The All Elite Wrestling Discussion Thread

[milamber]

Hangman & Dark Order vs Elite Squad peaked at 1,409,000 viewers (760,000 18-49) making it one of AEW's highest rating matches ever.

[Jaysin]

Ever-Rise/3.0/2.0 are making their AEW debut tonight teaming with Daniel Garcia against Mox, Kingston, and Darby. Poor guys are gonna get murdered.

[Peppermint Rage]

No, no.... we don't talk about that here. Shhhhhhhhhh!!!

 

It is weird though. I don't know why AEW don't acknowledge it other than to try to pretend it has never happened before and try to add more value. But given that the smart fans they appeal directly to know this kind of thing, it's a strange move.

 

There are only two payoffs I can see from ignoring it are either Kota Ibushi himself being in AEW to draw attention to it (and who doesn't want Omega vs Ibushi?) or someone else kicks out of it in AEW at some point to become "first".

 

I think it's intentional, in part leaning into the fact that Kenny is high in the actual company structure, they're deliberately ignoring it except for minor moment (like when Excalibur kinda mumbled "Ibushi did it" after Tony or JR (I think), so that, they can pull a big "Um, Actually" moment to set up a match between the two in the future.

[Jaysin]

Supposedly Ruby has signed, but it hasn't been officially announced yet

[hailthebulldog]

Supposedly Ruby has signed, but it hasn't been officially announced yet

 

If so that's a great signing for AEW.

[Jaysin]

If so that's a great signing for AEW.

 

Apparently her non compete ends right before All Out and at the ppv they're doing another women's casino battle royale. I'd imagine she would be the Joker/mystery entrant

 

Dynamite was great this week. Nearly every match told a good story. Black's dominant win over Cody was nice. Cody's post match promo had the crowd in the palm of his hand. The retirement tease was a nice touch too.

[Matt_Black]

Apparently her non compete ends right before All Out and at the ppv they're doing another women's casino battle royale. I'd imagine she would be the Joker/mystery entrant

 

There are a couple candidates for surprise entrants. Ruby, the former Iiconics (now the Iinspiration), Kiera Hogan...

[Jaysin]

There are a couple candidates for surprise entrants. Ruby, the former Iiconics (now the Iinspiration), Kiera Hogan...

 

I like everyone mentioned, but I've loved Ruby since her days in Shine so I'd really love it to be her.

 

Iiconics should probably debut as a team though. Kiera Hogan is a fun talent with a lot of spunk and character.

 

AEW's women's roster has been building slowly but surely, and all four women would be great assets to the roster.

 

*edit*

 

Not sure if I missed the announcement during this week's Dynamite, but Evil Uno and Stu are facing the Good Brothers next week for the Impact tag belts

[Makhai]

There are a couple candidates for surprise entrants. Ruby, the former Iiconics (now the Iinspiration), Kiera Hogan...

 

At what point do we admit that theres not enough screen time for all these people?

 

We've got what? 20 guys and gals linked right now? They already have a 100 man roster. Do they need all these people for 2 Youtube shows nobody watches and 3hrs of network TV to build 4 PPVs a year? I mean, what was the point of building this roster of young guys if you were just going to sign people like The Iiconics to more money than they are worth? People remember that WWE is a bad company right? None of these people are over with anyone. Besides CM Punk, and MAYBE Bryan(but im not convinced he moves the needle anymore) who had like 1 moment in pop culture for exactly 2 mos 10 years ago. Who moves the needle here? Nobody.

 

Tony Khan is making the mistake I make in every one of my big company saves. You just bring in everybody you like and then you have to figure out how to cram 400 dudes into 40 spots. It doesn't work like that, people get screwed. You compromise too much for too little and everybody is just wasted. Go watch Nitro again and chart the career of a guy who had a lot of talent but never went anywhere... Scott Norton. Tell me that won't wind up being half these guys?

[Matt_Black]

Who moves the needle here? Nobody.

 

 

They were the #1 show on cable for 3 weeks, but yeah, let's go with "Nobody moves the needle".

[crownsy]

At what point do we admit that theres not enough screen time for all these people?

 

We've got what? 20 guys and gals linked right now? They already have a 100 man roster. Do they need all these people for 2 Youtube shows nobody watches and 3hrs of network TV to build 4 PPVs a year? I mean, what was the point of building this roster of young guys if you were just going to sign people like The Iiconics to more money than they are worth? People remember that WWE is a bad company right? None of these people are over with anyone. Besides CM Punk, and MAYBE Bryan(but im not convinced he moves the needle anymore) who had like 1 moment in pop culture for exactly 2 mos 10 years ago. Who moves the needle here? Nobody.

