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What do you think SummerSlam will look like? Indeed, there is another path where Imperium take out Ali next week and Riddle is his replacement in the six-man/IC match. Riddle/KO/Sami are a likable slacker face trio against the fascist heel Imperium stable. At NoC, Ali gets a moment helping Riddle win because it's time for Gunther to drop the IC by outside interference while not in America. Orton comes back and turns on Riddle for the IC title. Gunther goes on to win the new Raw title at the Summerfest from Rollins, Kaiser and Vinci win the tag titles from KO/Sami. Cody-Brock III, Cena vs Logan Paul, Reigns/Solo vs Usos? Edge's retirement match against Theory? The Judgment Day vs The New Day w/ Bianca Belair?

Crowd was very hot for Cody.

Jeez, I thought Riddle was taking it but Ali makes sense given the venue.

Riddle/Gunther is a solid addition to NoC.

AJ got a 2nd run with ROH from 2014-2016, to me it is borderline because he spent so much time with TNA.

Does AJ Styles count?

Garcia would've been better off sticking with "Red Death" and joining the BCC instead of ever aligning with JAS. Might've been redundant with Yuta there, just seems like a much better fit with what Garcia had established early on. He's more in the BCC mold than Yuta. Eventually challenged Danielson and took over the group. Or Danielson wins, they shake hands and Garcia realizes it's not his time yet, etc.

Right. Tbf, ROH actually produced more stars for WWE than what came out of ECW (RVD, Dudleyz). If we're not counting Austin, Heyman himself was the biggest performer that WWE poached from ECW.

LOL - Dragon, of course. My bad.

With Roderick Strong's debut and Nigel's imminent return, is Chris Hero the most high profile former ROH wrestler that hasn't appeared on AEW? I think Davey Richards retired again, so I don't know who is left that hasn't wrestled for Tony Khan. Austin Aries? Only reason we probably never saw Richards or Aries is because of their past transgressions with women. Where is Hero? Concerning Davey, there was this report: https://www.ringsidenews.com/2023/03/19/davey-richards-was-approached-by-aew-for-huge-match-before-retirement/ I didn't really understand the ROH acquisition at first, however I see now that TK was a *MASSIVE* Ring of Honor fan. It got me thinking how Punk, Tyler Black, Generico and Steen were the only ones that made it in WWE from ROH.

Co-signed on Garcia. I thought he was supposed to be some kind of PWG ring general but he's become just another guy like you said.

Really great, yeah. I know Oliver is still active and working with Nash. RF Video has so many legendary moments. I think Hannibal TV still produces good shoots. A lot of the novelty is gone. I think what meant is missing are these personalities I mentioned who are more known as wild shooters who burned every bridge than for their actual wrestling careers. Marty Jannetty. Another crazy shoot was the New Age Outlaws one where Road Dogg talks about wanting to break Hunter's nose. Oops. Paul London is a good shooter, too.

I don't know if it's been discussed before but another thing with modern wrestling and the growth of social media and podcasts is the death of the shoot tape. People lament the loss of kayfabe but shoot interviews aren't as fun or revealing as they used to be. RF Video and KC used to be a big thing, yet I can't remember the last shoot interview that caused waves. Probably Punk on Cabana was the last shoot that was memorable. Or Conrad getting Jim Herd. Some of my all-time favorites are New Jack, Mike Graham, Brickhouse Brown, Ken Patera, Jaime Dundee, Billy Jack Haynes, Teddy Hart and Ultimate Warrior.

Lanny and Owen definitely crossed my mind but I didn't have confidence in that judgement. Stu was a bigger attraction than Owen. Haven't seen much Angelo Poffo but he seems close to Lanny in terms of status on the cards. A couple others I thought of recently are Jake Roberts and Saraya.

The Rock was something of an Elvis clone, especially in his early success. The sideburns, slicked back hair. The swag and sunglasses. "Smackdown Hotel" and "Viva Rock Vegas". Interestingly, Rock broke in with the Memphis territory (where Elvis died). Andy Kaufman, Jerry Lawler, Bill Dundee and Memphis as a promotion were hugely inspired by Elvis.

Starks already made his debut in WWE as an enhancement talent jobbing to Jinder Mahal before he debuted for NWA's Velocity Pro Wrestling in 2012. Keep in mind also he appeared on WWE TV as an extra for a Ryback segment in 2013. Starks again made an appearance on the March 19, 2018 episode of Raw as a US Marshal, arresting Roman Reigns, only for Starks to be attacked by Reigns. They're familiar with him. About Ricky's contacts in WWE, I can't think of a better connection who isn't related to The Rock than Cody. Cody is a top guy in WWE now. Given his father's creative history and Cody's own EVP experience, I'd reckon he has some influence and they'll listen if he endorses a free agent coming from AEW. Fans kinda forget Cody asked to be released on his own accord and that WWE honored his request. They weren't looking to get rid of him. And Bayley is very popular backstage and like a daughter to Hunter. I have no insider knowledge, we're just trying to connect the dots for what led to the sudden end of his push in AEW. Jay White is a splashy signing on a fresh new deal, so then he's going over Starks.

How in the blue hell did Dom get to be 6'1? His great uncle and father are both well under six foot. Lucky genetics, I guess.

Fair point on Balor, "heavily" was a stretch. He is regularly featured. I was only suggesting a potential signing. If Ricky were to sign there, I believe he would be booked in a similar position as those wrestlers mentioned. At worst, it'd be something like Robert Stone's role.

I don't think his size would preclude signing with WWE for Starks. Ricky's roughly the same size as Santos Escobar. WWE resigned Gargano. Balor is heavily pushed. Ricochet.

Starks is 33 which is a baby by WWE standards. They don't even look at you until you're 35. Granted, I could see them making him a manager if he wanted that deal. He has connections. It is speculation on my part, I think there was a purpose to being seen backstage with Cody. Might be why AEW didn't totally commit to him like they are with other talent right now.

Starks has teased that he is going to WWE with Cody when his deal is up. Ricky's friends with Bayley, he's going to wind up there. Maybe they're softly jobbing him out knowing he isn't going to resign?

MJF already beat Starks. MJF has defended the title twice since November, around six months ago. It's ridiculous.

Yeah, there's a reason they put him with Don Phallus. Do you think Omega is better as a heel or face? Definitely some cause for concern for AEW because they're not over. I feel like Hook might have a higher ceiling than the other 3 that aren't MJF.

The Funks. I don't think any of the Von Erich boys surpassed Fritz individually but perhaps you could argue them collectively. Randy Savage. Bret Hart. Bray Wyatt. Jeff Jarrett. Haven't seen enough Mike Dibiase to make a case with Ted. Vince Jr. Not sure about Barry Windham and Blackjack Mulligan.