HeyYo
Trap-Jaw
Posts: 447
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Post by HeyYo on Dec 28, 2021 10:42:51 GMT -5
Positives: The voice of my childhood, Tony Schiavone! The wrestlers actually seem to be enjoying themselves. On the whole, I think they have massive potential. The stuff that they nail is the best stuff in wrestling in maybe decades. Khan actually seems like he cares about the fans, unlike Vince
Negatives: Death matches and flaming tables. I can't put into words how much I despise this. The Young Bucks. Not a fan at all. It seems that every interview is interrupted.
Overall I'm very happy that they're around. They have made wrestling relevant in my life again as I completely stopped watching WWE in 2015.
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Post by polarbearpete on Dec 28, 2021 11:02:43 GMT -5
A very good alternative to WWE, which has churned out entertaining weekly TV, with major stars, competitive matches and some strong storylines. Hopefully they last a long time.
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Post by Bang Bang Bart on Dec 28, 2021 11:44:12 GMT -5
I'll give them credit: they understand that most storylines should end with the face coming out on top and just giving the people what they want.
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The Ichi
Patti Mayonnaise
AGGRESSIVE Executive Janitor of the Third Floor Manager's Bathroom
Posts: 37,299
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Post by The Ichi on Dec 28, 2021 13:07:21 GMT -5
"Mostly excellent with a few easily remedied flaws" is basically where I'm at.
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Post by HMARK Center on Dec 28, 2021 17:09:56 GMT -5
If we're really going by them as a televised product, it's been more like two years plus a few months, given that Dynamite debuted in October 2019.
The main positive for me is that I'm finally watching a US-based wrestling promotion on weekly TV and not doing so with a lingering thought of "Ok, this isn't very good, but look at all the good stuff they're hinting at, or might start doing, if they could just get these couple of pieces into place the show would improve, I'll stick around just in case they start getting it right", etc. etc. etc. I watched 1998-early 2000 WCW like that, I watched WWF in 1999 and WWE in 2004 like that, I watched TNA on and off from 2004 through like 2012 like that, and holy shit did I get tired of having to view TV wrestling that way. I don't need everything AEW books to be perfect, I just need it to be a fun show that leaves me wanting more, and they consistently deliver. Even when they book something I might not agree with I feel safe giving them the benefit of the doubt that "this is actually going somewhere, this will serve a purpose at some point". There's been times some stuff has just been dropped unceremoniously for whatever reason and that sucks, but it's the exception rather than the rule, I know they won't nail everything 100% but they come through much more often than not.
To get more into the weeds a bit on the things I like: -As a live experience, it's fantastic. Was lucky to go to the Newark and NYC shows back to back weeks (hoping I can still go to the January Newark show, too, despite Omicron, but we'll see), and for a TV-based product it felt more like I was at a classic ROH show or one of the NJPW shows I've been to since 2017, just on a larger scale.
-The PPVs are fulfilling. If I've had a critique of Impact and ROH since late 2019 or so it's been that they've had solid weekly TV but that their PPVs don't feel significantly bigger than the weekly shows, so the PPV matches don't stand out as much (there are notable exceptions to this, mind). AEW has managed to have really good weekly TV AND really satisfying quarterly PPVs, along with PPV-esque specials on free TV now and then. I think they manage this because...
-...They structure their roster so you know who's on what "tier"; weekly TV usually gives us at least a couple cases of someone on the B or C tier going at someone more like the S or A tier, and while you know the higher ranked person will likely win, it just tells an overall different story than when you get to the pay per view and it feels like you're watching people mostly on the same level going at it.
-Their shows are super, super easy watches that really fly by when you're watching them. I've gone on wrestling binges to get caught up on certain promotions and found myself dragging sometimes in the process, but AEW has never really presented that issue in my eyes.
-Oh, and I'm glad to see more and more technical wrestlers on the roster. That was one thing I felt was lacking at the start for the company, but it was clear once Danielson was on his way in that Khan was on the lookout for wrestlers who could easily fit in something like ROH's Pure Division (e.g. Garcia, Moriarty, etc.), and since I adore that style I'm happy to see more of it. Combine that with the Forbidden Door shenanigans leading to great strong style wrestlers coming in, too, and I'm getting just about all my favorite styles represented.
As for things that could use work, I'm with the people that want to see more matches on Dynamite for the women when possible. They've done better in giving them more storylines, but more can definitely be done now that the women's roster is much stronger than it was this time last year when the pandemic and other factors were screwing a lot of things up. Personally I'd love to see them, assuming they get another timeslot for a wrestling show, set time aside for an all-womens show, as they have enough talent for it and room for more stories, but I know that's not easy to get.
Agreed that they need to cut back on promos getting interrupted. I get that it's kind of a fun trope at this point that Tony Schiavone can't get a single full interview done before someone else storms out, but it could use a bit of easing up.
Cycling in some other talent now and then is needed. I get it's tough when you've got so many great wrestlers and established names to showcase on your marquee shows, but it's too easy for some wrestlers to get stuck on Dark and Elevation, and while I'm happy to watch those most of the time it can be tough feeling like some wrestlers are kind of stuck in purgatory, so to speak. Better than sitting at catering, for sure, and Dark is finally having some storylines again, which is good, but it'd be nice to see people cycle in and out a little bit more.
