WORLDS END II - 12/28/2024

[The Natural]

1 hour ago, Zakk_Sabbath said:

Also: I feel really badly saying this (because I'm almost certain that I'm friendly with the person who designed it) but the new Revolution logo is notttt my cup of tea at all. Gimme my Worldwide green back, man!

I'll say it for you, it's really shit. Sorry.

Edited December 29, 2024 by The Natural

[Overly Critical Man]

Kris Statlander should’ve won and that’s all I gotta say about this PPV. 

[John E. Dynamite]

Figured I'd pop in to share my thoughts for the first time in awhile but I forgot these threads are just the same guy making half the posts / responding to himself and talking about why things allegedly suck.

I really don't know when to blame the product or blame the never-ending information war, but I used to like talking about wrestling on the internet. Now, without fail, every time I enjoy something I sign in to anywhere I just get blasted over and over again with hate and tired, compulsively negative talking points, regurgitated from the worst podcast and shitheadedest Twitter chuds. This is culture now. Negativity gets more engagement, the compulsively negative create more content, I can't tell what's actually good or bad because bad's going to win out regardless. This might be the same post I've been making all year, I don't know, I haven't been on a bender in awhile. 

Will Hobbes is neat.

The semis were put together smart. Ospreay/Fletcher got to the point (relative to their expected excess) and Okada/Ricochet read the room and didn't burn the crowd out.

I've been biting my lip for months re: Okada dooming while thinking the entire time "he's going to win the CC and wrestle Kenny in Texas". Funny that.

I totally buy a Mox injury. Don't know if I embrace or dread a pivot if it comes to that.

Two very good women's matches on a main PPV card and a very storyline-relevant one on the preshow hasn't happened that often. Ever? I think you can trust Toni, Kris and Willow with any-and-everything. They look like the division's unshakeable nucleus.

WWE is trying to get wrestling media to describe their debut Netflix RAW as "Wrestlemania-worthy" so I'm less concerned about Rated FTR vs Death Friends being given away too quick when they should load that sucker up.

[The Natural]

Just now, Overly Critical Man said:

Kris Statlander should’ve won and that’s all I gotta say about this PPV. 

I agree.

[Octopus]

16 minutes ago, John E. Dynamite said:

 

I really don't know when to blame the product or blame the never-ending information war, but I used to like talking about wrestling on the internet. Now, without fail, every time I enjoy something I sign in to anywhere I just get blasted over and over again with hate and tired, compulsively negative talking points, regurgitated from the worst podcast and shitheadedest Twitter chuds. This is culture now. Negativity gets more engagement, the compulsively negative create more content, I can't tell what's actually good or bad because bad's going to win out regardless. This might be the same post I've been making all year, I don't know, I haven't been on a bender in awhile. 

 

 

I’ve engaged less with recently with wrestling at at times off and on due to the heavy negativity. Facebook, tik tok, Twitter, etc. just bombarded. Especially wild hot takes and over reactions. I’ll unfollow but the same stuff pops up. I’ll still watch stuff I like so the algorithm thinks I want more ragebait. So then I just stop all together. Ironically even after one of my favorite runs ever. 

Its interesting because if it does that for just wrestling, how easy it is for conspiracy and hate videos to get people radicalized. I just saw someone on tik tok literally screaming about Richochet and Samantha. Literally screaming.

 

[The Natural]

On 12/29/2024 at 3:48 PM, John E. Dynamite said:

Figured I'd pop in to share my thoughts for the first time in awhile but I forgot these threads are just the same guy making half the posts / responding to himself and talking about why things allegedly suck.

Referring to me. Fuck right off, you twat. Put me on ignore like I have you for years with what you said about advocating a horse getting hit at the Tokyo Olympics. Curiosity got the better of me this time. Never again.

Edited December 30, 2024 by The Natural

[dorfus malorfus]

26 minutes ago, The Natural said:

It's still and always will be Owen Hart vs. Bret Hart at WWF WrestleMania X. A ***** classic.

