All Elite Wrestling

[weather vane]

AEW is the best.

[Destor]

AEW being PWG feels pretty accurate

[The Fraze]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GKcaq2nXIAA3N6-?format=jpg&name=small

[Lock Jaw]

Nice

[Evil Vito]

Observer and Fightful both reporting that Chuck Taylor's in-ring career is considered to be over and the line from Cassidy that he'd never wrestle again was legitimate. He picked up a bunch of injuries in the past year but the fractured ankle with necrosis of the bone was the final straw. He's been training as a coach and producer for months and, presumably, will move into that role full-time now.

The Parking Lot Brawl was said to be Chuck's request as he wanted to have a match with Trent to close things out and get a proper write-off. Given how long Trent's turn felt like it was percolating in the background, I wonder if they held it off a bit until Chuck was able to do the match. All told it was probably the best possible way to close out their team given the match type, venue, and it was pre-taped and in an environment they could give him extra protection if needed.

Also means when they let him finally say "shit" on Dynamite, they did so knowing full well it was going to be the last promo he did on live TV.

[Evil Vito]

Old school TPWW memory: Destor hating Chuck Taylor before I even knew who Chuck Taylor was

[weather vane]

Sad.

[The Fraze]

Bugged me that Chuck Taylor never got in shape. Also, it's a major miss if he never attempted to create his own custom "Chucks" for wrestling boots and market it.

[Rammsteinmad]

Damn, I use to really like Chuck Taylor back in the Chikara days when I was into all that goofy indy/grenade stuff. Granted, a lot of the indy silliness I've grown out of, but always thought Taylor was a solid worker.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Not a fan. Don’t wish ill on anyone, but fuck off and die.

[Splaya]

www.onlyfans.com/DMDBaker

I won't lie, I clicked it.

[Splaya]

Not a fan. Don’t wish ill on anyone, but fuck off and die.

Seems harsh

[Splaya]

I'm still enjoying AEW a lot more than I'm not. The ring work is very much my cup of tea most weeks so I'm getting my fix. Collision is more enjoyable than Dynamite to me quite frequently.

I don't like all of their decisions but largely tuning out twitter helps, people who don't like AEW act like every bad decision is the worst thing since Hitler and at the same time the really big AEW fans act like valid criticism is a personal affront. It's just too much at this point.

I just enjoy my graps. If I stop enjoying it I stop watching. The rest is just noise.

Collision is written by Danielson

Dynamite is produced by the Bucks.

Not hard to understand at all why which show is infinitely better than the other.

[The Fraze]

The Fraze has a difficult time "getting into" some of the indie-rific guys in AEW.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It’s crazy that Tony keeps jamming The Bucks down people’s throats like it’s suddenly going to work. You can’t present a seriously toned pro-wrestling show with them as top heels.

[xrodmuc316]

AEW can't even get 750,000 viewers anymore, because Tiny Klown is a horrible boss/booker/adult.

[Lock Jaw]

@xrod did you delete your own account at the other forums or were you forcefully deleted?

[Sepholio]

these are important questions Sexrod and we demand a timely answer!

[screech]

He deleted it himself because he can't handle criticism of his incorrect opinions.

[xrodmuc316]

@xrod did you delete your own account at the other forums or were you forcefully deleted?

I bounced because I was being harassed by harassers about harassment! :rofl:

Truthfully, if that forum is going to be flame wars like this one, there is no point to being on that one.

[Destor]

#screechhatesfreespeech

[screech]

Hey I can't help if xrod bails as soon as he's called out for being an idiot

[Destor]

#screechhatesidiots

[screech]

That's true, I do hate idiots

[Destor]

Thats why it keeps stonewalling new users :lol:

[screech]

lol the only people I reject are suspected bots. drave will sometimes see the requests before I do anyway

[Lock Jaw]

Everyone just needs to be #ChillLikeLockJaw

[Sepholio]

Man I've stuck up for xrod a lot in the past but that was straight up wekasauce on his part. I feel let down. Sucks.

[Sepholio]

Not even TK or Punk or even Uncle Dave are that soft. Mad depressing.

[The Fraze]

S-A-W-F-T

[xrodmuc316]

That forum was supposed to have the "dont be a dick so I wont have to ban" rules, then that dude is throwing personal insults because of a difference of opinions. That is what happens on the OG board, so ill just post here. There is no need to post on both.

[Lock Jaw]

Except that if this place goes down I want you at the other place too....

[screech]

xrod would be approved if he signed up again

[Sepholio]

Yeah I liked having xrod around too. Nice having differing opinions on things instead of it being an echo chamber and I especially enjoyed having another person who isn't afraid of a hot take or 2.

Also quitting one board because a singular person was being a dick to you (in fairness I think calling someone dumb on the internet is tame af and hardly qualifies as being a dick) and going back to the place where a whole bunch of people were always a dick to you seems, i dunno, kinda counterintuitive maybe. Better one dick than many. Unless you're a ho on the ho train or something, but I digress. Leaving was wekasauce and I stand by that. Didn't think you were the kind of guy to pack your bags and leave when someone challenges your opinion on something. Especially baffling when I've watched you endure far worse here on multiple occasions.

[screech]

So he for real deleted his entire account because I called him dumb, as he was being dumb? That's it? (And now he's likely exaggerating it here because he knows I've got him on ignore.)

It's not like I flooded his inbox with insults about his family or some shit. The only real insult was "holy shit you're dumb as fuck" once. That's it. Everything else was explaining how off-base his opinion was on a certain topic. If he felt harassed by that, we have different definitions of the word.

If his skin is that thin, he's not built for the Internet lmao

[xrodmuc316]

Right, but that is the point Seph. If the disputes are not going to be civil, then I only need to be on one board that is not civil.

[screech]

But like I said: he'd be welcomed back if he signed up for the temporary board again. I'd even put him on ignore so we wouldn't have to deal with each other.

[Sepholio]

Going to the place where more people are uncivil with you versus the one with less makes no sense. 1 person was mean to me so let me run to the place with dozens of people who are mean to me. Uhg. I'll stop now so you don't have to continually double down in the same way that made screech call you dumb in the first place.

[Sepholio]

Just know that Seph is a sad panda and it's all your fault.

[Destor]

I prefer a lack of feigned civility.

[Mr. Nerfect]

You guys are so weird with your attempts to control who talks to who and in what capacity. xrod doesn’t want to talk to you on that forum. He doesn’t need to justify it.

Also, screech calling for civility and then leading a dogpile is classic screech. Fuck that guy.

[Sepholio]

Here comes classic Noid with his take on something he has no knowledge of. So glad this place is working better again. I missed this.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Anyway, some of the funny AEW news from the week:

* It seems WBD has lost out on the NBA. Without that revenue or crown jewel in their live entertainment cap, that probably makes an AEW deal way less likely.

* Will Ospreay has said that either the anxiety of performing or the constant flying back-and-forth between the US and the UK is starting impact his health. The lack of grind has worn him into the ground.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Here comes classic Noid with his take on something he has no knowledge of. So glad this place is working better again. I missed this.

xrod doesn’t want to post there. That’s all the knowledge anyone needs.

[screech]

Ooh I bet Noid made a judgment about me based on absolute nonsense he made up in his head. That would be classic Noid!

[xrodmuc316]

I like how Will thinks flying first class on Tony's dime twice a week means he is working hard.

[Sepholio]

Ooh I bet Noid made a judgment about me based on absolute nonsense he made up in his head. That would be classic Noid!

Something about you leading a dogpile you absolute monster.

[screech]

Yes, because I'm definitely known for that. How dare I!

[drave]

Well that sucks, because no one was being rude to Xrod.... no one even called him Cumdorx over there......


Here's the tea:


Xrod didn't like the way a female heel replied to someone saying overly gross sexual things to them at a live event. He said the heel should not reply, should not "break character", essentially.

Myself and Screech advocated that he wasn't harassing the "heel character" at all, but the actual real person in the ring, and her chewing the dude out was fine. There was no dogpiling nor nothing beyond "wow, you're dumb lol".

