HarryArchieGus

The Baker-Saraya face to face was the first time in awhile that I was thinking I ought to tune out and take a break from the action. I'm glad I didn't. Britt was awesome here, painter jeans or whatever the fuck that style choice was included. Saraya's genuine emotion as you say made her side mostly fine. That said, her response to Baker calling her out for the 'AEW is my house' nonsense sounded like a worked up dumbjock lacking any sort of good reason. You could feel the chorus of groans live and at home with 'you don't know what it takes to be a superstar'. Everything she was saying at that point was so self involved and so ready for jeers. And her cocky looks out into the crowd don't at all feel babyface. All that said, that 'genuine emotion' carried her side thru. Tho, I wouldn't be surprised if we get some weird heat in this one at the PPV.

Alexander was clearly the worker, but Page has been a lot of fun at times in AEW. The Darby feud was terrific. His heel angry Dad mic work during the Conti/Melo-Guevarra debacle will go unremember by some and celebrated by others. I didn't see that much of 'All Ego' in Impact, but I saw enough to know he had potential. It was Cody Rhodes name dropping him that led me there. Further back than Impact, seems a lot of unfavourable opinions were formed of Ethan Page's indy work as well. I'd say at 33 years old (looked it up) he's hitting a peak point, but we'll see? Maybe he's better suited in tag teams? I didn't see a lot of the North but I liked there dynamic. I liked the Men of the Year dynamic as well.

I wouldn't mind seeing Skye Blue get 'murdered' in there tonight. Fuego-style with just wee bit of hope! I like the choice of a decisive victory for Jamie Hayter tonight, but a competitive match is fine too. 8 man will no doubt be a lot of fun. Danielson-Guevara to further work towards silencing those that forgot how good Sammy is. I expect Ethan Page-Eddie Kingston to be good (with the boobirds coming alive on the decision), but I want it to be something special that really puts Ethan Page on the map. Or does he have that next gear? Sort of a kinda of a make or break for Page. Quality 'Road To' this week!

I’m thankful for lengthy videos and entrances, and wack-ass-promos on RAW. With my trusty FFWD button you won’t hear me complain. This week’s Raw opened like a Rampage – right in on the match, no entrances. Riddle, New Day, Usos, young Solo Sikoa all provided excellent combat in the opener. I’m very into this Sikoa build. Another week, another strong JBL/Baron Corbin segment. I don’t know what Corbin was doing the past however many years, but he brings a terrific game in 2022. Lots to FFWD thru with Seth and 'Square Off 23' of the OC and Jughead day. I would’ve much preferred they went straight to the fisticuffs, and debuted Mia Yim with a proper save. As Was - the crowd seemed to see it as a sneak attack heel move and went pretty mild for the reveal of Yim. Nonetheless, I suspect she’ll be a nice addition to the feud, and moreso a good place to start for the rise of Rhea-mania. I really liked seeing Ripley immediately bumping heads with the Champion backstage as well. Is Elias the modern day Hillbilly Jim? I’d say he's a definite improvement in some ways, but Jim offered an ocean of charm. I skimmed Otis-Elias a lil, but was happy to see Otis pick up the victory. Oh dear, that Women’s talk segment featured a lot of awfully awkward mic work. Dakota really needs to figure some shit out with her mic game. Bliss is just brutal. Belair has room to improve. But then... 'Out of the fucking buh'loooo!'.... Asuka and IO completely save the whole thing. I like seeing Nikki Cross comingling with the Damagers. Nice promo inset between Theory and Benjamin. I like Theory more and more each week and liked seeing him pick up the win here. Oh man, Shelton seems ice cold out there. Maybe can we get that Cedric/Benjamin team going again, the tag division needs teams and maybe just put that Hurt Business deal back together. I never got a chance to see them. I did not FFWD thru the Miz segment. It was a fascinatingly awkward piece of work. Somebody in the back thinks Johnny Gargano is a 'real cool guy' and they're intent on pushing the idea. I don't sense it's working so well. The 'Johnny Wrestling' chant that Gargano stopped for might've been the quietest chant I've ever seen a wrestler stop for. I find this 'cringe' as the kids say, but I'm a bit fascinated by it all. Miz is good with whatever he’s given, but one wonders what he could do with better material? Not a surprise, the match is much better than the ‘creative’. Lumis is yet another of these kinda sorta fascinating sorta not quite working NXT projects. I was ready for Cross-Brooke, and it worked fairly well to further feel impressed by Nikki Cross - I mean, moreso in ring, the acting is questionable (maybe sorta bad-funny?). She also clearly missed the attempt to throw the title in the trash there. Of course, somebody will surely be digging it out of there. Regardless, I like the idea of tossing it in the trash. And then more OC! AJ Styles is a great in ring competitor, but talk segments seem to suggest he's sort of a lame dude, he should probably be a heel, no? I FFWD passed the singalong and Seth’s catchphrases. I stop for Big Bobby! He's looked really good brawling around with Brock recently, and great at the Saudi show. I’m getting into this angrier version of the All Mighty. Nice beal on Ali – great staging there. From there on out I loved this segment. I loved seeing Bobby kill Rollins, and I loved Theory cashing in here. Talk about ‘the crowd goes mild!’ Nobody seems to give a fuck about Theory cashing in here. I do tho, and enjoy all of this! Especially loved seeing Bobby come back out and kill young Theory. Then the Seth win. All excellent. That was easily the best Main Event segment since I’ve started watching Raw. I didn't see the Theory loss as any sort of burial. He's a cocky and brash loose canon prone to error, and it's exactly how he should be booked. And like every week that passes, I like him just a little bit more. Fun show, but not without some brutally bad talk segments. With FFWD by my side, I'm not complaining.

