I finally caught up with the episode earlier tonight.

What I like about the Matt Hardy/Christian feud is that it's really just an excuse to have Christian face off against Private Party and Angelico and have it mean something. Angelico I feel is perfectly cast as an underling, he gets to show off his unorthodox style without pretending he's a wrestling expert right away. There's an Alex Wright type quality to him given how tall he is and how well he moves in the ring. I thought this was a rock solid opener and again, I'm liking this Christian/Matt deal - it feels like the perfect use of both guys.

I'm not going to lie, when Tony Schiavone hyped up an AEW debut and he started off with Buh-rock my heart skipped a beat. But no, it's was Brock Anderson aka Arn's boy in the next chapter of PW's favourite rivalry. They're getting a bit crazy with the amount of people involved in this angle but really I see it as a plug for their wrestling school. Come apply for the Nightmare Factory and you'll have a reasonable chance of making television.

It's pretty amazing in the span of one PPV we've gone from Bucks vs. MJF/Jericho to Bucks vs. Kingston/Death Triangle/Kazarian and it makes sense. I thought this was a pretty effective way to give Kingston's crew a win while building towards an even better match-up the following week. I still think there's going to be friction between the Good Brothers and the Bucks so I'm keen to see how that plays out.

Pinnacle/Circle was just an excuse to check in and give MJF mic time. I see they're still doubling down on the Attitude Era throwback angles with the destruction stuff, it was just a way to kill a week and to get some more footage for them to hype up their rivalry.

Miro destroying Evil Uno and the memory of Brodie Lee is just the classic Rusev 2014 style booking that works. Nice touch with the Dark Order coming out when they thought Uno was about to pull off the upset.

I like how they're building some anticipation for Jungle Boy/Kenny Omega. You get the sense that JB is going to push Omega and that it's going to be a really good match. The segment was fine, it's kind of cool how they have a Ric Flair circa 1991/92 thing happening with Omega with Callis playing the Heenan role.

I'm not entirely sure what the go is with Archer, that just seemed like a quick squash to remind you he's still in the hunt. The Nyla Rose match was a decent showcase for Leyla while heating Nyla up for her inevitable rematch with Britt, it was fine although the powerbomb at the end was odd. Jumped off the top rope only to land on your feet and then execute the throw, it looked dodgy.

I'm not sure what to make of the Darby stuff, it's like him and Sting have father/son problems. The OC/Wingman seems like a mutually beneficial program where the Wingman get more reps while OC gets a win. It also seems like a fair paring and a bunch of lifestyle gurus picking apart the AEW lockeroom seems like a good way to capitilise on some of the internet critiques of how slovenly the roster looks.

I thought the main event was sweet as well. Team Taz looked dominant but the in-fighting just allowed Page & 10 to get the monkey off the back and pick up the win.

Basically it just seems like AEW is re-arranging the deck and getting a few things in order before they hit the road in July. I actually like that they're mixing up the main events and just giving these guys and girls a chance at bat. Right now it may not be that appealing, but in 2 years time guys like Powerhouse Hobbs, Preston Vance, Adam Page, Nick Comoroto etc. could be huge stars. It also keeps a few of their stars on ice so they're not destroying their bodies and can give it their all when the matches count. Kenny is really starting to break down due to reports, but in-ring you couldn't tell at all.

I don't know what to make of the Darby/Sting vs Page/Sky angle & I love that!

Didn't realise there was a thread for this episode. I said my piece about Jungle Boy in the main AEW thread, not going to repeat it here.

The deal with Lance Archer is that after his loss to Miro he's going to quick mucking about (showboating) and just wreck people, which is exactly what he did when he first joined the company, so I don't really get it. Still feels like the most directionless guy on the roster. AEW don't know what to do with him. Probably is there's too many big monster guys and not enough places to slot them in.

Jun 13, 2021 20:16:48 GMT Emperor said:

Didn't realise there was a thread for this episode. I said my piece about Jungle Boy in the main AEW thread, not going to repeat it here.

The deal with Lance Archer is that after his loss to Miro he's going to quick mucking about (showboating) and just wreck people, which is exactly what he did when he first joined the company, so I don't really get it. Still feels like the most directionless guy on the roster. AEW don't know what to do with him. Probably is there's too many big monster guys and not enough places to slot them in.

Don't really get the Jungle Boy appeal. He doesn't have much personality, much of a look, but he wrestle well. But I guess when he is surrounding by two people so much worse then him it makes him look better by comparison.

I was going to complain about as good as MJF record is he should have had more title shots by now. But bringing up Lance Archer he probably should have had less if they aren't planning on letting him win it. Because right now he is just some tall goofy guy that beats up nobodies and when he has to fight a real threat he loses. He also still showboats some just not as much some he could fix by not looking into the camera during the match and the others AEW has to fix by either adding more cameras or switching the cameras better. Because Archer will sometimes get a person up for the blackout and move them around the ring just so the camera can get a good shot of him doing it.

I don't get X-zero,s compliant with MJF's lack of title shots. He'll be the next heel champion.

Jun 13, 2021 21:16:02 GMT Ed said:

I don't get X-zero ,s compliant with MJF's lack of title shots. He'll be the next heel champion.

I didn't plan on saying it. I only brought it up because it was the opposite complaint I have against Archer's booking.

Archer wins 78% of his matches and got 2 tnt and a world title shot

MJF wins 80% of his matches and has got what one tag shot with Jericho

If the company is stat based that is not nearly balanced. MJF has one of the best records in the company and barely gets any title shots.

Comparing that with other single champions

Jericho 72% tag and world

Moxley 82% tag and world

Omega 79% tag and world

Cody 77% two tnt and world

They're protecting MJF, he wrestles far less than any other top talent and he's been deliberately kept away from the top singles titles. Yet unlike Lance Archer he always feels relevant and one of the top stars despite his lack of fighting for championships.

Jun 14, 2021 9:05:57 GMT Emperor said:

They're protecting MJF, he wrestles far less than any other top talent and he's been deliberately kept away from the top singles titles. Yet, unlike Lance Archer, he always feels relevant and one of the top stars despite his lack of fighting for championships.

Anybody can fight for a title. The true measure of talent is getting people invested in everything they are a part of.

And maybe that's why they're keeping him apart. There won't be a story there and he doesn't benefit from it. Which likely means when it does happen he going over brother.

MJF will be a better worker than Hulk Hogan, BROTHER!