Leaderboard

AEW is so frustrating to me, because they've got all the pieces to be one of the best promotions ever, but the way the company is booked is always holding them back. It's like, there's all these cool people, but half of them don't interact with one another, or just disappear for weeks on end, while you have guys like Jericho (who I still think has value) just constantly in my face. I mean, Claudio is one of the best wrestlers in the world, but what is he fucking around with? They couldn't come up with anything for Miro? Come on. Don't give me the trying to be an actor bullshit. Give him a fucking angle to sink his teeth into. Cut the supernatural/talk in riddles nonsense with House of Black. You've got three badass wrestlers with unique looks and their spooky gothy chick and they never do anything cool. Have them roll over the Elite and dominate the trios division, or have Brody and Buddy win the tag belts with Black talking for them. Instead they put the belts on those mid as fuck, London and Kendrick Smackdown tag title challenger-looking motherfuckers the Gunns. Tony has fuck you money, so throw the fucking bag at Mercedes already, give her a big-ass entourage of hangers-on/lackies and have her feud with Hayter. This is an incredible roster of talent, but I feel like its only being used to like 50-60% of its potential, and that makes me sad.

I knew I'd out another one of you lunatics with that joke. Ban hammer incoming.

Adorable.

Ricky Starks and Darby Allin are the two guys off the top of my head that they should be building towards for that spot, or at least thinking about. If we're talking about someone who's ready to step into the role of top babyface now, I'd say there probably isn't a real need. Hangman should really be the guy and hopefully they can get him back on track because they really messed up with him.

I was listening to LeBatard show talk about it and they are really correct is that Rodgers doing this is the ultimate form of white privilege in sports. I mean could you imagine the shit storm Kyler Murray or Lamar Jackson would get if he did all of this drug stuff AND his quality of play was actually decreasing during it

Impressive how 'tour tight' MJF keeps his game working so little. That said, I've never entirely bought him as a master of breaking down the arm. And a guy who wins matches with a fujiwara armbar. I'm always overcoming this, but I do. Pretty terrific opener with the truly wonderful Konsuke Takeshita. Hayter and the Bunny followed nicely, and was strong while they were well and able. Hayter continues to be such a refreshing champion for this division. I really like this Saraya and Toni duo, but they need to tighten up there shit with these segments. Leva Bates' acting abilities might be better suited for BTE. Unsettling promo from MJF. Not surprised to see the negative reaction. Ha, I just saw that Starks-Cody-Royal Rumble security photo. The photo makes me curious how long Ricky's AEW deal is? Gauntlet felt McMahon booked with Menard and Parker going down fast. I wish that portion had been more clever and fun. Garcia-Starks and the Sammy tease was tremendous. Pretty great crowd throughout. I loved the finish here. Some strong anti-Jericho sentiment in the thread. I'm not with you. This to me is a fun low to midcard feud. It's a good test for the charismatic Starks. Thus far, Rick's been good, but it also suggests he's still a ways from his true potential. I had no doubt a Rush-Danielson match wouldn't be special, but it still exceeded my expectations. Pleasantly surprised by the angle that preceded. I wish the entire audience had seen that nasty promo Roosh cut on the Road To. Tonight might've been Roosh's coming out party. Danielson's blood on the camera was a great added visual. Top Flight/AR Fox v Bucks/Kenny was fucking firing on all 6 cylinders. I very much would like to see Fox go one on one with Kenny. I liked the Main Event. Great Castor rhymes this week. I love the Gunns, but much less so the decision to change the titles. The extended filler time after the bell certainly didn't help matters. All that said, maybe the audience that grows for the Acclaimed have been lured in further? I have no complaints. I love this show, and I love it pretty much every week. Very thankful for this tasty flavour of pro wrestling.

Back in my day, all you needed to impress a woman was a '95 Plymouth Acclaim and a decent array of Hardyz merch

This is why we need the Lethal Lottery/Deadly Draw.