Has anybody around these parts had a chance to see the 2022 Palm d'or winner 'Triangle of Sadness'. This is the second win for masterful Swedish director Ruben Ostlund. I highly recommend this and everything in his fucking great catalog (other than 2004's Guitar Mongoloid which I haven't seen yet, but I presume it's as great as everything else he's crafted).

So was this a work that became a shoot? I didn't follow so closely, but it seemed like they WERE running some sort of Inside Baseball angle before this most recent issue? Nick Aldis is steady and well rounded and would be an excellent veteran tag partner. Especially for some young gun in need of a little tutelage or a good mic-man, but somebody with a little of that pizzazz that Aldis lacks. Also, Impact, having lost a few players lately (with more to come), would probably be a nice and mutually beneficial place for Aldo to land. If anybody out there is following the current NWA and would like to bring a fellow poster up to speed I'm all ears.

A taped Smackdown ya say. Man, WWE’s sound department has so poorly applied crowd sweetening effects for over three decades now! So bad, and not exactly the hardest fix. Can I have a temp job? Liv Morgan and Deville was a bit of skim, but I liked what I saw. Tenille Dashwood! Emma they call her. During my regular Impact viewing run, earlier this year, I always saw great potential in this Australian Superstar. She has great presentation - and I suspect could probably help others achieve a less tacky look too. Things were going fine here for Emma until it became an Impact segment. Lots of packages and shit to FFWD by (no complaints). LA Knight and Riccochet was a just fine(!) WWE TV match. Should I refer to LA Knight as a guilty pleasure? I’d kinda love for Ricochet to make the jump to AEDub. Maybe a trade for Andrade and Buddy? Bizarre (don't ya say) Bray Wyatt segment. Well, I didn’t FFWD. I did FFWD the New Day and Usos. I’ll certainly watch the match tho. And I did like the ‘all hell breaks loose’ portion here. I fucking love corny Rey Mysterio Jr promos - pure WWE style at it's best! I liked Natalya-Bazler for the closing moments and post match. That’s how you do blood! Ooooh man, I love the pairing of Bazler and Rousey. Is it wrong that I not only don’t hate Rhonda Rousey but think she kinda rules? As an addendum: I’d never seen her fight nor wrestle before this HHHWWEEra. Further, I don’t disqualify her Art for her past unsurprising (a bit expected even) and truly awful political or otherwise life takes. She should lose a bit of money like Jones for her stupidity. But I also know some good hearted ppl with really bad ideas from time to time (don’t we all?). I like the Legados and Nakamura having a little feud. I haven’t quite gauged the abilities of the Legados yet. Didn’t really dig the Trios from last week, but suspect they have something to offer. In the words of the late great Gorilla Monsoon this was truly ‘A Main Event match in any arena anywhere in the world’ or something like that. I am so thankful for this logical and consistently entertaining HHHeymanWWEra. It offers me true superstars like arguably my favorite wrestler WALTER and the insanely great veteran Rey Mysterio Jr. This match was all I ever want all rolled into one match. I wasn’t chanting to my TV for these combatants to ‘Fight Forever’ but I might as well have been. This was kinda sorta a surprisingly terrific taped Smackdown. Saturday afternoons (my preferred Smackdown airing time) were made for wrestling. At least here in Canada where we don't give a fuck about College/University sports. Oh, I shouldn't speak for everyone.

