Could Collision be the “sports based presentation” show?

[mrbananagrabber]

When AEW was first announced the phrase “sports based presentation” was thrown around a lot, with the premise, or at least the idea to some, that it was going to be a more grounded, realistic wrestling show than the WWE. And, well, that didn’t really happen.

So instead of just another Dynamite or a 2 hour Rampage, could Collision possibly be that type of show? Something completely different to Dynamite (no Danhausen, for example) and showcase a more realistic wrestling show?

I mean, it would be something different and certainly something that just isn’t on TV. Could be? Maybe?

[Red Mage Riot]

I doubt it. It's gonna be the "Keep CM Punk happy to keep the Network happy" show.

["Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik]

I would contest a bit as to how much of a sports based presentation they have - I think they've leaned into it more than WWE/TNA have over the last 20 years - but I would also say I don't anticipate Collision having that much of a distinct presentation from Dynamite/Rampage outside of announcers/color scheme for the simple reason that Tony Khan is producing it and if he had a vision he wanted to try out or preferred, he would've done it. Unless you have someone entirely different running this show, it will feel pretty similar to other AEW programming.

[Cyno]

I don't think "sports-based presentation" has ever meant "no goofy gimmicks." Even ROH in its heyday and NJPW had their fair share of outlandish gimmicks over the years.

That and the guy really pushing the whole "sports-based presentation" thing was Cody.

[Dub H]

AEW tried the sports presentation, with the scores year-by-year, the ranking, the interim stuff.

Im glad at very least they are still keeping up the wrestlers win-loss records.

[Mayonnaise]

I don't think that is something you do with Punk. He's admittedly not athletic. You want a sports based show, that to me is where the Elite shine.

[KME]

Would "sports based presentation" not mean stuff like win loss records, interim champions, not many f*** finishes (DQ's in particular), talking segments not being overly scripted and the product being wrestling heavy, with a quicker in ring pace than has been seen on mainstream American TV before? Because they did, or still do, all those. They do some whacky shit too but they started the company based around guys like the Bucks who while being amazing in the ring have always had an element of comedy and whatnot to their act, and they came from promotions (New Japan and ROH) where wrestling being presented as a sport is very much their thing.

One of their biggest criticisms of AEW as well is that they don't have storytelling, whereas I'd argue a huge amount of their storytelling is done in the ring itself, exactly the way it should be if it were a legit sport.

I think it's pretty unfair to say their attempt at "sports based presentation" didn't happen or whatever, at the end of the day they were never going to make a product that didn't resemble pro wrestling, they'd have virtually no audience if they did that, and I wouldn't think for a second they'll make their new show that much different to what they already do, which to me does already feel a lot different to any mainstream wrestling in the US that I've watched before. Their PPV's in particular have a level of commitment to just putting on amazing matches beyond anything I've seen, if that isn't trying to be "sport" based I don't know what is.

Got to say though, don't love the word "sport" for pro wrestling. I adore both things but pro wrestling isn't a sport, it's something completely unique and IMO should be treated as such.

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

It's gonna be a second Dynamite level show with probably a different set because it'll be taped in different places

I'm expecting the same sort of storylines, but a different bit pf presentation just to make them feel unique

[EoE: Well There's Your Problem]

I always took “sports-based presentation” to mean that the storylines are based around what happens in the matches, and not like, your girlfriend left you for me or some shit.

[Clash, Never a Meter Maid]

Apr 25, 2023 18:36:25 GMT -5 Cyno said:

I don't think "sports-based presentation" has ever meant "no goofy gimmicks." Even ROH in its heyday and NJPW had their fair share of outlandish gimmicks over the years.

That and the guy really pushing the whole "sports-based presentation" thing was Cody.

And Cody’s straightforward wrestling is still far removed from stuff like UWFI, that and the worked Pancrase fights are what I think of when I hear about a ”sports based wrestling show”

[stoptheclocks]

I've never really understood what makes this appealing, or why anyone thinks it would work. It always seems a bit like people just wanting to try and somehow legitimise wrestling in the eyes of its detractors, which will never happen.

Wrestling is brilliant, it should have the self-confidence to embrace the storytelling opportunities being a fake sport gives it.

[SneakMan]

Apr 25, 2023 20:04:02 GMT -5 KME said:

Would "sports based presentation" not mean stuff like win loss records, interim champions, not many f*** finishes (DQ's in particular), talking segments not being overly scripted and the product being wrestling heavy, with a quicker in ring pace than has been seen on mainstream American TV before? Because they did, or still do, all those. 

Yeah this is basically what I was gonna say. Unless "sports based presentation" is just another way of saying "pro wrestling should have zero comedy or goofiness," which is an entirely separate argument.

[pinja]

Yes. The show is internally known as "Real men, real injuries".

["Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay]

Wasn't it like a week after the 'sports presentation' rumour that Kenny said something about how what he wanted to create would barely even qualify as a wrestling show?

[dbrussel]

No wrestling show is and never gonna be 100% "sports-based" They said that about Smackdown on Fox and then Bray showed up doing his thing.