AEW TV - 10/2 - 10/8/2024 - Like I'm Livin' A Top Flight Dream

[ExcellenceofAirPollution]

I forgot to post this interaction from during a break on Dynamite (paraphrased a bit)

Tony:  "Bryan Danielson is the greatest World Champion ever!"

Excalibur: "woah, let's not go that far Tony, he's certainly one of the greatest wrestlers of all-time"

Tony:  "Greatest World Champion ever!"

Excalibur:  "........he's had one title defense...."

[Curt McGirt]

Well... he's been a world champion elsewhere, Ex... 

[Go2Sleep]

1 hour ago, colonial said:

AEW doesn't seem to know how to do face turns with some of their talent ...

-- Stat turns face again because ... her mid-life crisis is over?

-- Skye Blue turned face before her injury because ... she bought a really nice cowboy hat?

-- Anna Jay appears to have turned face because ... she visited Japan and had a good time?

-- Bang Bang Gang turned face because ... honestly, I have no clue why.

Other than Skye, I think these are all pretty justifiable. Not every turn needs a WWE-style dramatic moment.

Stat won the blowoff match over Willow to rekindle some of her badass aura. A tweener run where she goes after a heel champ right after makes sense. Only complaint is losing Stokeley because there's no reason he couldn't be part of a tweener run/soft face turn. Instead he's off to scout Private Party to redo the Matt Hardy angle once they inevitably lose to the Bucks? That part sucks.

Skye, yeah, complete inability to improvise once Julia got hurt.

Anna's been off TV for a while and is now coming back with a gimmick of "I'm improving my workrate now," which flies in AEW. Also, Ospreay really showing he gets it giving Anna the rub here.

Bang Bang Gang have been slow-burning a face turn since Jay White went out and Juice came back. They got screwed by the Patriarchy and are now getting terrorized by psycho-Hangman. Jay coming back to save his buddy is pure babyface.

[DMJ]

- I agree that the Statlander face turn seems rushed and unnecessary, but think the Bang Bang Gang one isn't too "out of nowhere." The fans have wanted to cheer these guys for awhile so it was a simple "We'll just book them against heels" strategy and, often times, that's all you really need to do. What I hope is that TK/the producers of their segments don't make the mistake of having them change a single thing about their act. 

- The Statlander turn is more egregious because I think they did a ton of work to establish her as a heel and the streetfight with Willow really seemed like a "big moment" for her in that character. You kinda lose the impact of that match when you have to repackage her so soon after, IMO. I also don't think AEW has a "we need more babyface women" problem as much as they have an overall women's division problem where there is a rather wide rift between the women who can carry segments and matches and the women who are not there yet. There's also something of an elephant-in-the-room regarding Britt Baker. I think TK is (wisely) holding off on Jamie Hayter's big push until its clear she's really 100% and there's still juice to squeeze out of Toni/Mariah, plus Willow is over and I think Julia Hart is probably nearing a return. While I like Hart's work with the House of Black, I don't think its impossible to book her as something of a babyface even with the backing of the heels. Hell, that's kinda what Rhea Ripley did. She had something going with Mercedes before and now that Mone is established as a villain, I think the fans would cheer Hart against her even as a HOB member. Plus, with the big money deal, who knows who they might be able to sign away from TNA or elsewhere.

[Peck]

Super cool to see Zoey Skye on my TV this weekend even though she got about 70 seconds of ring time combined between the two nights. lol

[username]

See I think you are jumping the gun on Statlander being a face now, "Born Again Kristen" doesn't really scan as a face nickname no matter which direction you come at it from.

You know how when something is booked great it all flows naturally and you can't even really see the strings behind it? Having Private Party call out the tag champs this past week despite being a non-factor for ages only to then win the number one contenders triple tag match is the opposite of that, you could have just had them have that bit of an edge after the broken hand (BTW they really are getting next to nothing out of that) to pull off the upset win here but instead they put that promo in between and just totally hung a giant flashing "they're gonna win now" sign on this match.

[HarryArchieGus]

Incredibly disappointing Stat debacle aside, it's not the company's best look to have Darby Allin calling out the locker room for being complacent. Following that up with silence and seemingly no challengers did not help this statement. Obviously Brody eventually came out, but that stretch with Darby on the mic was an unncessary and boneheaded AEW burial. Darby's shown improvements on the mic lately, but his taped rant on Brody during Collision was not an example. 

[Matt D]

6 minutes ago, HarryArchieGus said:

Incredibly disappointing Stat debacle aside, it's not the company's best look to have Darby Allin calling out the locker room for being complacent. Following that up with silence and seemingly no challengers did not help this statement. Obviously Brody eventually came out, but that stretch with Darby on the mic was an unncessary and boneheaded AEW burial. Darby's shown improvements on the mic lately, but his taped rant on Brody during Collision was not an example. 

