AEW TV 2025 Discussion

[LaGoosh]

I really wish they'd drop the cash bonus thing. It works as a fun one off and only if you make a point of showing what the victors use the cash winnings for. Like that time the Dark Order won a cash bonus and bought a bunch of lawnmowers. 

[tiger_rick]

6 minutes ago, LaGoosh said:

I really wish they'd drop the cash bonus thing. It works as a fun one off and only if you make a point of showing what the victors use the cash winnings for. Like that time the Dark Order won a cash bonus and bought a bunch of lawnmowers. 

I don't mind it because it's doing no harm really but it is all a bit pointless. They've never hit home enough that it's the Young Bucks bonuses being spent and they've never done anything much to show the people winning spending the money. I know they're often babyfaces but it'd be really easy just to show them arriving in cool cars or limos, having butlers accompany them to ringside, having shiny new gear or flash boots. You could take it further and film some vignettes of them staying in swanky hotels or getting a helicopter to the arena or something but it's not really necessary. Just play with the concept a bit. Given the dearth of top heels, you could have had someone like Will Hobbs really lean into it and become a massive prick creating a challenger for Hangman. 

[BomberPat]

yeah, they need to hammer home that it's the Young Bucks money - that's the funniest part of the whole set-up. Was last week, when the Young Bucks tried to run off with the bag full of money, the first time we'd actually seen the cash prize they're supposed to be fighting for? It was definitely the first time in a long while that the money was explicitly a motivating factor - in one of the first ones, the babyface team did a great promo about what they were going to spend their money on (Ospreay: "I'm going to Disneyland!", Speedball: "I'm going to buy myself some shoes!", Briscoe: "I think I'll diversify my portfolio").

It's such an easy win to use one of these matches to flesh out somebody's gimmick or angle; just thinking about recent or ongoing stories, and Ricochet could be even more insufferable if he had won a couple of these and made a point of flashing the cash - it would fit with his character, would lean into the pseudo-Andrew Tate vibes of his character, and would justify Gates of Agony teaming with him if it was clear that even they couldn't stand him but he was paying them to be his back-up. Or on the babyface side, after years of mocking people for being poor, how much would it wind up MJF to see Mark Briscoe coming to the ring in a massive furcoat and gold chains, or arriving to the building in a convertible, because he's spending all his winnings? 

In fact, there was some discussion recently about whether there was anyone left in AEW who could still get the best out of MJF, and how Briscoe felt like such a natural feud for him but it hasn't really worked, and I wonder how much of that is because "you're poor and I'm rich" is MJF's easy mode - maybe the way to force him out of complacency is to find a rivalry where it's not about the title, not about rich vs. poor, and there's no obvious low-hanging fruit around threatening their kids or anything like that, just put him in a position where he needs to find new material. Or level the playing field - they tried to do that with the Jeff Jarrett promo showing how easily Jarrett could just stoop to his level, but they forgot to do the part (until Karen mentioned it the following week) where the point is to say that the edgelord stuff is lazy and anyone can do it; if I had a Bret/Shawn style conspiracy head on, I'd wonder if MJF allowed that segment to over-run so there wasn't time for that bit of comeuppance.

[LaGoosh]

2 hours ago, BomberPat said:

In fact, there was some discussion recently about whether there was anyone left in AEW who could still get the best out of MJF, and how Briscoe felt like such a natural feud for him but it hasn't really worked, and I wonder how much of that is because "you're poor and I'm rich" is MJF's easy mode - maybe the way to force him out of complacency is to find a rivalry where it's not about the title, not about rich vs. poor, and there's no obvious low-hanging fruit around threatening their kids or anything like that, just put him in a position where he needs to find new material.

When the feud first started I thought it would quite naturally have gone down the route of Mark Briscoe may be "poor", "white trash" and a "hick" but he's beloved by the fans with endless family , friends and personal happiness while MJF is rich, educated, refined and successful but lonely, hurt and deeply insecure. That seems to be the type of story where the MJF character is explored more and thrives and there would have been loads of directions to take it. Additionally it would have been a big, meaty story for Mark Briscoe which he's never had in AEW and could have got him over as a big singles star. I'm very disappointed it's gone down the Jay Briscoe cheap heat route instead and ended up with the goofy Tables'n'Tacks feud ender.

Edited September 17, 2025 by LaGoosh

[BomberPat]

it's another one where it felt like MJF burned through all of his stuff in the first promo - you knew the cheap heat Jay Briscoe stuff was coming, but it was immediate, and overshadowed everything else. Briscoe wasn't blameless either, falling way too quickly into bad name-calling and "kosher pickle" and all that shit.

