Krone

Merely from my perspective, isn't this the thing with AEW - that what's showcased in the ring is usually what garners the push? And by that, I mean the flashy moves, the wow factor, etc. Let's be honest, AEW isn't exactly a "skit" friendly company like WWE where you have to have some real acting chops or incredible mic work to necessarily get over. Couple that with the push of what I guess some would say is undersized wrestlers in comparison to the "golden" eras of professional wrestling and we're in a what you see is what you get time period. There isn't too many body guys that I can think of in AEW who are just menacing and look the part of what your traditional pro wrestler used to look like. I'm in no way saying anyone needs to be on the gas, but I think someone like Theory from WWE is a good example. He's a guy who has had aspirations of being in the WWE since he was young, and you know what he did? He was an amateur body builder that got a ridiculous physique. Probably because he knew that he would need that look. Same thing can even be said for Cody who gradually built himself up into a pretty sizeable guy. Take a guy like Ricky Starks for example. Imagine if he was just a little bit more muscular and I think he'd be a perfect front runner for the company. Maybe I'm in the weeds on this, and very well could even be wrong, but take a snapshot of the four pillars of AEW. There's no Wardlow in there, or Powerhouse in there. Those are guys that absolutely would be WOW guys in any era because their physique is massively impressive. However in AEW, I think they get lost in the shuffle because they are the minority when an athletic competition like wrestling should more often than not (not always, but you'd think more often than not) favor these hosses. I in no way have a dog in the fight either way and if I was any anti-AEW I wouldn't be dropping $300+ to go and see Forbidden Door. But that's what AEW is built around is "stellar matches" and less the story that comes along with it. Mox even said as much about the story being THE MATCH and not all the extra stuff that comes with it, but isn't that extra stuff what really draws people in? "My Way" promo for WrestleMania X7 is held in such high regard because the story and everything just worked for it perfectly. I guess my TL;DR would be that this is a company that prides itself on five star matches to keep the people coming back, and there's absolutely a market for that. But to really see some dramatic growth, I think it needs to be expanded into more outside stuff. Cody breaking into the Inner Circle's press area back on - what - the first or second Dynamite? Mox's Paradigm Shift through the glass table, IC breaking Dustin's arm in the door outside. Those are nice little tid bits, but on a show where every match has to have 10-15 minutes plus (and 5 matches per usual), there's 75 minutes if not more counting entrances, exits, etc. That's another reason by in large I said in the general discussion thread about BTE being on TV vs. All Access so you can actually get a sense for some of these guys characters beyond just in the ring. Give me the HOB torturing somebody ala Ministry, stuff like that. Maybe not as dark and evil, but you get the point. Give me some juice for some of these characters beyond just a guy.

Don't forget he put over Marina Shafir big time too!

Oh please don't get it twisted, I'm not trying to write it off. I'm merely trying to think of ways to innovate the landscape vs. the reality drama series' that we have seen over the years from Total Divas to Rhodes to the Top.

Would AEW benefit from having BTE on cable television as opposed to YouTube? Hear me out, I'm aware that it's not everyone's cup of tea, but it seems like it would do a much better job of showing the wrestlers outside of the ring whilst continuing storylines in the process. Being able to see some of these guys in their goofy environments as opposed to always the confines of the squared circle. For some reason, I just think that it would be a better way of potentially bringing in fans who maybe aren't as familiar with the in ring product in a different way. You replace the All Access show with something like that and it not only helps your actual weekly wrestling shows, but may also drag in some of those casual fans as well. Admittedly I haven't watched too many BTE's recently, but there was a time where it was mandatory weekly viewing and I think something of this ilk would be brand new to the world of cable wrestling (or maybe I'm forgetting something).

*Insert CM Punk "Pay attention to me!" GIF here* Seriously, that's the only sentiment I get from him every time he says something now. Somebody has always wronged him. Somebody is always trying to go over him. Didn't he hold the title as an interm over the summer? It seems like TK was doing whatever he could to keep the strap on him, and clearly Khan loves Punk. But I guess that means you must go 150-0 in all matches and never lose. Jesus, it's so absurd. The guy has two losses in AEW: MJF and Moxley. Whats the deal with everyone needing to be prime Bill Goldberg.

Man, how could I forget that we even got an appearance by Kansas City legend Tech N9ne on this show. I swear to god AEW get's the most random, yet absolutely awesome cameos on their shows. Martin Kove, Tech N9ne, Billy Mitchell, I'd think TK has an implant in my brain and just knows what fancy to tickle.

You gotta think someone from the E was watching the show tonight and said "Holy shit, we need that guy". I'm dead serious too. Vikingos fluidity and smoothness was unparalleled. The guy doesn't botch. Absolute freak of nature and someone I want to see more of desperately. Can we get Vikingo through the Forbidden Door for a match with Hiromu?

