All Elite Wrestling

[Emperor Smeat]

So do you think Gallows and Anderson go to AEW or NJPW?

Think Anderson has hinted at wanting to go back to Japan a couple times before but not entirely sure about Gallows.

[Mr. Nerfect]

So do you think Gallows and Anderson go to AEW or NJPW?

AEW

[Mr. Nerfect]

I’m struggling with Nakamura at the moment. I thought he would stay in WWE, but they have made seemingly no creative effort to try and retain him. The Revival and Usos got Tag Titles. The Hardys are getting a push. At least Orton and Styles know they are heading towards each other for Mania. They stuck Naks in a filler team with one of the most infamously disgruntled employees.

When Nakamura tweeted “WCW” after losing the US Title, I began to doubt his WWE future.

I think that if he does leave, he’ll work DoN, possibly as the Cody opponent, win, but it only be a one-night deal to finish the US strong, before he goes back to New Japan and wins the IC Title back from ingrate champion, Tetsuya Naito.

[Emperor Smeat]

WWE's former musical composer Jim Johnston recently revealed he's very interested in the idea of working for AEW if given the opportunity by them.

Jim Johnston does not follow pro wrestling closely anymore, but even he is picking up the buzz from All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He made his first non-WWE wresting appearance last year at Starrcast during All In weekend. He believes WWE is currently vulnerable and has fallen into a place of weakness. He seems to think AEW has a shot at competing with WWE.

When asked directly if he’d interested in speaking with Tony Khan and Cody Rhodes about writing music for AEW, he replied, “Sure, absolutely. Give me a call.”
Link: https://www.sescoops.com/jim-johnston-all-elite-wrestling-aew/

[Mr. Nerfect]

I thought he was a fairly obvious person to go after. I’m surprised nothing has been announced yet, to be honest.

[xrodmuc316]

I’m struggling with Nakamura at the moment. I thought he would stay in WWE, but they have made seemingly no creative effort to try and retain him. The Revival and Usos got Tag Titles. The Hardys are getting a push. At least Orton and Styles know they are heading towards each other for Mania. They stuck Naks in a filler team with one of the most infamously disgruntled employees.

When Nakamura tweeted “WCW” after losing the US Title, I began to doubt his WWE future.

I think that if he does leave, he’ll work DoN, possibly as the Cody opponent, win, but it only be a one-night deal to finish the US strong, before he goes back to New Japan and wins the IC Title back from ingrate champion, Tetsuya Naito.

I don't get why the Usos would want to leave. They are treated as the top level tag team. I don't think they would get a better spot elsewhere.

[Tom Guycott]

I don't get why the Usos would want to leave. They are treated as the top level tag team. I don't think they would get a better spot elsewhere.

The Usos are in a weird spot. While true that they are "THE team", they've done everything there is to do short of an arbitrary and obligatory break up angle.

Familiarity breeds contempt. They might just need a change of scenery- fresh opponents that aren't just thrown together tag teams because WWE has that wild hair up their ass at the moment. There are only so many times they can have matches against The Bar and The New Day.

Imagine going up aginst Dem Boyz in a ROH appearance. Hell, even a short run in Japan to clash against, say, GoD would get much buzz about which island boys go the hardest. And of course you have the elephant in the room and the obligatory matchup with Matt and Nick.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The Usos could be treated as giant stars in AEW, who clearly want to put an emphasis on tag teams like The Young Bucks, The Lucha Bros and, eventually, Jericho & Omega. They could make a lot of money.

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We announced our partnership with <a href="https://twitter.com/CaesarsPalace?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CaesarsPalace</a>, Double A will have a non-fed live mic for the first time in 20+ years and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Starrcast?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Starrcast</a> is freshly <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/verified?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#verified</a> on Twitter!<br><br>It’s a good day, already! Do you have your Gold Bracelet yet?<br><br>��: <a href="https://t.co/VShyAsTu00">https://t.co/VShyAsTu00</a> <a href="https://t.co/ByKDoU3FfB">pic.twitter.com/ByKDoU3FfB</a></p>&mdash; #StarrcastOnFITE (@StarrcastEvents) <a href="https://twitter.com/StarrcastEvents/status/1106498078050267136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Mr. Nerfect]

Glad that’s happening, but god damn, Conrad, you usually put some effort into the aesthetics of shit.

[DaveWadding]

Young Bucks beat Lucha Brothers in an impromptu match to end AAA Rey de Reyes, winning the AAA Tag Team championships. Match at Double or Nothing probably for the belts.

[xrodmuc316]

The Usos are in a weird spot. While true that they are "THE team", they've done everything there is to do short of an arbitrary and obligatory break up angle.

Familiarity breeds contempt. They might just need a change of scenery- fresh opponents that aren't just thrown together tag teams because WWE has that wild hair up their ass at the moment. There are only so many times they can have matches against The Bar and The New Day.

Imagine going up aginst Dem Boyz in a ROH appearance. Hell, even a short run in Japan to clash against, say, GoD would get much buzz about which island boys go the hardest. And of course you have the elephant in the room and the obligatory matchup with Matt and Nick.

The Usos could be treated as giant stars in AEW, who clearly want to put an emphasis on tag teams like The Young Bucks, The Lucha Bros and, eventually, Jericho & Omega. They could make a lot of money.


They would make good money and have great matches, no doubt. I just don't see giving up a top spot with one company to at best be behind the team that are Executive Producers. This isn't like the good brothers who are being grossly under used. It seems like it would be more of a risk to give up what they have for what might be.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I don't get why people assumed being "used" means that they are happy. There is a ceiling for tag teams in WWE anyway. Who says they would be behind The Young Bucks in AEW anyway? I can easily see The Bucks putting over a lot of the teams they wrestle -- especially The Usos if they come in.

[Tom Guycott]

They would make good money and have great matches, no doubt. I just don't see giving up a top spot with one company to at best be behind the team that are Executive Producers. This isn't like the good brothers who are being grossly under used. It seems like it would be more of a risk to give up what they have for what might be.

1) Understandable point: the fear that they would HHH themselves since they made a career out of shameless self promotion. However, the smart money would be on hypothetically making The Usos the team to beat until whatever team they build to dethrone them comes along.

2) That's the thing about the "what they have" vs "what might be" - if enough people believe in what might be, it will be. Where Gallows & Anderson would just be "hey, more of our buddies are with us", a team like The Usos would be a coup in adding to "legitimacy" of being another place to work instead of having to fly to Japan, take a percieved "step down" to Impact or ROH, or pack it in and work at Home Depot.

[Tom Guycott]

I don't get why people assumed being "used" means that they are happy. There is a ceiling for tag teams in WWE anyway. Who says they would be behind The Young Bucks in AEW anyway? I can easily see The Bucks putting over a lot of the teams they wrestle -- especially The Usos if they come in.

Remember, WCW temporarily put the big gold belt on Chris Benoit just to try to get him to stay when he wasn't happy... then apparently bungled that, and ended up losing four guys to WWE instead of just the one. Sometimes, spinning your wheels is the same as scratching your ass doing nothing.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I’m not saying they definitely will jump. I just think it’s very surface-level to assume they are spiritually fulfilled in their work just because they are treated better than most tag teams. Hell, they’ve only made one WrestleMania main card as a team, and that was a nothing match last year.

[Evil Vito]

AJ Styles has confirmed that he has signed a new contract with WWE.

So yeah, scratch that one off the wishlist.

[Fignuts]

I don't think anyone really believed he wouldn't.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Neither surprised nor shocked. Selfishly disappointed.

[Innovator]

AJ Styles has confirmed that he has signed a new contract with WWE.

So yeah, scratch that one off the wishlist.

More importantly, dude got a dachshund.

[slik]

I don't want a ton of WWE stars in AEW

I am pretty #FedUp with WWE most of the time, I want a true alternate out there not filled w/ former stars from the 'E.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I want guys that have the potential to be stars to go there and be stars.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I’m a competitor. Those dated tropes don’t exist in wrestling anymore. Fans are more educated and hold our industry to the same standards as any other comparable form of entertainment. Context creates. <a href="https://t.co/qWrDywQ2Y3">https://t.co/qWrDywQ2Y3</a></p>&mdash; Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) <a href="https://twitter.com/CodyRhodes/status/1108435803515043840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I don’t mean there isn’t a protagonist and a villain and a myriad of other characters that you feel emotions for. Context creates those scenarios. But “I don’t sign autos in the hotel because I’m a heel!” is for the lazy man <a href="https://t.co/27VQo3FEcZ">https://t.co/27VQo3FEcZ</a></p>&mdash; Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) <a href="https://twitter.com/CodyRhodes/status/1108437401142263808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Emperor Smeat]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-c-SvPs6_3k" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Mr. Nerfect]

Tony Schiavone and Jim Cornette should be the special event commentators for AEW.