In-ring, I thought this show was damn-near perfect. Something for everyone. But man, I'm no prude, but I hated that MJF promo. It was just gross. I'm all for a heel being irredeemable, but that was just too much, IMO.

Dirty secret, I used this entire project as an excuse to get off my ass and get back to scouring for really deep cuts and hidden gems. I hadn't seen a single match I gifted anybody before this project. I just watched tons and tons of stuff and made a note when I found a good one. So thank you everybody, it was your preferences and posts that told me what directions to go hunting in and I wound up with just troves and troves of treasure that I woulda never found otherwise. See you next time watch the Ishinriki match DEAN it's really good

I think that’s because Tony books using EWR and you can only fit so many people into a segment / match / feud on that. Stop listening to Sophie so much TK!!!

I was happier five minutes ago.

#2 heel is Jericho.

I don't think it's Darby. I mean I see him winning the world title one day. But to me, I'd say the absolute best case scenario for him is a Mick Foley top guy. You win for a feel good moment, but ultimately you're there to eventually heat up the top heel before he loses to the actual top baby face. That's a great spot and guys would kill for it, so it's no shade on Darby. Bryan Danielson is the same and he's my favorite wrestler. I'd say most of their top babyfaces fit that same mold. I looked at the roster and I honestly don't see "The Guy." Or more importantly"The Draw". And maybe that's an antiquated way of thinking. Maybe we don't need a top guy. Maybe we just need good stories that can sell shows, and whoever is in the best story is the "The Guy" until someone else has a better story to tell.

I was thinking Mark Briscoe, too. It would need to be a really unique way to get him to the top.

I tried to edit this into my last comment (as to not be spamming) but I got an error that too much time had passed - maybe part of the latest update posted about the other day. In any event, sorry for the back to backs: Though I didn't dig that promo, I do want to shout out two things with MJF that I did like a lot last night: 1) as @Matt D said, he was awesome on commentary and I too, loved the Taz interplay - I'd love to hear him guest in the Dark booth one day, you could even promote it as a special appearance and have him do like a Flair vs Rufus type match with someone down there 2) I really liked him limping down to beat on Danielson with the knee taped - there's just something about a bitter, battle worn heel world champ that I enjoy a lot - maybe it brings me back to that period of childhood where we had Shane Douglas in the elbow brace and Bret in the wheelchair/on crutches around the same time

Be a hoot if she ran in at Revolution, MJF did the Casper "G-G-G-G-G-GHOST" sell and it cost him the title. Hell hath no fury like a sidepiece scorned.

I agree that Hangman should be the guy. I kind of like the idea of Hangman and Mox being the dual babyface Aces. Kind of the two sides of the same coin thing. Both are super-tough and won't back down from a fight, but go about it in different ways. I'm not his biggest fan, but Omega should be up there, too, but I don't think he works as well as a babyface.

I still have to hit the main and I did the "radio" version of the trios match as I was on the move. Pretty good show from what I saw, with MJF looking great in his match (Takeshita was ok) and RUSH/Danielson being exactly what I hoped for it to be. I actually enjoyed MJF on commentary just because he was marking out for RUSH so much and because I found the Taz interplay kind of fun. They couldn't get out of that Hayter/Bunny match/segment quickly enough. I know she had a tough road back last year so I echo the sentiments that hopefully everything is ok. Very interesting that they announced most but not all of the Rampage matches (despite it being taped) and not a single thing for Dynamite. Last week we knew the whole show by the end of the night. I almost wonder if they're sacrificing a bit of potential Dynamite ratings to get people to tune in to Rampage to see what the card is.

The ref that called for that replay was literally present ringside when said cheating happened. There was a whole big setup with Satnam going on a rampage and refs being called in from the back to stop him, hence there were a lot more eyes on the shenanigans and the "senior official" rule got called upon to do the reverse-Dusty finish. It's melodramatic and goofy but it's logically consistent.

So where was the ref that ran out to call for replay when Jarrett/Lethal "won" the belts under similar circumstances?

