AEW TV 2025 Discussion

[Lion_of_the_Midlands]

22 minutes ago, tiger_rick said:

The Master P bit could have been a dark segment, if we're really honest, but it turned out alright

We do now know however that the P in Master P does not stand for Punches. It was like they'd showed him Travis Scott potatoing Cody and said to him "Do the opposite of this"

[RedTwoster]

6 hours ago, tiger_rick said:

Loving the stars in the promotion. Swerve, Hangman, Kenny, Joe, Toni, Mercedes, Ospreay, the Hurts, even MJF, just feel big whatever they're doing at the moment. It's a nice vibe after that year or two in the doldrums.

It’s rare that you agree with all of a lengthy (and brilliant) post aside from three letters - those being ‘MJF’.

I feel like we’ve seen variations of his current story several times - when he was trying to gain favour with The Inner Circle and then later, Adam Cole. And MJF has a habit of doing that - you had the trials of Jericho and the trials of Cody; variations of ‘sad and bitter MJF’ (in the Punk and Regal angles, for example) and I’m sure there are other examples I can think of.

At this stage, I’m wondering if he’s simply run out of ideas. I think both he and AEW would benefit if he were to jump to WWE. I don’t think he’s adding much of anything to the company right now as a character, and I’ve kind of given up hope of that changing. 

I enjoyed the show, even though they faced the unenviable task of following up last week’s all-timer, which was never going to be easy. 

If Mariah May really is departing - and I’m still hoping she does not - I really hope Jamie Hayter is a beneficiary of this. She’s felt like a spare part ever since returning from injury, which is a shame given how good she is. There should be a regular place for both Mariah and Jamie on AEW television though, so even if Mariah stays, I hope Tony Khan recognises just how good both wrestlers are. Mercedes vs Hayter should be great.

[tiger_rick]

47 minutes ago, RedTwoster said:

It’s rare that you agree with all of a lengthy (and brilliant) post aside from three letters - those being ‘MJF’.

I feel like we’ve seen variations of his current story several times - when he was trying to gain favour with The Inner Circle and then later, Adam Cole. And MJF has a habit of doing that - you had the trials of Jericho and the trials of Cody; variations of ‘sad and bitter MJF’ (in the Punk and Regal angles, for example) and I’m sure there are other examples I can think of.

At this stage, I’m wondering if he’s simply run out of ideas. I think both he and AEW would benefit if he were to jump to WWE. I don’t think he’s adding much of anything to the company right now as a character, and I’ve kind of given up hope of that changing. 

I'd almost certainly have agreed a few weeks ago and definitely a few months ago but this thing has grown on me. MJF with something to do reminds you what a talented guy he is. There were loads of little touches on this show, the Austin/Vince dick slap, the way he asked Bobby to "Put it down" then quickly jumped in to say "Not thumbs down", the gritted teeth at the end. I didn't love him being The Godfather last week but overall, I've enjoyed the connection and I think the Hurts are so good right now, they've given him a lift. That's what a good act should do.

Agree completely on Jamie Hayter. Mariah is excellent and would be a great pick-up for anyone else but anytime anyone leaves AEW, it opens up an opportunity and they have so much talent to fill the gaps, particularly on the women's babyface side. I still think it further creates the impression that AEW is some sort of feeder league but from a week to week POV, they've so much talent to fill the gap and shine on TV.

[RedTwoster]

23 minutes ago, tiger_rick said:

Agree completely on Jamie Hayter. Mariah is excellent and would be a great pick-up for anyone else but anytime anyone leaves AEW, it opens up an opportunity and they have so much talent to fill the gaps, particularly on the women's babyface side. I still think it further creates the impression that AEW is some sort of feeder league but from a week to week POV, they've so much talent to fill the gap and shine on TV.

I’ve heard a few people suggest this, but it’s not something I think holds true - wrestlers have jumped both ways, but the only prominent emerging wrestler that has jumped from AEW to WWE was Jade Cargill. Ricky Starks always felt like he was missing something, Ethan Page was never really used and Lexis King was pretty dire. I really enjoyed Penta and Fenix, but they were rarely used prominently.

The most prominent ‘AEW originals’ have all chosen to stay put. We’ll see what happens with Mariah, but if AEW continues to give prominence to its women’s roster, we’ll see less instances of people like her and Cargill choosing to leave. We’re in a situation right now where AEW’s women’s division is incredible, yet we still see fantastic female wrestlers shuffle out of the spotlight after prominent feuds - wrestlers like Deonna, Hayter, Shida and Willow. Jumping to WWE might seem like a lower risk-proposition for female wrestlers than staying put, but I think there’s a good chance that perception will change. 

[Supremo]

Good show that would’ve been a great show in a better venue. We’ve been so spoiled this year with all the gorgeous, intimate buildings, that it’s more noticeable than ever when they go back to the half-empty NBA arenas.

Can’t knock the content though. Loads of great wrestling, with exciting characters and solid, intertwined stories. Peak AEW. To then throw the cool AEW logo on the canvas and get Ian Riccaboni at the desk? Pro wrestling paradise!

I had to check it was the same Master P from WCW. They definitely should have had a heel quietly mention that they always preferred the West Texas Rednecks. Rap is crap!

The Ops, Kenny Omega and Swerve looked cool as fuck as the AEW Avengers. Provided nobody harps on about, “saving the soul of the company,” and it’s kept strictly in the realm of Goodies vs. Baddies, I’m bang up for the inevitable Anarchy in the Arena match. Hoping they don’t do a Blood and Guts match. Would make a nice change to buck tradition and save that for another time. Maybe something for the ever improving Don Callis Family later in the year?

As a weekly episodic storyline, MJF’s Quest for Three Thumbs Up is brilliant. MJF at his best. Excited to see where it goes. With Stokely now associated with FTR, considering Stokely’s history with MJF, I’m more convinced than ever that the moment MJF gets those three thumbs up he’s going to deliver a thumbs down of his own, leading to a Pinnacle Reunion. Celebrate FTR’s career resurgence by having them take the Tag Titles, keeping them warm for Edge and Christian.

The Young Bucks casually returning after six months and putting on an absolute ripper. Statement made. They’re the best tag team of all time by a wide margin. Genuinely have no idea how they even pitch all these spots, never mind execute them so flawlessly. Between Ospreay vs. Takeshita last week, this Young Bucks tag, then Hangman vs. Fletcher and Samoa Joe vs. Mox in the upcoming weeks? Incredible run of free TV matches. Big momentum.

Further evidence that Hangman Adam Page is the best. On screen for about thirty seconds. Delivers an amazing fourth wall break listening to MJF’s bullshit, stealing the whole show.

My favourite character in all of wrestling. You can feel his humanity returning. I’ll be cheering him to win the Owen, even if I’m utterly convinced The Young Bucks will cost him the Final.

If I had to bet right now, All In will be Okada vs. Omega, Hangman/Swerve vs. The Young Bucks and Moxley vs. Ospreay.

It’s coming home. This profoundly stoned man is winning that belt. Krispy Kreme donuts for everyone.

 

Edited April 25, 2025 by Supremo

[Weezenal]

Kreme is pronounced Cream isn’t it? 

[Lorne Malvo]

Another very good show. 

Hopefully all of the big players interacting and weaving in and out of each others orbits means we're going to get Opps, Swerve & Omega vs Death Riders & The Bucks in an Anarchy  match at DoN. Actually, why not go the extra mile and add Okada and a returning Darby (if he's climbed Everest by then)? I always get a kick out of seeing Okada do as little as possible in a big blow-off gimmick match.

Ricochet vs Mark Briscoe was a cracker. Ricochet has been something of a revelation for me, his character work is really good. He's an absolutely pathetic insecure man-child but he knows it too, and this means theres always the danger that he will lose his head and try to stab someone with a pair of scissors. Adds a dangerous element to his character which could easily become too comedic otherwise.

FTR are absolute class in this heel run. Morton sold the shit out of that piledriver. The Paragon is a really bad name but still loads better than Undisputed Bollocks which always seemed like a weird hang-over from NXT. I still love Roddy Strong and fully expecting him and Kyle vs FTR to be great. I really hope they follow through on Nigel McGuinness getting involved at some point, it feels like stuff has been teased with Nigel a fair few times then just never gone anywhere.

You know AEW are on something of a run when even Young Bucks have scrapped the skinny-fat, got a little more toned up and more importantly, have a bit of a spark to them again. Mental tag matches like these is what AEW does best.

I've no idea what the end game is for this MJF/Hurt Syndicate stuff (although @Supremo Pinnacle shout makes a lot of sense) but it continues to be a ton of fun week to week.

It's about time Jamie Hayter got more to do in this womens division. I can see her winning the whole thing now, and All In having the womens double-header of Hayter vs Storm and Mone vs Athena. Hayter finally getting the chance to get revenge on Storm who put her on the shelf in the first place brings some nice closure to a storyline they've pretty much half-arsed since Hayter returned.

