DYNASTY, Season 2 - 4/6/2025

[Technico Support]

1 hour ago, Casey said:

The common denominator here is people running all over TK.

OR it’s awful, cowardly people taking advantage of a non-toxic work environment and a boss who isn’t a bully, and then falling in line and being lap dogs as soon as they’re working for bigger assholes who won’t take their shit.  

Edited April 2, 2025 by Technico Support

[The Natural]

On 4/1/2025 at 11:23 AM, The Natural said:

Only interested in Timeless Toni Storm vs. Megan Bayne and Death Riders vs. Rated FTR so not enough to order the show. I'll see what matches are announced on Dynamite.

Yeah, I'm skipping Dynasty.

[The Natural]

On 4/1/2025 at 9:56 PM, stuntmanc said:

I'm so excited for this, my daughter is lamenting only one womans match, but given that it involves Toni Storm, it isn't enough to deter her overall enthusiasm.  I do hope they give us at least one more womens match though.

 

Timeless v Megasus is my #1 most anticipated match, followed closely by Swerve/Mox and Speedball/Omega/Ricochet.

 

21 hours ago, The Natural said:

I fully agree with your daughter. I do think you'll get a second women's match as I'd be very surprised if Mercedes Mone isn't in a match.

This. My shot at your six to eight women:

Mariah May, Jamie Hayter, Kris Statlander, Athena, Willow Nightingale, Hikaru Shida and Serena Deeb.

We called it:

Spoiler

Mercedes Mone vs. Julia Hart in an Owen Hart Foundation tournament first round match.

 

[The Natural]

Jon Moxley is retaining the AEW World Championship vs. Swerve Strickland regrettably, right? Fuck.

[DMJ]

I really, really hope not.

I know that the story was supposed to lead to Darby winning the big one and being AEW's "savior," but I think that moment passed and, the good news is, you can still have Darby win the title down the line because the real story with Darby Allin is not beating Jon Moxley, the story has always been that Darby Allin is undersized, doesn't have "the look," is "too wild" to be a World Champion...but he has heart.

The Death Riders thing isn't the worst storyline in wrestling history, but it doesn't feel like the "A" story and that's a problem when it is supposed to be at the top of the card. There was never any question what the "A" story was in WWE or WCW at any given time - whether it was Hogan in the 80s or the nWo or Austin/McMahon, Cena's lengthy run as the clear top guy, Daniel Bryan vs. The Authority, Becky Lynch's peak run as The Man, and most recently, the Bloodline saga. Sure, there were other angles and stories going on that were more engaging or more interesting and brief moments when a guy like Jeff Hardy might *seem* to be even more popular than the "top guy" like Cena, for example, but ultimately, when you tuned in to RAW or a PPV, there was always a sense that the top act in the company was in the top story. 

The Death Riders is not the top act and they're certainly not the top story. In AEW, I think the crowds are much more engaged in whatever Ospreay and Omega are doing than the Death Riders story. The crowd was more into Toni/Mariah May than the Death Riders story. I think Swerve/Ricochet had "hotter" segments than Cope/Mox did in the build-up to Revolution. The Death Riders story feels like part of the show - same as Jericho's Learning Tree - but not the "A" story.

I've written about it elsewhere, but if I had the pencil, I'd take the title off Mox (and Swerve is a fantastic option this weekend) and send him home for a little. Then, you keep the Death Riders around and put PAC in the leadership role because, in terms of in-ring ability, he's gonna deliver the bangers on TV (vs. Ospreay, vs. Swerve, vs. Omega, vs. whoever) that is really AEW's bread-and-butter. Down the line, you bring back Mox and let the audience cheer for the guy again because, if MJF is "our scumbag," Moxley is kinda like "our idiot." He's a guy that the AEW fanbase wants to cheer and see do his act - even if that act is absurdly dangerous and stupid. He's likeable because, for all his bad ideas and sloppy work, for all the different ways he can make our eyes roll, I don't think anyone doubts his genuine passion for pro-wrestling and AEW. Its endearing. 

 

[tbarrie]

3 hours ago, The Natural said:

Jon Moxley is retaining the AEW World Championship vs. Swerve Strickland regrettably, right? Fuck.

Probably? But in my opinion, this is the first title defense of this reign where Moxley could plausibly lose. I suspect he'll retain, but I wouldn't call it a lock.