[Jordan]

Tony and Excalibur will be GREAT

[Emperor Smeat]

Both Omega and the Young Bucks recently revealed some new details about AEW during this past weekend's Comic Con event in Chicago.

Bucks revealed AEW will do tours and house shows but nowhere close to the amount WWE does. Omega revealed talks for a tv deal reached the point where they have a deal tentatively in place. Both also revealed official announcements regarding announcers will be made within the next several weeks.

Omega also revealed the style of wrestling AEW will be trying to target.
When I try (and I really stress the word try) to watch any sort of televised wrestling product I always find myself struggling to want more. I want to feel something. I want to be able to think. A lot of people they'd like to shut their brain off and just be entertained.

I think we're gonna have this nice balance of both thought-provoking entertainment and also just kind of the mindless entertainment where it's like popcorn wrestling much like if you watch "The Raid" or a Hong Kong kung-fu movie. I think we're going to have all forms of entertainment blended seamlessly into one show, that's the goal anyway.

I think you're going to see a little bit of what we do with BTE with the storylines blending in together and I think you're going to see the best quality of wrestling and I think you're going to see a lot of new concepts of pro wrestling too. So it's not just going to be one style it's going to be a myriad of styles. You're not going to see one type of storytelling you're going to see a bunch of different types of storytelling including cinematic-style storytelling. It's going to be something very new and for some people that's going to be a turn-off because they want to see a certain type and they want to stick with it. That being said, AEW may not be for you but if you want to see a smorgasbord of just pure entertainment it'll be the brand for you.

More details: https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2019/03/kenny-omega-on-aew-tv-deal-things-have-been-put-in-motion-652346/

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dcCcMd6ofZE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Jordan]

Tony! Don’t know how I missed it. Great move for AEW

[Evil Vito]

Cody says AEW will never run during WM weekend.

[Vastardikai]

And they shouldn't, for a number of reasons.

[slik]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7LjIJMcV-os" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

This is great. Hahhaha

[Mr. Nerfect]

That actually endeared MJF to me a lot. He and others can use this in promos.

[Tom Guycott]

That's at least worthy of a running gag on BTE segments of everyone wearing Shrek ears around him.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Jesus, this being around the time Shrek came out makes me feel so old.

[Evil Vito]

Yeah, MJF is only 23.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It’s true<br><br>It’s damn true<br><br>Kurt Angle is coming to Starrcast II! <a href="https://t.co/MQaInO2eok">pic.twitter.com/MQaInO2eok</a></p>&mdash; Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) <a href="https://twitter.com/CodyRhodes/status/1112900013393436673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Jordan]

Tony said, “I’m not going to AEW. I’ve got too much going on and I don’t want to. Cody and I were doing some work for Starrcast, because I’m doing some work behind the scenes with Conrad. That was a misnomer out there … I ain’t doing that. I’ve got too much going on in my life, I really do.”

He added that he is still under contract with MLW, although Jim Cornette has filled in for him during MLW’s recent TV tapings due to scheduling issues.

After setting the record straight that he has no current plans to work with AEW, Schiavone gave his thoughts on the upstart promotion. He also dropped an interesting piece of information about AEW bringing in a major name we have not yet heard about.

“I think Cody is a smart kid and the Bucks obviously have made quite a name for themselves,” Schiavone said. “Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho, I just think this is a great time for pro wrestling. They’re going to do some great things in wrestling, including bringing in somebody who has a great, great national name for himself, and I’ll just let it go with that. They’re doing things the right way and I’m pretty excited for them.”



https://www.sescoops.com/tony-schiavone-says-aew-is-bringing-in-another-big-name/

[Jordan]

Big national name? Could it be Goldberg? CM Punk? Alberto El Patron? Jon Moxley? Who? Who? Who?

[slik]

My guess is Goldberg or Punk.

[Evil Vito]

CM Punk is not returning to wrestling.

Could see Goldberg doing a one-off tough.

[Jordan]

CM Punk is not returning to wrestling.

Could see Goldberg doing a one-off tough.

I agree on Punk. I don't see how especially AEW could book him in a believable way after his MMA squash match career. Plus he's old and haggard, I just don't think it would work.

I think Goldberg would be a really fun big match with Jericho but anyone else and I'd be a little :wtf: at.

[slik]

damn...was sleepy and fell asleep and woke up, saw this thread and was like WTF why are all the posts from 2019...thought it was 2020 already

guess I should eat lunch s00n

[Jordan]

:shifty:

[Mr. Nerfect]

Punk could return to wrestling. It's his wheelhouse and he could get paid out the ass for it. He's got stuff to keep him busy, but doing spots for AEW here and there wouldn't be the biggest shock in the world.

[Jordan]

Tony says he isn't going to work as an announcer for MLW, he was meeting Cody for Starrcast stuff. Excalibur was doing commentary for New Japan World recently... I think Jim Ross is likely going to be on the broadcast team, I wonder if they will bring Conrad into a spot with him as well.

[Droford]

Justin Roberts will be the ring announcer

he wont have to slum it in muai tai kick boxing on cbs sports

[Droford]

Also, the national name is obviously

The American Artificial...Dustin

[slik]

Justin Roberts, Excalibur, Jim Ross

All good signings!

[Mr. Nerfect]

Justin Roberts as the ring announcer was a no-brainer. Not really moved by Excalibur, to be honest.

[Fignuts]

MJF getting his comeuppance via Goldberg squash would honestly be pretty cool.

[slik]

That would be cool

[Mr. Nerfect]

MJF getting his comeuppance via Goldberg squash would honestly be pretty cool.

I thought that might be what they do, with Conrad bringing him in.

[Jordan]

That would be such a great moment.

[xrodmuc316]

I agree on Punk. I don't see how especially AEW could book him in a believable way after his MMA squash match career. Plus he's old and haggard, I just don't think it would work.

I think Goldberg would be a really fun big match with Jericho but anyone else and I'd be a little :wtf: at.

CM Punk is so small now too, he was down to 169 lbs for his last UFC fight. No way anybody is believing a 170 pounder who got his ass utterly kicked could beat anybody. Not to mention 5 plus years of badmouthing the business, he can stay gone.

Goldberg would be awesome as a guy who randomly comes out, destroys a heel, and leaves. He doesn't even have to be in official matches.

I wonder if WWE would waive the no compete clause for Ambrose, given that it seems like they are going out of their way to keep a good relationship with him.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Punk doesn’t have to necessarily wrestle to be a draw. I’m sure he’s still an A+ promo and could serve any number of non wrestling roles.

And yeah maybe they could run an in ring return angle at some point. But he’s got a lot more to offer if he wants.

[Jordan]

Justin Roberts as the ring announcer was a no-brainer. Not really moved by Excalibur, to be honest.

I think Excalibur is probably the best guy out there for the job.

However, who is Alex Marvez? The name sounds familiar, reaching back to the old days of the net perhaps? I saw him at the MSG presser and he was fine but I don't know anything about him.

[erickman]

I thought jr hated 3 men booths I guess he knows he needs a 3rd man to help him.

[xrodmuc316]

Good for JR getting a big payday. Yes he is well past his prime, but I am sure he was underpaid for most of his career for the amount of value he brought. Plus it probably really pisses Sabu off, which is priceless.

[Emperor Smeat]

I think Excalibur is probably the best guy out there for the job.

However, who is Alex Marvez? The name sounds familiar, reaching back to the old days of the net perhaps? I saw him at the MSG presser and he was fine but I don't know anything about him.

Agree on Excalibur. Only familiar with his commentary work in NJPW but he was really good in the booth whenever he was around for shows.

Marvez is a former NFL reporter and radio show host.

[Bad News Gertner]

I remember reading Alex Marvez's wrestling columns as a kid.


Btw, Jim Ross's expiry date was like 10 years ago at least.

[Jordan]

Yeah I'm not crazy for JR but obviously there are worse options.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I remember reading Alex Marvez's wrestling columns as a kid.


Btw, Jim Ross's expiry date was like 10 years ago at least.

I heard him do a good job calling Pete Dunn vs. Tyler Bate but IMO he's too old and gets tired calling a whole show. His NJPW stuff is disinterested at best. TBH though he's never been the same since Heyman left the booth at the end of 01 (though he still had some decent years left).

[slik]

He won't be doing play by play, he'll be a 'Senior Advisor'.


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jim Ross ( <a href="https://twitter.com/JRsBBQ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JRsBBQ</a> ) has officially joined <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a>, but not as an announcer <a href="https://t.co/qYAx9PvBcO">https://t.co/qYAx9PvBcO</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/WithSpandex?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WithSpandex</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UPROXX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UPROXX</a> <a href="https://t.co/3isgeUUhJl">pic.twitter.com/3isgeUUhJl</a></p>&mdash; All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/AEWrestling/status/1113615424095174656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Emperor Smeat]

I heard him do a good job calling Pete Dunn vs. Tyler Bate but IMO he's too old and gets tired calling a whole show. His NJPW stuff is disinterested at best. TBH though he's never been the same since Heyman left the booth at the end of 01 (though he still had some decent years left).
Ross was good in the one NJPW show he did with Kevin Kelly. Also helped that Kelly was the lead commentator and guided Ross for some of his color commentary.

Someone like Matt Striker or Josh Barnett were not helpful at all for Ross when it came to live NJPW shows.

[slik]

He won't be doing play by play, he'll be a 'Senior Advisor'.


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jim Ross ( <a href="https://twitter.com/JRsBBQ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JRsBBQ</a> ) has officially joined <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a>, but not as an announcer <a href="https://t.co/qYAx9PvBcO">https://t.co/qYAx9PvBcO</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/WithSpandex?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WithSpandex</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UPROXX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UPROXX</a> <a href="https://t.co/3isgeUUhJl">pic.twitter.com/3isgeUUhJl</a></p>&mdash; All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/AEWrestling/status/1113615424095174656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


Now I'm kanefused


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It’s very special. He is the �� and he chose to ride with this rebel bunch. To hear his voice describing folks like Sonny, Havoc, Nyla, Jungle Boy, OWE, and so many more is something I really look forward to. <a href="https://t.co/QP5gZ4Ub2F">https://t.co/QP5gZ4Ub2F</a></p>&mdash; Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) <a href="https://twitter.com/CodyRhodes/status/1113633698086293504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Jordan]

LOL @ JR and Sonny Kiss

[Mr. Nerfect]

JR is a prestige signing. He is a beloved “star” in wrestling, was the voice of the WWF when it was the hottest thing on cable, and has worked as an executive in a high level not only next to Vince, but has been involved in managing WCW and Mid-South. He brings a familiarity with not only wrestling fans, but possibly some network executives as well. Guys I’m there 30’s and 40’s in prominent positions would have been teenagers or in their 20’s when wrestling was a fad, and if they were ever fans, even if fleeting, there’s probably some nostalgia for his calls.

By offering him (allegedly) the most lucrative contract a commentator has received, AEW is flexing their muscles. They’re showing that they can and will get Vince loyalists and can outdo the industry leader in certain aspects. He’ll be useful in negotiations with TV networks and merchandising manufacturers. I’m picturing kids toys with JR’s iconic voice “Bah gawding” and selling the talent of today as the hottest things going, with the intent to not only have something with a bit of life, but the memetic quality to remind the parents of kids that there can be wrestling outside Vinceland.

JR’s name came up in the early rumors for a reason. He’s one of the most important signings you can make. He is a beacon to the industry that there is life after Vince. He pumps credibility into this thing just by signing on the dotted line.

[Emperor Smeat]

First discussed by Jim Ross in an interview with WFAN Radio and confirmed by Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio Saturday night, details on AEW's impending TV deal are coming together and Double or Nothing might provide further clues.

Meltzer verified Ross' statement that AEW will have a live, weekly two-hour primetime show on a "key cable station" according to Meltzer beginning this October. The deal wasn't signed as of Saturday, however.

Meltzer said AEW was negotiating with two major US outlets and that an interest point for both parties was the ability to have AEW as a streaming property which includes events like Double or Nothing. He said both outlets have existing streaming services, and believes the ability to sell PPVs on it would be a key component of the deal.

Meltzer added that with Double or Nothing coming up on May 25th, it will become easier to narrow down who the TV partner is based on those streaming service options.

He also said AEW is working on an international TV deal which, when finalized, would be "pretty significant".

[Mr. Nerfect]

Fuck yeah, team. Get it done.

Really do think the deal might surprise some people. Especially with the streaming options. I mean, Bellator is pretty big compared to a promotion that just launched in January, but I think they got a fucking huge deal for being able to co-promote shows on both Paramount and with DAZN.

I'm sure they'd like to know if they can get stars like Randy Orton, Brock Lesnar, Dean Ambrose, Shinsuke Nakamura or Cain Velasquez before announcing the TV deals, because that star power can drive numbers up, but after a certain point that amount of money becomes somewhat trivial. I don't even know if I would want as much as WWE because of the pressure to perform and deliver ratings, etc. At a certain point, knowing you've got platforms to air your content might prove efficient for being viable to those stars as well. They've got enough of a roster around to be able to string out stories for several months, and there are those rumors of Goldberg and Punk too -- neither of whom is insignificant to that mobilizing audience.

[Droford]

Anyone else thinking HBO since they got out of boxing? They have streaming and they did ppv for boxing

[Mr. Nerfect]

HBO could be a possibility. Aren’t they premium cable? I would think basic cable has more appeal to advertisers. HBO seems a better option for PPV, or doing a limited number run of specials. But it’s not impossible.

I think Paramount and a WarnerMedia property are the best bets, as far as cable goes, but I’m surprised CW Network hasn’t been as much a target for AEW. Having a network TV suitor probably wouldn’t hurt their discussions.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Seriously think there is probably more demand for some wrestling more than what people anticipate. Some are kind of reluctant to say this is going to do better than WWE, but I’m so hopeful. WWE are way too hard to follow. A tedious product with the flagship being 3 hours and PPVs going about as long as two Lord of the Rings films back-to-back, and this is a model they are locked into for years. They haven’t even started properly advertising yet.

Really think that if the product is succinct with emphasis in the right places, wrestling fans’ investment might go into AEW surprisingly fast. Plus it might be called by people who don’t sound like robots.

What they are looking for: easy to access cable television with a couple of marquee events a year doesn’t insult the fans by presuming they don’t have lives, or suggests that their own television isn’t must-see viewing.

WWE is no longer wrestling. It’s a week of variety shows heaped together over a few nights. I think a wrestling product, which has consistently done well on cable, and has a ready-made audience of 2+ million who I *don’t* think are WWE loyalists, could really strike chords and ride a wave of medium momentum.

Keep in mind that before this TV is going to launch, they could co-produce a show in Madison Square Garden with Cain Velasquez featured.

The WWE audience is more “hardcore” than ever, and more disenfranchised than ever, with no end in sight. I know which product I would choose to subject myself to with some commitment. It’s not even close.

[Mr. Nerfect]

In addition to that, it’s got such an advantage not being a publicly traded company. WWE *can’t* change gears. There is the implied promise of dividends and reaping in these Saudi deals and TV rights fees. They’re not going to get away with cutting their investors off from $300 million for that extra Raw hour, nor $100 million or whatever for those Saudi shows. They’ve set their metrics, and they’re kind of over the barrel for a show that people can watch once a week, doesn’t feel gentrified, and can fill an arena.

It’s going to be less than half the demand of watching WWE, possibly as accessible, and maybe with more media coverage given its freshness to the sports media marketplace. “Hey, a new wrestling promotion has started up with all these stars and capital,” is a more interesting headline than “WWE ran another show.”

Maybe I’m letting my optimism delude me. But say what you want about him, Kevin Sullivan said he knew he could be beating Raw with Nitro in six weeks. AEW is not going to say they want to be a Vincekiller, but I’m seriously hopeful that whatever there is of a nostalgia for a wrestling zeitgeist, or whatever is out there today, latches onto this really fast when they realize it is out there.

[Tom Guycott]

HBO could be a possibility. Aren’t they premium cable? I would think basic cable has more appeal to advertisers. HBO seems a better option for PPV, or doing a limited number run of specials. But it’s not impossible.

I think Paramount and a WarnerMedia property are the best bets, as far as cable goes, but I’m surprised CW Network hasn’t been as much a target for AEW. Having a network TV suitor probably wouldn’t hurt their discussions.

They exceed the shirtlessness, but not enough constipated looking "teenage" guys and girls for CW.

[Mr. Nerfect]

They’ve got Chuck Taylor.

[Mr. Nerfect]

They can advertise Luke Perry’s kid.

[Jordan]

DAZN had an add on NXT Takeover which makes me thing that WWE would be smart enough to that to not work with someone who could be showing their biggest competitor since WCW. I'm thinking ESPN, with the outside chance of it being Paramount/DAZN.

[Fignuts]

They signed Hikaru Shida. That is a big fucking get right there.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Luxury Gaming / Wrestling Festival.... <a href="https://twitter.com/KennyOmegamanX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KennyOmegamanx</a> proudly presents <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FyterFest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FyterFest</a> <a href="https://t.co/s8x07gAokT">pic.twitter.com/s8x07gAokT</a></p>&mdash; All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/AEWrestling/status/1115645546197209088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Jordan]

LOL okay, that's funny.

