Jrag

I do agree with the thought of AEW booking like a Super indy at times. Obviously I’m an ROH mark from way back and there is some magic to building a story in a limited amount of screen time. The Joe/Punk trilogy was built through the story they were telling inside the ring and the word of mouth it generated. To rely on that booking model so heavily when you also have 5 hours or weekly TV is such a weird thing though. One of the main reasons this MJF/Cole stuff is working so well is because they are using their tv time to build on and fill in around what’s happening in the ring and that process is so out of the ordinary for AEW.

If they do end up going the Punk/MJF route on one of these show that is something they need to start building on Saturday. Would be a shame to hot shot that with like 1 week of build or something. Said this in the other thread, but to me best case scenario is Joe/Punk and MJF/Cole at All In and then Punk/MJF at All Out. All the pieces are in place for that. They just need to actually build it.

On top of all that they have a brand new TV show they are pushing hard and currently the best built stuff is paying off there. MJF/Cole vs FTR is a money match with a build that makes sense for one of the bigger shows, but it’s happening *this week.

I really don’t trust Tony to put these 2 cards together in a meaningful way. Selling all those tickets in advance was obviously great for the company, but maybe not so great for the on screen product/build up. I hope I’m wrong, but we are a month out now and these are 2 huge shows to build here. Feels like we should be seeing a bit more urgency.

So here is my thing on the BCC. Good matches, yes, but every single feud has dragged on too long or fizzled out too early. Some of that is beyond their control (Bryan getting hurt twice, Regal leaving), but a lot of that dragging feeling is there because of the repetitiveness to some of these feuds. I’ve always considered Danielson the creative engine of the group and there have been some great moments centered around him, but the non-Danielson stuff doesn’t do anything for me. Blood and Guts is a great example of my problem with the BCC. The 5th bed of nails spot doesn’t mean anything just like the 5th dynamite where the BCC swarms the same babyface doesn’t mean anything. I don’t think Mox is interested in telling stories on the same level as most of the other guys we would consider in his tier. For a guy who can talk so well he rarely has anything interesting to say.

MJF as a face promo has some Rock qualities. The Dax bit was about the best that style can get. That was Max’s fist mention of Punk since the return and I have to think whatever happens on Collision leads to MJF/Punk at one of the big shows. Best path forward imo is keeping MJF/Cole together and running that friends fight for the title match at All In leading to Punk/MJF at All Out. Swerve finally getting a high profile singles win. Loved that match and everything around it. Build up in the opener was fun and the AR turn was well done, but not a fan of random title shots for guys who aren’t established. Just make it an eliminator. Didn’t watch the rest of the show and sounds like that was the right idea. Whatever booking collaboration goes on between Tony and Mox…. not a fan of it. Feels like this whole BCC run has been underwhelming and there is really no good reason for that. Hoping this OC feud turns it around.

Two very inspired choices: Ricky Starks getting the Cody+ pyro treatment. Christian keeping the turtleneck on.

Collision just feels alive compared to the other shows right now. Maybe it’s because they don’t normally do an opening in ring promo, maybe it’s because all 4 guys could talk, maybe it’s because the face/heel dynamic is so fluid. It all just feels very important. It’s electric when Punk is out there and the fans are really leaning in to the split reaction thing. Very loud shut the fuck up chant that Punk worked around well and then a similarly loud CM Punk chant as he was making his way back into the ring. Added layer that Punk has been playing heel in NJ for his entire AEW run. Starks was great on the mic tonight and they seem to be really leaning in to the cool heel bit. The line about Punk’s empty bag was too good of a line and clearly meant to get cheers. Darby has really really improved on the mic as well in the time that I have been watching. Insane amount of talent in one ring for that main event!

Swerve is one of the best acts they have going right now. Dude is locked in. I wish the booking matched his level as a performer. He makes the most out of some pretty nothing feuds. The bodyslam spot sealed it, MJF really could be the biggest face in wrestling if he wanted it.

2 3 1 for me. I don’t do star ratings but I love them all!

Obviously happy that we are getting it, but sort of crazy that they are burning what is for me the most anticipated matchup in all of wrestling on a semifinal match in front of a couple thousand people in Saskatchewan. If it’s not a draw and a rematch in front of a much bigger crowd Tony is lighting some money on fire.

They should keep building the double clothesline hype and then finally pay it off on Schiavone.

Collision continues to be great so far. Fun show and a really good main event. Punk Joe 4 is happening and I can’t fucking wait! Really loved every second of Joe trying to intimidate Punk while kicking the shit out of Roddy.

The Gunns are making a leap right now. Perfect fit in their current spot glad they joined BCG. Great entrance. Showing some ability to talk and getting very smooth in the ring. Austin has been smooth for a while now and Colton is catching up. Insanely impressive considering how short their careers are to this point.

Punk doing a Hogan bit during the commercial break was a nice touch.

The speaking on the condition of anonymity stuff is such a stain on journalism as a whole, but 10 times worse when it’s something dumb like sports or pro wrestling. It’s so shameful when Woj and Shams are just parroting some NBA GM and presenting it as news, but at least you can chalk that up as a way for all parties involved to make more money or get an edge in a trade or whatever. Metzler is such a hack any damn body can get whatever rumor or opinion they want published for any reason at all it seems.

Punk’s promo was actually great because he got his shots in and didn’t ignore the elephant in the room, BUT redirected the energy towards MJF which is probably the smart play for now. “What’s in the bag, Max?” feels like build to All In. Love the face in Chicago, but the rest of you are going to hate me vibe. Not so subtle with the Bret tights. Could be an amazing run if he can stay healthy.

Punk going to the headlock after getting quickly overpowered by Joe brought a smirk to my face. Crowd wants it. I need it. Punk/Joe 4 let’s go.

I watched the battle royal, four way and main event and they were all fun not great. No interest in anything else at the moment and honestly outside of OC there is no one doing must watch stuff right now. Happy to see Danielson taking it easy although I suppose he could have taken a few stupid bumps off camera with how often they were missing stuff. Main event was probably the best thing on the show, but my god the blackface singer nonsense…. hard to recover from that. Tony needs a right hand man to tell him when something is awful he clearly doesn’t get it.

Would love a heel Punk vs face OC extended feud oh my god

Don’t care at all that Punk doesn’t get along with the Elite or Cabana or whoever. Don’t care at all if he is holding them up over Ace Steel (lol). Absolutely don’t care if he is bullying Alvarez online (only a true poster would have that email saved). 100% don’t care whether he is good or bad for Tony Khan’s wallet in the grand scheme of things. I can not wait for Collision. I absolutely want heel Punk pissing all of you off every week on TV or otherwise AND I NEED PUNK/JOE 4~!

A true live performance veteran! He knew exactly what was needed in that moment.

Snoop calling it in the ring an all time hilarious WM moment. Confirmed does not know how to throw a worked punch. What a legend

The Punk/Mox squash really took the air out of everything for me partially because those guys were both having amazing in ring years and I was so fucking hyped up for that match. I had a similar feeling turning on my recording of Sixers/Nuggets last night and realizing Embiid was out. Maybe the squash works under different circumstances, but not with a rematch coming down the pipe in a few weeks. Really a microcosm of AEW’s biggest problem imo. Tony doesn’t understand which ideas need time to breathe. Dude will hot shot Punk/Mox or Omega/Danielson and then slow play like… Julia Hart joining the House of Black.

Tony not having his ace under contract while he is holding the belt is dumb as shit. Dude really is in way over his head, isn’t he? Mox showing up at Summerslam would have been kinda awesome