[HarryArchieGus]

3 hours ago, DMJ said:

The Death Riders thing isn't the worst storyline in wrestling history, but it doesn't feel like the "A" story and that's a problem when it is supposed to be at the top of the card. There was never any question what the "A" story was in WWE or WCW at any given time - whether it was Hogan in the 80s or the nWo or Austin/McMahon, Cena's lengthy run as the clear top guy, Daniel Bryan vs. The Authority, Becky Lynch's peak run as The Man, and most recently, the Bloodline saga. Sure, there were other angles and stories going on that were more engaging or more interesting and brief moments when a guy like Jeff Hardy might *seem* to be even more popular than the "top guy" like Cena, for example, but ultimately, when you tuned in to RAW or a PPV, there was always a sense that the top act in the company was in the top story. 

The Death Riders is not the top act and they're certainly not the top story. In AEW, I think the crowds are much more engaged in whatever Ospreay and Omega are doing than the Death Riders story. The crowd was more into Toni/Mariah May than the Death Riders story. I think Swerve/Ricochet had "hotter" segments than Cope/Mox did in the build-up to Revolution. The Death Riders story feels like part of the show - same as Jericho's Learning Tree - but not the "A" story.

I've written about it elsewhere, but if I had the pencil, I'd take the title off Mox (and Swerve is a fantastic option this weekend) and send him home for a little. Then, you keep the Death Riders around and put PAC in the leadership role because, in terms of in-ring ability, he's gonna deliver the bangers on TV (vs. Ospreay, vs. Swerve, vs. Omega, vs. whoever) that is really AEW's bread-and-butter. Down the line, you bring back Mox and let the audience cheer for the guy again because, if MJF is "our scumbag," Moxley is kinda like "our idiot." He's a guy that the AEW fanbase wants to cheer and see do his act - even if that act is absurdly dangerous and stupid. He's likeable because, for all his bad ideas and sloppy work, for all the different ways he can make our eyes roll, I don't think anyone doubts his genuine passion for pro-wrestling and AEW. Its endearing. 

 

Yeah I agree, the Death Riders storyline is 'not the worst storyline in wrestling history'. That would be a ridiculous overstatement seemingly by somebody who’s missed out on a lot of wwe, wcw tna etc. I don't see this story  being anywhere near that conversation, but I also don't even dislike it. Austin/McMahon? As far as money metrics are concerned, you're gonna be hard pressed to find even a storyline you like that's anywhere near close to that. Call me crazy, but I'd rather watch another year of Death Riders than anything Cena did in WWE nor McMahon booked Danielson or the mostly corny Bloodline saga. The Death Riders story has never featured lame magic camera skits with hammy performances from the likes of Roman Reigns or an Uso. I don't remember lengthy drawn out Death Riders entrances followed by long winded nothing promos to get catchphrases in, but to each their own. I'll take consistently good Mox promos over that shit. Further, I have no issue with other storylines and characters challenging for the most important story. The package card is a feature of AEW that I love, and it’s not a new thing. It's wonderfully the antithesis of shitty McMahonland booking. This hasn't been the greatest story ever told in a Wrestling ring, but maybe part of the problem is expecting that. There seems to be a lot of holding on to shit that happened in the first month of this story. The show has moved on, and the build for this Swerve/Mox match has been pretty damn great. Very much looking forward to Sunday for many reasons - maybe Mox v Swerve the most. 

Edited April 3, 2025 by HarryArchieGus

[Technico Support]

As great as Austin-McMahon was, it also popularized the Heel Authority Figure, a blight on creativity that affected multiple promotions and that WWE is maybe only just now coming out of, 27ish years after it was first done.

Edited April 3, 2025 by Technico Support

[NikoBaltimore]

After thinking about it I'm passing on going to this and will do the Baltimore show instead.  The card looks good but it doesn't have that exciting part to make me want to pay more than I should on tickets, merch and everything else.  I know next week's Dynamite will be the after-effects of Dynasty but I'm sure we'll get Owen matches and it'll be tons cheaper.  I'm good for now but hope they do another PPV relatively nearby in the future.

Oh, and yes I'll have Dynasty on on Discord for those who want to hop in.

[Curt McGirt]

I think they might go with Swerve finally. It's time.

[The Natural]

2 minutes ago, NikoBaltimore said:

After thinking about it I'm passing on going to this and will do the Baltimore show instead.  The card looks good but it doesn't have that exciting part to make me want to pay more than I should on tickets, merch and everything else.  I know next week's Dynamite will be the after-effects of Dynasty but I'm sure we'll get Owen matches and it'll be tons cheaper.  I'm good for now but hope they do another PPV relatively nearby in the future.

Oh, and yes I'll have Dynasty on on Discord for those who want to hop in.

