All Elite Wrestling

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I checked out at zodiac sign lol

[Damian Rey 2.0]

And yes, being friends with your boss is a bad idea. It’s bound to lead to conflict and awkward moments. Tony is an idiot for fraternizing as well.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

The GTA franchise is a prime example that passable graphics are more than accepted if the game itself is good to great.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I imagine Cody Rhodes was probably a character they considered "safe" to heavily develop....

Precisely. And they’re signing people every week. Is Keith Lee or AQA going to make the game? What about Shane Strickland and Jeff Hardy? And is JR going to be lending voices just to be gone when his deal is up? The game could feel very dated as soon as it comes out.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I’ve been friends with bosses. I’ve never experienced an issue. I find it way harder when you’re the boss.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Anyone who leads with their zodiac sign is a bit of an idiot, but then again, so is anyone who signs Big Swole to a wrestling contract.

[drave]

Hello. WWE games from anytime would like to speak with you.

[drave]

I bring that up because its the only other popular console wrestling game. Slap any fed that exists in place of WWE - same issue.

[xrodmuc316]

Does it draw viewers or money? No.

Xrodmuc, educate the man

I dont even know who Walter is, so I cannot in good faith predict his possible success.

[ron the dial]

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rof l::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[xrodmuc316]

Tony is an idiot

Yes, he is :rofl:

[xrodmuc316]

“We had this bonding moment, and then we got in front of his friends,” Dax Harwood continued to say. “X-Pac, Hunter, Billy [Gunn], Road Dogg, Scott [Hall], and as soon as we got in front of his friends, he started making fun of me and making fun of my situation and what happened with my bicep. I was like man I just poured my heart out to you and as soon as we get in front of your friends, cause we’re going over that they’re going to beat the s--t out of us, you decide to take all of that stuff and make fun of me about it?”

Shawn Michaels made fun of me :'(:(:'(

HBKBAD :rofl:

[ron the dial]

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rof l::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[drave]

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:1!:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::D :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Evil Vito]

If X-Rod were a Disney character

https://c.tenor.com/SaaKRgsbbO8AAAAC/lion-king-hyena.gif

[Mr. Nerfect]

Hello. WWE games from anytime would like to speak with you.

Outside of the legends, there are like 4 people scheduled to be in the game that aren’t with the company.

[Jordan]

<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/mlfuu3Nd6TVm0" width="480" height="360" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/okkultmotionpictures-betty-boop-mlfuu3Nd6TVm0">via GIPHY</a></p>

[Jordan]

<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/3o6ZsUp0NYl56oEpyw" width="480" height="262" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/3o6ZsUp0NYl56oEpyw">via GIPHY</a></p>

[Evil Vito]

I'm going tomorrow and while I have zero doubt it'll be a lot of fun...I'll admit, it's kinda lousy timing getting a show 2 weeks before a PPV. Based on what has been announced so far it feels like a definite "playing it safe" show compared to some of the loaded Dynamites of recent months.

Still, PAC/Penta vs. House of Black should end up getting a ton of time and will absolutely rule. Andrade/Sammy on Rampage too.

[drave]

what's the magic number of talent not on rosters before games come out. I need to know when it's okay and not.

[Sepholio]

Eleventeen.

[XL]

Outside of the legends, there are like 4 people scheduled to be in the game that aren’t with the company.

There’s at least double that, and they haven’t finished revealing the roster. I’d expect at least 3-4 more.

[Jordan]

Who are you expecting to be out of date? You don't think they can't remove Cody? Who else, Big Swole? The game is also likely to feature legends like Jake Roberts, Arn Anderson, Taz, Billy Gunn and Paul Wight. Not to mention Owen Hart and Brodie Lee.

[xrodmuc316]

If it doesnt have an angle where Tony Khan comes out crying and stomping his feet, it will be just another unrealistic wrestling game.

https://c.tenor.com/wkA8HKnMyIEAAAAC/aew-tony.gif

[Sepholio]

I can't wait for the cutscene of him getting a group hug to cheer him up.

[Evil Vito]

https://i.gifer.com/XuV.gif

When X-Rod came up from the basement and saw Tony Khan climbing off of his mom.

[xrodmuc316]

https://i.gifer.com/XuV.gif

When X-Rod came up from the basement and saw Tony Khan climbing off of his mom.

Dont think anybody not named Fido or Lassie has to worry about catching Tony with their mom. :rofl:

[ron the dial]

love to see the beastiality angle being thrown into the rotation

[xrodmuc316]

love to see the beastiality angle being thrown into the rotation

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Tony Khan when Shad walks in... :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

https://media4.giphy.com/media/l0HlVBzZBXHNb2Zu8/giphy.gif?cid=790b7611d324a360cf27a5764f1e4716036649dfd70f1ec1&rid=giphy.gif

[ron the dial]

also left yourself wide open for a "your mom IS dog" jokes come on be sensible man

[ron the dial]

yeah no bro I read the posts here

[xrodmuc316]

https://i.gifer.com/XuV.gif



Also, that might be the best Community episode of the entire series!

[Mr. Nerfect]

Is Tony into female dogs, or is he solely down for jackin’ off the males?

[XL]

If you remove your bias for Omega and instead focus on the game, you could make better points.



So far, the game seems to play like the old school N64 wrestling games (No Mercy, WCW v NWO, etc.). If that is actually the case, that aspect alone will be enough to be a very successful game. Those games worked well because they were easy to play, and very fun to play.



Nintendo has shown that graphics are not the desire of every gamer, not even close. Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild, for example, looks "okay" but not "good" by today's standards, or even when it was made.


In terms of it being compared to WWE games...... if it does indeed play like the games above, it will destroy any game WWE puts out. 2k22 is looking like "more of the same" with a few changes. In my gamer opinion, they shit the bed by only scanning a portion of their roster. When you have someone who has been scanned vs someone who hasn't, its is blatantly obvious and makes the product look worse.

I don’t think it will matter if it’s a better game, it won’t sell like the WWE games. That said, if it does decent numbers in the key sales demo then we can all celebrate.

[xrodmuc316]

also left yourself wide open for a "your mom IS dog" jokes come on be sensible man

LOL nope I am safe, my name is neither Fido or Lassie :D

[ron the dial]

jfc

[Fignuts]

I have never understood the obsession that wresting game fans have with games being "outdated".

The game releases with wrestlers that are no longer with the company? So fucking what? It's more people to play as.

So and so debuted recently and didn't make it into the game? Well yeah, developing a character in a video game takes time, and wrestling moves at a breakneck pace. Of course it's going to be outdated on release. It's a non issue anyways. Create a wrestler is so advanced nowadays that you can even put people's faces into games. Even in fire pro for fucks sake. Anyone that's missing will be filled in within a week of release.

[Evil Vito]

Adam Cole
Adam Page
Andrade El Idolo
Anna Jay
Arn Anderson
Billy Gunn
Brandi Rhodes
Britt Baker
Brodie Lee
Bryan Danielson
Cash Wheeler
Chris Jericho
Christian Cage
Christopher Daniels
Chuck Taylor
CM Punk
Cody Rhodes
Darby Allin
Dax Harwood
Dustin Rhodes
Eddie Kingston
Ethan Page
Evil Uno
Frankie Kazarian
Hikaru Shida
Isiah Kassidy
Jade Cargill
Jake Hager
Jake Roberts
Jon Moxley
Jungle Boy
Kenny Omega
Kris Statlander
Lance Archer
Luchasaurus
Malakai Black
Mark Henry
Marq Quen
Matt Hardy
Matt Jackson
Miro
MJF
Nick Jackson
Nyla Rose
Orange Cassidy
Ortiz
Owen Hart
PAC
Paul Wight
Penta El Cero Miedo
Powerhouse Hobbs
Rey Fenix
Ricky Starks
Riho
Ruby Soho
Sammy Guevara
Santana
Scorpio Sky
Shawn Spears
Sting
Stu Grayson
Tay Conti
Taz
The Blade
The Bunny
The Butcher
Thunder Rosa
Trent Beretta
Tully Blanchard
Wardlow

That is a roster of 70, using AEW Grand Slam as a rough cut off point for who might've been deemed "important" enough to be in the game at the time along with various legends including throwback versions of managers, announcers etc. While I've always been someone who focuses on the current roster...gamers tend to love having some legends in there.

Honestly though who the hell would complain about that kind of lineup? Yeah, it doesn't have everybody, but it was never going to. You could chop 10 "bubble" people off of this and it'd still be a nice blend of characters people want to play as. The gameplay is far more important than anything else.