Incredible show. MJF/Takeshita was amazing, loved MJF's backflip landing on his feet off the top rope lariat, super impressive spot. Then Bryan/Rush was absolutely epic. The bloodshed, Rush looking like a proper killer, great stuff. Both matches with awesome near falls despite really only one outcome possible. Love when Rush gets a showcase like this, one of my favs. And then speaking of near falls, Elite v. Fox Flight was insane. Loved the finishing sequence, was absolutely buying it going either way at points with Fox and Omega. Great match after great match after great match. Hope the Bunny is ok, match was solid while it lasted. Was wondering if she got concussed going head first into the apron during picture in picture or later on the Tbone. Figured when the tag title was main eventing, there'd be a title change. Glad there was no Billy swerve as that felt been there done that and figured there was no way they'd cut off that merch seller. Lots of twists and turns including an all time ref bump there. Definitely could see FTR coming back for the gold now, but cool that are a lot of possible options.

I got home right in time for Danielson breaking down the door. Killer stuff. Bryan slowly crumbling on the floor after the dropkick on the outside was awesome, and then he comes up with the blood running... which ended up ON THE CAMERAS. Rush's no-selling can be an irritant but here he came off like the miniboss that always frustrated you. Vega or Sagat, or if you wanna go Mega Man pick any damn boss. Didn't pay much attention to the flippy-doos or the main but the crowd reaction to that finish was greaaaaaat. Total disappointment and hostility. Tony has balls the size of Gibraltar to book that.

Dynamite keeps dishing out PPV-level bouts while Rampage goes kinda indie and weird and unpredictable and I am LOVING IT!! Mox, Claudio, and Wheeler vs Butcher,Blade, & Kip! Sure! Why not! Mox and Butcher gonna LAY IT IN on one another for sure. Marina vs Ruby! Should be violent! Orangey Boy defends the All Atlantic Championship Title Belt against Tiga Style! Yes! This is the kind of match that I personally watch AEW for. This, Emi vs Hayter, Eddie Kingston vs QT Marshall... Just two folks who are very very good at pro wrestling going out there and having some fun beating each other up. Nothing better, in my way of looking at things. Reportedly also: Jungle Boy vs Hollywood Hunk! Random enough matchup for me. Can Perry pull a fun match outa Nemeth? Probably! JAS come out to confront The Impractical Jokers w/r/t the rightful ownership of Floyd The Bat in a segment I simply cannot imagine anyone I know giving half a runny shit about but who knows maybe it will be entertaining. We'll hear from Mark Briscoe! That is a positive development! Will he announce a new tag team partner? Will it be the start of the tastefully executed non-"I did it for Eddie" style Mark Briscoe face run I wished for on Dean's thread? Will Terry Funk be name-dropped? I'm actually stoked for a "We'll hear from" segment! About 24.5 hours to go! I like having stuff to look forward to every week.