[Mr. Nerfect]

They signed Hikaru Shida. That is a big fucking get right there.

I’ve honestly never heard the name. I assume they are an amazing talent from outside New Japan?

[Fignuts]

One of the top stars in all of Joshi.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Very cool.

[weather vane]

Can you order Double or Nothing on normal TV? Or do I have to buy a subscription to something?

[Jordan]

Can you order Double or Nothing on normal TV? Or do I have to buy a subscription to something?

It will be available on regular PPV as well as FIGHT TV I think.

[Triple A]

I think it will be on regular PPV or can be ordered from fite.tv

[slik]

I wonder if the eventual TV deal won't be WarnerMedia (Turner Stations) or WGN but maybe Disney...


Disney bought FX but doesn't have plans to change it. FX would be a perfect channel for a wrestling show. Would fit FX branding. Could do 'ppv' specials either live or on ESPN app via Disney.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Hikaru Shida is hot.

[slik]

I'm not familiar with this tweeter but I hope this is legit


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">-BREAKING- <a href="https://twitter.com/WarnerMediaGrp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WarnerMediaGrp</a> aka Turner Sports (TNT, TBS) will present <a href="https://twitter.com/AEWrestling?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AEWrestling</a> at their upfronts to advertisers next month. WarnerMedia/Turner upfronts are currently scheduled for May 15th. This is how Networks announce their content lineup for the fall season to advertisers.</p>&mdash; The Fight Oracle (@fightoracle) <a href="https://twitter.com/fightoracle/status/1116120237844332544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Emperor Smeat]

Same source also mentioned HBO as a possible choice since its also part of Warner Media.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">HBO is under the WarnerMedia umbrella. There’s a lot of talk in the tv industry that they want to make HBO more mainstream. More widely distributed. This is just me thinking now.. maybe you put AEW “PPV” events on HBO.</p>&mdash; The Fight Oracle (@fightoracle) <a href="https://twitter.com/fightoracle/status/1116136058566131714?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Emperor Smeat]

Pro Wrestling Sheet also stated hearing the same from one of his sources.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I heard the same thing over the weekend from a trustworthy source, but hadn’t been able to work on confirming yet since I’ve been sick since getting home.</p>&mdash; Ryan Satin (@ryansatin) <a href="https://twitter.com/ryansatin/status/1116130796480466946?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Evil Vito]

I don’t get HBO. If their regular TV is on HBO, I’m out.

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Word is <a href="https://twitter.com/AEWrestling?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AEWrestling</a> will debut the same week as WWE Smackdown moving to Fox. AEW will be on Tuesdays.</p>&mdash; The Fight Oracle (@fightoracle) <a href="https://twitter.com/fightoracle/status/1116174553993109505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

Maybe weekly show on Tuesdays on TBS or TNT and occasional 'ppv' on HBO

[Jordan]

I've been running PPV shows on HBO on TEW for years bro.

Fucking great idea.

[Mr. Nerfect]

That makes total sense. You can tell Warner was always the goal. The deal is probably going to be quite lucrative. It sounds like it’s pretty “done.”

[xrodmuc316]

I don't like AEW airing TNT or TBS, as they already pulled the plug on wrestling before. I just don't trust them.

The PPVs being on HBO on the other hand is brilliant. That would be a great move that would ensure they know they will get a minimum amount of $ guaranteed with option for bumps based on subscriptions or solo buyrates. Either way, it would be pretty awesome.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I don't like AEW airing TNT or TBS, as they already pulled the plug on wrestling before. I just don't trust them.

The PPVs being on HBO on the other hand is brilliant. That would be a great move that would ensure they know they will get a minimum amount of $ guaranteed with option for bumps based on subscriptions or solo buyrates. Either way, it would be pretty awesome.

I don't know if they have the exact same decision-makers, but dude -- they're run by the same company.

The whole "TNT fucked over WCW" bullshit is just that. They pulled the plug on a company costing them $60 million in losses, an almost exponential decline, with no revenue stream even giving a glimmer of hope that it could be rectified. Killing off WCW made perfect sense. They were losing money on each show, their PPVs never got above a 0.25 after 1999. People lean on the ratings, but they were decreasing, they weren't going to get better (Vince had all the difference-makers) and advertisers frowned on wrestling in the first place.

Now you've got an entirely different landscape. Cable has shifted, dramatically. There are chord-cutters and live entertainment is one of the few things that seems to be testing well with people. That is why Vince is able to charge so much for his bullshit programming. Vince has also worked his bollocks off to make WWE palatable for advertisers in these dying days of cable, where nostalgia for things like wrestling could be an attraction in itself, as opposed to a mere actuality when it first happened.

There's no Eric Bischoff in AEW, so I think they'll be fine not pissing off the hand that feeds them. And the world is so different now. It's not the same environment, and it's not the same management as WCW, and it's not Warner's personal losses given that the Khans are going to pumping their own money into it in order for it to succeed, and they'll wear the losses if the Warner money stops coming in.

[hb2k]

Couldn't agree more with the above post. WCW died because it was a shitshow and the people providing the toilet paper didn't want to wipe up any more when they could see the company doing nothing but eating vindaloo.

All the rumours from the start have slowly started to look true, one at a time. The Khans involvement. Turner as TV. Two hour prime time. JR and Jericho. The other piece that came out was that the money figures for this TV deal were the biggest for any TV deal ever in wrestling, with the exception of WWE's latest deals with USA and Fox. If that's true, they will have serious money at their disposal, and that the big offer alone, if true, speaks to the fact that television is changing and comparisons to 18 years ago don't apply.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Turner in Advanced Talks With <a href="https://twitter.com/AEWrestling?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AEWrestling</a> for Weekly Pro Wrestling Show<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DoubleOrNothing?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DoubleOrNothing</a> <a href="https://t.co/0wRttCbaKq">https://t.co/0wRttCbaKq</a> <a href="https://t.co/tJzfeyI2Gm">pic.twitter.com/tJzfeyI2Gm</a></p>&mdash; TheWrap (@TheWrap) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheWrap/status/1116349579065118721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

The most watched cable channels in 2018 per @TheWrap were:


1. FOX News
2. ESPN
3. MSNBC
4. USA
5. HGTV
6. TBS
7. TNT
8. History
9. Hallmark
10. Investigation Discovery

[Mr. Nerfect]

The most watched cable channels in 2018 per @TheWrap were:


1. FOX News
2. ESPN
3. MSNBC
4. USA
5. HGTV
6. TBS
7. TNT
8. History
9. Hallmark
10. Investigation Discovery

That’s the list I saw. I remember reading somewhere that USA gets to top entertainment (unless you consider FOX News entertainment) because of WWE though, and that when they lose SmackDown they will drop. I haven’t fact-checked that myself though.

But if that happens coupled with AEW doing better in its time slot than The Big Bang Theory or whatever, then it could be quite beautiful that AEW ends up on the #1 entertainment channel on cable.

The foot traffic through those Turner channels seems to be about 900,000 people, on average. That is almost half the audience of SmackDown right there. With some promotion, some stars, some special-feeling shows behind them, AEW could perform surprisingly well.

[Emperor Smeat]

That’s the list I saw. I remember reading somewhere that USA gets to top entertainment (unless you consider FOX News entertainment) because of WWE though, and that when they lose SmackDown they will drop. I haven’t fact-checked that myself though.

But if that happens coupled with AEW doing better in its time slot than The Big Bang Theory or whatever, then it could be quite beautiful that AEW ends up on the #1 entertainment channel on cable.

The foot traffic through those Turner channels seems to be about 900,000 people, on average. That is almost half the audience of SmackDown right there. With some promotion, some stars, some special-feeling shows behind them, AEW could perform surprisingly well.
Think Meltzer stated they'd drop to around 8th without WWE based on their current programming lineup.

The more WWE drops, the more it hurts USA Network's chances of improving their rankings. At the same time, it also means the threshold needed for a successful replacement show gets lower the more WWE drops.

[xrodmuc316]

I understand they are all owned by the same people. I just don't trust that they wouldn't up and decide they don't want wrestling suddenly again.

And I think you guys are misremembering. They sold WCW cause it was losing money, yes. But they sold it for WAY less than they could have because they didn't want "hillbilly wrestling" on their network. It didn't match with their vision for a sophisticated network.I

That's all I was saying.

[Evil Vito]

Darby Allin has signed as well

[Mr. Nerfect]

I understand they are all owned by the same people. I just don't trust that they wouldn't up and decide they don't want wrestling suddenly again.

