The All Elite Wrestling Discussion Thread

[Jaysin]

<p>Marty <em>has</em> to show up in AEW when his contract with ROH ends right? Like where else does he go?</p><p> </p><p>

Realistically, AEW sounds like it’d be heaven for Marty. His friends run the show and AEW is one of the hottest brands going today.</p><p> </p><p>

The only other place I’d like to see him is NWA and that’s only if he takes the NWA belt off Aldis.</p>

[Astyn]

We all know The Villain will be coming to AEW, the deal runs out November right? any chance well be seeing him this weekend at Full Gear?

[milamber]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Astyn" data-cite="Astyn" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46243" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>We all know The Villain will be coming to AEW, the deal runs out November right? any chance well be seeing him this weekend at Full Gear?</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I don't think adding him to Full Gear would be worth it. I think they save his debut for TV in 2-3 weeks for the buzz.</p>

[Astyn]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="milamber" data-cite="milamber" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46243" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I don't think adding him to Full Gear would be worth it. I think they save his debut for TV in 2-3 weeks for the buzz.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Honestly i believe you can debut him whenever and the impact would be just as great but hay im down to wait. Maybe theyll drop a vignette to pump people up for the next month of TV.</p>

[cappyboy]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Astyn" data-cite="Astyn" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46243" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> </p><p> Weve already seen Riho & Britt vs. Sakura & Bea so that would be another thing to complain about if it did happen. I was happy to see them give Shanna & Jamie more time because ive been really impressed by these two since they arrived. Much better then Britt & Nyla at least. So please more and more of Shanna & Jamie Hayter.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Fair enough. I was just reaching for people who already had heat to go alongside Riho and Sakura. Past pairings weren't really in my mind as I posting. And in no way was I trying to knock either Hayter or Shanna. I'm down to see more of both ladies as well. This just didn't feel like the spot for that. Would have preferred partners who had history as well. Feels like it would have fit the spirit of the episode better.</p>

[milamber]

AEW Dark has been released early because of the PPV:

 

First official rankings for the men's singles division. If PAC beats Page he'll surely be the new #1 contender because Mox/Omega is unsanctioned and doesn't count.

 

[The Swanton825]

Maybe. Maybe it's the fact I'm just not keen on dark gimmicks to start with but I just don't feel it with them. Grayson just doesn't seem to belong with Evil Uno. I'd much rather see the two as parts of different tag teams. Maybe Grayson and a pre-AEW style Orange Cassidy against Uno and someone who fits better in a dark stable setting. A Crazy Steve or a Sinn Bodhi maybe. And maybe you're right on the backstory. If I understood why Grayson and Uno are together, maybe it would start to click. All I know now is that something isn't

 

I can't give a story reason, but the two teamed as the Super Smash Bros for a while so I imagine it'd be better to keep them as a team until they find their groove again rather than split them up and pray for chemistry with people with more compatible gimmicks.

[milamber]

[Jaysin]

<p>It’s hard to take the Dark Order seriously when one guy is named Evil Uno. Stu Grayson isn’t a great name either and he has a bad look.</p><p> </p><p>

In ring they’re fine though.</p>

[cappyboy]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="The Swanton825" data-cite="The Swanton825" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46243" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I can't give a story reason, but the two teamed as the Super Smash Bros for a while so I imagine it'd be better to keep them as a team until they find their groove again rather than split them up and pray for chemistry with people with more compatible gimmicks.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Fair enough. But for one like me who might not know their pre-AEW history, does it seem that unreasonable the thought of splitting them would come to mind?</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Jaysin" data-cite="Jaysin" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46243" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>It’s hard to take the Dark Order seriously when one guy is named Evil Uno. Stu Grayson isn’t a great name either and he has a bad look.<p> </p><p> In ring they’re fine though.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Maybe as far as these things go but they ultimately feel like mere quibbles. Depending on what backstory they are given and who they might be partnered with, Evil Uno's name could work easily enough. As for Grayson, I'll agree the name would be better on a face than a dark heel. But I don't see his look would be all that bad were he working a different gimmick and/or alignment. He may not look enough like one of wrestling's dark entities but he certainly looks like a guy who'd be wrestling in some capacity.</p>

[BlueStar]

I don't understand the plus-value of these rankings, especially if you have bouts that don't count.