Imagine if they had taken the time to use the story to explore MJF's insecurities and the differences between their characters, and it was having that raw nerve exposed that made MJF resort to bringing up Jay? It would have felt more earned, and then by the time you get to Mark's promo where he says he's scared he'll never see his brother again because after what he does to MJF he won't be going to Heaven, that could have been an all-timer of a go-home promo. But instead it was goofy stuff interlaced with MJF and the Hurt Syndicate wasting everybody's time, and then MJF challenging for the World Title because they didn't have any other challengers lined up.

[RedTwoster]

‘Sisters of sin, take home the win’

I understand that monologue was supposed to be spooky and that’s why it was delivered in a monotone, but in execution I genuinely think it’s one of the worst things AEW has ever broadcast. They’re such bad promos that it was hilariously shit, like this is how they’d have delivered those lines anyway.

Another enjoyable mixed bag of a show. 

I’m gonna start with another confession. Not only is Willow Nightingale irritating me these days, but fellow forum favourites Harley Cameron is too. She needs to shake up her promo style a bit. Every week, she speaks with a comedic snarl, and it feels like she’s saying the same thing over and over as a result.

I’m looking forward to the four-way women’s title match, but I hope to goodness they’re not using this as a way of getting the belt off Storm without her being pinned. Her title reign deserves another Hollywood ending. This wouldn’t be it.

MJF/Tony Khan was an odd little segment. The video package on the feud kinda summed up would it should have been - ‘the haves vs the have nots’, rather than ‘lol your brother is dead’. The match will be good, but it’s hard to care about it. 

C&C vs FTR has had the best build out of anything on this show. There were a few too many WWE references in their confrontation for my liking, but overall it was a good segment. FTR are the best tag team in the world right now, and Big Stoke is just sensational. Christian’s babyface character is exactly what his babyface character should have been - the same twat that he was before, with the barbs aimed at heels rather than fan favourites. I’m glad that this is the approach they’ve taken. It might be an Edge and Christian reunion, but it feels fresh and fun. I’m very invested in watching the pair of them eventually lift the tag titles. 

I enjoyed Hangman/Fletcher too, although the stipulation does have Ben slightly concerned. No interference from the Don Callis family, and references to Chris Jericho throughout the feud. Plus All Out is in Canada. Is Jericho going to return to assist Fletcher, since he’s not one of the family? 

Either way, I expect Jericho to return on that show. If he doesn’t, I think it’s safe to assume he won’t be returning at all. 

Mascara Dorada is one of my favourite wrestlers to watch, but I wish they’d do more with Mortos. The three way is clearly a step towards the Okada/Takeshita singles match that everyone wants to see, and I’m curious as to how it’ll play out. My guess is that Okada steals the pin on Dorada, but we’ll see. 

I really hope AEW retires the trios titles in the next year. There’s virtually no trios division, and I’m not sure anyone cares about the title belts. I’d rather see Joe in a singles feud or tag team, this feels like a waste of the guy. 

After Kingston defeats Big Bill, I’d put money on him turning heel. It would explain why he’s not returning to go after Moxley - they realise he’ll get cheered on his return, and this allows fans to get that out of their system before Kingston goes on to become one of the top heels on the roster. Hangman/Kingston is a bit of a dream feud for me, so I hope I’m right about this. 

The Bucks paying off the production staff followed by an entrance proclaiming that they’re ’great guys’ was fantastic, I loved that. I really, really hope we see them feud with Copeland and Christian soon. 

Overall, this was a very enjoyable show, even the stuff they’re getting wrong ends up being enjoyable, so it’s hard to be too wound up about it. 

[DavidB6937]

55 minutes ago, RedTwoster said:

After Kingston defeats Big Bill, I’d put money on him turning heel. It would explain why he’s not returning to go after Moxley - they realise he’ll get cheered on his return, and this allows fans to get that out of their system before Kingston goes on to become one of the top heels on the roster. Hangman/Kingston is a bit of a dream feud for me, so I hope I’m right about this. 

This is definitely the only thought process I can use at the moment to stop me from being annoyed that he's returning, announced, versus Big Bill. Otherwise it's still an incredibly fucking stupid decision. Hangman and Eddie would be absolutely wonderful.

[Supremo]

2 hours ago, RedTwoster said:

I’m gonna start with another confession. Not only is Willow Nightingale irritating me these days, but fellow forum favourites Harley Cameron is too.

Bring back downvotes! Absolute sacrilege. Some things just shouldn’t be said. Some lines shouldn’t be crossed.

For the longest time, I’ve always thought Hart Foundation 1997 had the best look of any pro-wrestling faction in history. They may have overtook it with these women  dressed up like they’re heading on a night out that will inevitably result in carnage, with at least two of them getting arrested for violence. Mina with the boxing gloves! Brilliant!