[drave]

IMO it is also a better practice than taking current superstars and locking them behind DLC Paywalls :(

[Mr. Nerfect]

Adam Cole
Adam Page
Andrade El Idolo
Anna Jay
Arn Anderson
Billy Gunn
Brandi Rhodes
Britt Baker
Brodie Lee
Bryan Danielson
Cash Wheeler
Chris Jericho
Christian Cage
Christopher Daniels
Chuck Taylor
CM Punk
Cody Rhodes
Darby Allin
Dax Harwood
Dustin Rhodes
Eddie Kingston
Ethan Page
Evil Uno
Frankie Kazarian
Hikaru Shida
Isiah Kassidy
Jade Cargill
Jake Hager
Jake Roberts
Jon Moxley
Jungle Boy
Kenny Omega
Kris Statlander
Lance Archer
Luchasaurus
Malakai Black
Mark Henry
Marq Quen
Matt Hardy
Matt Jackson
Miro
MJF
Nick Jackson
Nyla Rose
Orange Cassidy
Ortiz
Owen Hart
PAC
Paul Wight
Penta El Cero Miedo
Powerhouse Hobbs
Rey Fenix
Ricky Starks
Riho
Ruby Soho
Sammy Guevara
Santana
Scorpio Sky
Shawn Spears
Sting
Stu Grayson
Tay Conti
Taz
The Blade
The Bunny
The Butcher
Thunder Rosa
Trent Beretta
Tully Blanchard
Wardlow

That is a roster of 70, using AEW Grand Slam as a rough cut off point for who might've been deemed "important" enough to be in the game at the time along with various legends including throwback versions of managers, announcers etc. While I've always been someone who focuses on the current roster...gamers tend to love having some legends in there.

Honestly though who the hell would complain about that kind of lineup? Yeah, it doesn't have everybody, but it was never going to. You could chop 10 "bubble" people off of this and it'd still be a nice blend of characters people want to play as. The gameplay is far more important than anything else.

It doesn’t have everybody, that’s for sure, plus seeing the AEW roster laid out like that really highlights how unimpressive it is. Maybe it’s just because they’ve been laid out alphabetically? But there’s a lot of dead space.

[Destor]

if the aew game turns out to be a no mercy clone I'll absolutely buy it. day one. full price. delixe edition. dont care.

[xrodmuc316]

“I am so excited, and I don’t know exactly when we’ll be able to tell the fans, but I know that it’s coming very soon so stay tuned to AEW,” Khan pleaded. “Stay tuned to AEW, I promise you something big is coming."

Khan pleaded LMFAO what a great promoter :rofl:

[XL]

Where is that quote from? Seems a little “editorial”.

[Sepholio]

While not confirmed by AEW, Jeff Hardy announced in an interview that he will be All Elite as soon as his 90 day is up. So I guess about 3 weeks or so then?

[xrodmuc316]

Where is that quote from? Seems a little “editorial”.

https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2022/02/tony-khan-provides-update-on-massive-aew-announcement/

[xrodmuc316]

“How do you supplement big, all these big deals that, you know, both sides are doing? Both us, AEW on this side of things and WWE on that side of things, what is it, our big moves?” Omega asked. “And how do we sort of safeguard those, and stay afloat, and maintain sort of a position of prominence? A lot of times you just sort of go pin the tail on the donkey. You, like, close your eyes and make an educated guess as to what’s best. But we could wake up tomorrow and someone puts a ban on all of television.”

You, like, close your eyes and make an educated guess as to what’s best. LOL This is a solid business plan from an EVP :rofl:

Also, for you XL https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2022/02/kenny-omega-wrestling-future/

[Fignuts]

Cannot bring myself to care about the hardys ever again, I don't think. I'm just tired of them. Been tired of them for years now.

Matt Hardy deserves some credit for reinventing himself a few times throughout the years, but he straight up just lacks the talent to maintain any interest even if he does manage to come up with something good.

But Jeff is in the same discussion as RVD and Christian. Good wrestler that never really attempted to reinvent his character or in ring style and thus has been coasting on the same tired act for decades.

[xrodmuc316]

Cannot bring myself to care about the hardys ever again, I don't think. I'm just tired of them. Been tired of them for years now.

Matt Hardy deserves some credit for reinventing himself a few times throughout the years, but he straight up just lacks the talent to maintain any interest even if he does manage to come up with something good.

But Jeff is in the same discussion as RVD and Christian. Good wrestler that never really attempted to reinvent his character or in ring style and thus has been coasting on the same tired act for decades.

I wouldn't mind a short lived Broken Universe reboot in AEW, but I agree with you, if there just going to be The Hardy Boys, they both should have just stayed in WWE. Big Money Matt is a stupid gimmick that is all over the place, and adding Jeff Hardy to that, as either an ally of foe would be just as boring as it is now.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Their value in AEW is as Hardy Boyz classic. Jeff has value as a single, but I think that best fits WWE. There’s something about him flying solo at the top. We’ve seen Jeff Hardy in TNA and it doesn’t really pop.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I’d actually be somewhat potentially interested in Matt & Jeff vs. FTR. Or them against Christian Cage and someone. Maybe slap Daniels & Kazarian back together. Them against Private Party, Butcher & Blade, Jack Evans & Angelico, etc. are squash matches.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Apparently AEW has picked up their year extension option on Brian Cage. For some reason.

[drave]

Just thought about Christian and how he was so horrible they even wrote him being on his own into one of his WWE entrance themes.




Christian, the real blue meanie.

[XL]

https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2022/02/tony-khan-provides-update-on-massive-aew-announcement/

Cheers.

Speculation that it’s a streaming deal. That would be a big let down. Great news for the company/wrestlers though.

[Sepholio]

Apparently AEW has picked up their year extension option on Brian Cage. For some reason.

Tony Khan is an evil man for holding Brian Cage hostage in catering.

[xrodmuc316]

Tony Khan is an evil man for holding Brian Cage hostage in catering.

Naw, that is only bad when Vince does it.

[Sting Fan]

I kind of wondered if the Hardys might somehow grab the last spot in the Revolution title three way tag but looks like the timelines don't work both for Matts AHFO storyline and Jeffs non compete.

Brian cage in the Face of revolution ladder match would be sick... big meaty dude who can do crazy shit.

Cesaro to AEW please...

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I’m mildly stunned Cage is being kept. Great look, great finisher, potentially good worker uf he cut most of the lucha shit out of his move set, but had ZERO charisma as a promo. He was also way better as a silent heel Taz just sent to kill people with. And his face turn wasn’t well received at all. Hopefully he goes back to being heel and is used as a heavy for somebody.

[XL]

Could see him with MJF when they pull the trigger on Wardlow.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Yeah that could work. He certainly has value. I don’t think being a babyface is doing him any good though.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">So <a href="https://twitter.com/DaxFTR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DaxFTR</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/CashWheelerFTR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CashWheelerFTR</a> planted that fan. To jump Bret Hart at the Hall Of Fame so they can rescue Bret. Just to create another reason. To crap all over HBK. And Triple H. Yep. Got it. <a href="https://twitter.com/Fightful?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fightful</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/dunkindonuts?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dunkindonuts</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JDfromNY206?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JDfromNY206</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/StevieB0i?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StevieB0i</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DBSmithjr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DBSmithjr</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ShawnMichaels?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShawnMichaels</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/cokestudio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cokestudio</a></p>&mdash; Johnny Tutton (@JohnnyTutton2) <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnnyTutton2/status/1496619155319050243?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Jordan]

I'm posing a question to the fans of AEW and the critics alike. Can AEW be a success if they stay at 1 million on average? Perhaps the true average is a little lower but, I'm talking in the 800k-1.4 range that they usually get.

Bischoff recently said this on his podcast . . .

“They’re going to need somebody that’s a legitimate larger than life star, not just physically, but larger than life to a broader audience. Or they’re going to have to accept the fact that AEW is basically a million viewers a week tops.”

But it made me think. What is this all about? Who cares if WWE has twice the audience of AEW? If you could earn half the TV rights money that WWE does by being half as popular, you'd still be making enough on the tv rights to be a highly profitable company.

AEW get's around 45 million annually for Dynamite and that could have increased for Rampage and Battle of the Belts. If Turner Networks were willing to pay the 45 million annual after AEW's first few months, what logic is it to assume that they won't pay a considerable increase to maintain and probably even increase programing?

[Evil Vito]

Really depends on how Bischoff or anyone else want to define success and what metrics they put to assess that.

I suspect Bischoff means making them a global brand with borderline mainstream appeal, maybe not WWE level but a level where people hear AEW and know what it is. In that case, yes, it would take a lot more to get there. They have their core audience that seems mostly loyal but yes, short of having a megastar or two they're not really ever going to ascend to the level of the public eye.

