Mozenrath
FANatic
Foppery and Whim
Speedy Speed Boy
Posts: 121,068
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Post by Mozenrath on Aug 27, 2023 16:55:36 GMT -5
9, I think. Atmosphere was great, and even if I am doubting some of these title changes are going to last, I like that they happened.
(For example, I doubt Saraya is a long haul champion, or Billy Gunn, but I genuinely am fine with both of them joining the alumni.)
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Eunös ✈
Dalek
Duck Feet Expert
Tolerated, just not practically liked.
Posts: 59,193
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Post by Eunös ✈ on Aug 27, 2023 17:02:50 GMT -5
Bias 10.
Helped I was there.
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Post by Denny Zen on Aug 27, 2023 17:08:11 GMT -5
Bias 10. Helped I was there. Looked like one hell of a good time!
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Post by grunt on Aug 27, 2023 17:11:40 GMT -5
A weak 7. It was very much an AEW show for all the merits and faults that phrase carries with it. Still feel like the card presented didn't warrant the arena in which the show was held. It felt like a regular PPV in a bigger arena than AEW's biggest PPV ever. That. It was entertaining for what it was (and it's clearly a success, spectacle-wise), but I can't say I wasn't slightly underwhelmed by the booking and the overall results, which felt very "standard AEW PPV". And a bunch of decisions didn't work for me, honestly, like doubling the dose of MJF/Cole by making them ROH champs, giving the belt to Saraya (+ the obvious Mercedes feud at some point + the Queen entrance), having current-ROH-champ Claudio pinned by perma-semi-injured-in-kayfabe-but-we'll-never-pull-the-trigger-on-that-angle OC, giving the titles to the Acclaimed (they just don't need it to be over) or not cutting 5 minutes of the probably too long Stadium Stampede to give them to the girls. Nothing too bad, and some of those were predictable (just like the fact that Will Ospreay/Jericho was mostly Ospreay working his ass off and Jericho struggling to keep up), but still, it kinda rubbed me the wrong way, right from the preshow.
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Chiral
Salacious Crumb
Posts: 73,598
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Post by Chiral on Aug 27, 2023 17:12:32 GMT -5
The only thing I didn't really like was Cash inexplicably winning but as a whole that was an amazing show that kept a really good pace and an amazing crowd that somehow wasn't completely exhausted and quiet by the end.
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Post by discoelysium on Aug 27, 2023 17:18:58 GMT -5
Just got back from the show. As a card itself a 7, as an experience an easy 10. Incredible atmosphere throughout, and loved the whole thing.
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bog
ALF
Posts: 1,003
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Post by bog on Aug 27, 2023 17:21:32 GMT -5
Easy 10 from me, even if I don't agree with all the booking decisions. Typically when I'm really looking forward to an AEW PPV, I end up disappointed, but this broke that streak for me.
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4real
Wade Wilson
Posts: 27,692
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Post by 4real on Aug 27, 2023 17:28:43 GMT -5
Il give it a 9. Loses a point for FTR retaining. Everything else was out of AEW’s control (high prices at Wembley and surrounding area for food and drink, the sun getting in everyone’s eyes). Match quality was high without there being a classic on a Gunther v Sheamus level. Excellent show although I’m kinda wishing it was at anywhere else other than Wembley.
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Post by EZ: Brainy Bae on Aug 27, 2023 17:53:34 GMT -5
I think I liked it more than All Out 2021, which I gave a 10 to and was my favorite AEW show.
Even with FTR winning and the Punk distraction(!)it's a huge success.
Next year's show needs more women's matches - and weight behind them.
Edit: Upon review might have to dock it at least a half point for JR ruining the Elite/BC Gold match. I respect him more than most but god he was such a grump tonight
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FinalGwen
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Particularly fond of muffins.
Posts: 16,432
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Post by FinalGwen on Aug 27, 2023 17:55:11 GMT -5
9 for me. Atmosphere was insane, and overall I had a phenomenal time. But can't quite call it perfect for a few reasons:
- Predicted Saraya winning but it's a terrible choice, and are we meant to buy her as a face now because her Speaking-Out-accused mum got hit? Between that, Shida being treated as a transitional champ, and Saraya nicking Emi Sakura's dream entrance, that whole match was a downer. - Having Swerve lose three matches in a week is just insane to me, sorry. Loses on all the go homes, then loses clean on the PPV too. Sting's entrance was great live and all due respect to him, but I don't need to see him going over the best heel in the company in 2023. - There was a Jericho/Ospreay match that I immediately noped out to go to the loo and grab drinks because screw Ospreay. - Road Rage Rewarded.