Otherwise, I can't complain much. It's funny, the big complaint I see here about the refs not enforcing rules enough or some stuff taking too long to unfold in the booking doesn't really bother me, likely because I'm used to stuff like that from watching a lot of New Japan; NJPW committed to definitive finishes to matches around a decade ago after too many years of having too many DQs and stoppages booked, so you often end up with people spending long stretches out of the ring or doing other stuff that can make the refs look dumb, but the trade off is that DQs are rare and you mostly get clear endings to matches, a trade most fans seem ok with, and one AEW seemed to adapt for itself. Still, they could try some tweaks; like, do what some of us suggested when brainstorming how a ROH "Pure Tag" division would look and book certain tag matches to operate under stricter rules, and thus different psychology, than others. Maybe those would only be in matches for ranked spots or official, non-blood feud tag title matches, but whatever, I'm sure there are ways it could be used (e.g. you have to use the tag rope, 10 count for partner in the ring strictly enforced, only three pin/submission breakups a match, etc.).
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Post by THE FVNKER on Dec 28, 2021 19:37:15 GMT -5
My only problem is the mood lighting in the crowd, you're not WWE, you don't need special crowd lighting for your shows. Agreed 1000%. That is like, the biggest glaring issue from a production standpoint in my mind. I absolutely hate it. It's such a WWE trademark and it makes every venue look the same.
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King Devitt
Grimlock
It gets better the longer you stare at it
Posts: 13,758
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Post by King Devitt on Dec 28, 2021 20:37:39 GMT -5
I may not agree with all the decisions the company makes but I like that Tony Khan actually gives a shit about the wrestling product and the cares about the fans, and LISTENS to them.
It's nice to see a mainstream wrestling company run by someone who isn't ridiculously arrogant or spiteful.
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Kalmia
King Koopa
Happy to be here
Posts: 11,688
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Post by Kalmia on Dec 28, 2021 21:13:22 GMT -5
One thing that I do want to point out and praise AEW for is that they have a well-structured hierarchy. There are main eventers, mid-carders, and even jobbers and they're all allowed to get over. The belts in AEW are important, but it's not all about the belts. There is a clear path of progression up the card and even though wins and loses matter, a loss doesn't mean you're getting buried. I'm not saying everyone is being used in the right way or is in the right place on the card, but it's refreshing after how WWE has insisted on 50/50 booking that helps nobody.
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Ultimo Gallos
Grimlock
Dreams SUCK!Nightmares live FOREVER!
Posts: 14,415
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Post by Ultimo Gallos on Dec 29, 2021 0:58:54 GMT -5
Now I watched the first 4 months of Dynamite when it hit the airwaves. And right before Rampage started I started watching Dynamite and it each week. But after 5 weeks gave up.
Positives Whoever is in charge seems to like signing lots of the indie talent I have enjoyd watching the past few years. When the matches are good they are great.
Negatives Why isn't Dynamite and Rampage repeated during the week? Wednesday night the DVR is already recording 3 shows when Dynamite airs. Which means I have to watch it On Demand. And Dish On Demand doesn't let you fast forward. So I can't skip the matches I don't want to see.
The Bucks....First saw them in 2008 and to me they haven't improved one bit. If I want flips without much selling I will go watch Lucha,
Too many stables.
When the matches are bad they are bowling shoe ugly bad.
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Heartbreaker
King Koopa
Is actually Bindi Irwin
RIP Punk's media scrum, Page 54, Muffins, Biting People Bad™ (2022 - 2022)
Posts: 11,846
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Post by Heartbreaker on Dec 29, 2021 1:43:54 GMT -5
Positives: - Another top wrestling promotion after 20 years of only WWE. It's very healthy for the industry. Enough said.
- No on-air authority figures. Very refreshing, especially after almost 25 years of this stupid trope.
- Wins and losses seem to actually matter.
- Championships feel important.
- I love the tag team division! There’s so many different tag teams around and it helps keep things a bit fresh.
- Special episodes of Dynamite. They’re usually a lot of fun and it’s much better than a PPV every single month. Very few PPVs a year also help them become a bigger deal.
- Partnerships with NJPW, DDT and other promotions.
Negatives: - The women's division. I've said it so many times, it needs a lot of work. The talent's there, but it's a matter of using them and having more than one match per show.
- I feel they aren’t doing enough to cater towards demos outside the 18 - 49 (mostly white) males. There has to be more done with not only the women’s division, but diversity in the roster too. More POC and LGBT talent. I'd also like to see more nationalities, but it's difficult with the pandemic.
- I don't partially care about most of the stables. Cannot stand Inner Circle, Dark Order and The Pinnical are so meh to me, HFO are a train wreck and it’s helping nobody… then there's the Elite who are very overdone at this point. Beatdowns almost every week are not helping which brings me to another negative.