 

Tony Khan is making the mistake I make in every one of my big company saves. You just bring in everybody you like and then you have to figure out how to cram 400 dudes into 40 spots. It doesn't work like that, people get screwed. You compromise too much for too little and everybody is just wasted. Go watch Nitro again and chart the career of a guy who had a lot of talent but never went anywhere... Scott Norton. Tell me that won't wind up being half these guys?

 

I've talked with this with a buddy, and I think what you'll see soon is the lower mid card start to be pruned. Hell alot of them are already only on Dark once in awhile.

 

Like your Joey Janella's, half the women's division, sonny kiss, the list goes on.

 

and Khan has talked about how alot of the non Main Event talent is really on the equivalent of the non exclusive PPA deals we do in TEW. as the card fills out more, I expect we'll see alot of those guys on dark or bust.

[milamber]

- Jericho vs Juventud was solid. Started a bit shaky but Juve did well enough. Shame there was no Lionsault. Wardlow smash! Hangman spiralling again.

- Garcia & 2.0 vs Darby, Mox & Kingston was solid. Garcia reminds me of Ilja Dragunov. 2.0 are fun jobbers.

- FTW hype! Gallows in a Flair robe lol.

- Christian vs Blade was good. Hirsch taking care of Bunny before their match was smart booking.

- Wheeler's injury was crazy. PnP better win next time. Velvet channeling Sasha Banks a bit with her promo.

- Feugo the Dynamite punching bag. Uno & Grayson leaving Hangman to get beaten up was interesting.

- Johnson vs Miro © was good.

- Bunny vs Hirsch was solid. Statlander, Nyla & Kamille ringside was more smart booking. The women need all the screen-time they can get.

- Black vs Cody was my MOTN. Black's entrance was hype. His NXT theme was classic but this one suits his current character. Cody put him over strong and took a dangerous bump. I guess Black wants to end Cody's career himself.

 

9 women featured on the show. Not counting battle royales that might be a record.

[Jaysin]

My only issue with the show was Juvi's insane ring rust. It was painfully obvious he barely wrestles these days.

 

I wouldn't say that the match was bad by any means, because it wasn't, but unlike Jericho, Juvi seems to be missing that "spark" that made him a special talent back in the day. If he gets more bookings from this, I hope he's able to get back into ring shape. I always loved Juvi even if he was a coke fiend.

[crownsy]

My only issue with the show was Juvi's insane ring rust. It was painfully obvious he barely wrestles these days.

 

I wouldn't say that the match was bad by any means, because it wasn't, but unlike Jericho, Juvi seems to be missing that "spark" that made him a special talent back in the day. If he gets more bookings from this, I hope he's able to get back into ring shape. I always loved Juvi even if he was a coke fiend.

 

I was let down they didn't go top knot even if Jericho would have looked ridiculous

 

I thought we were getting Lionheart Jericho from WcW days, but prob for the best we didn't haha

[Jaysin]

I was let down they didn't go top knot even if Jericho would have looked ridiculous

 

I thought we were getting Lionheart Jericho from WcW days, but prob for the best we didn't haha

 

I was hoping for at least Lionhear era looking tights, but his hair has thinned out quite a bit even though it's long. I don't think the top knot would have looked any good these days

[Rampaaage]

Man, Black is going to be a star in AEW. Everything last night played out perfect. From his entrance, to his dominant performance, to attacking Cody during the retirement tease. Absolutely loved it all.

 

Not sure how I feel about Mark Henry on commentary for Rampage but the combination of Taz, Jericho, and Excalibur is going to be brilliant.

[Jaysin]

Man, Black is going to be a star in AEW. Everything last night played out perfect. From his entrance, to his dominant performance, to attacking Cody during the retirement tease. Absolutely loved it all.

 

Not sure how I feel about Mark Henry on commentary for Rampage but the combination of Taz, Jericho, and Excalibur is going to be brilliant.

 

I hope the four man booth isn't permanent. Seems like too many cooks in the kitchen. Excalibur doing play by play and three color guys seems like over kill.

 

Henry is a good talker and very knowledgeable, Jericho is in my opinion the best color guy since Heenan, and Taz has great chemistry with Excalibur. Maybe Jericho is transitioning to his retirement phase?

