Tony Khan terminates CM Punk's AEW contract

[Mr. Nerfect]

Oh yeah, I’m glad they’ve done it, don’t get me wrong. Let’s hope it sticks.

[Lock Jaw]

Still don't understand blocking anybody....

[Mr. Nerfect]

Still don't understand blocking anybody....

I used to be that way, but when you do find someone’s posts so annoying you find yourself engaging with them to your detriment, it does make life easier.

[weather vane]

Still don't understand blocking anybody....

When you come here to discuss something you enjoy and you have two guys non stop saying it stinks.. kindaaaaaaa ruins it. I would get rid of those people in my life too. If I enjoy playing hockey, who wants the guy on the team saying we stink and this sport sucks all the time? No thanks. Fuck off. Smell ya later. Borderline psychotic behaviour really. Guy we get it. You don’t like it.

[Mr. Nerfect]

When you come here to discuss something you enjoy and you have two guys non stop saying it stinks.. kindaaaaaaa ruins it. I would get rid of those people in my life too. If I enjoy playing hockey, who wants the guy on the team saying we stink and this sport sucks all the time? No thanks. Fuck off. Smell ya later. Borderline psychotic behaviour really. Guy we get it. You don’t like it.

It is really annoying when people come to a discussion board to discuss things. Especially when they are right most of the time.

For the record, most of weather vane’s posts in here are “I love AEW. It’s so great.” No doubt completely sincere.

[Lock Jaw]

When you come here to discuss something you enjoy and you have two guys non stop saying it stinks.. kindaaaaaaa ruins it. I would get rid of those people in my life too. If I enjoy playing hockey, who wants the guy on the team saying we stink and this sport sucks all the time? No thanks. Fuck off. Smell ya later. Borderline psychotic behaviour really. Guy we get it. You don’t like it.

Two completely different scenarios there broseph. A discussion forum is not a sports team where we should all be on the same page.

[GD]

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with opposing views, Lock Jaw. It’s when someone’s toxicity and obsession ruins normal discourse for posters and discourages them from posting that the ignore function becomes necessary.

[Lock Jaw]

Everyone just needs to learn to be chill and :heart: everybody, just like Lock Jaw

Sorry that not everyone can achieve the state of Jawness, feel bad for those who can't but still :heart: you all.

[weather vane]

Two completely different scenarios there broseph. A discussion forum is not a sports team where we should all be on the same page.

I agree wholeheartedly. I think you get what I’m trying to say though. There are two guys that come in here just to bash the product. All day. Everyday. It’s trolling. Not even the fun kind like a bunch do. Fuck em.

[GD]

The wrestling forum experience just improved tenfold. Should’ve done this earlier.

[GD]

Everyone just needs to learn to be chill and :heart: everybody, just like Lock Jaw

Sorry that not everyone can achieve the state of Jawness, feel bad for those who can't but still :heart: you all.

Damb @notnice Passive Jaw

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Noid at least has opinions and interesting things to say. XRod offers nothing. Just copies and pastes shit memes about Tony Khan and CM Punk. A literal waste of human space, taking up valuable air.

[xrodmuc316]

I dont even have to post anything to trigger o.d.d., I just know he will be triggered no matter what. It is hilarious.

[xrodmuc316]

Why did Phil flip flop though?

M6W4ZXesmkY

[weather vane]

Noid at least has opinions and interesting things to say. XRod offers nothing. Just copies and pastes shit memes about Tony Khan and CM Punk. A literal waste of human space, taking up valuable air.

Had. Well I can’t speak to the past year maybe. Whatever doesn’t matter. Do you. That’s why the ignore feature exists.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I agree wholeheartedly. I think you get what I’m trying to say though. There are two guys that come in here just to bash the product. All day. Everyday. It’s trolling. Not even the fun kind like a bunch do. Fuck em.

That’s my honest opinion and I’m going to share it. Sorry I won’t suck the dick of the company that can barely get it up. I think it just rankles people that I’ve actually got a point.

Noid at least has opinions and interesting things to say. XRod offers nothing. Just copies and pastes shit memes about Tony Khan and CM Punk. A literal waste of human space, taking up valuable air.

While I appreciate you saying I’m interesting, I do think xrod has got good points, even if the memes are sometimes his shorthand to them.

[GD]

Had. Well I can’t speak to the past year maybe. Whatever doesn’t matter. Do you. That’s why the ignore feature exists.

Best feature ever.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

While I appreciate you saying I’m interesting, I do think xrod has got good points, even if the memes are sometimes his shorthand to them.

Nah. He's a vapid dumbass who adds zilch to any conversation. He's a poor approximation of an internet troll and shows no capacity for growth or stimulating discourse. I get that you agree with some things he says, but we all agree with utter fucking subhumans now and again.

[Splaya]

Been eerily quiet on Punk's end lately. I am sure The Elite will do something stupid on their BTE this week which will bring everything back front and center.

[GD]

https://media.tenor.com/CFF9ts7tJEAAAAAC/cm-punk-cm-punk-botch.gif

[GD]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rVI7ChE1xSA?si=95EwuPHKeZQp6cgg&amp;start=52" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[GD]

Gold Bond Mafia for life!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ebsBgngMVGU?si=xCFNXWkE-HI_GBRW&amp;start=3351" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[McLegend]

All of this Punk will have an imminent response talk that was going around last week I didn’t really believe.

Punk isn’t going to cut a shoot promo on AEW if he has any response it’s going to be in a-law suite. I’m expecting CM Punk to be quiet for a long time.