[Mootinie]

Dynamite was fantastic this week, a much better show in almost every way than the previous week.

[Questlove]

<p>What are people's picks for tonight?</p><p> </p><p>

Bea Priestley vs. <strong>Britt Baker</strong> (sadly)</p><p>

Joey Janela vs. <strong>Shawn Spears</strong></p><p>

<strong>SoCal Uncensored</strong> vs. Lucha Brothers vs. Private Party</p><p>

<strong>Riho </strong>vs. Emi Sakura</p><p>

Adam Page vs. <strong>Pac</strong></p><p>

Young Bucks vs. <strong>Santana & Ortiz</strong></p><p>

<strong>Chris Jericho</strong> vs. Cody</p><p>

Jon Moxley vs. <strong>Kenny Omega</strong></p><p> </p><p>

I feel like most of these could go either way</p>

[Self]

I would agree with most of those. Although I'm leaning towards Moxley over Omega, and it's hard to pick Cody to lose after that promo. Yet Jericho's reign has legs. That's the toughest pick for me.

[milamber]

<p>Bea, Spears, SCU, Riho, PAC, PnP, Jericho, Mox</p><p> </p><p>

Dark Review:</p><p> </p><p>

- Swole vs Shida was good. Shida post-match promo in English was a nice bonus,</p><p>

- Royal & Shazza vs Leva & Nyla was a solid squash. Leva never got tagged in and Nyla looked dominant.</p><p>

- Hybrid 2 & Sabian vs SCU & CIMA was good. CIMA was the MVP.</p>

[milamber]

Buy-In on now. Bea just cut the promo of her career:

<div class="ipsEmbeddedOther">

<iframe data-embedid="f7d3058e72dd8beb0b5f5c7efa5bd8c3" allowfullscreen="" data-embed-src="<___base_url___>/index.php?app=core&module=system&controller=embed&url=https://twitter.com/user/status/1193245621387313152"></iframe>

</div>

[Jaysin]

<p>Excalibur has called the fall away slam a blockbuster on multiple shows and then says fall away slam later.</p><p> </p><p>

Minor annoyance. </p><p> </p><p>

JR and Excalibur have kind of sucked tonight. Tony’s absence is unfortunate</p>

[The Final Countdown]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Jaysin" data-cite="Jaysin" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46243" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Excalibur has called the fall away slam a blockbuster on multiple shows and then says fall away slam later.<p> </p><p> Minor annoyance. </p><p> </p><p> JR and Excalibur have kind of sucked tonight. Tony’s absence is unfortunate</p></div></blockquote><p> Yeah, I'm surprised at how much I've enjoyed Tony in AEW, especially with how obviously disinterested he was towards the end of WCW.</p><p> </p><p> I enjoyed the show; don't regret buying it, even if Moxley vs. Omega wasn't my cup of tea. Undoubtedly great for what it was, but when it comes to a violent wrestling match I'd much prefer something like the match Mox had vs. Juice Robinson in his NJPW debut.</p>

[Jaysin]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Jaysin" data-cite="Jaysin" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46243" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I think MJF will turn on Cody at Full Gear and help Jericho retain</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Called it</p><p> </p><p> That said, great show from top to bottom.</p>

[BHK1978]

<p>As much as I dislike the Bucks and Omega I do have to give them credit for their willingness to lose matches and get other talent over. </p><p> </p><p>

I still enjoy MJF better in MLW. He just seems to work better with the Dynasty at his side. I do wonder what kind of contract he was that he is able to work both promotions at once and work both promotion's PPV. </p><p> </p><p>

I really enjoyed Chris Jericho vs. Cody and Pac vs. Hangman. The rest of the card I was indifferent to.</p>