BABYFACE FUN FRIEND DERP I think Mox is the Ace and very much the MVP of the promotion when he was needed most. Very likely he will always be that figure of the protector of AEW. I will exclude him from this super baby face list. I will also exclude Jericho who is the original big name and Danielson who I don’t believe wants the role. Any of these people could be put as the face of the company and do a wacky cereal commercial, but this ramble derp is for new potential top stars. Also, I’m not going off of personal favorites. This is more throwing names on how I think it might work to sell toys. Adam Cole - Merch mover and beloved by his fans. He is a sweetheart and a I am dearly in love with him while he plays video games. Likely could be a genuine kind believable babyface. My concern is that he plays the character of cocky arrogant slimeball so perfectly, can he muster that cool aura as a face? I’m not familiar enough with his work to know an example. His kindness points to him as a potential face. But on UUDD he is very ditzy and self-deprecating to the point of being the butt of the joke. I’m not sure that can be transitioned into top star, but maybe? If he can combine the confidence of his heel persona with his real life softness, you got a star. Hangman Adam Page - He was the focal point in what may be the best story arc of the company (so far). Great baby face that adds a relatable dimension of overcoming personal flaws and shortcomings. He could be an advocate for mental health and a positive role model. My concern is what is next for him to transcend him to the next level of super star? More Elite stories? Another title run? Like everyone else, it’ll be completely depended on booking. The Elite - BTE was a big part of why this company exists. The Bullet Club merch was insane. They have super fans. Elite is in the name of the company. My concern is they prefer being kinda heels. They’re odd tweeners at times, which I like but maybe might not be good examples for what I’m rambling about. Brit Baker - So much charisma. Already a big part of the company and it’s history. She’s been in great matches and as a heel has won the respect and admiration of the fans. My concern is she’s a better heel. Even getting cheers, her being mean to rebel and mocking the fans might be the best way to go. Eddie Kingston - He’s your Mic Foley. When he defies the odds and becomes Champion we will all cry and celebrate. My concern is that never happens. Be it booking reasons cutting off his momentum or just the opportunities not being there. Hopefully he is the one to beat MJF. Darby Allin - All the children will paint their face like his. He could be the It guy. Sting giving him the super rub and pass the torch could be what leads him. Very daring and tackles all comings head first (literally). My concern is he’ll be booked to always be beatable because of his style. Which may not be a bad thing, maybe fearless vulnerability adds to the aura. A few of you want him to beat MJF. Personally, I want him to overcome a monster. Swerve Strickland - He has the cool factor and a lot of connections. He could legitimately be in movies and music videos with Rick Ross and other cool artists. It just makes sense after his heel run to eventually turn him face. He seems like a nice person in interviews. My concern is I really haven’t seen enough of his work and I’m speaking out of my ass here. He just comes across like a star. Ricky Starks - Hot dang he has charisma. Very unorthodox with his delivery and stature but I feel that’s what makes him special. Like a lot of the people I mentioned, very handsome. He looks like money. Could be a great face or heel. My concern is he is in the Jericho vortex. Once he wins that feud, hopefully he can capitalize on some big moments. Jade Cargill - SHE JUST LOOKS LIKE A STAR. Everything about her presentation is just so money. My concern is the experience level. She’s not ready now. But if she keeps improving, the world is her oyster. Wardlow - I don’t think he’s ruined. With the right booking and the right wrestler, anyone can bounce back from loss of momentum. The trick is after his biggest feud, he should derp against the Sterling Studs. Powerbomb Symphony is cool and the fans get into it. If done right, him fighting Joe will be good and get him back on to. If he can manage good competitive matches while still looking strong, neat. My concern is that after powerbombing fools does he have enough to maintain interest from the core fan base? I assume so but I’m an optimist. Fennix - He had a singles run before his first injury that was very impressive! He wowed a lot of people. I assume he can do that again if booked in a position to be a singles star. My concern is his manager. Also, I do the will be given the opportunity and will stay either a trio or a tag. Pentagon - The perfect wrestler. No concerns. Jungle Boy - Super cute. Son of an actor. My concern is he’s nowhere near ready and an awkward promo. I don’t see it anytime soon. But he is very young and very good looking. Hook - read Jungle Boy but replace actor with Taz. Luther - read Jungle Boy and Hook but replace actor and Taz with Satan. Will Hobbs - He’s the right answer. My concern is we don’t deserve nice things. CM Punk - Whaaaaat? Probably not but if it is true that the Young Bucks will leave, why not keep the biggest draw they’ve ever had? My concern is everyone fights each other and he gets hurt after winning the title again. Not worth it despite how much I loved his run here. I’m tired of typing. The end.

Hope Satnam and the gang are ready. https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/aew-paul-wight-big-show-hoping-to-return-to-action-in-march?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

excited for a supercomputer to start feuding with MLW wrestlers or something, only for the computer to rapidly fall out of date because Court Bauer won't let it get updated

They already have one, her name is Jamie Hayter. Jade would also be a good choice down the line, she pretty much is in my eyes already. Rarely does anything heelish, brings her cute daughter to ringside. She could be huge as a face. While we're on the subject of going outside the norms... Takeshita. He's young, he's an amazing wrestler. Need a mouthpiece for a while but he could easily be the guy in a few years.