That's the big debate. Should Sky Blue have called the nasty perv out (who was saying this shit right next to his very young son), or just let it go?

So dumb.

[drave]

I would post the entire convo for everyone, but Xrod edited ALL of his opinions prior to deleting his own account, so there's no convo to be read now. He was a much better poster there too, without needing to reference TK every other post.

¯\_ (ツ)_/¯

[screech]

Well, I think one person called him cumdorx because he mentioned that he "finally had to block someone over here."

But it didn't come up during the harassment discussion. If it had, I'd kinda get why he left since that nickname is an issue for him.

[screech]

I would post the entire convo for everyone, but Xrod edited ALL of his opinions prior to deleting his own account, so there's no convo to be read now. He was a much better poster there too, without needing to reference TK every other post.

¯\_ (ツ)_/¯

lmao I just saw what he did. That is...something :rofl:

But yes, he was much better without being able to just piggyback Noid's bullshit and/or bring up Tony Khan in every discussion for no reason.

[xrodmuc316]

AEW's big show deal was announced! They will have a new show on the TBS YOUTUBE channel where Renee Young eats lunch with somebody while they watch a pretaped AEW match...

That is almost as good as the HUGE RIGHTS RENEWAL they have been saying was on it's way for over a year :rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Destor]

Is that spin or is that really as bad as xrod framed it

[Evil Vito]

It's spin. It's just a fuck around YouTube show nobody knew was being announced until today. No different than WWE or pretty much every sports leagues having supplemental web shows. Silly online content for the sake of having silly online content.

And it has nothing to do with the rights renewal obviously but that won't stop xrod from having a good time.

[xrodmuc316]

https://www.ringsidenews.com/2024/05/15/aew-announces-new-meal-and-a-match-show/

[xrodmuc316]

AEW's entire business model has been "we will get a huge rights renewal". This is the 2nd year in a row that the deal was supposed to be announced at the Warner Brothers Discovery upfronts (according to leaks/reports from honest journalists).

Amid decreasing ratings and ticket sales, and Warner Brothers Discovery cutting costs across the board, well that giant rights deal is coming any day now, CLEARLY! :yes:

[Evil Vito]

The show feels like it's basically a wrestling version of Dinner and Movie (which was itself a TBS property). And again it's just some silly supplemental YouTube content. Don't see the problem.

[Lock Jaw]

Anyone know what the hell WWE Speed is? Heard about it for the first time the other day, and apparently Ricochet is the Speed Champion or something.....

[Maluco]

Why does everything look so bad in AEW? They must spend a fortune on presentation but everyone looks so cheap and everything from attires to physique of the performers look so bad.

Is it a case of not having the same standards, giving “stars” too much control of their own character or just a lack of leadership and authority?

Mercedes Mone is the latest in a long list to immediately look worse in AEW. Why is this happening?

[Destor]

The show feels like it's basically a wrestling version of Dinner and Movie (which was itself a TBS property). And again it's just some silly supplemental YouTube content. Don't see the problem.
Loved dinner and a movie. And joe bobs drive in

[screech]

Anyone know what the hell WWE Speed is? Heard about it for the first time the other day, and apparently Ricochet is the Speed Champion or something.....

they have rasslin matches on Twitter. Wednesdays at noon ET, I think. The time limit for the matches is 3-5 minutes or something like that.

[Sepholio]

Yeah it's just super short slobber knocker/spot fest matches. Not my cup of tea (the super short time limit doesn't work for me, brother) but whatever. Could be a good way to get under utilized people a little air time or have them work matches with the vets to help them improve I guess.

I'm way more likely to watch match and a meal than WWE speed tbh. Like Destor I used to love dinner and a movie so this seems like it could be entertaining to me. I just hope they have some decent matches sometimes and it's not like dark jobbers jobbing in every single match.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Why does everything look so bad in AEW? They must spend a fortune on presentation but everyone looks so cheap and everything from attires to physique of the performers look so bad.

Is it a case of not having the same standards, giving “stars” too much control of their own character or just a lack of leadership and authority?

Mercedes Mone is the latest in a long list to immediately look worse in AEW. Why is this happening?

Tony is basically a mark that doesn’t have the ability to discern between good and bad (or what works and what doesn’t). Or his ego won’t let him learn and adjust to adapt. He doesn’t understand that a lot of booking and producing stars is keeping the bad away so it doesn’t poison the good. He saw Sasha Banks as a star in WWE and just assumed it was all her (the finished content you see). He doesn’t consider the role agents, production, management, the people she was working with guided the star they wanted.

It’s just click and point with him. Come as you are. He doesn’t understand how to protect talent — sometimes from themselves.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I’ve long believed that WBD isn’t going to renew AEW. The content is just too risky. In terms of where it will be in terms of popularity (and where it has already been) and in terms of the content itself. The image of women rolling around in barbed wire is probably not something sponsors, advertisers and WBD themselves want to be associated with. Nor their branding in front of mostly empty arenas (whether they own it or not).

I’m sure David Zaslav knows the mess that AEW is. He’d know the story behind CM Punk and what it’s like to deal with Tony Khan and The Elite. I’m sure when Triple H and Nick Khan met with him they discussed how things like drinking another person’s bodily fluids is not exactly great PR.

I’m pretty sure they’re going to be dropped. I’m also pretty sure the excuses from Observer acolytes is going to be “Evil WBD hates wrestling/Evil WWE sabotaged them.” There doesn’t seem to be much accountability on that side.

AXS seems like a likely home for them. It’ll probably be spun into AEW helping out a network that wants to be a “wrestling channel.” X-factor will be if TK decides he is willing to spend money to pay a network to air them.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It’ll be interesting to see the future of the AEW/New Japan deal too.

[screech]

Why does everything look so bad in AEW? They must spend a fortune on presentation but everyone looks so cheap and everything from attires to physique of the performers look so bad.

Is it a case of not having the same standards, giving “stars” too much control of their own character or just a lack of leadership and authority?

Mercedes Mone is the latest in a long list to immediately look worse in AEW. Why is this happening?

I've never really thought things look cheap, they just look different from WWE. TNA usually looked really cheap to me, but I don't get that same feeling from AEW.

What I can't understand is how they still have audio issues almost every damn week. Pull the Young Bucks away from the board and hire a professional already.

[xrodmuc316]

How cool is it that we get to watch Eddie Kingston eat a meal with Renee while complaining about other wrestlers who are wrestling a match on TV that he doesn't like?!?!? AEW is the innovator of entertainment, PARDNAH!

[Mr. Nerfect]

Soon it will be a bunch of wrestlers watching old AEW clips crying about how they used to be on television.

Lol at people like SRS trying to spin WBD not getting the NBA into a good thing for AEW. WBD is also billions of dollars in debt. They’re really going to break bank for a show that just registered 672k viewers who don’t spend money on anything but wrestling and pizza. And AEW ran off the pizza advertisements.

[Destor]

It probably is a good thing. They may not be able to offer the same money but its doubtless they wont at least make an offer. They basically have to now.

[The Fraze]

Why does everything look so bad in AEW? They must spend a fortune on presentation but everyone looks so cheap and everything from attires to physique of the performers look so bad.

Is it a case of not having the same standards, giving “stars” too much control of their own character or just a lack of leadership and authority?

Mercedes Mone is the latest in a long list to immediately look worse in AEW. Why is this happening?

Based.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It probably is a good thing. They may not be able to offer the same money but its doubtless they wont at least make an offer. They basically have to now.

Why would they make an offer?

[Destor]

Why would they make an offer?they will. They need something to air. You just lost your biggest draw. Not really the time to drop the rest of your line up.

[Sepholio]

There will def be an offer. I just think it won't be nearly as big as some people think.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Without the NBA, basic cable becomes less of a priority for WBD, not more. You make a big deal for the NBA because you want that NBA revenue moving around. You’ve then got a live entertainment package to promote.