Also it’s wrestling so never say never, but Punk was fired with cause by a company who did an investigation into this incident. I don’t think he’s ever coming back to AEW. How many people in the business world after all that HR mess.

[Mr. Nerfect]

All of this Punk will have an imminent response talk that was going around last week I didn’t really believe.

Punk isn’t going to cut a shoot promo on AEW if he has any response it’s going to be in a-law suite. I’m expecting CM Punk to be quiet for a long time.

Also it’s wrestling so never say never, but Punk was fired with cause by a company who did an investigation into this incident. I don’t think he’s ever coming back to AEW. How many people in the business world after all that HR mess.

Punk might respond legally. Despite what his critics say, he hasn’t been the litigious one in the past. He counter-sued Colt Cabana. I can see AEW trying to buy his silence via NDA. I can imagine him telling them to piss up a rope. I don’t think he’ll want to go back. I’m still not sure this whole firing thing hasn’t come up because he made it clear he wanted out in the first place. “You can’t quit, you’re fired!”

[xrodmuc316]

Anybody who doesnt blindly support every single thing about AEW has heat with weathervane.
Anybody who doesnt blindly agree with whatever manic anger Ol Dirty is spouting off about has heat with Ol Dirty.

The only other person I have blocked just has a polar opposite opinion of CM Phil, and it caused too much hostility, which admittedly is also my fault, but at least we aren't bickering at each other in every thread anymore.

[Splaya]

On the subject, I am going to just say it. You guys blocking people for their opinions is such petty bullshit. I could understand blocking someone because they are rude or say inappropriate things. But because you don't agree with their opinions...so shitty.

[GD]

On the subject, I am going to just say it. You guys blocking people for their opinions is such petty bullshit. I could understand blocking someone because they are rude or say inappropriate things. But because you don't agree with their opinions...so shitty.

I for one agree with Splaya. Stop blocking people because you disagree with their opinion. Grow up people :o

[GD]

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with opposing views, Lock Jaw. It’s when someone’s toxicity and obsession ruins normal discourse for posters and discourages them from posting that the ignore function becomes necessary.

But on a serious note, this forum is an escape from the shenanigans of everyday life. When someone like Noid makes regular discussions a chore and pushes people away from participation, you can't blame them from blocking him. I'm just one of many.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

The only other person I have blocked just has a polar opposite opinion of CM Phil,

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[screech]

The ignore feature is great for not having to see dumb fucks post annoying shit :y:

[Sepholio]

On the subject, I am going to just say it. You guys blocking people for their opinions is such petty bullshit. I could understand blocking someone because they are rude or say inappropriate things. But because you don't agree with their opinions...so shitty.

You mean like Noid and how he hurls insults at people when they don't tow the line and then posts 8 novels in a row about it for extra emphasis? Seems pretty rude.

[Sepholio]

^^^That's bait.

[Sepholio]

And now we play the waiting game.

[GD]

Remember when Noid told us that everyone would gather around to listen to his opinions on wrestling at parties and how he’d not associate with people who enjoyed AEW? Good times…

[Sepholio]

I believe it. The guy who nonstop talks about wrestling has always been the center of attention at parties I've been to as well. Total chic magnets.

[Evil Vito]

Remember when Noid's repeatedly said that he prefers to talk wrestling at better message boards as their posters have better and more rational opinions about why AEW sucks?

And yet he's still here.

[Evil Vito]

Ultimately, the only person whose opinion I care about is my own. If I like something, great. If I think it sucks, so be it.

But when I do like something and then come on here and it's just post after post, 75% of it from the same guy, about why it fucking sucks, and why you are objectively wrong for liking it. I mean, is it not hard to see why that wouldn't be enjoyable?

[Evil Vito]

Would you like to sit in a movie theater where the dude behind you is spending the entire time complaining about how it sucks?

[Evil Vito]

https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/cfc/eb8/803df44f5af5251c2a5291e53596004a6c-the-critic-lede.rsquare.w700.jpg

[GD]

Would you like to sit in a movie theater where the dude behind you is spending the entire time complaining about how it sucks?

The amount of engagement he has for a product he vociferously hates is quite astonishing. I fail to understand his motivation in that regards. Misery breeds company :roll:

[GD]

Enjoy your dead thread and your dead forum, wankers. I miss the days when the posters here were half-way decent and intelligent people. This place is filled with wannabe Twitter influencers, Dave Meltzer parrots and clueless cunts now. I use the term "filled" very loosely.

Oh well. Reap what you sow. Bye.

[Sepholio]

Cornette sheep,,,,,

[Splaya]

Remember when you guys blocked him but yet you still talk about him. And then you unblock him just to grab quotes from him and then block him again...


Seems like a lot of work :roll:

[Splaya]

^^^That's bait.

I will not fall for this :shifty:

[GD]

Nick Khan appeared in an interview with Marc Raimondi. They discussed the merger and eventually asked about Punk’s possible return. Raimondi asked Nick Khan “Whether or not WWE would be interested in bringing back CM Punk following his firing from AEW”

To which Nick Khan said,

“Listen, we only have respect for Phil. We appreciate his run here. We appreciate what he did and tried to do with the UFC. Not many people can actually get in there and do what he did. So, when we have respect for Phil, we wish him nothing but the best,”

[Splaya]

I've had my problems with the guy. Trust me. And I will still have problems in the future. But opinions are what makes the world what it is.

GD reached out to me and told me why he blocked him. I respect his reasoning. I don't think it's right but I respect it.

[GD]

I've had my problems with the guy. Trust me. And I will still have problems in the future. But opinions are what makes the world what it is.

