Matt_Black

Let's be honest- Will Ospreay is not as big a name as some fans like to think he is. He might be known to AEW fans, but a lot of the casual fans who watch WWE probably have less an idea of who he is.

It's really like something Vince would do. Like, when they announce a mystery partner, and then it turns out it's someone we see on the show every week, and they're not big enough a star to really justify the suspense. "Who will Becky Lynch tag with against Damage CTRL? Could it be- oh. It's Natalya. That's fine, I guess."

Remember, these are the same people who were all set to make Marty Scurll the face of the company, so there was vileness all over.

Dalton Castle also has a great physique. He looks like a big, strong dude, but in a rugged sort of way, as opposed to the sculpted, possibly on the juice, way. And we have an announcement for a major signing showing up at the PPV (these NEVER backfire). Let the speculation commence. The only really big name that who's available that would be worth the hype is Mone/ Banks. I did read somewhere last night that Ospreay was a possibility, which I think would be a let down. "Surprise! All that hype was for a guy you've already seen on AEW TV multiple times already!" Ospreay is also not nearly as big a star as some smart marks would have you believe.

Willow Nightingale won 2 tournaments in 2023, one of which had her going over arguably the most popular woman wrestler in the world. A SMART booker would capitalize on that. AEW has instead decided to feed her to CVS Brand Alexa Bliss. TWICE.

... Wasn't Danhausen supposed to come back?

Wasn't involved in the pinfall.

Worth watching? I thought Sami Zayn was taking on the Cousin Oliver of the Judgment Day?

Earlier in the year, Sami Zayn main evented Elimination Chamber (not coincidentally, the highest viewed Elimination Chamber event ever) and Wrestlemania. Now, Sami Zayn is doing the pre-show for Crown Jewel.

Someone suggested that if you look at the first appearance of "The Devil" when this angle started, the build is rather small and slender, perhaps a woman. And Britt Baker has a vested interest in the MJF/ Cole bromance succeeding or failing, and we haven't seen her in some time...

So was Adam Cole!

Book that squirrel in a match against the platypus!

The women's title match last night was a mess. Ruby pulls off the turnbuckle to distract the referee so she can grab the spray paint can to distract the referee while she grabs the title belt, which is a distraction for a rake of the eyes?!? Dick Dastardly didn't cheat as much in an episode of Wacky Races!

The implication, whether intentional or not, is that Rosa somehow dragged the division down during her reign. Which I disagree with. Remember, that was the same time that Jade was TBS champ, and much of the division was sacrificed to boost her up. And what a great long-term booking plan THAT turned out to be!

Maybe the reason it's taking Thunder Rosa so long to be medically cleared is because she's seen how the division is being booked. "Oh, um, doctor, I just developed this cough. Cough. Hack...."

QAW December 2023, using the Women's Revolution mods from @willr0ck The company is on the cusp of going from Medium to Big, as we just hit our fifth U.S. area that's 77 or higher. I'm keeping it capped for now, as none of my top stars seem capable of getting higher than 85 pop, and that will kill us in the Area Battles unless I change the preferences (which I might do). QAW got the "Company Of The Year So Far" back in June, and Penny Ramone got "Young Wrestler Of The Year So Far). USPW got Foxxy LaRue away from me, but she was in time decline, so while that's disappointing, I couldn't justify giving her a big money, multi-year contract. I did manage to steal away Alicia Strong and Sara Marie York, both of whom seem to be full of vigor yet. Sara also immediately took on a protege in Felicia Luck. Ramona Diaz is currently my World Champion, who I turned face despite her being better as a heel. She was just too over and had too much Star Quality for me not too. I didn't have anyone else in the main event scene that came close as far as SQ goes, with the possible exception of Chris Amerson (who's 100% heel, if I'm not mistaken).

To be fair, that DOES look like how they're taking the story with Willow, who I think would be even less marketable as a heel than Skye Blue. Unless you kept her music and made her like Firefly Funhouse Bray Wyatt or Harley Quinn. (I don't think I ever noticed before, but her entrance video says, "Nothing Matters, Smile Anyway" which can be either really positive or really creepy depending on how you play it.)

You know, they never do the "corrupted by the black mist" story with any of the male superstars who've gotten sprayed with the stuff in AEW.

AEW: Look at Skye Blue! She's taking short cuts, embracing her dark side! Me: ... She's literally dressed like the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine. Stop.

Unless we're counting MJF as an ex-WWE guy, then you're forgetting the 4 pillars fatal 4-way from earlier this year. I'm sure there are other matches too. Regardless, I think a lot of this, "Oh, but they're from another company" is just modern internet echo chamber hype. Back in the day, were WCW fans really upset that the "ex-WWE guy" Ricky Steamboat came in and started tearing down the house with Flair? Maybe a few, but I can't imagine many were upset. If a guy can still work and still draw money, what's the problem?

?!? Darby Allin main evented the last PPV. Adam Page is a former World Champion. Criticisms of the women's division aside, most, if not all, of the women's matches that have main evented TV events have featured the "homegrowns". The Acclaimed are arguably the most over stable in AEW. To even suggest that AEW and Tony Khan are relying on older talents from other companies is specious at best.

In the case of the International title, it's understandable. Mox got hurt, forcing them to call an audible, and Fenix is apparently having visa issues again.

They're a slow burn at the start of any game, but once they get going, The San Diego Girls (Coco Malloy and Izzy Quick) are terrific.

Late to this, my apologies, but to grow in Canada, you're going to need a better broadcaster, and they only way that is happening is to build your pop in the U.S. The two feasible options at the start of the game are make your own broadcaster or make a second show and put it on OnDem.

Main Event Jey Uso's first title since becoming a solo act, not connected to his brother or Roman Reigns is... the Tag Team Championship.