[xrodmuc316]

Since day 1 the story Tiny has spun is that AEW will get a huge rights renewal which will make them profitable. When it doesn't happen, either AEW has to slash costs, or they prove CM Phil right, they are not a real business.

That is fine by the way, but only if they stop constantly talking about/pretending they are hugely successful.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Brag about something after you’ve done it. But they’re bragging about ratings, which have never been something to brag about, has also made the rod for their back they are currently getting whipped with. There’s nothing wrong with saying “Thanks to everyone who watched, but we plan to do even better.” Instead they acted like being third on the podium was #1 and labelled themselves “demo gods.” It’s fun to watch them fall flat on their face.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The biggest wrinkle in these negotiations is if TK starts paying networks to show his bullshit. It’d be a new 5 year plan — “get a huge TV deal” having failed — but I can see him thinking that spending ludicrous amounts of money with the insane idea that in a few years or so he can re-negotiate for something healthy is something I can see happening.

More than likely WBD just drops them cold. The highest profile place I see them ending up is actually on FOX or FS1 with FOX paying chips for it. Ideally, for them, they’d be able to keep Dynamite on TBS for a reasonable amount of money and work out something with FOX to get Collision on network TV for cheap as an advertisement for the product. But the product would drastically have to change.

[Destor]

There will def be an offer. I just think it won't be nearly as big as some people think.exactly right. They arent going to drop them with out lowballing them first

[Destor]

There will be *an* offer it just might be so low the show cant function on

[Destor]

If there still was the nba on the network i dont think thats a lock with those ratings.

[screech]

There will be *an* offer it just might be so low the show cant function on

Is there a world where they slash production so much so they could function on whatever that low offer is?

[Vastardikai]

It is crazy, but I think that, ironically, the company that bought ROH just ROH'd themselves into irrelevance.

[screech]

First thought would be cutting out travel and running exclusively from Jacksonville.

Cutting some of the bloated roster would be next.

I don't know enough about TV production to think of what could be scaled down from there. No pyro? lol

[Destor]

Is there a world where they slash production so much so they could function on whatever that low offer is?
I think the issue is payroll not production costs.

[Destor]

First thought would be cutting out travel and running exclusively from Jacksonville.

Cutting some of the bloated roster would be next.

I don't know enough about TV production to think of what could be scaled down from there. No pyro? lolcutting names would be how youd stay afloat but im sure they have minimums that would have to be met and im sure theyre excessive. And without those names you cant hold your dwindling viewership so its a compounding problem.


The tv deal has to be good. There's no way around that for aew to survive. Fortunately there's a lot of stations hungry for live content so there's opportunity for a network thats dumb and hungry

[screech]

I think the issue is payroll not production costs.

But it's absolutely necessary to pay all those people who only appear on Rampage!

[Sepholio]

At least they are on TV. Think of all the money going to people in ROH.

[screech]

I often forget ROH exists

[Mr. Nerfect]

I really don’t think there is anything AEW can do to make a comeback.

[Lock Jaw]

Except for putting all 700 titles on Christian

[screech]

Christian should win every title on Father's Day.

[Sepholio]

Do an angle where he has a relationship with Ann Carlson Khan and reveals he is TKs dad.

[Destor]

Do an angle where he has a relationship with Ann Carlson Khan and reveals he is TKs dad.youd need to set that up first. A limo explosion might work.

[xrodmuc316]

I just don't see any scenario where Tony Khan would want to run a wrestling company that even he cannot say is the greatest thing ever. The huge rights deal seems to be what Tony put into his business model presentation, but really doesn't care.

If he was at all caring about making a profit, he wouldn't spend hundreds of thousands on special songs or millions on broken down or flat out injured wrestlers. How many matches did he even get out of Kota Ibushi or Paul White?

He does not operate AEW like he has a budget whatsoever.

[xrodmuc316]

Do an angle where he has a relationship with Ann Carlson Khan and reveals he is TKs dad.

I would not wish death on Shad Khan, but Christian Cage could have a field day :rofl:

[Mr. Nerfect]

I just don't see any scenario where Tony Khan would want to run a wrestling company that even he cannot say is the greatest thing ever. The huge rights deal seems to be what Tony put into his business model presentation, but really doesn't care.

If he was at all caring about making a profit, he wouldn't spend hundreds of thousands on special songs or millions on broken down or flat out injured wrestlers. How many matches did he even get out of Kota Ibushi or Paul White?

He does not operate AEW like he has a budget whatsoever.

TK cannot discern between good and bad wrestling. He thinks whatever comes from him is good. He thinks Will Ospreay is good, Chris Jericho is good, Orange Cassidy is good, Toni Storm is good and Riho is good. He can’t kill his darlings and produce a product that actually works towards one stylistic vision.

It’s been implied AEW has a budget. He charges for ROH and PPV. Tony wants to make money back, he’s just a fucking shit businessman and wrestling mind.

This is your semi-regular reminder that Tony Khan has never earned a job he has, and everything is a bought position.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Takeshita is miserable in AEW. He did an interview in it where he claimed (I’m paraphrasing) that he’s lost the joy of wrestling since being in AEW. He also thinks Americans don’t want to see Asians on TV.

TK is just a shitty booker, bro.

[xrodmuc316]

Tony didn't even know Miro was injured and tried to book him.
Tony knows Ricky Starks is not injured, but does not book him.
Tony told his employees to start referring to him as "The Alpha Male" on Twitter.
Tony told the world he was scared for his life.
Tony is a fucking idiot.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Whoa, I must have missed this Alpha Male thing. Either that or it was just too ridiculous for my brain to process. Is it recent?

[xrodmuc316]

Pretty recent, Jim Ross and Billy Gunn both independently of each other came up with that, not at all like somebody who pays them told them to get it out there.

[Destor]

Gonna be honest TK referring to himself and making people refer to him as The Alpha Male is the most heel thing ive ever heard. The visual image of a 120lb soy boy calling himself the alpha male...id pay to see him get his teeth kicked in.

[Destor]

Inadvertent or not thats fucking outstanding

[screech]

Gonna be honest TK referring to himself and making people refer to him as The Alpha Male is the most heel thing ive ever heard. The visual image of a 120lb soy boy calling himself the alpha male...id pay to see him get his teeth kicked in.

bonus points if his voice cracks while he's trying to make someone say it

[Destor]

And while he's trying to make someone cry he makes himself cry and through the tears shouting "IM THE ALPHA MALE"

Stick him behind a monster and build a year to some baby steve austin type getting 5 min alone with him. Id literally spend money on that.

[Lock Jaw]

https://i.imgflip.com/8qx8tq.jpg

[Sepholio]

Gonna be hilarious when the end game is TK facing off against his huge game changing new signee.....Andrew Tate. Winner gets to be the Alpha Male 4 lyfe.

[Jordan]

Sup guys guys I can't believe it the forums are back, but AEW IS not trending right now, let's make a WWE thread, that's the only wrestling that matters.

[Sepholio]

HE TAPPED WITH BOTH HANDS SO YOU BOTH WIN WOOOOOOOOOOOOO

lolAEW

[Mr. Nerfect]

AEW is the gift that keeps giving. It’s going to be a shame when they cancelled because they suck.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Let’s play predict the drama. I actually predicted Meltzer and Alvarez overrating Danielson/Ospreay to the point of alienating fans. What’s it going to be this time?

I’m going to predict that Tony says something stupid about WBD at the press conference.

[Lock Jaw]

Apparently MJF got an AEW tattoo. Not on his neck or anything, but still feel like he's gonna regret that one.

[xrodmuc316]

Did they really book a heel turn with a "I am destroying our friendship bracelet"?

Tiny really books like a 12 year old.

Also, remember when MJF talked about leaving for 3 years? He really flipped now to another AEW mascot??? I guess FTR Bald and Cope and Mone weren't cutting it.

[Vastardikai]

Midcard Snare Trap is ALL ELITE!

