Double or Nothing VI - 5/26/2024

[Niners Fan in CT]

23 minutes ago, Just Dave said:

We aren’t going to agree on this because you can’t admit that Mercedes isn’t the greatest and most over wrestler of all time. She’s pretty good and the crowd wasn’t too bad. I don’t know why that isn’t good enough. Also, Denise Salcedo seems like a lovely person, but I’ve heard enough of her “insight” to know exactly how seriously to take her opinion. 

I'll take someone's word who was in the building and Reg said the same thing she did.  Thanks. 

[HarryArchieGus]

I watched this show in 3 hours on Monday morning before work. And I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Ospreay v Roddy was a nice opener. Bennett and Taven as Roddy’s cornermen in every match of this run hurt it tremendously. Here, along with Wardlow, it made Remsburg look like a joke. Still, the in ring was pure excellence. MJF/Cole segment was to the point - if a bit lengthy. Glad to have Body Guy Friedman back. Death Triangle v White/Asses was very good. I wouldn’t have minded a title change. Toni v Deeb was a strong title defense. Deeb seemed to be tweening when she ought to have been heeling. Loved the Luther-Mariah towel drama. Excellent finish. Skimmed Trent v OC, the Three Way, and Malakai v Copeland. Best wishes to Cope after that cage dive. I loved seeing Gangrel get a shining moment. I liked Mox v Takeshita. Takeshita looked really strong in defeat. I assumed the finish, so had no feelings riding on it otherwise. Mercedes v Willow was the match I was most excited for, and it totally delivered. The weak finish aside - let's hope Mercedes scraps that shit immediately. Willow shined throughout. I’m completely satisfied by what she gained from this match. I’m also game for a TBS Champion the caliber of Mone. Stat all in black looked bad ass, and I loved the turn. I skimmed a little of Swerve v Christian, but enjoyed what I saw. Not a fan of AEW’s use of ppl being kicked out only to return. It's a rotten trope. Christian is a beautiful wrestling mind. He made Swerve look like a true champion. Anarchy in the Arena was easily my favorite of the 3. It had improved production and a fantastic set of stunts by a bunch of total pros. The fire spot was excellent. Everybody was great. I have no doubt Danielson loved giving Jack that big win. The Final Countdown sequence was goddamn magical. So much fun. I loved everything I fit into the 3 hours. Very much looking forward to complete match viewings of the stuff I skimmed and Deonna v Rosa from the Pre-show. So grateful for such high quality professional wrestling. No time issues here - tape Delay is the way! Bey Bey!

Edited May 28, 2024 by HarryArchieGus

[username]

One... Danielson was alone in the ring and took everyone's finishes, with Perry's just happening to be the last. He got the pin (and should have) but that's not "OMG Jack Perry beat Danielson!!!", that's them lining up a true but kinda BS-ey way for the heels to claim that. It's fine.

We've seen Mone's new finish a few times now and I'm comfortable saying it's just not good. She knows a bunch of moves, pick one or go back to her old ones.

[Evil Otto]

Tape delay is indeed the way.

On that note, they could've easily cut an hour from this card and then it would have been almost perfect.  Then again, I'm going to assume the logic from their end is to make sure everyone gets their money's worth to justify seemingly monthly ppvs from here on out.  Not a big fan of that, but here we are.  Some of these matches, returns and heel turns could have been saved for Dynamite and Collision, for sure.  

That all being said, I loved so many things on this show.  Ospreay and Roddy was terrific, a really smart choice to kick off the show.  I think Toni vs Deeb and OC-Trent may be overlooked coming out of this show, but both were really solid.  I can't believe how great Mariah May is at this stage in her career.  Willow-Mercedes felt special to me, and I think Mone completely delivered in a match in which she absolutely had to do so.  The camera work during the match introductions was outstanding, it really set the table.  Crowd was buzzing all the way through.  

The Final Countdown segment and the split screen was peak insanity, just brilliant.  So yeah, a little long perhaps, but some tremendous in-ring action, a Warriors reference, and Slayer?  I still love this company.  

[Curt McGirt]

It might need to be stated that Takeshita is not an NJPW guy, he's a DDT guy. (Yeah, I know, crazy right?)

What amused me most about the fire spot were the ENORMOUS fire extinguishers just sitting there against the wall of the entrance for all to see before it happened.

[The Natural]

Adam Copeland has broken his leg, his tibia requiring surgery. I'm not surprised.

[Kevin Wilson]

I think we can all agree that Cope having broken something is the least surprising news ever. He did say on the video that his body put on the "emergency brake" which I am not sure if he meant in a general life sense or when he went to do the dive. The way he did it was really stupid so I jut wonder if that wasn't the plan (to land feet first as he hit an elbow) but once he got up there he panicked.

