ALL OUT VI - 9/7/2024

[Octopus]

2 minutes ago, Phantom Lord said:

 

The cage match was all right. But I think it was lacking something and I don't know what. I think they went too heavy on the gimmicks. Like you watch a cage match like say The Last Battle of Atlanta, all they needed to do was beat the shit out of each other with their fists. I would have preferred to see that than say seeing someone powerbombed on what looked like a real cinder block.

 

I do agree. More stiff punching would have helped.

[Johnny Sorrow]

I didn't watch the show, but I saw the plastic bag spot. It's the Funk/ Flair spot. So that's cool. And didn't they want to do it previously but Khan nixed it?

I didn't see the syringe bit, but it sounds fucking stupid.

 

[elizium]

I loved the BCC turn. They were never friends, they were a group of wrestlers who had mutual respect from being in the ring and beating the shit out of each other. It started with Mox and Bryan fighting, it's appropriate that it ends with them fighting

[Octopus]

I am so excited for this company and how everything plays out going forward.

[just drew]

Nevermind.

Edited September 8 by just drew
Was overserved last night.

[Casey]

Oh boy, here we go again.

[Lawful Metal]

I think I’m a sicko.

That main event is my match of the year. 

[A.M.B.]

1 hour ago, John E. Dynamite said:

First half was an all timer. Second half was Mercedes *really really really doing a bad job trying to ad lib over a busted weave???* and some shock spots that I have seen too many times over the last 20 to 30 years. The bag callback, ok, Terry Funk fanboyism is fine. The syringe thing never grossed me out, I've just seen the same thing happen since buying Big Japan VHS when VHS was the only way to buy it.

if I can get nerdy (I think I’m in the right place) the syringe spot was not done in Big Japan until Hoshino vs. Ito in 2010. Even as a huge bloodmark and obsessive BJW fan I hated it then and thought it was a jumping the shark moment for the company when they were all about great wrestling matches that happened to have weapons in them to having stabby, unathletic exhibitions of violence. I just think it’s stupid, because as someone said, I’ve gotten blood drawn a bunch and it’s not that bad, but I’ve never felt a superplex, let alone through lighttubes, and that made sense as a way to knockout and pin your opponent.

after the street fight I thought this might be on the way to the best AEW show I’ve ever seen. Same as last year I thought this was so much better than the “bigger and better” show the week before, because there was way less interference, fuckery, and trying to get every person on the show. This show was actually astounding for the lack of extra bodies in every match doing awful ref spots, interference, and post match beat downs. PAC vs. Ospreay was probably my favorite big epic match AEW has done in a while, took me back to seeing PAC vs. Generico in Reseda in 2006 and thinking “I know they’re gonna work hard, but how crazy can this really get” and then just being blown away. I will say Ospreay’s matches feel a little lazy to me, which I know is an ironic thing to say with the way he wrestles, but the dives and apron bumps are really predictable, just like the MJF match we had two apron bumps and it seems like when Ospreay wants a better match he just does more apron bumps and double downs. But again I thought this was great, especially since I’ve wanted to see PAC have this kind of match forever. And then I thought, why the hell were the two biggest modern English wrestlers putting on an a classic not doing this IN THEIR HOME COUNTRY A WEEK EARLIER?

I love Willow and thought the street fight was way better than Rosa/Britt. I think gimmicks lighttubes are lame but it was cute I guess. 

some of the other matches were just good and I think that’s perfectly acceptable to not burn out the crowd. 
 

I think Mercedes is objectively awful from all the evidence I have but I kinda liked her and Shida because it just looked uncooperative, sloppy, and violent. I can forgive a lot when a match has a gritty, frenetic edge to it. I swear I’ve never seen Mercedes get any good pops between the bells, it’s only just her entrance, but somehow she is “over”, I guess? And the refusal to drop that terrible finish when it’s been botched a bunch and never gotten a good reaction is actually a testament to her incredible persistence. Maybe one day, like Honma winning the G1, it’ll happen.

