5 surprises that could happen at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam

AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam will be one of the biggest events in the history of All Elite Wrestling. Taking place live from the Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York, this show will surely break the company's attendance records.

The dream match between AEW World Champion Kenny Omega and Bryan Danielson in his in-ring debut for the company will headline this card in what should be a great bout.

Aside from the major matches in the lineup, there is plenty to look forward to that hasn't been announced yet. AEW All Out 2021 had the allure of champions defending titles, feuds being settled, and CM Punk returning to the ring for the first time in seven years. But the the Chicago fans also witnessed the debuts of Bryan Danielson, Ruby Soho and Adam Cole as well.

With that in mind, there are a handful of free agents that could still sign with All Elite Wrestling. On the other hand, some of the company's own stars could return this week. The results of certain highly anticipated matches could also create magic for the fans in New York City. In this article, let's take a look at the five surprises that could happen at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam.

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5) Brian Pillman Jr. beats MJF at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam

One of the best-built matches heading into the AEW Dynamite Grand Slam is MJF vs. Brian Pillman Jr. The grudge match started after Maxwell Jacob Friedman made disparaging remarks about Pillman Jr's hometown of Cincinnati and his family. A fired-up Pillman didn't take this disrespect lightly, but he and his Varsity Blonds partner Griff Garrison were assaulted by MJF and Wardlow.

The two men have traded barbs back and forth since then, with MJF even making despicable comments about Brian's late father. This set the stage for a showdown where Brian Pillman Jr. has so much to gain with a victory. Meanwhile, MJF will be looking to regain his momentum after a crushing loss to Chris Jericho at All Out 2021.

The Pinnacle leader is the bigger star here, but that's exactly why a win is so important for Pillman Jr. Most fans are expecting MJF to win at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam, so a loss would be devastating for the dastardly heel. The second-generation star has mostly been a tag team competitor, so this win would definitely catapult him up the ranks.

4) Sarah Logan debuts at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam

WWE has released quite a few Superstars who have added a lot of value to the AEW roster. Miro had a slow start, but he has truly come into his own as God's Favorite Champion. Elsewhere, Malakai Black has made an immediate impact with the company, as his rivalry with Cody Rhodes has helped establish him as a force to be reckoned with.

The latest WWE release to arrive in AEW is Ruby Soho. The former Riott Squad leader debuted at All Out 2021, where she won the Women's Casino Battle Royale. Her arrival in All Elite Wrestling could open the door for another former WWE Superstar to head to the promotion.

Sarah Logan was backstage at All Out 2021 in Chicago to surprise Ruby Soho with her baby. In doing so, she made Soho's first experience with AEW feel even more comfortable. AEW management allowing Logan to go backstage might be a sign that a potential relationship could be built between the two sides. She could even make her debut in Soho's corner at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam.

Logan was a competitor who never got her due in WWE. As a member of the Riott Squad, she stood out due to her viking look and solid in-ring ability. As a group, the Riott Squad felt like three different characters at first, but they developed into a well-oiled machine. If Ruby and Sarah can create a team in AEW, it could further add to the company's women's division.

3) Ruby Soho wins the AEW Women's World Championship at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam

As previously mentioned, Ruby Soho came into AEW and quickly made herself at home. She outlasted 20 other women to win the Women's Casino Battle Royale at All Out 2021 in Chicago to an amazing reception. Due to that victory, she will now face the AEW Women's World Champion Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D., at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam.

The two women have revealed their past with one another, as Soho had a part in helping Baker break into the wrestling business early in her career. The two stars will now collide at a time when Baker is at the top of her game. She's arguably one of the biggest homegrown stars AEW has developed.

For this reason, many fans consider Baker the favorite to win this buzzworthy clash. She defeated Hikaru Shida to win the AEW Women's World Championship at Double Or Nothing 2021 in May. Since then, AEW's resident dentist has defeated Nyla Rose, Red Velvet and Kris Statlander in successful defenses. Still, it feels like she's still got a long reign in front of her.

That being said, Soho is riding high with plenty of momentum and buzz since her arrival at All Out 2021. AEW has the opportunity to fulfill the potential that was always evident during her run with WWE. Soho winning at Grand Slam would be a tremendous way to have her climb to the next level and solidify her place at the top of the company's women's division.

2) Buddy Matthews debuts at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam

Buddy Matthews is another former WWE Superstar who could possibly show up at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam. The man once known as Buddy Murphy has created plenty of buzz surrounding himself since his untimely release from WWE.

Many fans have enjoyed his creative video packages, in which he's shown escaping an insane asylum. These videos have hinted at his journey to a new promotion, but it's unclear where Matthews will sign.

Matthews had quite the interesting run with WWE. He started out in NXT, where he won the Tag Team Championships with Wesley Blake before he got called up to join the cruiserweight division. Known as The Best Kept Secret, Matthews put on showstealers with the likes of Mustafa Ali and Tozawa before he defeated Cedric Alexander to win the Cruiserweight Championship.

After he lost the title to Tony Nese at WrestleMania 35, Matthews was called up to SmackDown. Though he put on bangers with Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan, his run on SmackDown fizzled out before he moved to WWE RAW.

On Monday nights, he got into a fun series of matches against Aleister Black and formed a partnership with Seth Rollins. Matthews' feud with Black could foreshadow what he potentially does in AEW.

The vignettes on Matthews's social media mirror the vignettes Black produced prior to his debut in AEW. With his huge rematch with Cody Rhodes for AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam, this show could be the perfect opportunity for Matthews to debut and form the House of Black with his former rival. This possibility would be a memorable arrival for the man who is no longer a secret.

1) Hangman Page returns at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam

AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam will deliver a dream match that is years in the making and several title matches, not to mention the potential for some massive debuts. Still, there is a top star in the promotion who has missed out on all the big events that have been going on in All Elite Wrestling in recent weeks.

Hangman Page is at the center of the biggest long-term storyline that AEW has been producing since the inception of the company. When Page signed with AEW in 2019, he said that his goal was to become the AEW World Champion. But the fan-favorite failed to become the first champion when Chris Jericho defeated him at All Out 2019.

This loss led to a crisis of confidence, but Page's partnership with Kenny Omega led him to his first title reign in the promotion. The duo won the AEW World Tag Team Championship and had a successful run that was over eight months long before it ended at All Out 2020.

It looked as if All Out 2021 would be the site of the culmination of this storyline, with Hangman Page facing Kenny Omega for the AEW World Championship. But Page decided to take some time off to be at home for the birth of his first child, so Christian Cage got a shot at Omega instead. Page's absence let the show put more of a spotlight on the debuts of Bryan Danielson and Adam Cole.

The most anticipated match for AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam will be Danielson making his in-ring debut for the company against Omega, the reigning world champion. This contest is years in the making, as both men are considered two of the best wrestlers in the world today. This first encounter isn't about the title, but it is about proving who is the better wrestler of the two.

Depending on the result of this match, it could hint at what's next for the AEW World Championship. The two men could clash in a rematch for the title down the line, or it may be the right time for a huge return. The Elite has gotten involved in many of Omega's big-time bouts, and Bryan will need backup when that happens on this occasion.

This historic setting seems quite appropriate for Hangman Page to return in front of the largest crowd in AEW history. Seeing over 20,000 fans cheer for the return of one of the company's most popular fan-favorites would a sight to behold. That's why Hangman Page's return could be the biggest surprise at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam.