I think that was always my main problem with the gatekeeping I observed when I supported local wrestling. I was very insular with a lot of Corny parrots. It was funny to see them trash anything that they weren't a part of or deem real wrestling. They get insulted when they notice fans sway a wrestler to be a face or heel. If you aren't wrestling their way, they call you a clown. Like when Corny calls Kenny twinkie toes. I mean Kenny made his name in Japan. There are many ways to make a living in this business.

Your friend's side quest aside.

My point being, AEW is founded on bitterness, it is the culture there. Hence the continual issues. Punks bitter. The Bucks are bitter. Hangman is bitter. Eddie is bitter. The women all seem to hate each other. Cody left out of bitterness. Half the roster signed to AEW because they were bitter.

Half that locker-room is big-leaguing the other half with only a small portion of that collective locker-room having actually achieved some success in the actual big league.

I appreciate the fact AEW exists, it will never compete with WWE, and nor should it, but I appreciate the fact it has put so many people to work and given opportunities. But eventually it will be a hard-no for a lot of talented people due to the continued maturity issues and festering tension.

I've been an Eddie Kingston fan forever. If he were 25 or younger, I'd be right there with you, NATH45. The man is a 20-year+ veteran that has busted his ass to achieve any level of success he's gotten. I doubt he cares about burning bridges. The behavior of the women on the roster is problematic. It seems to be very tribal instead of incidents being isolated & things being hashed out among the parties involved.

Aug 6, 2023 23:19:07 GMT Ed said:

I think that was always my main problem with the gatekeeping I observed when I supported local wrestling. I was very insular with a lot of Corny parrots. It was funny to see them trash anything that they weren't a part of or deem real wrestling. They get insulted when they notice fans sway a wrestler to be a face or heel. If you aren't wrestling their way, they call you a clown. Like when Corny calls Kenny twinkie toes. I mean Kenny made his name in Japan. There are many ways to make a living in this business.

Sole indy fed I seen this shit at was Ring of Honor and it was only a few assholes.  Most small feds I hit up were really cool to people and just happy to have fans.  Some of those fans can have idiotic old fashion views, but a lot of people are just there to have a good time and want no drama.  

Also feds that cater to closed minded fans, alienate people and eventually go under.  No one wants to be at a show full of dicks.  Why I did two RoH shows, then had no desire to go to another.  I liked the fed, but hated the fans.

Aug 6, 2023 21:02:16 GMT Ed said:

Aug 6, 2023 20:03:57 GMT NATH45 said:

That entire locker room is toxic and anyone still defending the leadership there is drunk on the Kool-Aid.

Maybe that's what happens when you embedded into a company spite and bitterness and let that become the culture.

WWE didn't give you what you wanted? Sure, sign here. You've worked the independents for 20 years and achieved nothing? Sure, sign here? You're awful, but it's actually your personality that has gotten you this far. Sure, here's a microphone...

I'm not saying you're wrong but I'm curious if you or anyone you knew were to become a wrestler & wanted to pursue the dream on the biggest stages, who would you want to work for? because there are only 2 men with the power right now Vince & TK. 1 guy can be a control freak & the other is a rich kid. There will always be toxic behavior & people making excuses for such behavior. That is the nature of the business. It's not the owner's responsibility to police the talent. People have to hold themselves accountable for their behavior.

It depends what you are lacking where you should pick. But if you see or being told by multiple sources that one employee is having issues. You need to either have HR have a talk with them or do it yourself and if it keeps happening no matter how good they are you need to let them go.

Aug 6, 2023 23:28:10 GMT NATH45 said:

Your friend's side quest aside.

My point being, AEW is founded on bitterness, it is the culture there. Hence the continual issues. Punks bitter. The Bucks are bitter. Hangman is bitter. Eddie is bitter. The women all seem to hate each other. Cody left out of bitterness. Half the roster signed to AEW because they were bitter.

Half that locker-room is big-leaguing the other half with only a small portion of that collective locker-room having actually achieved some success in the actual big league.

I appreciate the fact AEW exists, it will never compete with WWE, and nor should it, but I appreciate the fact it has put so many people to work and given opportunities. But eventually it will be a hard-no for a lot of talented people due to the continued maturity issues and festering tension.

There are limits though they aren't going to take Austin Aries, Ryback, Tessa, and that type of bitter.

On the other hand, both of the current champions caused severe problems for the fed, one walked out for months the other fought the executives and trashed the company at a press conference.

There are def problems outside of the women's division as well. But the women seem to be particularly toxic.