Danielson/Perry was solid. Perry does take some good bumps. Interference was fine for me because it was unique on the show for once. The plastic bag spot really bothered me, not because of its graphic nature, but because why wouldn’t you just rip the bag open?
 

main event was good but more melodramatic and an exhibition of violence than a fight and a struggle like the Revolution match. Of course PAC/Ospreay didn’t feel like a struggle but it was so ridiculous I could give it a pass. I agree that slightly eclipsed the awesome street fight before it. We had multiple “shocking” CZW spots on one show which is too much for me. Again I’m a blood mark, but AEW is not a deathmatch company so they need to be careful. They also just did an unprotected chair shot a few weeks ago and are pretty terrible about milking that stuff.

Good show, better than All In, one of favorites in a while.

 

 

Edited September 8 by A.M.B.

[John E. Dynamite]

There's a completely legitimate case that wrestling should be an outlet for the most savage parts of the human heart, that the very foundation of the artform is built upon the tragic catharsis of retributive violence and its unending consequences. There's a completely legitimate case that wrestling should exist as live theater shonen anime, where magically strong buds struggle to beat the bad guys and then do because they learned a new move and their hair/pants changed color and they yelled real loud.

I think an ideal version artform can and should have room for both.

[Octopus]

I think there is room for friendship and violence.

[Go2Sleep]

15 minutes ago, Gordi the recovering AEW f said:

This is maybe more JUST me but I might as well get it off my chest here:

In particular, I LOVED that AEW used to be all about good guys being friends and having each others' backs and I mourn to see that they have shifted entirely to stale WWE "strong men stand alone" and "your friends will always betray you in the end" trope booking. I LOVED the loose hang-out feel of the TV shows with the commentators just kind of being themselves. But, nope. Can't use pronouns. Need to have bullshit heel commentators... They really had something special going, a chance to "change 'the business' for the better" but nope. Have to do it the way it's always been done. Breaks my heart. "Because that's how it has always been done" is the WORST reason to do something. 

 

I disagree with your assessment of the show, but I totally agree with this general sentiment. AEW has adopted a lot of WWE-ish tendencies over the past year. Don't know if it's the network, the ex-WWE production hires, or what, but you hate to see it.

I will say this show wasn't an example of that, though. WWE hasn't had the balls to try anything like the last hour of this show for 20 years. While I don't like the BCC turn conceptually, it was executed magnificently. They cut off the MITB trope, and Danielson's sell of Claudio's uppercut was beautiful. Total shock and he knew what was coming, but then he didn't actually know what was coming. The plastic bag was a grotesque visual and a fitting escalation of Mox's new character. Only nitpick is I didn't like Wheeler getting held back by Pac so easily. Claudio would've made more sense there. Tying in with your point, though, this angle does need to dodge the "tag champs who hate each other" landmine AEW has avoided so far.

The cage match was designed to be uncomfortable and it worked. Whether or not it was a good idea is up for debate, but I applaud them for trying something different. The only thing in WWE that could remotely compare would be some of Foley's matches (Taker HIAC, Rock I quit). The whole story of the match was that there would be no winner, just one survivor who would have to abandon any shred of humanity. Even Swerve's big spots weren't really things that made you feel good about them happening. The vertebreaker on the cinder block, stabbing with piece of the house then crying over it, etc. Nothing truly cathartic before Hanger went full psycho. The whole feud has been kind of outside the usual face/heel dynamic and telling the story of both guys dragging each other to hell, physically and mentally while everyone looks on in abject horror. In that sense, the match was executed perfectly.

 

[DreamBroken]

Great show. Garcia/MJF was a very good opener, thought Garcia had another excellent showing. Ospreay/Pac was as epic as expected. 

Honestly wasn't expecting much from Statlander/Willow when it got started but then it turned up big time and delivered an awesome spectacle with some great spots throughout. 

Thought Mercedes/Shida was good but a little underwhelming as a fan of both and the ending felt sudden/abrupt. 

The Final Countdown! Perry's bumps on the Busaiku Knees were the best, made a pretty great main event overall. Absolutely loved the initial Moxley appearance to stop Christian, felt like a real 'oh shit' moment, but was sad to see Bryan get betrayed and the ensuing attempted murder as I hoped the BCC would stick together, or at least figured only Moxley would turn not Claudio too. Interesting regardless, and immediately had me recalling Eddie Kingston's interview saying Tony told him no when he wanted to use the plastic bag in his Jericho feud a couple years back.

