All Elite Wrestling

[rez]

They should have Vickie Guerrero cut a one hour long promo before the show to rile the crowd up

:drool::love:

[Triple A]

Anyone got the scoop on what AEW is doing with Rampage tapings? I am having trouble figuring out if they are taping multiple weeks at one taping or if they will tape Dark/Elevation before the Rampage show begins. Just thinking that attending a one hour show is pretty lackluster of an experience and even with that I'd hope that they beef up the Dark/Elevation match quality because I would be disappointed with the typical card they have for those shows.

Yeah was thinking the same... weird to run the united center for a 1 hour rampage

I don't think they'll tape another rampage since it would be out of order with Dynamite the next Wednesday, so they'll prob tape the next Rampage after Dynamite

The Dark shows seem more likely... idk

[Triple A]

f*ck rampage.......

[Fignuts]

Let's be honest people are going to tune in to see punk and after that, it's only going to be a very small, hard-core contingent of viewers that continues to watch.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LATE NIGHT SCOOP: A mainstream reporter has been claiming privately that WWE reached out to them about writing a story on the AEW/Domino’s pizza situation, and I’ve seen the receipts. Details at <a href="https://twitter.com/BabyfacevHeel?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BabyfacevHeel</a>: <a href="https://t.co/o8gAh6qNfS">https://t.co/o8gAh6qNfS</a></p>&mdash; David Bixenspan (@davidbix) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidbix/status/1421323155055030275?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Triple A]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Huh…I wonder why the only tweet Re: the Q2 financials from the official, verified WWE PR Twitter account links the story from Front Office Sports, which isn’t on Google News and which honestly isn’t that well-known a site?<br><br>I’m sure this has nothing to do with what Dave wrote... <a href="https://t.co/FBB9LmCLxB">https://t.co/FBB9LmCLxB</a> <a href="https://t.co/gFakTCOund">pic.twitter.com/gFakTCOund</a></p>&mdash; David Bixenspan (@davidbix) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidbix/status/1421272773750575105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Evil Vito]

It’s Meltzer so the anti-AEW crowd already assumes it’s fake news.

[Vastardikai]

I actually believe a representative called these various advertisers. However, it is more likely that the conversation went something like this:

"Hello, Mr. Domino (generic name), this is Nick Khan (they have someone lower on the totem pole doing this, but Nick is a good example) from World Wrestling Entertainment... How are you doing today?... I'm good... Yes, I am calling in response to the pizza cutter incident on the other company... You are right, it is dangerous, irresponsible, and has no business in a wrestling ring. That is why I am assuring you that we do not do those things in a World Wrestling Entertainment ring. Because we respect the companies that do business with us and would not want to do anything to jeopardize our relationship with them... You are very welcome, Mr. Domino. I look forward to hearing from you again when it is time to renegotiate our deal. Have a good day... Bye."

I mean, I am sure there is some overlap between companies that advertise with AEW and companies that advertise with WWE. And Nick Gage hacking on Jericho's head with a pizza cutter on national television could very well cause advertisers to pull the plug on ALL wrestling programs, not just AEW. So did WWE call the advertisers? Almost definitely, but it was to protect their own assets, not go after AEW.

Which leads me to this: Do you want to know why I joke about Marty Scurrl being the big surprise? Because of shit like this. No one in charge at AEW has the sense to think "well, this could be a bad idea that hurts us financially." No one in charge at AEW is smart enough to admit "Yes, we fucked up. We will do better next time." And the Bullet Cult are quick to jump to conspiracy when a simple "That was fucking stupid, and the backlash is the natural consequences of their poorly thought out decision" can easily suffice.

[Triple A]

So did WWE call the advertisers? Almost definitely, but it was to protect their own assets, not go after AEW.

idk if you're joking but this seems extremely naive if not

Why would they try to plant stories in the media about a wrestling show being barbaric to "protect themselves"? Most people associate "wrestling" with WWE so that would be a pretty dumb tactic if that was their only concern

You don't believe WWE would ever do underhanded cut-throat shit? smh

[Vastardikai]

Why would they try to plant stories in the media about a wrestling show being barbaric to "protect themselves"? Most people associate "wrestling" with WWE so that would be a pretty dumb tactic if that was their only concern.

Again, proof for the planting stories. Like, actual proof, and not "Dave Meltzer said." You have the receipts, fucking post them. Most of the wrestling media, where this started, has been in the back pocket of AEW. Almost to the point where people are joking that Meltzer is on AEW's payroll.

Because the more mainstream stories aren't saying "AEW star Chris Jericho was cut with Pizza Cutter while a Pizza Commercial was on." It is saying, and here is a quote from the Cracked article on the very topic itself to point this out... "Domino's Doesn't Appreciate Pro Wrestler Being Hacked With A Pizza Cutter During Their Ad." By our agreed upon logic that, for most people, WWE = "Pro Wrestling", and you see that title, people are going to think it happened during a WWE Program. That is why it is so easy for me to believe that WWE called the advertisers. To cover their own ass because some mediocre money mark doesn't have the fucking sense to say "no" to a bad idea that is clearly a bad fucking idea.

As for the Wrestling show being 'barbaric.' They fucking booked a guy who likes to watch the movie Demolition Man almost as much as he likes Meth. A guy who is lionized for almost dying twice after the natural consequences of his actions almost killed himself. A guy who shouldn't be in the fucking business after the natural consequences of his actions almost killed another person. I loved New Jack matches, but I understand that there was a reason why the dude wasn't on WWE television carving up John Cena's head with an exacto knife. People that spend money to promote their products don't want to be associated with shit like that, because it turns off people that might want to buy their products. Did Vince McMahon put a gun to Tony Khan's head and force him to book Nick Gage? No, he didn't.

Now, one more point, from a different spot in that "Match" altogether. After the Huricanrana through the plate of glass, they cut to the crowd, where they found the one female in attendance brushing glass off of herself in shock. What if that glass had gotten in someone's eye. The news headline would have been "Fan Blinded by glass during Professional Wrestling TV Show." Completely factual statement. Again, wouldn't have mentioned AEW at all, would have just mentioned "Professional Wrestling." Do you think WWE would have been justified in that event? To tell people we don't do those sort of stunts, they are dangerous and we don't associate with that shit.

Sometimes a Cigar is just a Cigar. Not everything is a conspiracy. The only thing it demonstrates is that Nick Gage has no business being on national television and anyone who put him on national television is a fucking idiot.

[Fignuts]

WWE is historically ruthless when it comes to the business side of things. There's no hard proof, but it would not surprise me in the least if their intentions were to steal aew's advertisers.

[slik]

<iframe id="reddit-embed" src="https://www.redditmedia.com/r/SquaredCircle/comments/ov2qlr/the_journalist_who_broke_the_dominoesaew_story/?ref_source=embed&amp;ref=share&amp;embed=true" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups" style="border: none;" height="562" width="640" scrolling="no"></iframe>

[slik]

PWInsider on the case now too


<iframe id="reddit-embed" src="https://www.redditmedia.com/r/SquaredCircle/comments/ovbeam/mike_johnson_seems_to_agree_wwe_might_have/?ref_source=embed&amp;ref=share&amp;embed=true" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups" style="border: none;" height="322" width="640" scrolling="no"></iframe>

[Emperor Smeat]

Assuming its true, all its going to do is make TNT even more pissed at WWE. Unlike last time, TNT's current parent company is way more wealthy and powerful than Ted Turner was.

A TNT executive mentioned some time ago about how they still hold some bad blood at WWE over them pulling similar antics in the past with their advertisers when WCW was being a legit threat against them.

Went as far to even contact TNT's investors trying to persuade and shame them to drop out in order to seriously damage WCW's financial support at a network level.

[slik]

Welcome back @ Smeat!

Smeat repackaged with a sweet looking cape

[Damian Rey 2.0]

A smeat curtain, if you will.

[xrodmuc316]

"WWE absolutely planted the story, but we cant say 100% they did it".

What the Hell kind of reporting is that?? LOL

[rez]

Assuming its true, all its going to do is make TNT even more pissed at WWE. Unlike last time, TNT's current parent company is way more wealthy and powerful than Ted Turner was.

A TNT executive mentioned some time ago about how they still hold some bad blood at WWE over them pulling similar antics in the past with their advertisers when WCW was being a legit threat against them.

Went as far to even contact TNT's investors trying to persuade and shame them to drop out in order to seriously damage WCW's financial support at a network level.

Welcome back, my man :love:

[GD]

Assuming its true, all its going to do is make TNT even more pissed at WWE. Unlike last time, TNT's current parent company is way more wealthy and powerful than Ted Turner was.

A TNT executive mentioned some time ago about how they still hold some bad blood at WWE over them pulling similar antics in the past with their advertisers when WCW was being a legit threat against them.

Went as far to even contact TNT's investors trying to persuade and shame them to drop out in order to seriously damage WCW's financial support at a network level.

The one true king is back!

[Bad News Gertner]

The WWF once called an arena that the NWA had booked in the 80s acting like an NWA employee, canceled the NWA's date and then later called back as the WWF and took their spot.

This happened.

[screech]

I'd believe that happened more than once lol

[xrodmuc316]

So with Bray released, does that make AEW have more interest in Braun and Rowan? A rebooted Wyatt family with less smoke and mirrors and more chaos mixed in would be fun.

[Jordan]

It makes a lot of sense to do that but at the same time I really can't imagine AEW hiring all three of them without totally over bloating the roster. They absolutely should not fall into that WCW trap of having way to many guys on the roster. I am certain that AEW has some talent signed to deals that are generally used only on Dark and Elevation that they could cut loose any virtually nobody would notice but at the top of the card especially with Punk and Danielson they are packed. It's a tough call honestly.

My preference would be for Wyatt, Rowan & Braun to get a deal with NJPW. While they don't fit the workrate style they are big bad bruisers and that is a style that's always had a place in Japan. Plus they could be big in aiding the NJPW of America promotion.