When's the Baltimore show, mate?

[NikoBaltimore]

This Wednesday coming up.

[The Natural]

21 minutes ago, NikoBaltimore said:

This Wednesday coming up.

Enjoy, mate. Thinking of you going there reminds me how kind you were to do the following for me:

https://deathvalleydriver.com/forum/uploads/monthly_2022_01/fa3zcg2.png.d864d3ac68bf82d1fd7dc5a93258c07a.png

Thank you, Nick. Thank you to AxB for the suggestion.

Edited April 3, 2025 by The Natural

[The Natural]

Predictions in bold:

FOR THE AEW CHAMPIONSHIP - Jon Moxley (c) vs. Swerve Strickland.

FOR THE AEW WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP - Timeless Toni Storm (c) vs. Megan Bayne.

TITLE VS. MASK MATCH FOR THE ROH CHAMPIONSHIP - Chris Jericho (c) vs. Bandido (mask).

THREE WAY MATCH FOR THE CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP - Kenny Omega (c) vs. Ricochet vs. "Speedball" Mike Bailey

NO TIME LIMIT OR OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE MATCH FOR THE TNT CHAMPIONSHIP - Daniel Garcia (c) vs. Adam Cole.

FOR THE AEW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - The Hurt Syndicate (Benjamin/Lashley (c) vs. The Learning Tree (Bill/Keith).

FOR THE TRIOS TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - Death Riders (PAC/Castagnoli/Yuta, (c) vs. Rated FTR (Harwood/Wheeler/Cope).

Mercedes Moné vs. Julia Hart.

Will Ospreay vs. Kevin Knight.

Edited April 4, 2025 by The Natural

[twiztor]

Swerve taking the title tonight is the right call IMO. while a longer build would have been preferable, what they've built up in 3 weeks has definitely worked. Swerve also thematically fits with the perceived storyline, with him escalating the violence over the last year plus.

[JLowe]

I will not be attending. I can’t, in principle, pay all the inflated fees Ticketmaster (and the venue and AEW) are charging. There is also the matter of the burgeoning recession and tariff inflation, which will drastically cut back if not totally eliminate any discretionary spending. 

[The Natural]

1 hour ago, twiztor said:

Swerve taking the title tonight is the right call IMO. while a longer build would have been preferable, what they've built up in 3 weeks has definitely worked. Swerve also thematically fits with the perceived storyline, with him escalating the violence over the last year plus.

I really hope I'm wrong but I think Jon Moxley retains. I think this Death Riders shit doesn't stop till All In which is three months away. Again, I'll be happy to be wrong on this score.

[The Natural]

6 minutes ago, JLowe said:

I will not be attending. I can’t, in principle, pay all the inflated fees Ticketmaster (and the venue and AEW) are charging. There is also the matter of the burgeoning recession and tariff inflation, which will drastically cut back if not totally eliminate any discretionary spending. 

Yeah, the world is fucked right now thanks to he who shan't be named. The cunt.

Edited April 6, 2025 by The Natural

[Go2Sleep]

Idk if it's good to book to current events, but Swerve winning would be a much needed feel-good moment for everyone right now. So many people have taken a big financial hit, or are expecting to and dreading the future that the least billionaire Tony Khan could do is not kick people spending their tenuous discretionary money in the dick with another interference heel win in a ppv main.

Fuck it, have Hangman come out to fight off the DR and shake hands with Swerve to end the show. Give people some joy in this world.

Edited April 6, 2025 by Go2Sleep

[JLowe]

16 minutes ago, Go2Sleep said:

Idk if it's good to book to current events, but Swerve winning would be a much needed feel-good moment for everyone right now. So many people have taken a big financial hit, or are expecting to and dreading the future that the least billionaire Tony Khan could do is not kick people spending their tenuous discretionary money in the dick with another interference heel win in a ppv main.

Fuck it, have Hangman come out to fight off the DR and shake hands with Swerve to end the show. Give people some joy in this world.

I agree with the first, but I love that Hangman and Swerve have both basically said straight up that they will do whatever to prevent the other from winning the World Championship. We need that kind of long-term angle and rivalry.

[HumanChessgame]

18 minutes ago, Go2Sleep said:

Idk if it's good to book to current events, but Swerve winning would be a much needed feel-good moment for everyone right now. So many people have taken a big financial hit, or are expecting to and dreading the future that the least billionaire Tony Khan could do is not kick people spending their tenuous discretionary money in the dick with another interference heel win in a ppv main.

Fuck it, have Hangman come out to fight off the DR and shake hands with Swerve to end the show. Give people some joy in this world.

