AEW TV 2026 discussion

[ReturnOfTheMack]

I thought the womens match was the better of the 2.

My wife wandered in during the men's and referred to Darby as 'that guy who moves like a horror monster'. Then yelled at the TV as Darby going to the top was insane.

Steve Borden fucking up the kip up made me laugh more than it should, as did Taz going a bit OTT in his love for big hairy men.  😆 

 

[Ro_y Disco]

The show peaked at Megan Bayne's blade job for me, that was crazy!

I rewound it a couple of times, but did Foley call Osprey "Ken"?

The women's match was great but the men's only okay.

As had been said many times, I would like to see them moving away from it being an annual thing, it's a trope AEW should be above, but I suspect it might be a network request.

[2Xtreme_lives]

I felt the women knocked it out the park. It had it couple of clunky bits but I think if you are portraying a fight im ok with that. Megan Bayne is MVP here both years giving it all, think Lena had a good show too

Mens was enjoyable too,

 

Spoiler

the explosions are always a great visual didnt like the ending though felt a little flat..had I fantasy booked id sent Wardlow up with Cope and have them threaten him there with Ospreay chained to the cage to with Fletcher threatening him and Ospreay quitting. You can still get Darby going up there at the end to check on Cope but Darby going through the tables himself for his trouble 

Could still get to Cope Ospreay this way too where Cope could call Ospreay out for quitting 

Just felt out of all the abuse Cope obviously took the least in the match and looked fresher than his team who were fucked and bloody so for him to quit

 

[tiger_rick]

I thought this was a great show until right near the end. Not perfect, in any sense. I'm not really a fan of everyone bringing in weapons. It's unnecessary, although slightly more acceptable in the women's one. The women's match also desensitized me to the men's one somewhat. They also did that bloody staredown spot every modern booker loves.

That said, I mostly enjoyed both matches. The video at the beginning was a lovely bit of production and whet the appetite. Renee looked incredible in her on-brand camo pants. The women's being a bloodbath is uncomfortable, can't lie, but those women are awesome and that shone through. Sky blue, who I'm not high on, was a bit of a star with her charisma finding the camera. I've not seen that in her before. Harley's ukelele with "JJ" written on it was funny stuff. 

Julia Hart looked a complete fadge giving up after everyone else had been through hell but someone's gotta lose.

I liked quite a few things in the men's match beyond the big spots and moves,. Everyone bringing in a weapon is shit but when Wardlow came in unarmed and Skiavone pointed out that he had two weapons, his arms, that was beautiful stuff. Wardlow was incredible, bar one stumble with Cope. That senton and the subsequent facials should be star-making. One night to remind you this guy is the business. Has the best punches in the game too.

Speaking of Cope, the fans singing his theme while the match went on was lovely stuff. As was okada bringing in a leaf blower to clear up the thumbtacks and continuing to clean up while a Jackson brother was smashing him with forearms. I'm still laughing now.

I don't think they do "Wargames" like it should be done. That's a criticism I've made of WWE for years and while AEW do it a bit more brutally, it's still not right. It showcased the talent well. They all got some great stuff in and everyone looked pretty incredible. But the flaw in the way they present the match is obvious in that last 10 mins or so. It had been incredibly fun up to that point but then they have to add a load of bells and whistles that wouldn't be necessary with real heat and real stakes. Shit exploding, spots off the cage, etc. It's just not needed. Finish was weak too. At least julia Hart is a heel who looked like a twat. Cope is this legendary babyface character and just looks shite being put in that position. They should have put a stipulation for the Fletcher/Ospreay match on the line and had Fletcher beat Ospreay. The last bit did at least look good and made Wardlow look like a monster. Darby is a mad bastard.

Every segment that wasn't B&G was good. The trios stuff continues to excel. What a great story this all is with New Level getting drawn in and Bandido being an absolute killer. Moxley and OC was predictable but so well done. Of course they announced it immediately even though OC didn't actually agree! Marina did a good job on the mic. Nick Wayne was great too. Fuck, this div is growing on me.

Also, Collision looks banging this week on the cruise.

[abucalves]

After last night, I've seen enough, give Bandido the belt.