[Just Adam Bay Bay]

On 5/27/2024 at 9:38 AM, The Natural said:

I don't think Jack Perry wins the gauntlet. Beating Bryan means more than FTR but does it when Bryan more often than not drops the big match?

As for your last point, definitely not. I have the first Anarchy in the Arena as the best one and Bryan Danielson gets choked out losing the match. Yes, I'm a big Bryan Danielson fan but I don't think you give me credit honestly when I've spoken out about things he does that I don't like: Shoot headbutts, the diving headbutt, THAT sell he does. I didn't like his match with Miro at AEW Full Gear 2021 or one he had with Jon Moxley at AEW Grand Slam Dynamite 2022 and Chris Jericho at AEW All Out 2022. If you look at my Best AEW Matches Ever:

5. MJF vs. Bryan Danielson. AEW Revolution, 5th March 2023. *****.

4. Adam Page vs. Bryan Danielson. AEW Winter is Coming Dynamite, 15th December 2021. *****.

3. Will Ospreay vs. Bryan Danielson. AEW Dynasty, 21st April 2024. *****.

2. Kenny Omega vs. Bryan Danielson. AEW Grand Slam Dynamite, 22nd September 2021. *****.

1. Bryan Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr. AEW WrestleDream, 1st October 2023. *****.

Danielson is 1-2-2 so that hasn't stopped me. Never been a Will Ospreay fan but had to recognize there.

I’ll give an honest and possibly surprising opinion. I love Stadium Stampede but I haven’t cared for any of the Anarchy In The Arena matches (and yes I get it’s the same concept). I thought the ending to the first one was the worst as Bryan losing to Hager didn’t lead anywhere. At least this one will/should build to Forbidden Door. We also agree on things he does that we dislike. Heck I agree the Miro match and the Jericho one you disliked. I can’t remember which PPV it was from but that Moxley match was my least favorite as opposed to Grand Slam for you. The length of it in particular bothered me.

I’m glad you put the Ospreay match so high, but even as a Ospreay fan I’d only put it second behind the Hangman title defense from January 2022. That was such a masterpiece in my opinion of course. To stay on topic I would like to see your guy be the one to take the International title off of Okada when the time comes too.

[Just Adam Bay Bay]

On 5/27/2024 at 9:45 AM, Zakk_Sabbath said:

That's a great call. I stupidly didn't even think of Perry as a Swerve challenger (see my MJF post earlier) but with Swerve calling the Elite attack on TK a bitch move twice on TV, running that match at FD would fit pretty much perfectly with the story told so far (and also with the AEW vs NJ theme, as you noted).

Expanding further, I also think you've got potential for a really compelling finish in that match even if Swerve retaining is, like tonight, a fairly foregone conclusion (plus it's a nice way to protect Jungle Jack from a clean pin):

My belief is we'll get nterference from either Omega to further the rekindled Okada stuff and get revenge for his Elite beatdown, or from a returning Hangman to do the WWF 'uneasy allies' thing with Swerve, since he's got not only obviously the long-term Elite history, but he/Swerve have their own story built in with the great home invasion death match last year.

Health and schedules permitting, I wouldn't hate Hangman/Omega deciding to take a second crack at their tag team, either.

I definitely want Hangman/Kenny vs The Bucks to be a part of this feud before it ends. Maybe a best of three at World’s End for control of the company? 

Jack Perry vs Darby (I don’t know who honestly)

Okada vs Danielson

Young Bucks vs Hangman/Kenny

And like all other series split it at one with Kenny and Hangman going over at the end to “save” AEW.

[The Natural]

26 minutes ago, Just Adam Bay Bay said:

I’ll give an honest and possibly surprising opinion. I love Stadium Stampede but I haven’t cared for any of the Anarchy In The Arena matches (and yes I get it’s the same concept). I thought the ending to the first one was the worst as Bryan losing to Hager didn’t lead anywhere. At least this one will/should build to Forbidden Door. We also agree on things he does that we dislike. Heck I agree the Miro match and the Jericho one you disliked. I can’t remember which PPV it was from but that Moxley match was my least favorite as opposed to Grand Slam for you. The length of it in particular bothered me.

I’m glad you put the Ospreay match so high, but even as a Ospreay fan I’d only put it second behind the Hangman title defense from January 2022. That was such a masterpiece in my opinion of course. To stay on topic I would like to see your guy be the one to take the International title off of Okada when the time comes too.

I don't like Stadium Stampede or Anarchy in the Arena like others do. It took the third try for the first Anarchy in the Arena to click with me.

Page/Danielson II was great. I've always preferred Page/Danielson I, the 60 minute match. I like long matches and if it goes to a draw providing its done well. This was one of the best hour long matches ever.

Edited May 28, 2024 by The Natural

[Curt McGirt]

41 minutes ago, Kevin Wilson said:

The way he did it was really stupid so I jut wonder if that wasn't the plan (to land feet first as he hit an elbow) but once he got up there he panicked.

