Johnny Sorrow Posted April 25 Posted April 25 I think it's incredibly sweet of them to have hired Black just so they could fire him and his wife together. Who says corporations aren't romantic? 1 7
Ryback Hates Bullies Posted April 25 Posted April 25 I'm enough of a petty AEW fan that I still kind of think it's funny. In all seriousness I'd be more than ok with seeing him brought back on a short-term deal to do something with King and Matthews...and then see how he goes. I don't watch really, but basically his final appearance was 'Sami, Sami, Sami'?? That's nuts.
DreamBroken Posted April 25 Posted April 25 (edited) One year ago, Aleister Black returned and Zelina Vega won the Women's US title on the post-WM Smackdown and now this just a year later. Crazy. PWInsider had talked about Black/Orton being an original WM plan at one point. When Gargano/Ciampa drove me away from NXT for a few years, it was Zoey Stark & Alba Fyre that got me back into it, so I'm most sad to see them both go, especially Zoey after that horrible injury and not getting to comeback. I hope both thrive elsewhere as they're still just 32-33. Surprised Santos Escobar is gone after almost being gone last year and then didn't he get injured again recently. Honestly thought Uncle Howdy would be kept around as almost a lifer just to keep that tie to Bray. Kairi probably most shocking since she was actively on TV weekly and just pinned IYO a couple weeks ago. Also surprised to see they gave up on Tyra Mae Steele so quick. I lost interest in keeping up with LFG after the first season, but thought she was an easy standout then that deserved her win. Edited April 25 by DreamBroken
Technico Support Posted April 25 Posted April 25 (edited) 11 hours ago, Casey said: Can’t wait for Malakai to come back to AEW and suddenly start having back issues. It’s a strange malady that only affects wrestlers, where some just can’t be on their backs for more than two seconds. I should ask my orthopedic doctor about it, maybe there are scholarly articles on it. 10 hours ago, hammerva said: According to Zelina she was released by TKO and not the WWE. Ah yes, the 2026 version of “Vince loved me, but that goddamn JR/Johnny/Bruce/etc…” 5 hours ago, Ryback Hates Bullies said: In all seriousness I'd be more than ok with seeing him brought back on a short-term deal to do something with King and Matthews...and then see how he goes. No way. Brody is doing great now and the last thing he needs is to be second banana in the Spooky Time Friends again. Edited April 25 by Technico Support 2 1
just drew Posted April 25 Posted April 25 1 hour ago, Technico Support said: It’s a strange malady that only affects wrestlers, where some just can’t be on their backs for more than two seconds. I should ask my orthopedic doctor about it, maybe there are scholarly articles on it. Ah yes, the 2026 version of “Vince loved me, but that goddamn JR/Johnny/Bruce/etc…” No way. Brody is doing great now and the last thing he needs is to be second banana in the Spooky Time Friends again. If they were to bring Black back, he should cost King a big match and be a big program. 1
The Natural Posted April 25 Posted April 25 Said this before so I'm not knocking a man when he's down but I've never got Aleister Black/Malakai Black. He's never done anything for me.
The Natural Posted April 25 Posted April 25 Kairi Sane is the most painful one. Fucking sucks we'll never get the Asuka vs. Kairi Sane payoff. Glad I got to see her at a house show.
The Natural Posted April 25 Posted April 25 There are wrestlers I don't like but I'd never wish them to lose their livelihoods.
The Natural Posted April 25 Posted April 25 12 hours ago, hammerva said: Amazing Luca tried to reinvent himself in that goofy CJ Parker/Adam Rose rip off and didn't even make it a month I dont feel too bad for MCMG because I feel like they were just there to say they went to the WWE and Wrestlemania. I dont think he was seeing this as a future. The person who probably should be worried is Johnny Gargano because now he is back at just "depressed guy who planks a lot" MCMG didn't have a WrestleMania match, their TLC match vs. DIY vs. Streets Profits was stupidly pulled from WrestleMania 41 when it needed another great match. It was on the post WrestleMania 41 Smackdown. I think Johnny Gargano possibly naively will be safe from his NXT run primarily and seems like he is a Triple H guy. Again I might be talking shit.
stuntmanc Posted April 25 Posted April 25 I hope everyone released finds another gig ASAP, as that sucks to see people lose their jobs, especially when the company releasing them is making money hand over fist. Kairi and the MCMG are ones I would want in AEW immediately. 2
Swift Posted April 25 Posted April 25 Shocked by the Kairi release (and saddened too as she was one of my favourites). I was just thinking recently that they could get a huge pop out of re-running the Virgil/DiBiase storyline but guess not.
