5 booking mistakes AEW should steer clear from at Winter is Coming - Title changes, major debuts

Another year of wrestling is coming to a close as AEW: Winter is Coming returns. The previous Winter is Coming show last year established the groundwork for central plots we have seen unfold in the past year.

This year looks to be no different, with a former WrestleMania main eventer challenging for the AEW World title, a hot prospect looking to earn his first accolade, a rubber match to an intense feud between former women's champions, and as always the looming possibility of free agents rearing their heads.

AEW has thus far confirmed Hikaru Shida vs Serena Deeb III, Wardlow vs Matt Sydal, MJF vs Dante Martin for the Dynamite Diamond Ring, and Hangman Page vs Bryan Danielson for the AEW World Championship, with plenty more unannounced yet imminent.

Naturally, with such a stacked card comes questions and concerns from fans, with shows like these serving to establish the front-runners heading into 2022.

So with that in mind, let's take a look at five things that must not happen at AEW Winter is Coming, and explore why these mistakes should be avoided.

#5 Hikaru Shida should not lose to Serena Deeb at AEW Winter is Coming

The feud between former AEW Women's World Champion Hikaru Shida and Serena Deeb is the first major involvement the latter has had since returning from her injury. However, this does not mean that she should take the 'W' at Winter is Coming.

So far, their feud has served well to keep Shida out of the title picture she is destined to be in. Meanwhile, AEW establishes the remainder of the field of contention for the AEW Women's World and TBS Championship titles. And their feud has also worked well to establish the legitimacy of the Women of a Thousand Holds on the AEW roster following her absence.

But as AEW draws nearer to crowning a TBS Champion, Hikaru Shida should be in pole position to challenge for either of the titles, especially if Jade Cargill or Nyla Rose inaugurate the TBS title.

Shida is arguably the top women's babyface in AEW and would serve as a fantastic first feud for either of Nyla Rose or Jade Cargill if they were to win the title, with an in-ring work rate and legitimacy capable of cementing their reign. On the other hand, now could be the time for a Shida-Baker rematch for the title.

Serena Deeb - even in defeat - can find feuds with the likes of Ruby Soho, Kris Statlander or Tay Conti, and feel unharmed in the process. Whichever the case, Hikaru Shida is the right person to walk out of AEW Winter is Coming with another notch on her record.

#4 Matt Sydal must not win against Wardlow at AEW Winter is Coming

AEW is a playground for future stars of wrestling right now, with the likes of Dante Martin and Hook featuring promenently. Another example of their pool of prospects is the monstrous Wardlow, serving as MJF's enforcer alongside Shawn Spears.

Wardlow appears to be, at the moment at least, struggling to tolerate his paymaster MJF. Whether it be the appointment of Shawn Spears as his "accountabili-buddy", giving Wardlow an unwanted partner in crime, or his elimination from the Dynamite Diamond Battle Royale at the hands of the self-proclaimed pillar of AEW.

It makes sense that we may be making our way onto the path of an eventual turn for Wardlow, where he will most likely snap and violently sever their relationship. Wardlow is on a steep rise in popularity and has been significantly protected by AEW, and is almost guaranteed to be the main event's resident goliath in time.

For now, however, Wardlow will have to satiate his appetite for violence during his contest with Matt Sydal, who is fresh off of his momentary spat with former partner Dante Martin and Lio Rush.

Both Sydal and Wardlow are at stages in their AEW careers where the latter absolutely must be the victor. Matt Sydal is a tenured athlete within the industry and is the kind of opponent Wardlow needs to add to his CV in order to fill the role in the main event he appears destined for. His speed and agility will complement the powerhouse in a match designed to cast a spotlight on the future star.

#3 Dante Martin should not win the AEW Dynamite Diamond Ring

Moving from one up-and-coming star of AEW to another, Dante Martin continues his meteoric rise from his 50% role in the tag tandem of Top Flight to a challenger for the Dynamite Diamond Ring accolade, currently held by AEW cornerstone MJF.

