AEW officially confirmed the third-annual World Championship Eliminator Tournament on the October 28 Rampage, confirming Ethan Page and Dante Martin as the tournament’s first two entrants. It was noted that with the finals taking place at Full Gear on November 19, the winner would challenge for the AEW World Championship on December 14 at Winter Is Coming.
Stemming from the subsequent episode of AEW Rampage on November 4, All Elite Wrestling formally announced the full bracket for the tournament. Slated to begin on the November 9 AEW Dynamite, this will see the already-entered Ethan Page competing against Eddie Kingston.
Following this, on the November 11 Rampage, Bandido will face RUSH, Lance Archer will collide with Ricky Starks, and Brian Cage takes on Dante Martin. The semifinals of the tournament will presumably take place across the following week’s programming (November 15 for Dynamite and November 18 for Rampage) ahead of Full Gear.
Ricky Starks Eyes Up The AEW World Championship
The November 4 AEW Rampage marked Ricky Starks’ first appearance for AEW since October 13, where he taped a bout for the October 25 Dark. Referencing the numerous backstage altercations in the company over recent months, the former FTW Champion stated that he would be walking out of Full Gear as the tournament winner:
“I know some people are proud to tout themselves as AEW’s pillars, but how could you be proud when things are crumbling around here? I’m the guy that’s going to make sure I hold this place up on my bare back. And it’s gonna start at Full Gear! I’m walking out of Full Gear as the No. 1 contender to the AEW World Championship.”
Of those featured in the tournament, half of them have previously challenged for the AEW World Championship, those names being Brian Cage, Eddie Kingston, Lance Archer, and Dante Martin. Should Ethan Page, Bandido, RUSH, or Ricky Starks win, though, it would mark their first crack at the top prize on offer in the promotion.