JLowe

I noticed that her last couple matches as well, lots of submission and limb work, far fewer variations on meteoras. It probably helps that Toni Storm is one of the best in the world right and her character work allows for a variety of match structures.

I thought the idea of Swerve and Ospreay not being able to challenge for the title was an easy way to avoid having to figure out booking those matches when Hangman won.

I felt all of this too (edit to add: I even used the term catharsis on Bluesky) although I was by myself. I needed this, I think a lot of people needed this and have gotten into AEW because of the redemption arc and because good triumphs.

6 hours long but never dragged. Pretty much every booking decision felt right, although the Bucks losing was a bit shocking. I’m so happy for Dustin, once all the old plans got thrown it why not give him a short run with the belt as a thank you? When Mercedes kicked out after 3 Storm Zeros I thought that was it, Toni was losing. I literally did the Danielson “Yes Yes Yes” when she won. Her and Athena is gonna rule. What can you say about the main event? Perfectly booked, disgustingly violent, and the way I started happy crying when Hangman won… Really loved it all, although I had to miss some of the early parts of the Tag Title match. The Speed Racer gear for Jet Speed ruled. And the turn, then the save, and Cope “go find yourself” was a great line.

Came here to see about the Adam Cole thing and apparently it came out of the blue? Really weird speech, seems like something seriously wrong.

I refuse to get into AEW figure collecting for a few reasons, but I got my wife the black and white Timeless Toni Storm Youtooz figure last year during the preorder and it was one of her favorite Christmas presents, sits on the entertainment center shelf with our random Pops (not that they’re close to the same thing).

He’s basically a less famous but (IMO) better wrestler Sting; 30+ years in the business, time with both big promotions, went through the worst of the shit that happens on the road and found a way out. But he also runs a wrestling school is 10 years younger. They’re not hurting for money, I think it’s a great decision.

I teared up, it was so perfectly done.

100% agree on all of this.

Catching up on Collision, probably won’t finish before thread is locked, but GOOD LORD Toa Liona looks even more massive in street/workout clothes than his ring gear!

Despite living there for 30 years, from the time I was just out of college, only a few of my exes actually live in Texas. Given the tragic flooding last weekend, I imagine AEW will be doing some kind of fundraising and maybe a donation?

Probably saw all the crazy shit Hangman and Swerve did and said “I wanna try and top that”

I’m still trying to figure out the Toni ringside thing last night (as were the announcers). I think the idea is that, unlike Mercedes, she’s all business now about this match. No food, no faves, no phone, just staring. Mina is not a super worker but makes up for it in looks and personality. Some rough moments early very good by the end. I think Briscoe can more than hold his own against MJF on the mic, because nothing that MJF can say, outside of insulting Jay, can truly phase Mark. We know MJF is gonna go there, and by going there he’s already lost. I think Brody King is who I want to see winning a singles title more than anyone else right now. Not the world champ, but he would be much more interesting than Cole, for example. I want Protoshita to stay a tag team, but I get the sense that Takeshita is building towards a face turn. As others have said, Ibushi held his own, looked like a solid worker, but not a superstar. Excellent match, it’s good to see Okada not coasting. For Bowens, ditch the 5 tool player aspect, lean into the Pride of Pro Wrestling because that’s what people connect with, and I think AEW can do that in a thoughtful, positive way. I enjoy JetSpeed a lot, but I don’t know that you can give them more than a moral victory over Hurt Syndicate right now. There is a dearth of legit tag teams right now. Speaking of, really enjoyed the Bucks work last night and I don’t always say that.

There’s still one more Dynamite before the PPV

Coach Tony K has to be smart enough to realize that all of this positive momentum they’ve had the last few months is due in no small part to the Hangman redemption storyline and the payoff. Anything other than Hangman winning clean at All In could be catastrophic unless booked absolutely perfectly.

Imagine being a kid and your parents having a turntable that still had the 16 rpm speed setting! Sometimes I like to think that DJ Screw’s family had one of those and that’s how he got the idea.

Holy shit, for once Mortos might not be the designated pin-eater!

In a Canadian tuxedo no less.

I like Hot to Go, it’s catchy and has a very 80s pop vibe. That’s about where I stand as far as Chapelle Roan, but I’m glad for someone like her to have pop success.

Sweet shirt, RIP Dave Parker

I really could not get into the Big Bill and Bad Apple vs. Patriarchy tag match at all. Two angles/factions that are running their course, and the match really did nothing to establish either as a challenger to Hurt Syndicate. I know they had to have Nick Wayne on the Seattle show but they could’ve done better. Overall, though, a very solid Collision. I actually really enjoyed the Josh Alexander-Adam Cole match, and I rarely enjoy Adam Cole matches. As for the main event, it was a fantastic match, and Fletcher really did a good job of stooging off of the chants, especially before and during the commercial break. I thought it was mostly, if not entirely hilarious, and it did start to get old at a point that mostly coincided with the match action really gaining steam and the crowd paying more attention to the action. Every Toni Storm promo has something that has me shocked and dying from laughter.

I agree with the last part. And I think maybe I’m mixing up Deonna and Taya? I really though Deonna was who Jade beat before the surprise Stat title change.

I guess Deonna Purrazzo has gotten openly upset online about her role, or lax, thereof, in AEW. In some ways, I feel a little bad because at the time she was a big free agent signing, and she got a lot of mean shit said about her body. At the same time, it feels like she’s been there for almost 3 years now, but I don’t remember any really outstanding stuff. She was partially brought in to be a bigger name to carry Jade Cargill after a few catastrophic matches with younger talent (since big names couldn’t work Jade’s streak). She showed no chemistry with Toni Storm in their angle, despite a real life friendship. Her best moments in my head were her tag team with Deeb where they were constantly trying to show up the other. The mafia angle always felt WWE and went nowhere. It’s fair to say that they should make more time for women’s matches in their programming. Names like Deonna, Deeb, Riho, Shida, and Nyla (and her massive online fan base) are nowhere to be seen. There is debate whether Athena should’ve been brought up to the main shows sooner. At the same time, homegrown talent like Willow, Stat, Skye Blue, Anna Jay, and Julia Hart have worked hard and improved, and are over with the crowds. Then you add in Mercedes, Mina, and Megan Bayne, plus the ascension of the Timeless One as the face of the division. Would Deonna be happy if she got TV time to put over Skye, Julia, and Anna?

Dynamite was great, felt like all the matches were solid to excellent and made everyone in them look good, and all of the promos and storytelling are on point and leading to meaningful places. Ibushi did not look like his old self, but he also did not look like a shadow of his former self like last time. Mark Briscoe is channeling the spirit of Dusty Rhodes right now in all the best ways. He just gets wrestling, and he’s basically impossible to root against (my wife loves him). Using him against MJF is a no-brainer. Mox’s promo was his best work in a while, and really got to the heart of what the Hangman story is about. I don’t see how you can do anything but have Page get the big win at All-In, doing otherwise might kill this hot streak and good feeling.

Hope you didn’t pull anything making such a stretch.