If only New Jack had been there to give him some coke...

[Dolfan in NYC]

1 hour ago, The Natural said:

Adam Copeland has broken his leg, his tibia requiring surgery. I'm not surprised.

How in the hell do you break your fucking leg mid-match and not audible a finish? 

Christ, if nothing else than to spare us "Yet Another Tournament".

[Dolfan in NYC]

 

[Just Adam Bay Bay]

43 minutes ago, The Natural said:

I don't like Stadium Stampede or Anarchy in the Arena like others do. It took the third try for the first Anarchy in the Arena to click with me.

Page/Danielson II was great. I've always preferred Page/Danielson I, the 60 minute match. I like long matches and if it goes to a draw providing its done well. This was one of the best hour long matches ever.

Oh I agree that was one of the best hour long matches ever. I just preferred the sequel knowing there’d be a definitive finish, and the added story elements from the first one (will the Buckshot end it if it’s hit before the time limit?). 

Stadium Stampede 1 was the pinnacle for me, but I did enjoy the sequel too. Last years was just kind of there. I’m sure they’ll do another at Wembley with The Learning Tree against Hook, Shibata, and whomever they can find (FTR?). 

[Nice Guy Eddie]

5 hours ago, Curt McGirt said:

If only New Jack had been there to give him some coke...

It's a hell of drug from what I hear. 

[RazorbladeKiss87]

Had to split that over two viewings. Ospreay is a nut for that doomsday device bump. Edge is a nut for that elbow drop. Darby is a nut for wanting to be Zandig.

At the risk of pulling in her biggest stan, Mercedes was not impressive. Her "lucha in half speed" spots still somehow got blown. The limb work on Willow was viscous so there's that. I did love the "one more time" chant after the apron powerbomb. 

Anarchy in the Arena was great up until the bus spot with Jack. Nicholas Jackson babyfaced himself by shutting down Darby's terrible music. Wiccan Goth Phase makes me really regret Yung Lean's existence. But I digress...the announcers were having fun at first but as it dragged on, their enthusiasm matched mine. 

It would be really cool if that was the blowoff for MJF/Cole. If I never see AC's limp noodles on my TV again, it would be too soon. 

I'm kind of being negative here, I know. My weekend sucked and maybe I'm taking it out on this show. Maybe not though. It feels like AEW is setting up a lot of stuff I won't care for. 

[Gordi the BJW fan]

Fucks sake.

 

Listen. I KNOW I'm being the grandpa here, but...

 

maybe between this and Edge breaking his leg...

how about dialing down on the extreme high risk shit by about 20% or so?

 

Really.

 

Most of us would be just fine with more Roddy vs Ospreay and Storm vs Deeb type matches that are just hard hitting, dramatic, and well fought.

 

i really don't enjoy watching wrestlers I like getting hurt. 

Getting pretty close to my user name being 100% literally true.

Edited May 29, 2024 by Gordi the former AEW fan

[ExcellenceofAirPollution]

Late to the party

I don't know what it was like watching live but I hit a wall by the time Swerve and Christian was starting and forced myself to power through.  Helped that those two are so good that they immediately got me engaged in the match despite the result being obvious.  Christian is the king of having these big PPV matches you know he's going to lose going in but he still manages to put on a hell of a match and drag you into it.  One of the best NA workers of the last 20 years, easy

F'n LOVED Nana with the bottles and Swerve in the Warriors gear.  One of my favorite movies, own it on Blu-Ray, and I've been known to push it on the uninitiated from time to time.  Taz was right though, the movie is like 45 years old now!!

Speaking of best NA workers of the last 20 years, Roderick Strong has to be up there.  The Takeshita match is still my favorite of Will's official contracted AEW matches (so not counting Omega) but this was really fucking good and a pretty easy MOTN for me.  I flat out don't like the way they're playing the Tiger Driver gimmick, that's my own complaint.  It's a little too broad for me, but I guess they want to hammer it for when he teases it in big matches and finally breaks it out again so even the densest mark gets it

Anarchy in the Arena ruled once again.  The visual of Darby hung upside down.  The music gimmick was great yet again, don't know how they're going to top Final Countdown and Matt bitching about how much money it was costing them, lol.  I'm hoping they have a good followup for Danielson here, they already teased Claudio being unhappy with him taking this match

I thought Mone looked pretty good.  A little tentative and I was worried about her ankle a few times but for her first match in a year, and as Meltzer pointed out she really hasn't wrestled much at all since leaving WWE.  Her and Willow had good chemistry, this can definitely be a tentpole rivalry for the division.  The Mone Maker SUCKS.  I think I've seen her hit it well once or twice and even then it doesn't look good.  This is in the category of moves that just doesn't look like it actually hurts/puts someone down for 3.  I'd put the Stormbreaker in there as well, even though it looks 1000x better

