The Cutting Edge

Audiences are s difficult situation to deal with, I work in a Theatre so I'm close to the situation and everyone has opinions on what the "right" this is to do.

On topic but why didn't AEW build up the chain match for Full Gear? I'm not really a Cody fan cos I find him too forced and over the top.

But if they held off his return til the Anniversary show and got the feud going again but now it'll either be a cold rematch or another super intense Cody bloodfeud after little build up

Wish some guys would wear better gear that protects them, given how high impact the style is these days Its asking for trouble wear ankle boots and no pads.

Works for guys like Thatcher cos he is old school style and doesn't jump about, but if big dudes like Ridge have to catch people it's too easy to roll your ankle or break as we saw.

I know accidents can happen but HHH/HBK know more than most about knee and leg injuries and need to advise them.

Hopefully Balor doesn't get stript of the title, once a timeframe comes out then we'll see but he can still do promos (when he can talk) and build a feud that way.

From what HHH said on a call other week, the singles push for O'Reilly was to be more slowburn and organic but roster changes due to the few positive tests meant things had to change quicker than planned.

I did wonder why they booked a Takeover with few weeks build but guess it was timed to go with new arena.

Was odd having UE, Ciampa etc healthy but not work the show but also good to use new guys more like Kushida and Cruisers.

Draft wise it could be a decent idea to keep Kyle on NXT, Cole Raw and Fish/Strong on SD, let them branch out but stay a unit for future storylines 

I mentioned a few pages back about an AEW/NJPW deal would help both sides.

I feel NJ rosters is pretty stale, I like most guys on there but if you look at things like the G1 it's nearly same guys for years at a time without few new names mixed in. 

AEW Teams could work the tag tournaments in NJ (Jurassic Express would do well over there)

When it's the Juniors tournie in May have Naito or whoever come over for a few shows leading to Double or Nothing, guys like Kip, Allen go do the tournie

I know it's been done by nwo and not too original but a huge BULLET CLUB over 2 companies could be interesting for a while

Makes sense for Jericho to go face if Omega and Bucks are going heel, balances out both sides.

I'm liking Mox as the hunted, fighting a monster mash of heels, kinda Hogan vs Dungeon of Doom without it being shit.

Not blaming the talent but wonder if would've stayed under the radar if guys like AJ didn't give insider stuff like Heyman hating, Good Brothers sacking etc.

If they kept it purely light hearted fan interaction and playing games on twitch or whatever they might've gotten away with.

I know nothing of these sites just playing devils advocate.

Jericho being the driver would've worked and made sense due his early "save the WWF from boredom etc" stuff and Austin should've been top of his hit list at the time.

I never knew or noticed but if Austin's popularity was fading by late 99 what would've happened going into 2000 and beyond if he didn't neck surgery and be gone a year.

Massive what if cause if it wasn't his neck then his knees would need fixing but worth a thought.

I always love a big return and his great to me, Rikiski aside I enjoyed his feud with trips, the promos and packages were great 

I think Drew has and is doing a great job, solid matches and promos don't feel forced.

In general people are very unforgiving to guys these days for minor mistakes or things they don't like.

Giving a bit of praise, respect and being associated with guys like Flair or HBK isn't a cringy or bad thing, it's not like he's talking up from IRS, Slaughter, Hacksaw like the mid 2000 legends 

Its always weird when a draft happens close to a ppv especially HIAC which big matches and feuds to finish.

I'd keep Reigns and Fiend apart, same with Seth and Rey,

RAW- Undisputed Era, Sami, Shin and Cesaro, Braun, Fiend

SD- Profits, Hurt Buisness, Gargano, Seth

NXT- Sheamus or Bryan would benefit with a run there to freshen up and new matches

If they draft in NXT guys like Undisputed Era, Rhia and few others to each show will help.

They really need tag teams or put more guys together that are spare, but properly with matching gear etc so at least look the part

6 minutes ago, Shy Dad said:

Outside venues in November sounds absolutely horrid and absolutely something WWE would do. 

Would be fine (temp wise) in Florida though 

54 minutes ago, The King of Old School said:

I don't see what is going to be different by April next year from now.