So this doesn't seem too negative (I did give it a 9, after all) some highlights: - Just getting to see so many faves in person, they packed on a hell of a lot of the big names of AEW and the biggest omissions are due to injury rather than lack of trying. And I'm really glad they spaced out the Elite's entrances rather than doing Carry On My Wayward Son, hearing Hangman's theme in person was a joy, along with Battle Cry. - Samoa Joe hurling Punk through a table and giving him the finger. Cold blooded. - Trans Rights sign getting a massive pop in Wembley Stadium. For everything bad I'll say about Punk, cool of him to highlight it. - Orange Cassidy's tron graphics with a handdrawn Big Ben and Routemaster Bus. - The Stadium Stampede match just being a violent chaotic blast of a match. - I was not expecting the Seek And Destroy entrance so that was pretty damn cool. - The best Eddie chair spot tribute ever. - Love won. The show ended with two men hugging, their friendship intact despite so much temptation to throw it all away.
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Post by crashmatsbazz on Aug 27, 2023 18:06:35 GMT -5
10 One of the best things ive ever been to, absolutely amazing from top to bottom. Im going back next year and im spending the money on seats on the floor.
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Post by firsttimelongtime on Aug 27, 2023 18:07:56 GMT -5
I thought the build was truly wretched. I have not feeing the AEW product at all. And still I can say that show was a 10/10. First I have given, I believe. Well done!
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Post by Muskrat on Aug 27, 2023 18:09:14 GMT -5
F***in 10. That show was spot on, it’s what I needed as a wrestling fan after this f***in week
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Post by firsttimelongtime on Aug 27, 2023 18:09:39 GMT -5
I thought the build was truly wretched. I have not been feeling the AEW product at all. And still I can say that show was a 10/10. First I have given, I believe. Well done!
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Post by Tiger Millionaire on Aug 27, 2023 18:27:17 GMT -5
They did a couple important things; they gave a new market a largely babyface show, which I think is important, and they nailed the landing, which they don't always do.
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Post by Cieto on Aug 27, 2023 18:30:43 GMT -5
9.5
Just got back from the stadium, one for the books.
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Post by Jindrak Mark on Aug 27, 2023 18:57:33 GMT -5
The same show in another venue might be a 7 but the Wembley factor bumps it up to a 9 for me, similar to Backlash a few months ago were there may be PPVs with more blowaway matches but the atmosphere made it stand out more.
I was a bit perplexed by a lot of the card going in but now in hindsight I think it made sense. They might've got a higher "Meltzer star rating" average if they had loaded up with more big singles matches like Omega/Takeshita but we've seen in the past with some AEW PPVs and some of those Wrestlemanias around 2016-19 that if you have hours filled with a bunch of 20+ minute matches with kick-outs/false finishes/etc you end up with the crowd tired for the main event rather than peaking like you'd ideally be aiming for so I think it was wise to have more of a mixture. Some singles, some tags, some gimmicks and only 3-4 "long" matches.
Even JR putting on one of of the worst commentary performances on a major PPV since Art Donovan at KOTR 94 didn't really detract too much in the grand scheme of things.
Sting coming out to Seek & Destroy was the highlight of the whole show for me. He only really used it briefly around 99-2000 when WCW was a mess and I'm not even a big Metallica fan so I don't even get why it was so nostalgic for me but it was.
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Post by Some Guy on Aug 27, 2023 19:18:43 GMT -5
Probably an 8 or so. Notable flaws ie women's stuff but enough worked really well and the atmosphere that it's fine. One thing I will say is that Eddie and Sting are just the absolute masterclass of PPV consistency. They flat out do not miss on PPVs.
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Post by yokohamacpfc on Aug 27, 2023 19:23:12 GMT -5
I'm going to give it a 10 because the main event was one of the best all-round matches I've seen perfectly combining workrate with storytelling - very inspired by Piper/Bret at WM 8. Every other match on the card delivered there wasn't a bad match, the event flew by partly due to excellent pacing and production. Recap videos were used sparingly and at the right time, entrances were memorable but didn't take up half a day, no backstage segments or lengthy ads. I know WWE in-ring and in-story proudly puts on a different product to AEW as it should do but I imagine Hunter was watching with a paper and pen given his frustrations with how his big PLEs have timing problems due to too much non-wrestling airtime.
It wasn't perfect because some of the booking was wrong but that doesn't affect the score as a show where the booking pleases everyone is unattainable and none of the decisions were baffling or offensive (end of WM9, Booker T losing at WM, anything WCW did post 98 or TNA did post 09). But for what it's worth I would have had the Elite win both their matches, Shida retain her title, and Christian take the coffin fall (although 90% of the attention on the heel team being on Swerve was correct and he looked strong in defeat so I may rethink that).
I'm British but live abroad, August is usually the time I go home to visit family (start of the football season, end of the cricket season so lots of live sport) this year a crippling tax bill meant I had to give travel a miss for a year so I look forward to attending All In 2024 and I'm sure they'll be more than one woman's match next year (Mercedes v Jade for the title and Britt v Thunder Rosa in a gimmick match are my predictions).
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Zone Was Wrong
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Currently living off the high that AEW brings every Wednesday and Friday
Posts: 16,149
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Post by Zone Was Wrong on Aug 27, 2023 19:24:45 GMT -5
10/10
Some amazing story moments and felt like all the matches hit well. Loved more than I hated.
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