It's a shame we need to have this awkward conversation, because the hot babyface that could be driving business against MJF is headlining WrestleMania this year. They did one match with Cody and MJF surely intending to get back around to it later. MJF is guy who cost Cody the match where he put up that stipulation. Now would be the time to manufacture an issue where people beg babyface Cody to break his word and do what is necessary. Oh well, it'll make a great main event for WrestleMania 40. Adam Cole is your guy. People love a comeback story, absence makes the heart grow fonder, been a while since he's had an extended babyface run, media savvy, is already accepted as a top guy. Heat him up, don't let him fall into the bucket of other guys. Only issue would be health. He said in an interview with Dave recently he's going to need to build up to main event length matches or something to that effect.

Jericho is a huge reason why most of the people listed in this thread as "next top babyface" are even being considered. He's a great heel and trying to make stars. He might be the best heel they have by that criteria. FIGHT MEEEEE MAAAAATTTTT

I feel like TK likes to hold a lot of stuff in his back pocket. Like, he's got these matchups back there, it's a matter of when he's going to pull the trigger on them. Sometimes, I think he's smart in doing things like getting Danielson in the ring with Omega immediately. But, sometimes, he can hold stuff too long and you end up with the Miro situation or maybe Starks getting cold before he really pulls the trigger with him.

Yeah, just pay him the money he'd make doing bit parts as a bouncer and shit. He's probably just doing that for a SAG card and the health insurance that comes with it, anyway. EDIT: If they hadn't screwed it up already, Wardlow would have been perfectly fine in the role.

You can't do Tough Crowd again without Patrice. I was just talking with a friend the other day about how if Patrice were alive today and got healthy he would have been bigger than Chappelle by this point. Diabetes is a motherfucker though.

Never mind. It's Miro.

MJF's schtick is pretty terrible at this point, and I used to be a huge fan of his until he threw a temper tantrum and took all of the heat off of Wardlow getting his big win. Since then, it's been diminishing returns and I can confidently say he is my least favorite/worst AEW champion and the sooner the belt is off of him, the better. Edited to say, i still think he has awesome matches, but i'd rather not hear him talk.

Things I like - AEW opens each night with a quality match, and that match tends to setup the night. Danielson-Rush was simply a great wrestling match. I could see Rush as champ.

Oh Durant. What a bitch. Whenever the going gets tough, join a better team.

All hail Ass Boys! The best heels in the business.

This match (JeriHausen vs Ass Boys) is on youtube along with all the after match shenanigans. Pretty damn funny hearing the crowd say "Oooh scissor me Hack-saw!" *edit* Found it:

The Cycle of Jericho. We will all be praising his umpteenth career resurgence by May.

Yeah, dude for sure. I know the style is polarizing, but Kenny and Fox were doing things in that finishing stretch that looked like they were literally out of the Matrix. I was reading earlier a bunch of you guys talking in another thread about how Slim J heavily deserves the look he's currently getting, I gotta add Fox right to the top of that list too - just awesome. Loved the new matching gear too from the Martins