However, as one prospect should leave with their hand raised at Winter is Coming, another should wait their turn for another night. Often it can be exciting to think of a hot prospect winning their first trophy, but the creative direction past, present and future is a major sticking point of the debate as to who should win.

Dante Martin has been the star of his own storyline: in the absence of his brother he has enjoyed partnerships with Matt Sydal, Lio Rush and Team Tazz before making the final two of the Dynamite Diamond Battle Royale to set his Winter is Coming debate.

MJF, on the other hand, has engaged in a heated and personal feud with childhood hero CM Punk. As expected their feud has seen verbal massacres and Bizarro world scenarios in their one night double turn in MJF's hometown Long Island. And it has to be considered that MJF could be the first loss on CM Punk's AEW record.

So when considering the trajectories of both men involved, MJF has to continue his reign with the diamond ring in order to preserve his momentum and claim to face his rival. Dante Martin could most definitely benefit from winning the annual accolades, but then where does he go from there?

The diamond ring has served as a quintessential aspect of MJF's character, using the ring as a foreign object countless times throughout key matches to secure the win. That befits the persona and style of MJF, but would prove obsolete with someone as gravity defying as Dante Martin. MJF should retain the ring once again, possibly with the help of a disgruntled Team Taz.

#2 AEW must strike the balance with debuts

AEW is on the tip of fans' tongues whenever a talent enters the free agency, and even more so given the current pool of talent sat unattached and ready for action. Last year at Winter is Coming we saw the debut of WCW icon and WWE Hall of Famer, Sting, who has become an essential performer on AEW TV.

There is a remarkable amount of talent that could make themselves known at Winter is Coming, and the show could easily be filled with announcements and debuts. But that doesn't mean it should.

AEW has grown exponentially and so too has their roster as a result, and with a larger field of competitors comes the possibility that some exceptional talent will be lost in the shuffle. As a result, any incoming names should find themselves revealed gradually, in order to prevent the roster being overwhelmed so quickly.

AEW have worked really well to integrate their debutants really well with the ongoing roster, making sure to resist the urge to hot-shot the likes of Sting, Bryan Danielson, CM Punk and Adam Cole as they have arrived over the past year. They have to continue their form this year, balancing the fresh excitement of debuts with the sustenance that is storyline and narrative progression.

#1 Bryan Danielson should not defeat Hangman Page for the AEW World Championship

Bryan Danielson even before his arrival to AEW had earned a reputation for his unrivaled work rate and devotion to the craft. It would make sense that one day Bryan will lift the AEW World title to an erupting crowd, much like his eventual ascension as WWE World Heavyweight Champion at WrestleMania 30.

However, this does not appear to be the right time for Bryan to take the throne, nor is it the right time for Hangman Page to give up the dream.

The two-year tale of Adam Page defying doubt from both himself and his peers to take the title from his former championship partner Kenny Omega has been a core plot line for AEW programming.

Having Page lose the belt in his first title defense - despite what he has overcome - would undermine the soul of the story and render the entire endeavor obsolete. Besides that, Bryan Danielson doesn't feel like he is right to take the belt quite yet.

Bryan could not definitively put Kenny Omega away within the time allotted, and as a result will always feel like an interim champion until they have settled the scores. To add to that, Hangman Page could unseat Kenny Omega, and did so at Full Gear. It doesn't feel all too believable that Bryan could take the throne yet, he has unfinished business and doesn't feel ready for a coronation.

It would be by no means a worst-case scenario to see Bryan win the title at Winter is Coming, but it would be a severe mis-step in booking the top babyface in AEW and diminishing the pay-off to a wholesome storyline.

Hangman Page should retain his championship at the first time of asking, in order to cement his pedigree and leave Bryan with narrative freedom to explore his heel character in AEW.

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What matches are you most looking forward to at AWE Winter is Coming? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.