AEW Dynamite's January 12 episode was set ablaze with a fiery promo featuring Adam Cole's group and Best Friends. When The Panama City Playboy was talking about tensions between The Young Bucks and reDRagon, Best friends ran into the ring and started a brawl. Orange Cassidy and his partners were quickly taken down, however. Just when Cole was about to superkick Cassidy, Kris Statlander intervened and tried to protect the leader of Best Friends. She was hit from the back by Britt Baker, who then assisted Cole in taking out Cassidy.
The entry of female wrestlers into the feud signifies a twist in the storyline involving these AEW stars. The duo of Adam Cole and Britt Baker challenged Orange Cassidy and Kris Statlander to a tag team match in a backstage segment shortly after the in-ring brawl.
With many new exciting routes now possible, it'll be interesting to see how the bookings happen. Here are five ways in which Cole-Baker can progress in the future.
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#5. Britt Baker and Adam Cole may team up for the long run in AEW
AEW has no shortage of factions and stables. The excessive number of groups is one of the primary complaints generally noted. Amidst such oversaturation, a mixed tag team would be a breath of fresh air. Much like the Bunny with the Butcher and the Blade, Adam Cole and Britt Baker could pull off the mixed-gender trope perfectly.
Britt Baker and Adam Cole being real-life partners also serve as a foundation for a long-term team in Tony Khan's promotion. A mixed tag team could open up new opportunities for an extremely talented roster. A bloated roster in Tony Khan's promotion requires good management to make use of all the wrestlers, and this mixed tag team might be the perfect way to bring some of the lesser-seen stars to the frontline.
#4. They may lose against Cassidy-Statlander to make the feud grow in AEW
At AEW Dynamite, Britt Baker and Adam Cole made their intentions clear about their feud with Best friends. The challenge initiated by Baker to Kris Statlander and Orange Cassidy is another one in the long line of fights between Cole's group and Best Friends.
While Orange Cassidy and Kris Statlander are the babyfaces going into the fight, Cole and his partner are much more popular among AEW fans. A mixed-gender match can grow into a more fleshed-out feud. This could also carry over to the women's division, with Britt Baker and Kris Statlander going toe-to-toe.
This mixed-gender match need not be a decisive win. Much like the CM Punk vs. Wardlow match, it can have an unexpected ending which will only make the feud more heated.
#3. They may be the reason AJ Lee returns to wrestling and joins AEW
Mixed-gender team-ups are rare. Britt Baker joining Adam Cole presents a unique opportunity for AEW. Tony Khan's promotion has always tended to spice things up, and they might choose to do so again.
With Tony signing big names left and right, the creation of other mixed tag teams is a distinct possibility. In a recent interview with SportsNation, CM Punk was asked about the chances of AJ Lee joining him for a match against Cole-Baker.
Punk didn't shoot the idea down entirely but seemed hesitant to give fans any hope of seeing the Black Widow return to wrestling:
"To be completely honest, I know her, and if I said, 'Hey, you know, you want to do this wrestling match?' and if she was all gung-ho to do it, I know she'd want to get into stupid shape to do it."
It would be awesome if fans could see bigshot tag teams return to the fray in pursuit of a win against Adam Cole and Britt Baker.
#2. Adam Cole and Britt Baker teaming up in AEW might just be a one-time thing
AEW, no matter how unconventional, still has some unchanged things. Mixed tag teams in wrestling are usually short-term affairs. The amount of work that needs to be done to book mixed tag team matches is normally not worth the effort. Hence it's common to see such partnerships dissolve soon after being formed.
Another point is that both Adam Cole and Britt Baker are two of the most popular wrestlers in singles competition. It doesn't make sense for them to switch things up when they are already so successful in their respective runs.
The alliance of Cole and Baker may prove to be the same. After their match with Kris Statlander and Orange Cassidy, there's a high chance they will go their separate ways. The number of possible mixed-gender team-ups in AEW is rather slim, so it makes sense for this tag team to be short-lived.
#1. Britt Baker might make Adam Cole leave the faction
It's a little far-fetched, but the entry of Britt Baker into Adam Cole's group may end up being harmful to them as a whole. While the group may seem perfectly fine with Baker's inclusion, it doesn't take long for resentment to brew.
Tensions between reDRagon and The Young Bucks are already present. Baker may use that as a reason to convince Cole how the group is holding him back. This could lead to The Panama City Playboy going the solo route.
Ever since he joined AEW, Adam Cole is unbeaten in singles competition. Flying solo might not be a bad option for BayBay.