Don't get where they're going with Trent.  I like him and think he's got potential as a heel but he needed to win this match so they better have something good planned

MJF looked great, didn't realize how much I missed him.  I was pretty vocal here about how much I hated the comedy stuff with Cole so him shitting all over and saying it's dead and buried was music to my ears.  HHH jacket was a nice touch

I'm sure there's more but I watched it a couple days ago now.  Really good show, biggest complaint as usual with AEW is too much of a good thing.  6 man tag titles, Orange/Trent, Toni/Deeb all could have been TV matches

 

Edited May 29, 2024 by ExcellenceofAirPollution
forgot to shit on the Mone Maker

[Curt McGirt]

Forgot to mention but a buddy of mine mentioned he'd been listening to the first three Europe records a lot so I played them and lo and behold... they're pretty good. Nice, Rainbow influenced stuff, very much up my alley, and far less synth than expected.

[just drew]

On 5/27/2024 at 8:26 PM, Niners Fan in CT said:

I'll take someone's word who was in the building and Reg said the same thing she did.  Thanks. 

Because her word backs up your delusion. The match was pretty good and the crowd response was pretty good. I'm sorry that isn't enough to live up to your standard. The other two main events got a better response. You not liking it doesn't make it less true. Go cry into your Sasha Banks body pillow. You're welcome.

Edited May 29, 2024 by Just Dave

[Niners Fan in CT]

34 minutes ago, Just Dave said:

Because her word backs up your delusion. The match was pretty good and the crowd response was pretty good. I'm sorry that isn't enough to live up to your standard. The other two main events got a better response. You not liking it doesn't make it less true. Go cry into your Sasha Banks body pillow. You're welcome.

Didn't you just get done telling everyone that you have some issues to work out?   Go work on them and stop quoting me with nonsense.  You and the other guy trying to bait me into arguments over wrestling shit is boring to me... 

Your word means less than nothing because you weren't there.  That's how it works.  People who were there disagree with your delusional take. Get over it. 

[The Natural]

1 hour ago, ExcellenceofAirPollution said:

Late to the party

I don't know what it was like watching live but I hit a wall by the time Swerve and Christian was starting and forced myself to power through.  Helped that those two are so good that they immediately got me engaged in the match despite the result being obvious.  Christian is the king of having these big PPV matches you know he's going to lose going in but he still manages to put on a hell of a match and drag you into it.  One of the best NA workers of the last 20 years, easy

The Mone Maker SUCKS.  I think I've seen her hit it well once or twice and even then it doesn't look good.  This is in the category of moves that just doesn't look like it actually hurts/puts someone down for 3.  I'd put the Stormbreaker in there as well, even though it looks 1000x better

Too long especially where I live. The PPV went 01:00-05:35am.

I'm a big Mercedes Mone fan but I don't like the Mone Maker. Don't like Will Ospreay's Stormbreaker either. The Hidden Blade is much better.

[RazorbladeKiss87]

7 hours ago, The Natural said:

Too long especially where I live. The PPV went 01:00-05:35am.

I'm a big Mercedes Mone fan but I don't like the Mone Maker. Don't like Will Ospreay's Stormbreaker either. The Hidden Blade is much better.

I can't imagine staying up for a show that late. Kudos to you haha. I've hit the point where I just avoid the board for a day or so and watch it when I can skip the things I'm less interested in. 

Fully agree about Hidden Blade vs Storm breaker. Plus, the Hidden Blade looks viscous when hit on anyone. 

[HarryArchieGus]

20 hours ago, Dolfan in NYC said:

How in the hell do you break your fucking leg mid-match and not audible a finish? 

So true. I liked this match, but loved this AdamEW run. He came in with something to prove and worked his ass off. He also wonderfully altered his promos from being a drippy 20 plus minute monologist (over there) to a consistently strong talker. Sounds like his backstage presence will be missed even more.

Quote

Christ, if nothing else than to spare us "Yet Another Tournament".

I see and hear a lot of criticism over AEW having too many tournaments. I get the sentiment in that their tournaments sometimes feature too many non-players and not enough main players. Even so, I love tournaments. It gives more matches and competitors purpose. I like that they lay out the pursuing combatants to allow for our collective fan speculation and chatter. They also keep us away from Battle Royals and rotten multi-way-first-pin matches (Casino Gauntlet included). More tournaments certainly doesn't help elevate the potential prestige of say the Owen, but that format needs work anyway. I'm for adopting the Continental Classic round robin rules, and having two of those a year. Give me one or two for the Women's and Tag divisions too.  

[mystman]

20 hours ago, Dolfan in NYC said:

How in the hell do you break your fucking leg mid-match and not audible a finish? 

Christ, if nothing else than to spare us "Yet Another Tournament".

My guess Black is out the door.