I was trying to think of what the correct answer was but this is definitely it. 

Ospreay/Fletcher wasn't even the best opening match in AEW ppv history. Off the top of my head, MJF vs Darby blew away last night's opener. 

[stuntmanc]

35 minutes ago, John E. Dynamite said:

 

I really don't know when to blame the product or blame the never-ending information war, but I used to like talking about wrestling on the internet. Now, without fail, every time I enjoy something I sign in to anywhere I just get blasted over and over again with hate and tired, compulsively negative talking points, regurgitated from the worst podcast and shitheadedest Twitter chuds. This is culture now. Negativity gets more engagement, the compulsively negative create more content, I can't tell what's actually good or bad because bad's going to win out regardless. This might be the same post I've been making all year, I don't know, I haven't been on a bender in awhile. 

 

I couldnt agree with this more.  It's not even close to that bad here, but I had to leave every single wrestling related group on social media otherwise, outside of some scattered Death Match groups on Facebook, because it is nothing but negativity and you get blasted if you say or even think the phrase "Just enjoy wrestling".  

I'm not immune to being like this though, however, i try to limit my inner negativity to only when Punk is brought up, the rest of the time, i love wrestling just to love it.  It's fun all over, even if not everything is my cup of tea, it's not the end of the world.

[The Natural]

15 minutes ago, dorfus malorfus said:

I was trying to think of what the correct answer was but this is definitely it. 

Ospreay/Fletcher wasn't even the best opening match in AEW ppv history. Off the top of my head, MJF vs Darby blew away last night's opener. 

It's by far Owen Hart vs. Bret Hart at WWF WrestleMania X. *****. Only other contenders I can think of are:

• Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Brian Pillman. WCW SuperBrawl II.
• Rey Misterio Jr vs. Psicosis. WCW Bash at the Beach 1996.
• Ultimo Dragon vs. Dean Malenko. WCW Starrcade 1996.
• Kurt Angle vs. Rey Mysterio. WWE SummerSlam 2002.
• Rey Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler. WWE SummerSlam 2009.
• Daniel Bryan vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Sheamus vs. Wade Barrett vs. Kane vs. Sin Cara vs. Justin Gabriel vs. Heath Slater. WWE Money in the Bank 2011.
• Bray Wyatt vs. Daniel Bryan. WWE Royal Rumble 2014.
• Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H. WWE WrestleMania XXX.
• MJF vs. Darby Allin. AEW Full Gear 2021. Great shout by you. That smokes Will Ospreay/Kyle Fletcher from this show.

Edited December 29, 2024 by The Natural

[stuntmanc]

21 minutes ago, Octopus said:

 

Its interesting because if it does that for just wrestling, how easy it is for conspiracy and hate videos to get people radicalized. I just saw someone on tik tok literally screaming about Richochet and Samantha. Literally screaming.

 

The way people reacted to Samantha leaving WWE, and subsequently to her and Ricochet was pretty much the straw that broke the camels back in regards to my tolerance towards most wrestling "fans".  It was/is fucking gross.  

[Zakk_Sabbath]

1 hour ago, John E. Dynamite said:

Two very good women's matches on a main PPV card and a very storyline-relevant one on the preshow hasn't happened that often. Ever? I think you can trust Toni, Kris and Willow with any-and-everything. They look like the division's unshakeable nucleus.

 

1 hour ago, Overly Critical Man said:

Kris Statlander should’ve won and that’s all I gotta say about this PPV. 

 

1 hour ago, The Natural said:

I agree.

I'm really, really hoping (against logic) that we're holding off on our Stat win so that it times with an OG Best Friends reunion. If we're not holding for that, I just don't know what the hell we're doing with OC anymore.

[Octopus]

2 minutes ago, Zakk_Sabbath said:

 

 

I'm really, really hoping (against logic) that we're holding off on our Stat win so that it times with an OG Best Friends reunion. If we're not holding for that, I just don't know what the hell we're doing with OC anymore.

