HarryArchieGus

The Dark shows didn't actually end. They just rebranded as 'ROH on Honorclub'. I'd love to know more about the training process of some of these greener AEW wrestlers. In relation, I was thinking the other day about Max Friedman's AEW beginnings. I'd seen Jake prior on MLW. He stood out for his unique charisma, but his in ring was incredibly sloppy. After he started with AEW he had so few matches yet somehow became a great worker.

Briscoe v Okada was strong. I can understand the challenge to some viewers, but Okada's methodical style is refreshing to my eyes. Mark's feeling a bit too comfortable in the enhancement role for my liking. He had some steam a year ago that I hope he can find again. The Jericho/Cardona segment was 10 fold better than their incredibly weak ROH melee. This was simple and effective. Beast Mortos v Garcia was more excellent pro wrestling. I'm a Danny fan, but his babyface act is pretty damn bland, but those big ol shiny red boots... I ffwdd the Vendetta squash. Komander v Ricochet was tremendous. Poetry in motion! Komander is going to prove in these matches (losses) that his athletic gifts go a lot further than simply an ability to perform high spots. Some excellent mat action on this show. These shows feel like canned Prime Time Wrestling without promos and a modicum of fun production. WWE didn't invent shooting athletes getting ready. They also didn't invent showcasing the city the show is coming from. These are small but important details. Not that I ever expect these things. And again, pretty satisfying Wrestling part. The AEW CC rocking along again.

That's fine for the live paid audience they're trying to entice to stay for their sleepy marathon tapings. I was refering to making clear to the home viewing audience when their highly paid/talented star is wrestling on one of their lesser viewed programs.

This week's Rampage would have benefitted a bit stronger promotion. This is a show seen by a 3rd of the audience at best. Taking a segment on the Flagship to let the CC participants promo would certainly be beneficial. Let Renee run down the card without splitting everyone's attention with Wrestling happening at the same time. I knew Ric v Komander was happening on this show, but was larely unaware of the others. It's great to have Okada on B/C shows, but it should be a specially noted promotional item on the Wednesday show every time it happens. The lack of promotional attention to Okada matches is more distressing to me than anything they've booked him to do.

I think you've nailed their logic. I suppose there's no sense battling a clear cut 'Forget about it Jake...'.

I've long loved the wrestling acumen of the Beast Mortos, but how is that big clunky mask not an unfair advantage? Daniel Garcia was raining down punches to to his goddamn plastic horns. Or how about somebody brings some awareness to the chains hanging from his mask. How is he able to headbutt anybody and not be disqualified?

Nice set of post match promos from Claudio, Don/Fletcher and Brody King... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-w1fARHRes

Re: AEWROH The Matt Cardona/Chris Jericho segment was incredibly weak. Cardona had nothing at all to offer, and Jericho's shock(?) was uncommonly flat. I don't doubt these two could put together an entertaining match, but they weren't particularly successful trying to sell this as any kind of Main Event. Regardless, Riccaboni proved his commitment to getting over the name 'The Complete Matt Cardona'.

Well, stay tuned. His work over the past few months on the B/C shows has been far more well rounded, but I don't think he was ever limited to flips. His athleticism is only one part of his pretty outstanding game. I'm not sure Komander wouldn't be just as over as Hologram with a similar push and protection. Totally agree on Hologram's dorky gear. Maybe the best example of AEW's unsatisfactory wardrobe department.

'Thunder Rosa frustrated with fans who ask if she sill works for AEW'

Thank You Fishers! A little Crowd energy/generosity goes a long way. A good solid set of Collision B/C show reports to start and throughout - this should happen every week regardless of a tournament. I la-la-love the addition of Komander to this tournament. Fletcher v Benjamin was excellent all the way. Kyle has indeed been rounding out his game. I suspect Don Callis has had a hand in this transformation. Benjamin continues to look fierce. Loved the finish. Solid heeling from Mercedes' promo. The MVP/Benjamin brow-beat was fine. I do wish he'd bullied some performers (The Martins, Action) to set up some 5 minute dinners for Big Bob? I ffwdd most of the Battle Royal as to not hate on it. I liked the interaction between Cole and O'Reilly to close it out. I like the believable disapointment and anger they share. They both have much to prove and I think they know this going in. This was by far my favorite Julia Hart video. Logical and kinda fun. I cannot say the same for the goofy Bandido video. Keep it simple - he's a 'human highlight reel'. Show some clips of his impressive arsenal - it's more than enough! The Max Caster/Acclaimed segment was the best from them in a long, long time. Totally here for Max Caster as a heel. It's been long awaited. Anthony Bowens shouldn't be afraid to find a new tag partner. There's no shame in being a 'Tag Team Specialist'. 'Cole/O'Reilly-Moments Ago' video was a little bit of warm sunshine. It's AEW recognizing they need to sell their stories with a modicum of follow-up. Learn from the leaders - there's no shame in that. The MJF promo was much stronger than his recent fare. Simple and effective. Pac v Jay White was tremendous pro wrestling. Total fucking pros! The Death RIders/Hanger/Christian post match was nicely timed and delivered. I sense this one worked for a wider audience than usual. I liked the Chris Jericho NY Minute, and definitely some Dok Hendrix vibes. I can't believe it - they promoted ROH on Honorclub!?! Jericho's a genius! Anna Jay v Penelope was a nice strong battle. Ford continues to look really good in defeat. The Anna/Mercedes showdown was all well done. The Mariah May sitdown was excellent. Awesome heeling on Renee. Mina passing the bottle was tremendous. Chefs kiss! Standing ovation! And no doubt the match is gonna completely rock. Brody v Claudio close it out solid as a rock. Wonderful professional wrestling. This show was hit after hit. Great flow! #AEWrulestheMUTHAfukkinUniverse

I've beat the drum on this a time or two. I'd love to know what stops them from offering these excursions more regularly. I love how it's impacted Anna. A quieter example, but Toa/Kaun also benefitted from the NJPW Tag Tournament last year.