 

*edit*

 

Four episode of Dynamite in a row with over a million viewers.

[Makhai]

They were the #1 show on cable for 3 weeks, but yeah, let's go with "Nobody moves the needle".

 

More reading, less fan BS.

[Makhai]

I hope the four man booth isn't permanent. Seems like too many cooks in the kitchen. Excalibur doing play by play and three color guys seems like over kill.

 

Henry is a good talker and very knowledgeable, Jericho is in my opinion the best color guy since Heenan, and Taz has great chemistry with Excalibur. Maybe Jericho is transitioning to his retirement phase?

 

*edit*

 

Four episode of Dynamite in a row with over a million viewers.

 

I think Jericho needs to start really considering retirement. He's starting to deteriorate physically. He's done all there is to do. Put the kids over, have one last hurrah, and call it a day. I'd really like to see both Excalibur and JR booted and just let Tony and Chris have Dynamite long-term. (Or the other way around if they want Tony on TNT) Excalibur can do Dark, and JR can do Rampage. This seems like the best time to split them, if nothing else to save Tony K from wasting more money on things they don't need.

 

This 3 man booth has never clicked and has only gotten by on name value, going 4 ways is insane to me. Everyone would be better off getting split into different shows.

[aXminster]

This week's episode was not that good, I thought they wouldn't get 1m viewers. Good for them. What a statement by Malakai Black. Never seen him before, but they already made him a star.

[milamber]

If the women get more air time on Rampage and Dynamite on TBS they need to sign at least half of these to basic contracts:

 

IInspiration, Ruby Soho, Jamie Hayter, Chelsea Green, Keira Hogan, Willow Nightingale, Sea Stars, Solo Darling, Holidead, Nicole Savoy

 

Along with the current roster and local Dark talent that would be enough for an undercard and tag division.

[milamber]

Over 1 million viewers for the 4th straight week and 0.46 demo, which I believe was better than the last Smackdown.

 

I expect Rampage's debut to get 1 million plus and Dynamite to get 1.5 million after one of Bryan and Punk debut.

 

Everyone's buzzing about Malakai Black and he was treated like a joke post-NXT.

[milamber]

This week's episode was not that good, I thought they wouldn't get 1m viewers. Good for them. What a statement by Malakai Black. Never seen him before, but they already made him a star.

 

He had some great NXT matches against Gargano, Andrade and Cole, among others.

[crownsy]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Makhai" data-cite="Makhai" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46243" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I think Jericho needs to start really considering retirement. He's starting to deteriorate physically. He's done all there is to do. Put the kids over, have one last hurrah, and call it a day. I'd really like to see both Excalibur and JR booted and just let Tony and Chris have Dynamite long-term. (Or the other way around if they want Tony on TNT) Excalibur can do Dark, and JR can do Rampage. This seems like the best time to split them, if nothing else to save Tony K from wasting more money on things they don't need.<p> </p><p> This 3 man booth has never clicked and has only gotten by on name value, going 4 ways is insane to me. Everyone would be better off getting split into different shows.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I mean i think this is the retirement angle or at least a very long write off. </p><p> </p><p> Fozzy goes on tour in early September, and is on the road through most of early 2022 and I really doubt MJF is losing this fued to a 51 year old Jericho given how AEW has been booking (i.e Competently) . I expect that we'll get Jericho written off pretty soon so he can go get ready for said Tour. </p><p> </p><p> Pretty much expecting Jericho to lose to MFJ, and have the inner circle rudderless for a bit. </p><p> </p><p> I expect Jericho will settle into a part time commentator/ few fan matches a year after this fued.</p>

[crownsy]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="aXminster" data-cite="aXminster" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46243" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>This week's episode was not that good, I thought they wouldn't get 1m viewers. Good for them. What a statement by Malakai Black. Never seen him before, but they already made him a star.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> This Episode was good, and represents what WWE has stopped doing since about 2000</p><p> </p><p> Actually having a show that moves storylines forward/ sets up new ones, not some dumb hot shot angle they forget about in 3 weeks or 50/50 booking there talent so they can have the same "big matches" 8 times in a row . </p><p> </p><p> and that builds trust, see the Hangman Storyline. Fans know these shows are worth investing in, because they will actually be paid off later. Thus why people care and are turning in. They know there time won't be wasted.</p>