.png)
Last month I said that I didn't have a formula or anything for assessing the power of AEW factions, and since then I've been asking myself: "well, why not?" It's actually a perfect problem for the tool that is usually called a "decision matrix". (I prefer "attribute matrix", and this is a perfect example of why: a problem where we want to rank options based on their attributes without looking to make or justify a decision.)
The idea is that you break down what determines how "good" each of your options is into its component attributes, you consider the relative importance of those attributes and make that into a weighted sum formula. Then you give each option ratings on the same scale for each attribute, then plug those ratings into the formula to get a score used to rank your options.
In the case of AEW factions, I settled on four attributes: competitive strength, team cohesion, purpose and direction, and attainment of gold and wins over competitive rivals. I scored each faction on a scale of 0 to 5 in each attribute. I created a simple weighting: I believe that cohesion (each member of the team having a useful role, knowing it, and willingly playing that role without dissension) is the most important attribute, so I weighted that score by multiplying by 1.5 before adding up the attributes to arrive at a score for ranking.
I was surprised to see Britt Baker's group in the lead, edging out the other dominant heel groups:
#1 - Major Dental
Last Week: #3
Gold Held: AEW World Championship
Strength - 4: Major Dental is a small group as faction go, but they are in a small division with no factional competition. Among the three of them, they boast two of the very best in their division, and one useful roleplayer
Cohesion - 5: This is what pushes them to the top. Britt Baker is a nasty and condescending person, but she makes a point to direct her venom outward
Purpose - 5: Tonight we will start to see if holding ALL of the gold in the women's division will be added to their mission statement, and if scope creep will become a problem or if the TBS title will just be another feather in their cap
Attainment - 4: Currently hold the only gold in their division and succeeding in beating off challenges
Dr. Britt Baker, DMD - Captain, Star, Mastermind
Jamie Hayter - Heater
REBEL not Reba - Buffoon
#2 - The Elite
Last Week: #1
Team mates attrited: The Good Brothers
Gold Held: AEW World Championship, AAA Mega Championship
Gold Lost: Impact Tag Championships (via attrition)
Strength - 5: This pared down group is truly at the highest competitive level
Cohesion - 4: Cracks are beginning to show between Adam Page and Kenny Omega, which is what cost them the top spot for the first time
Purpose - 4: The Elite exist to gather gold and acclaim for themselves. But with Kenny the only member still holding any, do they all still have the same vision?
Attainment - 4: They still hold the most important title in the world, but suffered a big loss to a rival they would have thought themselves in a different league from.
Kenny Omega - Captain, Star
Adam Cole - Lancer
Matt Jackson - Lieutenant, Tag guy
Nick Jackson - Tag guy
Don Callis - Mentor, mastermind, buffoon
Brandon Cutler - Stooge, mascot, mook
MT Nakazawa - Stooge, mascot, mook
#3 - The Pinnacle
Last Week: #10!
Gold Gained: AAA Tag Championships
Strength - 4: Undeniably top echelon
Cohesion - 4: Everyone in this team has their roles and plays them perfectly. The only issue is Wardlow's simmering resentment of Friedman's "leadership style."
Purpose - 5: The Pinnacle exist to dominate and gather all the gold. They are finally showing that they know that.
Attainment - 3: Taking the AAA Tag titles from Death Triangle is a good first step. Challenging Darby Allin for who will truly be the future of the company is a good move: thinking several moves ahead, but that still depends on Maxwell coming out ahead.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman - Captain, Star, mastermind
Shawn Spears - Loose Cannon
Wardlow - Heater
Tully Blanchard - Mentor
Cash Wheeler - Tag guy
Dax Harwood - Tag guy
#4 - Death Triangle
Last Week: #2
Gold Held: AEW Tag Championships
Gold Lost: AAA Tag Championships
Strength - 4: Amazing concatenation!
Cohesion - 5: Normally a team needs clear roles, but this is the exception that proves the rule, These are three brothers in arms who each have the skills, flexibility, and lack of ego (at least with one another!) to succeed in any role needed at any given time
Purpose - 2: This is their downfall. Do they have an end goal or a game plan beyond mutual protection?
Attainment - 4: Despite losing the AAA titles, the Lucha Bros still keep and successfully defend the top prize in AEW's tag division. PAC scored the first W over the dominant Andrade
Penta EZM - Big Brother
Rey Fenix - Little Brother
PAC - Blood Brother
Alex Abrahantes - Buffoon
#5 - The Inner Circle
Last Week: #5
Gold Held: TNT Championship
Strength - 4: THE BEST
Cohesion - 5: Their roles are in flux, but the authenticity of their bond is undeniable
Purpose - 2: "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in." When all of your feuds revolve around whether you should break up, maybe it's time
Attainment - 4: Coming out ahead in individual and group feuds and holding the TNT title
Chris Jericho - Captain
Sammy Guevara - Star
Santana - Tag guy
Ortiz - Tag guy
Jake Hager - Heater
#6 - The Dark Order
Last Week: #6
Strength - 3: No contenders, but good
Cohesion - 4: They've overcome the dissension that had been troubling them and reforged their bond. Even lacking clear roles, stepping back from the precipice is impressive
Purpose - 2: Other than helping one another, they have no clear mission
Attainment - 3: Despite never holding gold, a massive factional win over the Elite is a huge feather, and a taste of redemption
Negative One - Mascot
Anna Jay - Friend
Evil Uno - Friend
Stu Grayson - Friend
Colt Cabana - Friend
John Silver - Friend
Alex Reynolds - Friend
Pres10 Vance - Friend
Alan Angels - Friend
#7 - Best Friends
Last Week: #9
Strength - 3: They'd have top contenders in every division, if Trent were healthy
Cohesion - 5: Obviously
Purpose - 2: Just friendship?
Attainment - 1: Both Statlander and Cassidy have tournament opportunities, but no counting chickens yet
Orange Cassidy - Star
Kris Statlander - Heater
Trent? - Tag guy
Chuck Taylor - Tag guy
Wheeler Yuta - Rookie
#8 - Allied Forces
Last Week: #4
Gold Lost: Impact World Championship
Members missing without explanation (or anyone much noticing): Marko Stunt
Strength - 5: One of the most star-filled, talented teams, and one of the least successful
Cohesion - 3: Held together solely by a common enemy, no clear roles
Purpose - 2: Purely reactive
Attainment - 1: Other than Danielson, October was unkind
Bryan Danielson - Captain, Star
Christian Cage - Lieutenant
Jungle Boy - Rookie
Frankie Kazarian - Loose Cannon
Luchasaurus - Heater
Marko Stunt - Mascot
#9 - Team Taz
Last Week: #7
Strength - 3
Cohesion - 4
Purpose - 3
Attainment - 0
Ricky Starks - Star
Will Hobbs - Heater
Taz - Mentor
HOOK - Stooge
#10 - Wingmen
Last Week: Not ranked
These guys hang around the edge of the top 10 on potential alone. Will they ever fulfill it?
Strength - 1
Cohesion - 5
Purpose - 2
Attainment - 0
Ryan Nemeth - Star
JD Drake - Lancer
Cezar Bononi - Heater
Pretty Peter Avalon - Buffoon, Captain?
Great to see the HFO where they belong. Completely last!