El-P

Between WWE fanboys, professional haters and people talking about it without even bothering to watch, I feel like AEW as a topic will soon become pretty fucking insufferable, sadly...

I had to search my own posts to remember all the MOTYC I watched, this is a crazy year again... (most closely followed promotions : iMPACT, MLW, NJPW big shows, AAA big shows, CMLL Friday shows, AEW + some stuff from you-know-where and then some) Match of the Year : Will Ospreay vs Shingo Takagi (SJ Cup final) Best Major Wrestling Show : AEW Double or Nothing Best Promotion : iMPACT Wrestling Best on Interviews : MJF Feud of the Year : Sami Callihan vs Rich Swann (iMPACT) Most Improved : Jordynne Grace Wrestler of the Year : Will Ospreay

Ok, let's be honest, since when people apart from hardcores who can't get enough pro-wrestling in their lives actually watch pre-shows anyway ? And since when people watch pre-show and think "Hey, I'm gonna buy this PPV/event because that pre-show was really excellent !" ? Come on now, let's be real. Pre-shows are a joke, especially these days. Either you're interested in the real deal, either you're not. If pre-show mattered, WWE events would sink (Wait, well, they do but that's not what I mean).

Agreed And why is it different from Dustin, who hasn't done jackshit in eons and was pretty much a JTTS in his latest WWE years ? Who also in 50 years old. Spears is 38, has a history with Cody, never could really showcase his stuff in WWE because he got over when he wasn't supposed to (wasn't he a really solid worker ?), he probably won't be a main event player after this feud with Cody anyway (hell, that feud is probably not main event to begin with either). People just want to hate throwing the "It's like old TNA" card, it seems. Like I said. It's their second show ever. Thus far, I think it's pretty safe to say it's been pretty damn good and successful overall. Some stuff won't work (Dark Whatever surely doesn't seem like a very hot idea thus far), some stuff will fail, some stuff will suck, like in every pro-wrestling company ever. But going all up in arms because "Tye Dillinger is getting a main event push, LolAEWTNA" is kinda ridiculous at this point of development of the company.

I noticed a way to show disdain toward a worker is to use his former name. Plenty of people do it in various context. Funny that. And well, apparently Spears was a mentor to Cody when he started in OVW, and Cody never forgot. So yeah, maybe he want to give back now that he can.

And now he's doing the G1. Yeah, you feel the guy really wanted to get the fuck out and try as many things as possible because it's fun to him.

Meanwhile, Will Ospreay had an excellent match with Robbie Eagles in Australia. The interesting thing was to watch Ospreay heeling up and antagonizing the crowd. So, he's also good at this. I thought the match ended maybe a few minutes too late, as Eagles was beginning to look spent, honestly, blowing some kicks and a standing spanish fly. Also, the guy announcing with the NJ regular (don't remember his name) was comically bad, made me chuckle a few times. G1 is gonna be insane. Crazy to think Mox will come off that crazy garbage match with Janela to work the G1. It would be like having Yukihiro Kanemura in the G1 in 2000.

Agreed. She's awesome.

