At the end of the day, that's what the business was like in those days. People were working shitloads of matches every week. Cornette has done a few bits where he's just going through his notes from back then and he often went weeks with only a handful of days without a show.
Anyone seen the new Dark Side of the Ring series? Not sure how I feel about it. They had Earthquake John Tenta for the first episode and now Buff Bagwell for the second. Tenta's story is sad, because he died young, everybody liked him, he seems to have been a really nice guy and his wrestling career kind of imploded. Doesn't really fit in with those really "dark" episodes they've done in the past. The Buff Bagwell thing is kind of the same except that he seems to be a massive bellend and has had some issues whether it's his weird relationship with his mom or his drug issues. Then again, the ending is on the more positive side, so also not a really "dark" story. Don't mind to see things like that, because they probably went through most of the insanely dark stuff, but they might want to find another title for the show.
I've been meaning to check it out for a while. Heard it's good.
Does Jericho still narrate it? Could end up doing one on him in the years to come. That'll be awkward.
Dynamite again last night was really really good, not a perfect show (Jericho can fuck off) but some really high highs, and skin deep lows.
Mercedes was presented great, and really did her job, thumbs up all round.
Okada is PERFECT in his role as the big money signing bully hanging out with the sniveling smug weedy EVP's. He looks and feels like a star. I am glad they are giving him the title match next week, as he is definitely someone who feels naked without a title around his waist.
Ospreay's promo was fucking great. He is already a real top Babyface and has an aura of someone who can drag a company up to his level. He feels like AEW's new Cody, but more suited to the company (where as Cody is absolutely suited to WWE)
On that point, fucking hell Okada and Ospreay are brilliant on TV. The big worry about them was could that translate, well in two weeks Okada has shown he can work hard cam and can work as a strong character, and Ospreay has done the same AND is a great promo. They look like naturals
A nice shift I am seeing in verbiage is they are talking of AEW as if it is the place where the elite wrestle. To use old school WCW, it is where the big boys play. It is setting out a real identity rather than the bollocks "I hate this place" stuff in 2023.
Jay White and Darby was fucking awesome. I love Jay White as a heel as he is clearly very very good in the ring, but also he isn't a noble heel, he will cheat, and lie, and refuse to accept defeat, and use every available shortcut. He is competent AND a piece of shit using every advantage he can muster
Yeah again another great show, and more for the quality of 2024.
Thought Mercedes looked like a star from the get go. If she cannot make the women's division rise - and lacklustre is the kindest way to describe the division at times - then there is a serious issue happening.
Okada is just a great of the game in an exciting new venue. I must admit, for his legacy I wanted him in WWE, but AEW, with that money and schedule and fan base is the right fit for him. I disagree with them splitting the belts this early - cos he will surely win his match - but he looks a level above pretty much everything else on the show. Bucks have finally found a character that works for their character work as well. Just keep Okada away from Kenny for a little while longer; I suspect many will have the opposite opinion.
Ospreay cut a nice little promo. He's not a natural by any means, but he understands how important it is to get better at it. It's why he very well may go down as one of the very best when he hangs it up. Again, I felt he would improve his relatiuve weaknesses more in WWE, but it's hard to argue with the choice he made.
I disagree that he will be the one who brings AEW to that next level though. That will be very much a collective effort. Bischoff talked about Hogan joining WCW and not necessarily bringing ratings up, but bringing commercial deals back to the forefront (the split of PPVS changed in WCW's favour as an example) that showed Ted Turner a route to profitability. Ospreay isn't that, but if he is to be their Steve Austin, he'll need a Bret Hart to make his rise unstoppable and a HBK to lay down for him at the right moment. I'm not sure you have those 2 men for him for his path to the top to be quite so epic.
But, if anyone can handle the very erratic booking Khan forces on these guys, Ospreay is your man. If they are doing Wembley in 2025, I think there could be money in that title chase till then.
Jay White and Darby Allin was Darby's best match in my opinion. And it was a refreshing one. They fought over advantages, White used all the tricks in his arsenal, they didn't spam finishers, they told a story and it had the right result. What a match.
If you asked me to name the 10 best male wrestlers in AEW and WWE, I'd say AEW has 6 easily. I'd say Danielson, Ospreay, Okada, Jay White, Swerve and Hangman. They've got some fantastic talent there, and under that you have your Samoa Joes, Adam Coles, MJF (who I may well put in that top 10 when he's back)
It is a roster of riches. Often let down by the company as a whole, they seem to be getting their act together.
I hope they keep proving me wrong because, I keep saying it, wrestlers making money wrestling is fantastic for everybody.