Something I hope AEW never, ever does

[Clash, Never a Meter Maid]

I don’t want them to create a “corporate champion”.

Corporate champs, IMO, only work when you’re a booker and you’ve decided you don’t want a realistic product. In certain instances it can work, like the Austin/McMahon wars because Attitude was specifically meant to be bonkers, and Dario Cueto managing his killer Matanza while also serving as commissioner because Lucha Underground was a “100% cinematic style” promotion. But you can’t push for believability and have the babyfaces getting f***ed over by management. It’s not something that a real world combat sport company should ideally do. (EDIT: no Dana White jokes, please.)

This was a big flaw with some of Steph’s Authority work, because she wanted to be a good PR rep outside kayfabe and also an evil boss. Russo (along with Jarrett) tried and failed multiple times to get the corporate champ over, and it killed Dixie Carter dead. Please Tony Khan, if you’re listening, stay in that Jack Tunney position. It suits you, you don’t need to be the bad guy GM.

All the AEW heels can get over fine without any cheese ball “powers that be!” nonsense. They’ve got stables, they’ve got strong babyfaces to play with, they’ve got the segments, they’re good to go.

[Bang Bang Bart]

I feel like current Kenny Omega is the closest to this without going too far.

[Deleted]

I think there are aspects of it you can work with that are good without doing the whole thing. Having an evil authority figure wanting their chosen guy as champion because it's good for business, regardless of him constantly needing to be bailed out and the crowd hating his guts, is stupid. But a champion who talks about how it's necessary that they have the belt because the company depends on having a champion like them to survive is fine.

[eJm]

Apr 19, 2021 14:30:08 GMT -5 Clash, Never a Meter Maid said:

I don’t want them to create a “corporate champion”.

Corporate champs, IMO, only work when you’re a booker and you’ve decided you don’t want a realistic product. In certain instances it can work, like the Austin/McMahon wars because Attitude was specifically meant to be bonkers, and Dario Cueto managing his killer Matanza while also serving as commissioner because Lucha Underground was a “100% cinematic style” promotion. But you can’t push for believability and have the babyfaces getting f***ed over by management. It’s not something that a real world combat sport company should ideally do. (EDIT: no Dana White jokes, please.)

I mean, Vince's logic was more that he loved how much money he made with Austin but didn't like the fact he was "edgy" or "anti-authority" so tried his best to get him on side and when he failed, it basically made him snap and set out to replace him with anyone else who'd at least not be Austin. It's sort of amazing how many of the ones after that forgot that bit and went with the other approaches because, yeah, it doesn't make sense in a competitive company to just constantly screw over people when you're trying to build someone who can be good with PR or whatever.

I also hope it doesn't happen and I hope Khan doesn't have that itch outside of his Vince in Memphis character on Impact since, yeah, it would feel blase.

[The Ichi]

Even though I have trust in AEW to do a well written one, I never want to see any kind of evil authority story again.

[Dub H]

I would say Kenny Omega is their version of a twisted Corporate Champion.

[Legion]

I think Tony Kahn would love to do it, but I think has enough people around him who will point out the things already said in the thread that would hopefully change his mind from actually doing it.

On saying that, he's a very rich man, and ego is a hell of a thing...

[Mozenrath]

As others have said, Kenny (and the Bucks to an extent) are probably as close to that as I see them ever getting. We know they're part of management, in storyline and out, and it's been established that Khan can and will overrule them if he wants to, like when Omega promised Sydal a match and then "gave" him it right after another match, without warning.

I am sure they understand that pulling this shit too much can and will make fans see the promotion itself as the heel, which, is obviously pretty dreadful.

[The Dark Order Inferno]

I would think the fact he's used himself so sparingly is kind of a good sign he has no desire to make himself the star. He's a wrestling scholar, someone with an encylopedic knowledge and genuine love for the sport, he's seen how badly having the booker as an on screen character has gone for a company in the long term. The WWE has a real problem creating main event faces because anyone new they get behind becomes a heel because they keep on booking management as heels whenever ratings dip and have done so since the 90s, I doubt Tony Khan wants to be in that position.

