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Post by Cyno on Feb 17, 2023 14:52:43 GMT -5
Elite are tweeners now. They work more face or heel depending on their opponents and crowd reaction. Callis is definitely heel though.
I'd say the way they treat Brandon Cutler is heelish, but they treated him like crap even when they were pure face.
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Post by Killah Ray on Feb 17, 2023 14:55:01 GMT -5
From a 2018-2019 Observer Radio interview, Omega had this to say: If I'm WWE, I let him come for a year and build to that. Even if it won't be the same as if they went at it in New Japan or AEW... it would still be a huge dream match that is Wrestlemania worthy. It wouldn't even need a title. Granted, WWE creative would probably find a way to F up any story... but in-ring, you'd have to believe it was be tremendous regardless of the creative. Kenny in one of the main events for Mania in Philly would legit blow the (non existent) roof off…
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Post by SneakMan on Feb 17, 2023 15:10:35 GMT -5
Why is that, though? If you’re a fan of Kenny, this would give him a slew of fresh opponents to face and a new challenge altogether in going to a promotion like WWE. If you’re a fan of AEW, he’s already fought most of the roster, had a year long world title reign, a tag title reign and story and now a trios title reign; and they still have plenty on their roster to keep going without him. Can't speak for Chiral but here are my thoughts which I've tried to keep brief. As I've said in the past, Kenny basically saved my love for pro wrestling after WWE nearly extinguished it. Watching his series with Okada was revelatory and changed my views as to what pro wrestling could be. Kenny would no doubt have some great matches in WWE, and though it would be a major blow, AEW has enough talent that they would adapt and survive. But seeing the dude who saved my wrestling fandom get absorbed into the system that almost killed my wrestling fandom would be too depressing for me to deal with. It would be a signifier that everything in pro wrestling exists to get pulled into WWE's universe, and that I can either deal with it or walk away.
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Post by polarbearpete on Feb 17, 2023 15:20:03 GMT -5
Why is that, though? If you’re a fan of Kenny, this would give him a slew of fresh opponents to face and a new challenge altogether in going to a promotion like WWE. If you’re a fan of AEW, he’s already fought most of the roster, had a year long world title reign, a tag title reign and story and now a trios title reign; and they still have plenty on their roster to keep going without him. Can't speak for Chiral but here are my thoughts which I've tried to keep brief. As I've said in the past, Kenny basically saved my love for pro wrestling after WWE nearly extinguished it. Watching his series with Okada was revelatory and changed my views as to what pro wrestling could be. Kenny would no doubt have some great matches in WWE, and though it would be a major blow, AEW has enough talent that they would adapt and survive. But seeing the dude who saved my wrestling fandom get absorbed into the system that almost killed my wrestling fandom would be too depressing for me to deal with. It would be a signifier that everything in pro wrestling exists to get pulled into WWE's universe, and that I can either deal with it or walk away. Yeah I figured it was more of a macro view of things that would make people upset by him going to WWE. I think Kenny probably just sees it as another challenge, another bucket list item to check off before he’s done. I doubt he would sign for something extremely long-term.
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Post by Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) on Feb 17, 2023 15:23:06 GMT -5
Without reading through the thread I can only assume Kenny Omega or Kota Ibushi
Tho I consider Jay White higher than both considering his age and ceiling but Omega would be number 1 just off his star power
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Post by Final Countdown Jones on Feb 17, 2023 15:37:20 GMT -5
Why is that, though? If you’re a fan of Kenny, this would give him a slew of fresh opponents to face and a new challenge altogether in going to a promotion like WWE. If you’re a fan of AEW, he’s already fought most of the roster, had a year long world title reign, a tag title reign and story and now a trios title reign; and they still have plenty on their roster to keep going without him. Can't speak for Chiral but here are my thoughts which I've tried to keep brief. As I've said in the past, Kenny basically saved my love for pro wrestling after WWE nearly extinguished it. Watching his series with Okada was revelatory and changed my views as to what pro wrestling could be. Kenny would no doubt have some great matches in WWE, and though it would be a major blow, AEW has enough talent that they would adapt and survive. But seeing the dude who saved my wrestling fandom get absorbed into the system that almost killed my wrestling fandom would be too depressing for me to deal with. It would be a signifier that everything in pro wrestling exists to get pulled into WWE's universe, and that I can either deal with it or walk away. Just to add onto this, at least personally, I think Kenny owuld have great matches, but I don't know that he'd have the same kind of great matches. Look at someone like Danielson, who is also up there for a claim of best wrestler going. He had a lot of killer matches in WWE, but it takes only one look at his work the past year and a half to see him working in ways he did not work in WWE. Kenny would work in a very similar way. WWE style is just a lot more rigid and set, so you won't get the kind of stuff Kenny's done and is able to do, won't have that same depth of style match-ups. Kenny can work amazing matches in WWE but it wouldn't mean they would be the best matches Kenny can work. Kenny having amazing matches is a foregone conclusion, but the excitement is in the surprise, in the range of stories and styles and ways he can go about it. WWE roots itself too much in predictability and in specific, rote spots for me to hope that the more dynamic elements to what he can do would carry over.