Main event delivered the violence, loved it. Enjoyed how it felt very differently worked than just a regular gimmick match between them with the extra focus on violent pain spots more than traditional high spots/off the cage spots. Thought the ending was pretty much perfect. The Unprotected Headshot being the Most Illegal/Deadly Move in all of Pro Wrestling so it causes an immediate instant KO felt proper. 

Media scrum was quick with just Tony and not the wrestlers since Tony had to jet out right after for NFL tomorrow so it was over in under an hour this time. Tony said TV deal is very close but not officially signed, so he feels 90% about it being announced this month, very confident about being on TBS/TNT for a long time to come. 

Also good to see skye Blue on the Zero Hour, seemed like she was returning babyface and maybe dropping the Julia Hart pairing/reuniting with Queen Aminata. Looking forward to a Mariah/Aminata match out of this. 

Edited September 8 by DreamBroken

[hobo joe]

Cage match sounds like my kind of shit. It’s gonna be like a week before I can watch this, but I’m looking forward to it. Glad they’re finally doing the BCC break up angle they should’ve done two months after Regal left.

[The Green Meanie]

I didn't watch the show but caught the Cultaholic recap.

I'm not sure I understand; for the syringe spot, was it (implied) what exactly was IN the syringe? Like was it supposed to be novacaine or some type of numbing agent or what exactly?

I'm fairly upset about the BCC implosion. If it was going to happen, the way it got divided surely WASN'T the way that we had predicted how it turned out, apparently. So now it's Mox/Claudio/PAC(?!)/Marina?

Edited September 8 by The Green Meanie

[AxB]

Usually, when Deathmatch wrestlers do the syringe spot, they jab it all of the way through the cheek (and out the other side), then press the plunger so they squirt the water into the air. It's a "Look, I really pierced his whole entire skin" thing. On this night, they didn't manage it.

I'm surprised how many people here clearly haven't seen the Hell of War match, or Swerve's Cage of Death vs RSP vs Joe Gacy. He's done gnarlier shit than that before.

Either way, this was a hell of a show. Willow and Kris were kind of put in a dead spot, and they still had a great match, looked like an obvious MOTN contender, until the matches that happened after it. Only really one down spot on in the whole 4 hours.

[The Natural]

7 hours ago, The Natural said:

The use of the needle and the plastic bag on Bryan Danielson soured me on AEW.

Forgot about the chair shot to the head even if it was probably gimmicked.

6 hours ago, Gordi the recovering AEW f said:

Agree with you there, buddy. 

 

I can really only speak for myself and I am sure a lot of people super enjoyed this entire show and if so I am happy for them. 

 

Speaking for myself personally, I would have LOVED this show without the plastic bag, cinder block, and needle.

I mean, PAC vs Bruv and Stat vs Willow! The grappling in MJF vs Dancy Pants! Some of those complex sequences and crazy spots! All the storytelling! That HAWT Chicago crowd! American wrestling fans marking the hell out for Okada and Takeshita facing off... And so on.

 

WITH those extra steps...  Yeah, me too. A little bummed out. A little soured. Glad to know I am not alone in feeling that way. I

 

I would have been SO HAPPY if they ended the Dragon match with him and Mox hugging. It's not like Bryan lacks challengers for the belt! 

 

Related, but...

This is maybe more JUST me but I might as well get it off my chest here:

In particular, I LOVED that AEW used to be all about good guys being friends and having each others' backs and I mourn to see that they have shifted entirely to stale WWE "strong men stand alone" and "your friends will always betray you in the end" trope booking. I LOVED the loose hang-out feel of the TV shows with the commentators just kind of being themselves. But, nope. Can't use pronouns. Need to have bullshit heel commentators... They really had something special going, a chance to "change 'the business' for the better" but nope. Have to do it the way it's always been done. Breaks my heart. "Because that's how it has always been done" is the WORST reason to do something. 

 

w/r/t the ultraviolence, maybe I'm just getting old. I get free tickets to Big Japan when they come to Osaka. I have seen all kinds of crazy shit live... I dunno. Was NOT in the mood for that much of it, this morning.

 

Little bummed, little soured, glad to know I am not alone. Still love wrestling. Still well-entertained overall, today.