And I think you guys are misremembering. They sold WCW cause it was losing money, yes. But they sold it for WAY less than they could have because they didn't want "hillbilly wrestling" on their network. It didn't match with their vision for a sophisticated network.I

That's all I was saying.

That's not true though, lol. That's the Bischoff story he tells to make himself look like less of an idiot for devaluing their assets in record time. The fact that WCW was losing money is all that matters. They're not cutting "hillbilly wrestling" if it is making them all rich. WCW wasn't making them rich, thus it had the reputation it had.

When Vince McMahon shopped WCW to networks in 2001, under his umbrella, no one wanted it. Who would they have sold it to? Who was buying? I think you are misremembering. They were fucking dead. Don't let Bischoff fool you into thinking it was some big AOL/Time Warner conspiracy based around elitist tastes or anything, lol. He ran a once profitable promotion into the ground with incompetent decisions.

[Emperor Smeat]

Rumor going around the net is that AEW recently gave a multi-million offer to Dean Ambrose.

Never heard of the source before (Slice Wrestling) so no clue how reliable or not it is although probably leans more towards fake since none of the more reliable outlets have mentioned anything about Ambrose's post-WWE future.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I've heard Slice Wrestling in connotation with something else, but I can't remember what news piece it was.

Seems unlikely that AEW would not offer Ambrose a contract.

[Bad News Gertner]

Rumor going around the net is that AEW recently gave a multi-million offer to Dean Ambrose.



Lol why

[Mr. Nerfect]

Probably a good signing given the freshness of him to WWE's marketing machine. I haven't been into the guy for a number of years now, but hopefully the change of scenery does him well.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I was just doing some random reading and saw that WWE's production and talent costs for Q2 2016 were $21.5 million. That's with WrestleMania being in it. A TV contract for $100 million per year with TNT would put them well into the green out the gate, and prices them at about half of what WWE is.

[Fignuts]

Lol why

Whether you like him or not, he’s got massive name recognition. That is extremely valuable to a start up wrestling company.

[Bad News Gertner]

Bootleg Brian Pillman ain't worth multi million

[Mr. Nerfect]

Whether you like him or not, he’s got massive name recognition. That is extremely valuable to a start up wrestling company.

Well, I see the point, but I doubt he will be using that name in AEW. :p

[Mr. Nerfect]

At this point, I think it's good AEW spend big bucks on talent. You need to coerce them to jump over. It's good for the perception of the company. And they need some stars to lock down this TV, which makes them viable and makes this a money-maker for the Khans in the first place.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Throw the money at Brock or Orton though.

[Mr. Nerfect]

* Brock vs. Jericho

* Brock vs. Cody

* Brock vs. Omega I

* Brock vs. Omega II

* Brock vs. Omega III

* Brock vs. Cain Velasquez

* Brock & Omega vs. Cain Velasquez & Jericho

* Brock vs. Hangman Page

* Brock vs. Pentagon

* Brock vs. CM Punk II

* Brock vs. CM Punk III

* Brock vs. Fenix

* Brock vs. PAC

* Brock vs. The Young Bucks

* Brock vs. Goldberg IV

That's about two years of Brock booking there, and that's without them getting any New Japan guys in. Fuck, can you imagine Brock vs. Ishii or Brock & Suzuki as a team against Omega & Jericho at some point? Fuuuuuuuck.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Oh, man, that's what you do:

Brock is the reason that Omega & Jericho have to join forces. When Jericho is going to do stuff with Fozzy or something, Brock takes him out. Jericho returns with a vengeance and helps Omega out in a segment against Brock. Lesnar needs a partner, but he doesn't team with just anybody. He needs a ruthless son of a bitch. He needs...Minoru Suzuki.

I hope AEW end up working with New Japan, but technically Suzuki is a freelancer, isn't he? I'm sure he wouldn't want to piss of New Japan, but once Jericho and Omega crossover I'm sure there wouldn't be heat for Suzuki wanting to do the same.

Don't tell me Brock & Suzuki vs. The Sexy Beasts doesn't get you a little bit hard.

[xrodmuc316]

That's not true though, lol. That's the Bischoff story he tells to make himself look like less of an idiot for devaluing their assets in record time. The fact that WCW was losing money is all that matters. They're not cutting "hillbilly wrestling" if it is making them all rich. WCW wasn't making them rich, thus it had the reputation it had.

When Vince McMahon shopped WCW to networks in 2001, under his umbrella, no one wanted it. Who would they have sold it to? Who was buying? I think you are misremembering. They were fucking dead. Don't let Bischoff fool you into thinking it was some big AOL/Time Warner conspiracy based around elitist tastes or anything, lol. He ran a once profitable promotion into the ground with incompetent decisions.

Lol no, that is public filings. Bischoff and ESPN Classic were the buyers with the current TV contracts. That deal fell through cause they didn't want wrestling on their network, thus no tv contracts.

That is not just Bischoffs story, that is what happened. Also, WCW lost money it's entire existence save for 3 or 4 years when Bischoff ran it.

Yes the bottom fell out, but that happened at the very end of Bischoffs run in 1999. 2000 and 2001 when they were losing Millions of dollars, Bischoff was in charge of nothing, he was a consultant mostly working with Hogan, and an on air talent.

[xrodmuc316]

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jan-12-fi-11361-story.html

Bischoff isn't even mentioned in the story.

https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/wcw-sale-going-south-87767

Or that one.

https://www.multichannel.com/news/tbs-finds-buyer-wcw-135673

$75 Million to keep it on the air, and retain a minority ownership.
$5 Million to get it off the air, and get rid of it entirely.

[#1-norm-fan]

Ambrose would entice me to watch AEW. I think he’s one of the guys who suffered the most over recent years from WWE’s shit booking and campy style. I’d like to see him in a new environment more than most.

[Bad News Gertner]

He's just not that good. Solid upper mid carder. Can headline in a pinch.

[#1-norm-fan]

That sounds pretty good to me.

[Evil Vito]

Just give me non-WWEized Jon Moxley promos and I'll be a happy camper

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eKlz261mL00" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Mr. Nerfect]

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jan-12-fi-11361-story.html

Bischoff isn't even mentioned in the story.

https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/wcw-sale-going-south-87767

Or that one.

https://www.multichannel.com/news/tbs-finds-buyer-wcw-135673

$75 Million to keep it on the air, and retain a minority ownership.
$5 Million to get it off the air, and get rid of it entirely.

Lol, the first two articles basically back up what I've been saying. The first line of the first article describes WCW as "money-losing" and the second one even overestimates how much it lost and then says that deals to buy it aren't going through, either because they don't have the money or because WCW doesn't have the TV.

In the third one, you've got Siegel saying that the merger didn't prompt the deal. And it didn't end up with Fusient, did it? They probably could have sold it to Jerry Jarrett for a bit more than what Vince paid and it would have just become TNA and would still be a fucking joke.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Have the guys in Fusient Media or whatever they were called actually come out and confirmed the story of trying to buy WCW and for how much? I read $75 million in that article, but then I read $20 million elsewhere, and even that was pulled without the TV.

Who else was interested in buying WCW besides Jerry Jarrett and Fusient, and how serious were those options in 2001? I know Jarrett made some real money in wrestling, but was his offer substantially much higher than Vince's?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Dean's one of those wrestlers were you can kind of point to a moment in time where they jumped the shark. The match with Brock is really the thing that altered his perception within that company. He was never the same.

The Jericho feud then underperformer (remember the stuff with "Mitch?") and then he was a lackluster WWE Champion, on the Mania pre-show with Corbin. A couple of Shield reunions and here we are.

[xrodmuc316]

Lol, the first two articles basically back up what I've been saying. The first line of the first article describes WCW as "money-losing" and the second one even overestimates how much it lost and then says that deals to buy it aren't going through, either because they don't have the money or because WCW doesn't have the TV.

In the third one, you've got Siegel saying that the merger didn't prompt the deal. And it didn't end up with Fusient, did it? They probably could have sold it to Jerry Jarrett for a bit more than what Vince paid and it would have just become TNA and would still be a fucking joke.

My whole point is Eric Bischoff didn't fool me, or blind my eyes, or whatever phrase you used.

Bischoff wasn't quoted as saying the progamming "no longer matches the high-income demographic" TBS and TNT are targeting.

Or Brad Siegel saying The merged AOL Time Warner "is a very different business than WWF," he said. Wrestling "is their business, exclusively. As the company continued to grow and evolve, we realized wrestling was not a core business for us. [And] it was better operated outside the confines of [Time Warner]."

Saying Eric Bischoff ruined it and tricked me into thinking otherwise is silly.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Oh, I see. He’s the main perpetrator of the idea that a successful WCW was going to be cut. My apologies.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Brian Pillman, Jr. is apparently All In, as they say. He’ll also be appearing with Liam O’Rourke, JR and Dave Meltzer on a Brian Pillman panel at Starrcast.