When Swerve was getting beaten down right after his interaction with Page on Wednesday, I kept expecting Page to come back out to help. It makes more sense that they'd save that for the PPV as a way to continue the story for them. As much as Page doesn't want Swerve to win the belt, he also knows that if he wins the belt by taking it off Swerve instead of Moxley or something else, it will mean that much more.

[Go2Sleep]

I think it's pretty easy to book. Swerve/Hangman + 2 others vs Death Riders in Anarchy in the Arena. Hangman wins the Owen, then he and Swerve can go one more time on the biggest stage, not because they hate each other any more, but simply because they're the best two in the company.

[HarryArchieGus]

On 4/4/2025 at 4:37 AM, The Natural said:

Predictions in bold:

FOR THE AEW CHAMPIONSHIP - Jon Moxley (c) vs. Swerve Strickland.

FOR THE AEW WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP - Timeless Toni Storm (c) vs. Megan Bayne.

TITLE VS. MASK MATCH FOR THE ROH CHAMPIONSHIP - Chris Jericho (c) vs. Bandido (mask).

THREE WAY MATCH FOR THE CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP - Kenny Omega (c) vs. Ricochet vs. "Speedball" Mike Bailey

NO TIME LIMIT OR OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE MATCH FOR THE TNT CHAMPIONSHIP - Daniel Garcia (c) vs. Adam Cole.

FOR THE AEW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - The Hurt Syndicate (Benjamin/Lashley (c) vs. The Learning Tree (Bill/Keith).

FOR THE TRIOS TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - Death Riders (PAC/Castagnoli/Yuta, (c) vs. Rated FTR (Harwood/Wheeler/Cope).

Mercedes Moné vs. Julia Hart.

Will Ospreay vs. Kevin Knight.

I like Swerve over Mox, but I like even more that I'm not convinced either way. Part of me wants a Mox loss to relieve the hate on his top of the card run. Part of me also feels like this is the most ogranic heel reaction a Champion has gotten in AEW, and that it's a good thing. I'm okay either way.  

Toni over Bayne, but I'm not so certain they won't pull the trigger. 

Bandido over Jericho. I hope they have a good match. The angles have been a lot of fun. Side note: I am not looking forward to the goofy showdown spot. Hmmm, or maybe I am? 

I'm never a fan of first fall 3 way title matches as a concept, but I'm sucking that up and no doubt enjoying the shit out of Omega v Bailey v Ric. Omega wins. We have titles to unify dammit! 

I can't see Garcia losing after that sitdown with Cole on Collision. I'm just hoping for a helluva showing from both. Garcia heels his way out of this.

Hurts over Bill/Keith. Curious how MJF gets involved. One would think his involvement would cause the Hurts to lose. This is an interesting match. 

Stoked for Rated FTR v Death Riders. Tho the pacing of their title defenses has been a little too far apart at times, I've really liked the Claudio/Pac/Wheeler team. Cope continues to try and win the audience over, killing himself in the process. I'm really looking forward to the fall out, but the match is a total darkhorse. 

I think I'm with the Natural on Mercedes over Julia, but I get this sense that they could have Athena/Mercedes knock each other out of the tournament with shenanigans. This of course if it's a non-title match - do we know? 

Ospreay's win is not in question, but can he pull a Will Ospreay PPV match out of young Kev? I'm hoping he does. 

 

[tbarrie]

58 minutes ago, HarryArchieGus said:

I think I'm with the Natural on Mercedes over Julia, but I get this sense that they could have Athena/Mercedes knock each other out of the tournament with shenanigans. This of course if it's a non-title match - do we know? 

I'm not aware of their having advertised it as anything but a first-round Owen Cup match. So presumably it's non-title.

[Casey]

6 hours ago, Go2Sleep said:

Idk if it's good to book to current events, but Swerve winning would be a much needed feel-good moment for everyone right now. So many people have taken a big financial hit, or are expecting to and dreading the future that the least billionaire Tony Khan could do is not kick people spending their tenuous discretionary money in the dick with another interference heel win in a ppv main.

Fuck it, have Hangman come out to fight off the DR and shake hands with Swerve to end the show. Give people some joy in this world.

I don't see that happening - I don't want this to happen, as I think it's way too early for both to be friendly or whatever, but - I can see Mox retaining, Death Riders beatdown, and Hangman comes out for the save. I wouldn't have them shake hands because that's too far and too early right now.

But I still like my idea of Hangman ALMOST coming to help Swerve, but doesn't, and Swerve loses.