Hayter/Mercedes is one of those weird matches that never even occured to me, but now it's happening I think it'll be brilliant.

Oh, and Queen Aminata (❤️) was on the show!

The only negatives were Taz's 'when Hook is back, he'll do what he needs to do' line. I've watched enough pro wrestling for me to automatically think this means Hook turns on the Opps for replacing him, and heel Hook just doesn't sound like something I want to see. And Brody taking another loss. I like pretty much everyone in the Don Callis Family but them as a whole just isn't doing much for me at the moment.

[tiger_rick]

1 hour ago, Weezenal said:

Kreme is pronounced Cream isn’t it? 

I think so but because of the stupid spelling, I hear people say "Crispy Crem" way more than "Cream".

[ReturnOfTheMack]

2 hours ago, Lorne Malvo said:

heel Hook just doesn't sound like something I want to see.

I can see someone in the writers room suggesting it as the new finisher though.

[Lorne Malvo]

A pretty nothing Collision show this week.

I enjoyed the main event. A slower, more methodical pace than what we've seen from the previous FTR/Paragon matches but still a fun match. Stuff like Roddy Strong pulling the backbreaker out out of desperation, just for that to further hurt his own leg - I just love little touches like that. I do feel like I've had my fill of these four guys wrestling each other now though so hopefully they give it a rest for a while.

CRU have potential as a mid-card gobshite tag team, but Top Flight are so played out it's impossible to care about anything they do.

When I saw Bandido vs Dralistico on the line-up I immediately dreaded it, and yeah it was rubbish. Dralistico is crap anyway (I don't think he's had a match in AEW yet where he hasn't blown a spot or fucked up) but Bandido has been ropey since he returned too. I don't usually mind moves with elaborate set-ups but the 21-Plex is shite. That GTS thing he does is much better - just stick with that! It reminds me a lot of Johnny Morrison hitting that sweet-looking twisting neckbreaker then following it up with the awful Starship Pain back in the day.

Would really appreciate it if they gave Queen Aminata another win soon, thanks.

[ReturnOfTheMack]

Bandido is looking more like a stripper every week.  

[RedTwoster]

34 minutes ago, Lorne Malvo said:

CRU have potential as a mid-card gobshite tag team, but Top Flight are so played out it's impossible to care about anything they do.

I enjoyed Dante Martin’s solo run, but Top Flight as a tag team have always left me cold. I don’t know why exactly, maybe it’s because Darius has been so unfortunate with injuries that they’ve never really been able to get going.

Action Andretti is still to convince me that there’s anything of value to him. I don’t mind Lio Rush though, and watching the pair get demolished by The Hurt Syndicate should be fun.

This was the very much AEW Dark-does-Collision, but for Sunday morning wrestling, it was enjoyable enough. That said, I hope that Collision doesn’t revert back to this kind of line-up, it’s been a very good show this year, especially when it’s focussed on the women’s roster.

[The King Of Swing]

I'm really struggling to care about the MJF/Hurt Syndicate, storyline. 

Dynamite was good fun, Collision very much filler. 

Glad they didn't immediately dump the Max Caster, open challenge. Solid lower card fun. 

Already sick of Blake Christian. Bring back Smart Mark and The Premier Athletes. 

No idea why but I immediately thought of Bayne, when Anna Jay made her entrance.

I really hope they don't put both woman's belts on Mone or Storm. Completely fucks over the rest of the division, imo. 

[Mr_Danger]

There’s no way MJF doesn’t become the biggest face on the roster if he joins The Hurt Syndicate and gets to bounce off Bob every week. He’s in that Eddie Guerrero position where the crowd love his schtick but if he does the straight heel nasty prick stuff he’s nowhere near as over. That cock knock was tremendous.

[Supremo]

How far we’ve come. Like book ends. I feel like these two graphics perfectly encapsulate what a great year they’re having and how much things have turned around in just a short few months.

When that Collision 12-man tag was announced, my eyes nearly fell out of my head for how hard I rolled them. A terrible match, filled with the worst acts, nonsensically put together. A massive loads of shit. A huge, dark cloud. I couldn’t have been more down on it.

Wednesday’s 8-man though? Let’s fucking go! Tonnes of acts that I love, fun intertwined stories, at least two or three face offs I’m excited to see. And with that level of talent? It’s likely four and a half stars minimum.

On the same show as a Hangman/Fletcher match, too? I’m more chuffed than Michelle McCool rollerblading! I’m Supremo and I’m loving’ life!