Orange Cassidy International title reign appreciation

[Mid-Carder]

I've been sceptical of both Cassidy and the title and this run changed my mind on both.

Curious to see where he goes from here.

[Hypnosis]

Tremendous reign against a good variety of opponents.

I wish Swerve or Takeshita could have beaten Orange instead, but I'm fine with Moxley as champion, since he's proven to be a reliable part of AEW, and could likely defend the belt overseas.

[Dub H]

Sept 3, 2023 22:59:44 GMT -5 Lizuka #BLM said:

Tony Khan Not Give Jon Moxley A Belt Directly After CM Punk Leaves Challenge (IMPOSSIBLE)

For real though the fact that it's happened three times is hilarious.

JON MOXLEY, GO IN A VACATION CHALLENGE (IMPOSSIBLE)(GONE HARDCORE)

[HMARK Center]

I said this before, but a lot of times we expect reigns like this to be ended by an up-and-comer to get them over...but what we saw here was a reign designed to get the champion over, and basically having to go nuclear to get the belt off him by having his last match be a main event against Jon-friggin'-Moxley means that Orange is even more over now. The guy just proved he's both a super reliable and capable workhorse midcard champion, but capped off the reign by proving himself as an upper card fixture.

Like, I totally get wanting someone like Takeshita to beat him; personally, I had the thought that OC would barely survive the Mox challenge, and then Switchblade would slide in like the mastermind he is and pick at his carcass to take the belt. But both of those situations would likely involve OC having to lose in a way that wouldn't result in a postmatch standing ovation from the crowd and full recognition of what he'd accomplished, as the spotlight would instead be on the guy who beat him.

By having Mox do the deed, instead, you're using an already established main eventer who OC was already an underdog against even if he didn't have a bunch of kayfabe injuries to fight through. Thus, OC fighting as hard as he did, lasting as long as he did, but ultimately falling against such a decorated opponent meant, ultimately, the match was less about Mox winning and more about Orange surviving and earning his place near the top. That was the story of this reign, more than anything else.

[Dub H]

Honestly I wish that OC lost the title to someone that could use the rub

But Jon Moxley also hadn't won that title before and it really helps validate the lineage to a higher ground.The title is for sure more valuable than the TNT title after this feud

[Hurbster]

So in their next confrontation OC can mention to Mox that he is going on a nice, long holiday?

[The Kevstaaa]

Really good reign. Kinda lame that the first main event guy he faced is the one he lost to but still a fun reign.

[Dub H]

Also, a small detail to end, I did enjoy how Yuta was the only of the group looking back at OC a few times,as if thinking should he care,but ultimately shrugging.

[Cyno]

Sept 4, 2023 8:51:38 GMT -5 HMARK Center said:

I said this before, but a lot of times we expect reigns like this to be ended by an up-and-comer to get them over...but what we saw here was a reign designed to get the champion over, and basically having to go nuclear to get the belt off him by having his last match be a main event against Jon-friggin'-Moxley means that Orange is even more over now. The guy just proved he's both a super reliable and capable workhorse midcard champion, but capped off the reign by proving himself as an upper card fixture.

Like, I totally get wanting someone like Takeshita to beat him; personally, I had the thought that OC would barely survive the Mox challenge, and then Switchblade would slide in like the mastermind he is and pick at his carcass to take the belt. But both of those situations would likely involve OC having to lose in a way that wouldn't result in a postmatch standing ovation from the crowd and full recognition of what he'd accomplished, as the spotlight would instead be on the guy who beat him.

By having Mox do the deed, instead, you're using an already established main eventer who OC was already an underdog against even if he didn't have a bunch of kayfabe injuries to fight through. Thus, OC fighting as hard as he did, lasting as long as he did, but ultimately falling against such a decorated opponent meant, ultimately, the match was less about Mox winning and more about Orange surviving and earning his place near the top. That was the story of this reign, more than anything else.

It's like Rocky in a sense. He lost the big match against Apollo Creed, but he went the distance which was its own triumph. Orange went the distance with Mox.

