Brandon Bones
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Posts posted by Brandon Bones
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1 hour ago, Niners Fan in CT said:
I didn't take your post that way, I just wanted to give my views on why I think the show is looking to successful.
I am persuadable.
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Things could be worse. That Hogan Freestyle Whatever has a little more than 300 tickets out. So things are looking up.
All kidding aside. Little did I know my thinking out loud about my reaction to looking at how the tickets sales were going would kick a hornets nest in the balls. Was I really dooming out? I’m baffled that my post was taken that way.
Some of the posts here were certainly encouraging as far as having a successful outlook. Even while I guess, what I had to say wasn’t particularly respected? They can’t all be winners.
I will say that over the years there has been an aspect to reporting on attendance in our little media that often times went out of its way to embarrass these companies. WWE used to get its pants pulled down on the regular as they herded what crowd they could muster to the front of the cameras. Meanwhile camera phone pics of large tarps and unlit empty seats show up in news feeds. It was meant to embarrass them. It at least made me embarrassed for them.
WCCW was clueless to the point of incompetence in their day. I just recently watched a pair of those big shows after rewatching Flair vs. Kerry. It was tutorial in how not to shoot and present wrestling.
It brought to mind how much respect I had for how AEW shot the second Wembley show. Sure… red seats were dotted throughout the upper deck areas and seen on camera but went largely unhighlighted enough to distract.
Additionally, the week to week tallies seemed to have satisfied the critics and all with booking smaller venues. I guess that still doesn’t read for me that AEW is setting the world on fire. I love my starving artist federation. I KID FFS!
I’m am really kicking myself for not going to those Boston shows. But I did go to the Manchester show. So I’m at least not a complete CM Punk level of hypocrite. *Wink*
Hopefully, Drew doesn’t sue me for copyright/gimmick infringement.
As far as my “esteem”? There is only one poster of “esteem”. That’s Octopus. I’m not on his level.
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Phone froze. Didn’t realize this actually posted.
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I guess I really fucked up. At least it’s good I’m considered esteemed. Even if I don’t know what that means.
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On 6/27/2025 at 10:02 AM, Technico Support said:
Defy is the Crossfit of wrestling. How do you know someone is into Crossfit/Defy? Wait long enough, they'll bring it up.
Excuse ME… SIR! *I* smoke the WEED!
AND I’m vegan.
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20 hours ago, Troubles said:
Yeah that reads really bad for sure. It's shit like this that makes me wonder what the fuck TK has for assistants because someone should be looking at things and saying "Tony, what's the deal with this?"
I’ve been complaining to some of my buddies about ticket prices.
Going back to the beginning of AEW IIRC… there was something in the early hype about them charging more affordable prices for tickets as something of a company policy. Am I crazy here or is this the Mandela Effect?
I was looking at the ALL IN stadium graphic wherever they sell the tickets. The douche chill I got from what had been sold at that point gave me a WCCW Parade of Champions feel like they were going to be embarrassed by the turn out or at least the dotting of empty seats on tv. Some of those latter Texas Stadium shows were rough to look at.
They did a good job of covering themselves for the most part at the last Wembley Stadium show. But I admit I’m a bit concerned how this is going to go.
So why not just lower the cheap seats down to a price point that would actually draw? Better than nothing, right?
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One of the details I really like out of an episode like this is how outside of the repetition it looks and feels. The cut and paste set ups in presentation I feel fatigues the eye and dulls the perception of the show. AEW producers probably didn’t even have to go that far out of their way (this time around) to achieve this CMLL feel with an AEW stamp on the face of it. Cool.
I’m an old man who has watched a lot of wrestling. But I don’t HAVE to be walking around like I’ve “seen it all” if the variety keeps it fresh.
I understand the need for table setting episodes. But what if they were most if not all EVENTS?
Push Mark Briscoe. I’m not saying he should have gone over in most of the matches he has done the J.O.B in. But he is getting more and more over with no bearing on his record. He is incredible.
I’ve also been convinced on Hechicero. Dude is super creative and I’m glad the announcers gave that aspect the spot light at various times.
Okada is sufficiently warmed up. But AEW is betting huge on this one keeping up with a past that doesn’t necessarily belong to them. Is Ibushi available if Kenny goes over? At least for a hug?
Score a point in the “I should have seen it coming” column. Ballads as entrance music. I’m honestly surprised how little this resource has been mined. Not everyone has to rock. We could all use a bit more earnest and heartfelt these days.
As the show carried on. I was pleased with how the matches on this show had an appropriate amount of time to breath and build their stories. Example: Atlantis Jr. and his problems. I got dropped right in the middle of that with no prior knowledge. But it still added some meat to the bone on what could’ve otherwise been a too many random dudes becoming a blur. Plus… he looked like a chump.
Mistico seems better cast in his role in CMLL as opposed to some of his outside ventures over the years. I say that in mostly ignorance of his history and position. But “Sloppy Sin Cara” made sense as far as I knew. Great sell post Tombstone on the ramp. Liked how his legs in standing up didn’t quite have the fighting spirit his mind had.
Didn’t mind the DQ. AEW has plenty of credit to spend on the occasional but rare DQ.
During a break: “We want to send our best wishes to Taz. There’s nothing wrong with him. We just want to send our best wishes to Taz.” - Excalibur
The world delights in busting that guys balls man. It’s wild.
Mone vs. Zeuxis: Liked that powerslam on the apron through the ropes. Familiar move, unique scenario. The Toni video and suplexing ALL the belts was a great visual once they got the camera shot.
I wonder what the conversation was like when it was decided that The D Riders were NOT going to enter through the crowd. Different crowd security protocols?Streamers sure are messy. Just hanging from the lighting grid all conspicuous.
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Totally amazeballs.
Mostly in respect to those matches I didn’t have much investment still hitting it out of the park.
I haven’t been a fan of the AITA over the years. And for a moment I thought the goofy aspects were going to ruin any violence based high water marks. Nope. No worries. I was indeed, excited and not hiding it. Got zero love for Nü Metal but whatever. The singalong was fun. I mean… Coach Tony spent all that money on licensing rights. Make the most of it.
I’ve seen some feedback surrounding amazement over the lack of fatigue going into the main event. I can’t disagree. I was primed. Probably in part because Ospreay was forward thinking enough to cue me up for the expected marathon I guess. I was just ready for it and it was awesome.
Now hopefully the ticket sales or the mid-summer Texas hot sun doesn’t ruin the biggun.-
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10 hours ago, Curt McGirt said:
It's a drug front.
Oh. What can I get?
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On 5/12/2025 at 4:08 PM, NoFistsJustFlips said:
If Lev wasn't casted yet then he can't be there to tell Abby no when she's about to slice Dina's throat. So at the very least they aren't getting that far.
IIRC
SpoilerIn Ellie’s version of events in game. Lev isn’t seen at the point of Jesse getting blasted coming through the door. Probably to avoid any confusion over “Who the fuck is that?” Prior to the proper introduction.
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3 hours ago, The Natural said:
Already looking forward to Samoa Joe vs. Claudio Castagnoli on Dynamite next week.
Honestly, I’d probably look forward to it if it were just about every week. Those two could do the same shit a dozen different ways in each match. Bring it.
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I’m looking forward to wondering why Beef Stroganoff is in the Dynamite Zone.
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50 minutes ago, Cobra Commander said:
Heyman probably has deeply held opinions about 80s standup comics, doesn't he
I’m pretty sure Heyman was in the crowd on one of Bill Hicks stand up records. Don’t ask me to back that up with anything. But I recall it for some reason.
