C.S.

Tony Khan's two biggest mistakes: Letting go of Cody Rhodes, clearly the only grownup in the room among the EVPs and the only one with business acumen and mainstream connections outside "da bidness." Making CM Punk the champion instead of the far bigger star and better wrestler Bryan Danielson (although there's an argument to be made that AEW should have stayed the course with Hangman's reign because he was a homegrown star with an organic groundswell of fan support).

Well, not being on Dynamite, Rampage, and PPVs also takes away a not-insignificant chunk of their "canon." So, at this point, I don't see what difference it makes that BTE isn't around either. Obviously, looking at the bigger picture, BTE's hiatus means The Elite probably won't be back for a while - if ever. That's crazy to think about, and it would be even crazier if all of the EVPs somehow ended up in WWE within a year.

Well, Dom still sucks on the mic. That Alien shot with Rhea was great though.

I joined this in progress with Finn vs. Riddle. Did I miss anything good before that?

I disagree. I'm no Hager fan, but he brings infinitely more value to AEW as a bodyguard/heater than Bobby Fish, Tony Nese, and dull as shit types like that have ever brought as wrestlers.

MJF said he can use his chip at any time. I think he Seth Rollins his way into the finals and wins.

Sammy beats Darby. Imagine doubling-down on this guy. Read the room, Tony, instead of just staring blankly around it.

Bobby Fish continues to embarrass himself. He has also, apparently, aged 20 years since his last AEW appearance. https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/bobby-fish-says-cm-punk-was-c-after-their-match-thinks-punk-s-mma-offense-insulting

Some hot takes here. My thoughts on a few of them: Why? He may be a disingenuous asshole, according to people who know him or fans who have run into him when the cameras weren't on, but all he did in this case was be a fifth wheel jabroni for The Dark Order. This is a scorcher. There's nothing likable whatsoever about Mr. "I want to rape Sasha Banks" Gueverra. I don't always love MJF's shtick, but I'd push him over Andrade easily. Andrade brings nothing to the table outside of in-ring performances, and even then, I can't think of one great match he's had in AEW. It more and more feels like his stone cold classic with Johnny Gargano was an anomaly. Nothing he's done before or since in the U.S. has had any impact.

Something I've been wondering: What happened to Dan Lambert? Did he get Tullied?

And who trained Danielson? Yes, Shawn Michaels, but Danielson credits Regal as his true trainer and mentor. Actually suggesting that no one should go to Regal is pretty absurd.

Did Christian borrow those boots too? Apparently the same injury as Punk and same long recovery time.

No heat on Storm by management or the other wrestlers is obviously what that meant.

Only if Mauro replaces him. He and Garcia are...fine. But I don't see the big deal about either of them.

Speaking of J.R., where the hell was he tonight? With Pat McAfee stepping back from Smackdown duties, it wouldn't surprise me to see J.R. ask for his release from the shitshow AEW has turned into and jump into a ready-made position in WWE. If that's the case, hopefully Tony has the good sense to call up Mauro and back up the Brinks truck to bring him in. Best commentator in the business today, easily. Mauro calling Dynamite and a Mauro-Christian commentary team on Rampage would be matches made in Heaven.

What in the hell is this shit? There's barely ten minutes left for Wheeler vs. Garcia. Never mind - it's part of Garcia's entrance. Won't add that much needed flavor to his character or personality though.

No, a niche article on the back page of their website covered it. The magazine - the only part of SI that's actually relevant - did not and would not touch it.

J.R. threw BBQ sauce all over the Bucks, which is why Ace Steele bit one of them.

Oh yeah, that has definitely happened. But still... Someone could easily avoid Facebook or Twitter for 2-3 days and go into Dynamite confused that two titles have suddenly been vacated without explanation. It feels like a sloppy cop-out.

Is it just me or does this match suck compared to their others? No spark whatsoever. If it's just my mood, and it may be, please tell me.

Maybe I'm not using the right apps or widgets, but I didn't see any wrestling news pop up. Of course, every wrestling site has a million articles, but that requires going to them - which only a fraction of the audience is going to do.

Boo Boo Face for Adam Page or does he always look constipated on his way to the ring?

Did dumbass Jericho just spoil the result of Dragon-Page?

No, it was announced at the beginning of the show with a graphic.

By far. Zzz-PAC doesn't need two titles. I was convinced Orange and Best Friends were taking this. Not that I would've necessarily put either team in a match for the vacant titles. Not sure who I would've chosen, but at the very least, Dark Order should have been in it since they reached the finals. I understand not wanting to reward Hangman, but he is in the World Title tournament, so...