GD reached out to me and told me why he blocked him. I respect his reasoning. I don't think it's right but I respect it.

For the sake of transparency, I've disrupted threads in the past with alt accounts. Not an ounce of sincerity in them. In contrast, Noid actually cares about wrestling. He disapproves of how it is evolving and isn't afraid to speak his mind. That's a commendable quality but I'd rather not force myself to go through his posts moving forward.

[Splaya]

I can respect that as well. And just because I can tolerate him doesn't mean that others should have to. I was just giving my opinion about why I think he shouldn't be ignored.

[Destor]

If you arent here to put your ideas against the ideas of others im not sure why you're on a discussion board in 2023

[Sepholio]

I'm here for the rep points. Fuck your "ideas" and "opinions".

[Mr. Nerfect]

Some of you are more obsessed with me than I am with wrestling. The Critic was a good show, by the way. Some of you should actually watch it.

[Mr. Nerfect]

You know who is really awful? Noid. Let’s start a dog-pile targeting him to show everyone how cool and thoughtful we are.

[Mr. Nerfect]

All anyone can talk about is CM Punk…when they can stop talking about me.

Noid > CM Punk > AEW

[XL]

It’s clear what we need to do…

GD and anyone else who finds themselves triggered by Noid can post here Wednesday - Friday giving them the chance to get hyped for Dynamite, do a live thread, and discuss the fallout and (abysmal) ratings. Noid and xrod can post Saturday - Tuesday so they can discuss the (killer) SmackDown rating smashing AEW, get hyped for Collision (not xrod, obvs), do a live thread and discuss the fallout and (abysmal) ratings, get hyped for Raw, do a live thread and discuss the fallout and (killer) rating smashing AEW.

As long as nobody tries to play with glass, I think this will work.

[Splaya]

Can I post anytime I want? I would prefer not to be on a set time frame. Thanks!

[#1-norm-fan]

Ultimately, the only person whose opinion I care about is my own.

Hey what the fuck.

[XL]

Can I post anytime I want? I would prefer not to be on a set time frame. Thanks!

Depends.

1) Are you able to have others post opposing views often in a less than polite way without being triggered or creating sock accounts or descending into posting threads than you hope will trigger the other person or resorting to post excerpts from a wrestlers’ live journal?

2) Can you share your opinion in a polite enough way to not cause the actions of point 1 in others?

3) Do you want to play with real glass?

[Sepholio]

Oh great. A rasslin forum roster split.

[xrodmuc316]

It’s clear what we need to do…

GD and anyone else who finds themselves triggered by Noid can post here Wednesday - Friday giving them the chance to get hyped for Dynamite, do a live thread, and discuss the fallout and (abysmal) ratings. Noid and xrod can post Saturday - Tuesday so they can discuss the (killer) SmackDown rating smashing AEW, get hyped for Collision (not xrod, obvs), do a live thread and discuss the fallout and (abysmal) ratings, get hyped for Raw, do a live thread and discuss the fallout and (killer) rating smashing AEW.

As long as nobody tries to play with glass, I think this will work.

Man you have me all wrong. No CM Phil means I am fully ready to support Collision.

[XL]

Of course!

[screech]

Ultimately, the only person whose opinion I care about is my own.

Hurtful

[screech]

XL, what if we all want to play with glass?

[Sepholio]

I am also All In on Collision now except for when it conflicts with UGA football and/or other PREMIUM LIVE EVENTS.

[GD]

If you arent here to put your ideas against the ideas of others im not sure why you're on a discussion board in 2023

I concur with the sentiment. However, it isn’t possible when the other party has you on their ignore list. There’s no point to a “one way” discussion. Hence, the public blocking.

[XL]

XL, what if we all want to play with glass?

I guess some people really do just want to see the world burn.

[GD]

Cry me a river.

[Splaya]

Depends.

1) Are you able to have others post opposing views often in a less than polite way without being triggered or creating sock accounts or descending into posting threads than you hope will trigger the other person or resorting to post excerpts from a wrestlers’ live journal?

2) Can you share your opinion in a polite enough way to not cause the actions of point 1 in others?

3) Do you want to play with real glass?


I only want to do #3 and Part time with #1. Looks like I will have a designated time.

[Splaya]

I am also All In on Collision now except for when it conflicts with UGA football and/or other PREMIUM LIVE EVENTS.

Good thing you didn't put things in like "when mox bleeds" or "When Taz rambles incoherently"

[Splaya]

Cry me a river.

Who is Justin Timberlake?

[GD]

https://media.tenor.com/akes8uTLCBwAAAAC/jack-perry-go-cry-me-a-river.gif

[Splaya]

please send that to Punk's twitter :lol:

[GD]

I’m actually quite glad that Punk hasn’t done anything in haste since being terminated.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

By the sounds of it, he wanted to get fired.

[XL]

Yep. First ever to simultaneously hold the WWE and UFC Championships.

[XL]

So this “soft forum split”, we’re gonna need to bring in someone to moderate it as I can basically keep about 8 posters straight in my head in terms of who they are and what their preferences are.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The ripple effect of losing Punk may be beginning to take shape. The dirt sheets are reporting that Jade Cargill is going to be jumping to WWE soon. These reports are coming from the AEW side, which has way more dirt sheet leaks, so there might actually be something to this. She’s spoken highly of Punk in the past.

[Frank Drebin]

Trying to think of the time the Bucks sold out an NBA or NHL arena based on a rumor they might show up....

[GD]

I just hope that the Bucks felt safe today, wherever they were.

[Sepholio]

Who cares about the Bucks feelings? What's really important is that TK doesn't have to live with the constant fear of Phil murdering him with a straight edge razor.

