The AEW Thread

[FairWeatherFan]

Nearly 17:00 what are the odds of a BTE today?

[forameus]

What a timeline we're on.  WWE punt Vince and put HHH in charge, and he goes about changing a lot of wrongs from the last few years almost immediately (before fucking it in Cardiff admittedly) and now AEW - which is still the better show week-to-week - looks like it's a few promos away from completely dismantling.  I know a decent chunk of it is probably a work, but I expect a lot of it - particularly the Punk stuff - is likely just Punk being Punk, and is a lot closer to a shoot.  And it's not like Kahn looks anything like the sort of presence that could actually put a lid on this and get people to calm their shit.  

As for the show itself, another strong one, and not quite as long as it could have been.  However, can't feel like this is more down to them rushing through a lot of the matches, rather than just booking a sensible amount in the first place.  They've always struggled a bit with pacing, and as soon as a match is finished, there's always very little room for it to breathe before Excalibur and co are off with their next link and cutting away.  On weekly programming it's not too bad but on PPV when you've got these big important matches, they need to let things breathe a little more.  A 4.5 hour show where that extra half hour is pacing things a little better is probably going to be a better watch than the packed, dense 4 we got last night.

Opening match is now obvious in hindsight, but it felt like it was far too short at the time.  If you're going to play that story with the Joker, the format of the match kind of locks you in, and it felt like a match that should've been a lot longer before it ended the way it did.  Trios Title match was good fun, tag title match too, but it did feel like there were quite a few matches in there that didn't feel quite big enough for presumably their WM/Summerslam.  Also a bit disappointed with the Jungle Boy/Christian stuff.  I said at the time when he returned that it felt a bit shit to have Luchasaurus just face turn immediately, and it feels like an even shitter decision now he's turned straight back.  Should've had last night as the big emotional culmination of a feud between Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy, and then let Christian lie in wait for the next big show.  Instead they've pissed about for weeks and we've ended up right back where we started.

EDIT: Just reading rumours of there being "a melee" backstage after Punk went all Network in his presser.  Big Dave Meltzer saying it, so f**k knows how much truth

Edited September 5, 2022 by forameus

[djchapsticks]

9 minutes ago, forameus said:

Also a bit disappointed with the Jungle Boy/Christian stuff.  I said at the time when he returned that it felt a bit shit to have Luchasaurus just face turn immediately, and it feels like an even shitter decision now he's turned straight back.  Should've had last night as the big emotional culmination of a feud between Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy, and then let Christian lie in wait for the next big show.  Instead they've pissed about for weeks and we've ended up right back where we started.

Christian's now cutting about in a sling so likely plans were changed on the fly.

[forameus]

4 minutes ago, djchapsticks said:

Christian's now cutting about in a sling so likely plans were changed on the fly.

Yeah, that's always an option and not something you can really plan for.  I still think they should have had Christian well away from things - at least in-ring wise - for a while starting at JB's return, but at least they found the right track at some point.

[Bert Raccoon]

MJF's return, although not surprising, was one of the best segments I've saw in a long time. If they build this right he could be an even bigger star than anyone expected 

[Ludo*1]

7 hours ago, TheGoon said:

I like 97 WWF, and for the most part WCW before it properly went off the rails. Egos aren’t always a bad thing in wrestling. I don’t really know that Khan turning into some McMahon/Watts authoritarian changes anything either - Vince had HBK, Austin, Jarrett, Bret,  The Kliq and a host of others not comply. 
 

Jarrett a side, who held the company hostage and was then promptly blacklisted were all much, much, much bigger stars during a period the wrestling business was much bigger in terms of eyeballs.

Khan doesn't seem to really have a grasp on any of it and it's clearly spiralling. Someone that knows the business and is decent at talent relations would be a step. They have Jim Ross on the payroll - surely he could lean into him for advice if unwilling to directly challenge these people?

It's every week there seems to be some drama going on backstage. I note Malakai Black has also asked for his release. FTR have been complaining that The Young Bucks nixed a potential feud between them as well. Just seems to be out of control in more of a WCW style backstage (not that I'm comparing the two).

If it's just a work, then it's genius, but there's just story after story right now.

[DA Baracus]

Decent show although probably one of their weaker ones. Casino Match was nothing but they paid it off. Don't quite get the association with Stokley and his lads though, unless MJF paid them off.

The FTR and Wardlow match was pretty good.