I think it's time for another company to start forking over the money for the released WWE talent. I'm glad that the undercard workers are finding something in Impact but honestly that company means next to nothin to me, and we know that in all likelihood they don't have the money to pay for a star like Bray or Braun.

I'd love for ROH to get beefed up with some big time signings but I don't see it happening.

[Lock Jaw]

Bringing Braun in to pair with Wyatt again would be a waste.... I still say that they should bring Braun in as their "Brock Lesnar", have him easily dominate everybody and win the title and then barely show up to defend it.

Then eventually he is defeated by.... oh, let's say.... Christian

[Evil Vito]

https://i.redd.it/kkr230aglre71.png

Lmao they did this same bio with The Revival a couple years ago

[Vastardikai]

https://i.redd.it/kkr230aglre71.png

Lmao they did this same bio with The Revival a couple years ago

If the New Day know they're worth, they don't bite. Unless it's in WWE. And even then, they go over, because they are actual stars.

[Lock Jaw]

Did people actually rejoice when the Young Bucks and Revival fought?

[Triple A]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheJuiceisback?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheJuiceisback</a> 2 <a href="https://twitter.com/AEWonTNT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@aewontnt</a> @allelitewrestling <a href="https://twitter.com/The_MJF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@the_mjf</a> I GOT THIS !!! <br>@chrisjerichofozzy <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheJuice?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheJuice</a> ���� Is JUICY THAN EVER !!! <br>I See U Next Wednesday <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/whenthejuicesaisothejuicemakeso?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#whenthejuicesaisothejuicemakeso</a> Thank U <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Juicyfam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Juicyfam</a> we make this posible �� <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LETSGETJUICY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LETSGETJUICY</a> ���� ���� <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JUVY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JUVY</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JUVY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JUVY</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JUVY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JUVY</a> �� <a href="https://t.co/jzPlTf69nm">pic.twitter.com/jzPlTf69nm</a></p>&mdash; ¨ THE JUICE ¨�� is THE MAKER (@JUVENTUDGUERRE2) <a href="https://twitter.com/JUVENTUDGUERRE2/status/1421905643527680000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Lock Jaw]

"Chris Jericho you took my mask" - while wearing a mask again

[Triple A]

A guy can have 2 masks!!!

[Fignuts]

Really hope juvi does the people's elbow

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I will lose my shit if he goes for a people’s elbow

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Not in the report below.<br><br>But I don't know how/why so many people forgot Page's wife is giving birth around the time of All Out. <a href="https://t.co/asUWmCspwj">https://t.co/asUWmCspwj</a></p>&mdash; SoDuTw (@SoDuTw) <a href="https://twitter.com/SoDuTw/status/1422083558466854913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[GD]

For a moment, my dumbass was surprised that Paige had a wife :o

[Bad News Gertner]

He should be fired.

[GD]

Imagining Vince shortening Adam Cole's name to just "Adam" on the main roster because we already have a Cole goddamit!

[drave]

Bringing Braun in to pair with Wyatt again would be a waste.... I still say that they should bring Braun in as their "Brock Lesnar", have him easily dominate everybody and win the title and then barely show up to defend it.

Then eventually he is defeated by.... oh, let's say.... Christian


Strowman said his left leg is 15% paralyzed and he can't "lift" like he used to anymore......




Might not happen. it'd be super awesome tho, minus the whole Christian part.

[Jordan]

AEW will be seen on Eurosport in India starting with the first Rampage episode. The deal with for Dynamite, Rampage and the PPV's. Also in India AEW with be available on demand through Discovery+. Hopefully that also happens in the US sometime soon as well.

https://www.mykhel.com/wwe/eurosport-to-broadcast-wwe-rival-all-elite-wrestling-aew-shows-in-india-171936.html?story=2

[Jordan]

What the fuck is Eurosport?

Edit: Welp. Isn't available through my cable provider.

It's a TV channel that has divisions all over Europe and I guess in India.

[GD]

It's a TV channel that has divisions all over Europe and I guess in India.

Right after I deleted my comment :lol:

Sony dominates sports here. Don't think Eurosport is that big...

[drave]

Eurosport was huge when I lived in Germany. That's what they played TNA on anyway. Was always advertised as the best football channel, so it was errrrrrywhere.


Seems too fast to expand in India. Seems like a bad idea to do "too much too fast".

[GD]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">�� A wrestling battle like no other ��<br>Watch the world's elite wrestlers go head-to-head in the action-packed episodes of All Elite Wrestling, coming soon, LIVE on Eurosport.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Eurosport?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Eurosport</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EurosportIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EurosportIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EurosportInIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EurosportInIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AllEliteWrestling?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AllEliteWrestling</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wrestling?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Wrestling</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a> <a href="https://t.co/ir4ICSfCdE">pic.twitter.com/ir4ICSfCdE</a></p>&mdash; Eurosport India (@EurosportIN) <a href="https://twitter.com/EurosportIN/status/1422197611918860288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Jordan]

Right after I deleted my comment :lol:

Sony dominates sports here. Don't think Eurosport is that big...

How about Discovery+ do you think people use it?

[Jordan]

Eurosport was huge when I lived in Germany. That's what they played TNA on anyway. Was always advertised as the best football channel, so it was errrrrrywhere.


Seems too fast to expand in India. Seems like a bad idea to do "too much too fast".

I don't see how it could hurt? From what I have read India seems to be fairly thirsty for Wrestling and has a lot of die hard fans.

[GD]

Eurosport was huge when I lived in Germany. That's what they played TNA on anyway. Was always advertised as the best football channel, so it was errrrrrywhere.


Seems too fast to expand in India. Seems like a bad idea to do "too much too fast".

WWE enjoys a great deal of popularity here and the viewership is pretty strong as well. Probably comparable to that of America. Don't think AEW would have the same reach as them.

[drave]

right. They won't have the same reach and as of yet, they still aren't turning a profit are they?


I know fuckall about business, especially tv deals and all. I do know they do have to shell out more $$$$ though, but still.


Also, I'm a dipshit and thought they were EXPANDING like an actual fed in India or something. Words are hard.

[GD]

I don't see how it could hurt? From what I have read India seems to be fairly thirsty for Wrestling and has a lot of die hard fans.

Fans are thirsty for Roman Reigns lol

https://i.imgur.com/oFlRn23.jpeg

[GD]

He's probably the most beloved wrestler since Bret Hart, Cena, and Khali.

[Jordan]

Lol @ birthday banner

[Jordan]

Skeletor do you have any insight on how WWE makes money in India? I'd assume a moderate TV rights deal like in the US but likely not close to a US deal money wise, correct or is it something different?

Also I'd assume that AEW isn't paying for their India deal but being paid or taking a share in ad revenue while getting the benefits from exposure.

[drave]

Why is my boy Manju holding a knife tho.

[Jordan]

Apparently this is the same channel that airs Impact and that deal is one of their biggest sources of income.

[GD]

Skeletor do you have any insight on how WWE makes money in India? I'd assume a moderate TV rights deal like in the US but likely not close to a US deal money wise, correct or is it something different?

Also I'd assume that AEW isn't paying for their India deal but being paid or taking a share in ad revenue while getting the benefits from exposure.

I wish I had the numbers. It's certainly very lucrative. Besides RAW, Smackdown and NXT, PPV specials are free. They also air Network documentaries and throwback episodes on the weekends. Also the live episodes have commentaries in four major languages.

[GD]

Why is my boy Manju holding a knife tho.

lol the poster's ripped and it looks like he's holding a knife. Pretty sure that's a political party banner.

[GD]

Apparently this is the same channel that airs Impact and that deal is one of their biggest sources of income.

Yeah! Sony broadcasts both WWE and Impact Wrestling.

I just learned that Eurosport was initially DSport. They broadcasted ROH for a while so they have some background in presenting professional wrestling.

[drave]

Okay but why is the Great Value Indian Romain Reigns in the bottom right corner? They billin him at 6' 6" 285?


Almost reminds me of the Mike Tyson profile pic from Punch Out!


https://d3t3ozftmdmh3i.cloudfront.net/production/podcast_uploaded_episode/823102/823102-1559669729903-877624c70aeb4.jpg

[GD]

WWE's India deal in 2016 was reportedly $385 million.

[Jordan]

Wow that's a lot of money.

[Evil Vito]

AEW have sold out the United Center

[Damian Rey 2.0]

What are their ticket sales looking like the week of All Out?

[Bad News Gertner]

Took them long enough. Embarrassing.

R.I.P

[Jordan]

Yes RIP WWE!

[GD]

Wow that's a lot of money.

I can't seem to find any reliable information regarding their recent 2019-2020 deal but it is speculated that it is somewhere around 60 million per year.

[ron the dial]

can't wait to catch the delta variant at the united center BABY :cool:

[Jordan]

can't wait to catch the delta variant at the united center BABY :cool:

Nice!

[Supreme Olajuwon]

can't wait to catch the delta variant at the united center BABY :cool:

The airline battles continue

[drave]

ahahaha!!


Great Dad Joke there.

[Evil Vito]

I want to eventually see a CM Punk vs. Eddie Kingston feud.

Man, just imagining the promos Kingston can cut about how Punk got everything he ever wanted and threw it away, while Kingston kept slugging away and losing everything, watching all of his friends get signed, only for Punk to try and waltz back in and take it again. That is a money program.

[drave]

Can definitely see those two with the ability to "make it seem real" by talking some quasi-real shit.

[Triple A]

NYC just announced vaccine mandates for anyone attending shows...

Wonder if it will affect the attendance much for the Arthur Ashe show. Feel like AEW fans "skew liberal" maybe, especially in NYC, so might be like 80+% vaccinated already anyway

Also now seems much less likely that NYC will cancel the show outright so that's good

[Evil Vito]

The order right now is indoor gatherings only, hasn't extended to outdoor yet but I'd assume it's trending in that direction. Whether this event is indoor or outdoor could depend on the weather, etc.

Either way I'll be bringing my card.

[drave]

Ooh, and he says it requires proof.


Now's the time to buy some printer ink and index card stock fellas.