To me, if the company is continuing to make money and Turner are happy to keep paying them for programming, then that feels to me like a success. And as a fan, it's all I really care about. If the company does well enough to stay on TV, I'm thrilled.

[Evil Vito]

AEW is headed to Detroit for the first time ever.

It was announced today that AEW will make its Detroit, Michigan debut at Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday, June 29. There will be a live Dynamite episode that night, along with tapings for that week's edition of Rampage.

Tickets for the show will go on sale to the general public on Friday, March 11 at 10 a.m. Eastern time.

[Jordan]

Nice arena.
https://www.bartonmalow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Barton-Malow-Little-Caesar-Arena-Interior-Bowl-Ice-Hockey-scaled-e1585494631703-1248x704.jpg

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm posing a question to the fans of AEW and the critics alike. Can AEW be a success if they stay at 1 million on average? Perhaps the true average is a little lower but, I'm talking in the 800k-1.4 range that they usually get.

Bischoff recently said this on his podcast . . .



But it made me think. What is this all about? Who cares if WWE has twice the audience of AEW? If you could earn half the TV rights money that WWE does by being half as popular, you'd still be making enough on the tv rights to be a highly profitable company.

AEW get's around 45 million annually for Dynamite and that could have increased for Rampage and Battle of the Belts. If Turner Networks were willing to pay the 45 million annual after AEW's first few months, what logic is it to assume that they won't pay a considerable increase to maintain and probably even increase programing?

The issue is that it comes down to what the networks ultimately want. Dave even alluded to it — WWE are going to be able to negotiate with WarnerMedia in the future. If TBS, TNT or HBO Max want wrestling programming, why not just go to the kings? Why settle for a product that is capped? Why even break open the bank to pay them more in a few years? You can see more advertising with The Big Bang Theory.

People make fun of NXT, but given it’s a PG show and doesn’t split the ad revenue with USA, it probably makes NBC Universal more money than AEW does WarnerMedia. The goal for these networks is to make money.

AEW does not have the leverage fans pretend it does. And there is no guarantee that an executive doesn’t have the idea to chance TBS’s imaging again in a couple of years and wants the show where a bunch of white 40 yr old men are saying “shit” over and over again off the network.

Does any of this matter to fans? I think the perception of a wrestling company affects how fans engage with it. Look at TNA over the years. It still stays in business. It’s still on TV. But the shenanigans and the knock-backs have definitely hurt it. AEW’s status as #2 becoming more and more trivial over the years is going to dampen excitement, slow ticket sales, affect who they can and cannot sign, and ultimately nullify the product.

And if you wanted AEW to make wrestling better? Unless you are a fan specifically of their antics, then you’re in tough fucking luck. They swung and they missed are no threat to WWE. So we’re not in a post-Vince world yet. AEW has made it possible for WWE to be even more like WWE, pay talent what they want, fire who they want, etc.

If WWE suddenly becomes good, because they feel the need to create stars, bring back Stone Cold Steve Austin, etc. — it’s because there are stadiums they need to fill and more TV/streaming deals for them to sign. Absolutely none of that pressure comes from AEW producing an obnoxious product that doesn’t even do the things it claims to do.

This paradigm sucks. It is a very dark timeline to be a wrestling fan. Specifically to what Bischoff has said: I see AEW fans brag about growth for the product and compare it to SmackDown. Their one metric for this is the YoY for their ratings. They are completely ignoring the fact that NXT used to be on the same night. The final week-to-week for Dynamite and NXT had 1.46 million people watching wrestling on Wednesday. Somehow I doubt AEW is doing that anytime soon.

So Bischoff is right. The people who say that this product is growing just because a large handicap has been taken off it are either ignorant or actively lying to you. Networks MIGHT decide they are happy with what wrestling is now, as far as cheap original programming for assholes goes. But it’s not invaluable nor is it catching fire. We’re getting colder every year.

[slik]

AEW making it's West Coast debut


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">AEW's Dynamite show on 6/1 is officially from the <br>Forum in Inglewood,CA.</p>&mdash; Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) <a href="https://twitter.com/davemeltzerWON/status/1498375900399693826?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[#1-norm-fan]

Damn. I was just walking distance from The Forum. Would have definitely considered going.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Uh oh…Chavo’s gonna get it.

[slik]

Rumored to be something w HBOMax

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tonight’s announcement will be delivered by Tony Khan himself and not the commentary team like they usually do.<br><br>-Tony Khan on Busted Open Radio <a href="https://t.co/BiPaQug9Fw">pic.twitter.com/BiPaQug9Fw</a></p>&mdash; ������������ (@WrestlingCovers) <a href="https://twitter.com/WrestlingCovers/status/1499065713625120770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[XL]

Imagine if Vince came out on Raw to announce a new streaming deal for Raw replays when the Hulu deal ends. :lol:

We’ve been conditioned to expect these announcements to be big deal signings of talent. I can see the AEW faithful reacting to it but it’s not the kind of thing you announce on TV surely?

[Evil Vito]

I'd bet an HBO Max deal includes indy and international promotions too, effectively turning it into a non-WWE version of wrestling Netflix.

Like maybe ROH's reboot show in April airs on it, etc

[slik]

Speaking of HBO Max the government approved the Discovery/WarnerMedia merger. That is quite the collection of entities.


https://i.postimg.cc/Bbv2pHyr/Screenshot-2022-03-02-1-09-34-PM.png

[Mr. Nerfect]

Haha, they don’t have someone better to announce whatever this let-down is than Tony Khan?

[Mr. Nerfect]

People seem to think it is HBO Max. Why couldn’t this just be a standard announcement. It’s good for AEW’s bottom-line, but it doesn’t mean shit beyond that.

It’s like Vince doing an on-air victory lap over the Saudi deal.

[xrodmuc316]

I'm posing a question to the fans of AEW and the critics alike. Can AEW be a success if they stay at 1 million on average? Perhaps the true average is a little lower but, I'm talking in the 800k-1.4 range that they usually get.

Bischoff recently said this on his podcast . . .



But it made me think. What is this all about? Who cares if WWE has twice the audience of AEW? If you could earn half the TV rights money that WWE does by being half as popular, you'd still be making enough on the tv rights to be a highly profitable company.

AEW get's around 45 million annually for Dynamite and that could have increased for Rampage and Battle of the Belts. If Turner Networks were willing to pay the 45 million annual after AEW's first few months, what logic is it to assume that they won't pay a considerable increase to maintain and probably even increase programing?

Truthfully, yes because AEW's metric for success is can they appear successful. As long as Shad keeps funding the costs, they can keep the appearance up that they are a major company. The actual books do not need to be in the black, they just have to keep up the perception that they are killing it.

What they shouldnt do is be so smug about everything, because they know they aren't actually making a boatload of money. That is exactly what Bischoff said, overhype, overpromise, underdeliver, it will bite them in the ass.

As for the mythical giant new TV deal, they are projecting that as a foregone conclusion based on their demos today. In 2 years time a portion of that demo will have aged out of that demo, so they may not be able to command the rights fees they are banking on.

[xrodmuc316]

People seem to think it is HBO Max. Why couldn’t this just be a standard announcement. It’s good for AEW’s bottom-line, but it doesn’t mean shit beyond that.

It’s like Vince doing an on-air victory lap over the Saudi deal.

It's good for the bottom line AND to pop a rating for this week. Why else would they wait to announce it on air. It has no purpose in terms of the actual wrestling show.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It is all about appearances and false metrics.

[Sepholio]

THIS IS GONNA CHANGE THE WRESTLING WORLD GUYS JUST WATCH!

[Lock Jaw]

Zack Synder's All Elite Wrestling coming soon to HBO Max!!

[slik]

HBO/HBOMax have 47 million subscribers
Peacock has 16 million subscribers

[Destor]

a streaming deal with hbo max could very legitimately make them the most viewed wrestling product over night. if that comes to pass (highly likely) its huge news.

[xrodmuc316]

HBO/HBOMax have 47 million subscribers
Peacock has 16 million subscribers

HBOMax still doesn't distinguish between HBO subscribers and HBOMax users or usage. If you have HBO through whatever, cable, satellite, then you also have HBOMax. Of those 47 Million I am curious how many are actually signed up just for HBOMax, or even better how many people that have HBO do not stream or even are aware they could.

The big question would be what aspects of AEW are included. If they are going to include live PPVs like Peacock, that can certainly help in the long term. If they will include a live simulcast they can also add some viewers who are strictly cord cutters. How they utilize a deal with HBOMax would be most important. If they are just going to put their back catalogue on there I don't know if that will generate any real growth.

[Destor]

they dont have a catalogue to put on there.

[xrodmuc316]

they dont have a catalogue to put on there.

