AEW TV 2026 discussion

[Kamran]

35 minutes ago, RedTwoster said:

I’m not sure it really helped Hayter much either, though. She obviously got over, but I don’t think their connection had anything to do with that. 

I don’t mind the partnership between Persephone and Baker, and I think it’s far too soon to write it off as a bad match. If it was a last minute decision, the two of them won’t have had any time to figure out what the dynamic between them even is. 

I don't know, I feel like the alliance with Britt and Rebel definitely helped her. Hayter is great, but I'm not sure she would have got as over as she did without them. Britt was such a big part of the women's division, aligning with Britt at least guaranteed Jamie regular TV time and gave her the chance to build that connection with the crowd.

At the time it felt really obvious that Britt or Jamie would eventually turn on the other, especially around the time Jamie started getting really over, but for whatever reason that never happend. I'm assuming that if Britt is back for a decent run they'll revisit some of that history.

Since Jamie's been back, she hasn't really recaptured that same level of popularity either. Before the injury it genuinely felt like she was on the verge of becoming one of the major faces of the company.

[Infinity Land]

55 minutes ago, RedTwoster said:

I’m not sure it really helped Hayter much either, though. She obviously got over, but I don’t think their connection had anything to do with that. 

I don’t mind the partnership between Persephone and Baker, and I think it’s far too soon to write it off as a bad match. If it was a last minute decision, the two of them won’t have had any time to figure out what the dynamic between them even is. 

Hayter debuted back in 2019 and quickly disappeared back to Stardom.  

She was brought back in 2021 as Britt's muscle giving her a meaningful role to play. It was playing 2nd fiddle to Britt, someone the crowds love to hate, that let Hayter develop a personality of her own and got people wanting the eventual breakaway. Which unfortunately never happened because they kept the partnership going too long and injury ruled it out completely. 

With Mercedes and Athena all on TV again with titles and the Divine Dominion trying to find a place after the title loss, Persephone needed something to help her stand out. A minute backstage promo showed me more personality being able to play off Baker than whatever Persephone has done alone. The DMD stuff still keeps the live crowd engaged. 

[RedTwoster]

A decent Collision, with some interesting moments.

I was shocked to find out Walker Stewart is only 24. He has some serious John Tenta syndrome going on, he looks and sounds much older. His voice is very similar to Excalibur’s so I’m not sure they should both be on the desk together again, but he did really well. If they’re looking to add young blood to the commentary desk, he’d be a decent shout.

I really loved the video from Willow. Her feud with Mercedes is probably my favourite of 2026, and it’s not lost any of its intensity. I don’t want them to go with a three way match at All Out, though. 

Jay White continues to shine in any segment he’s in, but Ace Austin stands out like a sore thumb in the Bang Bang Gang. You have four other men absolutely dripping in charisma and someone who has a little less of it - but because he’s outshone so much by his teammates, it makes him look significantly worse on the mic than he actually is.

Jack Perry is starting to look like a cosplay Hangman. 

They either need to get the National Title off Andrade soon, or unify it with the Workd title when he finally has his shot at it. It actually lessens your perception of him somewhat.

Athena has had some excellent matches in ROH, but she’s yet to have one at that level on the main roster. She’s not good on the mic, and I think she could do with a manager as she absolutely could be something more. I can’t believe I’m advocating for more Don Callis, but he strikes me as someone who might be able to elevate her act. 

On the whole, AEW feels like it’s in the best place it’s ever been. Everything feels fresh and exciting, and the wrestlers all seem so motivated. It makes for fun viewing.

Edited September 6 by RedTwoster

[I Bent My Wookie]

Reading some really upsetting news that The Butcher was wrestling on an indie event last night alongside The Blade and collapsed during the match, and that both CPR and a defib was used before he was transfered to hospital and the remainder of the event was cancelled. 

As someone who loves him both as a wrestler and a musician, I really hope he turns out to be okay. 

[burchybabi]

Not sure where else to put this but The Butcher has collapsed after his match at an Enjoy Wrestling event, required CPR and has been taken to hospital.

[Egg Shen]

Yeah some conflicting reports online at the moment regarding his condition, but it doesn't sound good. Hoping he pulls through.

[RedTwoster]

2 hours ago, I Bent My Wookie said:

Reading some really upsetting news that The Butcher was wrestling on an indie event last night alongside The Blade and collapsed during the match, and that both CPR and a defib was used before he was transfered to hospital and the remainder of the event was cancelled. 

As someone who loves him both as a wrestler and a musician, I really hope he turns out to be okay. 

That’s awful. Hoping he’s OK.

[Kamran]

This week's Dynamite will be a special episode in honour of Rebel who was diagnosed with ALS earlier this year.