I wouldn't expect a huge crowd wherever they do it.

Superbowl in Feb will be in Tampa with a crowd. 

The state is planning more outdoor sports events in coming months.

Thunderdome runs out end of October and wwe looking for outside venue to have fans 

Mania will be in Tampa next year I'd bet.

Reigns is an absolute beast as a heel, never needs to turn face just go against heels now and again 

1 hour ago, rollthedice said:

Whats with Rhea Ripley doing the 'thumb on nose waggle fingers na na na na na' thing? What adult does that? 

Sure I saw her doing it on pre nxt clips on a video package (probably her Mania one?), not a wwe thing but yeah pretty shit none the less

True making those guys relevant after all this time is a minor miracle.

They look the buisness in suits which is why I hate too many guys wearing them cos it lessons the impact 

Think it's unfair to say wwe stumbled on the hurt business success, since the Rumble MVP made it clear he was building a stable, went after Drew, then pretty early on went after Lashley, Crews etc.

It's was clearly the direction they were heading, weather it works is always up to chance but has booked them well, at a nails pace at times but still well

At the time when Lesnar left in 2004 I think Vince/WWE were pissed they invested time and money to really push and solidify him as the man only for him to walk out not much notice.

Think that's where the brand is the draw rather than a name, although Cena, Batista, Orton, Edge etc for next few years were draws and promoted.

Definitely since maybe Cena slowed down, Punk left, Bryan injured etc it became "Come see WWE" 

Yeah I would be up for that, a quick mauling to send a message.

But don't think a 15min match would harm him as long as Jey is Always fighting from underneath, USOS have always been presented as tough and gutsy so wouldn't be too out of place

Roman is so good as a heel or just being no nonsense badass, the ending with him and Jey hugging and smiling leading to his stone face and Heyman nodding was great, gonna be a great match too.

With the women's division also been a issue I wonder if they should've held off with a title and division, instead just have "showcase" matches to get the limited roster known to the new audience.

Only this AEW hasn't shown patience with, tag and secondary titles were timed well, I know they felt they needed a women's division but it should've been more natural (don't mean Brandy either)

With Savage it might've been less about actual age but tv age as he'd been in WWF for 7yrs? By 92 so although Bret isn't young as such he's fresh to main events and only 1 or so in singles.

I still think new guys would get a push, Bret I could see getting a clear direction of WWF title post Summerslam, strong win at Survivors (doing whatever), Rumble win then leading to Mania title win.

Not sure if Hart suddenly getting the title hurt him as a draw and in fans eyes at the time instead of a build up

Shit forgot about Macho Man too, crazy to think they had him happy on there books with potential vs Harts (Bret or Owen), HBK, Lugar, Yoko, Taker (forgot him too) 

I think even with Warrior etc around I think Bret would get in the title mix due to them wanting/needing to add youth and replace 80s stars, I could see Bret getting a longer build to the title against say Savage at Mania 9.

93-95 could've been so different with a few tweaks or guys around

That's a proper What if itself, what would WWF in 93 look like if they still had Warrior, Bulldog and Flair or any one of them?

Them 3 plus Bret, Owen, Yoko, HBK, Luger would've been a great upper mid and main event crew

I agree

What is wrestling 2020/21? I think that's the big question "what is it and where does it fit in to current pop culture" 

I'm in my mid 30s so have no idea what the younger generation want, do they have the attention span for long weekly stories? AEW is managing but there fans might are probably wwe or older fans, or do they want to binge watch like Netflix

Maybe wrestling society x was ahead of its times 

Probably a bigger topic to discuss but can wwe win fans back??

For anything wwe do good or bad these days they get slated for it either way.

I'm not defending some of the shit they do on tv but stuff has been good this year, Jan-Mania was shaping up nicely til shit went sideways, Drews title reign has been solid, Orton in general, Edge same, Reigns heel turn etc

Bad plenty and too much to mention

But I think it's cooler than ever (not on here) to hate and joke about wwe online so I wonder if fans won't "let" themselves become taken in by wwe or it's angles.