ChrisPBacon

My thoughts after Cody winning the Rumble, are that maybe we get Reigns/Rhodes/Rock at Mania, Rock doesnt have to work the whole match, can rest and give Rhodes and Reigns a majority of the spotlight. That way Reigns can pin Rock, Rhodes doesnt take the pinfall and Rhodes gets an extended story where he finally gets a one on one rematch with Reigns in Saudi or somewhere down the line. Thats just where my brain goes, but reality may be that Rock has no interest in wrestling at Mania.

Hangman Magnum Page.

I'm not sure if it was mentioned here, but Nic Nemeth released a video just prior to this debut in NJPW, called "Wanted Man" where he goes full Jack Burton and it's tremendous cheese.

Stephen Amell vs Antony Starr in a Bullrope Match. Kidding aside, I do feel that if Cody is removed from the Roman title match, he needs to pivot to something that continues the Story (more Brock, less Nakamura). Would Dustin be back in WWE by then?

So, taking from Bully Ray a little here for a second, before Cody Rhodes finishes the story, the chapter of Legacy must be completed by slaying The Viper, the very jacked Viper? Philly is a notoriously ruthless crowd, if they run Rhodes-Reigns II, it wouldnt shock me that the crowd (which would be from all over the world, but philly would be represented strong here) would boo Cody and cheer Reigns. So instead you get The Rock/Reigns with the crowd cheering Roman, Roman besting Hogans streak as Champion, Punk/Rollins, Orton/Rhodes, The Usos Collide, The Beast vs The Ring General, maybe Bad Bunny and AJ Styles. I think that is a helluva stacked lineup for the Showcase, and that Rhodes To The Top documentary becomes a 3 hour epic and finishes at WrestleMania 41 (Or The Bash for Dusty or SummerSlam). That takes a lot of patience to pull off, and would that feel like too long of a wait?

MJF is Baggins, holder of the 'ring', and Adam Cole is Samwise Gamgee with Samoa Joe as a cross between Boromir and Aragorn. The Eye of Sauron is 'The Devil'.

That just got me thinking of a fun gimmick, where a wrestlers match keeps getting bumped for time (think Jimmy Kimmel always bumping Matt Damons appearance on his show to next week) complete with backstage footage of his reaction to getting his match moved as he was preparing to go out to the ring. The wrestler gets more and more frustrated, until he runs in on a match and attacks both competitors and stages a sit-in until he gets some respect.

Noticed a subtle hint that The Devil could be none other than TK, with Calibur mentioning whoever the Devil is, had taken control of the lights and other equipment. Maybe to throw the scent off Bay Bay, and not saying it would be the best idea, but nerd billionaire you sets to shape wrestling in his image, surrounding himself with his "pillars" isnt the worst idea. Also, as of note, the Devil has not been involved in any attacks as far as I remember. TK is probably itching to bring back his character from those Impact wrestling segments from a couple years ago. He looked like he was having a lot of fun.

I remember hearing the story from Bruce Prichards podcast about Cornette and Dunns back and forth. Just got a big chuckle out of that, thanks for reminding me.

Bucky as in Pat Buck? Is this why Serena Deeb has vanished from AEW?

And let us not forget, CM Punk is your "Real" Worlds Champion. Only person I can vision as his Bobby Heenan is Paul Heyman and he is taken. Punk coming out with a black bag with an obvious belt in it, would get a buzz pop for sure.

I'm all for a Single White Female storyline between Mariah May and Toni Storm. Does May have the chops to out crazy Storm though? IMO, all logic of Adam Cole being the devil was thrown out after last nights match. Im sure there can be some way to tie it all in if I think deep enough, but it would be hard to buy. Not sure who you would go with aside from Cole. Maybe Ospreay, Christian or MJF himself if you want to get weird with it. My guess is they go with Jungle Boy and add a young crew of disgruntled guys and Anna Jay.

Chris Hero returned to the ring a few days ago against Timothy Thatcher in California. I would say he is definitely respected by most in the AEW locker room.

Im sure AEW can cut a 22 minute opening match and a 35 minute main event to incorporate some control center segment with a card run down from Schiavone. It may seem antiquated to some or nostalgic to a few of us that appreciated that when we were younger, but itd go a long way in balancing out the action in the ring with progressing storylines and keeping general interest. Then when Renee Paquette is doing backstage segments, it doesnt have to seem so repetitive (like one pre tape promo back to back) when during the card run down, wrestlers can cut quick promos ala the beginning of Collision. Also, more recaps! Audience viewing fluctuates, and it helps to stay up on what is happening from last week.

I still watch those Control Centers on YT, the nostalgia is real and it also was a way to get people hyped for the show and get some segments to continue stories within a small window. I very much feel that Tony Khan would be very successful at running an independent wrestling promotion. However, his budget, choice of venues and tv deal make it hard to pull this idea of a mainstream indy fed off, because network wrestling needs to be compelling [and reel in more than internet fans/historians and marks], have something that hooks you and blend several different styles that are woven into storylines effectively. Trying to mainstream an indy style of wrestling is gutsy without bridging what casual wrestling fans consider wrestling into the mix, if that made any sense at all. I dont think its bad or good that he is trying to be PWG with a WCW budget, i believe its just not meshing, and hopefully he can find a way to make it go together. A good start is MJF being woven into the beginning, middle and end of the show, but there is room for 3 or 4 more compelling stories to be told throughout the 3 prime time shows to balance with the action.