[Frank Drebin]

Does TK have a gf? Is he gay?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Does TK have a gf? Is he gay?

I don’t think it’s out there, but it wouldn’t be shocking if he were. I don’t think there’s a placement on any spectrum that would be shocking.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Rumors that Ricky Starks is also on his way out of the company.

[XL]

The ripple effect of losing Punk may be beginning to take shape. The dirt sheets are reporting that Jade Cargill is going to be jumping to WWE soon. These reports are coming from the AEW side, which has way more dirt sheet leaks, so there might actually be something to this. She’s spoken highly of Punk in the past.

Fire up the NXT Name Generator!

[Mr. Nerfect]

Say hello to Bessie Brieve and Diono Warlock.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I had MJF in mind when I generated one. So I guess he’s going to be Chuck Vurnitz.

Wardlow got Rey Switch. Because of Rey Mysterio, I assume they pass. Jim Nighangelo is too much of a mouthful. Orel Pigeon was next, which works fine, but if you want a coin toss between that and Nigel Backson, I’ll let you have it.

[Splaya]

Rumors that Ricky Starks is also on his way out of the company.

First Cargill and now Starks...what's the common theme?

[GD]

First Cargill and now Starks...what's the common theme?

https://media.tenor.com/tD40ycLzJagAAAAd/cody-rhodes-listen.gif

[Mr. Nerfect]

First Cargill and now Starks...what's the common theme?

Bad booking, have been outspoken about the backstage bullshit, they’re Cody people, liked CM Punk, have either been trained by or gotten the rub from Bryan Danielson. Both just so happen to be black too.

[Splaya]

Ok. I was just going with that they are Cody people.

Elite signs new contracts. Suddenly Cargill and Starks are gone from the company. Get the Cody people out and make sure you are surrounded by your own people that you either like or can control and manipulate.

AEW might as well just be referred to as a cult at this point. I fully expect the next time Tiny has a water bottle at a press conference that it is actually filled with "Kool-Aid" so the Bucks can fully take over.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Ok. I was just going with that they are Cody people.

Elite signs new contracts. Suddenly Cargill and Starks are gone from the company. Get the Cody people out and make sure you are surrounded by your own people that you either like or can control and manipulate.

AEW might as well just be referred to as a cult at this point. I fully expect the next time Tiny has a water bottle at a press conference that it is actually filled with "Kool-Aid" so the Bucks can fully take over.

Ha, I know — but I’m just pointing out that there are A LOT of problems in AEW, and there seems to be an overlap in the people it affects. It seems that “a word” is definitely being put in for some people, and that can come from numerous places.

I’m not sure how much The Elite have to do with chasing out Cargill and Starks, specifically, but they obviously don’t help matters. Starks’ booking there, outside his Collision run, has been nearly universally panned. The drama in the women’s division (which Jade has been part of) no doubt compounds whatever goes on there.

It’s a nightmare in that place.

[XL]

Doesn’t bode well for keeping MJF unless he did sign that extension.

[GD]

Ok. I was just going with that they are Cody people.

Elite signs new contracts. Suddenly Cargill and Starks are gone from the company. Get the Cody people out and make sure you are surrounded by your own people that you either like or can control and manipulate.

AEW might as well just be referred to as a cult at this point. I fully expect the next time Tiny has a water bottle at a press conference that it is actually filled with "Kool-Aid" so the Bucks can fully take over.

AEW seems very inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. Sure, they've put up some fine matches and shows over the years but their body of work doesn't compare to the legacy of WWE. WWE's quality control and rich history is unmatched. That being said, it's commendable that they've come so far. At the end of the day, it doesn't surprise me to see young wrestlers go to WWE since it's the final destination for most of them. If anything, I'm just glad that AEW exists to employee so many professional wrestlers.

[GD]

If I had to share a personal account of someone's interaction with CM Punk, which dirtsheet writer should I contact?

[xrodmuc316]

If I had to share a personal account of someone's interaction with CM Punk, which dirtsheet writer should I contact?

That depends entirely on how you want that interaction spun. Meltz and Alvarez will bury him, that Haus of wrestling guy will put him over.

[GD]

Who's considered close to neutral? I'd assume John Pollock from POST?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Doesn’t bode well for keeping MJF unless he did sign that extension.

You’d think that would be a no-brainer before putting him in this spot, but this is AEW.

[Ben Rodrigues]

Man. If I were a wrestler, I would not feel confident putting my career into the hands of Tony Khan. Funny how that was the other way around a few years ago.

MJF, Ricky Starks, Wardlow, Jade Cargill, Powerhouse Honbs. These guys could be MASSIVE in WWE.

[Frank Drebin]

Still wondering wtf happened with Wardlow. White fucking hot and then nothing. Is he still too green or did they legit not have any idea what to do with him after MJF so he winds up like Virgil.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Still wondering wtf happened with Wardlow. White fucking hot and then nothing. Is he still too green or did they legit not have any idea what to do with him after MJF so he winds up like Virgil.

Bad booking/sabotage

[GD]

Still wondering wtf happened with Wardlow. White fucking hot and then nothing. Is he still too green or did they legit not have any idea what to do with him after MJF so he winds up like Virgil.

This bothers me a lot. His last two outings after his feud with MJF were so underwhelming in comparison. I remember him being outspoken about not being factored into storylines not long ago. AEW is in dire need of a shakeup as far as creative is concerned because TK is definitely not enough.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Hugh Norton will be great in NXT. That’s Wardlow’s name there.