Hoping this rivalry really builds him up with Swerve saying he has pinned all 3 of them.

"He almost killed me, he took my mask, he took my honour. I will take his life" then calling Hangman "Mr. Hangman"

Also I am in two minds,  as I feel like Anarchy in the Arena might be a bit more of a serious affair than it usually is, but I want to see Orange Cassidy do the Death Riders entrance as part of it

Edited yesterday at 01:03 PM by abucalves

[The King of Old School]

I mean it won't, and it probably shouldn't, but that Trio's match could headline Full Gear and wouldn't be out of place.

[BomberPat]

I thought the women's match was far better than the men's; it felt more of a brawl, grittier, and more organic, while the men's had too many pauses for everyone to stare dramatically at each other, too much of everybody having to get their shit in. 

I suspect there might be an Adam Copeland grumpy veteran run coming - if not a full-blown heel turn, then at least working more heelish against Ospreay and maybe Darby. Ospreay was definitely selling frustration at him costing their team the match, and Cope's promo at the top of the show about how he was the only one looking out for the wellbeing of the younger wrestlers made me think that this might be leading to him doing something like the anti-hardcore Cactus Jack thing, of being angry at guys like Ospreay and Darby for not having learned the lessons from his career. Foley being involved in that segment, and Cope wearing the gear from their Street Fight, all plays into it too.

[LaGoosh]

I hope Megan Bayne and Darby Allin get a bit of a rest after that. Bayne was drenched head to toe.

Skye Blue and Julia Hart are still so rubbish. C'mon girls it's been years now.

Both matches were fine but definitely on the lesser end of B&G matches. I don't think anyone will remember much about them.

The Trios story is easily the best story going right now. Everything exactly going to Swerve's plan to turn everyone into bloodthirsty maniacs. Bandido showed real main event babyface potential tonight for the first time. Very exciting!

Edited yesterday at 03:45 PM by LaGoosh

[Merzbow]

Why was Lena Cross given the biggest babyface spot of the women's match? Really weird booking there, coming in as the saviour and taking out everyone to massive cheers.

[LaGoosh]

Okada being one of the best wrestlers alive but spending almost all his time doing wacky shit house comedy is one of my favourite things in wrestling. 

Like he could be easily having the most dramatic exciting cage match imaginable but he comes out with a leaf blower instead. So great. 

[2Xtreme_lives]

Foley being Foley..

[The Gaffer]

Assuming someone walked pass and mentioned there was a nickle on the floor. 

[The King Of Swing]

I respect that Skye Blue is at least willing to go that extra mile. Julia Hart on the other hand, barely looks bothered a lot of the time. 

Women's match was definitely the better one. Can imagine Bayne, Skye etc. Going 'well if we ain't the main event, then you better bring extra mops' in response to going on first again. 

I honestly struggled to care about the men's match since the result was pretty obvious. 

Pretty sure I even predicted the DCF getting the match and going over to push Osprey Vs. Fletcher, a while back. 

Also imo, the 'threaten one wrestler with something bad, until another one quits' is such a lazy finish. Haven't they done some version of that finish three or four times, now? 

Loved the rest of the DCF immediately panicking when Wardlow picked up the exploding backpack. Continuity isn't hard. 

Everything else was decent to good. Especially enjoyed the trios brawl. 

Bandido is fucking great. 

[LaGoosh]

20 minutes ago, The King Of Swing said:

Also imo, the 'threaten one wrestler with something bad, until another one quits' is such a lazy finish. Haven't they done some version of that finish three or four times, now? 

I think they've done it in almost all of them. I don't love it either.

[textonly]

I really enjoyed both matches and felt they complimented each other nicely: the messy, brutal brawl and the slick, spotty show. Both had me wincing, smiling and laughing throughout. A horrible, delightful night of wrestling. Fuckin' loved Darby being monkey-flipped on a chair.

Speaking of finishes, has this finish ever happened? A heel sees his group being decimated and surrenders because he genuinely can't bear to see his friends take so much pain, even though he knows that the second he says it, it will mean he's cast out of the group and loses his friends/become their next target? Big face turn for the main guy. Feels like something that must have happened or something AEW could pull off quite well.