El-P

Some merger fuckery, most probably. That's the WCW fan side of Coach TK, I guess. BTW, as much as some signs are stupid or annoying, the "I'd rather be at Nitro" sign got a good chuckle out of me. Ok, that is funny.

Excellent episode. CC is just a bunch of bangers, and thus far it's been well booked, despite no use of upsets nor draws, but then again, you don't need to exactly copy the G1 formula from the very first year. Swerve should win the world title next year, not the Triple Crown. Therefore he can go to the semis then not advance without losing, which is a smart trick. He got himself more over thanks to the Hangman feud and the CC, now the direction is very obviously pointing at MJF (I would have loved for Joe to win, but it seems less likely now). Triple Crown actually should probably be Eddie Kingston, for many many reasons, although if he doesn't win it there, he has to win it from whomever wins it there, so that's the direction I would go, focusing around Eddie either defending or chasing it. Saraya's game is all trash talking, and she's really fun at it, which is why she's better as an outside the ring performer. Riho should have gotten the push Shida got, really. The Devil's storyline better find its end at the PPV, because it's getting nearly Aces & Eights level of repetitive and going nowhere now. Hopefully it's one of the few character that would make sense and not some "gotcha" nonsensical reveal. It's not over 'til its over, but the ending is gonna paint the picture of whether this was well thought out after all or totally ill-advised. Jury's still out. Komander should really get some wins now. It's long overdue. They really should not typecast him as the great spectacular luchador who loses all the time until he doesn't get those awesome reactions. Maybe a trios title for starters alongside Penta and Fénix when he comes back. Hopefully Kenny and CJ get better. Scary how both situations could have gone really, really bad quickly.

This. The CC has been the saving grace of the company for me lately. It makes everyone involved that much better and interesting, just by having pro-wrestling matches against each other (crazy concept too). The round robin formula allows for diverse stories to be told both within each matches but also through the arcs of each participants and the different dynamics they have against each others, and unless you're a complete dumbfuck of a booker it's not hard to make it really good, especially when the talent is there. It has totally surpassed any expectations I had, really. And it's funny how Danielson really is having his own G1, and it's much better than if he had been involved in this year's G1 too (apart from a few possible matches like Takagi, Ishii and Ospreay, and the latest must happen next year, there's no way around it).

"I just hope both wrestlers have fun" sign. Yeah, you know, that whole "wholesome" thingy has gone too far now.

Tell me you don't watch TNA without telling me you don't watch TNA. You mean Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Ace Austin, Chris Bey, Alan Angels, Eddie Edwards, Josh Alexander, Moose, Black Taurus, PCO, Crazzy Steve, Deaner, Deonna Purrazzo (probably not anymore though sadge), Frankie Kazarian, Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans, Jake Something, Jody Threat, Killer Kelly, Masha Slamovish, Joe Hendry, Jordynne Grace, Jonathan Gresham, the Rascalz, Tasha Steelz, Rosemary, Dani Luna, Kylinn King or even Eric Young who despite a few years in NXT, is clearly identified as a TNA guy 4 Life or Steve Maclin whom by now has pretty much build his identity in TNA ? is KUSHIDA a former-WWE guy or a former NJPW guy ? Even guys like Rhino and Bully Ray have has long a connection with TNA as they do with WWE. So yes, you've got Trinity, Brian Myers (who's been in IMACT for a few years now though), Dirty Dango, Kon, Santino if you count the authority figure... that's about it. This hasn't been this TNA for a good decade now. No one thinks of it that way anymore. She absolutely would be. Mercedes is a big time star. She's a much bigger star that the Steiner, Booker or Christian type ever where too when they got them too, especially in the current landscape. Ad yes, I do agree I thought she was WWE bound once the AEW discussion dropped (I'd love to know the reasons why). I still would be shocked if it's her. But then again : Unless it's a big time foreigner name, and there aren't that many (who really ?), I can't think of anyone either. It would be a TK-big-announcement-moment if that was Ziggler, it would be a TK-hires-Ric-Flair moment if that was Riddle, so no and no. No one from the recent WWE cut fit the bill. Although I do think someone like Tenille Dashwood is gonna be back with them, and that they'll get some of the guys, but that won't be the big surprise, obviously. Maybe it's gonna end up being a really surprising surprise, not a surprise-that-everyone-knows-what-it-is...