[Mr. Nerfect]

On the subject of guys leaving: QT fucking Marshall was apparently working without a talent contract and still performing VP duties. He has agreed to a short-term extension. It would be hilarious if they lost QT Marshall.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Saw a joke that suggested Cody’s match at Mania 40 be him & Brandi against Shaq & Jade. It’s actually possible.

[GD]

I cannot sing enough praises of the vBulletin gods for the ignore feature :cool:

[Sepholio]

The way they've treated Wardlow makes me believe he will definitely jump ship when he gets the chance. I imagine WWE would pick him up in a heartbeat.

[Vastardikai]

The way they've treated Wardlow makes me believe he will definitely jump ship when he gets the chance. I imagine WWE would pick him up in a heartbeat.

He absolutely wrote down the numbers Cornette gave him.

I honestly think MJF stays, but they lose Starks, Jade, and maybe even the House of Black.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Would serve them right.

[GD]

Ricky Starks and Jade Cargill leaving AEW will surely be the death knell of the company. I can't imagine them surviving such a tremendous loss. Finally those who've been predicting the demise of TK's indie fed will be vindicated and celebrated.

[Tom Guycott]

You’d think that would be a no-brainer before putting him in this spot, but this is AEW.

I'm not actually responding to this. I actually even already have forgotten the context. But it strikes me as such an evergreen phrase applicable to AEW, I needed to save it for future copypasta.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I have a feeling you’ll be getting good use out of it.

[Splaya]

Ricky Starks and Jade Cargill leaving AEW will surely be the death knell of the company. I can't imagine them surviving such a tremendous loss. Finally those who've been predicting the demise of TK's indie fed will be vindicated and celebrated.

Ha.

But in all seriousness, this is basically going to become a back and forth between AEW and WWE now.

WWE acquiring Starks and Cargill but AEW attempts to offset that by signing 2-4 of the wrestlers who will be released in the coming weeks as a part of the TKO takeover.

The issue with that is AEW is acquiring wrestlers that 1) WWE fans could not invest in and 2) Tony Khan will not know what to do with them. A big name would be Dolph Ziggler but I always remember that Dolph had stand up comedy on the side and was really good at it. TKO will not release any big names (or if they do it will be 1 that doesn't fit their ideas moving forward) but even if they do, how much does that move the needle for Tony.

Starks may not be a super big draw initially but I definitely see the allure in Cargill. A common problem with her is that people don't think she can wrestle. Guess what. Trish could not initially wrestle either and look how well that turned out. Cargill will benefit from being able to work in the Performance Center and be "taught" how to wrestle.

[Sepholio]

Waiting for the world shattering announcement that Elias is ALL ELITE!

[GD]

Ha.

But in all seriousness, this is basically going to become a back and forth between AEW and WWE now.

WWE acquiring Starks and Cargill but AEW attempts to offset that by signing 2-4 of the wrestlers who will be released in the coming weeks as a part of the TKO takeover.

The issue with that is AEW is acquiring wrestlers that 1) WWE fans could not invest in and 2) Tony Khan will not know what to do with them. A big name would be Dolph Ziggler but I always remember that Dolph had stand up comedy on the side and was really good at it. TKO will not release any big names (or if they do it will be 1 that doesn't fit their ideas moving forward) but even if they do, how much does that move the needle for Tony.

Starks may not be a super big draw initially but I definitely see the allure in Cargill. A common problem with her is that people don't think she can wrestle. Guess what. Trish could not initially wrestle either and look how well that turned out. Cargill will benefit from being able to work in the Performance Center and be "taught" how to wrestle.

Critics have questioned her dancing skills as well. I hope it is a part of the curriculum over at the performance center.

<iframe width="791" height="445" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h7YYkTob5fg" title="AEW Jade Cargill Double Of Nothing Entrance 2023 #aew" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Sepholio]

Wait....I see some 5th dimensional chess forming here.

Step 1: Cargill to WWE.
Step 2: SD rights picked up by Disney after Fox declines to pony up more for the next deal. Disney owns Marvel.
Step 3: Cargill plays Storm in a new X-Men project as part of a cross promotional deal.
Step 4: ???
Step 5: Profit.

[drave]

Step 4 is AEW dies for the umpteenth time.

[Splaya]

Wait....I see some 5th dimensional chess forming here.

Step 1: Cargill to WWE.
Step 2: SD rights picked up by Disney after Fox declines to pony up more for the next deal. Disney owns Marvel.
Step 3: Cargill plays Storm in a new X-Men project as part of a cross promotional deal.
Step 4: ???
Step 5: Profit.

Cargill versus Sasha on that TV Show Sasha is a part of :shifty:

[Splaya]

Also I know she is not Sasha anymore. But she will always be Sasha to me. Just like Paige is Paige.

[Lock Jaw]

Damn @ that Cargill entrance.... I remember seeing her when I watched for those couple of months and thinking "dang, she looks great and has a presence".

Think that entrance just wiped away all of that though....

[drave]

Mmhmm. One of those "paper champs". She has a look, but that's where it all stops.

[Vastardikai]

Ricky Starks and Jade Cargill leaving AEW will surely be the death knell of the company. I can't imagine them surviving such a tremendous loss. Finally those who've been predicting the demise of TK's indie fed will be vindicated and celebrated.

I don't honestly feel that AEW will die a death, barring Tony Herb Abramsing himself and Danielson selling to TKO for that guaranteed HOF spot. I mean, Impact is still around.

