AEW - January 2022

[Gordi the former AEW fan]

10 hours ago, John from Cincinnati said:

Ding ding ding.

And as more people don't get renewed and leave the company and tell their stories, which will generate provocative clickbait, this has potential to escalate quickly. 

It's happening already!

Here's some provocative clickbait from Matt Cardona: 

“I loved it. It was super cool. ...everyone was super welcoming. It’s something I definitely needed. Sometimes perception is reality. ...At AEW, it just didn’t work out at the time. There’s so many people there, and there just wasn’t anything for me at the time. No hard feelings, not to say I’ll never be there again because I would love to be. Obviously, there’s no doubt AEW is the place to be.”

And here's Baron Black escalating things: 

“There’s a certain trust level there and I’m very comfortable with everybody there. Everybody is friendly. We’ve been in Jacksonville together for almost over a year, so you get to know everybody, get comfortable, and make friends. There is a certain trust level they have there and I developed a lot of good relationships... I was more than ecstatic when we first went on the road and I was right there in Miami and I was one of the first matches when crowds came back. Our relationship is really good.”

Bang! Zoom! Feel the zing of John Skyler dropping heavy truth bombs: 

“That locker room at AEW was fantastic. Tony Khan was very gracious and kind to me when I was out injured, just to make sure that I was brought back on a regular basis, taken care of, even though I couldn’t wrestle. You know, but the locker room was great. It felt like a real team environment and I had a lot of fun matches there too that I really, really enjoyed like wrestling John Silver, wrestling Orange Cassidy which was probably my favorite match that I’ve had in a long time actually and I never thought in 2021, you know, if you would’ve asked me five years ago, I can’t believe I’m saying that right now. But, that match with Orange Cassidy was great. I got to wrestle my buddies, guys like SCU, it was just a lot of fun.... I was there for almost a year and eight months of that I spent on the shelf injured but, it was just a great experience overall and I think it really showed the world and opened a lot of people’s eyes on just what I’m capable of doing. Whether I have three minutes of TV time or 30 minutes of TV time, I think I kind of showed the world exactly what I’m capable of in terms of being a professional wrestler.”

And here's Danny Limelight venting his spleen on being relegated to the YouTube shows: 

“When I was at AEW, I was the go-to guy for big matches on Dark or Elevation. I was in the ring with Kenny Omega. I was in the ring with Jon Moxley. Konosuke Takeshita from DDT Pro. I was in the first-ever Elevation match with Jungle Boy. I was put in very serious matches, big matches, in my opinion. To me, they were big matches. Some people might have thought it was just Dark or Elevation, but to me, I was stepping into the ring with contenders for the championships, I was stepping into the ring with world champions, and I think I got to that point and I was put in those situations because I could deliver at any level with anybody.“

And Zicky Dice lets us all know what it is really like backstage at AEW: 

“I had a great time at AEW. It was awesome to be there. They have a great crew behind the scenes and everyone is so kind and polite. The whole vibe there is incredible. I was very grateful to be there. I always get these little goals in my career, little by little, and it’s cool to finally cross those off my list and see where you stand. Back to the drawing board and time to whoop some ass. Doesn’t mean I won’t show up there again. It was Shawn Dean who brought me in. I went and checked out a Nightmare Factory student show, I went to stop by and hang out. A few days later, Shawn Dean hit me up and was like, ‘Hey, want to come through?’ ‘Lets do it.’ I wore a suit in Jacksonville in June and I didn’t take that sucker off. IT WAS HOT! It was a great experience and shortly after that is when MLW reached out and IMPACT, I’ve been working Gallows’ shows Lariato Pro, and Scott (D’Amore) was around there. Everything lined up the way it was supposed to.”

Good Lord! People are cool and welcoming, there is a comfortable and friendly vibe, they take care of wrestlers when they are injured, build up wrestlers' self-confidence and give them valuable exposure, there's a great crew... it's hot.

It's amazing they haven't already been taken off the air. 

(I mean, I remember what happened with Big Swole recently, and it could happen again. And maaayyybbbbeee people are just being polite because they hope to be invited back some day...

But I was curious and I went looking, and this is legitimately what I found. Seems like most of the people who had a spell in AEW and didn't get a contract enjoyed the experience and are grateful for it and have benefitted from it).

Edited January 14, 2022 by Gordlow

[John from Cincinnati]

13 minutes ago, Gordlow said:

It's happening already!

Here's some provocative clickbait from Matt Cardona: 

“I loved it. It was super cool. ...everyone was super welcoming. It’s something I definitely needed. Sometimes perception is reality. ...At AEW, it just didn’t work out at the time. There’s so many people there, and there just wasn’t anything for me at the time. No hard feelings, not to say I’ll never be there again because I would love to be. Obviously, there’s no doubt AEW is the place to be.”

And here's Baron Black escalating things: 

“There’s a certain trust level there and I’m very comfortable with everybody there. Everybody is friendly. We’ve been in Jacksonville together for almost over a year, so you get to know everybody, get comfortable, and make friends. There is a certain trust level they have there and I developed a lot of good relationships... I was more than ecstatic when we first went on the road and I was right there in Miami and I was one of the first matches when crowds came back. Our relationship is really good.”

