Raging Justice wrote: ↑Tue Apr 23, 2024 2:24 pm
It's fun to contrast Ospreay/Bryan with Okada/Pac. Ospreay/Bryan was very modern. Spot heavy, crazy athleticism, finishers being used multiple times as the opponent kicks out of them, some no selling.
That's actually an interesting write up you did there. I hadn't really considered the comparison, but you're spot on. Okada's matches are very methodical.
I am just listening to this interesting podcast talking about the PR differences between WWE and AEW, and a general discussion on the wresting media and popular talking heads https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKUdSgsL5PU
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I didn't know those guys had a youtube channel, I might check it out. I saw a few comments on the video referencing how everyone criticizes and piles on AEW right now, like somehow things have reversed from a few years ago and now the perception is that AEW is the shit company. I still maintain that the downturn in perception towards AEW began when Cody left, and was exacerbated by CM Punk imploding. It's one of the reasons I hate those two guys so much. They both stabbed Tony Kahn, AEW, and the AEW fans in the back and the company has suffered from it ever since. It's also annoying how criticizing Cody in any way always gets the response of, "It's just bitter AEW fans, Cody is perfection and the greatest wrestler of all time"
Cody, in more ways than one, has contributed greatly to the negative way people perceive AEW. Pointing out any of his flaws just makes us "bitter AEW fans" who are jealous of his success because we hate WWE. That's the narrative now, and that narrative also includes, "Cody didn't succeed in AEW because it's a shitty promotion. His success in WWE proves this". Never mind the fact that Cody was treated like crap in WWE before he left, and the only reason he got the biggest push in the company when he returned, was because of his connection to AEW. They are basically just using him, but he doesn't care because it benefits him.
AEW was perceived as, "One big happy family"...until Cody left, and then CM Punk's issues just reinforced the idea that things had broken down behind the scenes.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, "Fuck you Cody"
Now, there are other problems too, most notably Tony Kahn's immaturity, poor decision making, and lack of leadership. However, I think people were more willing to give Tony a pass on a lot of things in the past, but after Punk made him look like such a bitch, fans lost respect for Tony and so did the press, and many people on the roster as well as we saw a lot of AEW wrestlers start acting up and stepping out of line after seeing Punk get away with it. Many people now believe that Cody leaving was also somehow because of Tony Kahn. Those two have seriously damaged his reputation despite the fact that he seemed to be willing to do whatever they wanted. Cody was basically allowed to book his own stuff, and so was Punk after Collision was created. Ingrates.
It's interesting how some wrestling sites and channels are defending Jericho from the hate he's getting from live crowds or at least saying, "Hey, let's give him a chance and see where this new heel persona of his goes". Meanwhile, it wasn't that long ago that all of them crucified him when some random woman made sexual accusations against him.
People are fickle and have short memories. I bet if Jericho busted out his Judas theme next Wednesday, immediately everyone in the building would love him again
The hate Jericho got after those accusations sadly shows that our culture has shifted into a "guilty until proven innocent" mentality
My last post, that's three in row, I need to get some sleep. I was just thinking though, a lot of people thought Ospreay and Takeshita had a five star classic, so does that put Ospreay/Bryan in the six star category? I don't actually care (or even know) what Metlzer rated it, I'm just talking about general perception. I think people calling it the greatest match on US soil is a bit extreme, especially since LITERALLY NO ONE saying this has actually seen EVERY SINGLE MATCH ON US SOIL.
It's a silly comment to make, but the match was goddamn amazing though
Yeah, I wouldn't say it's the greatest match ever on American soil. I don't know if it is or isn't, but it's one of my favourite matches I have seen in recent memory.
Dave's ratings got kind of silly once he started going above 5 stars. I always thought the hate he got for reviewing matches was over the top though. I still do actually, even though I think his ratings got pretty wack in recent years. He gave Cody vs Roman II at Mania 4.75 stars and got so much hate online for it. 4.75 is a great rating, but people somehow think he's throwing shade by not giving 5 stars. That's just ridiculous. If anything, I think 4.75 is generous.
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Raging Justice wrote: ↑Wed Apr 24, 2024 12:05 am
It's interesting how some wrestling sites and channels are defending Jericho from the hate he's getting from live crowds or at least saying, "Hey, let's give him a chance and see where this new heel persona of his goes". Meanwhile, it wasn't that long ago that all of them crucified him when some random woman made sexual accusations against him.
People are fickle and have short memories. I bet if Jericho busted out his Judas theme next Wednesday, immediately everyone in the building would love him again
The hate Jericho got after those accusations sadly shows that our culture has shifted into a "guilty until proven innocent" mentality
I don't know where Jericho is going with this. I have seen a few people defending him, suggesting people should wait and let this play out to see where the story goes.
At the moment though, he has made a few posts online being really obnoxiously over the top and gracious for the "fan support", knowing full well he is getting a ton of hate. I just don't quite get it yet. He's booked for a segment on Dynamite tonight.