[Mozenrath]

Apr 19, 2021 17:23:15 GMT -5 The Dark Order Inferno said:

I would think the fact he's used himself so sparingly is kind of a good sign he has no desire to make himself the star. He's a wrestling scholar, someone with an encylopedic knowledge and genuine love for the sport, he's seen how badly having the booker as an on screen character has gone for a company in the long term. The WWE has a real problem creating main event faces because anyone new they get behind becomes a heel because they keep on booking management as heels whenever ratings dip and have done so since the 90s, I doubt Tony Khan wants to be in that position.

Yeah, by pretty much all accounts, he doesn't want to be an onscreen character. Like, he can do media things like promote stuff on the podcast, and he doesn't pretend to not exist, but I think that's about as far as he wants to go with it.

[Cyno]

I think the closest we're going to get to that anytime soon is Tony Khan's paid promotional spots during Impact. Those are great because it's done so outlandishly and he's leaning into the absurdity of it.

But I'd be happy to never see another evil authority figure anywhere ever again. Especially since AEW is booked more like a "face territory," having Tony as the top heel really clashes with that vibe.

[Bang Bang Bart]

Apr 19, 2021 17:28:02 GMT -5 Mozenrath said:

Apr 19, 2021 17:23:15 GMT -5 The Dark Order Inferno said:

I would think the fact he's used himself so sparingly is kind of a good sign he has no desire to make himself the star. He's a wrestling scholar, someone with an encylopedic knowledge and genuine love for the sport, he's seen how badly having the booker as an on screen character has gone for a company in the long term. The WWE has a real problem creating main event faces because anyone new they get behind becomes a heel because they keep on booking management as heels whenever ratings dip and have done so since the 90s, I doubt Tony Khan wants to be in that position.

Yeah, by pretty much all accounts, he doesn't want to be an onscreen character. Like, he can do media things like promote stuff on the podcast, and he doesn't pretend to not exist, but I think that's about as far as he wants to go with it.

And the paid ads, but... I think those are done now with Impact’s move to Thursdays.

[Dr. Bolty, Disaster Enby]

Apr 19, 2021 17:28:02 GMT -5 Mozenrath said:

Apr 19, 2021 17:23:15 GMT -5 The Dark Order Inferno said:

I would think the fact he's used himself so sparingly is kind of a good sign he has no desire to make himself the star. He's a wrestling scholar, someone with an encylopedic knowledge and genuine love for the sport, he's seen how badly having the booker as an on screen character has gone for a company in the long term. The WWE has a real problem creating main event faces because anyone new they get behind becomes a heel because they keep on booking management as heels whenever ratings dip and have done so since the 90s, I doubt Tony Khan wants to be in that position.

Yeah, by pretty much all accounts, he doesn't want to be an onscreen character. Like, he can do media things like promote stuff on the podcast, and he doesn't pretend to not exist, but I think that's about as far as he wants to go with it.

I feel like his one actual on-screen appearance so far on Elevation points to the problem of a heel authority figure: they are narratively invincible. Kenny Omega was acting as the closest thing AEW has to such a figure (by way of championship + EVP status), and abused his power to screw over Matt Sydal. The only narrative recourse available was, well, Tony Khan swooping in to deus ex machina away Kenny's authority in the situation.

It speaks to both the benefit of the promotion itself being face-side-of-neutral, but also neatly demonstrated that the only thing that stops a heel authority figure is, well, a deus ex machina, in this case with Tony playing the god.

[Clash, Never a Meter Maid]

Apr 19, 2021 17:28:02 GMT -5 Mozenrath said:

Apr 19, 2021 17:23:15 GMT -5 The Dark Order Inferno said:

I would think the fact he's used himself so sparingly is kind of a good sign he has no desire to make himself the star. He's a wrestling scholar, someone with an encylopedic knowledge and genuine love for the sport, he's seen how badly having the booker as an on screen character has gone for a company in the long term. The WWE has a real problem creating main event faces because anyone new they get behind becomes a heel because they keep on booking management as heels whenever ratings dip and have done so since the 90s, I doubt Tony Khan wants to be in that position.

Yeah, by pretty much all accounts, he doesn't want to be an onscreen character. Like, he can do media things like promote stuff on the podcast, and he doesn't pretend to not exist, but I think that's about as far as he wants to go with it.

Bingo. I appreciate that Tony isn't shoving himself into every segment, but I'm also glad he isn't invisible, and can do those press conferences and step in for official rulings when needed. No wrestling company should feel as if it's being run by Oz (not Kevin Nash).

