Jiji Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 (edited) All the senior wrestlers win and, yeah, they also have ties with AEW. Good matches throughout with Veny/Emi being pretty great and motn for me. Good stuff. Itoh doesn't win often. She's starting to turn that around but her whole story is enduring pain and failure and refusing to give in. Mizunami is several levels above of her on the hierarchy despite Itoh's popularity. Only result I was surprised by was Veny losing to Sakura. They'd be foolish not to bring over the losers over in due time. No hashtag either, which is strange for a free, online show. Their social media management is bad though so whatever. Edited February 16, 2021 by Jiji Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jiji Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 Speaking of losers making their way stateside. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flair’s Shadow Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 6 minutes ago, John E. Dynamite said: First match was an acceptable rookie showcase but far from a match I would use to convert anyone to joshi. Those last three were some of the best AEW-branded matches I've seen in ages. Everyone looked like a superstar. Best I've seen Emi look. Veny's a star. Maki's a charisma supernova. Mizunami's been so good for so long that I forgot what a great character she can play. Aja worked around her limitations because she is a legitimate wrestling God. Rin Kadokura is the real deal and looked like it. This is my new cool kid answer for "Best Episode of Dynamite". “Maki's a charisma supernova” Absolutely. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John E. Dynamite Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 (edited) 8 minutes ago, Casey said: @John E. Dynamite I'd have to disagree with you there, since Yuka Sakazaki is one of the "rookies" you're talking about and she's massively popular with the AEW fanbase/live crowds. Didn't mean to imply that Sakazaki is a rookie. My opinion is that Mei Suruga looked pretty damned green, Yuka isn't the type to carry anybody right now, and the match probably turned off viewers with dismissive shitlord tendencies. I imagine a few cynical kids watched two super-cute types have a sloppy match and found something else to watch on youtube instead of hanging around for Veny/Emi. And I weep for them. Edited February 16, 2021 by John E. Dynamite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jiji Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 (edited) Huh, there were two spots where it looked a little clunky but I thought it was good otherwise. Viewership went up after the match but it didn't drop from what I saw. Edited February 16, 2021 by Jiji Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 I didn't think it was especially sloppy or anything, I still enjoyed it. But for someone who only started in early 2018, I'd say Suruga is a lot better than she has any right to be this early on. Also: 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nofuture Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 33 minutes ago, hammerva said: I mean I guess Maki losing is considered an upset but I don't know how weird Aja Kong vs Maki Itoh would have been 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 Dustin Rhodes is a fan of Maki Itoh now as well, so that’s both of the Rhodes loving her. Aw shit. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jiji Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 There's a ChocoPro Live right now with Emi and eventually Mei. Emi said the super kick partially broke a tooth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordi the former AEW fan Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 (edited) 28 minutes ago, Jiji said: Itoh doesn't win often. She's starting to turn that around but her whole story is enduring pain and failure and refusing to give in. I'm glad to hear they'll be bringing her in anyway. I think she'll get over huge. Agree that It's have been counterproductive to have her win the tournament and then try and bring her in as a plucky underdog. Edited February 16, 2021 by El Gran Gordi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flair’s Shadow Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 AEW Twitter is exploding right now. They are in love with Maki. I suspect she is already signed and will come when AEW gets crowds back. Maki is going to be a huge star. The merchandise will fly off the rack. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 Alex Reynolds has put forth the idea of Maki joining the Dark Order 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jiji Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 (edited) Again, I think Maki could use the TJPW touring schedule for another year but they best not let her slip to nxt. Fuck off flaky Hangman, Itoh Queen of simps is perfect for Dark Order leader. Edited February 16, 2021 by Jiji 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 Oh god if Maki signed with NXT that would be like if MJF signed. They’d water her personality down SO much, it would be a nightmare. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jiji Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 Lol, go 35 minutes with the HBK/Gargano overacting. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikoBaltimore Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 I absolutely adore Maki ITOH and they need to sign her up ASAP. But Ryo against Aja is going to rule. And I loved Veny too so curious to see what the future holds for her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eivion Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 20 minutes ago, Flair’s Shadow said: AEW Twitter is exploding right now. They are in love with Maki. I suspect she is already signed and will come when AEW gets crowds back. Maki is going to be a huge star. The merchandise will fly off the rack. I think she signed with TJPW last year. She will probably appear anyways as AEW has an official relationship with them. 18 minutes ago, Jiji said: Again, I think Maki could use the TJPW touring schedule for another year but they best not let her slip to nxt. I don't see her signing even if WWE expressed interest. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 I'm curious when the tourney was taped. Obviously Excalibur saw the 6 man with Delfin before doing the commentary, but Maki could've done the Naniwa gimmick stuff she did over the weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill S. Preston ESQ. Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 3 hours ago, Casey said: I'm very glad Emi has appeared to drop the stupid Freddie Mercury tribute act. I like her ring gear a lot more now, too. I also didn't know Veny teamed with Hana Kimura. She clapped and sang ‘We Will Rock You’ during the match 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenalysis Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 I'm seeing folks mad Maki lost. I hope they don't wait so long that she cools off. Maki in Dark Order would be interesting, esp with Anna and possibly Tay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamal Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 Veny is a freaking star. I'm sure that they will be back. I've loved Sakura for a while even while doing weird Freddie Mercury so glad to see her return and advance. Aja Kong is still Aja Kong. We all aren't worthy. And she would be the right one to derail Rin. Itoh would indeed be a smart signing. Just a really solid hour of decent to very good wrestling. I predicted that this tournament would bring the goodness. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill S. Preston ESQ. Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 Why is Veny referred to as they? I’m sure Excalibur maybe explained and I was distracted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ka-to Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 I can't think of a good way to beat Aja on this side. I'm cool with a rematch of 2018 OZ match of the year with 2018 MVP Shida. Announcer guy didn't know who Tommy is. WTF? VENY/Asuka is billed as a genderless wrestler in Japan. Seeing four all action matches in just over one hour made for a great show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jiji Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 I feel like those people don't watch Maki Itoh much beyond memes, which is fine, but losing is what she does. Daniel Bryan's '13-'14 run was one of the most unique and special stretches for any wrestler of the post-Attitude Era, but it also set a bad precedent where people think losing all of the time is a great way of getting people over. It only works in very particular circumstances that mesh with the character presented. It works for Itoh because of her hard headedness and passion. You don't think the decision makers in AEW have taken notice of her niche popularity and the reaction to her performance? They'd be stupid not to reach out and build some sort of long-term plan with Itoh and Takagi. 3 minutes ago, Bill S. Preston ESQ. said: Why is Veny referred to as they? I’m sure Excalibur maybe explained and I was distracted. Shida's rundown of the competitors included a quick blurb about Veny being the first nonbinary wrestler in Japan. I always had seen Veny referred to as she, so I was thinking the same thing you did. I remember reading an article about Veny telling their dad about wanting to identify as a woman/girl and the dad being about as sweet and understanding as one could possibly imagine, wanting his child to be happy/comfortable. Mei Suruga has spent like an hour crying on the ChocoPro Live stream, lol. It's funny because her character is just her personality from all appearances. Super immature prodigy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jiji Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 (edited) 17 minutes ago, ka-to said: I can't think of a good way to beat Aja on this side. I'm cool with a rematch of 2018 OZ match of the year with 2018 MVP Shida. Announcer guy didn't know who Tommy is. WTF? VENY/Asuka is billed as a genderless wrestler in Japan. Seeing four all action matches in just over one hour made for a great show. Spoiler Yuka is almost 100% going over so she can lose to Britt in the finals and Britt wins the belt at the ppv. Yuka sticks around for a while after I imagine before hopefully splitting time between TJP and AEW post-pandemic. That seems the obvious booking to me (but i've been wrong many times :D). Edited February 16, 2021 by Jiji 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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