That is what I mean, putting 100 episodes of Dynamite or their Youtube Shows on there would not help them.

[Mr. Nerfect]

HBOMax still doesn't distinguish between HBO subscribers and HBOMax users or usage. If you have HBO through whatever, cable, satellite, then you also have HBOMax. Of those 47 Million I am curious how many are actually signed up just for HBOMax, or even better how many people that have HBO do not stream or even are aware they could.

The big question would be what aspects of AEW are included. If they are going to include live PPVs like Peacock, that can certainly help in the long term. If they will include a live simulcast they can also add some viewers who are strictly cord cutters. How they utilize a deal with HBOMax would be most important. If they are just going to put their back catalogue on there I don't know if that will generate any real growth.

This. Right now, TBS is in 90 million homes and they get ~1 million viewers every week. It would mean whatever specials they put on there are probably going to get more views than they would on PPV. But it’s not better exposure than TBS or TNT…or USA or FOX.

What Destor’s saying has interested me for a while. When everyone makes the eventual switch to streaming, WWE may choose to go with a smaller entity for more money. They’ve done this before, like when they went with TNN over USA. It’s all about the bottom dollar to keep that stock price high.

But if WWE goes with a Peacock or an upstart service, that means they might leave hungry beggars on the table. What about a Netflix, an Apple, an Amazon, etc.? WWE seems to have relationships with Netflix and Disney+, so the plan might be to lock the world’s biggest down, but if WWE moves its content to a new service because the money is just too fucking huge, then it means that AEW (or someone else) going with an Amazon or even a Paramount+ could make them mathematically the most watched wrestling product in the world overnight.

The trick will be converting that into other metrics — attendance, merchandise sales, etc. This all assumes that the audience for AEW has room to grow as its platforms do. It could be that the people who are going to like this thing have all found a way to watch this thing.

But the next round of negotiations are going to be VERY interesting.

[slik]

well, maybe one day....re: HBO/AEW

[Jordan]

So... some important notes on the ROH sale.

Tony bought the company from Sinclair. What he bought was ROH’s video library, brand assets, intellectual property, production equipment, and more. That doesn't include their TV deals I guess, which is kind of a blow but pretty obvious.

“Ring of Honor’s influence on modern professional wrestling is etched permanently in the history books, and this acquisition ensures that its legacy will be kept alive and treated with the utmost respect,” Khan said in the press release. “This deal adds thousands of hours of content to our rapidly growing library and creates new opportunities to expand our footprint on a national and global scale, while having the potential to produce new content under the ROH banner. I will immediately begin exploring opportunities to make ROH’s video library available to fans, who’ll have the opportunity to witness the beginnings of the careers of some of AEW’s biggest stars.”

[rez]

Sting/Darb need a match that if they lose the stipulation is they have to go surfer. The go getter is that when they lose...t everyone knows how to skateboard in Venice Beach.

[rez]

What's the furthest west AEW has had a show?

[ron the dial]

probably vegas

[rez]

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/02/sport/chelsea-football-club-sale-spt/index.html

CHELSEA IS ALL ELITE

[XL]

Vince is gonna buy Chelsea so he can finally get one up on the Khans.

[Jordan]

The rumored priced for ROH is around 30-40 million... that blows my mind. Way too much. Especially if the TV contacts aren't included. If there is no TV going forward then I don't see a point to this at all. The fact that WWE didn't buy it is telling. WWE would never have let ROH run as a promotion. ECW on SyFy was an anomoly.

Hoping that Tony does employ someone else to run ROH. They will have support from Tony and AEW but hopefully they are more or less able to run the company to reach a profit. I can't imagine spending that much money on something and not seeing 10x that investment several years down the line.

[Jordan]

I think if the new ROH has the same TV deal then they will reignite their old audience because the show will definitely have more stars than ever and probably come as close as possible to a new version of what ROH used to be.

[Evil Vito]

The sale price doesn't really mean much to me. The Khans are loaded. Spend away.

While I see ROH turning into basically AEW's version of NXT, possibly with Cody at the book...I think it's really a longer-term play for a streaming service.

At a time that content is absolutely everything, to have 20 years worth of archive material as a company that's only been around a couple of years is a huge get, especially when there's a direct through-line from ROH to present day AEW. Doubly so if they end up with a Peacock-like deal for another streaming service to host all this stuff.

[Jordan]

It is important to have content but I wanted to point out some real issues. ROH is not really a commodity, the people who really want to see the catalog probably already own most of it through the DVD years.

Even WWE's library turned out to be a flop for them. The archive was never a driving force for large amounts of people on The Network. Obviously there are fans that like history and watching old wrestling but I think that those people are fewer than you'd think.

[Bad News Gertner]

I think that fanbase are more apt to watch old ROH shows than Network subscribers are to watch old WWE shows though

[weather vane]

The sale price doesn't really mean much to me. The Khans are loaded. Spend away.

While I see ROH turning into basically AEW's version of NXT, possibly with Cody at the book...I think it's really a longer-term play for a streaming service.

At a time that content is absolutely everything, to have 20 years worth of archive material as a company that's only been around a couple of years is a huge get, especially when there's a direct through-line from ROH to present day AEW. Doubly so if they end up with a Peacock-like deal for another streaming service to host all this stuff.

This. Money is nothing.

The only concern I would have is the old ROH footage quality. A lot of stuff is terribly produced.

[Evil Vito]

Yeah that would be a roadblock for many to get into no matter how good the in-ring stuff is.

I've seen decades old movies/shows be beautifully remastered but to do that with that amount of archive footage would be an enormous undertaking.

[drave]

some people love the campy old-school feel. If you want top-notch historical wrasslin, come to the TPWW WATCH ALONG TONIGHT, RIGHT HERE IN PARTS UNKNOWN *crowd pops*

[Bad News Gertner]

Well, except for tonight. Tonight will not be top notch lol

[drave]

You're right.....




THEY'RE GOING THROUGH THE ROOOFF!!!!! TOP NOTCH ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH DAMNIT!!!!

[#1-norm-fan]

Next week’s card puts everything in current wrestling to shame. Tonight’s train wreck is the perfect prelude.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

From the outhouse to the penthouse.

[ron the dial]

i am unreasonably excited for tonight

[drave]

Save the pre-roll for the start of the show, so you don't fall asleep old man!

[Wehttam]

i am so bad at remembering these.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I’m way more excited for Supercard of Honor than I am Revolution or any upcoming AEW show. I want to see what they put together for this. There’s no reason a Bryan Danielson and cannot be involved, or FTR and The Briscoes can’t do something.

[ron the dial]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">���� <a href="https://t.co/Vy4UF9FDvN">pic.twitter.com/Vy4UF9FDvN</a></p>&mdash; Wills on Wrestling (@WrestlingWills) <a href="https://twitter.com/WrestlingWills/status/1499464703092871170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Destor]

I think that fanbase are more apt to watch old ROH shows than Network subscribers are to watch old WWE shows thoughi would def watch gabes roh run again

[xrodmuc316]

I think that fanbase are more apt to watch old ROH shows than Network subscribers are to watch old WWE shows though

Sure, but that is the same fanbase they already have. It certainly isnt going to grow the fanbase, it is just a pipeline to have more debuts.

[Bad News Gertner]

Oh for sure but it's a fairly decent amount.

[Vastardikai]

I'm kind of surprised there isn't a post on the upcoming Revolution PPV. Mainly because I think my taking the piss post is going to beat it into existence.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I can see problems popping up now that the birth child has a stepchild in the house.

[xrodmuc316]

Uh oh…Chavo’s gonna get it.

Nothing like disrespecting a member of the Guerrero family by firing Chavo without even the courtesy to answer his calls, yet you still let half your roster do Eddie's moves for chants.

https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2022/03/chavo-guerrero-addresses-his-removal-from-the-aew-roster/

“Coming back in early February, started giving Tony some texts, no answer, no reply. Called him, left him a voice message, no reply whatsoever. I am like, ‘hmm, okay.’ Then all of a sudden I see I am not part of the page anymore, of the AEW roster. So, it kind of pisses me off, to be honest.

“Hey, I am a big boy, if there’s not plans for me, totally fine, I get it. But answer your phone. I deal with billionaires all the time, he’s not the first one, so it kind of pisses me off a little bit. After working with Vince McMahon, you can deal with anybody. So I am like, ‘answer your phone.’ This is not cool. So that’s where we are at.”