I am sorting out my post hospital/current layabout sleeping schedule. Let us use the greatness of professional wrestling to take us on a JOURNEY OF FAUNTASY!!! Tony needs to hit the swear jar early! A LOT! MJF! KONOSUKE TAKESHITA! I'm just going to sit back and watch this. Soooo MJF is Takeshita's best opponent. This match is FUCKING GREAT. I would like to see them wrestle a best of 57. Konosuke bleeds like a KING! MJF channeling Tully Blanchard to create that match is genius. I assume that will headline the Tokyo Dome at some point. YAAAY! WRESTLING! JAMIE MOTHERFUCKING HAYTER!! THE BUNNY! Hayter is so fucking awesome, as she brings up Bunny's game to make her look like she should be there. MAAAN, the section on the apron makes me yearn for tomorrow's International Feed! Bunny matching Hayter's stiffness is glorious to behold. Whoop! Something went horribly wrong. YIKES! It's the gauntlet match! Daddy Magic and Coolhand Ainge put in a Dark Elevation level appearance and the you are reminded that Daniel Garcia will beat folks' asses. International Feed will be on fire tomorrow. GREAT GUILLOTINE SEQUENCE! Oh man, this REALLY makes me want to see Starks/ Garcia in a singles match. CHRIS JERICHO! HAD A PLAN! That was best Ricky Starks has looked so far. AmDrag MASTERS the obstacle course! RUSH DRINKS HIS BLOOD! It's a .5 on the Ruby Scale! This match is fucking AWESOME. Is this the most awesome match? Yes. Yes. It is the most awesome match. THE MOST AWESOME MATCH! RUSH and BRYAN DANIELSON ARE FUCKING AWESOME. That was fucking MOST AWESOME. Oh yeah, I forgot about the Top Flight/ Young Bucks match. AR Fox and Kenny Omega are awesome in this. Fox is a 1998 EMLL midcard technico and is thus spectacular and grounded. Matt Jackson IS Scott Norton! THERE IS A LOT GOING ON IN THIS MATCH! AR Fox is the BEST! That was GREAT. Not the MOST AWESOME. But it was great. So we need a Kenny Omega/ AR Fox singles match. The Acclaimed and the Ass Boys have a Wild Eyed Southern Boys versus the Midnight Express 1986 Southern tag match. Caster is our face in peril in picture in picture! Austin Gunn is your HEAT MACHINE~! REF BUMP OF THE YEAR! GUNNS WIN! GUNNS WIN! GUNNS WIN! I see that Jeff Jarrett came up with that finish. AEW really REALLY really RULES THE FUCKING WORLD!

Mark not showing up with a Cool Whip container will suck and we'll probably all end up crying but it'll be good to see him say something. I'm totally down for the women's, six-man, and the Orange Oddity Match (because all of his mismatches -- because nobody can really match him after all -- rule). This should be a great episode.

If the Gunns don't lose the titles back to the Acclaimed, then the only satisfying and cathartic way for them to drop them would be to the Kings of the Black Throne where they just maul the fuck out of the Gunns Demolition style.

I think the only stuff I didn't like was that MJF promo and doing some classic Vince McMahon booking by having the Acclaimed lose to the whitest tag team on the roster in February. I get Meltzer's point that a fuck finish is the only way you can beat the Acclaimed, but holy shit, how about have them not lose to the Ass Boys at all and instead drop the titles to the House of Black or something after getting misted. This is the shit that makes me wish they had the rankings again. After Top Flight beat the Young Bucks, they should be next in line for a shot, but instead it's the Gunns. As long as the Acclaimed wins the titles back at Revolution or something then I guess I'll be fine with this, otherwise, it's pretty fucking dumb. Back to MJF, he's a really good wrestler and a good promo. He's better than resorting to morally gross content and screaming and that's what he keeps falling back on. He's also been the worst heel champion they've had. Both Jericho and Kenny had better heel runs with the title. Meltzer is right. This company desperately needs a top babyface again that's going to shut MJF up. That honestly should be Ricky or Hangman, but Ricky unfortunately got sucked into the Jericho booking vortex where feuds start great and then they continue on for too fucking long. And Hangman is busy with Mox as they race to see who can concuss the other the hardest.

Holy shit! ADAM COLE!

2 mostly freaking awesome hours of pro wres! MJF/KT, Dragon/Rush and the 6 man matches all SLAPPED. SO. HARD. Just phenomenal matches that were all pretty different in their awesomeness.

Show slapped from front to back, and man that main event was Memphis TV as fuck. Acclaimed will win them back in a $10,000 coal miner's glove on a pole match in Evansville. Sylvia's mac and cheese IS delicious, Stoke.