[milamber]

<p>Bea vs Britt - Solid match but Bea looked like she was holding back (maybe due to legit heat from fans). Shocked Britt won when she already lost to Riho and Bea vs Riho is a no-brainer feud. Will be interesting to see who Awesome Kong actually wrestles next.</p><p>

Young Bucks vs PnP - Great match. I prefer when the Bucks combine high spots with psychology. Santana & Ortiz put themselves on the map with their performances.</p><p>

PAC vs Page - Good old-school style match. Surprised at the result. I guess it keeps PAC out of the title picture a bit longer.</p><p>

Spears vs Janela - Solid match but lacked any real heat.</p><p>

Private Party vs Lucha Bros vs SCU © - Good match after a slow start. It's stupid only having 2 wrestlers in the ring with 3 tags teams in the match.</p><p>

Emi vs Riho © - Great Joshi-style match. Loved the history stats and shoutout to Gatoh Move and rookie Lulu Pencil.</p><p>

Cody vs Jericho © - Great match. Never felt like it dragged or they were playing for time. The bloody faceplant on the ramp was a blessing in disguise because it gave Cody more to sell. This was always Jericho's match to win so having MJF throw in the towel was the right booking play. I didn't expect the full heel turn to happen yet but it puts MJF in the spotlight he deserves.</p><p>

Omega vs Moxley - Great hardcore match and my MOTN. It was basically a DDT/CZW combo match. The conditioning of these guys in insane.</p><p> </p><p>

Verdict: Strong PPV. Some of the matches lacked proper build and I didn't agree with all the booking but no major complaints. I might be in the minority but I like that this PPV had some longer matches focused on storytelling in contrast to Dynamite's preference for faster-paced spotfests (which are perfect for a 2-hour TV show).</p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="7rG03xB.gif" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/7rG03xB.gif" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

[Blodyxe]

<p>You know, seeing that kind of violence essentialy main eventing AEW's first pay-per-view since landing on TNT is kinda weird. But heck, I'm all for that, and I'm glad to see that Moxley is loving what he's doing, showing everyone else how different he can be.</p><p> </p><p>

Personally liked his post match comment "does that make me number 3 or number 4? how does that work?"</p>

[Mootinie]

<p>I thought the opener was pretty good. PnP had to win and The Bucks were protected in defeat to keep the story going.</p><p> </p><p>

Hangman Page vs. PAC was unbelievably boring, as in it was boring and I could not believe it. JR's commentary was awful all night but it was never as bad as it was here. He just speaks and seems to have no idea what he's saying. Nothing he says ties into the match. He keeps talking about the "pay window". He kept deriding Adam Page for using high-flying offence, like his role as a commentator is to be opinionated instead of just calling the action... wrestling has passed him by and AEW need to take the difficult decision and find a commentator that enjoys the show they are calling. The last few minutes were decent.</p><p> </p><p>

I have no idea what the deal is with Shawn Spears. He was stuck in development hell for years and you'd think he'd have some real energy, some fire and the desire to take some risks and show WWE what they were missing. But he doesn't. Strike, punch, kick, stomp. Basic wrestling moves. Suplex, fireman's carry, whip into the corner, another strike. What's the deal? Why hire him? What appeal does he have? He's working the "WWE style" on a show that is so obviously anti-WWE. Why is Tully Blanchard in his corner? What does he see in Spears? The match with Janela was a DUD. The only promotion Spears was going to get over in is WWE, because they can present people in a manner that they can hide their weaknesses behind formulaic matches built around character work. AEW cannot, and we can all see why Tye Dillinger was never on Smackdown when we watch matches like this one.</p><p> </p><p>

The tag title match was fun. I like all three teams. Fenix needs a singles push at some point. The result was right because SCU aren't going to be around for long so may as well let them peak now and then de-push them when other teams are ready to elevate the division further. </p><p> </p><p>