[Big Vic]

I hate the way articles are written now-a-days

Readers, some news: I’m into wrestling now. I’m writing this 10 hours after returning home from my first-ever WWE Monday Night Raw taping in Rosemont, Illinois. It was, without exaggeration, one of the best nights of my life. I entered that arena a casual layperson and left a crazed wrestling fan with a hunger for men in sequin-encrusted singlets. As a newly indoctrinated member of the wrestling community, I am spiritually obligated to report on an unusual saga involving two major wrestling organizations, a pizza cutter, and an unfortunately-timed Domino’s Pizza commercial.

The saga began on July 28 during a routine screening of All Elite Wrestling’s (AEW) weekly AEW Dynamite event on the TNT Network. Cageside Seats, SB Nation’s wrestling vertical, reports that wrestler Chris Jericho was fighting self-proclaimed “king of the deathmatch” Nick Gage. At one point in the match, Gage apparently “used a pizza cutter on Jericho’s forehead,” after which the program cut to a scheduled commercial break. The first ad that aired? A Domino’s commercial that featured a pizza cutter slicing into a hot, gooey pizza.

Per Front Office Sports, after the incident, Domino’s put out a statement indicating that the company might pull advertising from the program in the near future. The statement read:

“Domino’s was not involved, nor had any foreknowledge, of the gory scene on the ‘AEW Dynamite’ main event Wednesday night that showed wrestler Nick Gage apparently slicing Chris Jericho’s head open with a pizza cutter. We share the concerns expressed about this incident and the content of this TV-14 rated program, and are assessing our advertising presence on it going forward.”

Bad, right? But here’s where things get even more RKO-worthy: according to this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter (yeah, I subscribe!!!!), WWE may have boosted the controversy in an effort to sabotage AEW, the WWE’s major industry rival, and knock the organization’s sponsor funding down a peg. Per the newsletter, several industry sources caught WWE stakeholders “trying to take advantage of the [pizza cutter] bloodbath” by reaching out to journalists to boost the story, even as Domino’s was trying to sweep the incident under the rug. Rest assured that I will be following the impending smackdown closely.https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/domino-controversy-powerbombs-wrestling-community-171300268.html

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">First commercial in forever and it’s wrestling</p>&mdash; Pabst Blue Ribbon (@PabstBlueRibbon) <a href="https://twitter.com/PabstBlueRibbon/status/1422666092959387657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

sigh


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">AEW actually aired Max Caster's rap which involved a shot at Simone Biles and a Duke LaCrosse r*pe joke.<br><br>Fucking Disgusting. <a href="https://t.co/pIpzwNscI2">pic.twitter.com/pIpzwNscI2</a></p>&mdash; Sammy (riderless) (@WrestleHades) <a href="https://twitter.com/WrestleHades/status/1422712377909383168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Triple A]

lol the Duke lacrosse thing is a weird line though... should know ur gonna get in trouble for that one

[Bad News Gertner]

sigh


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">AEW actually aired Max Caster's rap which involved a shot at Simone Biles and a Duke LaCrosse r*pe joke.<br><br>Fucking Disgusting. <a href="https://t.co/pIpzwNscI2">pic.twitter.com/pIpzwNscI2</a></p>&mdash; Sammy (riderless) (@WrestleHades) <a href="https://twitter.com/WrestleHades/status/1422712377909383168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Slick Damo is going to be up in arms about this

[slik]

I never saw these guys in NXT, are they any good?


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2.0 (Matt Lee &amp; Jeff Parker) have arrived in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a>, &amp; aren’t wasting any time! They’ve aligned with Daniel Garcia &amp; challenged 3 of the top names in AEW <a href="https://twitter.com/JonMoxley?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JonMoxley</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MadKing1981?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MadKing1981</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/DarbyAllin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DarbyAllin</a>! GM <a href="https://twitter.com/TonyKhan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TonyKhan</a> has just sanctioned this match for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEWDynamite?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEWDynamite</a> TOMORROW night Live on TNT! <a href="https://t.co/Xcvd9vyPSQ">pic.twitter.com/Xcvd9vyPSQ</a></p>&mdash; All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) <a href="https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1422732946251915265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[ron the dial]

they barely did anything in nxt

[slik]

lol the Duke lacrosse thing is a weird line though... should know ur gonna get in trouble for that one

yeah, rasslin twitter will want his head on a stake for a few days until the next thing happens in rasslin that they get up in arms about.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

He’s a heel. He’s supposed to get heat. It’s a work. People should calm the fuck down.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Goodnight PABSTAMANIACS and jabronie marks without a life that don't know it a work when you work a work and work yourself into a shoot,marks</p>&mdash; Pabst Blue Ribbon (@PabstBlueRibbon) <a href="https://twitter.com/PabstBlueRibbon/status/1422764575754264578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[xrodmuc316]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Goodnight PABSTAMANIACS and jabronie marks without a life that don't know it a work when you work a work and work yourself into a shoot,marks</p>&mdash; Pabst Blue Ribbon (@PabstBlueRibbon) <a href="https://twitter.com/PabstBlueRibbon/status/1422764575754264578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I forget who/why Hogan made that tweet, but whoever is running Pabst's Twitter is on fire lol

[Evil Vito]

Nah the Caster line was terrible. Most of his raps are funny but a rape joke of any kind is beyond the pale. Can't justify that garbage.

AEW doesn't script nor review promos which is generally a good thing, the guys value creative freedom and all that, and can generally be trusted. But the flipside of this is someone takes it too far. Probably need to start clearing his raps with the office for a while. That he did this rap on a Fight for the Fallen show that was raising money for rape victims made it even worse.

The company looks bad for not editing it out to begin with. I'm sure a fan recorded video of Caster's rap would've made it online but at least the company could've justified their decision to remove it in the first place, looking proactive instead of reactive.

AEW get a lot right but this ain't it.

[drave]

<iframe width="916" height="515" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vjetHZtehNQ" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Bad News Gertner]

I forget who/why Hogan made that tweet, but whoever is running Pabst's Twitter is on fire lol

Lol I remember. Hogan was mad about people bitching about TNA, specifically Bobby Roode losing to Kurt Angle when Roode was on the rise.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tony Khan says he is taking over the editing of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a> Dark and Elevation, as a result of Max Caster's rap.<br><br>TK says it was &quot;terrible&quot; and he wasn't aware of what Caster said until it aired. &quot;It should have been caught&quot; and edited out before airing.</p>&mdash; SEScoops (@sescoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/sescoops/status/1422948971123822595?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Bad News Gertner]

R.I.P

[slik]

Fightful reporting the following is expected to sign with AEW




Ruby Soho (Ruby Riott)

[ron the dial]

i certainly fucking hope so.

[drave]

Hyped as fuck for Dynamite.


Woke up this morning excited it was Wednesday for that.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tony Khan says he is taking over the editing of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a> Dark and Elevation, as a result of Max Caster's rap.<br><br>TK says it was &quot;terrible&quot; and he wasn't aware of what Caster said until it aired. &quot;It should have been caught&quot; and edited out before airing.</p>&mdash; SEScoops (@sescoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/sescoops/status/1422948971123822595?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Boy I didn’t catch the rape joke. Which means I get to backtrack on my call the fuck down comment and say that Max is a good talent but that’s like is way too far so yeah definitely needs to have his stuff reviewed before going out there.

[Evil Vito]

Fightful reporting the following is expected to sign with AEW




Ruby Soho (Ruby Riott)



i certainly fucking hope so.

Given Lars Frederiksen gave her his blessing on the ring name, and Lars is tight with Punk....I'm guessing they'll end up getting the rights to the song too, which would be cool.

[xrodmuc316]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tony Khan says he is taking over the editing of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a> Dark and Elevation, as a result of Max Caster's rap.<br><br>TK says it was &quot;terrible&quot; and he wasn't aware of what Caster said until it aired. &quot;It should have been caught&quot; and edited out before airing.</p>&mdash; SEScoops (@sescoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/sescoops/status/1422948971123822595?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Gotta love how anything AEW does that gets a negative response is always blamed on some nameless backstage person.

Cody scares his dog, "oh we fired the pyro guy"
Sparkler match, "oh we didnt even pay those guys"
Youtube video bad, "TK will take over dont worry"

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Nah they blamed Kenny for the exploding ring botch

Holding people in power accountable

[xrodmuc316]

Nah they blamed Kenny for the exploding ring botch

Holding people in power accountable

They kayfabe did, but then somebody put a microphone in front of the Money Mark and he bragged about how he didnt pay the professional pyrotechnics guys because it was their fault.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I know. I was being silly.

[Jordan]

Were all three of these guys in NXT?

[ron the dial]

i don't remember garcia being there

[Jordan]

Anyone have any concept or solid guesses what the All Out card may look like? I can only put together a few matches.

Kenny vs Christian
Mox vs Tanahashi or Tomohiro Ishii
Cage vs Starks
Miro vs OC

Other than that and those are just guesses I really have no idea. It seems like they have plenty of stories that have been brewing for months but I can't tell what could take shape before the PPV. Like, Malakai vs Darby makes sense on paper but there has been nothing to indicate that would happen. Malakai will need a big babyface to tackle after soundly destroying Cody last night. Obviously we have the Punk factor which is huge. If he is going to wrestle it does seem that Darby is on the table based on what Darby said. But you'd think that maybe Omega could be that guy as well.

Imagine they do Christian vs Omega on The Dynamite before All out without having announced a World Title match for the PPV. At the end of the match Punk shows up and faces off with Kenny but Kenny takes a powder and Punk get's on the mic and say's "I'll see you at the United Center". They then set up the PPV main event on Rampage. Very hot shotty idea but still would be cool.

Also part of me is kind of expecting that Punk could wrestle at the United Center show but I have no indication other than the show's title "First Dance". Perhaps they have Darby and Punk do a face off the Dynamite before All Out. On that same show Kenny faces Christian for the title and wins. They announce Punk and Darby to face off for the challenger spot at All Out, on Rampage.