THE WAITING ROOM RETURNS

 

MATCHES

Edited September 8 by Kamran

[Chili]

Oh Rebel (not Reba), still got the comedy timing and funny expressions. Just lovely.

 

[RedTwoster]

A very emotional show, although I do wonder if they should have ended with the Baker/Rebel reunion and a donation prompt. It might have been a case in which Rebel needed to go on earlier for health reasons, so it's not a criticism on my part, it's just that it would have been a really lovely moment to end the show with, placing the focus firmly on Rebel and the need to donate. 

Steve Borden looked a little bit green, but I've no idea how long he's been training for, so I can't be too harsh on the guy. I hope he makes it, he's got a great look and the story of living up to his legendary dad could be a good one. 

Excalibur's tribute to The Butcher was heart-breaking. I'm glad he's getting a tribute show on Saturday, and I hope - if he feels up to it - Blade is able to get involved, and I hope TNA lets Allie make an appearance too. 

Unsurprisingly, Rebel has lost none of her chemistry with Britt Baker and it was fun to see her become the 'roll' model. Her rolling up the stage with Britt on her lap was one of the moments of the year, funny but obviously very emotional. ALS/MND is an awful illness, having seen it affect Fernando Ricksen, Doddie Weir and Gordon Aikman here in Scotland in recent years. The fact Rebel is using her situation to help others is absolutely incredible, it takes a strength I'm not sure I have to do that in the face of such terrible circumstances. 

Her health will dictate how possible this is, but I'd love to see her make more AEW appearances in the future outside of the context of this show. 

I also hope AEW makes Rebel Heart an annual thing - a fundraising drive is such a worthwhile thing to do, and I'd like to see them expand a little with their approach, providing localised links to charities in different countries, perhaps through a QR code linking to a page packed with donation links to MND charities from wherever you happen to be. It adds a layer of complication of course, but hey, it's a worthwhile thing to do. 

Edited September 10 by RedTwoster

[DavidB6937]

Yeah, not much more to add but it was an incredibly emotional show on multiple levels.

That Excalibur bit broke me. Just awfully emotional and it's been so clear over the past few days how adored Butcher was and what a great guy he truly was to so many.

Beyond wrestling - and something I've found out myself this year - the strength that people can show in the darkest and toughest of times is the most incredible thing, especially when it comes to turning those times into something positive for others. Rebel is such an inspiration.

 

[BomberPat]

I don't think I've ever seen Excalibur crack as much as he did in that Butcher tribute, and he's had far too many of these to do for a company still relatively young. You get into wrestling commentary to have fun calling some matches and telling stories, you never think you're going to have to do that kind of thing - that Excalibur, Taz, and Tony Schiavone have all had call to do moving tributes over the years is a lot to deal with. I can't imagine having to work a show like this, already having to know that it's a tribute to a friend and colleague you know you're losing, and to lose another out of the blue so soon before it.

Everything with Rebel on this show was beautiful. It was difficult to watch at first just because of what a horrible disease ALS is to rob people of so much, but how well they worked to allow Rebel to play her part and be integrated into the show was wonderful. I think, under the circumstances, it was probably the right move to open with Britt and Rebel, because you kind of need to hit the important stuff early, knowing that this is about Rebel, and also now about The Butcher - I'm not saying you want people to forget about those things, but you want people to be having fun and enjoying themselves as the show goes on, and you can risk it being too much of a downer. It would have been nice to close on a big feelgood moment of all the babyfaces on the ramp with Rebel or something like that, though - ending that show on a heel win was an odd choice, even with Darby and Borden making the save after the fact.

[Ironic Indie Lad]

Havent seen the show yet but I saw Excalibur talking about Andy Williams and it really choked me up. Beautiful words. You could see Tony and Taz were really hurting too.

Made me so sad to see the picture on screen of Colin Young with Bo Leuders and Andy Williams - both dead in 2026. 

[ReturnOfTheMack]

I found it a painful watch, in the right way. The tribute to The Butcher and Excalibur just cracking as he spoke proper broke me, and then the stuff with Rebel was equal parts funny and heartbreaking.

 

It was surprising that Rebel was getting huge face reactions while helping the heels, and yet it still worked brilliantly. 

[Chili]

I was on the ball about Collision being more aimed at the tribute to Butcher. You couldn't do the full tribute deal on this show, just unfortunate timing and in a way, you really had to balance it out. Poor Excalibur trying to get through that speech.

All the Rebel stuff was wonderful, canonically she's a heel so it made sort of sense, but who bloody cares, it was about making her feel good in the face of an awful hand she's been dealt. I was grinning through it all until right at the end when she got overwhelmed and stared crying and I couldn't help do the same. It's just incredibly unfair, but it's good knowing she probably had all her co-workers fawning over her making her feel great.

Edited September 10 by Chili