Tony Khan is a spoiled brat

[Jordan]

I know! I mean Chavo is an intrigral aspect to AEW and Tony should be answering those phone calls and mobile text messages because Chavo needed to talk! But Tony wasn't there for him to talk to! Tony didn't want to do it! Chavo was looking for a conversation abut the future with AEW and to say "hey Boss I'm ready to go to work tell me when and where?" but Tony wouldn't even pick up this phone to tell Chavo that he doesn't really give a shit about him and Chavo wasn't able to figure out that he brought nothing to the table in any appearance on AEW he ever did and he's sucks. But Chavo texted Tony and Tony didn't write him back!

[Mr. Nerfect]

Tony Khan was paying Vickie and Chavo so he could try and get Eddie for Kenny’s game. When he didn’t get what he wanted, he turned into an asshole.

[rez]

Does Billy Corgan own any of the back catalog of NWA footage? Obviously none of it that was with WCW.

I'm asking for a friend

[rez]

Yes, his name is Tony

[Jordan]

Does Billy Corgan own any of the back catalog of NWA footage? Obviously none of it that was with WCW.

I'm asking for a friend

I think he owns Houston's library, perhaps St. Louis but not certain on that last one.

[Jordan]

Dives, Dadbods and Debuts live on Dynamite!

[rez]

I'm done with AEW if Hikaru Shida does not make a showing at the PPV!

[rez]

<3 me some Conti and Rosa but they cannot replace Shida in my heart.

[rez]

Tony can take a ride on his father's awesome mustache

[rez]

Recent Jericho physical changes

https://www.cagesideseats.com/aew/2022/3/4/22961735/chris-jericho-recent-body-transformation-came-after-health-scare-pics-tony-khan-quote

[Destor]

I know! I mean Chavo is an intrigral aspect to AEW and Tony should be answering those phone calls and mobile text messages because Chavo needed to talk! But Tony wasn't there for him to talk to! Tony didn't want to do it! Chavo was looking for a conversation abut the future with AEW and to say "hey Boss I'm ready to go to work tell me when and where?" but Tony wouldn't even pick up this phone to tell Chavo that he doesn't really give a shit about him and Chavo wasn't able to figure out that he brought nothing to the table in any appearance on AEW he ever did and he's sucks. But Chavo texted Tony and Tony didn't write him back!fire a guy to his face. if he's off the road call him. dont ghost him like a 1 night stand. its cowardly.

[#1-norm-fan]

AEW Double or Nothing becomes AEW’s first million dollar live gate within the first day of tickets being on sale. Cool!

(5… 4… 3… 2… 1…)

[Swiss Ultimate]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Im not cool with any of this shit to be honest.</p>&mdash; Lio Rush (@IamLioRush) <a href="https://twitter.com/IamLioRush/status/1477076565246705665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">If nobody says something, then I will. Because this is fucked up and now I’m pissed.</p>&mdash; Lio Rush (@IamLioRush) <a href="https://twitter.com/IamLioRush/status/1477081194084794369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">APOLOGIZE. <a href="https://twitter.com/TonyKhan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TonyKhan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AEW?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AEW</a></p>&mdash; Lio Rush (@IamLioRush) <a href="https://twitter.com/IamLioRush/status/1477086524193705987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">the narrative being shifted toward swole’s wrestling ability is a microaggression. she could legit be the worst wrestler on the planet and her point would still stand. and what does her wrestling have to even do with it? she spoke up for everyone</p>&mdash; �� (@raallins) <a href="https://twitter.com/raallins/status/1477078839901794305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wow, this tweet is just as professional as the time he very drunkenly mansplained wrestling to me at a TCA party. <a href="https://t.co/G0l76cHXIz">pic.twitter.com/G0l76cHXIz</a></p>&mdash; LaToya Ferguson (@lafergs) <a href="https://twitter.com/lafergs/status/1477076704522764289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A little defensive huh? <a href="https://t.co/YdFUyfit2I">pic.twitter.com/YdFUyfit2I</a></p>&mdash; PRIME Alexander (@CedricAlexander) <a href="https://twitter.com/CedricAlexander/status/1477081155551875073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Are all wrestlers little woke bitches?

[Destor]

just the ones under 180lbs

[Swiss Ultimate]

just the ones under 180lbs

So 99%?

[Destor]

these days yeah lol

[#1-norm-fan]

APOLOGIZE.

[Fignuts]

Are all wrestlers little woke bitches?

I think the bigger issue was the owner of the company publicly saying "we fired her because she sucks". Unprofessional and unessecary, and makes him look like a clown out of his depth.

Vince never did anything of the sort, despite the fact that he had plenty of people over the years who were the drizzling shits.

[Fignuts]

On top of that, according to Swole, when she wasn't being used, she genuinely asked Tony if it was because her work wasn't good enough. He told her that her work was great and they just didn't have anything for her creatively.

[Swiss Ultimate]

Well, woke bitches lie about everything. If she doesn't have evidence I will assume she's a narcissistic liar.

[xrodmuc316]

Well, woke bitches lie about everything. If she doesn't have evidence I will assume she's a narcissistic liar.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FH-pZ3CWYAIEu-_?format=jpg

She isnt lying, Tony is a racist POS, no matter how many brown people he brags about employing.

[xrodmuc316]

https://www.tpwwforums.com/showpost.php?p=5529738&postcount=280

[GD]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FH-pZ3CWYAIEu-_?format=jpg

She isnt lying, Tony is a racist POS, no matter how many brown people he brags about employing.

xrod is our most reliable source for all news Tony :rofl:

[xrodmuc316]

xrod is our most reliable source for all news Tony :rofl:

That was a report from wrestlinginc.com that recapped what that idiot said, in which he completely contradicted himself 9 months later with his bullshit tweet.

Edit*https://www.wrestling-news.net/tony-khan-reveals-why-big-swole-has-not-been-on-aew-lately/163220/

[Swiss Ultimate]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FH-pZ3CWYAIEu-_?format=jpg

She isnt lying, Tony is a racist POS, no matter how many brown people he brags about employing.

Hardly anyone is racist, actually. You're just really dumb.

[Swiss Ultimate]

It's 2022.

[Jordan]

The thing is that.. Swole SUCKS. Tony maybe just liked her weed and felt bad that he never paid match her for that smoke sesh, so he said she was "really good" in that interview. But he was totally lying, he was just being "nice", because he wasn't about to say "Well the thing with Swole is, while she sucks right now she does bring really good bud and I think that there is potential that she may turn into a decent performer but right now she's the shits".

[Fignuts]

Guys, he's not her guidance counciler, he's her fucking boss. Feelings should be considered, but not prioritized.

[Fignuts]

Well, woke bitches lie about everything. If she doesn't have evidence I will assume she's a narcissistic liar.

Okay, fine, but her being woke doesn't excuse how Tony handled all this.

[Swiss Ultimate]

It's professional wrestling, man.
It's probably a work.

[Swiss Ultimate]

Or possibly*?

[xrodmuc316]

Hardly anyone is racist, actually. You're just really dumb.

TOTALLY just me being dumb, not like I backed it up with links or facts.

https://www.tpwwforums.com/showpost.php?p=5529738&postcount=280

https://i.imgflip.com/67kd6t.jpg

[GD]

:rofl:

[Fignuts]

It's professional wrestling, man.
It's probably a work.

Well yeah, didn't you know? Big Swole is actually super conservative.

[#1-norm-fan]

2. Tony Khan made Lio issue a statement, praising Khan

That is not some manufactured wokeness, that all happened publicly in the aftermath of him having his meltdown iver Swoke.

Woah! Did Tony forcing Lio to praise him appear on the YouTubes or something? Where can I see this? Sounds crazy!

[xrodmuc316]

Woah! Did Tony forcing Lio to praise him appear on the YouTubes or something? Where can I see this? Sounds crazy!

I got ya fan, wouldnt want you to have to check page 2 of this exact thread or anything.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">POSITIVE CHANGE FOR 2022. ��<a href="https://twitter.com/TonyKhan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TonyKhan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AEW?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AEW</a> <a href="https://t.co/6k6AmMhTtI">pic.twitter.com/6k6AmMhTtI</a></p>&mdash; Lio Rush (@IamLioRush) <a href="https://twitter.com/IamLioRush/status/1477383798320816129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

https://www.forbes.com/sites/alfredkonuwa/2022/01/22/lio-rush-to-leave-aew-amid-diversity-controversy/?sh=6ff65a1b7050

[Destor]

if my employee demanded a public apology id fire them on the spot

[Fignuts]

I got ya fan, wouldnt want you to have to check page 2 of this exact thread or anything.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">POSITIVE CHANGE FOR 2022. ��<a href="https://twitter.com/TonyKhan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TonyKhan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AEW?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AEW</a> <a href="https://t.co/6k6AmMhTtI">pic.twitter.com/6k6AmMhTtI</a></p>&mdash; Lio Rush (@IamLioRush) <a href="https://twitter.com/IamLioRush/status/1477383798320816129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

https://www.forbes.com/sites/alfredkonuwa/2022/01/22/lio-rush-to-leave-aew-amid-diversity-controversy/?sh=6ff65a1b7050

Okay, now where's the part where he was made to say this?