Bang! Zoom! Feel the zing of John Skyler dropping heavy truth bombs: 

“That locker room at AEW was fantastic. Tony Khan was very gracious and kind to me when I was out injured, just to make sure that I was brought back on a regular basis, taken care of, even though I couldn’t wrestle. You know, but the locker room was great. It felt like a real team environment and I had a lot of fun matches there too that I really, really enjoyed like wrestling John Silver, wrestling Orange Cassidy which was probably my favorite match that I’ve had in a long time actually and I never thought in 2021, you know, if you would’ve asked me five years ago, I can’t believe I’m saying that right now. But, that match with Orange Cassidy was great. I got to wrestle my buddies, guys like SCU, it was just a lot of fun.... I was there for almost a year and eight months of that I spent on the shelf injured but, it was just a great experience overall and I think it really showed the world and opened a lot of people’s eyes on just what I’m capable of doing. Whether I have three minutes of TV time or 30 minutes of TV time, I think I kind of showed the world exactly what I’m capable of in terms of being a professional wrestler.”

And here's Danny Limelight venting his spleen on being relegated to the YouTube shows: 

“When I was at AEW, I was the go-to guy for big matches on Dark or Elevation. I was in the ring with Kenny Omega. I was in the ring with Jon Moxley. Konosuke Takeshita from DDT Pro. I was in the first-ever Elevation match with Jungle Boy. I was put in very serious matches, big matches, in my opinion. To me, they were big matches. Some people might have thought it was just Dark or Elevation, but to me, I was stepping into the ring with contenders for the championships, I was stepping into the ring with world champions, and I think I got to that point and I was put in those situations because I could deliver at any level with anybody.“

And Zicky Dice lets us all know what it is really like backstage at AEW: 

“I had a great time at AEW. It was awesome to be there. They have a great crew behind the scenes and everyone is so kind and polite. The whole vibe there is incredible. I was very grateful to be there. I always get these little goals in my career, little by little, and it’s cool to finally cross those off my list and see where you stand. Back to the drawing board and time to whoop some ass. Doesn’t mean I won’t show up there again. It was Shawn Dean who brought me in. I went and checked out a Nightmare Factory student show, I went to stop by and hang out. A few days later, Shawn Dean hit me up and was like, ‘Hey, want to come through?’ ‘Lets do it.’ I wore a suit in Jacksonville in June and I didn’t take that sucker off. IT WAS HOT! It was a great experience and shortly after that is when MLW reached out and IMPACT, I’ve been working Gallows’ shows Lariato Pro, and Scott (D’Amore) was around there. Everything lined up the way it was supposed to.”

Good Lord! People are cool and welcoming, there is a comfortable and friendly vibe, they take care of wrestlers when they are injured, build up wrestlers' self-confidence and give them valuable exposure, there's a great crew... it's hot.

It's amazing they haven't already been taken off the air. 

(I mean, I remember what happened with Big Swole recently, and it could happen again. And maaayyybbbbeee people are just being polite becuae they hope to be invited back some day...

But I was curious and I went looking, and this is legitimately what I found. Seems like most of the people who had a spell in AEW and didn't get a contract enjoyed the experience and are grateful for it and have benefitted from it).

I hope you're being compensated for this. 

[Gordi the former AEW fan]

8 minutes ago, John from Cincinnati said:

I hope you're being compensated for this. 

Who, me?

[Big Z]

2 hours ago, John from Cincinnati said:

I hope you're being compensated for this. 

AEW is a big enough company now that it's probably not the total utopia it was at its formation in 2019, but it's still a very fun locker room on the whole with much more depth up and down the card (while retaining a solid focus of focusing on showcasing home grown guys to go with the other experienced talent). However, that is not nearly as exciting as wanting violence and to troll from that.

[The Natural]

2 hours ago, Gordlow said:

Who, me?

Repping the original AEW logo with the grey border as well which I prefer to the white. We both snagged the AEW Logo Premium Varsity Zip Hoodie (2019 Colours) last year at 50% off. It was my 36th birthday present from my Mum/Dad/Little Sister. It's a great hoodie, recommend it to y'all.

[John from Cincinnati]

52 minutes ago, Big Z said:

AEW is a big enough company now that it's probably not the total utopia it was at its formation in 2019, but it's still a very fun locker room on the whole with much more depth up and down the card (while retaining a solid focus of focusing on showcasing home grown guys to go with the other experienced talent). However, that is not nearly as exciting as wanting violence and to troll from that.

I’m sorry that’s what you want. Don’t know why you would. 

[Cristobal]

No matter how good the environment in the AEW locker room is, different people are gonna have different experiences, and not all will be positive. The next time someone comes out with a non-positive report, Tony's second-best option would be to say "I'm sorry you feel that way. I wish you the best," the best option of course being to not say anything.