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Post by Cyno on Feb 17, 2023 15:46:15 GMT -5
Why is that, though? If you’re a fan of Kenny, this would give him a slew of fresh opponents to face and a new challenge altogether in going to a promotion like WWE. If you’re a fan of AEW, he’s already fought most of the roster, had a year long world title reign, a tag title reign and story and now a trios title reign; and they still have plenty on their roster to keep going without him. Can't speak for Chiral but here are my thoughts which I've tried to keep brief. As I've said in the past, Kenny basically saved my love for pro wrestling after WWE nearly extinguished it. Watching his series with Okada was revelatory and changed my views as to what pro wrestling could be. Kenny would no doubt have some great matches in WWE, and though it would be a major blow, AEW has enough talent that they would adapt and survive. But seeing the dude who saved my wrestling fandom get absorbed into the system that almost killed my wrestling fandom would be too depressing for me to deal with. It would be a signifier that everything in pro wrestling exists to get pulled into WWE's universe, and that I can either deal with it or walk away. Personally speaking (and I'm someone who had almost an identical experience with falling out of WWE almost killing my wrestling fandom altogether until I saw Omega vs Okada at Dominion 2018), the lack of Vince McMahon's boot on the neck of the creative product has made it a lot easier for me to digest. Even with the specter of him just re-assuming creative or the possibility of someone even worse buying the company feeling like a couple of Swords of Damocles, there's stuff about WWE I really like now even though I still can't get around to watching their full programs. Just because I already watch 6 hours of wrestling a week and adding even just Smackdown or NXT to the mix would start to feel like oversaturation. But watching individual segments or matches on Youtube or Twitter or whatever? There's a lot of good stuff there without feeling like it's soul-crushing or overwhelming either.
Triple H, like any other booker, has his flaws. And I think his own megalomaniac tendencies get overlooked because of the "Papa H" persona he was able to cultivate (and just by benefit of comparison). But I'd take him any single day over the miserable excuse of a human being that is Vince McMahon if only because the talent who work for him actually get treated with respect and not like they're disposable cogs in a soulless machine.
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Post by lildude8218 on Feb 17, 2023 15:48:10 GMT -5
It's Brandi Rhodes. Only member of AEW Unrivaled Series 1 that is currently a Free Agent.
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Post by SneakMan on Feb 17, 2023 15:56:07 GMT -5
Personally speaking (and I'm someone who had almost an identical experience with falling out of WWE almost killing my wrestling fandom altogether until I saw Omega vs Okada at Dominion 2018), the lack of Vince McMahon's boot on the neck of the creative product has made it a lot easier for me to digest. Even with the specter of him just re-assuming creative or the possibility of someone even worse buying the company feeling like a couple of Swords of Damocles, there's stuff about WWE I really like now even though I still can't get around to watching their full programs. Just because I already watch 6 hours of wrestling a week and adding even just Smackdown or NXT to the mix would start to feel like oversaturation. But watching individual segments or matches on Youtube or Twitter or whatever? There's a lot of good stuff there without feeling like it's soul-crushing or overwhelming either. Triple H, like any other booker, has his flaws. And I think his own megalomaniac tendencies get overlooked because of the "Papa H" persona he was able to cultivate (and just by benefit of comparison). But I'd take him any single day over the miserable excuse of a human being that is Vince McMahon if only because the talent who work for him actually get treated with respect and not like they're disposable cogs in a soulless machine.