[#1-norm-fan]

Yeah. The thing I actually asked to see. It happened publicly so it should be available somewhere.

[xrodmuc316]

Okay, now where's the part where he was made to say this?

He went from mad demanding an apology, to praising Tony and AEW all within the same 24 hour period, even though there was no public apology to Swole or anybody else. He was trying to keep his job, (he never appeared on AEW again and was fired 7 weeks later) along with being replaced with Jay Lethal within 2 weeks, it was clear none of what he said was voluntary.

"I look forward to working with Tony to keep making steps towards positive change...for 7 more weeks". He got another 7 weeks of pay for backtracking his justified outrage and praising Tony. The thing about Hush Money is you don't usually get the full story, but it is pretty clear what happened considering the aftermath.

[xrodmuc316]

Yeah. The thing I actually asked to see. It happened publicly so it should be available somewhere.

Sorry, I don't have a video of Tony standing behind Lio physically forcing Lio to tweet, or a photo of the cashed check Lio got before being fired, so I stand corrected, it was mostly public, bully for you! Good thing nobody ever gets arrested for having a motive for an action or anything.

[#1-norm-fan]

For a guy who rants about biased journalists treating speculation as facts to fit their narrative and whatnot, this is a bad look man.

[xrodmuc316]

For a guy who rants about biased journalists treating speculation as facts to fit their narrative and whatnot, this is a bad look man.

1. I am not a paid journalist, nor am I pretending to be so I do not need to be unbiased. His treatment of his Black employees is something that pisses me off.
2. For Lio to go from wanting an apology to praising Tony, well a logical conclusion for his 180 is something changed after he spoke with Tony (it happened because Lio's tweet said he did, even without it being recorded for BTE).
3. Even if we are to believe Tony and Lio had a great heart to heart talk and all was good, that is not supported by the fact the guy never showed up in TV again, or that he was replaced by Jay Lethal, or that he was let go.
4. I conceded you were right, the actual conversation Lio had was not public, but everything else was. You nitpicking that one specific point however does not change anything. The guy was kept off TV. The guy was "Let Go". That shit happened.

[XL]

It’s a logical conclusion you’ve arrived at but it’s not conclusive.

[#1-norm-fan]

1. I am not a paid journalist, nor am I pretending to be so I do not need to be unbiased.

Absolutely. You’re free to treat speculation as fact if it fits your “Tony bad/AEW bad” bias and call it bullshit if it doesn’t without having to worry about journalistic integrity. Fair point.

[#1-norm-fan]

Also, there is a difference between being fired and not renewing your contract. But “fired” sounds worse so it makes sense that you use it in this situation.

[#1-norm-fan]

It’s a logical conclusion you’ve arrived at but it’s not conclusive.

You know what else is a logical conclusion? Lio Rush had that exact conversation he said he had with Tony and both sides agreed to not renew his contract leading to him being taken off TV and just quietly leaving. But where’s the fun in that story?

[xrodmuc316]

Absolutely. You’re free to treat speculation as fact if it fits your “Tony bad/AEW bad” bias and brush it off if it doesn’t without having to worry about journalistic integrity. Fair point.

Why did Rush suddenly praise Tony?
Why did Rush never appear on AEW again?
Why did Rush get let go?

Why did Tony go out of his way to bury a talent who was "a great wrestler, a great personality, I like her" until she made one statement about racial disparity in AEW?
Why did Tony never apologize even when other people in wrestling thought what he said was not appropriate.
Why did Tony randomly just replace Rush with Lethal without any context whatsoever?

Lethal has no backstory with Dante Martin or Team Taz, nor was he involved with the story of Dante and Lio swerving Team Taz and their contract offer. Tony Aunt Viv'ed Rush (look it up).

[Swiss Ultimate]

Xrod, just don't take an IQ test.

[xrodmuc316]

You know what else is a logical conclusion? Lio Rush had that exact conversation he said he had with Tony and both sides agreed to not renew his contract leading to him being taken off TV and just quietly leaving. But where’s the fun in that story?

So Lio Rush knew he was getting "Let Go", yet went on Twitter to state he was looking forward to continuing his work with Tony?!? Because Lio Rush suddenly decided to bite his tongue?

[Fignuts]

Space jam 2 happened!

[Destor]

So Lio Rush knew he was getting fired, yet went on Twitter to state he was looking forward to continuing his work with Tony?!? Because Lio Rush suddenly decided to bite his tongue?
i think the point is that even if he made the post to pacify his boss (likely) we have nothing that establishes compulsion (irrelevant of however likely or unlikely.) its unsubstantiated conjecture

[xrodmuc316]

i think the point is that even if he made the post to pacify his boss (likely) we have nothing that establishes compulsion (irrelevant of however likely or unlikely.) its unsubstantiated conjecture

Which I did concede a few times already. Besides the fact that it is such a minuscule part of the overall issue.

But apparently I can't dislike Tony Khan for being racist because I already dislike him for other reasons. So he has not actually done anything racist, I am just biased apparently.

[Swiss Ultimate]

Xrod having a meltdown over AEW diversity!

[xrodmuc316]

Here, ill fix this:

And yes, Lio Rush is further evidence.

1. Rush got offended and demanded a public apology from Tony (which never happened)
2. Lio then spoke with Tony Khan and issued a statement, suddenly praising Khan
3. After that Statement, he never used Lio Rush again
4. He then "Let Go" Lio Rush
5. He replaced Lio Rush's in the storyline with Jay Lethal, no explanation given, because apparently all black guys are the same in Tony's mind, interchangeable tokens.

That is not some manufactured wokeness, that all happened publicly in the aftermath of him having his meltdown over Swole.

[Fignuts]

Which I did concede a few times already. Besides the fact that it is such a minuscule part of the overall issue.

But apparently I can't dislike Tony Khan for being racist because I already dislike him for other reasons. So he has not actually done anything racist, I am just biased apparently.

An employer forcing an employee to praise him on social media is not a miniscule issue

[Destor]

again id fire an employee outright if they demanded i subjugate myself to them.

[Destor]

bag in hand. have a nice life

[Destor]

kahn is a giant pussy though and cant handle confrontation...so 7 weeks later lilo realizes his job is gone because kahn lacks a spine. seems consistent with how he's handled others

[#1-norm-fan]

again id fire an employee outright if they demanded i subjugate myself to them.

Yeah. Tony had a conversation with him and let him finish out his contract. If anything he loves black people TOO much.

[Destor]

Yeah. Tony had a conversation with him and let him finish out his contract. If anything he loves black people TOO much.hey if he had a talk with him then thats points for kahn

[Jordan]

Tony will stamp and growl his way right to ya, the Khanman doesn't back down he will say it to your face and say it loud! Fuck all yall suck my dick. Tony Khan has saved wrestling and he loves all races and genders, binary or not! Fuck off with that Tony Khan hate! We are a group of fans who support Tony Khan and his family! Go away!

[xrodmuc316]

An employer forcing an employee to praise him on social media is not a miniscule issue

That is not the issue I am referring to being minuscule. Do I believe that tweet was imfluenced/requested/forced/ghostwritten or whatever else we want to call it by Tony Khan, I 100% do. I conceded that yes, that act itself was not public, Fan was right 100% about that, it was conjecture. The fact that we do not have a public record of that happening is the minuscule part, because everything that followed happened. He was kept off TV and he was "Let Go". I fixed the wording, now no conjecture included, yet the conclusion remains unchanged.

Tony Khan went out of his way to bury a black wrestler who questioned disparity, then did no further business with a black wrestler who had a problem with the treatment of the previously discussed black wrestler.

[Swiss Ultimate]

Get out of here with your creepy race fetish.

[Fignuts]

I think most people agreed the way he handled Big Swole was shitty.

As far as Lio leaving, once again, we don't know why Lio left. He doesn't strike me as someone to hold his tongue, so if Tony fucked him over, I'm pretty sure we would have heard from him about it by now. Lio being a headache to work with is a known issue. So that could have factored into the departure.

As for black talent being treated fairly, no they are not booked very well. Most people aren't, regardless of skin color. Because Tony Khan is a fan who bought himself a wrestling promotion.

Is Jay Lethal replacing Lio tokenism? Maybe? Maybe Tony went " hey another black guy! Perfect!" Or maybe Jay Lethal, as a veteran more experienced than rush, who can also talk was an even better fit for the role. And he just happens to be black. Point is we don't know. So it's not fair to accuse. Unless you're so terrified of tokenism that you believe a role played by a black man can never be portrayed by another black man.

