to put younger talent over, mentor them offscreen and give them the rub on screen.
Ricky Starks pinned Juice Robinson
Reason this occurred – AEW management has huge plans for Starks and this was the next logical step. I’m not sure why the Bullet Club keeps taking L’s, but Starks has a jetpack strapped to his back and this win was the next step in the evolution.
Semi Final Predictions
CM Punk over Samoa Joe
Reason – CM Punk cannot take a loss here, reaching the finals is a must for Punk and Joe is the guy to put him over. This match will take place on Dynamite and should be the best of both men’s AEW run. They have chemistry and Joe can take the loss to Punk without looking weak, but a Punk loss would be devasting to the master plan.
Ricky Starks over Powerhouse Hobbes
Reason – A trip to the semi’s is good for Hobbes, almost overachieving. For Starks however, again, Tony Khan and AEW see him as a megastar and a trip to the finals fills out that plan perfectly.
Starks defeats CM Punk in the Cup Final after interference from The Elite.
Reason – Okay, I know what we’ve all been told, but this is wrestling and there is no chance in Hell that AEW will not capitalize on the real-life heat between Punk and The Elite. In my opinion, I can easily see Omega and the Bucks costing Punk the match, and then a six-man tag match between them and FTR with Punk is set for All In at Wembley Stadium. Don’t believe everything you read in the dirt sheets about them not being able to be in the same room, same arena, same zip code, let alone same ring. Take it to the bank, it will happen! Khan needed a mega match for Wembley, and this will give him one!
More on page two
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