 

Anyway, going to a BBQ party with Cooger tonight! That'll drown my minor old man sorrows!

Thanks, man.

[hammerva]

I thought that maybe light tubes or glass would get used.  Didn't see Kris Statlander being the one taking it.  That ruled

The only issue with the plastic bag spot is that you don't need it for 3 or 4 minutes to make it effective. The immediate shock is it.  

[The Natural]

46 minutes ago, AxB said:

Usually, when Deathmatch wrestlers do the syringe spot, they jab it all of the way through the cheek (and out the other side), then press the plunger so they squirt the water into the air. It's a "Look, I really pierced his whole entire skin" thing. On this night, they didn't manage it.

I'm surprised how many people here clearly haven't seen the Hell of War match, or Swerve's Cage of Death vs RSP vs Joe Gacy. He's done gnarlier shit than that before.

Either way, this was a hell of a show. Willow and Kris were kind of put in a dead spot, and they still had a great match, looked like an obvious MOTN contender, until the matches that happened after it. Only really one down spot on in the whole 4 hours.

OT: Happy birthday, fella. Given you a shout out in the Happy birthday thread. Have yourself a good un.

[For Great Justice]

I think my expectations for the main event were not the correct ones, but let me try to explain why I thought this was a miss.

With the escalations, I expected the match to be “I hate you! I want to kill you!” in a rawer sense, narratively. 

What I felt like we got instead was “I hate you so much…I’m going to have an EVEN MORE extreme BJW death match with you!”

That, to me, is context breaking and honestly silly. Again maybe bad on me for misreading the room, but wasn’t this the time and place for cage, fists and blood until someone drops, and not just a continued escalation of a gimmicky pro wrestling death match? 

Like if you have beef with a dude at work, you don’t settle it within the context of work. You meet up behind Waffle House and beat that dude’s ass. By doing a death match, this felt like we never left “work”.

I dunno. I didn’t like it at all. Was just disappointed by the whole thing.

 

[Matt D]

I am still playing catch-up, but doing so much craziness, both in-ring and out makes us feel like a company that just got its contract and wanted to make a big statement. Otherwise you spread the stuff out over multiple shows.

[Stefanie Sparkleface]

I dunno, I'm just not a fan of needles in my wrestling.

The discourse this will generate will be insufferable as well.

[Octopus]

15 minutes ago, Stefanie Sparkleface said:

I dunno, I'm just not a fan of needles in my wrestling.

The discourse this will generate will be insufferable as well.

Yes. It is ok for people to like or not like stuff. I’ll scroll past the grand standing or name calling this will cause.

A: This was gross. Anyone who liked this is a Babylonian Whore and should be incarcerated.

B: Oh, you hate needles? You just want Polio to return you anti-vax psychopath.

A: I wish they both died in the ring and then we round up everyone that liked this and powerbombed them on cinder blocks until they care about things the way I do. You’re lucky I’m not in charge because if I had my way it would be you’re house that burned down.

B: Your mom is a ho.

[FourPostMassacre]

1 hour ago, For Great Justice said:

I think my expectations for the main event were not the correct ones, but let me try to explain why I thought this was a miss.

With the escalations, I expected the match to be “I hate you! I want to kill you!” in a rawer sense, narratively. 

What I felt like we got instead was “I hate you so much…I’m going to have an EVEN MORE extreme BJW death match with you!”

That, to me, is context breaking and honestly silly. Again maybe bad on me for misreading the room, but wasn’t this the time and place for cage, fists and blood until someone drops, and not just a continued escalation of a gimmicky pro wrestling death match? 

Like if you have beef with a dude at work, you don’t settle it within the context of work. You meet up behind Waffle House and beat that dude’s ass. By doing a death match, this felt like we never left “work”.

I dunno. I didn’t like it at all. Was just disappointed by the whole thing.

 

“I am sick of how you sweep the kitchen meet me behind the Waffle House so we can fight” 

[Octopus]

At Waffle House, they fight at their job.

[Lawful Metal]

27 minutes ago, FourPostMassacre said:

“I am sick of how you sweep the kitchen meet me behind the Waffle House so we can fight” 

Is this a CM Punk reference? 

Also I love Waffle House.