Trios title match was great and would say was the best match of the night.

TBS match was ok. Total lack of crowd reaction mind.

Jungle Boy and Christian was nothing.

Danielson vs Jericho was alright.

Tag team match was great and was only just beaten to match of the night by the trios title match.

Women's title match was decent.

Hobbs vs Starks was too brief and therefore a bit of a letdown.

The other trios match was decent too.

Main event was good but felt like it lacked something. Brilliant afters though. There's a clear path forward now for Full Gear and indeed well in to next year. At some point soon, MJF is winning the belt. Wardlow is waiting for his shot, but before then there's a whole load of guys for MJF to feud with and face on PPV.

 

Was it just me or did the crowd seem really subdued? Seems like the quitest crowd they've had for a PPV. Was loud in parts ("Oh scissor me Daddy!" especially!) but not ad lively as others. Even saw some c***s in the front row on their phones during matches.

 

 

f**k knows what is going on backstage. Not sure though that guys like the Bucks are putting themselves in the main event all the time, since they quite clearly aren't in the main event all the tim, but sounds like some shit is happening. Omega is a main event guy in general but will now be in trios for now by the looks of it. Page is a main event guy and one of the most over acts in the company, so unsure how there can really be complaints about him featurint prominently if those are the complaints.

Pretty pish if guys in power are holding other down though.

Edited September 5, 2022 by DA Baracus

[FairWeatherFan]

12 minutes ago, Ludo*1 said:

Khan doesn't seem to really have a grasp on any of it and it's clearly spiralling. Someone that knows the business and is decent at talent relations would be a step. They have Jim Ross on the payroll - surely he could lean into him for advice if unwilling to directly challenge these people?

It's every week there seems to be some drama going on backstage. I note Malakai Black has also asked for his release. FTR have been complaining that The Young Bucks nixed a potential feud between them as well. Just seems to be out of control in more of a WCW style backstage (not that I'm comparing the two).

 

I wouldn't give a talent relations job to someone with a podcast. That aside JR's time has well and truly past.

If you enjoyed the World Trios match then it wouldn't have happened if FTR and Young Bucks were in a tag title match. That's what it boils down to. Since the Trios has been the way they wanted to re-introduce Kenny Omega that's been given priority. This is getting played out on social media as the Bucks trying to politick their way out of a match with the FTR.

It's more stubborness to sticking to a plan when something has fallen into their lap. The Bucks were never supposed to get the titles. They were a replacement due to Jeff Hardy getting arrested. The Jurassic Express needing to drop the titles because they finally decided to pull the trigger on Jungle Boy and Christian. Once it was known Omega was back in time for All Out they easily could have had FTR v. Bucks III as a main event on one of the many Fyter Fest nights. 

[Ludo*1]

24 minutes ago, FairWeatherFan said:

I wouldn't give a talent relations job to someone with a podcast. That aside JR's time has well and truly past.

If you enjoyed the World Trios match then it wouldn't have happened if FTR and Young Bucks were in a tag title match. That's what it boils down to. Since the Trios has been the way they wanted to re-introduce Kenny Omega that's been given priority. This is getting played out on social media as the Bucks trying to politick their way out of a match with the FTR.

It's more stubborness to sticking to a plan when something has fallen into their lap. The Bucks were never supposed to get the titles. They were a replacement due to Jeff Hardy getting arrested. The Jurassic Express needing to drop the titles because they finally decided to pull the trigger on Jungle Boy and Christian. Once it was known Omega was back in time for All Out they easily could have had FTR v. Bucks III as a main event on one of the many Fyter Fest nights. 

No, sorry, I've obviously put that across wrong I was more meaning that Khan leaning on Ross for advice on how to deal with this sort of stuff would be a better shout if he isn't going to appoint someone FT in that role. More that Khan is just coming across as an inexperienced pushover.

[FairWeatherFan]

11 minutes ago, Ludo*1 said:

No, sorry, I've obviously put that across wrong I was more meaning that Khan leaning on Ross for advice on how to deal with this sort of stuff would be a better shout if he isn't going to appoint someone FT in that role. More that Khan is just coming across as an inexperienced pushover.

Nothing to be sorry about. It's the internet thing's can be easily misconstrued.

They have just promoted Buck, Dutt, Marshall, Schiavone, and Madison Rayne (although that's more women's division focused. That's with the existing staff they already had.