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One of the reasons I don't like the, "greatest match ever in the US" comments is because there are tons of amazing matches that take place every year in indie promotions that people don't know about
PWG has probably had a few matches that could compete with Ospreay/Bryan.
I still loved the match though, and I think it's incredible that Ospreay already has two match of the year contenders. What he's brought out of Takeshita and Bryan in those matches is incredible too. They stepped up their game, though we all knew that both guys were capable of doing so
Raging Justice wrote: ↑Wed Apr 24, 2024 12:05 am
The hate Jericho got after those accusations sadly shows that our culture has shifted into a "guilty until proven innocent" mentality
This right here gets into territory that is verboten on the forums. Please keep the wrasslin’ talk to wrasslin’ and not social speculation. Thx!
Mina Shirakawa looked great in the ring, The AEW fans seem to be warming up to her. I'm not really into the angle they are doing with her and Mariah May, and I can't stand Toni Storm, but the match was solid. Anna Jay gets a lot of shit online, like pretty much everything in AEW these days, but she is by no means a terrible wrestler. I think a little excursion to Stardom could do her some good though, a lot of people seem to want to see that happen. I like her post match attack. Her being a heel actually makes sense. Like if you look at everything that's happened to her in AEW, this feels like the logical spot for her character to be in. It was a nice surprise to see Sereena Deeb...too bad we couldn't hear anything she was saying. I hope AEW puts more effort into getting Mina Shirakawa over. There's plenty of solid talent for her to feud with once she takes Toni Storm's title. Toni is holding down a division that is gradually getting more and more interesting.
You know why I hate Storm's gimmick so much? I mean, there are several reasons which I have pointed out already before, but I think underneath it all what really drives me nuts about it is the simple fact that it shows that Tony Kahn doesn't take women's wrestling seriously. Let me ask you this. Do you really think AEW would ever have a male wrestler with that kind of gimmick hold the world title? Think about that honestly for a second, and then think about all of the men who HAVE held the world title, or even the TNT title, and you'll see why I can't stand Timeless Toni Storm. That crap wouldn't fly in the men's division. Sure Cassidy is silly, but he doesn't play a character who is completely bonkers and he doesn't force AEW to do fourth wall breaking nonsense like the camera constantly going back and forth from color to black and white.
I remember one time when R Truth feuded with John Cena for a few weeks over a world title and they had a PPV title match. The match itself sucked with a horrible finish that completely buried R Truth, but the point I'm trying to make is that for the weeks leading up to that PPV R Truth changed. He was no longer a goofy, delusional, comedy character. He became a crazy, scary dude who was all business. After he got buried at the PPV by Cena (like most people who have had PPV matches with Cena) he eventually went back to the silly goofball we see today who never ever even came close enough to sniff a world title again.
The Casino Gauntlet match was awesome. We actually got to see Jay White and Will Ospreay in the ring, a tease for things to come somewhere down the road.
The Willow/Mercedes segment was pretty good. Mercedes is definitely heel, but one with logical motivation. She's got beef with Willow that's understandable and it's nice that they are leaning into that tournament for the first ever women's strong title and the history there. If Mercedes beats Willow, her first challenger should be Stephanie Vacquer, assuming they don't do a returning Britt Baker or Jamie Hayter (with Britt and Rebel). If AEW actually did some video packages and one or two Dynamite matches involving Stephanie, they could actually make people care about a match between her and Mercedes. Stephanie Vacquer has three titles, which already makes her look like a badass. Her and Mercedes had an excellent match during that women's strong title tournament. We have this whole mystery attacker thing happening though, and that very well could be Britt Baker, which would be cool. Though it might even be cooler if it was a debuting wrestler like Kamille from NWA
I think Swerve should eventually drop the title to Okada, at a PPV. Hangman should show up to screw Swerve and make him lose the match...then Hangman should hit the new champion Okada with a Buckshot Lariat and flip off both of the Young Bucks, then knock Jack Perry flat on his ass when he tries to attack Hangman. That could set up some interesting things involving all of those men for several weeks and eventually lead to the return of Kenny Omega. Everyone is pointing to Ospreay going after the world title, but it looks like he's heading towards the International title, which has lost all credibility and interest under Roderick Strong I'm sad to say
If Ospreay is headed towards the International title, I hope we get a PPV rematch between him and Cassidy. I don't know if Cassidy can deliver something on par with what we've seen with Takeshita and Bryan, but I have no doubt it would be entertaining.
I don't know how to feel about that closing angle. Some people are complaining about how cringe and embarrassing it was, other people are laughing their asses off and putting it into that, "It's so bad, it's good" territory.
I think the Three Stooges knew how to take a hit better than Tony
I hate Cody Rhodes, and this is obvious trolling by a WWE fan...but the shit's funny:
Note to Tony Khan, next time try doubling over, holding your stomach, making a face like you're going to throw up, then slowly drop down to your knees, maybe even try grabbing Perry's leg so he can punch you in the face, THEN you hit the ground. That's how you do this shit