But losing Starks would be the kind of loss that could be comparable to a Steve Austin leaving WCW. I am not comparing Starks' potential career trajectory to Austin's at all. What I mean is, he could be that midcard guy who anyone with sense could see would be someone that the front office doesn't see shit in, then goes to WWE and finds the missing pieces and reaches the level everyone with sense saw he had.

[Splaya]

I don't honestly feel that AEW will die a death, barring Tony Herb Abramsing himself and Danielson selling to TKO for that guaranteed HOF spot. I mean, Impact is still around.

But losing Starks would be the kind of loss that could be comparable to a Steve Austin leaving WCW. I am not comparing Starks' potential career trajectory to Austin's at all. What I mean is, he could be that midcard guy who anyone with sense could see would be someone that the front office doesn't see shit in, then goes to WWE and finds the missing pieces and reaches the level everyone with sense saw he had.

And given the right opportunity can fully maximize his potential.

I.E. LA Knight

[Mr. Nerfect]

No one says that AEW is going to die. It’s a straw-man tactic used by apologists whenever someone raises a good point about what a mess AEW is.

[Splaya]

In order for it to die, someone has to want to buy it out, similarly to what happened with WCW. Endeavor will not want to buy it so we can cancel that idea and there is no one who wants to buy it, nor will that idiot sell it. He could get 500 people in there for Dynamite's and Collisions but if he ends up getting 8,000 at a PPV and as long as they get 75,000-100,000 buys, it is considered a success.

But here's the thing. They are going to be going to Max with that new contract and will now have 12 PPV's a year. Is there going to be a deal where you can only watch the PPV's through Max or can you still buy them on the side? Because I can't see the casual (or even hardcore) AEW fan spending 59.99 per month to watch the trash they put out.

Plus, now you are asking Tiny to have to write meaningful storylines every month instead of every 3 months like they do now. Just seems like a recipe for disaster.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Tony clearly needs to recoup money. If he fails to get enough back, I can envision Shad possibly pulling the plug. But other than that it’s just going to be a constant agonizing decline.

[GD]

Looks like CM Punk isn’t going to sue TK for his contract termination.

[Evil Vito]

In order for it to die, someone has to want to buy it out, similarly to what happened with WCW. Endeavor will not want to buy it so we can cancel that idea and there is no one who wants to buy it, nor will that idiot sell it. He could get 500 people in there for Dynamite's and Collisions but if he ends up getting 8,000 at a PPV and as long as they get 75,000-100,000 buys, it is considered a success.

But here's the thing. They are going to be going to Max with that new contract and will now have 12 PPV's a year. Is there going to be a deal where you can only watch the PPV's through Max or can you still buy them on the side? Because I can't see the casual (or even hardcore) AEW fan spending 59.99 per month to watch the trash they put out.

Plus, now you are asking Tiny to have to write meaningful storylines every month instead of every 3 months like they do now. Just seems like a recipe for disaster.

Really it's gonna depend on what WBD wants. If their goal is to just get more Max subscribers they could make it something where your regular monthly sub gets you the PPVs as a throw in, not unlike the WWE Network but obviously Max has a shitload of non-wrestling stuff on it too. Ratings are only one metric, WBD know what AEW's actual viewership numbers are and they might deem it worth the squeeze to just try to get all AEW viewers to fork over the monthly subscription.

If you've gotta get a Max sub AND pay a significant amount extra for a now-increased number of PPVs, yeah that's gonna suck and lead to an obvious drop in buys. At a certain point it becomes too much to justify.

Setting aside platforms and costs or whatever I do actually think TK might benefit from a monthly PPV format if it allows him to maintain a focus on the major programs. In a perfect world the original 4 PPV a year format would be able to stick around but it's clear TK gets stuck in dead periods and only like 4 weeks before a PPV does he really start to go whole ham with build.

AEW does a weird thing where you can pretty much figure out 80% of a PPV card and yet none of the matches get officially announced until a week or 2 before the show. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

[Evil Vito]

Looks like CM Punk isn’t going to sue TK for his contract termination.

Not particularly surprising. Trying to argue an unjust "for cause" termination is difficult to do. Very few employers fire someone for cause unless they've got a cut and dry situation where they know the other side has no real legal ground to stand on.

The bigger question is did Punk want to get out badly enough where he just said "fuck it" and did what he had to do to force their hand. Feels to me like he did. Really don't think anyone punches a colleague and shakes down their boss unless they're ready, willing, and possibly wanting to get canned.

[Destor]

Smart on his part. "they started it" isnt much of a legal defense.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Slander is also hard to prove if he can get a job somewhere else because everyone knows AEW is full of crap. Punk learnt that from his ordeal with Chris Amann.

[xrodmuc316]

LOL can you imagine the case?

So then they came back from their suspension, and they mocked me by intentionally botching a buckshot lariat!

That shit would be more entertaining than Depp/Heard

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

The bigger question is did Punk want to get out badly enough where he just said "fuck it" and did what he had to do to force their hand. Feels to me like he did. Really don't think anyone punches a colleague and shakes down their boss unless they're ready, willing, and possibly wanting to get canned.

I think he wasn't trying not to try to get fired. And he failed.

[Tom Guycott]

Ha.

But in all seriousness, this is basically going to become a back and forth between AEW and WWE now.

WWE acquiring Starks and Cargill but AEW attempts to offset that by signing 2-4 of the wrestlers who will be released in the coming weeks as a part of the TKO takeover.

The issue with that is AEW is acquiring wrestlers that 1) WWE fans could not invest in and 2) Tony Khan will not know what to do with them. A big name would be Dolph Ziggler but I always remember that Dolph had stand up comedy on the side and was really good at it. TKO will not release any big names (or if they do it will be 1 that doesn't fit their ideas moving forward) but even if they do, how much does that move the needle for Tony.

