just drew

@Technico Support I guess it's another reminder that my particular flavor of nuero-divergence doesn't allow my brain to think the same way a lot of people do. I'm such a dyed in the wool contrarian that I'd want to be the guy who helps AEW increase their reach. In the cases of guys like Hobbs, Starks, and Jade Cargill, it stumps me even more because they were shit on from a great height during their initial WWE tryouts. Like, they know what the system thinks of them. Like, Penta I kind of understand. Getting that WWE merch machine behind a guy with a look as awesome as Penta's.... yeah, that makes perfect sense. Dude's gonna be able to buy an island off the coast of Thailand with what he's gonna make on that. Right next to the one Danhausen is gonna be able to buy. But for lots of these folks... I just don't get it.

That absolutely blows my mind.

@Casey cheers, bruh. This was a solid answer. Malakai is a weird case because his spooky shit fits better with WWE, but his ring style works better in AEW I think. At the end of the day, what baffles me is how many people who are in great spots in AEW, making comparable money, can watch everything that's happening in WWE and how TKO's prior incarnation treated and continues to treat UFC talent financially and think "hey, this'll work out great."

That’s the prevailing rumor…

So, I got a few current wrestling opinions that belong here more than they do anywhere else; 1). Nothing brings me more joy than watching that corporate sellout ass tryhard dork Company Man Punk (Ass bitch) shill wwe’s shitass product because his insecurity is deeper than his sense of integrity. You could’ve been an artist, Phil, but you got your feelings hurt by Dylan Walsh’s kid. 2). AEW is on one atm. It’s the best product on American tv right now. 3). Trips is a godawful Booker. No one wants to boo Randy Orton, especially when he’s injuring dorks like Matt Cardona. 4). Jon Moxley is better than your favorite wrestler. Unless your favorite wrestler is Jon Moxley. If that’s the case; welcome to the club. We meet on Wednesdays. 5). Jelly Roll is a worse wrestler than he is singer, and he’s a terrible fucking singer. 6). Long term, AEW was right to let Cody leave. 7). Miro, Will Hobbs, Malakai Black, and Mariah May should’ve stayed where they were. All three of them should be watching Andrade and thinking to themselves “dammit, that could be me.” 8). Jade Cargill was booked much better in AEW than WWE. She got bad advice, and no one at TKO has any idea how to book her. 9). Fuck CM Punk. The “voice of the voiceless” becoming “corporate stooge #154” brings me infinite joy. Insecurity is a bitch. Imagine having every tool needed to excel as an independent, free of the machine wwe star, yet the self doubt runs so deep that you’re willing to apologize to Saudi Arabia just so your corporate overlords will embrace you. Very “punk rock” of you, Phil. 10). Fuck wwe. Fuck the governmental administration they’re in bed with. Yes, I’m biased. Yes, I prefer good wrestling to corporate sponsored entrances. But none of that erases the fact that the challenger brand is offering the superior product. Oh yeah; fuck CM Punk.

He's an American entertainer. Talented guy. TK, like I would have, was quoting Brady's all-timer of a Chappelle's Show skit.

As great as that show was, I do think my favorite part of the entire evening was how thrilled TK was that Wayne Brady was there. Coach was downright giddy in the postshow presser...

This show fucked hard. I’ll have more to say later…

So, last night is a perfect example of the size/believability conversation we've had in the past. Speedball is not a big guy, particularly compared to KF, but the style he wrestles is completely plausible for neutralizing bigger wrestlers. Add to that that he throws fantastic kicks & punches, and I absolutely buy it. Really enjoyed this show. Enjoyed that both a backslide and a small package were finishes tonight.

Mero gets a lifetime free pass from me for how often he showed up at the cancer ward of Egleston Hospital in Atlanta when my best friend's little sister battled leukemia when we were all kids. He never brought cameras or sought any acknowledgement. Just sat all day and talked to the kids. Let them hold the TV Title. Got to interact with him a few times when we were visiting. That's been over 30 years ago and it still stands out in my memory.

I can't find it either.

I don't mind it if it's to the level of like once, twice a decade. The announcers need to sell it like "do you know how much you have to hate a motherfucker to hide under the side grates for hours just to cost another guy a match that you yourself aren't in?" That kind of interference needs to be reserved for like Mountain vs. Hound levels of enmity...

I still wonder if Tony Khan can play his “nfl ownership” card. I believe CBS still has broadcast rights to AFC games. The Jaguars are an AFC team. I dunno, it just feels like a card that could be played.

That main event drew several audible “oh shits!” from me. Your boy had a whale of a time watching that.

@NoFistsJustFlips I didn't take your OP as confrontational, but that's... you know... me. I've seen videos on YouTube of people being served subpoenas less confrontational than some of the stuff I've gotten into here. I agree, fwiw. My "Bullshit-o-Meter" was chirping LOUD when this whole "AJ appreciation night" was announced. I'm 1000% sure it was mostly to keep Allen from being "All In" this summer. You can buy a lot of Family Time with a Tony Khan check...