Okada already is announced at the tapings. They already "got" him. Mercedes absolutely fits the bill. She's a former Mania main eventer, you don't get much bigger than this for TNA. And the Trinity connection is there. Now that the AEW discussions fell through, it only make sense rumors would go in that direction. They apparently made a serious offer to Ospreay, they absolutely could make the same for Mercedes. Of course Coach TK has taught people to not believe the hype anymore over the last few years, so hopefully D'Amore has learned this lesson of not taking the risk of overhyping.

Yup. It's hard in a company where Danielson had *that* year, but she's clearly one of the best worker in the company period and she has been awesome at every turn, anchoring this ROH thingy in promos, angles, squashes and epic matches. Of course Billie has been terrific too and Lexy Nair has to be included in why their long-term angle has been my favorite in AEW pro-wrestling this year. Which makes it even more baffling why it had to happen on the ROH shows and not on Dynamite/Collision.

I would legit be shocked if that was Mercedes, honestly. But I would love it. Well, there's always the threat of Dolph Ziggler looming, ya know... Or even (way) worse, Riddle. Now, that would be vintage TNA.

Whoever decided it was smart to have the hard cam facing the giant ramp during that ROH show... That's one thing I never got about japanese shows over the last 20 years (was that AJPW which started doing it in the early 00's ?) and I still don't get. Why show a fucking empty space instead of your audience ? It's no big deal in smaller companies when you actually see the audience on both sides, as the ramp and screen are a lot smaller, but this looks just awkward and... empty. It was so obvious they tried to correct it during the main event. Komander is never winning a match that matters, ever. He's typecasted as a spectacular jobber already. And Billie should have defeated Athena. Terrific matches, both (I mean the Komander vs Fletcher part of it), but bad booking decisions. Athena should be done with ROH now and be on the actual TV show. Her losing the title is just gonna be a moment of "it was time" instead of being a climatic end. Agreed. I guess this is a typical case of real life events making it seems much more special as a match than it was. Thought the show was too long. The Nyla Rose squash (really ?) and the Eddie match were waste of time (not to mention the fact Eddie is having a "proving ground" match for a title he DOESN'T OWN ANYMORE, so dumb). And ROH doesn't feel like a different kind of show at all. It's just an AEW show that is neither on TV nor on Youtube with a different logo, in half-empty looking AEW-booked venues. I just didn't feel this show, despite the really good in-ring matches. Then again, maybe I'm just totally burned out. Not even watched Collision yet. Thunder Rosa is finally back I heard. Good for her.

OMG AJ Styles ! I'm legit shocked. And the guy is 46 years old too. He never EVER looked even close to this. Orton looks like a mix between Triple H at his roided peak and The Warlord. Wellness policy, sure, sure... That never happened.

Gotta love how Cody inferred that maybe MJF putting on muscle lately was him getting prepared to eventually go to WWE. Talk about saying everything you need to know about the culture there (but hey, JR never told anyone they have to take roids, it's a "personal decision and responsibility", right ?). And hell, that's what Cody did too at one point. With the result that we know of, probably. It's fascinating that the whole "pile of muscle" thing is still a thing in perception of so-called stars. So infantile, really. (and on a sidenote, I don't get why you wouldn't mind ending up with a disgusting skin just to have big muscles. Some of those guys, like MJF, Bill, Rush, on HD are just, yuck)