He’ll turn and become Apple Cassidy

[The Natural]

Abam Copeland.

[The Natural]

10 minutes ago, Zakk_Sabbath said:

 

 

I'm really, really hoping (against logic) that we're holding off on our Stat win so that it times with an OG Best Friends reunion. If we're not holding for that, I just don't know what the hell we're doing with OC anymore.

Third time the charm for Kris Statlander vs. Mercedes Mone winning the TBS Championship and Best Friends win the AEW World Trios Championship like they should have done ages ago. Honestly I'd rather Stat win the AEW Women's World Championship for the first time. I still think the AEW World Trios Championship is more of an hindrance diluting the AEW tag team division. Both are a right mess.

Edited December 29, 2024 by The Natural

[stuntmanc]

It feels like right now, both WWE and AEW couldn't give a rats ass about tag team wrestling it's probably the most dissapointing aspect of being a fan of either for me.

I really want Private Party to succeed and have a great run, bc they've been AEW from the beginning, but, their reign isn't clicking/working and it's not on them.  They won and have been absolute aftethoughts.  

At this point, I'd like to see Murder Machines win the belts and just run roughshod over the division for a change of pace alone and something different.

Edited December 29, 2024 by stuntmanc

[Stefanie Sparkleface]

Lemme give some life help.

You enjoy things way, way more when you don't care what other people think about them.

Did you enjoy something? Great! Did a podcaster or some rando on TikTok not? Okay! Nobody's making you listen to those podcasters or TikTok randos or people on social media. You can block them! It's just as easy as whenever people respond to "I didn't like this aspect of the show" with "well just stop watching". People are allowed to have different opinions, and it has no bearing on whether or not you enjoy things unless you let it bother you. You have to take the steps to block out that sort of noise, and if it somehow shows back up, roll your eyes and BLOCK IT AGAIN.

Cool? Cool. Now give Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale the world.

[Steventon]

I may be an outlier here but I thought this was a pretty blah show.

I've come around massively on Ospreay and think he's one of the best talents out there now, but I actually didn't rate the 2 performances here. The blood in the opener was a shock at first, then it continued to be the same evens-stevens 50-50 match for the most part the same as their first match. Where is the prolonged heat section my guys. Even in this blood-loss, deteriorated state, Ospreay can execute his amazing moves flawlessly. I would actually have enjoyed it more if he was fucking up and unable to hit his same moves as effectively. For me, any drama from the blood was sapped pretty quickly. In the Okada match, there was a brief moment where his leg got caught and the announcers talked about how it will impact both his flying and his striking - 10 seconds later he hits a perfect hook kick and Os-Cutter. I'm not expecting guys to sell like in the '80s any more, but was this any different to any Ospreay match without blood. I am here for him in 2024 but Ospreay vs Ospreay matches are my least favourite Ospreay matches.

Okada vs Ricochet was fun though and the Swerve bit after was awesome. Ricochet going full bitch ass is a low-key masterstroke from TK.

Cool to have Kenny back, though I was kinda hoping he's do more than a staredown considering the last time we saw him, Okada and the Elite tried to end his career. Okada isn't really a blood fued kinda guy I guess.

May vs Rosa was a perfectly OK, mostly mid garbage match. Decent prop violence, not much hate or rhyme and reason. A finisher onto the tacks is a mid match 2 count. Then they do the bit with Rosa's dad straight after. Nasty piledriver finish at least, though May looked pretty unscathed at the end.

I only half-watched MJF vs Cole - wasn't expecting double juice, though considering how much everyone was just wanting to get this over with, maybe they could have forgone it. I was waiting for some swerve afterwards with all the Cole Gang hanging out, but hopefully this is the clear end to the program and everyone can now move on.

