Hannibal Scorch

1 hour ago, TheScarlettChad said:

Solo as the temp leader until The Rock comes back just works. He's a killer heel. 

His justification was that loses have consequences. He’s had 24 matches in 2024. Drawn 1, lost 23.

Been some good discussions in here last few days* and for me now having let the dust settle (and stop taking his to seriously), I think it was a stupid decision to air the footage on Dynamite. I’m not apposed to the footage being out there, but I do think it outside of the ratings bump, they should have released it to an outfit like TMZ and had the storyline follow up on TV (because I do think that part of this worked well. Certainly gave a reason to care about the match which was pretty ice cold in terms of story. I also heard the reason punk did the interview was he was told the footage was going to air and wanted to get ahead of the lead (but that’s dirtsheets so pinch of salt).

21 hours ago, garynysmon said:

Good old whataboutery…

In all seriousness, as @RedRooster alluded to, is Tony Khan really a ‘nice guy’ though?

Yes he gets excited about wrestlers he signs, which may be endearing to some. But ask Big Swole and others he’s had a wobbler about if he’s a nice guy or not.

Tony Khan’s major advantage over any other booker is his financial clout that he inherited by virtue of his birth. A hill I’d happily die on is if you gave Scott D’amore AEW’s budget it would be a better product all round.

He has done some great things. Brodie Lee, giving talent time of when there have been bereavements or births (and I mean more than a week). I certainly think on balance he’s done better things than WWE have done in the past. But I don’t think he’s infallible or not due criticism (although the Swole point is tricky. She has medical issues and I thought he gave her lots of time off when needed. She’s an awful wrestler though so he wasn’t wrong, but definitely said the quiet bit out loud. She definitely did warrant a new contract.) and I’m sorry but I’d love D’amore to be picked up by AEW. I’m shocked he’s not been picked (unless I missed something.

18 hours ago, DavidB6937 said:

What did he even say about Ospreay? I missed it, but surprised he'd reference him directly.

He didn’t. But he was asked about signing free agents and he made a comment about talking to people who decided they didn’t want the grind and were happy to work one day a week and he’s glad he didn’t pick them (Not understanding if you offer someone a contract and they take a different one, they didn’t pick you). Of the recent free agents, apparently they only made offers to Will and Mone, and Will had publicly discussed that the WWE offer was good, but AEW allowed him to keep his family living in the UK and not needing to relocate (and we obviously know why that was really important to him). So it’s reading between the lines but also pretty obvious.

Anyway, I’ll try being less of a tit.

That Kevin Owen’s backstage bit was phenomenal, even knocking off CM Punks shirt. This was not 

If you don’t know the reference 

2 minutes ago, tiger_rick said:

Scorcher, please take this in the manner it's meant. You make yourself look a tit when you post this shit about WWE and WWE fans when you watch them all the time. If you're just stealing their content, that doesn't make it any better. Why don't you either not watch them or not pretend you're above it all? It'd make a better impression. Genuinely.

I’m not sure I actually do understand the manner it’s intended as the first thing after that is you look like a tit.

And me posting a load of tweets or comments of posts on facebook of some of that discourse from a few hours ago, isn’t fun or wanted by anyone. But my twitter feed was awash with Vince chat, I guess because that was the popular counter point to why AEW needs to die now they have shown the footage.

Its really upset me actually, which probably wasn’t the intention or maybe it was, i dunno. 

12 minutes ago, d-d-d-dAz said:

AEW fans are like Trump fans. Tony Khan could shit on the entrance stage and they’d cheer them.

I don’t think you realise how many AEW fans don’t like Tony Khan. Even here on the forum that’s the case. But it’s the internet wrestling community a place where many WWE fans openly support Vince despite the allegations so I shouldn’t be surprised.

22 minutes ago, quote the raven said:

Oh what a cluster that had Khan fearing for his life? 

 

Not the same incident 

Punk fans are like Trump fans. He could shit on the entrance stage and they’d cheer him. @RedRooster not sure what you mean about the chants following the bucks around, that pretty much happened after Brawl Out anyway. 

Whilst you all just want to watch the juicy bit, I recommend the whole segment to at least give some context

As to the rest of the show, Copeland vs Penta was a real surprise in quality, he’s really got his work boots on now he’s in AEW. I’m going to watch hour 2 in the morning.