If they do go with Punk/Kenny at the PPV it will be a hot shot angle 100%, but still super hot and will get a major buzz even in a days time.

I am hoping that The Bucks defend against Santana & Ortiz, or perhaps they put together 3-Way or 4-Way tag match to wow us all.

Ishii is possible for Mox because they have history and also he will be in the US for the NJPW Strong PPV, and I don't believe Tanahashi has been announced for that show.

[xrodmuc316]

Not sure if Pac is actually stuck travel-wise again, but it feels like they are building up to him vs Andrade.

Andrade vs Penta or Fenix as a backup could also happen. Maybe even Lucha Bros vs Andrade and Chavo?

Britt will face somebody too, not really sure who though.

[XL]

I figured the “First Dance” was a play on “The Last Dance” documentary about Jordan/the Chicago Bulls.

[Jordan]

Not sure if Pac is actually stuck travel-wise again, but it feels like they are building up to him vs Andrade.

Andrade vs Penta or Fenix as a backup could also happen. Maybe even Lucha Bros vs Andrade and Chavo?

Britt will face somebody too, not really sure who though.

I'd really like to see Lucha Bro's vs Andrade & Chavo, I'm not sure they are going to use Chavo in the ring, I'd assume he can still go but if they have someone else in mind that is from the roster that would be interesting as well.

I figured the “First Dance” was a play on “The Last Dance” documentary about Jordan/the Chicago Bulls.

You may be right. It's hard for me to imagine Punk not having a huge impact on this show in one way or another.

[Evil Vito]

I'm not getting my hopes up on Tana NJPW names being at All Out, because they have their Wrestle Grand Slam event the same day and I'd assume they'd want Tana there. The NJPW guys will be in LA on August 14th but they need the time to re-quarantine in Japan based on the protocols over there.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I think we’re gonna see Punk v Darby at All Out. Christian v Omega also looks likely. Santana and Ortiz v FTR. Beyond that I have no idea. But, if my math is right, they’ve got 8 TV shows from now through All Out to build up the rest of the card.

[slik]

4th week in a row over 1 million

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">AEW Dynamite's male 35-49 viewership last night exceeded that of WWE Smackdown on Friday: 300,000 to Smackdown's 273,000. <br><br>Raw and Smackdown this week were ahead of Dynamite in all other demos I have data for.<br><br>Read more: <a href="https://t.co/6zdFvzYAGE">https://t.co/6zdFvzYAGE</a> <a href="https://t.co/Nrj9BI256D">pic.twitter.com/Nrj9BI256D</a></p>&mdash; Brandon Thurston (@BrandonThurston) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandonThurston/status/1423379479691419648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Triple A]

damn... thought they would be down to like 900k or something this week

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Me too. Not many marquee matches. This week felt like it was written to try and introduce and/or help elevate younger talent, like Hersch and Lee Johnson. The Cody v Black match was the selling point and apparently that was more than good enough.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I’m more curious to see how well the first Rampage shows do. Britt obviously gonna be the main draw for the first show, and Punk possibly debuting the following week. Eager to see what kind numbers they can draw out the gate on a really tough night for TV.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Lol, I keep seeing 1.1 and I remember that being the tale of TNA.

[#1-norm-fan]

Dammit, Noid. We don’t fight about new wrestling on Thursday nights anymore. We watch old school wrestling chronologically and step into a time machine to the good times. Please see my thread. Hope to see you there!

[Mr. Nerfect]

That sounds a lot better than seeing this shit. The business of wrestling has become more interesting than the actual wrestling.

[#1-norm-fan]

Yeah, but the actual wrestling in that thread is better than both.

Ronnie Garvin just murders people with nothing but his hands. I’m avoiding spoilers so I can’t say that he will do it this week but he DEFINITELY did it last week.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Lol, good teaser.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Following an impressive debut on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEWDynamite?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEWDynamite</a> last night, <a href="https://twitter.com/GarciaWrestling?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GarciaWrestling</a> claims <a href="https://twitter.com/DarbyAllin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DarbyAllin</a> was only able to pin him with help from <a href="https://twitter.com/JonMoxley?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JonMoxley</a> + <a href="https://twitter.com/MadKing1981?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MadKing1981</a>; Garcia has challenged Darby to a one-on-one match next Wednesday, &amp; AEW GM <a href="https://twitter.com/TonyKhan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TonyKhan</a> has booked the match for Dynamite! <a href="https://t.co/HYMOvaDAAd">pic.twitter.com/HYMOvaDAAd</a></p>&mdash; All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) <a href="https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1423404970649456647?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Jordan]

I have to put out my thoughts on one of the more exciting storylines running weekly through the news sites. Former WWE stars signing with AEW or WWE contracts coming to an end, and now a new place to land.

This is an all to familiar situation to those of us who lived through the 90's or earlier. Probably one of the most exciting things that used to happen that didn't happen for the longest time, competition in pro wrestling and wrestlers jumping ship from company to company. Sure we had a taste of it when TNA was at it's height but even then it was nothing like it is now.

So my opinion on AEW and their position if they should be signing up a large amount of former or current WWE stars is YES.

When AEW began they did have a solid enough roster to start of with a bang, sure. But there was many talents that "should have" been with AEW, but got swept up by WWE, or locked in with ROH or Impact. I'm thinking guys like Matt Riddle, Keith Lee, Bandido, Walter, Rey Misterio and even CM Punk. There was a lot of talent that WWE was able to scoop up or that was unfortunately signed to Impact or ROH that fit the idea of AEW much more.

So the result of this was AEW forced to take 2nd tier indy talent that only a select few die hards actually knew. I don't watch Dark/Elevation and the reason is because the cards are filled with skinny flip floppers who aren't even that good at being flip floppers. Some of these guys get "called" up for chances on Dynamite and to be honest it never interests me. I'm not aware of who AEW has under legit contracts that work mostly on Dark/Elevation but last weeks example for my argument is 2.0 and Shotty Lee. They just aren't ready for big time tv yet. They all need to improv their bodies they look smaller than most of the fans in the crowd and when it comes to the high flying element they aren't top enough to have deserved that spot.

But take for example Pete Dune or Tony Neese. Those dudes have awesome pro wrestler bodies and can work insanely good matches. It was reported that Neese was backstage at Dynamite and honestly, why not sign up this guy? He's ripped and awesome in the ring. We all know Dune is an ace. Then there are guys like Johnny Curtis or Tyler Breeze, those guys are 10x better than the majority of the Dark/Elevation cast, why not hire those guys to come in and play a mid card role? Give them a better spot than they had in WWE but have them put over the AEW stars that need putting over. Miro should be wrestling guys that are more talented than his is to make him look good, Shotty Lee isn't that guy pal.

In conclusion I think that AEW should definitely scoop up the talented WWE guys who in general look like actual wrestlers and can work a match without making botchamania every week. Continue to identify their developmental talent that are star bound like Agogo, Caster, Bowens, Top Flight make a plant to elevate them in compelling stories. For example, I know they set up Shotty Lee and Miro the week or two before Dynamite but I don't remember what they did, some backstage promo? It wasn't anything special and Lee was just set up to lose and nobody cared.

I say sign Bray, sign Dune, sign Cole. Fuck it, get to the top my any means but do make the proper plans to succeed the aging talent when their time comes. AEW has done well by Darby, he's going to be ready for a top spot when the opening is there. He can already main event any Dynamite and have a compelling show.

[Fignuts]

At this point they would have to make cuts to make room for the wwe cast-offs and I don't think Khan or the EVPs have enough RUTHLESS AGGRESSION to cut their indy buddies.

[Evil Vito]

Even with the rumors of his contract being in flux I don't think Pete Dunne is gonna be leaving unless WWE actively doesn't try to keep him. Strikes me as someone who will agree to whatever terms WWE gives him.

You see it with a lot of British guys in Dunne's generation. Like Ben Carter. A lot of people who worked with him out on the British Isles said his singular goal was WWE. As he made a name for himself out there he got offers to come to the US to train at the ROH Dojo or Chikara Factory for free but instead he paid a shitload to train at Seth Rollins' wrestling school, figuring it'd give him a better chance to network his way into the company.

Goes to AEW last year, works some Dark matches that impress everyone. Gets offered a full-time AEW contract. WWE then offer him apparently a way cheaper contract to work NXT UK and he takes it because again, WWE was always his end game.

There's a lot of similar mindsets among the NXT UK roster. WWE is the goal regardless of money, position on the card, or status. And no matter how low on the totem pole NXT UK is, being there means they met their lifelong goal. And that's why most of them aren't bothered essentially being stored away in a factor in England somewhere.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

They’ve hit on Moxley, Brodie, Miro, PAC and FTR. Black seems like an instant success. Hardy and Christian have been ok. The only ex WWE guys who haven’t done much to me are Hager and Spears which doesn’t surprise anybody.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Also who a actually gives a shit if AEW does nothing but push WWE castoffs?

I’m old enough to remember when WCW castoffs Stunning Steve Austin, Mean Mark, Terra Ryzin, the Giant, Cactus Jack, Damon Striker, Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, and Eddie Guerrero created the biggest wrestling boom in history. I’m ok with it.

[drave]

Also who a actually gives a shit if AEW does nothing but push WWE castoffs?

I’m old enough to remember when WCW castoffs Stunning Steve Austin, Mean Mark, Terra Ryzin, the Giant, Cactus Jack, Damon Striker, Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, and Eddie Guerrero created the biggest wrestling boom in history. I’m ok with it.