Starks may not be a super big draw initially but I definitely see the allure in Cargill. A common problem with her is that people don't think she can wrestle. Guess what. Trish could not initially wrestle either and look how well that turned out. Cargill will benefit from being able to work in the Performance Center and be "taught" how to wrestle.

I don't know about "back and forth". This isn't exactly the Monday Night Wars.

To the point you made about either picking bad horses or not knowing what to do with the good ponies they scoop up, you have more of the former than the latter. You're talking about a company that would rather pick up El Hijo De Vikingo and Kommander. If they brought in a monster like an O'Shay Edwards, they wouldn't know how to handle him outside of the initial "oooooh" he'd get mostly by himself because he isn't a flip-tacular Buck buddy. So, the same would stand from former WWE talent. They will either do what they've already done (say what you want about folks like Keith Lee or Swerve, but they deserved better than they got on the booking end), or hire the least impressive spot monkeys to make The Elite look better by comparison.

Meanwhile, I'm pretty sure that WWE would be able to cherry-pick guys who actually want to do this shit seriously without the express allure of TK's infinite money teat - or at the very least, look like they do. They'd look at an MJF or be talked into a Darby Allin, and all the while, the brain trust behind the scenes of AEW are prob'ly trying to contrive a way to bring back Joey Ryan with minimal social media blowback or bring in a nobody they can groom into a subordinate lackey to "their revolution" like a Jay Cutler. And it won't negatively affect them like it should, because Tony still gets to play with his live action figures paid for out of pockets deep enough to be hammerspace instead of actual business.

AEW isn't a business: it's his hobby.

About five years ago, it looked like there would be a plethora of somewhat viable options for folks to grow their careers: NWA, MLW, NJPW, iMPACT, AAA, and AEW all being a round table to flex against the all-or-nothing will of WWE. About five years later, it's kinda ironic that the only places really trying are New Japan and Old TNA. Everywhere else seems to be populated by scumbags and barrel bottoms. The tide didn't raise all boats: it raised just enough to float most of the dinghys.

[xrodmuc316]

Hey man Jay Cutler wouldn't put up with their shit!

https://leadingwithtrust.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/frowning.jpg?w=300

[Helmsphere]

He would casually walk off after a bucks super kick and then proceed to put his cigarettes out on Nick Jackson headband.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I think he wasn't trying not to try to get fired. And he failed.

Hang on…didn’t he succeed at that? He’d have failed if he was trying not to get fired, right?

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

no no. He was trying to try to not get fired. He failed at trying to try because he was clearly trying to get fired.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I have a headache now.

[Splaya]

I've had a headache since all this started.

[Mr. Nerfect]

no no. He was trying to try to not get fired. He failed at trying to try because he was clearly trying to get fired.

Oh, my bad! I thought you meant that he was trying to try not to get fired, not that he was not trying to try not to get fired. And not that he was he was not not trying to get fired. But he was not not trying to get fired. Or trying to not try to not get fired. Got it.

[GD]

Punk seems WWE bound damb

[Evil Vito]

Punk definitely went out of his way to drop the "I've got a lot of time on my hand for 2 months" line at Cage Fury. Obviously lines things up for Survivor Series in Chicago.

Doesn't necessarily mean Punk and WWE have reached a deal, mind. Think it would be smart of Punk to basically tease the idea and maybe try to force WWE's hand now they have a chance to make a "splash".

Worst WWE could say is no, and even still, you'd have some people online saying it's WWE's fault for not delivering Punk even if they themselves didn't tease him appearing at all.

[Evil Vito]

With that said, if I were a betting man I'd say Punk will end up being at Survivor Series. If he wants to continue wrestling I'm not really sure anyone other than WWE could afford what he'd want. Don't think NWA or Impact would pay what he wants and maybe he'd find it to be too small-time at this point.

NJPW could probably pay him a shitload to work the Dome and other select dates but they are very loyal to their affiliates and they might not be willing to do it/would feel the need to get the OK from AEW first.

[Evil Vito]

I know Survivor Series is in Chicago and all that but if he took a couple more months off, the 2024 Royal Rumble would be a really fitting date. Literally 10 years to the day he walked out.

[Evil Vito]

Cody's the only person to really bring up AEW in WWE. Never by name directly, but in some of his return promos he's definitely alluded to AEW. And it was always in positive terms. Think Roman might've called them a glorified indy when he promo'd against Cody ahead of Mania but I can't remember. But that's about it.

Generally, feels like WWE wouldn't see the need to bring up/bury AEW but Punk might change things slightly. I doubt he'd go on a full shoot promo ot bring the company or anyone by name but he'd 100% do some sort of inside baseball reference. Maybe the "some people say they're scared for their life when I'm around" joke from Cage Fury. Just tough to imagine a guy like Punk not saying <i>something</i> about a company he had a bitter exit from.

[XL]

Need to come back as a WWE stooge in full suit and claim that “the CM in CM Punk always stood for Company Man Punk”.

[GD]

"I left sports entertainment in 2014..." - CM Punk

[GD]

Need to come back as a WWE stooge in full suit and claim that “the CM in CM Punk always stood for Company Man Punk”.

Trips refusing to pay for Cult of Personality so he comes out to a generic ass song

<iframe width="1048" height="590" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IuDLBlJA-c0?list=PLbVf5zNs2YjQVUqZlbGSq2BarnV_CU8-w" title="WWE 2K19 - Cubes 2 Theme" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[GD]

Q: You were in the middle of everything that happened backstage at All In. Have the reports and things that you heard been accurate? Is there anything you’d want to set a record straight on? And what was going through your mind when you’re thinking ‘Hey, I got to get a match in the ring after this.’

