The Wrestling Thread: AEW Dynasty

[coldspice]

Tony Khan being as gotten to as the AEW fanbase is a hell of a way to start 2022

[KK]

twitter.com/IamLioRush/status/1477081194084794369

twitter.com/IamLioRush/status/1477086524193705987

[Reavus]

seems strange that Lio Rush would choose to say that on twitter. isn't Tony Khan his boss? surely he has his phone number?

[KK]

This is why WWE and Vince McMahon in particular can get away with everything and carry on as normal because they don’t engage with social media in any meaningful way, whereas Tony Khan is always on social media and responds to every little thing under the sun, usually to his detriment. Some of the wrestlers are exactly the same (Corey Graves for example doesn’t help himself either).

McMahon probably learned his lesson when he appeared on Bob Costas. Though if that Live AOL chat Vince had back in the late ‘90s was any indication his tweets would be a constant source of amusement and a PR disaster.

Vince McMahon apparently was on TV the other week and said he enjoyed firing people at Christmas (having legitimately just fired a load of people all year long). Blatantly going on TV, trolling the audience (and the talent), and getting away with it.

[gaminglegend]

This is why WWE and Vince McMahon in particular can get away with everything and carry on as normal because they don’t engage with social media in any meaningful way, whereas Tony Khan is always on social media and responds to every little thing under the sun, usually to his detriment. Some of the wrestlers are exactly the same (Corey Graves for example doesn’t help himself either).

McMahon probably learned his lesson when he appeared on Bob Costas. Though if that Live AOL chat Vince had back in the late ‘90s was any indication his tweets would be a constant source of amusement and a PR disaster.

Vince McMahon apparently was on TV the other week and said he enjoyed firing people at Christmas (having legitimately just fired a load of people all year long). Blatantly going on TV, trolling the audience (and the talent), and getting away with it.

I always think for people in such positions social media is a cancerous idea. One wrong remark and it’s there forever even if you made a mistake or fired off without thinking.

I’m not sure it it was Nash or Hart (who ironically are both on socials now but I suppose not active) mentioned about how it’s great to get this insight too on Instagram and such of peoples lives but it also takes some of the mystique away.

[ITSMILNER]

Roman Reigns has tested positive for COVID so is out of tonight’s event, Brock Lesner has now been added to the WWE title match making it a 5 way match

[KK]

Of all the matches to lose, that’s a big blow. I just bought the Network 20 minutes ago too. Though at least it includes the Rumble.

And of all the talent to get it, the last person you’d also want to risk is Roman due to his health issues.

Just looking at the replacement match (I haven’t been paying attention to RAW this month) it’s at least something completely new. Appears to be pretty unpredictable in terms of the outcome too.

[KK]

Annoying WWE phrasing alert: they’re not Pay Per Views anymore, they’re “premium live events”.

I don’t know what that makes RAW or house shows…gooseberry fool events, presumably.

The Americans are only having to pay $4.99 for it though, as part of Peacock. The downside is there are commercial breaks, which based on the Kick-Off show are being inserted during the video packages hyping up the matches.

[KK]

AEW Plus on FITE is going up in price next week, but will now include the TNT specials (4 a year) and PPV credits:

AEW Plus is changing in 2022

We hope you’ve been enjoying your AEW PLUS Subscription on FITE this year. Just to let you know that the price of your subscription will be increasing to $6.99 from 8th January 2022.

Since AEW opened its doors to FITE in 2019 - SO much has changed. We thought 4 marquee events per year was amazing, but then came AEW PLUS - the home of AEW Dynamite.

This year alone, AEW have packed AEW PLUS with exclusive new content like AEW Rampage, TNT Specials, AEW Dark and AEW Elevation.

In 2022, as an AEW Plus subscriber, you will continue to get ALL of the above, plus, exclusive AEW merch special offers, gain access to one previous pay-per-view event from each year and, for AEW Plus Subscribers only, watch Battle of the Belts on Jan 8th. But there’s more: we will also add a $2 FITE credit for each month you subscribe to AEW Plus. Collect these FITE credits to use on future FITE pay-per-view events.

You don’t need to do anything with your AEW PLUS subscription, the price increase will kick in automatically from 8th January 2022.

AEW PLUS will also be available to purchase for an annual fee of $69.99. This offer is available for a limited time only, so bag this deal quickly before 31st January 2022.

Thanks for being an AEW fan on FITE!

[captain red dog]

People moaning about Brock winning the title seem to miss a key point. Big E has been booked as a comedy tag act for so long I don't think getting the title did anything for him aside from the initial pop.

They literally only have two people as real headliners, Brock and Reigns. For various reasons, neither are properly full time either.

Owens seems like he might get a run later in the year, but he's being booked quite weak having to team with Rollins to be in the picture. When his turn comes around, he's still going to feel like a weak champion. At least Lashley had been booked pretty well and was almost on Reigns level during the early part of his title run.

[Mafro]

twitter.com/Maffewgregg/status/1478331130197819401

[KK]

The fake crowd noise really is terrible on WWE programming now, even during in-ring promos and matches it's regularly piped-in. Just adds to the whole overly-scripted, micro-managed, overtly false presentation of the whole thing. You get the feeling that if they could CGI the crowd in convincingly they would do.

I used to love the presentation of the WWF, and now it's my least favourite of pretty much any sports-based product.

[SerialCeler]

AEW Plus on FITE is going up in price next week, but will now include the TNT specials (4 a year) and PPV credits

Hmm, bit disappointing really. An extra $24/year just for four TV specials (essentially four extra Dynamites). I’ll probably go for the annual deal, but that’s still $10 extra on top of what I’m paying.

How do you access the one free PPV from last year it promises?

[Cosmo]

A whole host of NXT staff released, including Road Dogg and William Regal.

[Return_of_the_STAR]

I am shocked at Road Dogg and even more so William Regal. Shocked I tell ya.

[KK]

It was pretty evident from the very first episode of NXT 2.0 that the whole thing was on a downward trajectory. I don’t know if they’re eventually going to scrap NXT entirely or move it to the Peacock, but everything about the show apart from the tits and Don’t Call Me Steiner is rotten. The average age of the audience watching it is about 64. 64 YEARS OLD.

Regal has to be a lock for AEW. Not even as an on screen character, but just as someone Tony Khan would be insane not to have as an agent, trainer, talent scout…whatever the case may be.

Hmm, bit disappointing really. An extra $24/year just for four TV specials (essentially four extra Dynamites). I’ll probably go for the annual deal, but that’s still $10 extra on top of what I’m paying.

How do you access the one free PPV from last year it promises?

I’m not sure actually, I couldn’t find anything in their FAQs. Perhaps it’ll unlock from next week, though I don’t know if you get to choose the PPV yourself.

[gaminglegend]

I am shocked at Road Dogg and even more so William Regal. Shocked I tell ya.

Gobsmacked at Regal. Always thought he was coaching too

[ITSMILNER]

The wrestling community as a whole seems shocked about Regal going by Twitter

Hunter must be pissed with the way NXT has been handled since he had to go on hiatus

[Cumberdanes]

Word is the latest releases were a direct attempt to undermine Triple H as bar one, Alison Danger I think they were all Triple H signings. Road Dogg and Regal in particular were considered ‘Triple H guys’.

[Mafro]

Samoa Joe released.