Technico Support Posted April 25 Posted April 25 2 hours ago, The Natural said: Said this before so I'm not knocking a man when he's down but I've never got Aleister Black/Malakai Black. He's never done anything for me. He was great as Tommy End, badass Dutch kickboxer who had a slight occult bent that was never outright expressed. When all the occult stuff became explicit, it got lame. 2 hours ago, stuntmanc said: I hope everyone released finds another gig ASAP, as that sucks to see people lose their jobs, especially when the company releasing them is making money hand over fist. Kairi and the MCMG are ones I would want in AEW immediately. I’d say no to the MCMG. They already have The Rascals, who are just MCMG with like 15 fewer years of wear and tear. 2 1
Craig H Posted April 25 Posted April 25 SIGN KAIRI. Only other I’d sign are the MCMGs. Since it sounds like Christian may be out for up to 9 months, pivoting to MCMGs dethroning FTR wouldn’t be the worst idea. Fuck everyone else, kindly though in a sorry we’re full kind of way, except Black. This fucking guy. I loved Tommy End. I wasn’t thrilled with the spooky perverts shit he started in AEW but I was ultimately fine with it. The problem is that gimmicks like that rarely work at the top and if they do it’s not for long. Taker is the gold standard. But spraying mist on dudes to convert them to the dark side is TNA as fuck. This was a guy who kept saying his back was in such bad shape that he couldn’t wrestle and when he would, it would mostly be wins. Dude has Rusev-itis where it’s pretty clear he didn’t want to do jobs or thought he was above doing them. And then to pout and drag your feet to go back to WWE, a place that used you like shit before and was going to discard you again as soon as it made monetary sense? Yeah, fuck all that. Plus, Brody got over on his own as a singles star and was a better tag star with Bandido. I don’t want Black fucking that up. If he comes back and wants to play ball like Andrade and is actually motivated, then sure but it needs to be with conditions in place. No more spooky perverts supernatural shit. None of this refusing to job shit. You’re Tommy End, you get the programs you get, and that’s that. And if Zelina comes with him or if that’s a way to get him to play ball, then fine. Use her in ROH or something. Better yet, Andrade looks primed to break away from the DCF. This is the best he’s been in ring since, well, ever since signing with WWE/NXT. This is the most charismatic he’s been. If he’s breaking away from Don then he’ll need a mouthpiece. People forget that Zelina was praised as being Paul Heyman like on the mic and drawing heat for Andrade in NXT. It took him forever to get that over again. I think she would only help as being his mouthpiece. Otherwise, just sign Kairi and maybe the MCMGs and no one else. 1
The Natural Posted April 25 Posted April 25 10 minutes ago, Technico Support said: He was great as Tommy End, badass Dutch kickboxer who had a slight occult bent that was never outright expressed. When all the occult stuff became explicit, it got lame. I’d say no to the MCMG. They already have The Rascals, who are just MCMG with like 15 fewer years of wear and tear. I never liked him as Tommy End either.
Craig H Posted April 25 Posted April 25 (edited) By the way, I’m glad people are finally seeing or thinking that, yes, no one pulling the levers actually gave a shit about Bray and used his death as a way to cash in on his name. If they gave a fuck about him then he wouldn’t have been jerked around so much despite being over, being put garbage gimmicks, not using him, doing all of this “we’re trying to find the right storyline for him” bullshit You wasted so much of his career and then cynically cashed in on his death. Jojo Offerman singing Swerve to the ring with the fireflies in the background is a better tribute to the man than anything WWE lazily cooked up. As for the the Wyatt Sicks, it would be expensive to sign all of them, but they seem like a perfect fit in TNA which has always been spook central for wrestling. And I don’t know a thing about JCW, but Russo seems like he’d have fun booking that crew. Edited April 25 by Craig H 1
The Natural Posted April 25 Posted April 25 Definitely sign Kairi Sane to AEW. She's easily my first pick. I'd sign MCMG to AEW as well. I certainly wouldn't be bringing Black back. Check that iteration out! 1
The Natural Posted April 25 Posted April 25 1 hour ago, AxB said: AEW have a Dynamite in Detroit, in 96 days time. Destiny!
