JLowe Posted April 10 Posted April 10 22 hours ago, tbarrie said: Nothing against Tommaso Ciampa, but I really would have preferred to see Mascara Dorado pick up the win. The CMLL guys in general job too often in AEW. I have lots against Tomasso Ciampa, and I also agree with you in general. 1 1
JLowe Posted April 10 Posted April 10 United Empire was immediately cooler and more interesting than (not War) Dogs. Can we do a swapsies? I mean, the Italian guy did botch a fair amount in the actual match but goddamn Henare looked badass and Callum Newman was Ospreay Jr (note I say this without having ever seen any of them before this show). Also Alex Windsaaahh looked cooler as part of this than Brawling Birds (who I also like). Glad to have Aminata back, she’s not afraid to get weird and stiff with it. There is a ton of potential in the women’s division and they need to do a little more with it. Jericho talking the talk, can he walk the walk? I liked this segment, letting the leash out a little. Ricochet is a good first feud. The promo packages for Kenny and MJF were great. The closing segment…not so much. Kenny is not a good promo. I don’t remember the rest right now, other than ready for the Cage and Cope memorial run so we can move on with the tag division, and they better get someone new and interesting with the TNT title to replace the Protostar because Ciampa ain’t it. 3
Shartnado Posted April 10 Posted April 10 Kenny, that is not how you pronounce "annals of time", but do carry on! 1 1 5
Craig H Posted April 10 Posted April 10 I didn't get to watch Dynamite right away this week so when I did, I had a good laugh at Ricochet's punishment for his MS tweet being sucked into the Jericho Vortex. I didn't really have an issue with Omega's promo. He's fine. He's also not going to win so it's kind of like whatever. That's why I really wanted a more unpredictable world title scene this year even if just for a year. I still like AEW a ton, but man, the world title scene whenever a heel has the title gets stale as fuck. TK is so set in his ways with these long as fuck title runs to build up to a babyface winning it and having their big moment and it just makes every world title match completely predictable and boring. It's clear at this point that this is Darby's year so MJF is going to hold the title for who the fuck knows how long and they'll do the big build to Darby finally winning the big one. But I'm also over Darby. He doesn't do anything for me at this point. Skinny runt that gets fucked up and mauled on a weekly basis only to get back up and get mauled again isn't really interesting anymore. Had they gone with a more unpredictable title scene at the top this year then you would be more inclined to get more invested in a title match on Dynamite because who knows, the title just might change hands. Instead it's going to be the status quo for months and months. Plus, now we're starting to get into Forbidden Door season, which aside from the post-PPV Dynamites, is the most uninteresting booking of the year.
Technico Support Posted April 10 Posted April 10 9 hours ago, JLowe said: promo packages for Kenny and MJF were great. The closing segment…not so much. Kenny is not a good promo. 5 hours ago, Shartnado said: Kenny, that is not how you pronounce "annals of time", but do carry on! If you've ever heard Kenny just speak in a normal situation, like the handful of times he's been interviewed by Meltzer, he sounds normal. But then he goes out on TV and cuts promos like an alien trying to pass as a human. Maybe it's from working Japan so long? I've read something to the effect of, "Kenny cuts promos for people whose only exposure to English is anime." 1 3
Yo-Yo's Roomie Posted April 10 Posted April 10 Kenny is one of the last people you want to hand a mic to to go out and hard sell a pay-per-view. That whole segment was painful to watch. But then again, I think this whole programme between Kenny and MJF has been a misfire. They're really trying to sell it as some sort of epic confrontation, and it's just coming off to me as forced, especially the way they've shoehorned in this "Devil Vs God of Pro Wrestling" shit. Very clunky. 6-man tag was really fun. That's pretty much the best use of the Callis family and just about the best combo of the family for that kind of match (maybe switch out Takeshita for Clon). I also enjoyed the Willow/Aminata match. Ospreay really is one of the worst to ever do it. He looks even worse in contrast to the Death Riders, who just ooze aura and badassery. They need to get Eddie Kingston back involved in big storylines on the main show. I think we're missing that unique flavour he brings. 2
Shartnado Posted April 10 Posted April 10 3 hours ago, Technico Support said: "Kenny cuts promos for people whose only exposure to English is anime." By the sound of things, more like hentai, in this particular case! 3
Shartnado Posted April 10 Posted April 10 But more about the show in general: I'm pretty sure Prickochet is one of the workers who can get something worthwhile out of Jericho in-ring as we all have seen that when Jericho has something to prove, he will still go as hard as he can! Really sucks for Fletcher, but Callis claiming he was on the death's door was pretty hefty bullshit! The Trios match was excellent once again, glad I could step... I mean see Bandido step in for Brody. The Gauntlet is always exciting and as per my hope at the actual Dynasty thread, in this scenario, the Buddy Matthews return wouldn't exactly be super out of place! It's good that Ospreay has friends, too! I mean he had to get them from Japan, but still! Ospreay winning here puts some mystery on the result of the PPV match. But he has mentioned 20 minutes twice now, eventhough the PPV time limit should be 60, so maybe that is foreshadowing?