This post gives me great hope. Wednesday's haven't been half-bad either.:y:

[Mr. Nerfect]

AEW is finally doing what it should have done at the start. Use its money to get the stars to get the eyeballs. The problem is that you’ve got to be good on top of that. And that is where the whole thing turns to shit.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/GwMp5vJMsO">pic.twitter.com/GwMp5vJMsO</a></p>&mdash; Bobaruski (@Bobaruski232) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bobaruski232/status/1424769926628364294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Supreme Olajuwon]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are SHOOK by what <a href="https://twitter.com/JANELABABY?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JANELABABY</a> just did to <a href="https://twitter.com/SonnyKissXO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SonnyKissXO</a>!<br><br>Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEWDarkElevation?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEWDarkElevation</a> NOW: <a href="https://t.co/ZSNu4AjUpS">https://t.co/ZSNu4AjUpS</a> <a href="https://t.co/wS2nBlrFQ1">pic.twitter.com/wS2nBlrFQ1</a></p>&mdash; All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) <a href="https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1424872620546273282?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Joey Janela turning heel on the YouTube streamed AEW Dark

this company is wild sometimes

[Emperor Smeat]

According to reports, Max Caster got hit with around a 2 month suspension as part of the fallout from his controversial pre-match rap at last week's Dark episode.

In a way not surprised since his rap insults had been straddling the line for a long while. Some weeks he'd have just a normal diss rap towards his opponent while other weeks he'd sneak in homophobic-like insults and other stuff that easily could get him into hot water.

Probably didn't help that his insults towards Julia Hart had been heading in a real mean spirited direction in recent weeks and not just typical heel style heat that just added more fuel to the fire of last week's controversy.

AEW's production shares a lot of the blame as well since they had a week to edit out the controversial rap before Dark aired and didn't so someone there screwed up big time.

[Triple A]

That sucks and hopefully isn't true

Especially if he was never given a notice to "tone it down" before and they just suspended him without warning after they aired everything

Now will have to walk on egg shells and avoid saying anything "on the edge" because whiny people might get mad. "Make sure you don't say anything that might offend the whiniest people in our audience" is not good for his gimmick...

[Triple A]

"sensitivity training" 😒

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Max Caster has been suspended from AEW for two months without pay. It is unknown if that pay will go to charity.<br><br>He will be forced to undergo sensitivity training and must pass as well. <br><br>This is similar to what they did with Sammy Guevara after his comments about Sasha Banks.</p>&mdash; H Jenkins Of Ringside News (@HJenkinsWrites) <a href="https://twitter.com/HJenkinsWrites/status/1425226668487188480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[xrodmuc316]

Best 21 minutes of wrestling all week.

ZTFf30s7hjU

[Sepholio]

Come on man the Duke lacrosse line wasn't even close to the edge.

It was about 3000 feet over it.

He earned that suspension, even if it's just bullshit so AEW can save face in the media.

[Sepholio]

Best 21 minutes of wrestling all week.

ZTFf30s7hjU

nice timing, was about to search for random videos to watch and you delivered for me.

Is it bad that I find botch reels more entertaining than the actual product these days?

[#1-norm-fan]

"sensitivity training" ��

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Max Caster has been suspended from AEW for two months without pay. It is unknown if that pay will go to charity.<br><br>He will be forced to undergo sensitivity training and must pass as well. <br><br>This is similar to what they did with Sammy Guevara after his comments about Sasha Banks.</p>&mdash; H Jenkins Of Ringside News (@HJenkinsWrites) <a href="https://twitter.com/HJenkinsWrites/status/1425226668487188480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Watching him trying to pass sensitivity training would be very fun if wrestling had a sense of humor.

[Triple A]

Come on man the Duke lacrosse line wasn't even close to the edge.

It was about 3000 feet over it.

He earned that suspension, even if it's just bullshit so AEW can save face in the media.

Yeah he should have known anything referencing rape was going to get outrage, but I mean it's going to suck for his gimmick in the future now that AEW overreacted with the punishment imo and he's going to be forced to walk on egg shells

Also after I realized they were in North Carolina when he said the Duke line (obviously to garner heel heat), it made more sense after my initial reaction of confusion thinking he was just randomly saying he was going to rape his opponents

[Triple A]

What's really annoying to me is that lots of people seem to be more mad about his tame line about Simone Biles :roll:

[Triple A]

he should actually do a corny safe rapper gimmick when returning . . .

https://i.imgur.com/iFk52ql.png

[Jordan]

he should actually do a corny safe rapper gimmick when returning . . .

https://i.imgur.com/iFk52ql.png

:lol::rofl::lol:

[Jordan]

Best 21 minutes of wrestling all week.

ZTFf30s7hjU

Good Lord...

Depressing. I couldn't make it past 3 minutes. A lot of these botches are the exact performers that I really don't care for in AEW and wouldn't mind being replaced by released WWE and NXT talents. Some botches are bound to happen with this "suicide dive" lucha style but dayum.

[Noid]

AEW deserves criticism. Some of those landings were disturbing to watch.

[Jordan]

AEW deserves criticism. Some of those landings were disturbing to watch.

You'd think that with agents like Malenko and Jerry Lynn that they'd have more control over the stupid attempts that a lot of the wrestlers make. Botches are going to happen, people will fall on their head from german's and lucha moves. But the amount of just shitty flip flop'n fly style is overboard. This is absolutely my biggest criticism of AEW and why I'm all for AEW hiring talent trained by WWE like Buddy Murphy, Johnny Curtis, Zack Ryder, Tyler Breeze, Killian Dain, Bollywood Boyz, Tony Neese and others.

Sure there will be the challenge of "how can we elevate this talent better their their previous employer?" Not everybody is going to be world champion. But I think that AEW can utilize a large amount of decently well known WWE releases to work on Dark/Elevation with the cream of their development crop. Meanwhile keeping these talents engaged will by-weekly matches on Dynamite/Rampage with those AEW consider "star" talent.

These skinny less than great "cruiserweight" style workers that AEW are bringing in for example Serpintico, Aaron Solo, Sean Dean and Shotty Lee are just not money. There are exceptions like Stu Grayson who is small yes but is an incredible worker. Jungle Boy, super small but also a superstar.

They have some dead weight they can choose to not rehire as well. We don't need the Sydal Brothers or The Gunn Club, they are bringing nothing to the table, Jack Evans and Angelico have filled the quota of what we can see from them, Alan Angels is not doing anything that Stu Grayson or Uno can't do and for the love of god please do not re-sign Jake Hager.

On another note, I'd be more than fine with Jericho "retiring" after losing to MJF at All Out. It needs to happen, maybe not forever but for a good long time until he decides to "reinvent" his body because the look of him is not good. Jericho on commentary may turn out to be a great thing, I can certainly see him being a success over Mark Henry or Paul Wight in that environment. But as far as in ring goes, I can't foresee any programs that we need from him going forward. He's worked with almost everyone on the roster and good for him for giving the rub to a lot of guys, he's a legend and helped build AEW into what it is today. But his body is a disaster and he's slipping further and further into embarrassment.

[Evil Vito]

Yeah I get the sense that AEW is rarely ever gonna actually fire talents unless they fuck up like Jimmy Havoc.

But they might let contracts elapse like they did with Kong (who didn't seem like she had plans on returning anyway) and Shanna (hot but doesn't bring much to the table you can't get from others in the women's roster, plus some problematic social media posts)

Contract lengths vary but a lot of people got 3 year deals, 2022 would be 3 years since AEW started so I think by spring some talents on the Dark/Elevation brigade will be moving out. Jack Evans, Angelico, Peter Avalon, Janela, etc. Sonny Kiss will probably get re-signed for representation. Kip Sabian's fate probably depends on if they want to keep Penelope Ford.

[Sepholio]

What's really annoying to me is that lots of people seem to be more mad about his tame line about Simone Biles :roll:

Yeah that one was good imo, playing to current events and will get some ppl behind him while angering others. While I do think the whole Simone Biles thing is horribly over done at this point I do think it was a good play for Caster.

[Sepholio]

If Kip Sabian getting another contract keeps Penelope on board then give that man a long term deal.

[Emperor Smeat]

According to Voices of Wrestling, Ringside News' report of Max Caster being suspended isn't true based on their sources.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are told there is no truth to a report circulating from Ringside News that Max Caster has been suspended for two months without pay. This was described to us as &quot;total fiction&quot;.</p>&mdash; Voices of Wrestling (@voiceswrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/voiceswrestling/status/1425261347118399488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

For some reference, one of their guys currently works in AEW although not sure if he still does stuff for VoW on the side. Likely the same guy who debunked the Dylan Bostic pay dispute story from last year.

[Triple A]

Fightful also reported that Caster was "put on ice for a couple of months" (and would have to undergo "sensitivity training") which is basically the same thing, except maybe he's still being paid at least

[Noid]

Fightful also reported that Caster was "put on ice for a couple of months" (and would have to undergo "sensitivity training") which is basically the same thing, except maybe he's still being paid at least

They did that with Sammy and it seems like the fans have already forgotten about it.

[Emperor Smeat]

Fightful also reported that Caster was "put on ice for a couple of months" (and would have to undergo "sensitivity training") which is basically the same thing, except maybe he's still being paid at least

Yeah, VoW didn't dispute the sensitivity training part of Ringside News' report so its likely softer in terms of punishment than what Sammy got a while ago.

Sammy was only gone for a month for his suspension but all of his pay went to a charity instead.

Depending on how long Caster's sensitivity training actually lasts, could see the "on ice" part end up shifting more towards his pre-match rap routine and not him actually being gone for a few months.

Feel a bit bad for the Varsity Blonds since now their big feud with The Acclaimed that had been building up on Dark & Dark Elevation these past few weeks got dumped at least for the foreseeable future. That feud, the Janela & Kiss team breakup storyine with pervert Alex Marvez, and Big Swole vs. Diamante feud were the current big feuds on Dark & Dark Elevation.

[slik]

Good TV interview with Britt and Jungle Jack

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EoB58uaAtjk" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Triple A]

pervert Alex Marvez

What do you mean...

[Emperor Smeat]

What do you mean...

The running gag on Dark for a few weeks was that whenever Janela would be interviewed backstage, he'd invite Marvez to party with him at a go-go bar afterwards.

Whenever Janela would get in trouble with Sonny Kiss, he would try to put all the blame on Marvez claiming he was a pervert and a bad influence for why he was acting strange recently or hanging out at go-go bars instead of caring more for his tag buddy.

[Jordan]

What do you mean...