Yeah I get ya. I think for me it's also an ideological thing. Like regardless if its Vince or Trips at the helm, WWE still wants a global wrestling empire with wrestlers working one style under one banner, while AEW is (for now at least) content to be part of a diverse ecosystem. That latter concept is much more appealing to me than the former.
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Post by "Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik on Feb 17, 2023 16:00:31 GMT -5
Can't speak for Chiral but here are my thoughts which I've tried to keep brief. As I've said in the past, Kenny basically saved my love for pro wrestling after WWE nearly extinguished it. Watching his series with Okada was revelatory and changed my views as to what pro wrestling could be. Kenny would no doubt have some great matches in WWE, and though it would be a major blow, AEW has enough talent that they would adapt and survive. But seeing the dude who saved my wrestling fandom get absorbed into the system that almost killed my wrestling fandom would be too depressing for me to deal with. It would be a signifier that everything in pro wrestling exists to get pulled into WWE's universe, and that I can either deal with it or walk away. Just to add onto this, at least personally, I think Kenny owuld have great matches, but I don't know that he'd have the same kind of great matches. Look at someone like Danielson, who is also up there for a claim of best wrestler going. He had a lot of killer matches in WWE, but it takes only one look at his work the past year and a half to see him working in ways he did not work in WWE. Kenny would work in a very similar way. WWE style is just a lot more rigid and set, so you won't get the kind of stuff Kenny's done and is able to do, won't have that same depth of style match-ups. Kenny can work amazing matches in WWE but it wouldn't mean they would be the best matches Kenny can work. Kenny having amazing matches is a foregone conclusion, but the excitement is in the surprise, in the range of stories and styles and ways he can go about it. WWE roots itself too much in predictability and in specific, rote spots for me to hope that the more dynamic elements to what he can do would carry over. Kenny himself said the reason he thought about going to WWE before was so he could turn his brain off. His creative would be taken care of, the matches would be more formulaic. It would take a lot off his shoulders. And that could be great for him but it may not lead to the kind of stuff we have seen from him for five years.
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Post by "Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik on Feb 17, 2023 16:05:29 GMT -5
For whatever it's worth, Ryan Frederick who works on the Observer site and is in touch with Dave said this on their board:
"Not in negotiations with WWE. Was told Kenny had time added to his AEW deal. Unknown when it ends. And that he was in negotiations on a new deal."
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XIII
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Posts: 18,599
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Post by XIII on Feb 17, 2023 16:10:05 GMT -5
It’s the Rock…it’s always the Rock.
A bit more seriously though, it could very easily be someone already in the E whose contract is coming up soon and AEW would be very interested in signing.
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Chiral
Salacious Crumb
Posts: 74,014
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Post by Chiral on Feb 17, 2023 16:19:14 GMT -5
Have we considered this highly sought after free agent? {Spoiler}{SPOILER: CLICK TO SHOW}
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Post by Cyno on Feb 17, 2023 16:21:22 GMT -5
For whatever it's worth, Ryan Frederick who works on the Observer site and is in touch with Dave said this on their board: "Not in negotiations with WWE. Was told Kenny had time added to his AEW deal. Unknown when it ends. And that he was in negotiations on a new deal." Can't say I'm surprised that there's added time because of the injury. Seems to be a common thing to do all over wrestling.
Wonder who else would be considered a bigger deal than Jay White unless it's someone outside of wrestling (like, as mentioned here before, Francis Ngannou would be a huge deal) or someone already in WWE who's coming up on their contract ending. No one currently in AEW talked about nearing the end of a deal (besides Omega, that is) feels like they're on that level. People mentioned Ibushi, but I think White's already eclipsed him as far as being seen as a major player goes. Like, I love what Cardona's done since being let go from WWE, but he is not on Jay's level at all lol.