[Mr. Nerfect]

MJF is obviously a talented guy. But him coming back to AEW feels like the guy is afraid to bet on himself and would rather be in a small pond. It immediately takes my enthusiasm for his potential down several notches. We’ll see if this actually helps AEW. Sometimes it’s just depressing to see talented people wasting their careers. Kurt Angle spent too long in TNA. People wanted AJ Styles to move on.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Vince has a humiliation kink. Tony has always struggled with friendship because so many would have been based around money. And it shows up time and time again in his stories.

He also has a thing for kidnapping, but he’s hidden that one. Maybe he always wanted to be kidnapped and ransomed back to Shad so he can see how much he is loved?

[The Fraze]

Disappointed that MJF didn't go to WWE but the fact that he came back to AEW as a home grown talent that the company can build around for years to come is huge for them.

[xrodmuc316]

Other than Roman Reigns, has Edge put anybody over this decade?

[Lock Jaw]

Used to think MJF was smart, but getting AEW tattooed on himself says otherwise. Used to think, yes, drain the money mark for as much money and spotlight as you can. Right now in WWE with Roman finally having lost, there is almost like a "backlog" of champions and stories to tell. So by all means stay where you are treated as a big deal and make that money and when the time is right jump on over and be treated like a big deal for a while. If he went over right now I have a feeling he'd get lost in the shuffle pretty quick.

But anyways, all my rational and logical thinking goes out the window with him getting AEW tattooed on himself. Sounds like he's not being smart but rather has bought into the "hype" and "drank the kool-aid"

[xrodmuc316]

YOOOOO fucking Edge broke his leg, and he STILL wouldn't call an audible to put somebody else over :rofl:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Howdy! <a href="https://t.co/kKGH7xx55S">pic.twitter.com/kKGH7xx55S</a></p>&mdash; Adam Copeland (@RatedRCope) <a href="https://twitter.com/RatedRCope/status/1795464145334116852?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Mr. Nerfect]

Used to think MJF was smart, but getting AEW tattooed on himself says otherwise. Used to think, yes, drain the money mark for as much money and spotlight as you can. Right now in WWE with Roman finally having lost, there is almost like a "backlog" of champions and stories to tell. So by all means stay where you are treated as a big deal and make that money and when the time is right jump on over and be treated like a big deal for a while. If he went over right now I have a feeling he'd get lost in the shuffle pretty quick.

But anyways, all my rational and logical thinking goes out the window with him getting AEW tattooed on himself. Sounds like he's not being smart but rather has bought into the "hype" and "drank the kool-aid"

Is it a real tattoo? I haven’t seen the promo. I just don’t care. I’m fatigued by the idea of this guy in that environment. It’s been five years of talking about the guy’s potential. Now I’m supposed to think the guy is a big deal when he re-ups with the minor leagues?

It’s made me realize that the guy has been involved in some pretty mid shit outside a couple of big programs he was possibly carried through. After the Punk feud, he had some good matches and programs, sure, but the overall tone of just about everything he’s done has been off.

He did the weird shoot stuff with TK around the Wardlow match. He came back and became World Champion. Then he cried about not having a family with Danielson. Then he did the flat story with “The Pillars.” Then he turned babyface and that was horrible. Now he’s back.

He’s largely been boosted by an early rep, Cornette’s adulation and a confidence about himself. The maybe it’s time to judge the tree by its actual fruits?

[Mr. Nerfect]

YOOOOO fucking Edge broke his leg, and he STILL wouldn't call an audible to put somebody else over :rofl:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Howdy! <a href="https://t.co/kKGH7xx55S">pic.twitter.com/kKGH7xx55S</a></p>&mdash; Adam Copeland (@RatedRCope) <a href="https://twitter.com/RatedRCope/status/1795464145334116852?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Hmm, I dunno what to make of him. Why even do this video if he “doesn’t know what to say?” Is he 50 or 15?

I don’t think TK was ever going to put Malakai Black over. He’s a CM Punk guy and has been vocal about not really wanting to be there. Is this Edge’s “fault?” I guess he could throw more weight around. You don’t want your “legends” losing all the time, but Edge has been largely boring outside of his initial WWE return.

It’s not exciting or beneficial to have him in AEW outside the idea that younger guys are going to “learn” from working with him. Except that’s not a learning environment. And it makes the professors do stupid shit instead of helping the students. How useful is it for talent to learn how to get dumped with goop and roll around in barbed wire for a 50 year old guy still trying to make it happen?

[Mr. Nerfect]

At least we get another tournament. TK can show HHH how it’s done.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Latest TV deal news via Puck is that Tony Khan is “disappointed” in the offer from WBD. Now Meltzer and co. have stolen it. If even Meltzer is reporting it, you know it’s not good.

It’s kind of a “no shit” kind of scenario. Why would you want AEW content on your network? I’m still thinking WBD just drop them.

[xrodmuc316]

Edge beats Randy Orton at Wrestlemania 36, then gets injured in the rematch.

He comes back from that injury and wins the Royal Rumble, gets his win back against Orton, beats Jey Uso, then loses to Roman at Mania and the rematch.

Then he fueds with and beats Rollins, beats Kevin Owens, Miz, Miz and Maryse.

Wrestlemania 38 he beats AJ Styles, starts Judgement Day, gets kicked out of Judgement day, then spends the next year beating all of them, Priest, Dom, Balor, and Demon Balor at Wrestlemania 39.

On his way out of WWE, he beats Grayson Waller and Sheamus.

Shows up in AEW, beats Luchasaurus, a few AEW originals like Dante and Lee, takes Christian's title, becomes an AEW mascot, beats all of House of Black, breaks his leg, does no jobs.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Nothing about what you’ve said is untrue. Well, I guess Edge had some losses in there. The I Quit with Balor. I think Dominik screwed them in a tag. Did Seth get a win somewhere? I can’t say that I think Edge should have lost any of those feuds though.

That being said, I don’t think any of those feuds needed to happen either. They didn’t help any of the talent in any sort of on-air way. They’re just…there. It’s so Edge can get paid and do his thing with this second career he’s having.

[The Rogerer]

I just don’t care. I’m fatiguedWe can tell that but I guess you're still posting because you need the money

[Evil Vito]

Mark Henry, Arn Anderson, and Jake Hager's contracts have expired or will be by the end of the month. Probably will be some more expiries in the coming months.

Henry said he's focused on his podcasts and other media projects and didn't want to re-up with a backstage role in AEW unless he was fully committed.

Arn had nothing but good things to say about the company but I suspect it's more a case of he wants to take on a similar backstage role with WWE especially if it means working with Cody again.

With Hager I just think there was no real reason for AEW to keep him at this stage. They barely booked him in the last year or so and in his case it didn't feel like a case of him being a great talent getting lost in the roster overcrowding, he just simply wasn't that good and anything he did well they have others who do it better.

Hager had some value in the early AEW days as a big dude with a lot of live TV wrestling experience. But at this point he's totally redundant. Going with Big Bill as Jericho's Learning Tree heater instead of working Hager back into that spot was probably the final nail in the coffin for him.

[screech]

Did Hager's hat get a new deal?

[Evil Vito]

It should've gotten a 10-year supermax contract.

[screech]

MJF could go to WWE in like 5 years and just wrestle in pants all the time. Problem solved!

[Mr. Nerfect]

Jake Hager’s hat is going to seek opportunities in a place that can actually use stars.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I heard a lot of black fans express distaste at the blatant tokenism of AEW shamelessly using Swerve Strickland for some PR. A lot of them were dubious that Swerve would make it through Wembley as champion. Looks like he might not even make it through Forbidden Door. :lol:

[Mr. Nerfect]

TK is thinking about adding more titles to AEW. I’m not joking.

[The Rogerer]

I heard a lot of black fans express distaste at the blatant tokenism of AEW shamelessly using Swerve Strickland for some PR.Where'd you hear that?