Claudio v Brody is a lowkey dream match, and I have little doubt it won't be 'hotter than Georgia Asphalt'. Benjamin v Fletcher is an interesting match. Pac v Jay White will no doubt be killing me softly. Swerve v Max Caster is a match I never knew I really wanted. Sky's the limit for Honky Tonk Max Caster. Jay v Penelope is more of a Rampage main event, but nice to see Jay get some A show time as she seems to be coming on strong lately - especially with the mic (tho mostly on the B/C shows). Will it be another shitty lights out for Jamie Hayter and more shitty er corny Julia Hart videos. And a Battle Royal to skim passed. Is there a less prestigious and shittier trophy gimmick than the Dynamite Diamond Ring? At the very least, it probably means less mic time for Cole, MJF, etc. Tho, surely MJF will offer another slightly embarrassing pre-tape to perpetuate this 'dogshit' story. A Collective Nightmare. I won't expect any generosity from the Fishers Indiana audience, but would be pleasantly surprised to have a crowd prepared to enjoy themselves. Anywho, pretty darn good solid line-up.

I like the approach of getting her as quickly to that match without exposing her work. Throwing some moves on Jay White was more impressive as a presentation of Marina Shafir than any matches I've seen of her thus far. This all building to a one and done match that showcases Willow beating somebody getting TV time feels correct to me. All that said, if the plan is for Marina Shafir to become a player perhaps you're right. I think either way she's going to have a tough time finding a place in this slowly strengthening Women's division

I agree completely on this being a good build for her. I also don't need it to result in her winning or even wrestling a single match. I like her in the role of Bodyguard. Why does it need to be anything more? Did we ever need to see Virgil wrestle?

Yeah, the far, far too slight Starks/Hobbs v Lee/Swerve feud was nothing but results. Im kinda excited to see Ricky in wwe. His in ring style is built for wwe. His ability to read scripts will be the test. I have very little doubt concerning Starks succeeding in wwe.

A funny Adam Copeland quote...

I thought the Ricky Starks/Van Vliet interview was mostly good. The ending is insufferable, but those moments are somewhat expected from a pandering Van Vliet interview. Starks certainly isn't providing all the details, but he answers the questions fairly well, and without taking a lot of unnecessary pokes. The Copeland thing is interesting, but is barely contentious. Some of his reasoning is certainly questionable, but overall I like Ricky's confidence/drive. I'm happy this situation is shining a bit of a light on AEW's questionable policy to 'freeze out' contracted performers.

This post Full Gear November Rain video package was relentlessly crammed. A truly awful viewing experience. Slow down, ya move too fast. The MVP promo to open was excellent. The Syndicate needs a simple 'HURT' logo. It should hit on the video screen as soon as the music begins. Mark Briscoe v Shelton Benjamin was excellent. Mark's looking a bit banged up. I hope he's okay for this tournament grind. Those Suplexes were ungodly. On the otherhand the Exploder/Powerslam looks like something out of John Cena's arsenal. Get Shelton a new goddamn finisher. The Mone/Kamille segment was a little weak. I'm not sure anybody has confidence in Kamille at this point, but I send best wishes. Jericho v Ishii was captavating if hard to watch. A strong finishing stretch. Caster/Swerve segment was kinda fun. I don't think anybody would mind seeing Caster take a beating a few weeks in a row. I like Swerve's direction. The Hangman/Jay/Death Riders segment is a little hazy, but I think I liked it. Claudio v Ricochet was a bit hit and miss. I sensed Ric was fighting thru something there - that uncharacteristic weak dive being an indication. The Callis/Fletcher promo was fanfuckintastic. Great follow-up promo. Cole/Friends/MJF segment wasn't entirely terrible. I dunno, I'm slightly fascinated by this wreckage. I'm feeling very with the earlier posted idea of Cole/MJF reuniting. Hayter v Queen was terrific fun. Aminata seems very ready to be elevated. Ugh, another lackluster lights out. The Mina/Mariah segment was on point, and I'm fully on board. This women's division has gotten some things going again. The Brody v Darby main event was another excellent chapter in their legacy. I loved the story and every beat aloing the way. Brody/Darby is gonna be a fun team. Let's get him away from the future WWE superstars pronto. Stoked for Claudio v Brody! Great way to close it out. Nice looking card for Collision:

Like most everything with AEW, they need to better promote. Releasing the names of the competitors in the weeks heading into the tournament would do a world of wonders. I'd also love to see them run a video, not unlike the November Rain pre-Full Gear video, of last year's tournament. And all on the Wednesday A show. Repeated elsewhere.

That's a helluva line-up!

QT Marshall...

A cursory look over the weekly TV threads should answer your question. None of this to say there aren't plenty of valid criticisms. What you interestingly call 'Fatalistic' I would call being 'Realistic'. I see plenty of room for AEW to grow and improve. I've seen this very young company learn from their mistakes many times over and it's enough to inspire belief that they will continue to do so. On the topic, Orange Cassidy speaking to the (more extreme) toxic crusaders...

That's completely possible too. Curious to know more about this Copeland quip.

This controversy seems to have already sparked more interest in GCW than a Ricky Starks appearance, but when what you're ultimately selling is 'GCW' does it even matter? Effy's petty comments are as worthless as all the other trash actors and shitty pants podcasters, but this will no doubt shine a light on the Starks situation. Not exactly great PR for AEDub. Here's hoping it pushes the company to stop freezing employees they don't want to use, but don't want to let go to WWE.