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16 hours ago, username said:
If she was still working at the same level her being 35 wouldn't matter much, but when you have over 1100 matches and your work ain't what it was I think it is fair to wonder if there's just not a ton of tread left on the tire. I hope she sorts things out, turns things around and goes on to wrestle for many years more, Bayley at her best was rather good & fun! I just don't know if I want to bet on it.
Yeah. Not everybody has the same amount of tread on the tire.
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Wow. I might have to pull some strings to see if I can get out there. It’ll be a long shot. But the board is kind of my home on the internuts and Dean~! was always cool to me over the years.
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18 minutes ago, AxB said:
That was a Pre-show Dark Match! That doesn't count!
Over the years it has depended on who you ask. Some people can’t decide if the last match of night 1 is a “Main” Event or not.
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I’m pretty sure that after Fenix kicked the thingy Grande Americano put in his mask. He grabbed the wrong leg when he followed up with the ankle lock.
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I didn’t care for much of this largely (I’d assume) is my having no investment in the product or it’s current roster of characters. For instance if there were any inference in the moves or reactions? It’s over my head. Not the shows fault.
So in a vacuum it was a decent at best show that went a bit too long. Yep. Sounds like WrestleMania.
Roman/Punk/Rollins is basically a turd in the punch bowl of booking. Brandon repellent. Sprayed in my face. Punching my face. I used my method of making Revolution the greatest PPV of all time by going to bed before the main event.
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You bastids is making me laff today. Kudos.
Loved the Mox promo. Put Joe over strong by making his jumping the challenge as notsomuch being brave as being painted into a corner.
Claudio needs a wellness check.
Nick Wayne’s Mom needs my phone number.
Liked the on-stage recap from Nigel. Made Wednesday seem even bigger by putting it so deservingly over. It may be shoveling sand against the tide to try considering this weeks newsfeed is going to be flooded. Fuck it. Put your money on the table.
Toni Storm is a treasure. This act/character is so uniquely tailored with WWF wacky thread. I honestly believe she could surpass every other act in the company to become the face of it. She is so sharp and creative. There’s a reason folks around here campaign for her matches to be show carrying main events. Loved the outfit.
Stat could use some character development to go along with how hard they put over her strength. Bring on the Hayter match.
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Well hot diggity dig diggity dog.
I looked into going to these shows but there weren’t seats available that I’d drive down from Cow Hampshire to get. Hopefully the loop next time comes back to ManchVegas.
This was fantastic. I guess I can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that seemingly AEW is in a better overall spot than I perceived them to be in recently.
The poorly attended events in large venues and some of the reactions to the shows never seemed to kill the spirits for those who enjoy the alternative. Even with the looming shadow and bile left behind when back stage steps in front of the stage. Yuck all day.
Stepping back to view from the macro level. There are a LOT of “characters” on this show that’s supposed to hang its hat solely on match quality. This makes me happy.
Like say being able to anticipate Sheldon’s reaction and also understand why HE makes the choice he eventually does. I wonder what would make him change his mind now that the Hoe Train and a free watch has failed?
MJF: Sex Trafficker. Not a good look. I could see MJF taking some Andrew Tates on-line courses. So it checks out.
Not sure how I can handle all these awesome matches on TV. Let that not go unsaid.
Liked seeing the champ get choked out on TV.
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I’m not booking Swerve to go over before the stadium show and short him on a title run to end so soon in Texas. Just can’t do it. Don’t do it. I can wait a bit longer for this.
Moxley may not have upped his credit limit on this run but IMO he still has a lot to spend as champion.
I wasn’t kidding last time that my going to bed early and missing the main event made it “the greatest PPV evaaah”! This show was very good but not quite reaching some of AEWs high water marks. Though old man Bones was crawling in bed and finished watching the ME on my phone.
I suppose highlighting that, after an hours long show…. I was still thinking about how good AR Fox is doing right now (being so early in the show) at all is also a backhanded dig at the show.