[Alexander The So-so]

The dude has been made a star. That match last night really captured the psychology of how Orange isn’t just a goofy slacker with a gimmick that is almost too clever by a half; he’s a fighting champion who, beneath the surface, has the passion and intensity of the greats. That part in particular where the Kicks of Doom turned into actual fierce kicks against Mox in particular shows his growth.

The International Title has been made prestigious (especially since it’s clear that it’s not beneath a certified world champ like Mox to want it), and Orange is well on his way to main event tier. Absolute win-win booking.

[Rave]

Man, this aged like milk.

[Viking Hall]

I think someone described it as the workhorse title, which considering OC's character is hilarious. But he took that belt and not only made it something, but I hope managed to silence his critics.

He deserves a nice long break now and a huge return pop once he's ready.

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

Sept 5, 2023 1:33:50 GMT -5 Rave said:

Man, this aged like milk.

I will say, Orange Cassidy in the early 2010's was NOT the Orange Cassidy now. That character evolved so much over time, and that's also because Cassidy was committed to MAKING it evolve

At the time, I can truly believe Fire Ant got more requests, the gimmick was fun and I loved The Colony, but Orange Cassidy proved he didn't need to be tethered to it to be a success in wrestling, and I am so proud of him for that

[A Platypus Rave]

Sept 3, 2023 23:05:09 GMT -5 HIM said:

31 defenses.
1 champion.

Amazing.

Pretty sure OC has defended his title more than Roman has.

[Kalmia]

I just love that OC leveraged his lazy character into being so lazy that he couldn't be bothered to decline any title defenses. If someone asked OC for a title shot, he'd quickly agree because he couldn't be bothered with the conversation or any kind of argument. It was genius.

[kingoftheindies]

Sept 5, 2023 2:22:12 GMT -5 Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-] said:

Sept 5, 2023 1:33:50 GMT -5 Rave said:

Man, this aged like milk.

I will say, Orange Cassidy in the early 2010's was NOT the Orange Cassidy now. That character evolved so much over time, and that's also because Cassidy was committed to MAKING it evolve

At the time, I can truly believe Fire Ant got more requests, the gimmick was fun and I loved The Colony, but Orange Cassidy proved he didn't need to be tethered to it to be a success in wrestling, and I am so proud of him for that

Yeah the original Orange Cassidy was more of a drunkard who could barely function. He evolved it to being a slacker that gets people off their game

[A Platypus Rave]

Sept 5, 2023 2:22:12 GMT -5 Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-] said:

Sept 5, 2023 1:33:50 GMT -5 Rave said:

Man, this aged like milk.

I will say, Orange Cassidy in the early 2010's was NOT the Orange Cassidy now. That character evolved so much over time, and that's also because Cassidy was committed to MAKING it evolve

At the time, I can truly believe Fire Ant got more requests, the gimmick was fun and I loved The Colony, but Orange Cassidy proved he didn't need to be tethered to it to be a success in wrestling, and I am so proud of him for that

Yeah Fire Ant was great, and at the time I'm sure he got more requests then Original OC

But OC evolved and showed he didn't need it.

I mean the fact Quack owns Fire Ant kinda made it imperative he'd have to make his own name.

[Andy Martin]

Sept 4, 2023 8:34:16 GMT -5 Dub H said:

Sept 3, 2023 22:59:44 GMT -5 Lizuka #BLM said:

Tony Khan Not Give Jon Moxley A Belt Directly After CM Punk Leaves Challenge (IMPOSSIBLE)

For real though the fact that it's happened three times is hilarious.

JON MOXLEY, GO IN A VACATION CHALLENGE (IMPOSSIBLE)(GONE HARDCORE)

OC: I’m so tired

Mox: You think YOU’RE tired!?! I’ve been trying to go on vacation for the last year and a Damn half!

[Lupin the Third]

Sept 4, 2023 6:49:51 GMT -5 Mid-Carder said:

I've been sceptical of both Cassidy and the title and this run changed my mind on both.

Curious to see where he goes from here.

He's going to take a nap.

He's tired.

[The Ichi]

As far as I'm concerned he deserves a World Title run someday.