“ Sometimes you can’t let someone get close. I didn’t punch anybody I just choked someone a little bit”

If you thought/think Punks a saint or that he’s the man, you probably still do. If you think Punk is unprofessional and a man baby, this confirmed it. It also confirmed he lied about Jack Perry’s actions. He tried to sucker him, he failed to choke him for more then 2 seconds and Jack never squared up to Punk. Now we know, now we move on. I thought both the Bucks and FTR did great work here weaving it into the PPV match and I assume the next blood and guts with the return of Jack Perry.

53 minutes ago, SuperBacon said:

It's fucking own one where we can all ignore it.

Genuine question, Do you actually watch any AEW or you just here for making quips?  

25 minutes ago, JLM said:

- Chris Jericho. 

Chris Jericho since 2023, absolutely. I do think it was a savvy pick up at the time. Remember this was pre Mox, pre Danielson, pre Punk, Pre Cole. He was a WWE guy, at the top for many years, it was a great statement of intent.

But yes, he needs to go and while he’s continually featured, it makes Tony’s booking stupid.

20 minutes ago, RedRooster said:

I promise I’m not trying to catch you out or be an arse here, but could you list three negative traits you’ve noticed in Tony Khan, specifically in relation to his booking or handling of talent? 

For someone who likes my posts, that’s a weird thing to ask, because he’s a flawed guy. I think he is unfairly treated overall (especially compared to how the other place has been run), but he’s not faultless.

- Women’s division. Yes it’s getting better now but for ages it was the 21:20 - 21:40 segment. A match, maybe a promo, that’s your lot. 
 

- Talent Relations. we’ve seen wrestlers released who have found out from dirt sheets because no one could be bothered to call them. That’s not how you treat people.

- Freedom. What does an EVP do? What do you mean you’re not happy with that angle, call you with new ideas next month? Backstage can be chaotic (ignoring the punch ups), it does seem to be they need more structure. Tony Khan wants to be hands on with everything, stretching himself to thin. Though I think Punk has turned out to be a bit of a prick, I can imagine that a lot of his comments made in that interview about the backstage of AEW were accurate. It definitely needs to have a better structure.

Do you want to give me 3 things you like about the current AEW landscape or is that a bit too Cody/Rock belt swap?

6 hours ago, RedRooster said:

I think that’s reading into something that isn’t there at an extreme level, I’m afraid. In reference to the tweet, the only ‘layer’ that exists is a thin layer of skin that has caused Tony Khan to do this. I 

We’re really going to discuss who has the thinnest skin in wrestling? At this rate I’d put £5 on Tony ”Dweeby” Khan being able to take down Philip “Fragile Ego, Fragile Body” Brookes. And one has the look of Mr Burns physic, but the other has the mobility of him.

2 hours ago, Chili said:

I think airing the footage unless it's something absolutely extraordinary (given we know most of the thing it won't be) is a waste of time you could use for a promo, or a new talent.

It’s a fan theory, but think it makes a lot of sense

2 hours ago, andrew "the ref" coyne said:

I think the main thing that disappointed me is that I would of liked to of seen Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens involved in that final match too. In fact I would of preferred them over the legends (though im probably in the minority here). They were so much more involved in the two year storyline and would of closed their arcs off nicely. 

 

No, I said the same to my mate yesterday. What they gave us was nostalgia pops, which are seemingly bad in every other medium bar wrestling. But if all the people who had challenged Roman and got screwed of a win, were involved to help Cody win, that would have been a far better way for Cody to finish his, but also Romans, story. 

6 hours ago, Lorne Malvo said:

Not sure if I've got the dreaded Cove or some other godforsaken illness, but I've been absolutely fucked since Friday night. Shaking like a shitting dog despite wearing about 6 layers. Can't stop coughing, even moreso at night. Throat is in agony, struggling to speak. Bunged up, dodgy stomach, and the worst part of it all is a constant chest/heart pain which makes me convinced I'm going to get rushed into A+E at any given point. 

Sick of it.

Had this since Thursday. I think it’s the Flu as I was the only idiot in the house who didn’t get their flu vaccine and everyone else has been fine.

Mania used to be 4/5 hours, for years. But now they’ve seen what a cash cow it is, 2 nights are here to stay.

9 minutes ago, Lion_of_the_Midlands said:

AEW just trying to suck up some clout from WWE's biggest weekend ever. 

There was a hell of a lot of AEW discourse from WWE talent during WrestleMania week. It does make me wonder if (Nick) Khan is trying to do something with (Tony) Khan about this open relationship. It’s clear there is talent who are in AEW now who, now Vince is gone, want to go back, maybe some talent exchanges wouldn’t go a miss*. I mean I don’t think that was what Nick was referencing exactly but wrestling is a funny place at the moment.