This wasn’t an episode of the rasslin’ that was designed to pay much off. So if the ultimate goal was to give a bunch of underserved talent a shot on the big stage? I believe they largely succeeded in both getting them there AND the matches were very good to somewhat overachieving. I’m patient enough to make allowances to let those things play out.
For Knight it was an absolute home run. While some talents like Julia, Cole, and Garcia could use some character work. Even the Hurt Syndicate is still an evolving act. Also understand that I’m not even measuring the success rate by how over they are. They all got great responses from the crowd. I’m just surprised by how vocal they got for acts I’m not particularly invested in. Which this show had a bunch of.
Moné continues to dominate and I’m excited for the Texas match with Toni.
Tickets are 25 bucks for All-In? This I’m paying attention to. Mostly because when AEW was announced as a thing. I recall them highlighting all these progressive ideas they had. Such as finding ways bring the shows to say the hearing impaired. There had been some talk about making tickets more generally affordable. I haven’t heard much about that in the last few years. This is a great lesson I’m hoping might make that pricing more consistent. Especially if it helped fill in that stadium I’m kind of worried about.
Toni Storm is the best act in wrestling. THE MEG really delivered a career making match. More than held up her end.
I had a few thoughts throughout the show about one critique that often used to get applied that AEW is luckily avoiding. The one about former WWE washouts slumming it in a different Fed being something to highlight. The entire Death Rider act is made from this. But there is nothing “WWE” about it that has carried over so nobody seems to go there. It used to be by default. So hopefully that stays dead. Or I just don’t run in the salty circles of E fandom.
That being said Edge vs. Mox is more than Cope vs. Mox in name value. So there are pluses and minuses.
Yep. Still love AEW. Still rules the motherfucking world. Still not going back.
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My semi review of 2k25.
Of course my criteria is much different than most because I’ll hardly play the game AT ALL. For me getting a decent simulator is the metric. 2k24 isn’t it.
Of the bunch, 2k19 has been the best of the bunch since restarting my league a few years ago. Good AI producing quality matches (though that doesn’t necessarily mean epic 5stars each time out). Plus robust creation options both in characters and match making, and entrances. The appropriateness of how it plays out is soooooo much better.
2k22 was really good in producing good matches but creations stuff was very limited. At the time, stability was a bit more of a gifted blessing considering what a clusterfluck 2k20 was. Thankfully I dodged that forcing me to crutch on 19 that much longer.
25 does have a very expansive creator suite and so far the matches have been surprisingly great.
Imagine if you will and match going back and forth and seems to be building toward something only for a three count after a simple kick to the leg. Yeah. No. That’s 2k18 and 24 for you.
So between the AI being much more intuitive and my experiences with these games schooling me on adjusting those sliders both in characters and in the options menu. This has me thinking 2k25 might be the most bang for my buck.
A few headaches remain. Titantron video creator is still very unstable. They changed the set up for sims in contrast to how it’s been historically. Which had me growling at the sky. Community Creations is a bit different with only Most Downloaded and Most Upvoted as search categories and it’s very annoying. Arranging it under new uploads kept me up to date on newer things to find. I’m betting this is probably over the ridiculous amount of porn that’s you can find in the images.
Yeah. That’s what my next arena needs. People covered in jizz.
2k24s one saving grace was the introduction of the manual camera. Love it. Adding it to entrances doesn’t do much for me since entrances are back to being custom again. But I’ll mess with it eventually.
Fuck The Island.
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That Cena/Cody promo battle was fire. Cathartic too.
I’ll peek in for this match for the sake of continuity. Especially since I was pretty invested in the old “Cena is the wrong choice” arguments. Let’s have it out.
ALL IN IV - 7/12/2025
in ALL ELITE WRESTLING
Posted
Totally works as that kind of storyline baked in “stamp of approval” that endorses Hangers title reign AND evolves Swerves character at the same time. It doesn’t mean the rivalry is over. But it’ll be different from that point forward with the threat of regression always dangling overhead.