I love how salty some people are, all because of an undercard comedy gimmick and a novelty match that was there because it was a joint show with a video games convention, on a pre-show (of a free-streamed show) mind you. Two of which contains subtle jabs at WWE btw (Leva Bates used a pedigree which was kicked out like it was a transition spot / "No untrained guy would beat a professional wrestler, now that would be embarrassing"). I admit the Dark Order is a miss thus far. I have no idea who these guys are, still. Show was terrific. Let's ponder for a minute, it's only the *second* show for the promotion. Compare that to ROH or TNA's second shows. Or ECW's. People are nitpicking and comparing everything to WWE, but what was so similar ? Stupid backstage segment ? Corporate talk ? "X is trending !" ? A zillion different angle shots per minutes ? Putting on stuff the audience doesn't want to see ? Patterned matches ? Exactly none of that. Of course it's gonna look similar to some degree. Unless you're doing Lucha Underground or shooting like NJPW. The 6-men was easily MOTN and bordering MOTYC to me. Just crazy, insane spotfest, with the cool video games references (I'm not even a gamer, but come on, Street Figher 2 outfits and hadoken spots ? I'm there). Cody vs Allin was excellent and a great way to establish Allin. It was not supposed to be an even match, let's have some hierarchy and establish characters. Yeah, Darby wants to die apparently, that bump was sick. He named himself after G.G. Allin, ok ? Post-match angle was efficient (although you could almost feel something went wrong). Shawn Spears is already more meaningful than his former WWE character ever was. It's not like he's gonna be a main eventer either, let's settle down, salty people. Let's forget the WWE for a while and just see what they do with what they have. Super solid opener, which is what you want. Loved the women's match, which took some time but built into something really good. Rose is still green, but those two big spots were impactful in term of getting her over. Love that they are gonna push japanese women too and not use them just to put over their monster, who still need to learn (and hell, that's even the angle). That 4-way was excellent, and MJF's promo was gold. Glad to see him showcase his talent on a bigger stage. I wonder for how long he's stuck with MLW. The guy is a star. Jungle Boy is Sam Houston. Hopefully he turns out better, but that's him, he's gonna draw the younger audience. Havoc not doing paper cut is a much better version of himself. The result was predictable, as Hangman is gonna be a star of the promotion, as he should. Mox vs Janela was exactly what you'd want. Too bad Penelope wasn't with Janela, but I guess they have other plans for her. Anyway. I remember that Renee Young twitted something about Mox asking her if she had ever see a Necro Butcher match before. Soooo, that was the reason I guess, taking inspiration. Bad Boy Hido was doing the same bit in the early 00's already, walking on tacks. Janela is a sick fuck, but he's fun as hell because of his personality. Mox spitting tacks was quite the visual. Post match angle was perfect. I really like the fact they are announcing the time for every match like in Japan. Good idea, that. Makes your occasional draw not awkward (well, I guess they had the idea because they wanted a draw). Yeah, second show only, people. They have all the time in the world to improve and correct their mistakes and missteps. Believe the hype...

Self-awareness is exactly what they sold on BTE, including how crappy the Librarian gimmick is. Some of the irony is flying over people's head. That being said, audience making shhhhhhhhh noise reminds me of Tenzan, so it's pretty cool. Glad to see Allie again. I wonder how many weeks she's gonna go without freaking the fuck out and become dark again. That's the Bunny, you know she's batshit insane. Bates is not exactly a great worker, but then again, she's not supposed to be.

"Watch the documentary !!!!" DIdn't watch it, but read about that debacle, so the references are fine with me. I wanna watch it eventually though. Mr. Hughes looked in great shape.

Gonna catch the buy-in on Youtube. And well. Ocean Center, Daytona Beach. That cool setting with tents and beach stuff (which is promising for what's to come). Yeah. This is the spirit of what was cool about WCW.

Nothing demonstrates the complete inability from Elgin to show the slightest bit of character than his empty look and facial expression when Brian Cage slowly got up and threw the neckbrace away after being thrown through a table outside the ring. It's almost comical. Elgin has exactly one expression on his face, and he's just breathing heavy to show that he's intense. He looks constipated all the time, basically. Apart from that, the show is still really good. Terrific angle/promo with Callihan & Tessa after a very good match against Fallah (I'll miss you Scarlett), crazy spotfest by LAX & Laredo Kid vs the Rascals.

I will and I will talk about it here.

They actually did that last month...

Add in Brody King who looked awesome in NJ the other week. But yeah, they're all about Matt Taven ? Seriously ? They got two of the hottest luchadors today, the guy who had the most buzz on the indies in 2018, the guy who played Matanza on Lucha Underground and they managed to not make me want to watch any of their show. As fas as Eli Drake signing with the NWA, what a load of nothing. Meanwhile, Sami Callihan and Tessa Blanchard are stealing the show on iMPACT right now and will probably steal the show at Slammiversary considering both their track records. Nice career move...

