Migs

CM Punk is a heel.

It's not just location (although I don't think Texas is a great one) - it's a promotional issue. They don't lineup main events in advance, they don't always advertise all their top stars, and just generally, they don't do enough to signal "this is a big show." Anyone who follows New Japan at all understands that there's the big shows and there's the minor shows. They can draw for the big shows in the US, but they've mostly struggled to draw for the minor ones (and when they've had okay success, it's because they've made clear that at least a good number of big stars would be on the show). When they do signal that something is a big show, they've had success (MSG, the 2017-2018 Cali shows).

I feel like they could easily add Forbidden Door as a regular thing (maybe in early July instead of late June to give it a bit more breathing room with DON), and a January show between Full Gear and Revolution (always seems like they spin wheels for a while because of the length of time between those shows). 6 would still keep them special enough to avoid burnout, I think.

This, 100%. The Elite guys are the best at playing these emotional long-term arcs, and because of NJPW and ROH, they're adroit at doing it alongside the standard week-to-week booking. Now that they've blown that off for now (they presumably want to go back to some of it when Omega returns), there has been a severe lack in AEW stories that pack an emotional punch, even as the show has remained enjoyable on a week to week basis.

Went to the show and thought it was pretty good, although the sense of what could have been hanging over it was palpable. Everyone agreed we'd have killed for this lineup not very long ago, and we obviously all understand the injury issues, but it was a bit of a weird vibe after the show that didn't leave me as energized as some other AEW shows I've seen live. Part of it is just the increasing amount of history AEW has - it's easier for things to feel unique and special when they don't have a precedent. In some ways, this was why this show felt like it had such potential, because it was the first. And did it reach its hypothetical potential when I bought tickets and a flight and a hotel? Not quite. Was it still a really good show that was fun to be in the crowd for? Absolutely. Heck, All In ultimately wasn't much more than that (especially if you didn't love the Cody deal, which was a major highlight), but it got the benefit of being the first and such a totally unique and exciting experience.

Same! My friends and I are all in on Beast Man. And super fun to chat with Chris Hero about the 90 minute Punk match that was so influential.

The way Danielson put it, it really implied someone new to AEW. I don't think Garcia turning fits the bill.

Orange-Ospreay is going to rule. They're both great. The Danielson stuff was a real bummer, but I think they've roughly made the best of their situation here. Do wish the Bucks had gotten a real match (them against Darby and Hiromu would be insane, for example), but I'm still excited to be going.

I guess the question is poorly in what context, because I don't know who's driving the us and what metrics they are using. AEW, I'm sure, is looking at PPV numbers. If they don't do well on PPV, maybe they never do another giant joint PPV - but I'm also not sure that's the worst thing, given how they've struggled to put this card together. But I can't imagine a weak PPV showing would make them not want to have access to NJ guys for big angles, unless NJ has conditioned that on doing a big show together. NJ... I feel like they roll old school and see the sellout as proof of concept. Same as how they did the NOAH card. It's been part of their struggles generally in the US - they just can't seem to figure out how to consistently deliver a card, with enough promotion, to sell tickets. So I don't see them backing out, unless this makes them feel like they can do it on their own again.

Feels like it confirms the concerns about the 4 blocks - really feels like the top guys are only getting 2 chances or so each for great matches. Feels like a year to cherry pick.

Thinking about what they can add for Forbidden Door: ZSJ-Danielson (discussed on Rampage, so presumably just pending Danielson getting cleared) Jay White/Hangman/Cole match (whether this is a 3 way, or a singles match, or even some kind of tag match, this seems like one thing) You'd have to think the Bucks get a match. Aussie Open? Desperado is clearly in the plans. Could either do him in singles (Jungle Boy?) or maybe a tag (him and Kanemaru or him and Archer against ReDragon?) Either way, it feels like Dynamite is going to need to be a sprint to get everything set up in one show (while also presumably advancing the stories for what's announced).

I don't know how strongly they're rebounding. Tonight's show would be pretty meh if Mox wasn't showing up. Feels like they desperately need Gage back as a star.

I have no idea if this is true but I love it and want it to be very much.

Agreed. Seems like he saw the Bucks-Hardyz ladder match from 2017 and figured there was still juice left in the Hardyz that wasn't there. I mostly liked the show tonight, outside of the Wardlow thing. Even the Jericho run-in was messy but presumably sets up a fun tag for Dynamite next week (Mox/Tana - Jericho/Sammy?) and set up a really batshit six man match for the PPV.

Notable that the following guys are on at least some of the next few NJPW shows (and thus presumably not on Dynamite to set up matches, although they could always do stuff via proxy): Okada LIJ (Naito/Shingo/Sanada/Hiromu) EVIL Ishimori Suzuki / Taichi Ishimori vs Hiromu headlines Korakuen for the junior title next Tuesday, so the winner could defend on Forbidden Door. Also didn't put Ishii on the above list as he's the VERY likely winner of the NJPW piece of the All Atlantic tournament.

Well, you'll be glad to know New Japan is really busting out the big guns for their entrant. https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/njpw-reveals-details-on-aew-all-atlantic-title-qualifying-match

I would think it's Page vs White and Okada vs Cole.

For reference, they did wrestle in Mox's G-1, although I think White is much better now. I wonder if Page vs. White is on the table here, or Page/someone vs. White/Cole or White/Juice. That would help bring Page back to the lingering story with the Bucks. All I really want out of the show is Bryan-ZSJ. If they give me that, everything else is gravy.

The thing is that WWE at the moment can main event with women, and AEW really can't (certainly not a PPV, and pretty rarely a Dynamite).

I can't believe they're letting him work a match like this.

Wow, based on this thread, real excitement for the show tonight. Flipping in now after watching Winning Time for the last 3 hours. Guess we'll see what Cody can actually do.

Will probably check in for the Cody match, although if he's hurt, not sure how high the upside is there. Rest of the show sounds very B level.

Except they probably won't have Reigns much (at least over the next few months). Also, not sure Gunther and Theory are currently potential main eventers for them.

If they were this obviously over on the main roster, its absolute malpractice.

Because he's going to be pissed about sacrificing himself for Eddie Kingston and it's going to lead to the next steps in this angle?