Over the next several weeks, Wardlow and Powerhouse Hobbs might be involved in the most crucial feud AEW has. Yes, MJF vs. Jon Moxley is right up there too, but both of those men are already stars for All Elite Wrestling. Friedman transcends the genre in a way few performers can, while Moxley has been the company's MVP in 2022. The build to their match at Full Gear has been good, but neither guy will gain or lose much ground between now and that show. The same can't be said for Hobbs and Wardlow, two massive and hungry wrestlers who have largely been languishing on Rampage, waiting for the chance to shine under the bright lights of a pay-per-view.
If the November 2 edition of Dynamite was any indication, the two are now aimed directly at one another, and it stands to reason that they could wrestle for the TNT Championship at Full Gear. To this point, that'd be the biggest match either man has had in AEW. The argument could be made that Wardlow Vs. MJF at Double Or Nothing was more prominent for Mr. Mayhem, but Friedman carried a ton of water in that feud. This is Wardlow's opportunity to show that he can be the face of a title program. Likewise, it's a chance for Hobbs to show that he is one of the top heels in AEW.
Powerhouse Hobbs Gives AEW Something They Don't Have Yet
Turning Powerhouse Hobbs heel made all the sense in the world for AEW. The 31-year-old has a unique blend of look, size, strength, and on-screen presence. He can hold his own and tell good stories in the ring, as evidenced by his time working alongside (and then against) Ricky Starks. That seemingly unfinished feud could also lay the groundwork for the TNT Championship moving forward. It's the clearest that title picture has been since Wardlow won it, and fans can't overlook where, exactly, Samoa Joe will fall during all of this either.
Having two mammoths who can go out and put on pay-per-view quality matches is a real asset to any wrestling company. There's a reason WWE always went back to the same wells with Brock Lesnar: finding someone who can stand next to him and look like a threat is hard but bankable. Hobbs and Wardlow could develop into that kind of go-to program for AEW moving forward. Neither of them is Lesnar (no one is), but they stand out on All Elite Wrestling's roster because they have a more traditional pro-wrestler look. A feud lasting several weeks would give both an opportunity to cement themselves as a top-level heel and face tandem. It's also refreshing to see two homegrown AEW talents head-to-head for a title, even if it's the TNT Championship. A strong showing from Hobbs and Wardlow would elevate both men, and the title makes this a possible home run of a feud for Tony Khan.