HarryArchieGus Posted April 10 Posted April 10 (edited) 18 hours ago, caley said: My favourite recurring trope in this feud is Kenny Omega saying "The god of pro wrestling, this is not something I called myself..." but in the preceding video package they clearly show Kenny from a few years back going "I am the god of pro wrestling." Also, Kenny's line about how he can't "Tell a story in the ring using just physical action" ventured very deep into "I am a better actor in this fake sport than you, Kenneth!" territory. So true. He’s been fine in taped promos, but even the recent pre-tapes have been very weak. Still, looking forward to what will no doubt be an outstanding match despite the bad promos and oversell. 4 hours ago, Yo-Yo's Roomie said: Ospreay really is one of the worst to ever do it. He looks even worse in contrast to the Death Riders, who just ooze aura and badassery. They need to get Eddie Kingston back involved in big storylines on the main show. I think we're missing that unique flavour he brings. I suspect Kingston has chosen to work the undercard and ROH for a reason, and I assume it has something to do with the injury he came back from? Not to say I disagree. I do however kinda think maybe Ospreay is not ‘the worst to ever do it.’ I even think he might be the best (or at least my favorite) to do it in 2026. That comment is based on his obvious incredible in ring talent, fun mic work, and consistently exciting matches. Maybe I’m missing something tho. Edited April 10 by HarryArchieGus 3
Technico Support Posted April 10 Posted April 10 I've never seen Callum Newman before and holy fuck he's underwhelming. At the very least, he and Akira should wear different gear so they don't just look like the lab failed at cloning Ospreay.
Zimbra Posted April 10 Posted April 10 4 minutes ago, Technico Support said: I've never seen Callum Newman before and holy fuck he's underwhelming. At the very least, he and Akira should wear different gear so they don't just look like the lab failed at cloning Ospreay. He and the other white guy from UE both kinda look like they star in the Universal Studios Will Ospreay Stunt Spectacular 8
Technico Support Posted April 10 Posted April 10 12 minutes ago, Zimbra said: He and the other white guy from UE both kinda look like they star in the Universal Studios Will Ospreay Stunt Spectacular That’s tremendous! If this ends up with Don Callis telling the B level members of the family to kidnap Ospreay, and they nab one of these guys accidentally instead, all is forgiven. YOU IDIOTS! YOU CAPTURED HIS STUNT DOUBLE! 5
SovietShooter Posted April 10 Posted April 10 What are the odds Newman turns on Ospreay at Dynasty, to set up a match in NJPW? 1
JLowe Posted April 10 Posted April 10 Guess I’m the only one who thought the new UE were good other than the Italian junior guy botching stuff. Way better than The Dogs.