[John from Cincinnati]

51 minutes ago, Cristobal said:

No matter how good the environment in the AEW locker room is, different people are gonna have different experiences, and not all will be positive. The next time someone comes out with a non-positive report, Tony's second-best option would be to say "I'm sorry you feel that way. I wish you the best," the best option of course being to not say anything.

I dunno. I've got a couple one-match guys and some pandemic-era Dark dudes who are think you're crazy for talking that way. Spicy takes from inside definitely aren't coming. 

[The Natural]

Another reason to like Eddie Kingston.

[The Natural]

Looking good, @Gordlow. Meant to say that in my OP.

[zendragon]

On 1/11/2022 at 9:30 PM, Gordlow said:

It's not from AEW, but here is some rock-solid evidence that The Young Bucks have always been primarily interested in getting themselves over as if they were the Road Warriors:

 

Honestly I enjoy the Bucks a whole lot more if they worked more spots like thins into their matches on a regular basis 

[Log]

I have no indication that the AEW locker room is not a great place to be, but let's remember that we're talking about professional wrestling companies here.  You kind of have to grade on a sliding scale.  The vast majority are a nightmare.

All I'm saying is, it may not be perfect, but maybe just a whole hell of a lot better than what most wrestlers have seen over their careers.

[MoeCristyV.1.6]

How is the catering though? 

[Infinit]

22 minutes ago, MoeCristyV.1.6 said:

How is the catering though? 

 

[Web Conn]

So AEW drew 5,100 to an arena that holds 21,00. I looked it up The Reynolds Coliseum also in Raleigh holds 5,600 for basketball. Maybe they should have ran the Reynolds. It would have looked better on TV.

Edited January 14, 2022 by Web Conn

[Craig H]

5 minutes ago, Infinit said:

 

That sandwich she posted looks outstanding. 

Also, I had to do a double take at her typing out 4chefs. I thought it was 4chan at first. Now I want a site called 4chefs that does good in the world.

[J.T.]

I hate Emi's Twitter.  I wasn't hungry a second ago and now I'm starving.

Edited January 14, 2022 by J.T.

[Jiji]

28 minutes ago, Web Conn said:

So AEW drew 5,100 to an arena that holds 21,00. I looked it up The Reynolds Coliseum also in Raleigh holds 5,600 for basketball. Maybe they should have ran the Reynolds. It would have looked better on TV.

Yeah, you could tell with the lighting that there were a lot of empty seats and that would certainly be a buzz killer for those that were there. 

[Web Conn]

14 minutes ago, Jiji said:

Yeah, you could tell with the lighting that there were a lot of empty seats and that would certainly be a buzz killer for those that were there. 

was it just too big of a building for the market? Is Horsemen Country still hard to draw in still? How’d of thought constantly undermining the areas top draw for close to a decade would have lasting effects.

Edited January 14, 2022 by Web Conn

[Matt D]

They ran NC a bunch of times in a short period of time I wondered if that was a COVID thing or a new holiday tradition or what. How have they drawn in DC for next week? It's really bad here plus there's a populace that's much more focused on it than in other parts of the country.

[matt925]

8 minutes ago, Matt D said:

They ran NC a bunch of times in a short period of time I wondered if that was a COVID thing or a new holiday tradition or what. How have they drawn in DC for next week? It's really bad here plus there's a populace that's much more focused on it than in other parts of the country.

That’s only a 4K capacity venue and it’s just about sold out. 

[supremebve]

11 minutes ago, Matt D said:

They ran NC a bunch of times in a short period of time I wondered if that was a COVID thing or a new holiday tradition or what. How have they drawn in DC for next week? It's really bad here plus there's a populace that's much more focused on it than in other parts of the country.

I literally just had a conversation with a friend about how we both saw that they were coming to DC, both picked up the phone to ask if they other wanted to go, before both of us realizing, "I ain't going to that shit during a damn pandemic."

[JLowe]

1 minute ago, supremebve said:

I literally just had a conversation with a friend about how we both saw that they were coming to DC, both picked up the phone to ask if they other wanted to go, before both of us realizing, "I ain't going to that shit during a damn pandemic."

My wife always comments on how few people are masked in the crowd. Hell, I won't even go to a movie theater right now.

[supremebve]

Just now, JLowe said:

My wife always comments on how few people are masked in the crowd. Hell, I won't even go to a movie theater right now.

The same friend's wife who watches wrestling with us, but largely doesn't care, pretty much spends the entire time looking to see if people are wearing masks.  I've seen a few movies, but it's because the same friend rents showings so he can take his kids.  The only other public place I go regularly is the gym, and even that has slowed down since I've changed my workout programming and Omicron started going crazy.  I'm sorry to admit this on a wrestling board, but I don't trust wrestling fans to make smart, informed, well-intentioned decisions about their health, so I'm not going to trust them with mine.

[NikoBaltimore]

The DC show is not that far from me but on top of it being my dad's birthday next Friday I just don't feel a reason to go to it.  And I would do Wednesday but I don't want to take too many days off in one month.  Besides, if I'm going to DC it's going to be when they're at a bigger arena and I'm able to get my wife and/or friends to head down with me.  I went solo for Queens which was grand but that's the only exception.