The running gag on Dark for a few weeks was that whenever Janela would be interviewed backstage, he'd invite Marvez to party with him at a go-go bar afterwards.

Whenever Janela would get in trouble with Sonny Kiss, he would try to put all the blame on Marvez claiming he was a pervert and a bad influence for why he was acting strange recently or hanging out at go-go bars instead of caring more for his tag buddy.

From the reports I've read it goes much deeper than that. The talks have said that many talents have had run-ins with Marvez behind the scenes that range from "bad" to "very bad". From what I can tell people thought at first that since he's of an older generation that he was just a bit touchy, but no harm. It has gotten to a point where backstage he was caught with an unnamed female talents tights in hand in an empty room. With the presumption that he was possibly sniffing or stroking the material in "privacy". I've read that Penelope Ford refuses to do promo's with him backstage because his hand slid too far down her back during a taping and that Dasha has been tasked with all Ford promo's going forward. Speaking of Dasha the rumor is that while she technically works under Marvez he had a habit of constantly looking for her approval, asking if he looks good tonight, if she can tell he's been losing weight, and does she think he's too short etc...

Something to keep an eye on.

[Triple A]

Where'd you hear that? Can't find anything about it on Google

[Jordan]

Where'd you hear that? Can't find anything about it on Google

Darkweb wrestling sites. Do you want a link? :shifty:

[Triple A]

u got me...

[xrodmuc316]

From the reports I've read it goes much deeper than that. The talks have said that many talents have had run-ins with Marvez behind the scenes that range from "bad" to "very bad". From what I can tell people thought at first that since he's of an older generation that he was just a bit touchy, but no harm. It has gotten to a point where backstage he was caught with an unnamed female talents tights in hand in an empty room. With the presumption that he was possibly sniffing or stroking the material in "privacy". I've read that Penelope Ford refuses to do promo's with him backstage because his hand slid too far down her back during a taping and that Dasha has been tasked with all Ford promo's going forward. Speaking of Dasha the rumor is that while she technically works under Marvez he had a habit of constantly looking for her approval, asking if he looks good tonight, if she can tell he's been losing weight, and does she think he's too short etc...

Something to keep an eye on.

Isnt Marvez the one that beat up Jimmy Havoc? Or was that Excaliber?

[GD]

Worried about Chris Jericho ruining next week's debut with his "commentary voice" :nono:

[Fignuts]

Yeah, that's definitely a moment where the commentary needs to shut up and let the moment speak for itself.

I still cringe thinking about aj styles debut.

[GD]

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; ██████████ relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/rhq5p" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; ██████████ absolute;"></iframe></div>

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Yeah, that's definitely a moment where the commentary needs to shut up and let the moment speak for itself.

I still cringe thinking about aj styles debut.

COULD IT BE!!!?? IT IS!!!

But yes, let the crowd do their thing and create the moment. I don’t mind an “OMG IT’S C.M. PUNK!!!” once he hits the entrance ramp, but leave it at that fit a bit. We have live crowds now so we don’t need the broadcast jabbering away.

[GD]

Jericho's commentary was a detriment to the Impact world title bout from yesterday. It took the focus away from the match. He had a few moments here and there but overall it was too much. Needs to take the carnieness down a notch.

[Jordan]

I'd really prefer if they just take him off the team entirely. It was that bad.

[BigCrippyZ]

Definitely needs to tone it down, it's just too much, and having 4 guys on commentary doesn't help either. Having the hot crowd helped me to not focus on it as much and next week will be crazy too I'm sure, but for lesser crowds it'd be more noticeable and worse.

[GD]

I'd really prefer if they just take him off the team entirely. It was that bad.

I'm in favor of this as well.

While Exaclibur is decent, they could really benefit from a seasoned commentator. I wouldn't mind if they used Schiavone or Ross for The First Dance.

[GD]

I would love to see someone like Joey Styles or Kevin Kelly in AEW.

[Jordan]

Joey Styles would be amazing.

[GD]

What is he up to? Is he still in the business?

<iframe width="1274" height="717" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tnLv-jOmspU" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Jordan]

No he left altogether after working for WWE online for a number of years. I believe he works in finance which was his side job during ECW.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Excalibur has grown on me and come a long way since the first ppv. I think he shouldbe the main play by play guy. JR needs to go. Jericho needs to go. I think Schiavone still has it, and I’m just fine with him being the least on Dynamite with Excalibur as the color man. Excalibur with either Taz Or Mark Henry on Fridays.

[GD]

I have no memory of this


After his release from WWE, Styles went on record as saying he wanted "to be the Voice of the Indies" while still working full-time in advertising sales.

On November 12, 2016, Styles took part in Evolve's Evolve 72 event. Before the main event of the show, Styles made a joke involving Donald Trump and announcer Joanna Rose, stating Trump "would like to grab her by the...", without saying the word "pussy". Evolve's booker Gabe Sapolsky immediately apologized for the comment, before announcing that Evolve had terminated Styles. Two days later, Beyond Wrestling and Chikara also announced they were severing ties with Styles. After that incident, Styles retired from pro wrestling.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

https://twitter.com/hjenkinswrites/status/1426532380966273027?s=21

Sorry don’t know how to embed, but Ringside news says Punk is signed for 10-12 matches a year and will likely be a weekly presence on tv.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I have no memory of this

Sheeeeeeeeeesh

[GD]

https://twitter.com/hjenkinswrites/status/1426532380966273027?s=21

Sorry don’t know how to embed, but Ringside news says Punk is signed for 10-12 matches a year and will likely be a weekly presence on tv.

I doubt if there's anyone on the AEW roster who can match his intensity on the mic. Maybe Eddie?

[Jordan]

I've had this thought about Kenny. He's just lost the Impact World Championship to Christian and likely to lose the AAA Mega Championship tonight to Andrade, why not add Andrade to the main event of all out and make it a triple threat for Kenny's most prized belt the AEW World Championship?

I know we are all excited for Pac and Andrade but that can wait, and it's not actually been made official as in it's not on the AEW website yet. Thoughts?

[GD]

I've had this thought about Kenny. He's just lost the Impact World Championship to Christian and likely to lose the AAA Mega Championship tonight to Andrade, why not add Andrade to the main event of all out and make it a triple threat for Kenny's most prized belt the AEW World Championship?

I know we are all excited for Pac and Andrade but that can wait, and it's not actually been made official as in it's not on the AEW website yet. Thoughts?

I like the idea of all three champions colliding at All Out. I've also been very underwhelmed by the buildup for Andrade and PAC.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I've had this thought about Kenny. He's just lost the Impact World Championship to Christian and likely to lose the AAA Mega Championship tonight to Andrade, why not add Andrade to the main event of all out and make it a triple threat for Kenny's most prized belt the AEW World Championship?

I know we are all excited for Pac and Andrade but that can wait, and it's not actually been made official as in it's not on the AEW website yet. Thoughts?

Because Christian is likely to eat the pin, adding Andrade would be rko outta nowhere and not make sense for the AEW side of things, and they’ve been building the PAC match already. Andrade doesn’t need to jump into the main event immediately. Let him simmer and build some momentum first.

[Jordan]

If Kenny loses the title tonight it will have to be acknowledged on Dynamite. Kenny is going to really be losing it after losing dos of his tres titles. It would be very last minute but I can see them working a big enough angle out of it to make it work on a weeks notice.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I think it’ll just play into whatever heel move he does to beat Christian at All Out. I’d be stunned if Omega won clean at the POV. I think he escapes and his gimmick involves being paranoid about not losing his only title.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This guy on NFL network is all elite with the CM Punk namedrop <a href="https://t.co/yCGMZ8j2bt">pic.twitter.com/yCGMZ8j2bt</a></p>&mdash; Playoff P Regular SNZ MVP 2022 Tour Stan Account (@ItsTy_ok) <a href="https://twitter.com/ItsTy_ok/status/1426709545057931266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Punk also dropped an All elite reference doing mma commentary. Ready for it to be Friday.

[Triple A]

Moxley vs. Will Ospreay at All Out? Meltzer said the plan was for Moxley to wrestle a major NJPW wrestler at the PPV...

In a promo, Ospreay said that he was medically cleared to return, but that he would not be returning to the main NJPW unit or participating in the 2021 G1 Climax tournament.

Instead, Ospreay said, he will be appearing on NJPW Strong and defending the IWGP title on that show. Ospreay said he was never pinned and never submitted, therefore he is still the rightful IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.

Ospreay said that he broke his neck for NJPW, and all he needed was four months away to rest up, but the company decided to strip him of his title. He said that when Jon Moxley could not defend the IWGP US title due to travel issues, NJPW showed favoritism and refused to strip Moxley, but they stripped him the first chance they had.

https://www.f4wonline.com/new-japan-news/will-ospreay-returns-njpw-resurgence-disputes-iwgp-title-350121

[Jordan]

Meltzer also still hinting that it could be Tanahashi. Either way it's pretty exciting.

Was just thinking about Omega. His belt collector gimmick is pretty sweet and I hope they keep it up. He was supposed to drop the AAA Belt to Andrade tonight but apparently AEW stepping in and asked AAA to hold off because they didn't want Omega to lose two night in a row. Eventually he will lose but wouldn't it be pretty cool to see the gimmick continue? AEW have strong ties to NWA and PWG, I'd love to see Kenny help out NWA by doing a run there and holding the title. PWG could be good for that company, they will sell out their shows without him but he could be a good head piece for their streaming service that is rumored to be opening up soon.

After resurgence and AAA last night there is an obvious web being weaved between some of the biggest companies in the world. I think that the one that has been left out is ROH. They have claimed to still have a deal with NJPW but it hasn't been utilized in a long time. ROH needs to open up and get in on the AEW action. If they did and were able to get some matches with AEW guys as well as NJPW guys that would be such a huge help for them.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Mox called out Tanahashi after it was annulled Archer was Gonna go against him for the US title. I could see it being Tanahashi v Moxley at All Out, which would be amazing.