Takeshita vs Hobbs was actually the match I enjoyed most? Not perfect, but plenty of clubbering and hard hits. Scary moment with Hobbs slipping at the top, perhaps he should forgo highspots for now. Hopefully he can stay healthy long enough to convince AEW to push him, because in a promotion with 6-7 super athletes on a single card, a grumpy, chunky meat-slapper feels like a breath of fresh air.

Really enjoyed Mone vs Stat I, but thought the rematch kinda stunk. The first match had a decent amount of story with the limbwork and the wrestler vs powerhouse thing they leaned into, here they did none of that. Watching this, it felt like they had carefully planned the spots and sequences they wanted to do, but none of the connective tissue between. Also it still feels weird for Money to be doing big babyface spots, not just the rolling suplexes, but then actually stopping Stat from getting counted out at one point. The whole thing with Stat's boot coming off lead to basically nothing, then she gets pinned clean with a cradle. The whole deal felt like they were tying to force epic and give Stat the respect pop, but personally this had the opposite effect from the first match for me.

Main event was OK. Hurt by being one of those matches where we all know the outcome and are just waiting for the shenanigans, and Moxley calling to take it home early (if that's what happened) is unfortunate. I would not have put it past him to blade the back of his head to put a spot over, though it did remind me someone else called out he hasn't bladed in this run yet.

I can't say I'm that excited by Copeland challenging Mox, but putting the trios belts on Rated FTR should be a positive move, and it does add some intrigue with Christian's position in the program. That said, I'm in the crowd of people kinda just wanting this to get to the season finale so we can have a bit of a refresh at the top of the card.

Sorry if this was a bit of a moan or a rant - I'm still digging AEW on the whole but hopefully the new year brings some fresh moves to the table.

Edited December 29, 2024 by Steventon

[Octopus]

19 minutes ago, Stefanie Sparkleface said:

Lemme give some life help.

You enjoy things way, way more when you don't care what other people think about them.

Did you enjoy something? Great! Did a podcaster or some rando on TikTok not? Okay! Nobody's making you listen to those podcasters or TikTok randos or people on social media. You can block them! It's just as easy as whenever people respond to "I didn't like this aspect of the show" with "well just stop watching". People are allowed to have different opinions, and it has no bearing on whether or not you enjoy things unless you let it bother you. You have to take the steps to block out that sort of noise, and if it somehow shows back up, roll your eyes and BLOCK IT AGAIN.

Cool? Cool. Now give Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale the world.

I appreciate the sentiments but do feel like this is talking down to me. There are times when constant negativity is not fun. I understand, that’s life. The world or dialogue outside of myself is uncontrollable and that’s a good thing. My point was poor algorithms bringing back reposted content after being blocked. Saying I shouldn’t feel a way or something isn’t a big deal is pretty low. Especially when I’m not asking people to change their minds. Just a preferred break I take when dealing with other things because I care not to address them as well as other moments in life at times. A lot of people have taken a break because of uncomfortable discourse.

 I feel I’ve been fairly respectful and even empathetic to people on here. Happily made e-friends. Made wellness checks and I’m happy a few people reach out to me as well. I look at you very fondly and enjoy our convos.

 

 Iffff nothing was directed at all at me at all and I’m a fool for typing this then I’ll sheepishly slither away. I need several naps 

 

[Hamhock]

2 hours ago, Octopus said:

He’ll turn and become Apple Cassidy

Or give him a little limp and JR’s hat, and repackage him as Hopalong Cassidy.

[Curt McGirt]

My (drunk ass) dumb ass forgot about the PPV on the Discord and I only got through Ospreay/Fletcher on my not-so-legal site... and then they took everything down today. But man was Ospreay/Fletcher right up my alley, and not just for the obvious. Fletcher is better than Ospreay at doing the same shit and layering it with an extra coat of grease. Phil's already got Way of the Blade 2 up and running but that might be a great late addition. 

[Casey]

3 hours ago, John E. Dynamite said:

I totally buy a Mox injury. Don't know if I embrace or dread a pivot if it comes to that.