[The Fraze]

Okada's gifted Lamborghini Huracan 580-2 Spyder in Nero Nemesis is sick as hell.

https://static.cargurus.com/images/forsale/2024/05/18/04/53/2018_lamborghini_huracan-pic-1196584119775378335-1024x768.jpeg

[Mr. Nerfect]

Lol, MJF wasn’t on the Dynamite after the PPV? Will Ospreay defeats a bunch of jobbers and comedy wrestlers in a Russonian gimmick match for the World Title shot at the PPV? It doesn’t seem possible for this shit to get worse.

[xrodmuc316]

They waited a whole month to run the exact same match with the exact same winner with the almost exact same prize! Tiny is such a bad booker he forgot her JUST did this lol

[The Rogerer]

Hello? Hello?!

[screech]

Where'd you hear that?

They live in Canada, you wouldn't know them.

[screech]

(but more likely Noid read someone else's post somewhere saying one person was complaining and decided that counts as "a lot" lol)

[Mr. Nerfect]

They waited a whole month to run the exact same match with the exact same winner with the almost exact same prize! Tiny is such a bad booker he forgot her JUST did this lol

It is hilarious they ran the same terrible gimmick so close together. But did Tony forget or is he just that fucking bad?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Kayfabe: Imagine being a wrestler going for the World Title. You get your gear on. You’re all stretched and ready to go. The #1 contender is decided before you even get to the ring. Time to go back home and twiddle your thumbs.

It’s totally emblematic of AEW, but it’s hilarious in the context of pro-wrestling. And Tony obviously think it’s a good idea. Even the Reverse Battle Royal gave the losers a chance to try and get into the ring.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I used to be a fan of Cesaro, but I’ve got to admit that Claudio does not look out of place with The JOB Squad and Los Boricuas in 2024.

[screech]

I'm sure their match will be great, but I don't love the idea of doing Swerve vs. Ospreay already. Swerve shouldn't lose the title yet, so the drama isn't there for me.

Having a great match for the sake of it is fine, but that shouldn't be a PPV main event. Make that an attraction for TV.

(I also just don't like champion vs champion matches in general.)

[Mr. Nerfect]

Bookers have forgotten how damaging babyface matches can be. When people give a shit about your product (it’s lucky very few people do about AEW), it’s a risk to put two of your supposed attractions against each other when they necessarily have to step on each other’s goals.

Swerve is either going to have to have his balls cut off like a good token champ, or Ospreay has to lose a high profile match this early into his “run.” Great booking, Tony.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The match itself is going to be pretty bleh too. Swerve and Will are both guys that work up to the standard of their opponent. Left to their own devices, they get kind of spotty. Samoa Joe and Christian were good opponents, at least on paper, for Swerve.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Coming off a PPV, MJF’s return and there being no NBA competition, Dynamite did a whopping 787k.

This shit is dead, folks.

[The Fraze]

AEW's fall from grace has been insane.

[Vastardikai]

Where'd you hear that?

It was one of Alfred Konuwa's things. Now it's trying to get Tiffany Stratton fired over a dumb tweet.

[drave]

The correct answer Rogerer, is the Smart People Forums.

[Mr. Nerfect]

AEW's fall from grace has been insane.

It’s what happens when 5 years of bad television sets in.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Collision looks pumping. Will Ospreay defends his mid-card belt against Kyle O’Reilly. Another babyface match. Kyle’s done nothing since returning off a >1 year layoff. Fuck’s sake.

Speaking of misused Canadians, WWE has already done more with Ethan Page in a single night than AEW did in years.

[Mr. Nerfect]

And on the subject of Collision, they’ve currently sold <1700 tickets to next week’s show.

[The Rogerer]

It was one of Alfred Konuwa's things. Now it's trying to get Tiffany Stratton fired over a dumb tweet.At least Konuwa gets paid for this shit

[Mr. Nerfect]

Frankie Kazarian has spoken out against the company. Inmates running the asylum, no creative vision, nonsensical storylines being the things he cited as informing his decision to leave. Kind of a “no shit” reveal, but still worth sharing. Kaz was figured in at the start and I think he had to wake up to how stupid the people he was in business with were.

[Destor]

Its def no shit. Especially the creative vision front. Even the die hards can tell. Theyve shifted their argument to things like "you just want there only to be one company again" when faced with valid criticism. And to he fair there are definitely people who do. Some claim otherwise but the vendetta in their soul is obvious. The point though is thats not a defense of the product. Its an argument about the argument occurring at all which is a type of admission in its own right.

[Mr. Nerfect]

You’re also getting arguments about whether something is actually a story or not — not whether that story is any good.

Any criticism of the promotion is waved away by some as “bad faith.” Chris Jericho basically came out and said that recently. A healthier attitude would be a commitment to continuous improvement and to actually learn and grow from criticism.

[Mr. Nerfect]

But it’s been that way for 5 years lol. It’s not going to change. That’s why I have no sympathy for the promotion or its fate.

I’m done with the “AEW is good for wrestling” argument too. More bad wrestling is not good for wrestling. Tony overpays for talent, which is a bad thing even if we’re supposed to pretend that wrestlers getting rich is the goal. Talented individuals will find work elsewhere, and might not have to waste years of their careers, amass injuries, develop bad habits, lose the motivation to continue after a well-paid cycle or two.

I’d definitely like a good product that is not WWE. AEW ain’t it.

[xrodmuc316]

Dave Meltzer and his little stooge came to the conclusion that WBD is going to give AEW a 50% rights raise to renew them. This is based solely on nothing but the two of them telling each other they heard Tiny say AEW is great.

Shows that have lost half their total audience and about 55% of the "key demo" over 5 years don't really warrant a deal worth 1.5 times what they were getting.

What is even better is all the other wrestling "journalist" are now reporting it as fact that AEW's new deal is worth over $115 million a year.

No new deal has been signed, WBD stock is down 30% since last year, they lost $3.1 BILLION in 2023. They are scrapping films that have already been completed JUST for tax breaks, and they just lost NBA games on TNT because they couldn't afford to match Disney or NBC Universal, which means they will not be able to demand as high of a price for their cable channels package, nor as much in advertising revenue.

ALL OF THIS somehow means AEW is going to get a massive raise, according to Dave Meltzer's opinion and other journalist reporting Dave Meltzer's opinion as fact.

At this point why are they still pretending this company is an actual business? Just say you love pro wrestling and you are willing to fund it yourself for the love of the sport. Instead part of Tony's pro wrestling hobby/fantasy is that he needs everybody to believe he is a successful businessman so he can go on NFL Network and Rich Eisen and fawn over how successful he is.

Make no mistake, Tony Khan is the reason AEW is such shit. He is so awkward and unlikable and delusional that it is impossible to take anything AEW does seriously. At the end of the day, he does not deserve the false sense of accomplishment, he is nothing but a manchild with a very rich father who never told his kids no.

[Mr. Nerfect]

You’re spot on the money there. I’m still thinking WBD just drops them. It doesn’t sound like they make a profit on the show (from Alvarez and Thurston’s own lips), and the content is needlessly violent. Skye Blue wrapped in barbed wire is not a good look. Neither are belts with your corporate logos on them being trotted out in front of 10% full buildings.

A new deal is also going to see decreasing ratings over the duration of that time, and that doesn’t even factor in what happens if WWE decides to play harder opposition and/or TNA gets a reputable deal. Who wants to be the executive that signs off on that just to see the bottom fall out?

Plus they have to know what a pain it is to deal with Tony Khan and what a mess AEW is politically.

No one else wants it. No one picked up ROH. If you were interested in getting Dynamite from WBD’s clutches, why wouldn’t you pick up ROH for some sort of bargain in order to begin a relationship with TK? Every single entity (except for allegedly CW) passed on ROH. Good luck landing a deal with the CW now.

I’m sure people will tell me that I’m wrong and I just don’t understand television like Dave Meltzer — just like I didn’t understand video games like Kenny Omega — but we’ll see.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I just heard the funniest excerpt about TK talking about Bryan Danielson’s contract coming up. Tony said he hopes he and Bryan can talk to each other every day for the rest of their lives. :lol:

[Lock Jaw]

Just saw a photo of Jericho with the FTW title....... why is that still a thing.................

