7 Secret Weapons AEW has in 2022

AEW may end 2021 with a bang, but there are other things to look forward to in the coming new year. AEW has been in the ascendancy since the company debuted in 2019 and has only grown in the years since. Certain other didn't give the upstart organization much of a chance. Still, they defied the odds, especially with their various television deals that now have Rampage, a second show, in addition to Dynamite.

Moreover, the fantastic additions of CM Punk, Bryan Danielson, Adam Cole, Ruby Soho, and other stars have only showcased how far the company has come since its early days. Sure, there have been booking mistakes along the way, but the positive vibes shared by many in AEW and the fans' reception have shown that.

But what are the surprises that AEW still has in their weaponry? In 2021, AEW sure pulled off many things that many didn't expect, so it would be interesting to see what else they have in store. Here are seven secret weapons that AEW has in 2022.

#7 Adam Cole becomes AEW World Champion

Adam Cole is in AEW. Bobby Fish is in AEW. Kyle O'Reilly is now in AEW. That is 3 of 4 members of NXT's The Undisputed Era in AEW. It's no coincidence that Tony Khan and his team signed the trio to the company. The group was one of the best things in NXT and possibly one of the best stables in all of WWE.

It adds to the more important story that AEW is trying to tell with Adam Cole. Cole's signing to the company was perhaps even a more significant move than Danielson and Punk, considering that his star was always on the rise in WWE. Some have claimed him to be the next coming of Shawn Michaels, and they won't be far from that argument.

Cole has the looks, charisma, talent, experience and age on his side. While Hangman Page is their first 'home-grown' champion, Cole is the next logical step. He was already a big star on the independent scene and had tons of history with The Elite. He also has an x-factor for wrestlers who could define and carry a company.

Save the point: --- Adam Cole will be AEW World Champion in 2022.

#6 AEW gets a Killer and a Smoke Show

AEW has a lot of great talent on their roster, and it's pretty interesting that once upon a time, that roster would have included the likes of Scarlett Bordeaux and Killer Kross. According to Scarlett, they picked WWE over AEW due to a conversation with Triple H.

“There were a few companies we were talking to right before WWE came along. We thought AEW was gonna be the one. But after a talk with Hunter, we’re like, ‘Nope. WWE’s the place.” Scarlett said.

Triple H saw the pair's potential, and both were quickly an irresistible force in NXT. The entrances, the chemistry, and the intrigue that the couple brought were undeniable. At one point, Kross seemed to be set for big things given that he was a 2-Time WWE NXT Champion until the move to RAW happened, which resulted in him becoming a Cosplay version of The Humungus from Mad Max 2.

Soon enough, both he and Scarlett find themselves released from WWE and are now certified free agents. While the movie world beckons Kross, it's not hard to see how the pair would fit into AEW. Both bring something to the table, and like other NXT Talent (Adam Cole and Bobby Fish), they offer something extra that others may not have.

Certainly, Scarlett offers something in the AEW Women's Division. While she didn't wrestle in WWE, she certainly did in IMPACT Wrestling. Kross has that on-screen presence that AEW brings and has even had matches in independent circles with current AEW talent like Jon Moxley.

Will AEW become the pair's playground in 2022? Don't let the pair's 'Smoke and Mirrors' fool you. Their arrival is not an if but a when.

#5 AEW's 'Secret Plan' for Owen Hart Cup Tournament

Now for AEW fans, this is not a 'secret' by any stretch of the imagination. The tournament was always on the cards, and recently on AEW Dynamite, it was revealed that there would be both a Men's and Women's tournament.

Owen Hart has occupied legendary status in the eyes of many. Some maintain he was taken before his time and while never quite achieving the heights that his brother achieved, he was as good or better inside the ring in some ways. Younger fans will remember he was at his best when he was a heel and the feuds with Bret Hart are easily some of the best in WWE history that few have replicated.

Regarding Owen, the point of the tournament is not to crown existing stars who are already poised for big things down the line. Don't expect the likes of Adam Cole or even Danielson to be the winners of this tournament or even Britt Baker on the women's side.

The tournament is an excuse to push younger talent in AEW, who have been masterful by creating tournaments out of thin air to push someone directly into the main event picture, and this tournament will work as a launchpad for some. One name that does come to mind is Dante Martin, who has been pushed heavily on AEW TV, and it wouldn't be a surprise if he ended as one of the winners of this tournament.

Whomever they are, it is probably a given that AEW sees them as the company's future, and the Owen Hart Cup tournament will serve as their launchpad.

#4 AEW adds a Women's Tag Team Championship

It's been a long time since AEW conducted their Women's Tag Team Cup, all way back in 2020. People assumed that they would introduce Women's Tag Titles in 2021 but never realized it. In 2019, Tony Khan made statements that indicated his interest in establishing a Women's Tag Division as soon as possible.

"I want to focus on a serious main event picture," Tony Khan explained. "Both in the singles and the tag team, and then when we establish the women's singles -- ya know, this may be the first time that it gets announced, but just so you know -- eventually we will establish a Women's Tag Team title and focusing on the Women's singles and the Women's Tag Team title."