[Swiss Ultimate]

You're a fucking creep.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Dives, Dadbods and Debuts live on Dynamite!

I wonder who is going to debut this week? Jeff Hardy’s no compete has to be up now, doesn’t it? He’ll probably save Matt Hardy from Andrade’s betrayal on Dynamite this week.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Oh, and Shane Strickland and maybe the rest of Hit Row at Revolution. So them, Jeff on Dynamite, then maybe Homicide, Hernandez and maybe Tony Deppen and Chris Dickinson to be Chris Jericho’s new Inner Circle in AEW the following week after Jericho refuses to put Eddie Kingston over. I’m a bit worried, because that is only 8 people.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The only question is whether Chris Jericho, Just Dickinson (Chris makes Chris change his name because it’s a no Chris’s club), LAX & Tony Deppen vs. Eddie Kingston, Santana, Ortiz, Sammy Guevara & Jake Hager Blood & Guts or Stadium Stampede?

[Jordan]

The AEW boat is so over capacity that you can start to think about an eventual sinking. We've been through WCW and know what over crowding a roster can do on multiple levels. This ROH purchase may actually be the life boat that AEW needs going forward for years down the line.

ROH has no contacts right now, maybe The Briscoes or Johnathan Gresham but that would probably be it. AEW has an entire other roster on their own roster. This is a pretty incredible deal. Hopefully they are able to get a money deal for an ROH TV show. My hope is they get onto TruTV. Tru is trying to become cooler, they don't have many big shows. ROH isn't huge at all but if the new ROH on cable could get Rampage numbers, I think that would be a comfortable start.

The thing is, will the faithful ROH audience return for the version of their beloved company? There are wrestling fans that are just ROH fans, the reach of their TV caught a lot of random people into their web. It's so exciting to see what will happen.

[ron the dial]

noid you are a f*cking maniac

[weather vane]

No shit.

[weather vane]

wait

[Sepholio]

I guess Bryan Danielson said Vince asked him why he was going to AEW and he said because he was leaving WWE because he wanted to bleed and Vince told him he wouldn't let him do that....I'm sorry but that sounds like brain damage talking to me. That sounds like someone needs to retire.

I have to leave Vince because you won't let me slice my forehead open every night with a razor blade.

[Mr. Nerfect]

AEW sucks. Sometimes the truth just needs to be confronted.

No upstart promotion has ever had more. It can’t even beat 3 hours of deliberately sterile sports entertainment even with the handicap of having an easier night on television. And its fans are in a frenzy about it being revolutionary. Lol, no. It’s bad comedy that pays way more than it makes and is a large part of why we can’t have nice things.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I guess Bryan Danielson said Vince asked him why he was going to AEW and he said because he was leaving WWE because he wanted to bleed and Vince told him he wouldn't let him do that....I'm sorry but that sounds like brain damage talking to me. That sounds like someone needs to retire.

I have to leave Vince because you won't let me slice my forehead open every night with a razor blade.

Lol, is that true? If it is, holy shit. Wrestlers are fucking nuts.

There’s a point to blading, but the gusto that a lot of wrestlers want to go to that place, and the context they put it into, is just fucking nuts.

I think everyone knows Moxley and Danielson are going to exchange bodily fluids at Revolution. They’re going to give themselves wounds and pour another man’s blood into them. Secretly, I had hoped they would have a wrestling match instead of desperately crying for attention and approval they don’t already have.

There is a time to bleed. There is a context behind red turning to green. Daniel Bryan vs. Dean Ambrose in the second match from the top built around the story of them becoming friends isn’t it.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Fuck this company. And fuck people who drink its Kool-Aid too, for that matter. Fucking sick of the apologetics. It’s a sideshow for mutants. Put it in the trash.

[xrodmuc316]

“I appreciate everything that they do, everything including birthday cakes for guys on their birthdays too." Jake Roberts

Tony Khan is a good boss because he buys wrestlers birthday cakes :rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Mr. Nerfect]

Jake Roberts is a scumbag and is getting paid six figures to add nothing to a product and say nice things about the rich fuck paying him. He still owes people money.

[Fignuts]

Yeah, im pretty sure the act itself of blading isnt what attracted Danielson to AEW. Rather, he was likely bored with the WWE style and wanted to engage in some of the more brutal and violent styles of matches he would sometimes have in roh, which blood often enhanced. The line "I just wanted to bleed" was just a showman making the interview more entertaining.

[Evil Vito]

Yeah I thought that was fairly obvious listening to the interview. But naturally most of the internet will read a sentence and take it out of context.

[#1-norm-fan]

Yeah, not enough ridiculous forced drama in that explanation, Figgy. Doesn’t work for me.

[xrodmuc316]

Didn't Bryan say his first night that he thought Vince was too protective of him, and that it isn't necessarily a bad thing, but he wanted more? While I think that was more about his concussion and neck issues, it certainly could be applied to blading as well. Vince hasn't liked blading for a decade+, so that is not a situation solely for Bryan's health, but it wouldn't surprise me if that conversation happened (even though it wasn't filmed for youtube or anything ;) ).

[XL]

I think Vince was adverse to blading long before that. Didn’t Flair and Savage get fined for bleeding at Mania 8? And Bret/Austin went against policy at Mania 13.

[Destor]

I guess Bryan Danielson said Vince asked him why he was going to AEW and he said because he was leaving WWE because he wanted to bleed and Vince told him he wouldn't let him do that....I'm sorry but that sounds like brain damage talking to me. That sounds like someone needs to retire.

I have to leave Vince because you won't let me slice my forehead open every night with a razor blade.i highly doubt this.

[Destor]

also grown men should decisions for themselves. if those choices put them in a wheelchair so be it. its their life not yours.

[Sepholio]

I don't think he necessarily meant blade. It's def that he wanted to wrestle a more brutal style that I guess calls for blood more often. Vince was never gonna let him wrestle that style with his medical history.

This is why I said it sounds like someone with brain damage, specifically meaning CTE. He didn't work for years and it looked like he never would again. He does not need to be laying it all on the table and risking his life and well being at that crazy level. He has a family. It's insane to me. He's one of the best in the world even without taking things to that next level of brutality. He doesn't need that violence to put on a 8 STAR BEST EVER IN THE UNIVERSE match. I get that he has the desire to show what he is still capable of and I respect that but he has nothing to prove. Everyone knows he's one of the best to ever do it and is still on the short list of best in the world right now. I don't want to see him get catastrophically injured over this.

The comment about wanting to blade every night was just sarcasm/hyperbole. Well. Not so much hyperbole I guess. Because they do bleed buckets every single night in AEW. The day they have a show without someone bleeding half to death will be a shocker.

[Sepholio]

i highly doubt this.

https://www.sportskeeda.com/aew/news-details-bryan-danielson-s-conversation-vince-mcmahon-left-wwe-sign-aew

[Sepholio]

also grown men should decisions for themselves. if those choices put them in a wheelchair so be it. its their life not yours.

Oh he's perfectly free to do as he pleases. And I'm perfectly free to voice the opinion that I think he's nuts. No one's trying to control him.

[Sepholio]

This is very similar to how I feel about Moxley. Absolutely love the guy but he is nucking futs.

[Fignuts]

I think his passion for wrestling outweighs the dangers that he faces by performing the way he does. You can argue that its wreckless and unwise, but citing brain damage as the cause for his decisions is not a conclusion that should be bandied about so carelessly.

[AguileraSZN]

Conflicting reports on Thunder Rosa, is she or isn't she injured?

[Sepholio]

I think his passion for wrestling outweighs the dangers that he faces by performing the way he does. You can argue that its wreckless and unwise, but citing brain damage as the cause for his decisions is not a conclusion that should be bandied about so carelessly.

His retirement was literally due to repeated concussions. Not only that, he has admitted he lied about how often he had concussions. It's why people thought he was done for good.

[Sepholio]

Like he was having seizures from them. Saying his brain was/is damaged in some capacity isn't an opinion at this point.

https://www.newsweek.com/daniel-bryan-retired-wwe-due-brain-damage-and-seizures-424935

[xrodmuc316]

also grown men should decisions for themselves. if those choices put them in a wheelchair so be it. its their life not yours.

They should have that right, but at least in terms of WWE, his predecessors ruined that option. Why would WWE let wrestlers do those things today when 10 years from now those guys will try to sue WWE for allowing those risks?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Yeah I thought that was fairly obvious listening to the interview. But naturally most of the internet will read a sentence and take it out of context.

