AEW Television Championship tournament begins next week

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Heartland Newsfeed) — All Elite Wrestling (AEW) is trying scratch that tournament itch you’re desiring as a tournament for the inaugural TNT Championship. (Let’s just call it the AEW Television Championship.)

The tournament brackets were announced Tuesday during AEW Dark and Wednesday during the AEW Dynamite broadcast, as reported by Wrestling Observer‘s Josh Nason.

The left side of the bracket of the eight-man single-elimination tournament was revealed Tuesday night. Cody Rhodes faces off against Shawn Spears, while Darby Allin faces off against Sammy Guevara.

An announcement during the Dynamite broadcast reveals that Dustin Rhodes will face off against Kip Sabian, while Lance Archer will face “Boom Boom” Colt Cabana.

Cody Rhodes v. Shawn Spears

The two long-time rivals kick off the tournament next week. Rhodes and Spears, former tag-team partners while with Ohio Valley Wrestling, collided at last year’s All Out event in Chicago, with Rhodes securing the win.

Spears would take advantage of the most devastating move in all of pro wrestling — the rollup pin — to win over Allin and Rhodes in tag action alongside Guevara.

Sammy Guevara v. Darby Allin

Both have wrestled frequently over the years, sparking a rivalry between the two in AEW. Allin has one win over Guevara — the singles match that took place at the Revolution pay-per-view.

Lance Archer v. Colt Cabana

Archer and Cabana have a track record of tag-team matches against each other. The last singles encounter was during a 2015 NOAH event which Cabana won via disqualification.

Archer made his in-ring television debut this week after signing a contract with AEW. He would dominate against Marko Stunt.

Meanwhile, Cabana is 2-0 in AEW, securing victories over Peter Avalon and Brandon Cutler in two appearances on AEW Dark.

Will the AEW Television tournament finals happen in Las Vegas?

With uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 epidemic, plans can change at any time. Currently, the tournament finals are still under scheduling to take place at the upcoming Double or Nothing PPV in Las Vegas. The PPV is pending for Saturday, May 23.