Now, people assume in 2021, there will be another Women's title, which turned out to be the AEW TBS Championship. Having a secondary Women's title was a good move, considering that the Women's roster has grown significantly in the last year.

But is it time for Women's Tag Titles? Considering that WWE has two sets of Women's Tag Titles, IMPACT Wrestling has The Inspiration as IMPACT Knockouts Tag Champions, so it does make sense that AEW joins the party, as it were. It's not that they don't have the talent. Already, these mini-teams are forming like Tay Conti and Anna Jay (Tay/Jay).

There is room for growth, and what better way to build on that is by introducing these titles in the middle of 2022. Women's wrestling has never been more significant than in recent memory, and it's time for AEW to add to that allure.

#3 Bray Wyatt arrives in AEW

Let's be honest. This is probably the umpteenth time AEW fans have heard rumors about Bray Wyatt being in AEW. Multiple features have been written about who he could face in AEW. There isn't a day that goes by that people do not stop talking about the potential of having Windham Lawrence Rotunda as part of the roster.

The last we heard from him was that Windham will be making his feature film debut with Callosum Studios owner and special makeup effects artist Jason Baker. What does it mean for Wyatt's plans for the future? A return to WWE is never out of the question but now seems implausible considering that he was released despite pulling in impressive merchandise numbers. AEW appears to be the only viable place that Wyatt could go.

Suppose Wyatt believes that acting in his future, and seeing AEW Dynamite being on TBS, only leads to more opportunities in the future for a network show. Now, why would AEW want Windham? He's a charismatic wrestler whose creativity is never in question, and they would be foolhardy not to have him on the roster.

While AEW has several great wrestlers, their 'characters' are lacking. Bray Wyatt's panache for creating outwardly and downright demonic personas makes for great TV. There's no doubting that, and it's plausible that AEW would want as part of the roster.

When will he appear in AEW? Fair to say --- sooner rather than later.

#2 The AEW Universe gets Broken

Now, fans reading 'AEW Universe' would probably be outraged at the sheer hubris of daring to combine a silly WWE term but just read and understand where this is coming from. Matt Hardy debuted in AEW as 'Broken' Matt Hardy. Unfortunately, at the time, this was at the height of the pandemic with little to no crowds. Hardy explained this recently in an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda.

"Broken Matt Hardy and the Broken Universe is a very fan-driven persona and character. And obviously due to the state of the world, we’re in a pandemic, I debuted on the very first empty arena pandemic era show... So that’s why I decided to change directions and start doing 'Big Money Matt' as opposed to 'Broken Matt'," revealed Matt Hardy.

Moreover, some argue that AEW fans prefer 'reality-based' characters as opposed to the fantastical. Broken Matt certainly leans towards the latter and will follow recent trends, given that AEW also has Malakai Black's character dabbles in that arena.

Moreover, it would serve as a launchpad and bring Jeff Hardy to AEW. The Hardy Boyz are one of the greatest Tag Teams in wrestling history and has set the stage for multiple dream matches. But moreover, it would allow for Jeff to embrace his 'Brother Nero' persona, which was over when they both had done so in IMPACT Wrestling.

The storyline potential for this is off the charts. It would certainly remain a possibility to see not only The Hardy Boyz reunite in AEW but also set the stage for AEW to evolve and embrace more fantasy than before.

#1 Cody finally embraces his heel persona in AEW

It's no secret that Cody Rhodes has been getting more boos than cheers in AEW of late. Cody seems to have embraced the fact that some fans have grown to hate him. People have theorized that AEW has been setting the stage for a while for an ultimate Cody heel turn. YouTubers like Tranquilo Club have put together several ideations of an impeding heel turn that will be different in its execution.

Many are aware of VP status in AEW, though the final booking selection remains with Tony Khan. But the concept of him getting what he wants is akin to how fans saw Triple H in WWE as part of the McMahon family being booked as Champion over and over again. Moreover, Cody becoming a 3-time AEW TNT Champion beating fan favorite Sammy Guevera seems to indicate that Cody is setting things up for a heel turn.

When AEW first started, people, saw Cody Rhodes as their default hero. Perhaps, it was due that he decided to leave the only company he ever worked for and bet on himself. That certainly earned him the respect of some. But since he arrived in AEW, there has been this undercurrent that he's all about HIM.

Now, this is not a fact. There's more to do with how Cody Rhodes uses real-life events to create this illusion that he's pompous and overbearing. Cody has his reality show on TNT, he's a judge on a talent show for TBS, and he's now a 3-time AEW TNT Champion. Moreover, he's even taunting fans while pulling out a sledgehammer during his matches. Heck, for a minute, he looked like he was going to deliver a pedigree to Sammy but did a Tiger Driver 98 instead.

Another factor is that he's part of a wrestling legacy. To some AEW fans, that smells like 'privilege.' His wife Brandi also seems to elicit boos from the audience, akin to how Stephanie McMahon received jeers from fans. All of these subtle but calculated moves only spell one thing in 2022 and that the fans will finally get what they want --- a HEEL Cody Rhodes.