*not CM Punk though.

2 hours ago, Nick James said:

 

How can you embarrass a man that pretty much everyone knows is a prick? What is it going to prove, that Punk isn't a tough guy? We already know this. That Punk has an overinflated ego? Again, already know this. 

Other than a ratings ploy, which I don't think will actually work, what is the point? 

Still think they should actually do a bait and switch and have Wee M Punk getting battered by the Bucks in a GTV style grainy CCTV footage.

I wouldn’t take Cultaholic too seriously. Whilst the dirt sheets are saying it’s definitely the Punk footage AEW haven’t said it once. I would assume this is probably something to do with FTR and the Bucks. If it is the Punk footage, it’s got to be because it’s embarrassing for him, otherwise why would they? Only 36 hours to find out I guess.

17 minutes ago, Devon Malcolm said:

Where did I say anyone was wrong?

You didn’t, and I wasn’t suggesting you did, if that wasn’t clear I apologise. You did call some of us mad, but that’s by the by.

@SuperBaconMox is very much enjoying his life, most Wednesdays and Saturdays and some random days inbetween. I don’t think WWE could pay him enough to return because he values his freedom to much.

19 minutes ago, Devon Malcolm said:

I didn't get that The Rock was turning babyface from that segment at all. Did I watch the wrong one? He called everyone trailer trash, put undertones of threats throughout the segment, and then ended it with a thinly veiled gesture that he's got something on Rhodes. You're all mad.

Surely when something is ambiguous it’s the viewers interpretation? It’s clear some agreed with my view and some with yours and I’m not going to tell you that you’re wrong. 
 

Great post @air_raid, especially the point about feeding families. Confused me to and I think you explained it cromulently.

18 minutes ago, Joe Blog said:

It seemed to be a very subtle beginning of a face turn for The Rock. His socials were all about how good a guy he is really over the last few months, seems daft if that is what they are going to do after how good the Final Boss character has been/could be. 

I didn’t think it was gradual, I think he went from heel to face within that whole exchange. I was surprised at the shift so soon, but like I said with X8, Hogan went from literally trying to kill The Rock in his car, to being mates the Raw after Mania™

18 minutes ago, BomberPat said:

I think RAW after Wrestlemania is less of a thing now that Wrestlemania is two nights long anyway.

 

I dunno, it was a trending hashtag last night, so it’s definitely pushed as such.

Anyway just for davynumbs i had to watch it. Very interesting to see them start the first pro wrestling era show with one of the longest in ring segments ever. I’m glad Cody got all the appreciation, he deserves it. Nice video package too.
 

I think we were all expecting The Rock to come down to kick some arse or set up the next stage. Instead it reminded me (from memory) of The Raw After WrestleMania™ from X8 where Hulk came out to go face. It didn’t feel very boss/heel like by the end so I was a bit confused as to where his character fits now. “You don’t need to open your hand to know what is in it. Don’t break my heart again”. WTF IS THAT?

Surprised to see Shin being used in a squash for Dragunov. Fun segment with Awesome Truth/Cena and the losers of Judgement Day. That faction can’t last much longer can it?

The production the whole weekend was fantastic, and demonstrated here by a quick slap of Dom’s hand. AEW had a great advantage here by not having Kevin Dunn’s rapid fire camera cuts, now it looks like normal wrestling again.

Somethings from the Vince era will never change 

Michael (not a hostage) Cole announced 201,924 WWE fans attended Mania weekend. Selling that many tickets over a weekend is impressive. Trying to make out all those were individual people, less so. But hey, Roman Reigns beat the record of headlining WrestleMania main events by being in 2 this year. One show spread over 2 nights. WWE MATHS MF!

Taking out my utter disgust at the new era (he also narrates the numpers, Ego has landed) from a moral point of view, it’s gonna be a fun ride it seems. Enjoy it folks.

1 hour ago, DavidB6937 said:

Honestly thought it couldn't get any better and then I read Scorchy isn't watching anymore? Best few days ever!

Oh no I was just going to try and have an early night. But I read this and as you’re like my metaphorical pile, I’ve had to change my view, swallow my disgust at the focus of the enablers running things and popped Raw on. I’ll give my thoughts tomorrow buttercup. 

6 minutes ago, Devon Malcolm said:

Went on Twitter earlier and wondered why the fuck 'bisexual Undertaker' was trending.

 

HA! It was trending last night I just assumed you saw it.