I don't think anyone with more experience would have really helped. As once you're dealing with CM Punk and the Elite. It'd be no different than Bret & the Kliq making a beeline for Vince skipping past JR, Prichard, Patterson and their ilk in the 90s.

The other part of this is that Tony Khan seems to embrace the chaos. Having seen the world of MMA and Boxing where real people snipe at their opponents he probably thinks as long as he gets it in the ring its worthwhile.

[TheGoon]

Aye, last part of the above is the big thing I think.. Controversy creates cash. It hasn’t as yet derailed any programmes (that we’re aware of anyway) - until beef starts doing that (and it very well could given Punk’s comments on Page) then I think they’ll embrace it. I’m going to be more invested in feuds if I know the guys legit don’t get on, so long as they can still work together. 

[DA Baracus]

Can't stop chuckling at Colt Cabana sharing a bank account with his maw.

[FairWeatherFan]

24 minutes ago, TheGoon said:

Aye, last part of the above is the big thing I think.. Controversy creates cash. It hasn’t as yet derailed any programmes (that we’re aware of anyway) - until beef starts doing that (and it very well could given Punk’s comments on Page) then I think they’ll embrace it. I’m going to be more invested in feuds if I know the guys legit don’t get on, so long as they can still work together. 

He's totally about Punk & FTR v. The Elite

or Punk, Wardlow & FTR v. The Elite & Hangman in Blood & Guts.

[TheGoon]

It gets funnier by the hour 

 

[FairWeatherFan]

1 minute ago, DA Baracus said:

Can't stop chuckling at Colt Cabana sharing a bank account with his maw.

I don't know how differently things work in the States, but this did make a smidge of sense to me.

Colt Cabana isn't exactly minted. He's lived the life of an indie wrestler and never made it all that big contract wise.  Having a shared bank account with someone with a real job must help with his credit rating. Same as getting a rental agreement/mortgage/loan co-signed in case of defaulting.

[DA Baracus]

5 minutes ago, FairWeatherFan said:

I don't know how differently things work in the States, but this did make a smidge of sense to me.

Colt Cabana isn't exactly minted. He's lived the life of an indie wrestler and never made it all that big contract wise.  Having a shared bank account with someone with a real job must help with his credit rating. Same as getting a rental agreement/mortgage/loan co-signed in case of defaulting.

Maybe, but think Cabana did pretty well for himself via the indies, ROH and then the indies again (can't imagine he got much from WWE!). Guy never seemed to be out of work and was getting flown in and paid all over the world. Plus when his podcast took off he must have made some decent coin. He was one of the first guys to have shirts in Pro Wrestle Tees as well. In addition he seemed to be smart with his cash, going by what he's said on his podcast and other shows.

[djchapsticks]

15 minutes ago, TheGoon said:

It gets funnier by the hour 

 

I can't stop chuckling at the thought of Omega going through 9-10 months of intense physical rehab and prepping a comeback just for Ace Steel to bite him.  

[rowsdower]

"Steel (Chris Guy) allegedly bit Omega and grabbed his hair."

So, a real fight then.

[DA Baracus]

Back stage cat fights aside, Punk vs Omega would be a brilliant match (in the ring).

[FairWeatherFan]

17 minutes ago, DA Baracus said:

Maybe, but think Cabana did pretty well for himself via the indies, ROH and then the indies again (can't imagine he got much from WWE!). Guy never seemed to be out of work and was getting flown in and paid all over the world. Plus when his podcast took off he must have made some decent coin. He was one of the first guys to have shirts in Pro Wrestle Tees as well. In addition he seemed to be smart with his cash, going by what he's said on his podcast and other shows.

Getting plane tickets paid for you, won't count as income. Wasn't the base rate for NXT around $50k a year in a no income tax state like Florida? ROH talents would bite their hand off for that. Around the time of the lawsuit I think he was actually gone from ROH anyway.

He's well respected by those like the Bucks as a trendsetter in how to do things social media wise. That's part of the problem. The Art of Wrestling never had the ad income that would swell Conrad Thompson's pockets. He even closed AOW because it wasn't worth it anymore. He never had a hit T-shirt to boost sales like the Bullet Club. Road Wrestling Diaries was a dvd not a vlog. Never really did paid live shows for his podcast, they were at the Fringe and Conventions.

There's a reason why he starts his pod with 'Studio Ah-partment'.