[The Rogerer]

You’re spot on the money there. I’m still thinking WBD just drops them. It doesn’t sound like they make a profit on the show (from Alvarez and Thurston’s own lips)Are you sure about that? It doesn't sound right. I can't imagine a reason that WBD would lose money on the deal. I suppose there could be requirements for original programming or something, but even if it's out of contratual obligation there's not many shows that can pump out that much live TV and perform that consistently in ratings. Even in that made up scenario where they're losing money on AEW it still wouldn't make sense to get rid of it. Does that make any sense to you?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Just saw a photo of Jericho with the FTW title....... why is that still a thing.................

Jericho’s ego. They’ve got to think of ways to shoehorn him onto programming. Has he helped out one single wrestler in the last 4 years?

It’s funny to hear Meltzer and Alvarez still defend Jericho every chance they get. Gotta keep those Christmas gifts coming. It’s made me reflect on the coverage Jericho has ever gotten, and how bullshit it all was. Dave has been doing his bidding since 1998.

Jericho’s probably always been a political animal and piece of shit. It just didn’t get covered.

[The Rogerer]

Jericho’s ego. They’ve got to think of ways to shoehorn him onto programming. Has he helped out one single wrestler in the last 4 years?

It’s funny to hear Meltzer and Alvarez still defend Jericho every chance they get. Gotta keep those Christmas gifts coming. It’s made me reflect on the coverage Jericho has ever gotten, and how bullshit it all was. Dave has been doing his bidding since 1998.

Jericho’s probably always been a political animal and piece of shit. It just didn’t get covered.Help me I think I'm a ghost


aaaaaaahhhhh

[xrodmuc316]

So Ricky Starks let it be known he is not injured and doesn't know why he isn't being booked.

A reporter asked Tony Khan about this.

Tony Khan said:

"I think Ricky Starks is tremendous,"Khan said. "I'd love to get him involved and back in AEW anytime. He's been a huge part of what we've done here for about four out of the five years"

This dumdum forgot he is the booker, Ricky isn't there because Tiny stopped booking him...

[drave]

Good job, XRod!!

[Mr. Nerfect]

So Ricky Starks let it be known he is not injured and doesn't know why he isn't being booked.

A reporter asked Tony Khan about this.

Tony Khan said:

"I think Ricky Starks is tremendous,"Khan said. "I'd love to get him involved and back in AEW anytime. He's been a huge part of what we've done here for about four out of the five years"

This dumdum forgot he is the booker, Ricky isn't there because Tiny stopped booking him...

Cody guy.

Punk guy.

Presumably didn’t sign an extension even after receiving the gift of working Jericho.

Invited guest to WrestleMania.

Careful, AEW — your bullshit is showing.

[The Rogerer]

I think this and all other conversations are moot when they’re losing TV, no?

[Mr. Nerfect]

378k for Collision. And according to Dave Meltzer, Triple H is kicking himself for not getting Will Ospreay.

[xrodmuc316]

Will Ospreay is like reboot Kenny Omega to Meltzer. He can hype Will up ever more than he ever did Kenny, and it is like Dave is reliving his golden years.

He can do good flips, like that is what matters! That is why Reggie/Skrypts was WWE Champion a bunch of times!

[Mr. Nerfect]

Yeah, Dave’s anointed ones don’t have much appeal.

His comments about Triple H kicking himself for missing out on Ospreay have not aged well.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Tony Khan announcing Christopher Daniels as the new babyface authority figure and then sticking around to make matches anyway is funny.

[The Fraze]

Holy sh*t, Harley Cameron.

[xrodmuc316]

So MJF's big return angle is the DX schilling merch schtick and fighting Rush? That is what Tiny came up with after 6 months lol

[Mr. Nerfect]

Things are obviously booked on the fly. Even if thought he tells the wrong stories, he tells the wrong stories poorly. If you knew you were getting MJF back by this point in time, why wouldn’t you have someone built up for him?

MJF is going to lose steam extra-fast in this run. He made the mistake of dangling scenarios people actually want to see out there, then chose the safe, predictable option. He’s got no one fresh to work a top tier program with.

If you look back at MJF’s work — yes, his promos are fun and the guy can work — but has he actually had a good feud outside Cody or CM Punk? And there were definitely problems with the Cody feud. He’s not going to get the “poor MJF, let’s support him while he’s stuck there” goodwill.

[The Fraze]

The schilling merch thing, even when done to be "meta," is so annoying. What happened to coming out in your new t-shirt and being so badass that everyone has to have it?

[Mr. Nerfect]

They might get a few hundred shirts out of it. Way worth the hit to the dignity.

[Mr. Nerfect]

790k for Dynamite. No competition and the advertised return of their biggest star. He teamed with the BCC for the first time on Dynamite! And MJF returned as well.

It’s probs not going to get better, folks.

[drave]

OMG RIP!!11

[Evil Vito]

Rush rules. I'm happy to get him into a program with someone important like MJF.

[drave]

Stop having fun.

[Lock Jaw]

See, Noid didn't say anything bad yet the anti-Noid drave comes in and jumps all over it, and makes the thread not fun by not being chill and instead choosing to make snarky comments designed to spread negative energy

[xrodmuc316]

Stop having fun.

Adam Copeland wouldn't have a broken leg if he wasn't having so much fun :rofl:

[Mr. Nerfect]

My fun is to tell the truth about AEW. If drave truly supported fun, he wouldn’t try to censor that. But it’s about conforming, and there is less and less reason to do so, and so it takes the form of empty rhetoric.

Fewer people seem to be having fun with this product. And how fun is it going to be if it’s yanked off the air?

[drave]

See, Noid didn't say anything bad yet the anti-Noid drave comes in and jumps all over it, and makes the thread not fun by not being chill and instead choosing to make snarky comments designed to spread negative energy

I responded to Vito. :n:

[Mr. Nerfect]

Collision looks like it’s going to be a pumping show.

* The ironic piss-take of pro-wrestling, Orange Cassidy, takes on the homeless looking man who hasn’t won anything in over 2 years, Kyle O’Reilly. The only question doesn’t pertain to the outcome, but rather to whether or not KOR wishes he could go back to WWE or if he is happy being a whore for TK’s money.

* Claudio Castagnoli teams up with Wheeler Yuta, who is still somehow a champion after being out for 4 months to face FTR, who now get booed because everyone knows what an obnoxious worm Dax Harwood is. The fans are punished no matter who wins this one.

This leads into Dynamite:

* Will Ospreay faces Rey Fenix in a match where chances that both leave healthy are the risky bet. It’s great Willy Go-Home went over Danielson just to flop around in the mid-card. Gotta earn those stripes through that grind, bruv.

* Mercedes Mone defends her TBS Championship against Zeuxis. There’s not much to say about her because no one cares who she is. If Mercedes loses her TBS Title, her match against whoever the fuck her opponent at Forbidden Door is will only be for one of the other 8 belts floating around this match. Drama.

* Rush will also be in action. Catch him before his endless stream of matches against Santos Escobar on SmackDown this fall.

What a tremendous week of action. Don’t miss it because it certainly won’t mean anything next week.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Pantogon, Jr’s contract with AEW is almost up. Someone is spreading rumors that WWE is interested in him. I’d doubt that on a talent level — the dude sucks — but I could see WWE poaching him just to take a guy who has been there from the start. I guess he could be used in the TNA stuff and could get a brief X-Division Title run or something.

But if the rumors are bullshit (likely), he definitely seems to be wanting to drive up his own asking price to rip off Tony or register his unhappiness.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Getting real about Forbidden Door: You’d think there would be some show-to-show stories to tell, since you have these people show up out of the blue and derail the usual serialized content. There should be one guy who has been really successful from the New Japan side looking for a real challenger, for example. Fans need something familiar to hook onto it. But it seems random every year.