Well, I'll take a swing. I sawr it. Sunday morning Superstars did not disappoint. FFWD as always was a trusty friend of WWE broadcasts (speaking mostly of looong entrances and lengthy recaps; I skimmed very little of the action here). Lashley v Lesnar was a nice addition to Hoss week! I think Brian Cage-Joe gets my vote, or at least a second view. I’m a sucker for a submission-into-pinfall-loss finish. Seems like a Heyman booking. This is my first SAUDI show and it wouldn’t be quite right not to be reminded by the full body suit women’s bouts. The weirdness subsides somewhere in there with Io and Asuka. And I don’t mind Flip floppin’ the titles around a little. I’m also a fan of a Nikki Cross push. I liked Kross-McIntyre just fine. Not seeing the potential for a top talent with Karrion just yet, but he's been reasonably good and enough to justify the try. I wouldn’t mind a McIntyre character update – less Scottish warrior more Selleck - Magnum PI era. I dig this Judgment Day unit. Rheamania tho a little subdued here is bursting to run wild! Really smart booking with heel Dom, and he’s really making a good go of it! Omos-Strowman – Hoss of All Hosses on Hoss Week ALSO did not disappoint. Pete Dunne is the Magic Man that Ann and her sister Nancy Wilson were on about. No surprise, the Brutes and Usos put on a helluva contest. And then out comes the perfect wrestler Bayley! She’s got all the right heel moves and Belair is obviously a perfect babyface foil. It’s so rare that I’m not disappointed by a one on one ‘Hardcore’ match not being a straight up singles bout. This was not the case. These ladies laid out a beautiful match. I was worried a couple times there, and hope not to read of either ladies being injured from this. Bayley totally should have sold that table break miss longer. It looked horrific. Excellent finish to this that Bayley perfectly sold. Bray segments offer very little to my tastes, but I was making breakfast so I listened in, and this was fine until the spooky video. Nonetheless, I’m hoping (even tho I’ve only seen a couple NXT matches rom him that) his brother is the villain in the story. The Logan-Reigns main was fantastic. I think this might have been the first Roman Reigns match in full I’ve ever seen. I was impressed. Paul was impressive here too. Also impressive is the booking of Solo Sikoa. Really fun match to close out a really fun show. The Hunter Hearst Heyman era! Can't wait for the return of Cody boy! The AEDub fans angirly pushed him away, but the Universe loves him as much as me.

I'd not seen a Shibata bout either. I have seen a couple appearances post-retirement, and tho he wasn't wrestling he was absolutely electric. Clearly a very special talent. I always meant to take a dive into his catalog. If anyone knows of anything easily accessible online they want to recommend I'm all ears. Is it not true tho, that Toa feels less special a year later because he's been exposed as an underdeveloped-for-TV talent? I agree he has some size and presence, but his agility is a bit more of a question mark. His whole posture on offense and defense seems a little off to me. I really kinda wish they'd given Kaun more of a mentor to tag with. Bring back Tully!

Shibata-Cassidy with Tyson on commentary suggests anything can happen on (It's) Rampage (Baby)! I'd suggest this was an absolute success! Toni’s an okay talker, but she needs some better guidance with her direction – where’s Arn at? Oh, I think I might love the quick fix of a double turn with Hayter at the PPV. Tho, I’m swayed to stay where we're at with Jamie and the Doctor right after. Especially here after seeing them dismantle Rayne’r and Teenbeat Skye Blue. Yeah, strap them. Starks has the timing and ability to be a great mic worker, but not always material. Nonetheless, like most of his promo work – this was good. I like seeing promos here from the big players-Jericho, the Blackpools, etc. It’s a good way to get them on the Friday show and they should do it more often. I especially liked Sammy’s promo. I’m not generally into 3 or more ways, but two promos and I’m already sold. Sometimes it’s all it takes - and again it's something they should do more often. I am very excited by these Eliminator Tournament brackets. How does Ethan Page defeat Eddie? And when he does will the Wet Blankets then unite and take over (the Dynamite thread)? And fuck yeah I’ll take a Rush and a Bandido! Starks-Archer! Brian Cage-Dante! I love this! Ohhhh, I like a little Joe-Wardy tension! I also like a little Nana! This show is offering me everything I truly want and need from an early Saturday morning wrestling show. The main is just fine. I wanna get behind the Gates. I really like 'BISHOP' Kaun, and wanna see him blossom. To my eyes, Toa generally looks sloppy and lost out there, but I do sense some improvement. So game for Puh puh puh Powerhouse and Wardy! That Joe-Wardy tension is a lil bit thrilling too! I hated Rampages 44 and 43 (two of the worst broadcasts this company has ever produced), but 45 absolutely hit the spot! AEfuckinDUB!