HarryArchieGus Posted April 11 Posted April 11 5 hours ago, JLowe said: Guess I’m the only one who thought the new UE were good other than the Italian junior guy botching stuff. Way better than The Dogs. I don't know that you really get to know any particular wrestler thrown on TV in a busy trios match. Not to say there isn't some truth to Callum Newman being less than IWGP Champion level impressive. Was Akira botching spots or were tables just not breaking? I'm interested in the UE NJPW guys, but I think the Dogs, despite their name, have been far better than the vocal hate. That said, I'm not so sure the loathing is about the on camera work.
Shartnado Posted April 11 Posted April 11 8 hours ago, Technico Support said: I've never seen Callum Newman before and holy fuck he's underwhelming. At the very least, he and Akira should wear different gear so they don't just look like the lab failed at cloning Ospreay. In Akira's case, it seems like they forgot to refill the 3D printer and were about to run out of material and had to hastily scale down! 6
Technico Support Posted April 11 Posted April 11 (edited) 12 hours ago, JLowe said: Guess I’m the only one who thought the new UE were good other than the Italian junior guy botching stuff. Way better than The Dogs. Oh no, even with the genericness of Newman and Akira, I still prefer them to the Dogs based on: Henare Presentation as top guys The fact that I just spent 5 minutes trying to remember Finlay, who is somehow more generic than Newman. Edited April 11 by Technico Support 1 1
HarryArchieGus Posted April 11 Posted April 11 2 hours ago, Technico Support said: Oh no, even with the genericness of Newman and Akira, I still prefer them to the Dogs based on: Henare Presentation as top guys The fact that I just spent 5 minutes trying to remember Finlay, who is somehow more generic than Newman. Generic is definitely a tag Finlay's been saddled with from many, and it's been true thru much of his development. Not to overstate it, but the last portion of his NJPW run showed some much needed character, and that seems to have carried over to AEW. I like how he carries himself and his mic work has been pretty solid. It suggests to me that he might actually get really good at it. Were the Dogs being presented as top guys? More like upper midcard with a goal to advance Darby towards the title. I can understand an initial reaction to Callum Newman being generic, especially with the IWGP belt in hand, but that dude is 23 years old and really solid to good for his age and experience. A lot of potential. 2
Curt McGirt Posted April 11 Posted April 11 13 hours ago, HarryArchieGus said: Was Akira botching spots or were tables just not breaking? Maffew Botchamania posted the clip, so I saw it. I think the table would have broke on the second splash, but it looked like he didn't make full contact and just skidded off dude's body onto the floor. Gonna watch and review sometime today 1
Curt McGirt Posted April 11 Posted April 11 - Callum is a tall fucker. Henare has hair like I used to, which grew out into a mullet (I hadn't recognized it until a fellow employee laughingly said "Nice mullet" while walking past at work. Promptly rushed for the clippers). - Callis mentioning the Bulls feud was a very nice touch. Also, you gotta love any time a wrestler points at their head like they're too smart. It's just a beautiful little touch of arrogance. God I love Perry getting elbowed right out of the sky and just pinning there. An inspired Andrade is quite the worker; I'm not sure if he's the best wrestler in the world like Darby says but whatever. Meanwhile Darby only takes one insane bump, but Andrade stands up again by pointing at the sign in mockery of a WWE wrestler and kicks Darb right in the junk. Wotta guy. God, how long are we gonna draw out Takeshita vs. Okada? - I WANNA TALK TO SAMPSON - Queen Aminata's back! Yeah! Hikaru Shida's back! Uhhh. She's standing out in the corner (it would be "in the shadows" but they have a fucking spotlight on her) looking upset so maybe we got a heel turn. It would be something she hasn't done before by my estimation and something I'd actually like to see. Aminata is a bit big on the boo-boo face tonight. This felt pretty sloppy and was hurt by the long commercial break too. Maybe next time. - Why would Adult Swim get rid of the only good show they've done in years? Dummies. Anyway, Ciampa is a fine base and Dorada works his pace. They actually got me to watch through the ads. The dropkick to the face followed by the powerbomb on the knees was brutal. That skinny ol' knee of Ciampa's hitting you in the face