Krone

If that is the case, I think what we ended up with was much better. We can argue about whether Sami was a better choice or Cody, but I'll be damned if last night didn't feel like something really special. Everyone was hoping we would get that Avengers: Endgame style ending and we sure as shit did, and pretty much to perfection. There were so many good neuances about last night that just elevated it in my opinion. I went back and rewatched the ending a little while ago, and everyone in or around that ring does a masterful job of selling the occasions. Paul Heyman's facials when Cena, Rock, and Taker all come out are money. Samantha Irvin choking up at announcing the winner - which is the only time in my memory I can recall a ring announcer actually showing true emotion. Even Charles Robinson, little naitch, with a coy smile on his face ever so gently handing the title to Cody. It was all such good shit. That's what wrestling is meant to be, that's why we are all fans. Moments like that. You can call it a journey of 5, 10, 15 years for Cody or you can call it a journey of almost 50 years since his dad debuted in Vince Sr. WWWF. Absolutely special stuff. Now... what can you do from here? Everyone loves the chase, that's compelling television. What do you do now that the chase is complete?

I feel like a Foley run in would've served a better purpose to neutralize Rocky as opposed to Taker. I can see the connection with him and Reigns at the Mania, but I saw it as the Bloodlines biggest "rivals" coming out to neutralize them. Jey gets Jimmy, then Solo gets Cena since that's his biggest feud, and then for Rock - well Austin would be ideal but if you can't get him I think Foley would fit in just as well. I'm sure they wanted a monster pop though and 'Taker absolutely provides that in aces over Foley.

The gripe I have had with the titles is that none of them really seem like a step in any direction. For instance, if you were to win the IC Title - to me that means that you are just below the World Title. You're getting ready to get that push and you might be able to compete for championships. That worked because the champions (in my era) would be the Chris Jericho, Shelton Benjamin, Rob Van Dam, Kane, etc. All people that would eventually get bumped up to that world title slot. In AEW though, two out of your three secondary champions are bonafide main eventers in Okada and Edge. I feel like the International title with Roderick Strong should be that IC "we need to get to the next level" title belt, but that means people like OC should move up after winning it. There's no separation of challengers. I'm not even saying this is a bad thing, but I went through with a buddy the other day and listed off all the people who could win a world title in AEW and it be normal. Adam Cole, Adam Copeland, Adam Page, Bryan Danielson, Chris Jericho, Christian Cage, Darby Allin, Eddie Kingston, Jay White, Jon Moxley, Kazuchika Okada, Kenny Omega, MJF, Ricky Starks, Samoa Joe, Swerve Strickland, and Will Ospreay. That ladies and gentlemen is EIGHTEEN names, not even counting fringe people you may want to include (Malakai Black, Jeff Hardy, etc.) I feel like having all of those guys may actually overload your roster. I do think it's possible to have too much of a good thing. This isn't me trying to knock on AEW, christ I've been to a TV show and a PPV - I love them. But as far as titles goes, I feel there are certainly too many with no structure to their order. There's no main event title, this is an upper midcard title, this is a midcard title, this is a gimmick title. Stuff of that nature, and it kind of becomes easy to see how some people can just blend in to the product. Like Ricky Starks could've and should've been on a fast track to a main event, but adding even someone like Edge takes away just one more spot on the PPV. I love Edge too, don't get it twisted, but these guys now have to wait even longer for their potential moment. But boy does it feel good when someone does break through like a Swerve. A non established guy who becomes established. I almost dare say by the tiniest of margins that Swerve has surpassed Darby in the hierarchy of AEW.

But he's just starting his DDP-esque push. I'd love some more Menard on commentary, but I'd love to see him get a big moment in the ring before then. Guy has been a savant on the mic since coming to AEW.

I thought the idea of bringing Punk in was going to be awesome, and there sure were some incredible moments that it produced. However, at the end of the day, it just like the problems far outweighed the positives for the company. Is Punk really that big of a draw (not talking merch sales) because after the novelty of him being back wore off, I don't really think so. Seemed like every other day there was something something Punk news that was just detering from the in ring product. I am glad I got to see him wrestle once, but damn the drama was just too much. All the stories made it seem like he thought he was bigger than the promotion. I mean if it's true, fucking lunging at your boss?! Come on, that shit can't be allowed anywhere. I question if we will see ripple effects, but even FTR/Brodie King/Danhausen can't be dumb enough to condone that type of behavior. My guess is they drop the real World title stuff and now we see the champion bouncing between shows. Anyone is fair game for Collision now. Edit - Now Collision can fully become the Jay White/Juice Robinson show. Fuck. Yes.

Devastating news. Such a young guy who recently had a child. Was hoping to see him comeback at some point too and regain all that momentum he once had. RIP to a great one.

I'd say 85-90% full. Lot of open seats on the side hard cam is set up. For the most part though it seemed pretty full. Which makes me think those seats would actually be pretty damn good to have. Nice and close to the action.

I was there as well and I felt like the main could've used another act. Which is saying something because it didn't feel like a 27 minute match. Same with the length of Ospreay/Omega. That definitely didn't feel like 35+ minutes. Was fantastic stuff. Also shout out to the four way match. OC is just the man and so is Shibata. Crowd loved that DG dance.

Main event was solid, but I felt like the crowd could have been more into it. The Omega/Ospreay match was my MOTN probably followed by the 10 man tag. Crowd loved Eddie Kingston and rightfully so. I will say it felt like the show flew by though. The Final Countdown was awesome.

That's what I'm thinking. Takeshita costs Omega the match or does a post match beatdown leading to an Ibushi save. Takeshita joins UE leading to either Omega/Ospreay III and Kota/Takeshita at All In or The Golden Elite vs. Ospreay/Takeshita.

Fightful Select is reporting a possible match being discussed for Forbidden Door, and it's a big one.

I'm secretly hoping for LiJ vs. House of Black. I think that match would be a banger. If not, OC/Naito would suffice, maybe with Swerve thrown in as well for storyline purposes.

Man, I just tried putting together my hopeful card for the rest of the show and there is just so much talent across the board it's hard to put everyone on there. Going to be interested to see who gets left off this time around. I have a feeling this could be one of the best cards ever constructed for a pro wrestling PPV and storylines aside could be some of the best in ring wrestling we will ever see. I mean those top two matches already have me overly hyped for this.

Boy did I pick a hell of a first wrestling PPV to attend! This is going to be GLORIOUS.

FWIW, I really liked Adam Cole in NXT and his match with Johnny Gargano at TakeOver: New York was one of my favorite matches of 2019. However, I don't know if I liked him because he was that scummy heel with a stable behind him to help pull the load or if it was because he had a lot more smaller guys to work with like Velveteen Dream, Gargano, Pete Dunne, Matt Riddle. I just don't think he's imposing enough against the bigger guys and doesn't have that tenacity that someone like a Danielson has. Couple that with his moves like the Panama Sunrise (which btw was absolutely AWFUL last night) that do seem indyriffic, I just don't think he's connecting with me like he once was. I really hope he isn't next in line to win the title tbh because I think there are much better candidates. It also doesn't help that he's in the same company as Darby Allin now who just throws his body around worse than Mick Foley in his prime that shows that violence.