There was a star made tonight and his name is El Hijo Del Vikingo. As I watched that match, I had the same thought about "I wonder if this is how people felt when they first saw Rey in 96" and it made me realize that WCW did such a good job of plucking some of the absolute best of the best luchadors in the world. That's the type of guy you want need to have on your roster. He is like Rey Fenix, but dialed up to 11 and I didn't even know that was a possibility. Really could have done without the Elite/BCC stuff at the end and think ending the show on that fantastic match would've been more than enough, but I can understand wanting to progress your storyline as well in what is arguably a meaningless match for future ramifications in AEW. Hangman doing his best Austin impression. The Gunns just keep growing on me week after week and Top Flight are definitely what management had hoped Private Party would be. The cake match between Skye Blue and Toni Storm wasn't too bad, but damn I'd love a curveball win once in a while and Skye is now 0-3 against the Outcasts. Let Willow and Riho cause enough of a distraction for a win or something, just give Skye Blue the rub damn it~! Stu Grayson had a great showing against Moxley. Hope him and Uno get slotted back into the tag division because I'd love to see them get a meaningful push besides just Hangman's bois at some point. It's so wild to me that them and Best Friends never got a run with the titles (although I'd say BF is a little more wild since they have had some great matches and feuds throughout AEW's history).

We got section 120 too! Row 26, seats 14-15.

Well, we sniped some! So all's well that ends well.

But the thing is, we were on the selection screen. Like we had our tickets selected and you're supposed to have the allotted time to input your credit card, etc. and Ticketmaster just gave them elsewhere. $200 tickets already being sold for $1500. Disappointing to say the least. It's gotta be something with Ticketmaster cause I think this is what happened for Taylor Swift's recent tour.

How are you supposed to get these Forbidden Door tickets? Every single time we have clicked on seats, they get sniped instantly. Even had the tickets picked and the card number input and Ticketmaster says "Nah, you're not going"... Actually absurdity.

We desperately need Mike Bailey in one of the two major North American promotions. That guy has so much talent that I don't know how he hasn't found himself an AEW or WWE/NXT contract yet. Hopefully by the end of this year he ends up in one of those two places because I'm thinking he's well on his way to possibly being my MVP for the second straight year in a row.

https://twitter.com/TonyKhan/status/1636545766058766342 Problems embedding - but Stu Grayson is "once again" All Elite! LFG

Genuinely thinking about going to Forbidden Door. Only 4 hours away (the one benefit to living on the NY/Canada border) - but a meet up may just put this over for me. Hell yeah!

Sheeeitt. Double post. Very unprofessional. I've already lost the gig

I did NOT play EWR for years as a child to just let this opportunity slip by. Do I need to send TK my resume of shows that I wrote from back then? If I can even find them?

I decided to quit smoking weed after about seven years of constant (and around 10+ years of on and off use) last week and I am feeling so proud of myself. Unfortunately, the side effects of me quitting have been a big lack of appetite (shouldn't always smoke before you eat), insomnia, and some anxiety here and there as well as a little shaking. Currently going on day seven right now, but I knew I had a problem and needed to stop. I've always been an advocate for marijuana and still am for that matter - but I realized that I was addicted and to the point where I felt like I would always need a to be high just to feel normal. Not exactly something I'm "proud" of, but quitting it definitely is something I'm proud of. Honestly, I ever wondered if this day would come but I just felt the time was right. After this, I plan on kicking the nicotine pouches that I use down the road and really getting everything straightened. Since I quit smoking, I've also been drinking LOADS of water which is something I never did. It would always be a Snapple or a lemonade, maybe a soda - but rarely ever water. Back in the fall I decided to also go back to school since I was terrible at it my first go around 14+ years ago now (how does time fly by so quickly when you get older) and finished with a 4.0 GPA and am still maintaining that this semester, so I'm trying to right all the wrongs I've done for myself and man do I feel some of the most gratification and satisfaction I have in a while. Might be getting some natural dopamine here soon! Just wanted to share with my pals here as I haven't been posting too much recently.

https://twitter.com/TonyKhan/status/1634026733803536386 Stu Grayson returns next week. Uno/Grayson/Hangman vs. BCC

Boeheim officially retired today with Adrian Autry named the new head coach. Boeheim has been a staple of Syracuse since I first became a fan as a child. From the 90's Big East runs to the 2003 National Championship all the way up to their entry into the ACC and subsequent fall from grace (definitely not as much of a powerhouse as they were in the Big East) Jimmy B and his 2-3 zone kept Syracuse relevant for a long time. However, the game has officially passed him by. The 2-3 zone is a field day for anyone with a 3 point shooter (aka, everyone now) and we have seen that zone go from being feared to almost being welcomed. Hope he enjoys retirement, because CNY has only really had basketball for the past 25 years and who knows what the future will have in store for them now. I was really hoping it would be McNamara who'd be named head coach, but I might have to wait a few more years for that. Also, don't forget... Jim Boeheim killed a man.

Holy shit, the water being tequila does in fact make it way worse. Especially when tossing it on a kid. There's a line somewhere in there and that is definitely crossing it. I don't care if you're a heel or not.

Dean Malenko

On the topic of bigger FA's not named Jay White, I've heard people toss around Francis Ngannou's name - which is definitely something I could see the WWE doing.

I want Baliyan Akki and Mei Suruga on Dynamite every Wednesday please and thank you. Let the Outrunners get some more seasoning and hopefully find their footing on the mics and they could be the next Acclaimed. Fun tag team that the crowd gets behind.