[Fignuts]

Tanahashi is so good. Still to this day the best new japan has to offer when it comes to great in ring story tellers.

[Jordan]

Crazy stuff being reported today. What do you guys make of the Matt Hardy stuff?

[GD]

Crazy stuff being reported today. What do you guys make of the Matt Hardy stuff?

I couldn't find anything regarding Matt Hardy. What's going on?

[Jordan]

Apparently Matt Hardy is in for a big mega push and will be added to the main event of All Out to capitalize on his decades long feud with Christian and the match will be turned into a ladder match. Sources say that Hardy will then win the AEW Championship and begin to dawn Omega's interpromotional champion gimmick. Report says that first he will enter a main event interpromotional feud with Will Ospreay for the legit IWGP Heavyweight Championship to eventually become a double champion and then at some point he will begin to work the NWA tapings and hold the World's Heavyweight belt along with his other hardware.

The source also says that Matt Hardy will get a 6 month to a year run at the top and while working AEW will have programs with CM Punk (to capitalize on his abusive feud in WWE with Jeff), Jungle Boy (one of the top programs slated for Boy to get over to main event caliber) and likely Chris Jericho which is expected to be Jericho's retirement program.

The leaked information also details how Matt Hardy will at some point become "Broken" again and begin to interdeminsionally transport from promotion to promotion sometimes ever on the same night, but realistically that may just be accomplished with tapings.

[GD]

Apparently Matt Hardy is in for a big mega push and will be added to the main event of All Out to capitalize on his decades long feud with Christian and the match will be turned into a ladder match. Sources say that Hardy will then win the AEW Championship and begin to dawn Omega's interpromotional champion gimmick. Report says that first he will enter a main event interpromotional feud with Will Ospreay for the legit IWGP Heavyweight Championship to eventually become a double champion and then at some point he will begin to work the NWA tapings and hold the World's Heavyweight belt along with his other hardware.

The source also says that Matt Hardy will get a 6 month to a year run at the top and while working AEW will have programs with CM Punk (to capitalize on his abusive feud in WWE with Jeff), Jungle Boy (one of the top programs slated for Boy to get over to main event caliber) and likely Chris Jericho which is expected to be Jericho's retirement program.

The leaked information also details how Matt Hardy will at some point become "Broken" again and begin to interdeminsionally transport from promotion to promotion sometimes ever on the same night, but realistically that may just be accomplished with tapings.

This sounds very farfetched.

[Jordan]

This sounds very farfetched.

It's been leaked from Gavin on Reddit who has been breaking a lot of the big AEW news lately like Punk, Bryan, Henry and the Max Castor drama. Apparently Hardy had a Championship clause in his contract and the feeling is that he's ready for the top spot. AEW legal made notice to creative that they should begin to work the story in because Hardy has tacked up a lot of notches on his bump card and they don't want to get into a pickle where they can't fulfill their side of the contract due to his health.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Is he doing a bit? It seems like he’s doing a bit. It’s a terrible bit.

[Jordan]

Is he doing a bit? It seems like he’s doing a bit. It’s a terrible bit.

Well some people found The Broken gimmick to be a bit much but the fact is in the finances and that gimmick not only moves merch but it moves numbers. Don't shoot the messenger. I'm not Gavin, but he has been right about a lot of things coming from backstage in AEW.

[Jordan]

Another big leak today from backstage at AEW. A Darby Allin mega fan was filmed debuting quite an eye catching tatoo recently. This just goes to prove that Darby is one of the top guys at AEW and Tony Kahn see's huge potential in the eccentric fan favorite. - Gavin

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wild tattoo. <a href="https://t.co/r1hC8S8ShN">pic.twitter.com/r1hC8S8ShN</a></p>&mdash; DARBY ALLIN (@DarbyAllin) <a href="https://twitter.com/DarbyAllin/status/1427010554636423170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[drave]

Hardy doesn't need to be anywhere near the title picture. He's tried the broken thing a few times and it kinda worked once.

[weather vane]

I agree. Hit the bricks.

[XL]

I know people knock Tony Khan as a money mark but that Hardy stuff can’t be true. They can’t have been so desperate to get Matt Hardy in that they gave him a “Championship Clause”.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Max Caster is now selling AEW worn gear on eBay! �� <a href="https://t.co/KkQhgO3kU8">pic.twitter.com/KkQhgO3kU8</a></p>&mdash; The Macho Beard (@Machobeard4life) <a href="https://twitter.com/Machobeard4life/status/1427331858149298178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Bad News Gertner]

Wow, Tony Khan is worse than Vince McMahon. Kills Brodie Lee and then bankrupts wrestlers who cross him

R.I P

[xrodmuc316]

I know people knock Tony Khan as a money mark but that Hardy stuff can’t be true. They can’t have been so desperate to get Matt Hardy in that they gave him a “Championship Clause”.

They gave Andrade creative control, and his career is far less decorated than Matt Hardy's. But really it is just a matter of how much the wrestler can swoon the money mark.

Everything we have heard about Tony since day one certainly seems like fanboy Tony, assuming he was a huge fan of Broken Matt in Impact, would give away his house and whatever else Matt asked for to get him in his "collection" of wrestlers.

It's also why he is so bad at handling criticism and why he buckles under outside pressure almost immediately to any kind of backlash (see Max Caster).

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">AEW Rampage on Friday was watched by 740,000 viewers on average. 396,000 were aged 18-49 (0.30 rating).<br><br>Smackdown on Fox was watched by 2,084,000. In 18-49, 746,000 (0.58 rating) watched.<br><br>More details soon at <a href="https://t.co/1SscdBCpr8">https://t.co/1SscdBCpr8</a></p>&mdash; Brandon Thurston (@BrandonThurston) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandonThurston/status/1427359283537223684?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Jordan]

Wow big win for Rampage, that's a good sign. I know this coming week should be even bigger, hopefully they keep it steady going forward.

[Triple A]

Hmmm @ Caster... hope he's "trolling"

[Fignuts]

Wouldn't be surprised if he quit over it. Sure it was tasteless, but it was also a taped show. Absolutely not his fault it aired.

[xrodmuc316]

Wouldn't be surprised if he quit over it. Sure it was tasteless, but it was also a taped show. Absolutely not his fault it aired.

Completely agree, I dont buy for one second that they just missed it. They knew it was in there, they just did not think it would be received negatively. As soon as it was, AEW and Tony Khan threw some "unknown" editor and Max Caster under the bus.

If I was Caster i'd be pissed too.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Showbuzz Daily is back Bryan! They've got the charts and everything. <a href="https://t.co/i3WVjcWBDN">pic.twitter.com/i3WVjcWBDN</a></p>&mdash; Suit Williams �� (@SuitWilliams) <a href="https://twitter.com/SuitWilliams/status/1427365230657605633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

So many people over 50 watch Fox News, like 80% of Tucker Carlson's viewership...

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Hmmm @ Caster... hope he's "trolling"

It would be a good gimmick for him to start dragging the company in his raps. Maybe build him up to a batch with the main evp Cody when he comes back.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

So many people over 50 watch Fox News, like 80% of Tucker Carlson's viewership...

At least they lend they’ll be dying off in the next few decades

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I thought these were related ads about a divorce cage match <a href="https://t.co/G5dLJLvSC6">pic.twitter.com/G5dLJLvSC6</a></p>&mdash; ahmed ali akbar (@radbrowndads) <a href="https://twitter.com/radbrowndads/status/1427810292789022726?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Jordan]

It would have been good to feature an "AEW original" on the promo material for Rampage, or Dynamite for that matter. I'd go with Hangman. I think that poster just made me realize that Hangman really should be the next AEW World Champion. Just for the sake of the title's lineage I don't think that the majority of World Champions should be former WWE workers. Jericho, Mox, Omega and then Hangman would be a better way forward than latching onto Punk, Christian or Danielson for the next Champion.

[Jordan]

I read that nobody put a bid on Max Castor's gear auction.

[drave]

He and Baron Corbin should form a cross-promotional tag team.

[xrodmuc316]

How they have not had 5 broken necks already is amazing.

HgY_FII8MQo

[Tom Guycott]

He and Baron Corbin should form a cross-promotional tag team.

I mean, the auction gear *does* match the white shirt with mustard stains Corbin is wearing weekly...

That's good shit!!

[#1-norm-fan]

If they wanna make Punk a heel, here’s a good way to do it.

Have his music hit in Chicago but MJF comes out instead and blasts the crowd for being gullible.

Punk shows up the next week to a huge ovation in whatever town they’re in. He soaks it all in and then reveals that he and MJF actually planned the swerve the week before. He left wrestling because it was ruined largely by nepotism and the internet and he refuses to cater to that by showing up when the internet tells him to because it happens to be the town his parents raised him in.

He then reveals that he will make himself the biggest star in this company on his own terms. And he refuses to ever appear live at a show in Chicago.

From there, you have a few tours through Chicago with only pre-tapes before eventually putting him in a position where he has a title shot at All Out but he has to do it in Chicago. Even better if you manage to stretch it out for 2 years.

The live crowd that night would be insane.

[#1-norm-fan]

... Imagine (and I know this is unrealistic even with Tony Khan’s unlimited bank account) if a year and 6 months in to this douchebag Punk “Fuck the internet and fuck showing up in Chicago” angle, they got Brock. And Brock has bulldozed his way to the title and run roughshod. And now Punk has the chance to avenge the loss that stung him the most but he has to do it in Chicago. There’s your face turn.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I think khan and AEW would shit the bed to the point that they would lose viewers and momentum if they blew it on all this hype surrounding Punk and building arguably the company’s biggest moment by having him no show Chicago tomorrow.