Ditto. The main event will be great (you know it will), Janela vs Mox has the potential to be really insane. Interesting to see the three-way women's match with the two joshi girls working around Nyla. Daniels vs CIMA should be really cool. The big unknown to me is Allin vs Cody.

The last episode about the Exoticos is easily one of the best one. Fascinating stuff. I loved how it tackled the subject of how the exoticos themselves kinda carry some negative stereotypes about gay people, as said by the gay activist who was not crazy about them at first. That's something I thought about immediately first time I saw Sonny Kiss in LU. Don't get me wrong, I love the guy and believe he sure should be featured big time in AEW. But I can't think of a more "openly gay", to quote George Carlin, way of acting, very much in a totally stereotyped way (and hell, carrying stereotypes about feminity too, with all the twerking and stuff). So, it seems obvious that a guy like Cornette, who probably is not very familiar with all things gay "culture", seeing him for the very first time without any explanation and pushing Tommy Dreamer into his ass would think "comedy transvestite character". Those are parts of the characterization of the exoticos, with comedy "gay" spots, including kissing guys in the audience. Anyway, I thought I would throw that out there about Corny, because calling him homophobic really strikes me as totally missing the point. One other thing that is really interesting is how for instance Estrella Divina (whom I'd love to see more of on AAA big TV shows, I guess she's featured on smaller shows) would rather be called a luchadora. So the exotico label, despite allowing gay and transgender luchadors to work on the big stage, also keep them under one label, which is still somewhat of a ghetto. Kudos for AEW for already being passed that point BTW. The attitude of the crowd toward the exotico is very different too, you can feel quite a bit of homophobia still. About the "puto" chant they are all doing all the time, I thought this one was pretty interesting too (plus, study of language is my "thing"), as even the exoticos are using it. So, it can be homophobic, but also not really (reminds me of the infamous South Park episode about the bikers, which was spot on about how a word can change meaning depending on whom is using it and with which goal). In the end, it's a pretty complex affair, rather progressive but still carrying stereotypes (progressive *through* carrying stereotypes, in a paradoxal way). Loved this episode, loved this serie, I hope we get a season 2.

Thanks. Nice matchmaking too, Casas being the mexican Liger (I remember watching them against each other in the 90's on Eurosport, good times) , Ultimo Guerrero vs Liger sounds awesome for the characters only and Caristico will provide the great flying.

Sounds like all of this stuff has been well thought out... Doesn't look like panic mode at all...

Soberano Jr & Flyer & Audaz vs Hechicero & Templario & Kawato from last week had an insane dive sequence in the third fall. Terrific match. The main event however, was very lacking. Angel de Oro & Niebla Roja are always hit & miss to me and Bestia del Ring is an interesting case of reverse nepotism, and he's not good (ok, he pretty much sucked in this one). Also, did I catch that Liger would appear in Arena Mexico at some point ? That would make sense and would be pretty awesome.

Better chance at grabbing some ratings back that way honestly, although it's still rehashed stuff anyway.

To me it's pretty unfair to label anyone on the basis of one incident (not saying you are doing the labelling though, it's just a broader remark). Hey, The Usos have several DUI and apparently WWE has no issue about that irresponsible stuff, so... But yeah, Swann going back in 205 Purgatory doesn't seem pretty appealing as a career move, he's becoming more of a big fish in small ponds (well, of course you gotta get paid too, and with iMPACT it's not always a given apparently)

I thought the DDT episode, although interesting, was clearly one of the lesser of the whole serie. I also have no idea what to really think about Dino. I'm not afraid of dirty humour, but honestly the rapy stuff is cringy. However, don't pass on the Wrestling in Canada's reserve. Great episode, pretty uplifting stuff despite the social context it reveals.

I concur. I would love to get Tony call a match from time to time. I doubt MLW would not let him do that, especially since they are already using MLW talent.