This is literally you trying to dismiss Jim Cornette whenever he comes up. Steph has explained the position pretty well. I don’t think anyone has taken Danielson too literally. They’re just not engaged with the idea of him hurting himself as a second tier guy in glorified comedy promotion.

[Fignuts]

I think continuing to wrestle the way he was in wwe would be more dangerous than the bloody and vicious, but altogether more grounded style he has reverted to.

No one ever got a concussion from blading, but they certainly did from continuously doing high spots. So im not sure why anyone is worried about Danielson's brain in this regard.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It depends what he’s doing. Enhancement matches against mid-carders and whatever might be lighter, but doing what he does on PPV might not be.

[Fignuts]

He might break out a dive or two on ppv, but from the matches Ive seen, hes still taking less risks than he used to.

[Mr. Nerfect]

That would be good.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Sounds like CM Punk had a bit of a breakdown at the AEW post-show. M

[xrodmuc316]

Sounds like CM Punk had a bit of a breakdown at the AEW post-show. M

He cried like a little bitch, thanking Tony for buying ROH, and HIS footage being in the right hands. Of course, that then segued into FEDBAD stuff as always. He complained he doesn't get much in his WWE royalties check anymore because his DVD sales went down with the Network. He complained about WWE's pay structure and how he thought he would make less money once the WWE Network launched. He then talked about how ROH isn't on a crappy app (Peacock although he didn't say it by name). How he loves AEW and they do not sue him like the WWE doctor. He said "lots" of people could have stood up for him, but they didn't because they were worried about their jobs. Then he said "those" people were fired anyways and now work for AEW. Then he started talking about "Weird WWE fans" while crying more. Not the same fans who "chanted for him" for 7 years, the weird ones that do not know other wrestling companies exist because I guess those people don't have internet or TV.

Then he talked about how he is younger now at 43 then Sam Elliott the actor was when the movie Road House came out in 1989. No idea why that means anything, but in Phil's mind it meant it was time to tell Tony (who was sitting there the whole time making his crystal meth faces) that he was ready to be AEW champion, even though he likes that Cowboy.

Then somebody asked him what he learned working with MJF, and it confused him real bad, and he no joke just sat there silent for about 2 minutes. Then he said he doesn't like people, cause he is a cool brooding 14 year old mentally still.

So to recap, just Phil being Phil crying about the same stuff he always cries about.

[GD]

He cried like a little bitch, thanking Tony for buying ROH, and HIS footage being in the right hands. Of course, that then segued into FEDBAD stuff as always. He complained he doesn't get much in his WWE royalties check anymore because his DVD sales went down with the Network. He complained about WWE's pay structure and how he thought he would make less money once the WWE Network launched. He then talked about how ROH isn't on a crappy app (Peacock although he didn't say it by name). How he loves AEW and they do not sue him like the WWE doctor. He said "lots" of people could have stood up for him, but they didn't because they were worried about their jobs. Then he said "those" people were fired anyways and now work for AEW. Then he started talking about "Weird WWE fans" while crying more. Not the same fans who "chanted for him" for 7 years, the weird ones that do not know other wrestling companies exist because I guess those people don't have internet or TV.

Then he talked about how he is younger now at 43 then Sam Elliott the actor was when the movie Road House came out in 1989. No idea why that means anything, but in Phil's mind it meant it was time to tell Tony (who was sitting there the whole time making his crystal meth faces) that he was ready to be AEW champion, even though he likes that Cowboy.

Then somebody asked him what he learned working with MJF, and it confused him real bad, and he no joke just sat there silent for about 2 minutes. Then he said he doesn't like people, cause he is a cool brooding 14 year old mentally still.

So to recap, just Phil being Phil crying about the same stuff he always cries about.

xrod, buddy, pal, I dislike Punk too but you just take it to the next level. Did he not sign a photograph for you at the airport or something? Yikes my dude.

[xrodmuc316]

xrod, buddy, pal, I dislike Punk too but you just take it to the next level. Did he not sign a photograph for you at the airport or something? Yikes my dude.

So recapping what Phil said is wrong? He is the one that said that weird stuff, not me.

[#1-norm-fan]

Lol Holy fuck

[GD]

So recapping what Phil said is wrong? He is the one that said that weird stuff, not me.

I understand that it is difficult to remain objective when you're emotionally involved. Not a single :rofl: damb!

[xrodmuc316]

Lol Holy fuck

Literally just wrote what Phil said and did, but I get it.

https://i.imgflip.com/67sw1v.gif

[#1-norm-fan]

Literally just responded to what you found newsworthy, but I get it.

(No meme available because you haven’t accomplished anything)

[xrodmuc316]

Literally just responded to what you found newsworthy, but I get it.

(No meme available because you haven’t accomplished anything)

Seems like I got you worked up over CM Punk again. Even though that is never what I am trying to accomplish, you are especially protective of Phil.

Explain to me how this is not newsworthy when there are 2 separate news articles on it from the first site I checked?

https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2022/03/cm-punk-explains-why-he-was-glad-wwe-didnt-purchase-roh/
https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2022/03/cm-punk-takes-major-shot-at-wwe-hall-of-famer-goldberg/

But you are right, it was all me. Since you like memes...
https://i.imgflip.com/67kd6t.jpg

[#1-norm-fan]

The guy who wrote 3 paragraphs about CM Punk’s comments wants to pass off being “worked up” to the guy who wrote a couple sentences in response.

[GD]

Yo! Did you see the bit where he changed your username to #1-phil-fan? :rofl:

[#1-norm-fan]

No. Genius though.

[fundiddle]

So recapping what Phil said is wrong? He is the one that said that weird stuff, not me.
a recap would be a little less biased


perhaps even a tad more empathetic

[Destor]

not gonna lie reading xrods post i feel like i saw the punk segment.

[Fignuts]

xrod is MJF, confirmed

[xrodmuc316]

a recap would be a little less biased


perhaps even a tad more empathetic

Less biased like leaving out parts that made Phil cry over FEDBAD? That would be a 2 minute media scrum :rofl:

[GD]

:rofl:

[#1-norm-fan]

I rest my case.

[Destor]

working fewer dates is safer than blading. but it highlights why blading works so well as a narrative tool. its percieved as violent.


spoiler: bumping is worse on the brain than blading because there's zero risk to the brain when you gig. you arent driving a rail road spike through your fucking skull.

[Destor]

(and if guy wants to take unprotected rail road spikes to the skull for my enjoyment then so be its. he's a big boy.)

[xrodmuc316]

I rest my case.

You know you are not going to gaslight me right? Just keep being mad that Phil can't stop talking about WWE and I don't just stick my head in the sand when he does. Save your cute Rep comments about Mental Issues I must have because I think CM Punk is full of shit.

And yeah, I wrote three paragraphs about what he said because he said that much. Why would I leave stuff out because it takes more than one or two sentences to cover?

I thought we put an end to the "you spent so much time writing a post" arguments when Screech accused Nerfect of that. Typing 3 paragraphs takes like 2 minutes. Whatever makes you feel like you valiantly defended CM Punk is justified I suppose.

[xrodmuc316]

Here, ill fix another post for you.


Phil had 30 minute media scrum. He cried over FEDBAD stuff.

[#1-norm-fan]

xrod wrote 7 paragraphs. He cried over PUNKBAD stuff.

[#1-norm-fan]

Your derpbuddy Noid couldn’t even bullshit his way to defending your last desperate “TONYBAD” attempt. That’s very telling. Maybe you shouldn’t try so hard.

[xrodmuc316]

So now you cannot count either?

[#1-norm-fan]

I rest my case.

[xrodmuc316]

https://i.imgflip.com/67kd6t.jpg

[ron the dial]

wish RP could post a black cock right here

[#1-norm-fan]

Noid hates Eli Drake, by the way.

If that’s gonna be your go-to meme, it’s gonna cause a rift in the system.

[xrodmuc316]

Noid hates Eli Drake, by the way.

If that’s gonna be your go-to meme, it’s gonna cause a rift in the system.

Bro enough, we get it, CM Punk is your favorite. I am sorry I posted things he said.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I like CM Punk

[#1-norm-fan]

Nah, man. Punk bad.

[xrodmuc316]

Nah, man. Punk bad.

That is not fooling anybody!

Here, Phil in his own words.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Thw8aAjNyz0?start=130" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

If anybody loves him as much as Fan professes to, feel free to watch him do and say exactly what I wrote yourselves.

[#1-norm-fan]

LOL!

EMOTIONS!

GAY!

[xrodmuc316]

LOL!

EMOTIONS!

GAY!

https://wrestlingnews.co/wwe-news/cm-punks-agent-reached-out-to-wwe-what-vince-mcmahon-said-about-him/

Why did he want to go back if WWE is so bad?