You also have these built in stories that Tony just misses. It’s one of the more frustrating parts of his booking, because I think your average viewer picks up on what’s being missed.

Will Ospreay and Okada just signed with AEW. Wouldn’t it be logical for their betrayal of NJPW to factor into their Forbidden Door program? Shouldn’t someone from New Japan be like “Hey Okada — you were the ace and now you’ve turned your back on your home for dirty American money.”

Jack Perry was the Scapegoat in New Japan a few months ago. Instead of bringing him back ahead of the PPV, which wasn’t urgent at all, wouldn’t it make more sense to have had him challenge someone from AEW for his status back? I’m not a fan of the guy, but at least he’s a familiar face with a storyline reason to use the Forbidden Door.

All these low hanging fruits are going to be missed. Ospreay is challenging for the World Title the PPV before Wembley — so he’s either going to lose en route or cut off Swerve’s nuts. Jack Perry is going towards a random Ladder Match advertised to feature two losers. Okada isn’t booked yet, but you can basically place a bet that it’s going to be a random match that doesn’t mean anywhere near what Okada being on an AEW/NJPW crossover show should.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I just knew TPWW would be back up today. It needs to be around to register the week when Dynamite got 502k viewers.

[Sepholio]

I had to come here for some sane takes on that. Smeat at the other forums trying to say the ratings tanked because Black Panther was the lead in and not Big Bang Theory and I just can't even entertain that nonsense.

[Sepholio]

Like...assuming that's the actual reason, then that's even more embarrassing for AEW. Almost a third of AEWs ratings rely on people passing out to sitcom reruns at 7:30 on a Wednesday. I mean they had to be asleep right? Because otherwise they are just too dumb to flip over to TBS at 8. It couldn't possibly be that they just don't care about AEW enough to hit 2 buttons on the remote.

[xrodmuc316]

Remember like a week ago Tony Khan and Dave Meltzer said WWE leaks fake fast national ratings to make AEW look bad.

Then sudddenly fake NXT ratings came out saying NXT did like 517,000 which ended up being wrong, and NXT did like 770,000?

And now AEW gets even worse than the fake NXT numbers LOL.

Tiny Klown deserves every second of this embarassment.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Yeah, Bubba Ray came out and tried to do the moral beacon thing of “no one roots against wrestling companies if they’re a fan.” It’s just a fine “told you so” moment. They’re assholes who have been talking shit and keeping trying to force things down fans’ throats (both on-air and via dirt sheets) they don’t want.

The bottom was always going to drop out. It’s jarring how drastic it was this week, but the product has been obnoxiously defiant of fans’ tastes for a long time now. There was the “everything is awesome” stage. You say something bad about AEW and you get attacked. There was the “arms folded” stage. People were there but were more aware that this wasn’t very good. Now they’re actually being run off by the poor programming.

Sure, some things can contribute to lower ratings. NXT has gotten some hype lately. Maybe some people did want to sit on their porch doing nothing. But most shows were up. It’s really as simple as the shitty show got shitty ratings.

[Mr. Nerfect]

For those who missed it, Dave Meltzer tried to blame the nice weather for the ratings being low. That’s not a joke.

[Splaya]

It's Steaming hot in like 3/4 of the country. Sorry Davey, ratings would go up because more people would be inclined to watch it because they were inside because of the warm weather.

[xrodmuc316]

Yeah the whole "don't be Tribal, all wrestling should be fun" argument is great when AEW is down, but they NEVER stop encouraging exactly that, Tribalism. This same week Tiny Klown is giving interviews talking about how he was so happy to give Sting a proper retirement because FEDBAD did a bad job with Sting.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Meltzer doesn’t help with the tribalism with his lies. In response to the rating this week, he even had what he called “spin stats” ready to go help people defend the company. :lol:

I’ve got no problem with a little trash talk…if it’s effective. But AEW has always sucked at taking the shots it does. Especially when they cry about getting it back.

[screech]

I didn't watch Dynamite last week so the low rating is my fault.

My bad, everyone!

[Bad News Gertner]

WWE Main Event is probably outdrawing Dynamite now for real

[screech]

Main Event was the only rasslin show I could watch for years without cable. Didn't know it was still on. Good for them!

[Mr. Nerfect]

NXT Lvl Up whoopin’ that ass.

[xrodmuc316]

AEW booking is so meaningless they made Neville vs Daniel Bryan irrelevant.

[xrodmuc316]

Gotta announce who is randomly selected to be on team AEW for Blood and Guts! Don't worry, I am sure it will be as logical as booking MJF's grand return to fight Rush and Hechicero!!!

[xrodmuc316]

Britt Baker out a year. Let's book her to return coming for the secondary title LOL

[slik]

best ending to an aew show in ages

[slik]

best ending to an aew show in ages

[Mr. Nerfect]

So what are they going to do at Wembley? Beat Ospreay or blow off MJF’s heat?

MJF is obviously better off as a heel. It’s good for them to admit that the face run was a bad idea. Probably sabotage. You can’t just go back to what once had potential though. This feels a bit like deja vu.

[Mr. Nerfect]

My favorite AEW story lately was probably Tony taking time on the Observer to pretend there’s nothing to the ratings drop. If it wasn’t a big deal, why take the spot? And Dave sounded like the dog from Up slobbering all over Tony. “Oh yes, Master — the ratings did rebound, oh yes they truly did.”

[Mr. Nerfect]

Ricky Starks getting the fake story leaked from inside the company is rich too.

[Mr. Nerfect]

MJF might regret saying he cared about Nielsen ratings. I’m sure Meltzer marked out for the attention though.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I like the way they’re desperate to make Collision mean something, so they use Adam Page who should have been fired. Why did The Bucks suspend him just to put him in the tournament anyway?

[Mr. Nerfect]

I’m grouping Dave Meltzer in with AEW now. Two pretty telling incidents with Kayla Braxton and Pat McAfee the past couple of weeks. It shows that Dave not only can’t communicate with those talents, but he also doesn’t know anyone who is friends with them.

Dave Scherer has been destroying Dave for lying about people and not second-sourcing. Meltzer could have contacted CM Punk during the whole AEW bullshit. Why didn’t he report Punk’s (true) side?

[xrodmuc316]

Speaking of Meltzer, you cannot make this shit up :rofl::rofl::rofl:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&quot;This was a very very heavily choreographed gymnastics display that was disguised as a wrestling match.&quot;<br><br>So it’s ok when this happens on AEW all the time, but when Sol Ruca &amp; Kelani Jordan do it it’s “not wrestling” ��<br><br>The hypocrisy is next level <a href="https://t.co/DE7zRgM89T">pic.twitter.com/DE7zRgM89T</a></p>&mdash; Vick (@Vick_8122) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vick_8122/status/1810315562624462971?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Lock Jaw]

Haven't seen the match, but that seems hilarious

[Mr. Nerfect]

That is amazing.

[Destor]

I agree its not wrestling

[Tom Guycott]

Speaking of Meltzer, you cannot make this shit up :rofl::rofl::rofl:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&quot;This was a very very heavily choreographed gymnastics display that was disguised as a wrestling match.&quot;<br><br>So it’s ok when this happens on AEW all the time, but when Sol Ruca &amp; Kelani Jordan do it it’s “not wrestling” ��<br><br>The hypocrisy is next level <a href="https://t.co/DE7zRgM89T">pic.twitter.com/DE7zRgM89T</a></p>&mdash; Vick (@Vick_8122) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vick_8122/status/1810315562624462971?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"You never see a match like this ANYWHERE..."

Listeners: :shifty: :nono: :roll: :shifty: :roll: :shifty: :roll: :nono:

[Mr. Nerfect]

It seems some of the talent AEW fans thought were going to AEW may have chosen WWE, namely Stephanie Vaquer and The Motor City Machine Guns.

It’s funny to see AEW fans to go from talking about dream matches and what an amazing team MCMG are to things like “10 years too late.”

[xrodmuc316]

"You never see a match like this ANYWHERE..."