I’ve been quietly hoping that the first match on Tuesday Night Dynamite is Jushin Liger against BPJ.

[Jordan]

He’s just not that good man. I’ve seen him live I think in about 7 matches maybe more. His work is bullshit. His promos are bullshit too. Sorry, I know he has a look and a pedigree but he isn’t very good at all.

[mike adamle]

I thought he was pretty fun live at Janelas spring break 3 PT 2. But then again it was 2 a.m. and I was hammered. And wheatus was doing Nate Webb's Teenage Dirt bag entrance live at the same time BPJ hit a series of awesome moves. So I could see how my opinion would be skewed.

[Mr. Nerfect]

He’s just not that good man. I’ve seen him live I think in about 7 matches maybe more. His work is bullshit. His promos are bullshit too. Sorry, I know he has a look and a pedigree but he isn’t very good at all.

I've seen some questionable stuff from him (comparing something goofy he was doing to something his father did), but I've enjoyed what I've seen. Big paws.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Was just doing some mental masturbation. Last year, the Raw 25 special got 4.5 million people to tune in. They couldn't retain them. Imagine if those 4.5 million people got wind there was a fresh, hot product starting up that wasn't WWE.

I'm not saying that they will beat WWE in the ratings, but I think people look at the WWE's ratings as a reflection of the potential wrestling audience, which has never been the case. It's going to be a very curious time in October.

[xrodmuc316]

Was just doing some mental masturbation. Last year, the Raw 25 special got 4.5 million people to tune in. They couldn't retain them. Imagine if those 4.5 million people got wind there was a fresh, hot product starting up that wasn't WWE.

I'm not saying that they will beat WWE in the ratings, but I think people look at the WWE's ratings as a reflection of the potential wrestling audience, which has never been the case. It's going to be a very curious time in October.

Sadly that inflated number was for the nostalgia. Had Stone Cold and Undertaker and DX and Scott Hall all became weekly regulars after that, the ratings would have stayed up, for a few more weeks at least, but even then, it's not like they all would suddenly become 30 again.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It's hard to measure what it was. I'm sure nostalgia helped, but it still shows there is something of a lapsed audience out there that is reachable to an extent. I personally think they didn't come back because the show was DREADFUL.

[slik]

Seating chart for FIGHT FOR THE FALLEN released


https://i.imgur.com/d9gWbAx.gif


https://i.imgur.com/a1p8wWB.jpg

[slik]

Venue looks cool. Looks like they will use most of the 3rd level for production/cameras. Audience will have seating onstage w/ ring in the 'pit' section


https://www.dailysplace.com/assets/img/DailysPlace-9c0e71958c.jpg

https://www.structurflex.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Dailys-Place-Amphitheater-5.jpg

https://www.structurflex.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Dailys-Place-Amphitheater-1.jpg

[Mr. Nerfect]

It’s going to take some getting used to these layouts, but hey, it’s fresh.

[xrodmuc316]

That does look pretty interesting, I wonder how the crowd noise will sound bouncing around in there. That could be another really cool effect.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I’m still hoping they get Jim Johnston to direct the music. I can imagine the guy has a bit of a chip on his shoulder and wants to prove he still has it.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I read something about the Super Smash Bros. and Emma being signed.

[Bad News Gertner]

So apparently AEW will be paying for t.v time on TNT lol.

[slik]

Meltzer said on his forum this is not true


https://i.imgur.com/gSeB5fA.png

[Bad News Gertner]

I really hope for their sake it's false

[Jordan]

I trust Meltzer, he's as tight as heck with those guys especially The Bucks.

[Mr. Nerfect]

There’s no way they’re not going to get paid out the ass for Dynamite, but even if they did, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to get their foot in the door. Hell, if they paid for TV, then it might change the market for Vince and without rights fees, WWE is fucked.

[Emperor Smeat]

Seems AEW's relationship with China's Oriental Wrestling Entertainment is a lot less stable than previously thought.

Them signing CIMA was less of them building up a strong relationship with OWE and instead OWE couldn't afford him due to their investors recently pulled out of the company.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">CIMA leaving for OWE has to do with the company's investors recently pulled out. CIMA was earning 150K CNY per month from the company. The plan is to pick the cream of the crop in OWE and sign them to full-time AEW contracts.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/aewrestling?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#aewrestling</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/owe?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#owe</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/pullout?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#pullout</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/STRONGHEARTS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#STRONGHEARTS</a> <a href="https://t.co/TwPEmv399S">pic.twitter.com/TwPEmv399S</a></p>&mdash; KWK (@KShawnng) <a href="https://twitter.com/KShawnng/status/1118370346627993600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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[Mr. Nerfect]

That’s a shame for them. Probably tidier having them under contract.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I somehow missed that Brandi vs. Allie and Omega vs. CIMA are official for Fight for the Fallen. Good stuff.

[Jordan]

Well OWE is not very good so I don't really consider this a bad thing. Take CIMA's best trainee's and off we go.

AWE would be wise to set up an agreement with PWG for spot talent. Those cameo's that can pop the crowd with a sick match we've not seen before. Probably already in the works considering the announcer.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I don’t really think PWG is big enough to really need a working agreement in place. AEW could probably inhale and suck the whole thing up.

[Evil Vito]

Yeah I don't really see a PWG working agreement. I could see them partnering on a few things here and there though due to the Bucks' relationship with the promotion.

Like the eventual PWG champion (probably not Cobb as I think he's on the verge of signing with NJPW) having a showcase match on an AEW PPV while an AEW performer enters the BOLA tournament.

[Jordan]

Yeah I don't really see a PWG working agreement. I could see them partnering on a few things here and there though due to the Bucks' relationship with the promotion.

Like the eventual PWG champion (probably not Cobb as I think he's on the verge of signing with NJPW) having a showcase match on an AEW PPV while an AEW performer enters the BOLA tournament.

Yeah that would be great. I wouldn't rule out some sort of official partnership in the future considering Excalibur is AEW's announcer and part owner of PWG.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Do PWG even sign their talent?

[Jordan]

No they are an indie super show basically. But if they wanted to be a feeder for AEW instead of NXT they could make that happen.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I think it would be too disorganized and structurally incomplete to work as a developmental. It’s way too early for them to be thinking about that, but I could see OVW acting as a school of choice down the line, with something possibly eventually being set up in Florida so it’s close to HQ.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I expect to see Rick Knox go there as a referee. I can see Jack Doan being senior official. Jimmy Korderas would be feel-good, but north of 50, he might be too old. Maybe Korderas for a year and then he can pass it on to Doan? I hope they get Brian Hebner too. Always liked him as a ref. Apparently Earl’s daughter, Katie, is a ref too. Aaron Mahoney from OVW and a brief WWE spell could be serviceable too.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Keith Mitchell is apparently going to be heading up production.

[Corndad]

Cody announcing who he faces at All or Nothing tomorrow. Any final guesses?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Seems weird to announce Moxley if he's still technically under WWE contract. Unless there's like a thing where his contract expires and that's when Cody does the announcement, but it seems to be ill-timed.

I'm going to guess Joey Ryan, so I am not disappointed.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I've been low-key hoping for Orton. I'm not sure what the chances are, but word on his contract expiring has been pretty hush-hush, and he's kind of been kept quiet. WWE just filed some trademarks for "RKO" clothing and marketing stuff, which could mean that they plan to market him, but it could also be a pre-emptive "oh no you don't" kind of block on him.

[Evil Vito]

With AEW being willing to work with Impact, the announcement being on 4/20 has me thinking it’ll be Rob Van Dam.

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Commentary “drills”<br><br>It was a privilege to hear these guys put in the work today! <a href="https://t.co/oZB893hgKX">pic.twitter.com/oZB893hgKX</a></p>&mdash; Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) <a href="https://twitter.com/CodyRhodes/status/1119027572015345664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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[Lock Jaw]

With AEW being willing to work with Impact, the announcement being on 4/20 has me thinking it’ll be Rob Van Dam.

RIP any interest in the entire company if they bring in RVD

[Mr. Nerfect]

Lol at JR’s nameplate. RVD is a good shout.

[Mr. Nerfect]

A report is saying that Turner has been somewhat caught off guard by AEW apparently having Showtime talks on the go too.

[Emperor Smeat]

Fightful has a pretty good article about the time buy rumor regarding AEW's potential tv deal and some of the behind-the-scenes stuff regarding the networks involved in the talks.

Seems its something that AEW is considering as a backup option but only if TNT and TBS get cold feet on any potential deal and AEW doesn't feel they can succeed on premium cable via Showtime. TNT and TBS supposedly lost a lot of luster in wanting AEW when they found out it was ROH who handled the production side of All In.