I don't even think TK is bored of AEW. But bookers get exhausted. They all do, even the very best of them. And it's not like he's just the booker of the company, and it's not like he's managing just that company. It's just totally unreasonable, really. I dunno, give Danielson the book for two years after he retires from full time in-ring work. The reality is that really exciting things don't last. It just can't. That's the nature of things. Thing that last seemingly forever become institutions, like WWE, and nothing is more boring than an institution (of course an institution can be swooshed by waves of being exciting again at times, but because something happens to them, not because of what they are and produce as institutions). Meltzer was talking about the Von Erichs recently, in regard to the movie, as he lived through the period, and basically said that the hot peak of WCCW lasted about one year and a half. When you think about Nitro and when it was the really the super hot and fun program, it lasted about what, two years and a half maybe ? ECW's peak in term of being an underground sensation is about two years, three at most. WWF's peak to me in the 90's lasted about one year and a half too, maybe two in being generous. Lucha Underground had two great seasons. AEW was my favorite promotion ever for about two years and a half. Matters of great intensity can't last by nature. That being said, as far as delivering great in-ring stuff, AEW is still second to none. And that is enough for me to enjoy that part of them, but I'm not invested like I used to be. Also, they are very much needed in the pro-wrestling landscape and absolutely make things better for everyone, first and foremost the workers themselves, including those not working for them (guys in WWE getting giant contracts can thank Coach TK and the Elite, really).

For fuck's sake Coach TK. I've been really surprised by Ellering, who looks the best I ever saw her (wasn't high on her IMPACT stint). Leyla is awesome and I've loved the Renegades since day one I've seen them as jobbers. Good stuff right there, with the inclusion of the always terrific Maria Kanellis. So much potential that IS NOT ON THE SHOW !

Considering how the women division has been booked, I did not see Mercedes showing up in AEW anymore. Fuck, she'd have a much better time in TNA, really, reuniting with Trinity and such. And that also goes for Giulia. This is pretty sad, because it had tons of potential *on paper*, but let's be realistic now. AEW made their bed with their women division. Kevin Sullivan (not the Devil, I mean not *that* Devil either, the post-prod guy) being let go has been undersold here, but it's been a pretty unpopular and not understood decision backstage apparently. The writing is on the wall for something not so promising for next year unless some real changes are being made. And I mean in the right directions, which apart from the awesome Continental Classic, doesn't seem to be the case right now.

Not talking about TK but about any kind of shitty reveal that makes no sense whatsoever.

Omega out indefinitely is definitely a major downer. What a way to end the year. If the Devil ends up being a "It was me all along" moment, I fucking swear...

https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/njpw-joins-united-japan-pro-wrestling-industry-group-joint-event-announced Well that is certainly something. I wonder how much concrete measures in term of working together will be made, but that's pretty much unheard of in Japan.

Anyone following any G1 ever knows that Swerve losing to Mox is just part of a bigger story. This match was about Swerve being a full fledge babyface. He doesn't need to win every match, ya know. Plus, I'm not sure I want him to won that Triple Crown thingy anyway, I want him to win the world title next year. Shoulder not being on the mat, though, fucking please, stop it. The Continental Classic is just a blast, period. Now now... I really hope they wrap up this whole Devil thing soon, because for the life of me I have no idea how the end result is gonna be compelling, and it has been going on forever now without being ever compelling. And I fear fucking Wardlow is gonna be part of it too. Lol, the Von Erichs. That Jericho/Omega promo was WRETCHED. The best part was Starks basically saying it was shit as it happened, but still. And... were they making fun of Billie Starkz ? Who happens to be fucking main eventing the ROH special show in two days to wrap up the most enjoying long term angle of the year in the company ? Da fuck was that ? This was a WCW 99 moment right there. Remember when Omega vs the Don Callis family was hot as fuck and promising awesome matches left and right ? What happened to that ? Yep. Still. 9 matches. Only one women match (the main-event, but less than this would be insulting to Athena & Billie). For ROH, which has a much stronger women match presence than the regular AEW shows. Where are Leila Hirsch, Rachael Ellering and the Renegade Sisters, who actually have a story going on ? Also, why aren't Mommies Boys on the show ? Yeah, they got some guys from NJPW and a AAA match, cool. But that stuff isn't that fresh anymore either, I can watch the same people on TNA. They are doing such a great job with Mariah May thus far, uh ? I don't think she even got *one* camera shot during this whole segment. They did zero to even further any kind of story between her and Toni just a little bit, or even make people care about the fact she's there. Ruby Soho being dressed as Virgil was nice though, as she works about as good as he did. On the other hand, Riho shows up, looks great and gets over. No shit, she's been doing that from day one. I know she's living in Japan and all, but still, couldn't we get more of her on a regular basis anyway ? But hey, Continental Classic is a blast, period. Pretty awesome swan song thus far, I gotta say.