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XIII
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
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Post by XIII on Feb 17, 2023 16:23:15 GMT -5
Have we considered this highly sought after free agent? {Spoiler}{Spoiler}{SPOILER: CLICK TO SHOW} Not even going to lie, I’m ready for dude to get another chance.
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Legion
Fry's dog Seymour
Amy Pond's #1 fan
Hail Hydra!
Posts: 22,897
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Post by Legion on Feb 17, 2023 16:32:05 GMT -5
Added time doesnt mean not in play.
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Post by Rudy Gobert Fadeaway on Feb 17, 2023 16:41:09 GMT -5
Francis Ngannou as Kenny Omega would put real Kenny Omega out of 2 jobs
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schizo
Dennis Stamp
Posts: 3,574
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Post by schizo on Feb 17, 2023 16:46:28 GMT -5
Have we considered this highly sought after free agent? {Spoiler}{Spoiler}{SPOILER: CLICK TO SHOW} Always a fan of his, i want to see him back in WWE just to see what he does lol
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Post by HMARK Center on Feb 17, 2023 16:48:43 GMT -5
Can't speak for Chiral but here are my thoughts which I've tried to keep brief. As I've said in the past, Kenny basically saved my love for pro wrestling after WWE nearly extinguished it. Watching his series with Okada was revelatory and changed my views as to what pro wrestling could be. Kenny would no doubt have some great matches in WWE, and though it would be a major blow, AEW has enough talent that they would adapt and survive. But seeing the dude who saved my wrestling fandom get absorbed into the system that almost killed my wrestling fandom would be too depressing for me to deal with. It would be a signifier that everything in pro wrestling exists to get pulled into WWE's universe, and that I can either deal with it or walk away. Just to add onto this, at least personally, I think Kenny owuld have great matches, but I don't know that he'd have the same kind of great matches. Look at someone like Danielson, who is also up there for a claim of best wrestler going. He had a lot of killer matches in WWE, but it takes only one look at his work the past year and a half to see him working in ways he did not work in WWE. Kenny would work in a very similar way. WWE style is just a lot more rigid and set, so you won't get the kind of stuff Kenny's done and is able to do, won't have that same depth of style match-ups. Kenny can work amazing matches in WWE but it wouldn't mean they would be the best matches Kenny can work. Kenny having amazing matches is a foregone conclusion, but the excitement is in the surprise, in the range of stories and styles and ways he can go about it. WWE roots itself too much in predictability and in specific, rote spots for me to hope that the more dynamic elements to what he can do would carry over. Yeah, I've said it before but Samoa Joe and Bryan Danielson were two of the biggest reasons I got as deep into pro wrestling as I did back circa 2004-2005, after kind of settling on the idea that "oh, I guess the glory days of my fandom will always be Hulkamania era WWF" only to have stuff like old school ROH and puro open my eyes to a whole new level of things...but I couldn't get myself to follow them to WWE when they went there. Obviously glad they made a lot of money and got a lot of exposure, and they had good matches there, but having watched a few of those matches over time it was hard not to feel like they were wearing limiters, not because they weren't doing good spots or crazy moves, but because WWE's ring psychology and storytelling tends to, as you say, pretty rote. Said it before and I'll say it again, the one match I said for awhile I'd go out of my way to see if it happened in a WWE ring was Brock Lesnar vs. Samoa Joe, and when it actually happened and had that intense build up to it I went out of my way to watch it, and holy shit did I walk away completely disappointed...but having seen Joe since then it drove home that it's largely because the way WWE does matches just doesn't really do anything for me. So yeah, Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, and Jay White have done some of my favorite work as in-ring storytellers over the last five-plus years, but if they were in WWE I can't say I'd really be tempted to watch their output there much at all.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2023 16:52:26 GMT -5
Have we considered this highly sought after free agent? {Spoiler}{Spoiler}{SPOILER: CLICK TO SHOW} His complete stupidity with that whole invade the show bs aside I think Enzo was a missed opportunity...EA All Day is a freakin gold mine on the mic and could have really been decent if he could keep his nose clean and pants up too i guess...Still though it's never cool to see people lose their jobs for hearsay though I get WWE being upset that he wasn't upfront about it.
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