Listeners: :shifty: :nono: :roll: :shifty: :roll: :shifty: :roll: :nono:

This :rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Mr. Nerfect]

As the kids from NXT get the athletics down and make it look easy, the attempts to rationalize AEW’s falling place are going to get more and more insane.

[Lock Jaw]

I hear there was another bloody beat down segment or something.... is there ever an AEW show that has no blood on it at all?

[xrodmuc316]

NXT beat Dynamite in the Key Demo this week. Of course Dave tried to downplay it, wonder why... :rofl:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just for the record since people will be fighting about this silliness all day, NXT did 311K in 18-49 Tuesday and AEW did 309K on Wednesday, so it was razor thin.</p>&mdash; Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) <a href="https://twitter.com/davemeltzerWON/status/1811506926494318692?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Mr. Nerfect]

I hear there was another bloody beat down segment or something.... is there ever an AEW show that has no blood on it at all?

Yep. Fortunately only 691k people watched it.

[Mr. Nerfect]

NXT beat Dynamite in the Key Demo this week. Of course Dave tried to downplay it, wonder why... :rofl:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just for the record since people will be fighting about this silliness all day, NXT did 311K in 18-49 Tuesday and AEW did 309K on Wednesday, so it was razor thin.</p>&mdash; Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) <a href="https://twitter.com/davemeltzerWON/status/1811506926494318692?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Lol, he doesn’t feel the need to clarify when Dynamite gets its alleged key demo number rounded up to beat NXT. Another week of this and Dave will have to find something else to trumpet.

I can see Dave going by WWE shows and non-WWE shows, so he can compare NXT to SmackDown and Dynamite to TNA.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Meltzer is cranky that Stephanie Vaquer played AEW like a fiddle and signed with WWE.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I’m pretty sure Tony Khan has a scrapbook of ideas he had when he was 12 and he’s just shoehorning them all into his shows. He debuted a luchador named “Hologram.” A hologram isn’t tangible.

Mom: We have Axiom at home.

[Lock Jaw]

Tell that to Jem and The Holograms

[Mr. Nerfect]

WBD would be better off running episodes of Jem and the Holograms.

They’ve started their residency episodes of Collision. I had to watch some clips. Terrible lol. Got quiet Impact Zone vibes. The commentary is horrendous.

The wrestling is so bad. Lots of love taps, obvious cooperation and botches. At least Christian got some belts. Poor guy is ageing carrying this thing on his back though.

[Mr. Nerfect]

If anyone missed it, definitely check out Mariah May’s promo from Dynamite. Fucking amazing lol. From Tony Shiavone slipping and saying “Speak, bitch” to a meandering promo that explained nothing. May also flops on the ground and starts writhing around touching herself at the end (I make that sound better than it is).

[Mr. Nerfect]

TPWW is back up just in time to catch game-changers Shane McMahon, Bobby Lashley and MVP talking to AEW.

[Lock Jaw]

Back when there were rumours about Shane going over to AEW.... the peeps on the other board were acting like it wouldn't be the biggest signing since CM Punk.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The first time a McMahon has been signed anywhere else but WWE? That’s a pretty big deal. It’s intriguing, for sure. At least short-term. Who is going to cause a bigger stir — Shane McMahon or Kazuchika Okada? It’s closer to doing something they should do. But they’d no doubt botch it because they’re AEW. The problems are in their very DNA.

Anything Shane could offer on-air he could do better in WWE. If he’s coming in to run the business? Well, he’s a step up from Tony Khan, and he’d probably surround himself with smarter people. But it’s still AEW. There’s a reason WWE hasn’t slotted him into anything important if he wants to get back into wrestling.

Easily the biggest since Punk, but it’d turn into a mess about as fast.

[Lock Jaw]

Of course it would, but just saying that he could actually get them a ratings bump for a week or two.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Oh yeah, for sure. You’re 100% right. Not arguing with you there. It’s really him and Goldberg out there as possibilities. And Bill doesn’t seem keen.

[xrodmuc316]

The only signing AEW could make that would mean anything would be signing whoever would be Tiny Klown's replacement. Until there, nothing will help.

[Mr. Nerfect]

You’re right, but at what point has the damage been done? People speculate about WBD cutting a deal with AEW if Tony allows for sanctions to be put on his involvement. But when that becomes necessary, at what point do you just stop expecting fruit off the rotten tree?

The wrong guy is in charge, the wrong wrestlers are hired, the wrong “stars” are favored, the wrong stories are executed, the wrong decisions are made at every level. Anything you put into the company is almost an immediate waste. You get Shane or Goldberg for a week and people watch, realize the show sucks, tune out.

I’m actually wondering if TNA comes in and takes the spot on TBS/TNT at this point. They wouldn’t require as much in TV rights and their working relationship with WWE could allow NXT talent to show up and help keep the show fresh. You’d probably get about as many people into a building for a TNA show too.

[Mr. Nerfect]

WBD let their deal with AEW run into non-exclusivity. That implies that either:

a) AEW is trying to acquire a deal outside their scope and WBD doesn’t believe they’re going to get outside offers to justify that.

b) WBD doesn’t want them at all.

The writing was on the wall with this when Tony Khan couldn’t get Ring of Honor television anywhere. If a TV network was even remotely interested in AEW, it would make sense to strike up some sort of deal with TK as a sign of good faith.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It’s also got to be annoying if you’re dealing with Tony Khan and he does a press conference every month talking shop and putting words into your mouth. Eric Bischoff helped seal WCW’s fate the first time he put his feet up on the boardroom table in CNN Tower. Tony helped seal AEW’s fate when he started openly talking about AEW and WBD’s streaming negotiations.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Lol, so for those not following, MJF and Will Ospreay had an hour long match for mid-card belt. MJF won and changed its name from the International Title to the “American Championship.” Now AEW fans are cheering for the heel and Ospreay is cutting horrible damage control promos about the “legacy” of this 2 yr old title that has barely been defended overseas and spent most of its history being held by a guy who mocks wrestling.

I’m pretty sure MJF vs. Will Ospreay was supposed to be for the World Title. Then Tony got wind that people knew why he made Swerve World Champion and how it wasn’t working, so he switched it to Swerve vs. Bryan and MJF vs. Ospreay for the US Title. Why have Ospreay challenge just a PPV before Wembley only to lose before his “big” hometown show?

[xrodmuc316]

Britt Baker said something mean that MJF's girlfriend overheard.
MJF enters the women's locker room and chewed Britt out.

AEW suspended Britt, MJF gets no punishment.
Great management! :rofl:

[Lock Jaw]

Thought the story was Britt was directly arguing with MJF's girlfriend not that she overheard something....

Britt probably was making her fear for her life, and MJF just defending her....

[Mr. Nerfect]

I haven’t engaged with the whole story, but I did hear something about MJF punching a wall. I think we can agree on one thing:

This is all CM Punk’s fault.

[Mr. Nerfect]

And this is obviously going to be resolved in a timely and efficient manner.

[screech]

The more I read about Shane possibly going to AEW, the more I want it to happen.

It would be fucking hilarious if he appeared on AEW TV.

[screech]

Thought the story was Britt was directly arguing with MJF's girlfriend not that she overheard something....

Britt probably was making her fear for her life, and MJF just defending her....

I read the opposite. That Britt was talking about MJF in the locker room and his girlfriend overheard and told him, which led to an altercation between Britt and MJF.

[xrodmuc316]

Thought the story was Britt was directly arguing with MJF's girlfriend not that she overheard something....

Britt probably was making her fear for her life, and MJF just defending her....

Apparently after Britt got yelled at by MJF, she then yelled at the girlfriend to "get out of my locker room."

I guess Will Ospreay also tried to have a conversation with Britt, but nobody could understand anything he was saying, other than "Bruv" and "The Grind" of course, which he said about 87 and 38 times each.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It’s obvious everyone is very happy working there and optimistic about the future of the company.

[Mr. Nerfect]

209k viewers for Rampage.