BUT….I do think when he does go heel, and he absolutely will, I think no showing or going via satellite would be awesome. He can go the Hollywood Rock route.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">After they arrived in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a> and called out the toughest competition from day one and then survived a brutal Texas Tornado match last night on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEWDynamite?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEWDynamite</a>, there is no doubt: Matt Lee and Jeff Parker, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/2point0?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#2point0</a> are <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AllElite?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AllElite</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/2forTheShow?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#2forTheShow</a> <a href="https://t.co/MRYMh7cCNr">pic.twitter.com/MRYMh7cCNr</a></p>&mdash; Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) <a href="https://twitter.com/TonyKhan/status/1428445187240566784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Vastardikai]

We now know who the next team to get buried by the Bucks are.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I’m betting that excitement from the most anticipated announcement in <a href="https://twitter.com/AEW?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AEW</a> history at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEWRampage?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEWRampage</a> The First Dance will build up through All Out on PPV. We’ll make new fans + we’ll welcome dormant wrestling households worldwide back into the fold; a new era in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a> begins tomorrow</p>&mdash; Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) <a href="https://twitter.com/TonyKhan/status/1428479191486537728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Sepholio]

I think khan and AEW would shit the bed to the point that they would lose viewers and momentum if they blew it on all this hype surrounding Punk and building arguably the company’s biggest moment by having him no show Chicago tomorrow.

BUT….I do think when he does go heel, and he absolutely will, I think no showing or going via satellite would be awesome. He can go the Hollywood Rock route.

I was also trying to think of a way he could no show and work it into his character and not have it backfire on them. What I came up with is to have his music hit and then AJ comes skipping down to the ring, grabs a mic and says "He's back" and maybe a "But you aren't good enough to get to see him" and then she smiles and drops the mic and skips back up the ramp as the show goes off the air.

[Frank Drebin]

I caved and will go tomorrow. Knowing what the crowd here is like, I can tell you that AEW should never come back to Chicago if they don't deliver tomorrow.

[Frank Drebin]

Also, they have lots of seats available. UC is big you see.

[Jordan]

Awesome, please give a detailed report of the experience. I'm particularly interested in knowing how the tape the Youtube shows and when and if anyone cares about those matches.

[xrodmuc316]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I’m betting that excitement from the most anticipated announcement in <a href="https://twitter.com/AEW?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AEW</a> history at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEWRampage?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEWRampage</a> The First Dance will build up through All Out on PPV. We’ll make new fans + we’ll welcome dormant wrestling households worldwide back into the fold; a new era in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a> begins tomorrow</p>&mdash; Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) <a href="https://twitter.com/TonyKhan/status/1428479191486537728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

OMG he is such a Mark. Let us not forget the last time he hyped something up this much and gave us fucking sparklers.

And say what you want about them signing Punk, but calling it a new era, come on. A new era is giving us WWE's 2012 headliner?

[rockman725]

Do I think Punk will be there tomorrow night? Yes

But I don't think he'll be there for what everyone thinks he'll be there for. Why do I have this sneaky suspicion that Punk showing up is only to disrupt any buzz WWE "might" have for Summerslam and he'll really only be there to promote this movie thing he apparently is in!?!

I loved watching Punk work in the past, but him working a match in AEW would not be as big as if he was to go back to WWE.

[weather vane]

Regardless. It’s big. Gonna be fun. We’re talking. Enjoy it.

[weather vane]

Or don’t.. wtf do I care I guess? Talking to myself.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

If AEW didn’t sign Punk or he doesn’t show up tomorrow they might as well close up shop. It would kill any interest that’s been built up the last month. And it would murder all the goodwill they’ve built up with their fans. Punk is going to be there tomorrow.

[GD]

If AEW didn’t sign Punk or he doesn’t show up tomorrow they might as well close up shop. It would kill any interest that’s been built up the last month. And it would murder all the goodwill they’ve built up with their fans. Punk is going to be there tomorrow.

WWE has really damaged us :'(

[Damian Rey 2.0]

He’s signed. There’s been too many coincidences, sly inside jokes and references from both AEW talent and Punk himself for this not to be slam dunk. I’m more curious to see how they book it. I’m praying they don’t take the air out of the place by faking a debut to have a heel come out because that would lessen the pop when Punk actually does come out.

I also hope it’s not something like his music hitting, he gets to the stage, looks around and leaves. If he says “I’m back” and leaves that’d be Ok but dammit I wanna hear him promo.

I keep thinking back to the Rocks return and how they just let him have the room. Very little commentary. Just the big return soaking in and feeding off the energy of the crowd while cutting a promo.

[slik]

I'm baffled at how many people I see on twitter who think Punk won't be there...it's been pretty blatantly obvious Punk would be on Rampage for weeks...

[Damian Rey 2.0]

It was obvious the minute they announced outta the blue they were running Chicago on the second ever episode despite having already booked an entire week’s worth of programming in the same city 2 weeks later. At that point it should’ve been more than obvious.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Happy CM Punk day, my friends.<br><br>There will be some Negative Nancys but remember you’re allowed to like things. �� <a href="https://t.co/m2CIBPQJZf">pic.twitter.com/m2CIBPQJZf</a></p>&mdash; Simon Miller (@SimonMiller316) <a href="https://twitter.com/SimonMiller316/status/1428632792276119553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I'm baffled at how many people I see on twitter who think Punk won't be there...it's been pretty blatantly obvious Punk would be on Rampage for weeks...

To be fair, it is definitely learned behavior. Wrestling does have a long history of over promising and under delivering. Or sometimes just flat out misleading and lying to people.

[Vastardikai]

To be fair, it is definitely learned behavior. Wrestling does have a long history of over promising and under delivering. Or sometimes just flat out misleading and lying to people.

"Wouldn't you know who won the pony, my little boy Blue!"

When these rumors started, what did I say?

"I'll Believe it when I see it."

I don't think Punk not showing up will do any long term damage. If you can sell these marks on "Long Term Storytelling" while treating the alleged "Chosen One" like a mopey idiot, have him associate with losers, and then beat him more or less like a jobber, and they STILL think he's the "Chosen One?" Punk not showing up won't be a problem.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

K…

[drave]

Punk not showing would be incredibly harmful.

[Frank Drebin]

I fully expect 80% of tonight's crowd to be adorned in various Punk shirts. If you are going to purposely tease it out for weeks (everything from Darby's best in the world quote, to Tony Khan's cute answers when asked, to Omega's Chick Magnet shirt on Wednesday) then put on a show in front of 15k at the United Center and don't deliver.....don't bother coming back for those three shows in a couple of weeks unless you want the ring constantly covered in beer and piss thrown from the crowd.

That wouldn't be fun post-mania crowd smarking out, it would be a public execution of the entire brand.

I really really hope they learned their lesson from over promising and delivering Christian and don't do the same tonight. The crowd will eat them alive. Not even Danielson could save it.

I don't think they're that stupid and expect Punk to be there. V looking forward to the hot crowd, a sweet promo and possibly what his first angle is going to be.

[drave]

HYPE AS FUCK




but not for smackdown.....

[#1-norm-fan]

Punk not showing would be incredibly harmful.

While I kinda love the idea of a swerve for the sake of a bigger story long-term, I think the only way they could actually POSSIBLY pull it off without pissing people off too much is MJF doing the thing where he trolls the crowd, announces Punk isn’t there, just riles them up to riot-levels and then “Flight of the Valkyries” hits.

[slik]

Have a great time tonight @ Drebin!

[Frank Drebin]

Am I the only tpww poster who will be reporting LIVE FROM THE RAMPAGE tonight??

Hopefully I don't run into THAT MONSTER, Kenton Lane.

[Lock Jaw]

HAPPY 30,000TH POST FRANK DREBIN!!!!

What a way to celebrate!!

[BigCrippyZ]

While I kinda love the idea of a swerve for the sake of a bigger story long-term, I think the only way they could actually POSSIBLY pull it off without pissing people off too much is MJF doing the thing where he trolls the crowd, announces Punk isn’t there, just riles them up to riot-levels and then “Flight of the Valkyries” hits.

They'd have to get someone to either re-record an interpolation or license a recorded interpolation of the song from someone else. While the song itself is in the public domain, WWE owns the copyright on the sound recording of the song that he used in WWE. Not a huge deal in theory, and certainly doable, just not as quick and easy as it might seem.

[xrodmuc316]

Yeah I fully expect him to be there. AEW hinting at it as hard as they have and not delivering would be akin to ironically enough Punk's last WWE match, the 2014 Royal Rumble, when Daniel Bryan wasnt in it and they even booed Rey Mysterio of all people.

What though if Punk isnt there to wrestle? What if he is coming in on a Mark Henry/Big Show deal as a commentator who might wrestle once in a while. Would that be just as big of a letdown?

[Mr. Nerfect]

CM Punk returning is passé at this point. They should have gotten him earlier anyway. And now he’s an old failed MMA fighter who does bad films where they rib him by blasting ghost cum in his face. It’s got to be something else on top of that, and the only people big enough are Bryan and Lesnar. But I won’t care about them in AEW, because AEW fucking sucks.

Wrestling is dead. D-E-A-D. Bringing in guys who didn’t really draw big in their primes isn’t going to fix that. It’s fundamentally broken.

Fandom at all-time low. This fucking sucks.

[Mr. Nerfect]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Happy CM Punk day, my friends.<br><br>There will be some Negative Nancys but remember you’re allowed to like things. �� <a href="https://t.co/m2CIBPQJZf">pic.twitter.com/m2CIBPQJZf</a></p>&mdash; Simon Miller (@SimonMiller316) <a href="https://twitter.com/SimonMiller316/status/1428632792276119553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Yeah, and you’re allowed to call a spade a spade too. This fucking sucks.

[Triple A]

lol

[GD]

Good to see that the Debbie Downers returned in the nick of time.

[Bad News Gertner]

The Truth Tellers have returned

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just saw this. Can’t believe Jay wanted to do this vs get beat up by Seth in order to send Edge a message. <a href="https://t.co/ci8jRkSAyP">https://t.co/ci8jRkSAyP</a></p>&mdash; Brian Gewirtz (@bfg728) <a href="https://twitter.com/bfg728/status/1428830403226386432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Sting Fan]

Noids a gimmick at this point right? Like no one actually takes him seriously do they? Asking for a friend.

[rez]

He ran away, #2 Sting Fan