SturmCRF Posted April 25 Posted April 25 Was there ever a report on why AEW didn't sign Kairi the first time she was released, as far as whether she was holding out for WWE, or Tony Khan didn't rate her? Would love to see her in AEW if possible. Definitely MCMGs, as the tag division still needs fresh blood, and I'd have Tommy End back too. I enjoy most of what I've ever seen from him in ring, just needs to tone down the silliness, and never do anything like the finish of that Adam Cole match ever again. Add Zoey Stark and maybe Uhaa Crews to the TK shopping list too.
HarryArchieGus Posted April 25 Posted April 25 40 minutes ago, Technico Support said: He was great as Tommy End, badass Dutch kickboxer who had a slight occult bent that was never outright expressed. When all the occult stuff became explicit, it got lame. I’d say no to the MCMG. They already have The Rascals, who are just MCMG with like 15 fewer years of wear and tear. Totally disagree with the MCMG being the same as the Rascals. I was stoked about the possibiity of Shelly/Sabin coming in off their awesome last TNA run. Very much hoping to see MCMG in AEW. I never saw 'Tommy End-Dutch Kickboxer' with Occult leanings, but that sounds pretty great. I could see him coming back and doing well, but I'm not quick to forget his last run with mostly awful promos and as a placeholder with a reputation for not wanting to do jobs. I don't like the msg it's sends about using AEW. I've never been a fan of his wife Zelina's in ring, but I have heard she was a good mouthpiece for Andrade. That said, I like Andrade with Don just fine. I prefer the current role to an old WWE pairing with Vega, especially considering what a run he's on now. I've seen very little of Kairi Sane. I trust that ppl saying 'sign her' have a better read, but the very little I saw of her in WWE was not particulary strong. A lot of blown spots. The Wyatts seem like a clear no, but Erick Rowan was very good in his previous AEW appearences. Maybe there's something for him. I'd be into Nikki Cross being brought in sans nutty gimmick.
Lawful Metal Posted April 25 Posted April 25 I enjoyed Aleister's run in NXT, and still rate the Velveteen / Aleister feud very highly. His matches with Gargano and Adam Cole and Andrade were all fantastic. His main roster tag team with Ricochet was the most I ever enjoyed either of them on the main roster. Thought House of Black was pretty cool but it was obvious he had no interest in singles or possibly losing kinda lost the edge. It was also pretty obvious he either didn't care or didn't put in any effort and was carried by Brody and Buddy. and the stupid spooky promos made all four of them bad promos. Keep it simple. Kick people in the face. It can work, but he's got to be stopped from his worst tendencies. Bring back Oogentroost as entrance music 2
Super Ape Posted April 25 Posted April 25 I’m usually skeptical about WWE cuts and where they fit in elsewhere, but I do hope MCMG gets the Lifetime Achievement run in AEW (tag titles optional) and gets some matches with FTR/Death Riders/The Bucks before Alex Shelley goes to school for his DPT and becomes the next Crowbar. I don’t see where the Sicks go aside from maybe Gacy. Rowan and Lumis are on the wrong side of 40 and probably don’t want to test the indie scene. Bo was already nine toes out the door on the business before Bray came back and unfortunately passed away. Nikki Cross collected WWE mailbox money while in grad school and would probably be content in a library. Unfortunately the business is a lot less friendly to WWE cuts than it was even five years ago, never mind 10 or 20. There are much fewer places to go that would be worth the work. 2
Jamal Posted April 25 Posted April 25 If I were Tony, I would bring in Kay Lee Ray to reunite with Isla Dawn but that's because the world needs more witches.
Eivion Posted April 25 Posted April 25 1 hour ago, SturmCRF said: Was there ever a report on why AEW didn't sign Kairi the first time she was released, as far as whether she was holding out for WWE, or Tony Khan didn't rate her? She was still in WWE for a decent bit of the pandemic and then signed to Stardom when her contract ended.
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