PJ Black is a fucking excellent pro wrestler. I may have to offer my TV match of the week vote to this bout vs Uemura. Can Black talk at all? I've said my peace on IMPACT's flaws a time or two, but I also maintain that this company does a truly fantastic job of rolling over the roster and finding fresh talent. Kudos to Scott D'amore for his far superior off camera work.

I asked earlier where Rick Starks has been. According to an Observer note Starks' absence from TV was unrelated to wrestling. He is expected to return to TV this week.

Well said. I don’t think even the injuries etc are a problem. It forced Khan to learn how to pivot and going forth to expect more pivoting. It’s the kind of lesson fantasy bookers never learn. Re: ROH I’m excited about this purchase and have been from the beginning. I like the potential of the catalog and I like a second ‘brand’ offering more spots for more talent. I suspect 2023 will put an end to two annoying and relentless bellyaches: the fictitious bloated roster and the long list of false speculation of what ROH actually is. I suspect once split into its own tv and league it will be every bit as consistently excellent as Dynamite (same booker and production team is what leads me to this) and will drastically alter the current size (no complaints) of the AEW roster.

Say, did the Nick Comoroto v Rick Starks bout from Toronto air on any of these YouTube shows? Starks booking is a bit of a head scratcher.

Certainly there's been some growing pains (go figure - that's fucking life!), but this calendar year AEW TV/PPV has offered so many great wrestling matches and promo segments. And so consistently. It's startling how quickly fans turn on a product. Like the complaintants here this company is not always my vision of who should hold the titles and what feuds need to happen, but why would I expect that? I'm content with performers having a platform to make the best of their opportunity. And a booking structure that rewards the ability to get over. Perhaps the blinders are on, but I don't see the most talented ppl on the roster deemed too small or not having 'it'. And being judged by a meglamaniac owner with an onus on size over ability. Further, I don't recall a wrestling promotion from 1990 forward that has run 161 weeks of television even close to the quality of what this promotion has provided? Perhaps the fantasy bookers could bring some awareness to the fact of injuries, massive massive massive egos, backstage tensions and the million other variables that play into the weekly, daily decision making of this company. It feels like a minor miracle that AEW has been anywhere near this strong for this long. I liked this week's show, and am happy to say I fail to see the dip.

A superhighway search renders Meltzer providing a less insidious and, perhaps, more accurate take on the Effy-Jarrett situation...

Condolences to the haters - I watch Dynamite with Dean-mind! Also known as Gordlow-glow! I expect and accept imperfection. Tho, I hated the last two weeks of Rampage – that said, here’s my big announcement: I will continue to watch the B show! I loved everything about Darby-Lethal. These guys are a fun pairing. The tope crashing off Satnam was easily one of my favorite spots of ‘22. Darby Allin continues to have a banner year seemingly in the shadows by some of this cold talk. And there is nobody more underrated than Jay Lethal. I didn’t watch much of any TNA so a Jeff Jarrett debut doesn’t sting me. In fact, I’m fully game and excited for the ‘Last Outlaw’. Perhaps my excitement is in part the positioning with Lethal’s wonderful trio. Along with the idea of this being about a ‘legend’ putting over a very deserving Darb. Then we move onto an always fun Mox promo. I love that he cuts it directly into the camera - my only qualm here is that they don’t do more of these. Digging the silly Elite return tease vids. Mox-Lee was terrific. Building young’uns thru losses is one of TK’s better ideas. I love Ethan Page, but he needs to step up his game. He’s not showing the level of presence needed… yet. That said, I’m patient for him to find it, and I hope and kinda suspect ‘the office’ is too. Holy moly, the addition of Renee has thus far been fantastic. I can’t say the same of Saraya. Hoping to have my mind changed on that. The Birthday Bash had a tired and awkward Mack-Mann feel to it. I was watching Bowens and Caster shill their shit wondering how long before the crowd turns them heel again. No fault on this segment to Billy – he’s killing it out there! Man, FTR saves are the best saves in wrestling right now. Cabana v Jericho was a lot of fun. Loved the ‘Welcome Back’ chants. Cabana is incredibly underrated. And underutilized. I also la-la-loved the bullying of Riccaboni. I also love this Hammer time Pac shit! I was into the Fenix-OC-Lucha three way. I wish AEDub would've adopted the much better ECW 3 Way Dance elimination rules. Everybody knows Triple Threats are safe booking bullshit. Loved Jungle Jack’s fire out there. Let’s be patient and let Dylan McKay’s son go thru some growing pains, yeah? Shibata! A wonder what percentage of the crowd actually knows him (I for one have never seen a Shibata match). Then another odd surprise as Rick Ross kills it on the stick. Made the great Shane Strickland look money like he is. I'm so excited for the moment Keith Lee goes full heel! I missed most of Jade-Marina, but caught the awful idea of Vicki and Nyla commentating over the live mics? Seems like somebody might have snuck a peak at the Brandi Rhodes creative folder there? I also caught the exciting closing moments - Jade’s big pump kick is becoming a big ovation spot. And her finisher execution is terrific! I’m game to hear Malakai Black promo, but they oughtta help him out by putting a moratorium on these consistently lame spooky-scary taped videos. Did Budro lose his spot? I’m gonna give Cage-Joe a second spin because first time around it looked like a fucking awesome hoss fight! Puh-puh-puh-puh-Powerhouse! Wild, wacky, weird, fun show!