Riho vs. Emi Sakura was a perfectly solid wrestling match that would have worked a lot better had AEW actually bothered to build it up on television. Great video package beforehand. Loved Kenny Omega's tweet. Where was that stuff on Dynamite? They've got to learn these lessons if they want fans to invest in what they are presenting.</p><p> </p><p>

Cody vs. Jericho was a perfect smoke and mirrors main event that started dying a death once they stopped the smoke and mirrors. They worked at a snails pace because Jericho is 49, which really, is the best they can do. They obviously knew that they needed a story match for the fans to invest in because there was no way the actual work was going to get over. I was disappointed with the post-match. They had a great dynamic going with MJF and Cody and now it's just a standard pro wrestling feud built around betrayal.</p><p> </p><p>

Omega vs. Moxley was another match worked at a plodding pace because it was going loooooooong. These kind of matches are not for me. The barbed wire bats part was a bit eeeeek, but I'm not sure what to say about the rest. It was... too choreographed. This match didn't feel as wild and as chaotic as I expected. It was very much a case of doing one spot and then the next spot with a whole load of putting things in place for that spot. It felt like a WWE match in that respect. Decent finish, and mad respect to both for the punishment they put themselves through.</p><p> </p><p>

All in all, I'm not sure what to think but I think AEW have a better PPV in them.</p>

[fullMETAL]

Excalibur has called the fall away slam a blockbuster on multiple shows and then says fall away slam later.

 

Minor annoyance.

 

That's because "Blockbuster Suplex" was actually the original name for the move (mostly in Japan if I'm not mistaken).

My guess as for why he corrects himself to "Fall-Away Slam" is due to "Blockbuster" ALSO being the more-widely-known name for Buff Bagwell's Flipping Neck-Breaker finisher.

 

Basically, Ex is flexin'.

[Greylocke]

Was a week late on the TV show, so haven't gotten around to watching the PPV yet. The main event build is finally getting better on the last TV before the show, though. Cody's promo was good, Jericho's parody video package was even better. And at least the Inner Circle is actually making more sensible use of their number by jumping the Elite members when they were isolated instead of standing there openly in the crowd bragging about their numbers. And Cody's added stipulation for himself was an effective way to raise the stakes and elevate the feud.

 

Doesn't feel like the rest of the card is getting sufficient build heading into the PPV, though. There's nothing wrong with having a Riho/Emi Sakura match on PPV, since i don't think these 2 are capable of having a bad match with each other, they can probably wrestle each other with their eyes close. But where's the build? Sure, they have lots of history outside the company, but what has Dynamite done to introduce their fans to that? Hell, even a short subtitled interview in a video package with either of them could have helped! And I've already brought up the win/loss record thing before, but Sakura hasn't exactly been booked like a winner until the week before the PPV (and she already got the title match BEFORE she got that tag win from Riho, so she obviously didn't earn the title shot with that win), so there's little justification within kayfabe as to why she's getting the title shot.

 

Spears vs Janela had one segment on TV. Apparently most of the build had been going on in Dark, which I missed since i skipped a couple of episodes. Ironically, the feud that was actually featured more on TV (Bea vs Baker) got the dark match slot at Full Gear, but the match that was mostly build on Dark gets on the main card?? I'm really confused about their priorities here.

 

Moxley's disposition also isn't consistent. One week he's not caring about wins and losses and blatantly does things to risk getting disqualified just to hurt his opponent (which was what led to that implosion and match between him and PAC), then the next week he's suddenly outraged that his win over Omega won't be counted because it's not sanctioned? So does the character care about win/loss records or not? I guess he's not sure, just like AEW, from the way they've booking their title shot contenders.

 

I'm also concerned at how every PPV match for Moxley has gone the non-sanctioned route. The feud with Kenny has been more about one-upsmanship than actual blood feud. If they're already having a match that's "too violent to be sanctioned" in a feud like this, what are they going to do when Moxley actually gets in a real bloodfeud? I was fine with that kind of match against Janela since that style was something that both guys were well known for so a one-upsmanship contest in violence made sense in that context. But with Kenny? Don't feel like it's called for here.