If Punk gets WWE the WBD deal, he should be asking to be the one defeating Roman at Mania. Anything less should not work for him, brotha. And then, shit's really on !

They have done it every year for some time now, and it's always fun. It's funny how Moose is so legit over with his goofy Run DMC gimmick too. Leon Slater, Trent Seven and now KUSHIDA. They are signing legit great workers now. They are serious with this TNA shit.

MCMG vs Alexander & ZSJ was a nice way to cap-off the IMPACT Wrestling years. Talk about a story of rehabilitation of both an image and a role in the pro-wrestling landscape, after almost disappearing a bunch of times and being a laughing stock for years. Also, Dave Penzer is retiring, he has been the ring announcing voice of TNA/IMPACT for years but most of all, remains the classic ring announcer from the WCW Nitro golden days. I guess that's it now. See you back in a while, TNA.

Oh, Dave...

Could very well be. They are building him for Max, and there's no way in hell MJF doesn't defeat him at this point (unless Coach TK has totally lost his mind). Speaking of contract not being renewed, guys like Shawn Spears and Scorpio Sky (hey, remember his amazing comeback on Collision ?) are totally goners, right ? And honestly I would not be surprised if Santana was gently forgotten about too, while Ortiz will be happy collecting a paycheck to be around Eddie for a while. Sure, he got three vignettes and a win on Rampage. But the guy is going nowhere up the cards. The one person they really should go after next year is Deonna Purrazzo, who is obviously done with IMPACT/TNA (she has done nothing but put people over for the last few months). I selfishly want to keep watching her, and she's bestie with Baker I think. Well, she's also bestie with Chelsea Green, but really now, I want her vs Athena.

Looking from afar, CM Punk in WWE has been dirge of creativity thus far. "I'm CM Punk, I'm home, I love WWE" / "What WWE Brand is CM Punk gonna choose ?" / "I'm CM Punk, I'm choosing the WWE RAW Brand and I am entering the Royal Rumble". Next step : CM Punk points at sign. This has been so compelling. Also, Mania is in for yet another year without women main-eventing. The Becky vs Rousey (and Charlotte too) match was 4 years ago now. Then there was the pandemic, then Sasha & Bianca had this incredible match (fun to think too that only 2 out of the 5 people involved in the main events are still in WWE currently, that tells a story right here of how the scene has been shaken up in the last few years, as it very, VERY seldom happened, gotta go back to Angle main eventing in 2003 and gone by 2006). I know last year there was some talk about how Charlotte vs Ripley deserved a main event spot, but this year I don't see how anyone is getting even close to that main event spot with Punk showing up. Which is, you know, a bit ironic when you think of it.

Negativity check : at this point, the Wardlow push is a case of escalade of commitment. There's no reason whatsoever for this guy to still be this overprotected (or pushed to this level at all, really). The ref ending matches because the guy does a bunch of flat powerbombs is the dumbest shit ever too in a promotion where people get thrown onto their heads left and right, beat the piss out of each other until one passes out and drink their opponent's blood without matches getting interrupted, ever. Considering he's been here since the beginning, his output has been ridiculously mediocre. His character is still basically a dude flexing his muscles and sticking his tongue out. I can think of 5 monster type guys in AEW off the top of my head who are way better than him on every level (Archer, Hobbs, Miro, Brody, Cage). He was over like crazy for about a month or two thanks to an MJF angle. That's it. Move the fuck on already. And Willie Mack deserves way better too, btw. Apart from that, yeah, Collision was tons of fun. Danielson is having the time of his life and he's making the Continental Classic just that.