For some reference, "Dark Twitter" in the tweets listed usually is assumed to be just DMs being sent back and forth with sources and in some cases, when stuff is being made up. Some like using the term since it makes things sound more a lot more juicy for rumors.

Link: https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/srs-what-s-going-aew-and-time-buys

[Mr. Nerfect]

Nothing about it seems too unusual. Makes sense that Turner would want to edge them out of money where they can. That being said, I’ve always assumed that is why a deal wasn’t penned as soon as it came and prior to Double or Nothing. After that show, hopefully, there isn’t room for Turner to use the doubting of production as an excuse to rescind (although they don’t really need one).

[Evil Vito]

Another option: Austin Aries who manages to find yet another bridge to eventually burn

[Mr. Nerfect]

Nothing about that seems unrealistic, but I’m personally pretty “done” with Aries. I’ve enjoyed his work in the past, but it’s never evolved enough to supplant his known bitterness.

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We asked an AEW source if timebuy deals were on the table. The answer given was no.</p>&mdash; Voices of Wrestling (@voiceswrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/voiceswrestling/status/1119051791969267717?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It's worth noting there was apparently more stuff said in that Maglio podcast than just &quot;AEW is buying time on Turner&quot;, including a bit of equivocation: <a href="https://t.co/tZS2JfQjLP">pic.twitter.com/tZS2JfQjLP</a></p>&mdash; Trevor Dame (@TrevorDame) <a href="https://twitter.com/TrevorDame/status/1119049405959589888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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[erickman]

since goldust is in the new vid I guess he is aew now

[Mr. Nerfect]

Well, in defense of them smacking it down, if the time buy thing is not true, it's not true. If Maglio wants to come out and say he was merely speculating, cool, but if he's saying "Turner wants them to buy time" and that's just not true, then it's not true.

I can understand why AEW would be in denial about the deal being pulled, even if temporarily. They really don't want to appear like they are stumbling, even if negotiations are going to see networks trying to strong-arm a bit.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Personally, I've always felt like the Turner deal was inevitable. It's what Cody was clearly angling for ("Tuesday Night Dynamite?" Come on). It makes sense. They've got the widest entertainment distribution not ESPN (in bed with WWE) and USA Network (in bed with WWE). They've got a history with wrestling and therefore there's like this inherited poise about wrestling being featured on there. I seriously think that "Wrestling on TNT"/"Wresting on TBS" itself carries a nostalgia that is going to ring with people.

I've always thought that WGN America deals would be used to wriggle out CW Network, which would be used to wriggle out the bigger cable companies. Showtime carries panache, but honestly, I just think the Turner deals have more money and a larger potential for other revenue streams in them.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Cody's opponent is Goldust, by the way.

Hey, Dustin's a great worker. He was pretty fantastic the last time we saw him. I can't imagine he's going to stink up the joint with Cody. I can see him busting his ass to make Cody look good, and I'm sure they've wanted to tell a story between themselves for years that "Gold vs. Stardust" didn't let them tap into.

[slik]

Fantastic video

People worried about 'storytelling' can chill now


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aCLnNAt8kxQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Mr. Nerfect]

This is looking to be a pretty good card:

* SoCal Uncensored vs. CIMA and his buddies will no doubt be "really fun."

* My expectations for the women's three-way are low, but I'm sure they will bust ass, so maybe it will be a sleeper hit?

* Hangman Page is growing on me and PAC is excellent. This has the potential to be "very good."

* Cody vs. Dustin could actually be a love letter to Dusty Rhodes, and might actually have some blood and/or be surprisingly special.

* The Bucks vs. Luchas Bros should be a spectacle.

* Omega vs. Jericho should be great.

It may not reach "BEST TAKEOVER EVER!!!!" status, but there's no reason this shouldn't be a damn good watch. And I imagine we're not done with everything yet.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Okay, that video was really fucking good.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Lol at them bleeping out "Stardust." It's obviously because of trademark reasons, but it's pretty funny that it's like a dirty word.

Also, Dustin explaining his make-up? Holy shit, meaning in wrestling?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Actually curious to see this. I've got Chris Jericho going to New Japan vibes. Like, he's not going to phone it in. We're going to see DDP Yoga/"I've wanted to tell a story like this for the longest time" Dustin. I hope.

[Emperor Smeat]

Well, in defense of them smacking it down, if the time buy thing is not true, it's not true. If Maglio wants to come out and say he was merely speculating, cool, but if he's saying "Turner wants them to buy time" and that's just not true, then it's not true.

I can understand why AEW would be in denial about the deal being pulled, even if temporarily. They really don't want to appear like they are stumbling, even if negotiations are going to see networks trying to strong-arm a bit.

Based on everything I've read soo far, seems to be the case of him mixing speculation with what he heard from sources but had it all taken as facts or out of context by other places. This happens a ton with Meltzer and his radio shows.

411Mania might be the cause for the confusion since they were one of the first sites to run the story and Maglio seems to also work there. Its why he was pissed when Meltzer started to deny stuff he said since Meltzer was mostly responding to 411Mania's report.

Also seems Talking Sheet's Les More is right about this whole mess being just another part of the Meltzer vs. Anti-Meltzer & Anti-AEW feud that's been brewing online ever since the rumors of AEW existing were true.

[Evil Vito]

Fuck me that video was amazing.

I’m stoked for this show.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Goodbye and goodnight. �� <a href="https://t.co/i64Dlk4tcf">pic.twitter.com/i64Dlk4tcf</a></p>&mdash; Arby's (@Arbys) <a href="https://twitter.com/Arbys/status/1108382695812419586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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[Mr. Nerfect]

I’ve watched it twice. I might even watch it again. Lots of nuances. Some points are repeated, which subtly alludes to this “old rambling man.” Like, not in a bad way, but in an unhinged and dangerous sort of way. A guy with his own stool at the local sort of way.

[Mr. Nerfect]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Goodbye and goodnight. �� <a href="https://t.co/i64Dlk4tcf">pic.twitter.com/i64Dlk4tcf</a></p>&mdash; Arby's (@Arbys) <a href="https://twitter.com/Arbys/status/1108382695812419586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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I hope AEW have found their first sponsor.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Fuck, really psyched for this show. I can’t remember the last time I ordered a PPV.

[Evil Vito]

It makes me smile that Cody and Dustin are gonna get to have a match on PPV that doesn’t end in a fucking roll-up.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I’m predicting that they’re going to go above and beyond. I’m not sure what that means (Blood? Some surprising athleticism from Dustin?), but I think the story they are going to tell is years in the making. Dustin knows how to work.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The more I digest it, the more I am marking out for Dustin in 2019, lol. There’s something “eerie” about that video and the low-key ambition behind “One Last Ride.” If I were a kid, I’d be beating up my brother’s Cody action figure with my Evil Dustin one.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I think Dustin busts out his version of Cody’s moonsault and when Cody gets busted open, instead of showing mercy, Dustin goes for the kill with JR condemning the man to hell.

[Droford]

It makes me smile that Cody and Dustin are gonna get to have a match on PPV that doesn’t end in a fucking roll-up.

Watch it end in a roll up

[Mr. Nerfect]

I love the way the video puts over Cody as an amateur, and also kind of reminded me of his Un-Dashing gimmick. It ties so much history together. And the music behind it made me think “Fuck, don’t trust this guy...”

[Mr. Nerfect]

I’m fine it ending in a roll-up if Cody flashes Dustin and then Dustin continues the assault after the match.

[Evil Vito]

Even though Dustin had been speculated as Cody’s opponent because it was known his contract was expiring, his actual expiry date was kept under the radar. Goldust was still listed on the Raw roster the other day.

So that made it a nice surprise.

[Jordan]

Someone here called it. I didn’t think it would be a good idea, I think I was wrong.

[Stickman]

Nice to see an actual storyline.

[Maluco]

Awesome video, an actual storyline. What’s missing in wwe for sure.

Any way to watch this outside of US? I’m in South America..

[Mr. Nerfect]

They are going to make some announcements about that soon. They’ve alluded to it being worldwide.

[Tom Guycott]

I love the way the video puts over Cody as an amateur, and also kind of reminded me of his Un-Dashing gimmick. It ties so much history together. And the music behind it made me think “Fuck, don’t trust this guy...”

In other words, actual production.

[Tom Guycott]

It makes me smile that Cody and Dustin are gonna get to have a match on PPV that doesn’t end in a fucking roll-up.

Watch it end in a roll up

A double roll up, where both guys have their shoulders on the mat for three. Match gets restarted. Ends with what should be telegraphed: a Dusty finish in favor of Dustin, showing his little brother still has some things to learn if he wants to get over on The Natural.

