AEW TV Megathread

[El-P]

Renee had a rough night between Mark Briscoe and the MJF stuff !

Oh yeah, re-run Mark Briscoe vs Ciampa, why the hell not.

That Stadium Stampede is probably gonna be the best use of the Hurt Syndicate too. Also, think about how David Finlay would be where EVIL is right now if he signed for *less money*, learning how to "adapt to the WWE style". Yeah, screw that, he's in Stadium Stampede.

[El-P]

Sammy Guevara sure made the most out of his Collision appearance. Ok, it's time to get him back as a regular, there's no reason not to. He's way too good to be forgotten about. He's a great in-ring worker, he's insane, he's good on promos and he's a heat magnet. The equation with Sammy is simple, he just has to be a douchy heel. I hope the fact Tay Melo seems to be back too is an indication this will be the case. TayJay is certainly the best use of them now, plus they really are the original AEW women tag team, so they fit the current landscape. Not saying they have to win the titles, although it could be a nice feel-good story at one point.

Speedball next ? Yeah, we did not deserve that Darby title reign.

Hey, an Allie Katch sighting. 

[El-P]

Foley in AEW just feels right. Nice to see them announcing it like that too.

(Schiavone and Cactus working together again. How crazy, and cool, is that ? Butts in the seats for sure !)

[Monch Wrestling]

That Tommaso Ciampa vs. Mark Briscoe Anything Goes match was wild as hell.

[sek69]

Willow getting hurt sucks, it's like being a top woman in AEW is cursed at this point. 

[Monch Wrestling]

5 minutes ago, sek69 said:

Willow getting hurt sucks, it's like being a top woman in AEW is cursed at this point. 

It's crazy the top three women in the division are all out of action right now for various reasons.

We can only hope Mercedes is gonna come back soon.

[El-P]

Yeah, that sucks for Willow, she was on such a good run. Also, I would think she was one of the favorites to win the thing. 

Maybe this actually opens the slot for Mercedes as the X factor, since they have to pivot in probably a major way, unless Alex Windsor is winning the thing, which I doubt (I think the match is Brawling Birds vs Divine Dominion).

Some ridiculous stuff in those three hours. Briscoe vs Ciampa was legit AEW PPV level material. Darby vs Speedball was a terrific TV sprint title match, with plenty of great ideas that really took advantage of both man's games. And they actually are going above an beyond to sell the stip and the idea that MJF might lose. Ospreay vs Shibata, again, great match and awesome promo to sell the importance of the Owen and the beginning of his journey toward Wembley. PLEASE don't get hurt Will.

The plug for the ESPN article on Darby was quite funny.

[MoS]

MJF still has his issues and his promos can still feel contrived and rehearsed, but goddamn he is so much better this time than he was in his last world title run. 

Darby is of course Darby. 

Hope Willow recovers soon. When she comes back, #WorldTitleWillow should become a thing

[WingedEagle]

This PPV tomorrow looks like a great time and as its a long weekend I don't have to sweat waking up on Monday quite like usual. I even thought about going, but between the weather and likely getting home near 2AM as a best case scenario its just not worth it. Big TVs do the job quite well.

[El-P]

They sold out too. It really has the feel of a big time event. 

[sek69]

Opening with FTR vs Cope/Cage, they aren't fucking around tonight. 

[sek69]

That was fucking crazy, and of all the people involved I wasn't expecting Big Stoke to take the flaming table bump.

[WingedEagle]

So, so smart to have FTR sell the bulk of the way as they are obviously fantastic at it, and it let Copeland get in his big spots and work the crowd without having to do much of the nitty gritty. It also made the heat that much better when they got there. Beth Phoenix still isn't a nostalgia spot that hits with me, but it set up a real highlight spot and served a purpose as a way to eliminate Hathaway, who you just know loved having that moment. Really terrific opener and yet another feather in FTR's cap. I'm a Bucks guy but FTR is the only other team that even belongs in the conversation with them this century.

[sek69]

Takeshita/Okada followed that up with one oft he greatest matches I've ever seen, holy shit. 

[WingedEagle]

I will not complain about a show that opens with 2 matches like that. With another 7 to go, including at least a few that should push a half hour in this company, I will also not regret watching this show at home. This old does not need to be out until 2am.

[WingedEagle]

Between Wrestle Kingdom and tonight, I guess its safe to say that this Okada kid isn't exactly washed?

[sek69]

36 minutes ago, WingedEagle said:

Between Wrestle Kingdom and tonight, I guess its safe to say that this Okada kid isn't exactly washed?

He doesn't always go full speed these days, but when he does he's still top level in the world. 

[WingedEagle]

11 minutes ago, sek69 said:

He doesn't always go full speed these days, but when he does he's still top level in the world. 

Absolutely. He's very much done working "Road to Destruction" type dates and isn't killing himself for them. Rightfully so after doing it for nearly a decade. But there are still few and far between at his level when he decides its go time.

[Timbo Slice]

Everything I’m reading from folks is putting this in the top tier of AEW PPVs, if not the best. Had to miss this live because of a family event but this seems like an automatic watch. 

[sek69]

Yeah this may be the best one they've done so far. C&C/FTR, Will/Joe, Mox/Kyle. and MJF/Darby were all great and Takeshita/Okada was an all timer. Athena/Mina was good (the crowd was meh because Athena is seldom on AEW TV and Mina usually loses), and the 4 way women's title match was good once it got going, and we finally got Stat/Shida to brawl after dragging it out for no obvious reason. 

[Boss Rock]

Swerve-Bandido also ruled.

[sek69]

Observer site has a story up about FTR's option year coming up in 2027 and WWE having "preliminary interest". The story also mentions FTR looking to get paid closer to the level of the top guys in AEW, which they surely deserve, but I can't see this as anything other than them smartly playing the game to get the maximum payout. I can't imagine two guys who literally bleed tag team wrestling wanting to go back to WWE, especially after they just nuked their tag division. 

[Matt D]

Just now, sek69 said:

Observer site has a story up about FTR's option year coming up in 2027 and WWE having "preliminary interest". The story also mentions FTR looking to get paid closer to the level of the top guys in AEW, which they surely deserve, but I can't see this as anything other than them smartly playing the game to get the maximum payout. I can't imagine two guys who literally bleed tag team wrestling wanting to go back to WWE, especially after they just nuked their tag division. 

Didn’t Dax make a big deal about this last contract being their last one ever?

[sek69]

I seem to recall something like that, but wrestlers say that all the time. Just like everyone says they are going to retire before 50, and the closer they get it becomes "well, we'll play it by ear".

[sek69]

Also don't get me wrong, everyone should 100% kick the tires when contracts come up to make sure they are getting paid their worth. It just seems like it would take a absolutely stupid money offer for FTR to jump ship and TKO clearly isn't in the market for those at the moment.