[Mozenrath]

Apr 19, 2021 17:41:07 GMT -5 Dr. Bolty, Disaster Enby said:

Apr 19, 2021 17:28:02 GMT -5 Mozenrath said:

Yeah, by pretty much all accounts, he doesn't want to be an onscreen character. Like, he can do media things like promote stuff on the podcast, and he doesn't pretend to not exist, but I think that's about as far as he wants to go with it.

I feel like his one actual on-screen appearance so far on Elevation points to the problem of a heel authority figure: they are narratively invincible. Kenny Omega was acting as the closest thing AEW has to such a figure (by way of championship + EVP status), and abused his power to screw over Matt Sydal. The only narrative recourse available was, well, Tony Khan swooping in to deus ex machina away Kenny's authority in the situation.

It speaks to both the benefit of the promotion itself being face-side-of-neutral, but also neatly demonstrated that the only thing that stops a heel authority figure is, well, a deus ex machina, in this case with Tony playing the god.

Yeah, even with Vince, they used to rely on the "board of directors" or usually Linda to try to counteract him, but even that was done so selectively.

[toodarkmark]

I HHHHAAAAATTEEEEEE Evil Authority figures. Lucha Underground, TNA, WWE for 25 years. It worked with Steve Austin because he was such a badass, and just should never work again.

Buuuttttttt.... Impact commercial Tony Khan was so amazing. I really want that character again, in some form or fashion. I don't want him cutting promos at the beginning of Dynamite on Hangman Page, and Hangman turning around in disgust. It's played out. But I do want Tony Khan drunk with power cutting a heel promo on someone he hates. I don't know who would work. Maybe Captain Insano versus Evil Tony Khan mini feud on Elevation. People would still get so upset, but I'd enjoy it.

[Clash, Never a Meter Maid]

Apr 19, 2021 19:34:49 GMT -5 toodarkmark said:

I HHHHAAAAATTEEEEEE Evil Authority figures. Lucha Underground, TNA, WWE for 25 years. It worked with Steve Austin because he was such a badass, and just should never work again.

Buuuttttttt.... Impact commercial Tony Khan was so amazing. I really want that character again, in some form or fashion. I don't want him cutting promos at the beginning of Dynamite on Hangman Page, and Hangman turning around in disgust. It's played out. But I do want Tony Khan drunk with power cutting a heel promo on someone he hates. I don't know who would work. Maybe Captain Insano versus Evil Tony Khan mini feud on Elevation. People would still get so upset, but I'd enjoy it.

Khan slightly clowning on someone in a one off gag, like on BTE? Sure, so long as he goes back to Tunneying it up afterwards. If it’s meant to be taken seriously, no buys.

[Deleted]

Tony Khan has only been on screen "in universe" once, and that was for the Brody Lee celebration. If anything warranted it, that would be it.

Otherwise? At best he should be like Jack Tunney where he shows up when it's absolutely necessary and then you don't see him again until next year.

[deezy]

I don't think he'll ever be a evil authority figure but I have a gut feeling that he'll be in a major program/ angle by 2022.

[Bang Bang Bart]

Apr 19, 2021 20:39:59 GMT -5 Clash, Never a Meter Maid said:

Apr 19, 2021 19:34:49 GMT -5 toodarkmark said:

I HHHHAAAAATTEEEEEE Evil Authority figures. Lucha Underground, TNA, WWE for 25 years. It worked with Steve Austin because he was such a badass, and just should never work again.

Buuuttttttt.... Impact commercial Tony Khan was so amazing. I really want that character again, in some form or fashion. I don't want him cutting promos at the beginning of Dynamite on Hangman Page, and Hangman turning around in disgust. It's played out. But I do want Tony Khan drunk with power cutting a heel promo on someone he hates. I don't know who would work. Maybe Captain Insano versus Evil Tony Khan mini feud on Elevation. People would still get so upset, but I'd enjoy it.

Khan slightly clowning on someone in a one off gag, like on BTE? Sure, so long as he goes back to Tunneying it up afterwards. If it’s meant to be taken seriously, no buys.

Wacky Evil Boss Tony as a recurring gag on BTE to parody the evil boss trope in wrestling seems like the way to go.