TK isn’t exactly known for his pivoting skills when it comes to injuries in major storylines. If anything the Mox story gets stretched out beyond belief.

But I don’t think he’s injured. I just think that main event sucked.

[Stefanie Sparkleface]

38 minutes ago, Octopus said:

I appreciate the sentiments but do feel like this is talking down to me. There are times when constant negativity is not fun. I understand, that’s life. The world or dialogue outside of myself is uncontrollable and that’s a good thing. My point was poor algorithms bringing back reposted content after being blocked. Saying I shouldn’t feel a way or something isn’t a big deal is pretty low. Especially when I’m not asking people to change their minds. Just a preferred break I take when dealing with other things because I care not to address them as well as other moments in life at times. A lot of people have taken a break because of uncomfortable discourse.

 I feel I’ve been fairly respectful and even empathetic to people on here. Happily made e-friends. Made wellness checks and I’m happy a few people reach out to me as well. I look at you very fondly and enjoy our convos.

 

 Iffff nothing was directed at all at me at all and I’m a fool for typing this then I’ll sheepishly slither away. I need several naps 

 

I wasn't; I was mostly potshotting the chucklehead who felt the need to insult Natural for daring to have a different opinion and post a lot (like... that's Natural's thing). I get very annoyed when people proclaim there is too much negativity somewhere while being equally negative, if not moreso.

That said, I'm not saying you shouldn't feel a certain way. I'm saying that if you're letting other people's opinions bring you down, you are choosing to let them do so. They hold no credence in your life, they don't pay your bills or buy your food, so why should you let them influence how you feel about entertainment? If you want to feel down about discourse or social media or algorithms, be my guest, but I just want you to know you're choosing to let something you have no control over bother you, and that's not a productive way to live your life. There's a reason I have a highly curated social media feed with tons of blocked accounts and muted words, and it's because I refuse to let some person who I don't know and have no interest in knowing hold any kind of sway in my life.

If you feel that's me talking down to you, so be it, but the advice I gave is literally what I do for myself because I was in this same exact position a few years ago (albeit with things other than wrestling). I can't control other people. I can only control what I do. You can do the same but you have to make the active choice to do so.

Edited December 29, 2024 by Stefanie Sparkleface

[ExcellenceofAirPollution]

15 hours ago, Matt D said:

I've been informed that I'm not allowed to skip Okada vs Ospreay so I'll watch that thing in the next few days.

You need to watch all 3 matches, or at least Ospeay/Fletcher before Ospreay/Okada (Okada/Ricochet doesn't really play into the finals as much, but Ospreay/Fletcher certainly does)

just started reading through reactions, will post mine in a bit

[ExcellenceofAirPollution]

7 hours ago, dorfus malorfus said:

Dave decreed this morning that Ospreay now occupies three more places in wrestling history: best opening match on a ppv ever, best single-night performance ever, and "best second-best match on a ppv ever". I continue to wonder if Dave actually believes these things or if endlessly digging his heels in deeper is just a side effect of him being so mercilessly harangued by trolls who are even more nuts and obstinate than he is. 

I listened to that this morning and was yelling at the podcast BRET-OWEN AT MANIA X YOU ASSHOLES!!!!!  I've rewatched that match so many times, it's damn near perfect, and I doubt I'll revisit Ospreay/Fletcher (which was great) more than once

then when he got to best single night performance I was like BRET AT KOTR 93 YOU ASSHOLES!!!!!!!  WHAT ABOUT FLAIR AT RUMBLE 92???  Hell, what about Danielson at WM 30?  I came up with 3 immediately off the top of my head

Dave is such a reactionary

[dorfus malorfus]

What exactly happened at the beginning of the main event with Shafir and the briefcase? The announcers made it sound like something got botched and they had to break the handcuffs but I think it mostly happened off camera, unless I just missed it. 

I thought Okada pulling the ear (because Ricochet is bald) was very funny.