To me, the idea is to some degree that Moxley is right. And Darby is trying to push the roster to get tough enough to prepare them for what he now feels (and knows first hand) is coming. He has to build an army and he's not liking what he sees so far. I'd worry that they can a) keep this vision in their head in the first place as it's bigger than one show or one program or even one four month build and b ) manage it with enough nuance to not screw it up. The roster is sort of supposed to look bad now though. Where they are after Mox's reign of terror begins is another story.

[For Great Justice]

God, Takeshita rules.

I got to thinking about why I feel that way despite my general aversion to the go-go-go style. And I think it has to do with him having heavier physics. Like I think I’ve used this analogy before but if this is Smash Bros and Riho has Jiggleypuff physics or whatever, Takeshita has Marth physics: just a heavy-handed hard hitting motherfucker that can still go 100mph. Dude is the shit.

And you can tell by the buzz when they’re around each other that Takeshita/Okada is one of THE matches for AEW in the next year or so. 
 

(Hangman is Captain Falcon. Young Bucks are Ice Climbers.)

Edited October 7 by For Great Justice

[HarryArchieGus]

4 hours ago, Matt D said:

To me, the idea is to some degree that Moxley is right. And Darby is trying to push the roster to get tough enough to prepare them for what he now feels (and knows first hand) is coming. He has to build an army and he's not liking what he sees so far. I'd worry that they can a) keep this vision in their head in the first place as it's bigger than one show or one program or even one four month build and b ) manage it with enough nuance to not screw it up. The roster is sort of supposed to look bad now though. Where they are after Mox's reign of terror begins is another story.

I'll buy that. And completely agree with the questioning towards their abilities with a larger narrative. 

[Shartnado]

The Outrunners won!!!

[HarryArchieGus]

Re: Collision
Darby v John TV was a strong showcase. That was the best TV's looked in AEW. It's remarkable how Darby makes every one of his opponents look that much better than their usual. As discussed, I didn't like how the post match promo came off. Calling out the locker room for being complacent felt too accurate. I'm into running back Brody v Darby, I guess. The FTRunners video was absolute perfection. The case of the blonde mustache! Outrunners v Grizzlies was pretty good. The Runners indeed need to develop beyond their enhancement role. Turbo Floyd completely forgot he was on offense here, and more than once. Still, I like seeing them get behind Truth and Turb. Willow v Trish Adora was what I was hoping. Adora has come a long, long way and ought to be considered for a bigger role. The Post match brawl with Mariah was good. I especially loved the Mariah May promo following the break. Interim EVP Chris Daniels is a particularly weak babyface. Acting! Yuta v Beef was fine. I suppose it did what it needed for Yuta, but if you give me a proper Beef entrance I'm gonna wanna see him dig his cowboy boots in. The melodramatic Claudio-Yuta skit prior was hammy, but I accept. Take it to the Football field. The Ricochet/Ospreay/Takeshita video was fantastic. Selling the not so beloved story from Wednesday very well. I ffwd Conglomeration v Athletes. It feels like this match happens in some iteration every week. Another rinse repeat Lance Archer skit saved by the comic genius Don Callis. Hologram v Wayne v Andretti v Komander had its moments. I'd like to see what Komander/Hologram might look like as a team - a new Lucha bros. Beast Mortos/Kingdom promo featured some good clean fun. Stat squash was over before I blinked. So disappointed by this Stat face turn. I did kinda like Kamille in her tight jeans beating Stat's ass. The taped Darby Allin promo badly needed another take. I think Darby had a good idea, but it came off poorly. Yes, I've missed EMI SAKURA! Very into Mercedes v Emi. I skimmed HOBs v Privates v Martins. Talk about complacent. I couldn't bring myself to watch this in full. The booking of Private Party feels ludicrous. So too the always over, but rarely pushed (wwe bound) House of Black. I really look forward to both being free to move along. The Martin Brothers are wasting away. Please send them to Japan. WIth this show I took the good (FTRunners, Mariah, Adora-Willow, 4 way, Outrunners-Vets, Darby-TV) with the bad (Lance Archer creative, Private Party push, ugh babyface Stat). 

[southofheavy]

10 hours ago, Matt D said:

To me, the idea is to some degree that Moxley is right. And Darby is trying to push the roster to get tough enough to prepare them for what he now feels (and knows first hand) is coming. He has to build an army and he's not liking what he sees so far. I'd worry that they can a) keep this vision in their head in the first place as it's bigger than one show or one program or even one four month build and b ) manage it with enough nuance to not screw it up. The roster is sort of supposed to look bad now though. Where they are after Mox's reign of terror begins is another story.

Please, please, PLEEEEEEEEEEEEZZZZZZZ let Jamie Hayter be a part of this army. 

[Matt D]

2 minutes ago, southofheavy said:

Please, please, PLEEEEEEEEEEEEZZZZZZZ let Jamie Hayter be a part of this army. 

If you want to see twenty Hayter vs Shafir matches, be my guest, pal.

[southofheavy]

43 minutes ago, Matt D said:

If you want to see twenty Hayter vs Shafir matches, be my guest, pal.

