C.S.

Exactly. And let's say Spears does somehow "break out" and become super popular in AEW, the company will be in a position to capitalize on that because the audience was never, ever conditioned to believe that he's a geek who doesn't matter. The opposite of WWE's approach, basically. We're already seeing that pay off with someone like MJF, who is making himself a major star right before our very eyes.

To me, it's refreshing that a guy like Spears is being used, has a storyline, etc. How often have we been able to say that about any WWE midcarder since the Attitude Era? Like Spears or not, AEW is getting the most out of its investment. That doesn't mean he's an automatic main eventer - he obviously has not been positioned as that - but based on the responses in this thread, people are so used to midcarders meaning absolutely nothing that the idea of one getting a storyline has everyone reading more into it than they should because it's such a foreign concept in 2019. Well, this is the way wrestling should be - the way it used to be - where even a Gangrel type meant something and could contribute positively to the show while still never being the next Stone Cold, Rock, etc.

The latter IMO. From another thread: The unprotected chairshot obviously cannot be defended and should not be - no matter where this match/feud is on the card.

Does it matter if they have? Spears knocking the shit out of Cody with a chair is reason enough for a feud. If they introduce the backstory later, great. If not, it doesn't matter because all of that happened in another company anyway. Sometimes people like to over-complicate pro wrestling for no reason (I'm not saying you - just in general). Yes, I like layered complex angles as much as the next guy, but simple also works too. With that said, I fully expect them to delve into the whys and hows. They've already started that with the "good hand" stuff. Maybe 2004 Carlito was better than 2019 Shawn Spears. Unfortunately for Carlos, Carlito, Primo, Epico, and Coffey Colon, we're no longer in 2004.

Coffey = PWO's biggest Carlito fan? I mean, I didn't mind him or anything, but he is hardly the kind of "surprise" AEW should be aiming for IMO.

If he really does call himself The Great Miro, he deserves to be a jobber.

In one breath, you shit-talk and dismiss Shawn Spears, sarcastically referring to him by his WWE name. In the other breath, you want an appearance by fucking Carlito.

I doubt he will be around another 10-15 years. He has expressed a desire to transition to a backstage role. IMO, Todd Phillips is being groomed to take his place - or maybe Renee Young, since the "Women's Evolution" is in full swing and all of that.

To be fair, all of that shit has kept him far more over, far more relevant, and has given his career far more longevity than a "Monster of the Month" push would. We've seen how that goes. Just ask Rusev.

Wasn't he aping an Arn Anderson promo?

Not really.

No one here is a blind follower, and your opinion on Shawn Spears does not make it gospel. I don't like Samoa Joe (I think he's slow and boring), but I'd still hire him and push him because he's obviously someone a lot of people do like and someone who can be an asset to any fed.

I know your message board gimmick is to be miserable and negative, so I'm not even sure why I'm responding, but listen to the massive pop he got for his first Royal Rumble or the rabid "TEN" chants he got in NXT and then tell me with a straight face that the fans didn't think about him.

I think Spears is the perfect ex-WWE signing for AEW. You take a guy the fans generally liked and felt was underutilized, actually was underutilized regardless of what the fans thought, and you give him a new lease on life without overpushing him. If AEW was around when Damien Sandow was released, he would have been signed IMO. (Not sure why his TNA run went south so fast. A case of #LOLTNA? I don't know - I didn't watch it. I will say he was DOA the minute he came up with that terrible Aron Rex name and did a typical anti-WWE "shoot" promo. I hope Tony, Cody, and The Bucks insist on some degree of quality control with terrible-sounding indie names.)

Same here. Seeing the platinum blond hair and heeling with Brandi, it felt like the missing piece of the puzzle had finally been added and suddenly everything clicked with Cody's act.

Strange comment, and strange backlash against Spears in general IMO. Nothing so far indicates that Spears is anything higher than midcard. So far, Cody has faced Dustin (old veteran going for "one last ride"), Darby Allin (unknown quantity as far as AEW is concerned, but probably not a main eventer yet), and will be facing Spears (pre-show wrestler at DoN). Obviously, Cody isn't being programmed with top guys here, so to assume Spears is suddenly one makes no sense to me.

I thought Michael Cole did a hell of a job selling the Braun-Bobby aftermath when he stood up after the commercial break and gave an update. His background as a news reporter kicked in there. When he's in a role like that, he's actually very good.

Because all of those geeks secretly want to join The Club so they can "too sweet" AJ, Anderson, and Gallows over and over whenever they want.

Raw had its ups and downs, but it was the best episode I've seen all year. I suspect Heyman isn't fully involved yet but did have his hand in several segments, which would explain the slight inconsistency.

Remember when The (Bullet) Club was cool?

Maria called Mike a bitch, said he disgusts her, he can't mop the floor with Seth in the ring just like he can't mop the floor at home, she's pregnant, and the only man in that ring was Becky Lynch and she hopes Becky is the one who impregnates her next time.

WTF are we watching??? LOL.

Movie actors who are romantically involved off-screen often have the worst chemistry on-screen. The same can now be said for Secky (yes, I've given them an obnoxious couple name - because I can).

You missed the Seth-Becky cringefest, eh?