A: For the most part, I haven’t read what’s been portrayed. There’s been so much said. I’m not the one to go out there and try to debunk everything. I know we had the initial incident. Everybody rallied. Everybody got together. Got their heads together and lined up and got ready to do the show and we went out there and we did the show.

That really was the focus at that point in time. We got a massive show to do and we got fans out there rabid to see that happen. So it’s important that we step up and do it and it’s important that we did and I was proud to be a part of that.

Q: Was it as intense as it sounded in that moment?

A: That’s up to whoever perceived it. I’m used to that environment. Those things don’t seem very intense to me, but it could be something crazy intense to someone else. I wasn’t really affected by the moment. I was more focused on getting the show back on track and getting us going because it was bell time.

[GD]

https://media.tenor.com/NlKZPdYSyzQAAAAC/samoa-joe-dodge.gif

[Mr. Nerfect]

Lol, Joe just buried the whole TK perspective on the incident. Said it wasn’t very intense at all. Joe’s Cena Nuff.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I know Survivor Series is in Chicago and all that but if he took a couple more months off, the 2024 Royal Rumble would be a really fitting date. Literally 10 years to the day he walked out.

2024 Rumble will be 10 years after Punk walked out whether he comes back at Survivor Series or not (not to the day). He can talk about it if he’s actually back beforehand.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Joe also doesn't wanna sound like he's softer than melted butter since he remembers he's still a pro wrestler. I doubt it was much of an actual issue, and he probably did think it was a slap and tickle fight (as it sounds like), but his branding is worth keeping in mind.

[XL]

"I left sports entertainment in 2014..." - CM Punk

“…and I’ve missed it every day since. There is no place like home, and my home is right here in WWE.”

Lean into it.

[GD]

“…and I’ve missed it every day since. There is no place like home, and my home is right here in WWE.”

Lean into it.

Proceeds to lunge into the WWE Universe.

[GD]

Joe also doesn't wanna sound like he's softer than melted butter since he remembers he's still a pro wrestler. I doubt it was much of an actual issue, and he probably did think it was a slap and tickle fight (as it sounds like), but his branding is worth keeping in mind.

I hope Tony Khan feels safe wherever he is.

[Evil Vito]

Joe also doesn't wanna sound like he's softer than melted butter since he remembers he's still a pro wrestler. I doubt it was much of an actual issue, and he probably did think it was a slap and tickle fight (as it sounds like), but his branding is worth keeping in mind.

I also think a big, tough motherfucker who knows how to fight has a much different perspective than a 5'7", 150 lb businessman who has never been in a fight in his life.

Punk maybe was just throwing shit, slamming a desk or whatever but I can see why even the slightest threat of physical contact would scare a guy like that shitless.

[Evil Vito]

In any normal business setting, I get it. I worked in HR. I've seen HR managers call security and have them hover just outside the office ready intervene if they were getting ready to fire an employee they suspect could cause a scene. I think everyone should know some level of self defense, but lots of people will avoid ever getting into that scenario ever. The prospect of it scares them.

It just seems extra funny to have that approach in a wrassling locker room, a physical business where you've got tons of alpha personalities walking around.

[GD]

Samoa Joe once "no sold" two slaps from Kevin Nash backstage after he cut a shoot promo on Scott Hall for "no showing" a TNA PPV.

[GD]

In any normal business setting, I get it. I worked in HR. I've seen HR managers call security and have them hover just outside the office ready intervene if they were getting ready to fire an employee they suspect could cause a scene. I think everyone should know some level of self defense, but lots of people will avoid ever getting into that scenario ever. The prospect of it scares them.

It just seems extra funny to have that approach in a wrassling locker room, a physical business where you've got tons of alpha personalities walking around.

I wonder how Vince would've handled it...

<iframe width="1048" height="590" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DG0dAcCeNQA" title="Brock Lesnar Throws Title At Vince Mcmahon (Wrestlemania 34) WWE 2019" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Samoa Joe once "no sold" two slaps from Kevin Nash backstage after he cut a shoot promo on Scott Hall for "no showing" a TNA PPV.

After years of implying Joe took it like a bitch, Nash said basically, "yeah he coulda double-legged me but didn't out of respect."

[GD]

At that point of his career, even Rey Mysterio could beat him up with two swift kicks to the quads.

[xrodmuc316]

I wonder how Vince would've handled it...

<iframe width="1048" height="590" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DG0dAcCeNQA" title="Brock Lesnar Throws Title At Vince Mcmahon (Wrestlemania 34) WWE 2019" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Vince at 74 was less scared of one of the baddest dudes on the entire planet than Tiny at 40 was of a 170 pound guy headlocking a 130 pound guy :rofl:

[XL]

Proceeds to lunge into the WWE Universe.

This is where the Adam Pearce steps in and gives punk the “don’t do that” look. Remember when Austin faked going corporate and came out in suit and tie and went to do his usual turnbuckle entrance but Vince was like “nah”. Basically that.

Also, don’t want any broken feet.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Joe also doesn't wanna sound like he's softer than melted butter since he remembers he's still a pro wrestler. I doubt it was much of an actual issue, and he probably did think it was a slap and tickle fight (as it sounds like), but his branding is worth keeping in mind.

I think it’s worth noting that he’s going against the AEW narrative that it was so horrible and lives were at risk.

[Mr. Nerfect]

A CFFC commentator took the piss out of the whole situation when calling a show with Punk.