SIR. 

I want to see Jamie Hayter lariat Shafir's head off twenty times. In ONE match.

Let's be reasonable here, okay?

 

[Matt D]

11 minutes ago, southofheavy said:

SIR. 

I want to see Jamie Hayter lariat Shafir's head off twenty times. In ONE match.

Let's be reasonable here, okay?

 

Really knock her socks off…

[tbarrie]

23 minutes ago, southofheavy said:

SIR. 

I want to see Jamie Hayter lariat Shafir's head off twenty times. In ONE match.

Let's be reasonable here, okay?

 

Watching her reattach Shafir's head nineteen times might get tiresome, though.

[JLowe]

The three way tag match was plodding, botched, overbooked, illogical nonsense. Dante gets tagged in an instead of pinning one of the two supine Private Party members he goes for a dive on HoB. Quen fucked up Gin and Juice visibly twice. Silly String took 20 seconds to complete with Dante having to stand around like a dipshit.

House of Black are way more interesting, and better, as solo wrestlers.

I’d say Top Flight should consider looking elsewhere for a push, but the completion doesn’t push black male wrestlers. For fucks sake, at least let them hold the worthless ROH titles that they were booked to win when Dante torched his leg.

Trish Adora is a work in progress. Willow made her look like a billion bucks and probably made herself look weaker by doing so. I was excited about Willow-Mariah but I don’t see a world where Britt lays down for Willow. My guess is Mariah interferes and we get a 3-way at Wrestledream where Willow does the job so Mariah can retain.

Conglomeration are great but need a purpose other then constantly having to deal with the Premier Athletes.

Outrunners-GYV was great older school tag team wrestling. Truth Magnum sold the knee better than 80% of the roster. They’re more than just a meme. Also loved the video package, fun to see FTR poking holes in the “take it too seriously” reputation.

”Lucha” 4-way had some of the more interesting Andretti stuff I’ve seen recently, but was of course highlighted by Hologram and Komander. They need to just let them cook.

Yuta”s segment with Claudio was so fucking good, did A TON to advance a confusing storyline. Match was short and fun, with him once again unleashing his inner demons only to feel some regret after. Suspect that won’t be an issue soon.

I’ve come around on Johnny TV, he’s the kind of guy they really need. A veteran hand who can bump and sell, wrestle any kind of match, get in some impressive stuff but always make his opponent look better, knows when to slow down. Darby was Darby. The post-match also did a lot to advance the Mox storyline…he and Mox are two sides of the same coin apparently. I am going to love seeing Brody on Darcy violence again.

Finally, EMI IS BACK!! My highness has returned!!! Wish we had one match before she jobs to Mercedes.

[JLowe]

Ah, read HarryAG which reminded me I FFWD through the Ospreay-Richochet flashback and apparently missed something, and also through the Lance Archer segment, which missed nothing. But I did forget about the Mortos-Undisputed segment, which I truly loved. Mortos pulled that shit off remarkably, really they all did.

I’m down for Stat-Kamille as a march but very out on “Born Again Kristen” which sounds like a backstage rib that was funny for about 10 seconds to 2 people.

[Technico Support]

It hit me today that Private Party’s finish is named after song written before either of them was born.  

[RazorbladeKiss87]

On 10/6/2024 at 1:11 PM, Zimbra said:

Can't believe I have to be the one to  say Hell Yeah to the Emi Sakura Make The Champ Look Great tour coming back to the states.

 

As long as she doesn't miss too many ChocoPro shows. Those are quickly becoming a favorite of mine. 

[DreamBroken]

Little quick catching up on all things last week.  I enjoyed Ospreay/Ricochet, actually dug the initial finish reminding me of the classic HHH/HBK finish from Dec 03 RAW.  Bryan/Okada ruled of course. Hoping Yuta doesn't turn.

as Peck mentioned, I also love seeing Zoey (Skye) Lynn for the mere seconds both matches lasted, one of my indy favs.  Agreed with others on the awful abruptness of turning Born Again Kristen so soon after the Willow feud for little reason.

Digging the Johnny/Darby praise and we could always use more Trish Adora, she's great.

[tbarrie]

11 hours ago, JLowe said:

My guess is Mariah interferes and we get a 3-way at Wrestledream where Willow does the job so Mariah can retain.

As soon as they announced Britt vs Willow for the title shot, I've been dreading a three-way while suspecting it's probably what will happen. I liked it when they showed Mariah watching Britt's match against Deeb, because I thought it was the start of a slow burn towards Britt challenging for the title, after she'd picked up another meaningful win or two and people start to forget she came up short against Mercedes. Willow was clearly poised to be Mariah's next challenger, which was great, then we'd get Mariah vs Britt a little later.

Instead it looks like we're getting a three-way, which... why? Willow and Britt are both perfectly credible PPV challengers, so why use them both at once?

[Dolfan in NYC]

eep.  Show tonight.  New thread coming.