[Tom Guycott]

Unrelated to that: nice to see "Blue Pants" getting some overdue love.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I actually want a Dustin win.

[Droford]

lol if you think Cody loses on his own show. He even got to beat Aldis at all in for the NWA title only to lose it back, but do you think he loses to Dustin with nothing really on the line.

haha

[Droford]

It’s going to take some getting used to these layouts, but hey, it’s fresh.

NXT did a show in Philly at a theatre (totally indoor though) 4 years ago with a layout like that. TNA did a show here in delware at the state fair with a layout very similar even further back. Hardly "fresh"

[Mr. Nerfect]

NXT did a show in Philly at a theatre (totally indoor though) 4 years ago with a layout like that. TNA did a show here in delware at the state fair with a layout very similar even further back. Hardly "fresh"

TNA doing a show at a state fair is so irrelevant that it may not have happened. I didn't see that NXT show. Is it on the Network? If not, then so? And "fresh" doesn't mean "never ever been tried before."

[Mr. Nerfect]

Signing Leva Bates and actually giving her a name is a good subtle dig at some of the bullshit in the WWE's portrayal of their women. No, it's not major, and I'm not claiming it is, but good for all involved.

[Droford]

TNA doing a show at a state fair is so irrelevant that it may not have happened. I didn't see that NXT show. Is it on the Network? If not, then so? And "fresh" doesn't mean "never ever been tried before."
some pics and seating chart (https://airfreshener.club/quotes/wwe-upper-tower-theater-nxt-darby.html)
the show was at tower theatre in philly back in 15, I was there. I actually have an i was there shirt too. Same week ROH/NJPW did war of the worlds at the old ecw theatre. Was at that too, but I digress

[Droford]

Just cause
https://i.ibb.co/1q8fgPH/IMG-20190423-034258.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/vwkJZPt/IMG-20190423-034242.jpg

[Droford]

Ironically or not..NXT is back in Philly at the Fillmore May 17th..but I really digress.

[Mr. Nerfect]

some pics and seating chart (https://airfreshener.club/quotes/wwe-upper-tower-theater-nxt-darby.html)
the show was at tower theatre in philly back in 15, I was there. I actually have an i was there shirt too. Same week ROH/NJPW did war of the worlds at the old ecw theatre. Was at that too, but I digress

That...doesn't answer the question. At all. But I digress.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I was hoping that Jazz would end up in AEW. She had a pretty kick-ass match at the NWA 70th Anniversary Show last year. She just relinquished the NWA Women's Title, and I thought it might have been because she had signed, but it turns out it is for medical/personal reasons. :(

[Mr. Nerfect]

I just saw that Hugo Savinovich is signed on to do the Spanish language broadcasts.

[slik]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2i2cOgmRyuQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Mr. Nerfect]

There are mumblings that Joey Ryan is WWE bound. Now if they can also sign Eli Drake and keep them both the fuck away from AEW, I will be a happy, happy man.

[Evil Vito]

The prospect of Joey Ryan possibly going to WWE is so odd.

I mean he's a good talker and, taking away the dick flip, a solid in-ring worker.

But the guy turns 40 this year. Just seems like a weird signing for them.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Apparently it is proposed he'll be a coach.

[Emperor Smeat]

Supposedly its only for a PC trainer type role and he turned down the deal since their offer was for less money than he's currently making in the indies.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Please, god, please let him go.

[#1-norm-fan]

WWE saw dick flip guy and thought he’d be a good guy to train the future of their company.

Makes sense to me.

[Evil Vito]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/azQwNRD3H_o" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

So looking forward to this match.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

That was fucking stellar.

[slik]

Best thing Cody's ever done.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

It's taken 2 videos to sell me on this match. I loved that while Dustin's video was well produced, edited and very story like, Cody just comes out to a blacked out background and states his case in one take. Great stuff.

[Jordan]

Yeah man brother brother match was the perfect choice to run with for this show. Very excited to see what they have in store.

[slik]

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxDCSrtAPKN/" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxDCSrtAPKN/" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; 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font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div></a> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxDCSrtAPKN/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">#Relentless @DarbyAllin ⠀ #AEW</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/allelitewrestling/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> All Elite Wrestling</a> (@allelitewrestling) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2019-05-04T16:32:52+00:00">May 4, 2019 at 9:32am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

[Lock Jaw]

Dunno who that is, but seems like a "right wanker"

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Yeah no clue who he is but he's intriguing.

[Evil Vito]

Darby Allin is excellent

[Blue Demon]

I sincerely hope AEW can make a go of it, there needs to be more serious competition/somewhere else wrestlers can make a living. WWE has become lazy and diluted their own product.

[slik]

Cool concept, I like it


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Over Budget Battle Royale will now be known as the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CasinoBattleRoyale?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CasinoBattleRoyale</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DoubleOrNothing?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DoubleOrNothing</a><br>Sat, May 25th <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LasVegas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LasVegas</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MGMGrand?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MGMGrand</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GardenArena?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GardenArena</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEWDoN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEWDoN</a> <a href="https://t.co/6PeTw9yyIW">pic.twitter.com/6PeTw9yyIW</a></p>&mdash; All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/AEWrestling/status/1125475740726644736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Evil Vito]

So it's basically a shortened Royal Rumble but wrestlers entering in batches except for the lucky number.

It's gimmicky, but not to an unreasonable TNA levels of stupid degree.

[slik]

Sounds like WAR GAMES meets ROYAL RUMBLE sort of
but spiffy and to the point

I think it could be cool!

[Emperor Smeat]

PWInsider reports that All Elite Wrestling’s Double or Nothing event on May 25 is listed as a PPV event on AT&T’s Uverse with a 7 PM ET start time. It’s likely that other PPV outlets will confirm the show airing live in the near future.

[rez]

I hope they don't limit themselves to cable ppv. I'll buy if it's streamable.

[rez]

Hell yeah...a Saturday PPV?!

[Malfeitor]

Can’t wait to attend this beast.

[Simple Fan]

Hope it's on the FITE app. I already pay DirecTV enough as it is.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

If it's the same price either way I'd pick getting it on cable TV.

[Damndirty]

I'm rooting for AEW at this point, but if I come to find out that it's just another bland PG-product like WWE, I'll return to my hiatus from wrestling. I didn't watch pro-wrestling just for the wrestling itself, but for the character development, the charismatic and sometimes hilarious promos, and the feeling that the talent is actually fighting for something. I can't find that in WWE anymore, so hopefully, I can find that in AEW.

[Tom Guycott]

So it's basically a shortened Royal Rumble but wrestlers entering in batches except for the lucky number.

It's gimmicky, but not to an unreasonable TNA levels of stupid degree.

Wha... what's wrong with having to fight your way into the ring to throw people out of the ring to have a 1 on 1 match that also determines seedings for other 1 on 1 matches... you know what, nevermind, I can't even keep that joke going.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Big news for UK wrestling fans: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ITV?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ITV</a> will team up to broadcast <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DoubleOrNothing?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DoubleOrNothing</a>. <a href="https://t.co/ayzfss87Yi">pic.twitter.com/ayzfss87Yi</a></p>&mdash; Jon Alba (@JonAlba) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonAlba/status/1126125352940654592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

AEW announced the winner of the Casino Battle Royale will face the AEW World Champ after they crown one. Hmm!

[Evil Vito]

Seems the press release confirms that battle royal will be on the pre-show, which is kinda unfortunate. I know for All In only WGN got the pre-show, but since this one is on actual PPV I'm hoping the PPV carriers will show it.

[slik]

Article says TNT!


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">AEW-Turner TV Partnership to Be Announced Ahead of WarnerMedia Upfront (Exclusive)<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WarnerMediaUpfront?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WarnerMediaUpfront</a> <a href="https://t.co/XaFnoLUTlc">https://t.co/XaFnoLUTlc</a> <a href="https://t.co/LPK4ZMhBOZ">pic.twitter.com/LPK4ZMhBOZ</a></p>&mdash; TheWrap (@TheWrap) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheWrap/status/1126512040699260928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

Also of interest:


AEW’s next big event is May 25’s Double or Nothing in Las Vegas. Currently, that show is set to stream on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, and will be available as a pay-per-view purchase in the UK via ITV Box Office.

[slik]

^^^

That part of the article has no vanished so I bet that means the pre-show BUY IN could stream on Twitter, YT and FB.

I wonder if the show itself will stream on TNT's sports streaming service, B/R Live. Hmmm!

[Droford]

AEW announced the winner of the Casino Battle Royale will face the AEW World Champ after they crown one. Hmm!

How the fucking hell can you have a #1 contender before an actual champion

[Droford]

Hell yeah...a Saturday PPV?!

On my birthday no less