The pride month commercials bug me (for a legitimate reason)

[Deleted]

Before I start, I must state that the reasoning for the thread is not for any homophobic or transphobic reasoning. I'm asexual (I know I said I was bi on here years ago but I was still figuring out who I was until I knew who I truly am and finally being happy), and Nyla Rose remains one of my favorite acts in this company. Plus, it always is good to see companies embrace their employees rather than force them to hide who they are.

My issue, though, is how these ads don't really do the talent in particular justice. What I'm trying to say is that if you want to watch AEW and see these wrestlers, you are probably going to have to look really hard. Nyla Rose barely appears unless there is a new Women's Champion in the company, and the inevitable Sonny Kiss ad will result in a "Where's Waldo?" type search. The only person that seemingly is remotely in a viable position at the moment is Anthony Bowens but the Acclaimed are nowhere near the tag team title scene and he only gets offense in during commercial breaks. We've had similar gripes about the status of minorities in this company, and you can't go one week without a thread about the state of the women's division, but at least to me, there is some merit in finding this a little bit irksome.

I believe that wrestling should be a meritocracy, where talent and effort are rewarded in spite of outside circumstances, but when you have spots praising your talent for being who they are while said talent are practically invisible in your company, it's not a good look.

I hope this made sense.

[lucas_lee]

I agree with you a hundred percent. While the ads have good intentions a lot of us can definitely see how hollow it is when those wrestlers on the commercials are barely on TV and are only on the YouTube shows (which aren't brought up on TV unless you see the fast scrolling ticker). If we can notice it, it'll only be a matter of time before social media takes notice too and TK will have another fire to put out.

[champchumpchange]

Are you new to the 'Corporate America does Pride' parade?

It's all hollow signalling to, hopefully, sell you rainbow merch.

[Dr. Bolty, Disaster Enby]

It does make sense. It's all the more frustrating because Sonny Kiss is over seemingly everywhere they go, and Nyla is a multi-talented wrestler who doesn't get interesting things to do - so it's not like these wrestlers don't have reasons to get pushed.

Oddly, Leyla Hirsch before her injury was probably the openly LGBT wrestler getting the most TV time, and hasn't gotten one of the ads. (Which, for all we know, could be a personal comfort situation as to who is OK doing these - Diamante and Kiera Hogan were recently harassed at a hotel, so anyone who doesn't want to put their queerness front and center like that has a very understandable precedent.) Granted, I think she's right where she should be as a lower-tier heel - if anything, that drives in that Sonny and Nyla are underpushed in relation to their popularity and abilities, respectively.

[Nr1Humanoid]

You should not only promote the pride community when it is good PR.

[Deleted]

Jun 9, 2022 13:44:21 GMT -5 champchumpchange said:

Are you new to the 'Corporate America does Pride' parade?

It's all hollow signalling to, hopefully, sell you rainbow merch.

Nope. I'm well versed in how hollow and transactional it is.

[Ronny Rayguns Is All Elite]

Nyla peaked early on with her title reign.

Her current role of first challenger for the new champion has run its course, they need to go ahead and turn her face and away from Vikki

[Legion]

Wait, Caster isn't straight is confirmed now?

In general to your point though at least they gave people the opportunity. I dont think WWE would ever touch Sonny, and even Nyla wouldn't be a 'fit' for them.

So yes, the Pride stuff is as hollow as any other corporation, but much like with Marvel and DC, I do think AEW tries - they just have to balance that trying with the fact that a large section of the fan base isn't always as open as the other section that is likes to admit, and money matters more than morals or social concerns.

[FinalGwen]

AEW have done more than other companies. But it's hard not to be cynical about the direction it's going when the first Dynamite of Pride Month contains LGBTQ+ performers getting the focus for... What, that 5 seconds Bowens spoke for during the Acclaimed/Ass Boys entrance?

[Zone Was Wrong]

Sonny and Nyla really do need more screen time. Think Sonny could be a solid mid card/tag team person and Nyla should turn face so we can get a Nyla/Jade face off.

That said, I do trust AEW over a lot of companies at actually doing stuff with their LGBTQ+ wrestlers and not just mass releasing them weeks after Pride month.

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

Jun 9, 2022 14:49:30 GMT -5 FinalGwen said:

AEW have done more than other companies. But it's hard not to be cynical about the direction it's going when the first Dynamite of Pride Month contains LGBTQ+ performers getting the focus for... What, that 5 seconds Bowens spoke for during the Acclaimed/Ass Boys entrance?

I will say it's a damn shame Bowens is hurt, or he would be competing.

I do wish Sonny would get into a feud that matters, Nyla's just in a weird spot where she really needs to turn heel but seems to really like being with Vicki herself? Idk. I do think the Pride videos come from a sincere place though, more so than most. Like when WWE fired like everyone on their Pride Month poster...

[Killah Ray]

Sonny needs more screen time because he’s talented as f***. Which is why I’m gonna be pissed when his ad airs.

[Allie Kitsune]

Sonny is the absolute best and there's no reason they shouldn't be featured on Dynamite and Rampage (unless it's by Sonny's own request).

[lucas_lee]

Jun 9, 2022 17:49:48 GMT -5 Allie Kitsune said:

Sonny is the absolute best and there's no reason they shouldn't be featured on Dynamite and Rampage (unless it's by Sonny's own request).

Its not...

[Killah Ray]

Jun 9, 2022 17:49:48 GMT -5 Allie Kitsune said:

Sonny is the absolute best and there's no reason they shouldn't be featured on Dynamite and Rampage (unless it's by Sonny's own request).

Yeah there was a twitter post where he admitted it hurts not being on tv when someone shared a meme about how he hasn’t been on tv since 2020 I think it was.

If I’m not mistaken, Sonny was the first person even announced for the AEW roster which is why it’s even more baffling they’re not on tv…

[Cyno]

On the one hand I get it. Rainbow capitalism is really annoying and almost always comes off as disingenuous. On the other hand, in Nyla's case, a mainstream American promotion made a trans woman their second ever women's champion at a time when trans youth especially need that role model.

So could it be better? Yes. Sonny Kiss especially deserves more (any) TV time. But it could be a hell of a lot worse, too.

[Super Duper Dragunov]

Jun 9, 2022 13:44:21 GMT -5 champchumpchange said:

Are you new to the 'Corporate America does Pride' parade?

It's all hollow signalling to, hopefully, sell you rainbow merch.

The best we can hope for is that the corporation doing it will donate some of their profits to an LGBTQIA+ organization or charity.

Like Covergirl working with GLAAD this month.

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

Jun 9, 2022 19:48:01 GMT -5 Super Duper Dragunov said:

Jun 9, 2022 13:44:21 GMT -5 champchumpchange said:

Are you new to the 'Corporate America does Pride' parade?

It's all hollow signalling to, hopefully, sell you rainbow merch.

The best we can hope for is that the corporation doing it will donate some of their profits to an LGBTQIA+ organization or charity.

Like Covergirl working with GLAAD this month.

AEW has donated to The Trevor Project in the past, if I'm not mistaken?

[Nr1Humanoid]

If you are going to support the pride community, either go all out on it or shut up.

[Kalmia]

I think there are a few more people in AEW that are LGBTQ+ but aren't as visible as Nyla, Sonny, and Bowens. I know Aubrey Edwards is outwardly bi, for example.

I'd like to see more of Sonny on my TV (or just any of Sonny) because she's great, not just as a Pride thing. Ever since the idea of Sonny joining the Baddies got floated around it's all I've wanted.