I agree. As I said I have a little time for JBL and Corbin. Not ‘I have little time for JBL and Corbin’. I hadn’t seen Corbin prior to the Helmsley regime so he’s a pretty fresh talent to me. His presentation gives cause for concern, but his work has been solid thus far. And JBLs been a treat.

Where does AR Fox rank on the best unsigned wrestlers list?

Jeers to the Raw intro. Cheers to Nikki Cross and Bianca (and all the players in this scrum). Really tho, Cheers all around on this week's show. Excellent Lashley-Lesnar pull apart. I liked seeing H'ey'che out there all intense and calling the shots. Theory is getting better and better each and every week, and here v Rollins was the best I've seen from him yet. Rollins oughtta be a baby, yeah? I had to skim on the Bloodline promo, but dug what I saw. From somebody who hadn't really ever seen the Miz prior to this Helmsley regime - 'I'm frequently impressed.' Ali needs a manager. Machine Gun Anderson v Priest was solid and led nicely into a strong segment with the Judges and Thee Oh Sees. RHEA-Mania is running wild! I think Dom's frog splash might have given me some chills - the young rudo is really knocking it out of the park! I got a little time for JBL and Corbin. Omos and MVP look great together. I never got to see the Hurt Business - maybe they oughtta run that back too? Skimmed Riddle and Otis and it was fine for what it was. That said, I'd absolutely be down for a straight up, PPV length, one on one Battle between this pairing. Not enough Gable this week, but I understand. 'No I don't!' Miz v Mustafa was solid. Tho not entirely a success - kudos for the Gargano sitdown. Damage Control v Asuka and Bliss is 3/4 my kind of main event! No shade to Alexa Bliss tho. She worked hard and was mostly good here. But Asuka and IO is the dream! And Dakota never disappoints with her spider style! Excellent TV spot near the finish with Bayley and Belair. Very strong WWE TV broadcast. The Seeeecret Life of Ah-RABIA!

Is Mark Briscoe allowed on the Turner family of stations? I wouldn't say no to Darby's familiar being Brody King. And give us a runback of all their brutal-beautiful pro wrestling. Perhaps they could slip Brody out of the Spooky Scary lame promo gang and slide him into the totally rad buddies faction with Jay, Sonjay and Platinum Satnam!? I'm down with this line-up (especially Moggsley-Moriarty), but when r they gonna let Athena spread her silly wings and pound some ass on TV!?

Athena heelin' and a squashin' on Dark/Elevation is amongst my favorite things going on in AEDub right now. I really wish they'd run back Athena-Jody Threat for TV.

It wasn't a question of whether NotFlips or any particular poster would make the fantasy roster move, but rather if Tony Khan, who seemed to enjoy working with Punk, is considering moving his still contracted star over to his ROH 'brand'.

I'm glad somebody brought it up! Paul made a curious choice and I for one support it. Further, he always had 'Wonderful' simply designed gear, but then again what's not gonna look good on that million dollar body?

I wonder if there's been any thought internally of moving 'CM' to the ROH brand?