looks like someone swinging a tibia at you like a golf club. - The Thekla promo is GREAT. I refuse to listen to any of the rest of the talkies. - What kind of name is Francesco Akira? No matter, the Riders kill him in the corner. Then Henare gets absolutely destroyed with the brainbuster through the table, good god. Claudio has been a beast for so long it's ridiculous. I was reading a review on Segunda from 2014 talking about him pulling off shit like this with Danielson when they were both under two totally different names in a different federation... and certain people were still alive... Anyway. Akira did overshoot the (I am the) table but it just fit the chaos of the moment. The final table bump was so brutal that the immediate pin was perfect. This was really high quality team brawling that hit a crescendo you don't get too often. I got absolutely no sense of Newman, but whatever. 3
JLowe Posted April 11 Posted April 11 14 hours ago, HarryArchieGus said: I don't know that you really get to know any particular wrestler thrown on TV in a busy trios match. Not to say there isn't some truth to Callum Newman being less than IWGP Champion level impressive. Was Akira botching spots or were tables just not breaking? I'm interested in the UE NJPW guys, but I think the Dogs, despite their name, have been far better than the vocal hate. That said, I'm not so sure the loathing is about the on camera work. Akira way overshot on his top rope to table splash which is why the table didn’t break and he also almost busted his face. And I do like how Clark Connors wrestles. 1
Teflon Turtle Posted April 11 Posted April 11 (edited) While I think a lot of the UE comments above are funny (I wouldn't be opposed to the "you kidnapped the wrong guy!" thing actually happening), this is probably about as spicy as I'm ever gonna get on this board: I find the criticism of guys in the same faction dressing/looking similar to be a bit strange. Has anybody ever fired up a 90s Nitro comp and wondered aloud why all the guys in the New World Order are wearing the same t-shirt? Watched 90s WWF and said "it's off-putting how most of the wrestlers in DX are wearing black and neon green?" That said, I will agree about the Ospreay similarities from a different angle: billing Callum as heir-apparent to Ospreay in NJPW and AEW is doing him no favors. He's gifted the Oscutter, OK, cool. Problem is, Newman's version doesn't look as good as Will's (to the extent that it's a good move in the first place). Nobody wants to hear a cover song that isn't as good as the original, I don't think. Doesn't matter if Will was a mentor. He has laid off of it in New Japan as he's turned heel, but here he is with it again. Callum is still super-young, hasn't really found his "voice" yet. Forcing comparisons to Ospreay and Prince Devitt as New Japan has done ad nauseam (or putting him in that mold when wrestling in AEW) isn't gonna help his development, and isn't gonna help him get over in North America. We already have Will Ospreay and Finn Balor at home, as the saying goes. Then again, that's probably just being done this time to set up the turn, as mentioned above and discussed in other threads. I suck at math and have no statistics background, so I'll just say the odds of a turn happening are hovering around "somewhere quite significant." EDIT: I forgot to mention those of you who talked about Claudio above. I went back again and watched some clips, and Claudio catching Henare like that and marching him around is one of the damnedest things I've seen in a while. It seems like a lot of the guys in New Japan have a tough time maneuvering him around even with cooperation (with one particularly frightening bump happening in the G1 against Mikey Nicholls a few years back), and Claudio caught and lifted him like he was no heavier than Darby. Crazy. Edited April 11 by Teflon Turtle 4
SovietShooter Posted April 11 Posted April 11 Claudio might be the strongest dude I've ever seen in a wrestling ring. I mean, I'm sure there are guys that could bench more, or whatever strongman feat you want them to perform... but Claudio just has that legitimate natural brute "John Henry" strength that you can't quantify. 5
SovietShooter Posted April 12 Posted April 12 I think Coach TK took my suggestion... https://deathvalleydriver.com/forum/index.php?/topic/11688-aew-tv-34-3102026-walking-into-toxic-spiderwebs/page/2/#findComment-1471484 1 1
The Green Meanie Posted April 12 Posted April 12 I find it hilarious that the Bucks both performed the exact same hold, but managed to do it completely different from each other.
Recommended Posts