A really good show that was still too long at three hours, especially with the third hour feeling like the Rampagiest episode of Rampage that ever Rampaged. I fell asleep and missed the last half hour, so I’ll have to catch up, but it was otherwise an excellent, action-packed episode.

Great opening promo. For a Title challenger that realistically has zero chance of winning (“a Kane”), they’ve done their best to sell Kyle as a pay per view headliner. Match will probably rule. I’m already excited for the inevitable Kenny Omega vs. Kyle Fletcher match, too. Have they had many singles matches previously?

Is it even an episode of AEW television if you aren’t left disappointed at MJF never reaching his potential? The idea of someone having a hot mic like Bret in, “Wrestling with Shadows,” and getting caught saying something they shouldn’t behind closed doors is a cool idea no-one has really explored. Just a shame it resulted in nothing more than another awkward moment where Tony Khan tries to act and MJF continuing with more shitty, Edge-Lord, “LOL Jay Briscoe died!” stuff. Huge shout out to the video editors though. Clearly just as sick of MJF as the rest of us, they decided to tell a completely different story in the video package, going with the far more interesting, “Haves vs. Have Nots,” Class War idea.

Do you know who’s great? Thekla! She’s been class since coming in. Feels like an authentic nutter. Great plunder match here. I wouldn’t be against her scoring the upset at the pay per view.

Massive overdelivery from Bobby Lashley on this show. Really fun match. A cynic could think someone has bollocked The Hurt Syndicate and threatened to send them back to WWE. Feels like they’re on their best behaviour and actually putting some effort in again.

MVP and Ricochet also delivering Punch of the Year! Amazing!

Financial turmoil of The Young Bucks remains one of my favourite storylines of the year. Nick Jackson blowing their winnings like that Lotto Lout fella is top drawer stuff. Chucking Renee ten grand! Brilliant.

Young Bucks title win on Saturday after Nick Jackson spends a hundred grand on a jet pack to help them win, leading to The Bucks vs. Cope and Christian?

Highlight of the show was Marina Shafir squaring up to Roddy Strong to protect Moxley and no-one mentioning that they’re a married couple. Yes! Kayfabe is back! Fiction for the win! Worked shoots get in the bin!

Edited September 18, 2025 by Supremo

[RedTwoster]

35 minutes ago, Supremo said:

Do you know who’s great? Thekla! She’s been class since coming in. Feels like an authentic nutter. Great plunder match here. I wouldn’t be against her scoring the upset at the pay per view.

I don’t want her to win in a 4-way, or rather, I don’t want Storm to lose in a 4-way. Her title reign has been too significant for that, it would just feel wrong to me.

However, I totally agree about Thekla and to me, she feels like the right person to unseat Storm or Mone, although I absolutely think it should be in a singles match.

I’d go with Thekla defeating Mone, then Storm losing to Mercedes - building up to another Mone/Thekla match for the World title, as Storm takes time to find herself. 

[Chili]

I absolutely love Thekla. We anyone check if Luna Vachon worked CWA back in the day, because Thekla gives me such modern hipster Luna Vachon feels. She's awesome. Much like I want Hangman and Swerve to always orbit each other, I want Thekla and Queen Aminata to never stop knocking seven bells out of each other.

[tiger_rick]

5 hours ago, RedTwoster said:

MJF/Tony Khan was an odd little segment. 

Hilarious stuff. Tony only has one type of delivery and that's to yell everything. Bloody brilliant.

Thought there was a good blend of matches and promos & segments on the show.. for two hours. The third hour over-exposed the matches and dragged a bit. All things considered, I'd not do that again and chuck out Thursday Collisions instead, even if no-one watches them.

For a second, I thought they'd called the kick-off show BRAWL OUT. Sure that was the intention. Gutted they haven't.

The Young Bucks are great. Who knew?

[HarmonicGenerator]

There was plenty on this episode to convince me All Out will be a great show. There’s still nothing standout enough to make me buy it ahead of time, but if someone DMs me on Sunday and says “it’s worth the money” I could be persuaded.

Are we getting the Tailgate Brawl show on Triller over here? 

[Statto]

Looks like we are. 

[Infinity Land]

With the Tailgate Brawl and 3rd hour of September to Remember considered Collisions, I wonder if international broadcasts will combine them to one show? I might have to check out the ITV broadcast for once. 

[Supremo]

Good week for the AEW production team. First they completely re-write the Mark Briscoe vs. MJF feud for their video package, and now this graphic for Willow.

“Human ray of sunshine.” Spot on.