- Wrestling in general has always had overused tropes, but there’s a few that AEW won’t calm the f*** down about: beatdowns, idiot referees, brass knuckles (thanks Bunny).
- Some talent are stuck on Dark/Elevation. It’s a bit ridiculous how Janela/Kiss spent their whole feud on there. There’s gotta be better rotations with the roster, especially with the size it is now. Not everybody watches these shows so it’s a bit unfair some wrestlers don’t get a spot on Dynamite/Rampage.
- Feuds are either too long or too short. I’m still mad Punk/Kingston ended so quickly.
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Post by lavelleuk22 on Dec 29, 2021 5:30:00 GMT -5
I have things I like and dislike, but I'm sure what I like some people don't and what I dislike some people enjoy
So all I'll say is - I genuinely thought I was done as a wrestling fan. WWE had killed the UK independent scene so much that I'd stopped going to wrestling, whilst at the same time putting on tv shows I just did not enjoy. So I was watching no wrestling at all and I wasn't missing it tbh
I only watched AEW to support the idea of another big company (not sure why I thought one viewer would matter) and tbh I barely watched dynamite in the beginning
But over the last 3 years they have turned me into a fan of professional wrestling again. Matches like Thunder Rosa v Britt Baker I'll remember as much as I did Mick v HHH from when I was a kid. DB's current run is genuinely GOAT material. Punks return, Brodie beating Cody, bucks v lucha bros cage match etc
I thought I'd done "marking out" as even the last few years of watching wwe I'd maybe watch 20mins of a raw and forward the rest as I just didn't care. Now I'm buying ppvs and messaging my friends about things that happen, I'm finding myself celebrating wins and losing myself in matches to the extent you can block out the fact everything is predetermined
Not sure this makes sense, but when I watched wwe if a guy I liked won I'd more think "I'm glad they didn't mess up his booking" but in AEW I never find myself thinking "I'm glad Tony chose him to win" I just lose myself in and moment and enjoy what I watch and forget all about the fact its a written tv show
So yeah...my thoughts are basically thank you AEW for giving me my fandom back lol
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Post by CeilingFan on Dec 29, 2021 6:18:32 GMT -5
I have things I like and dislike, but I'm sure what I like some people don't and what I dislike some people enjoy So all I'll say is - I genuinely thought I was done as a wrestling fan. WWE had killed the UK independent scene so much that I'd stopped going to wrestling, whilst at the same time putting on tv shows I just did not enjoy. So I was watching no wrestling at all and I wasn't missing it tbh I only watched AEW to support the idea of another big company (not sure why I thought one viewer would matter) and tbh I barely watched dynamite in the beginning But over the last 3 years they have turned me into a fan of professional wrestling again. Matches like Thunder Rosa v Britt Baker I'll remember as much as I did Mick v HHH from when I was a kid. DB's current run is genuinely GOAT material. Punks return, Brodie beating Cody, bucks v lucha bros cage match etc I thought I'd done "marking out" as even the last few years of watching wwe I'd maybe watch 20mins of a raw and forward the rest as I just didn't care. Now I'm buying ppvs and messaging my friends about things that happen, I'm finding myself celebrating wins and losing myself in matches to the extent you can block out the fact everything is predetermined Not sure this makes sense, but when I watched wwe if a guy I liked won I'd more think "I'm glad they didn't mess up his booking" but in AEW I never find myself thinking "I'm glad Tony chose him to win" I just lose myself in and moment and enjoy what I watch and forget all about the fact its a written tv show So yeah...my thoughts are basically thank you AEW for giving me my fandom back lol Once the Covid levels are down in the UK, maybe AEW can do something with Revolution Pro Wrestling.
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repomark
Unicron
For Mash Get Smash
Posts: 3,049
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Post by repomark on Dec 29, 2021 10:03:52 GMT -5
It made wrestling fun again. It’s a show I can just enjoy and not get bogged down in the back stage elements that I have been sucked into with WWE. It has been an absolute joy and hope it continues to grow without overstretching itself.
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FinalGwen
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Particularly fond of muffins.
Posts: 16,434
Member is Online
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Post by FinalGwen on Dec 29, 2021 10:27:52 GMT -5
It's had its down patches this year, and there are some things that need ironing out, from booking issues like 'countdown until interview gets interrupted' and 'gosh, these referees miss everything' (and that bloody Lambert/Brandi segment) to the aforementioned issues with diversity and the women's division which does seem to be at least improving a bit now.
But overall, when AEW is good it's bloody great. I usually come away from Dynamite feeling like I had a really good time and it was worth staying up until 3am to watch it. They have ridiculously good talent (bar a few abusers that should not be hired/pushed) and some of the best told stories I've seen in wrestling, and embrace the fun of wrestling in a way that makes it a joy to watch.
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Post by CeilingFan on Dec 30, 2021 11:54:15 GMT -5
AEW Women's Division will get better if Toni Storm signs with them.
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Post by Instant Classic on Dec 30, 2021 11:57:30 GMT -5
A great company that uses talents very well. It’s still not my favorite company and some storylines can be unorganized but 3 years in and it’s been a big deal and gets bigger.
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