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November 2022
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Andrade a Star6/17/2021 Earlier this year, I put together a series showing how I would move Andrade up the card in WWE and make him into a star. It got to the point where it was clear Andrade would be better off moving on from WWE and finding a new place to start. His arrival in AEW was expected, but was still a surprise when it came. Leaning on Vickie Guerrero to make the introduction was the perfect use of someone who still gets the reaction of a top heel even after all these years. Seeing the vignette from Dynamite it makes Andrade look like a star.
A vignette is supposed to make the wrestler seem like a star from the start and in the shortest way possible. Exposition is most important in wrestling, because it gives the fans a reason to be invested, and a vignette is supposed to set up expectations for how fans view a wrestler when they arrive. Next week Jim Ross will sit down with Andrade which will keep him separate from the pack and make him look differently than other talent on the roster. The toughest job for any company is making talent stick out and look different from other wrestlers. Basically giving fans a reason to care about one wrestler more than others. Andrade needs to stick out from the pack, and they need to take it slow, building a new image for one of the top signings in recent memory. Untapped potential is a term that isn't used nearly enough by wrestling fans or critics like it should be. Andrade is the embodiment of a wrestler with untapped potential, and hopefully this second chance will prove worthwhile for someone who can be a top draw anywhere in the world. The vignette set the ball in motion and now next week's sit down interview will take another step toward separating Andrade from the pack.
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JUngle Boy Moving Up6/13/2021 Jack Perry has been one of the shining stars of All Elite Wrestling since the company was founded, and everyone has questioned when they will start investing in the youngster. With his victory in the casino battle royal at Double or Nothing, it is clear that AEW is finally ready to start giving him his shot. Last year, MJF jumped forward after his classic PPV contest with Jack Perry, and apparently he was supposed to get his push, but it was put on the back burner due to the global pandemic. Christian seems to be a springboard to try and help Perry reach another level which is a perfect job for the veteran to do. It was unclear from the start what Christian's role would be joining AEW, but if he can put in the position to help elevate new stars that is the perfect role for him.
In my opinion, Jack is ready to move forward to another level, but still has a lot of growing to do before he becomes a star and fills his potential. It takes a special talent to be able to tear the house down on PPV at his age, and he showed with MJF the type of potential he has. Jack showed against Jericho his potential, but again he still has growing up to do. When the time comes for him to get in the ring with Kenny Omega for the World Title, it will be just a taste of what the future holds for this youngster. The only question is how does this World Title match end?
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ELite Heat5/15/2021 Back in the old days of wrestling allowing a "bad guy" to mount as much hatred as possible to make for a more satisfying end when that does come. All Elite Wrestling is not perfect in the slightest, but thus far the strong booking behind The Elite's revival. Since December when Kenny Omega won the World Title from Jon Moxley it was clear there was a bigger picture coming together. Once Anderson and Gallows made their debuts as a member of the working agreement with Impact Wrestling. Adding Nick and Matt Jackson back into the story and going for the slow build story instead of rushing into the story. Choosing to let us think that the Bucks were against Kenny's actions instead of just siding with him was the right decision.
Since they turned on Moxley a few weeks ago they've shown a new side from who they were when AEW first started. In my opinion, the Young Bucks we see now are more extensions of the stars they always wanted to be. Right now the Bucks are among the top heels in wrestling with heat on a level we haven't seen in a long time. All the members of the Elite generate reactions from the fans and people wait on the edge of their seats hoping for the night when the Elite will be hit with a loss. Keeping them strong and making them unbeatable will make the first crack in the foundation all the sweeter. The main thing will be is if AEW knows the right time to make the loss happen instead of waiting too long to show they are human. The one mistake WCW made with the New World Order was never allowing for a real clean loss, and it ended up killing all the momentum, I would hope that AEW doesn't make the same mistake. In my opinion, 2021 will be an Elite year and AEW should've a long term plan for each member including who beats Kenny for the World Title and who will beat The Bucks for the tag titles.
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Darby Development5/4/2021 I've kept my eyes on the continued development of the current reigning TNT Champion Darby Allin. At this point, it has to be a coincidence that I make the point that Darby should defend the title more often, and it happened. Next I mentioned that Darby's matches needed to simplify and allow the fans to focus on the goings-on in the ring and not what is going on outside the ring. This week the focus was kept on the ring action to allow for the continued development of Sky & Page vs Allin & Sting. It seems that a loss to Allin sent Sky over the edge and now by whatever means necessary. The attack on Sting this week prompts the question of if this means that Sting will disappear for a couple of weeks and if this might bring about a more focused Darby Allin. Also, one has to question to continued involvement of Lance Archer and now Preston Vance possibly being included in the feud now the odds are now uneven. Archer does have unfinished business with Sky and Page from a few weeks ago when they escaped a beating from the "Murderhawk Monster." Praiseworthy! It is the one word that I can use to describe AEW's recent booking of the TNT title picture as various people are now included in the picture with all having a reason to be included. In my opinion, Sting should disappear for a few weeks to allow the focus to be shifted to the champion, Archer, Vance, Sky, and Page instead of rushing into a match including Sting. The long term goal should be the eventual tag team match between Page & Sky vs Allin & Sting rather than rushing into the match before they need to. The first stop in this feud should either be a four way #1 one contender match or a five way TNT Championship Match for the next PPV.
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Darby Chaos4/24/2021 In recent weeks, it seems as though every match including Darby Allin falls into chaos. His match with Matt Hardy and now his match with Jungle Boy had funny business at ringside. At this point it seems that Scorpio Sky and Ethan Page are looking for their opportunity to fight for the TNT Championship. Lance Archer seems to have a hard time staying away from Allin and Sting lending a helping hand to the champion this week buying time for Sting to reappear. The one problem is the distractions at ringside take our eyes away from the action in the ring. This happening from time to time is fine, but weekly or even bi-weekly starts watering down the concept they seem to be using. Fact is Darby is capable of holding his own in the ring he showed that with Cody, and he doesn't need distractions outside the ring shifting the attention off him.
Sting is unquestionably a perfect mentor for Darby, but needs to stay in the background as it is doubtful that Sting will jump back in the ring anytime soon. Archer and Darby would be a better tandem against Sky and Page then seeing Sting get in the ring again. Sting's in ring schedule should be barely existent and kept low to make his in ring appearances special. Plus keeping Archer in the rivalry keeps the seeds there if they want him against Sting and or him against Darby in the future. I offered up some advice a few weeks back that Darby needed to be more consistent competing and defend the gold a little more often, and they changed that. Next thing that needs to change is formatting Darby's matches he needs to win clean without the outside shenanigans going on even if it comes to Sting being banned from ringside. Actually that would be a perfect way to get more out of a feud if you ban everyone from ringside to show that Darby can go at it alone. I know that the shenanigans don't take the competitors away from the ring, but it takes us away from the ring and that's a problem as it could lead to us missing something that happens in the ring. Darby's stock has risen higher than most on the AEW roster in the last year and if they want to keep going then they need to prove he can win one on one where there spotlight stays on him and just him nobody else. Darby has shown potential, raw emotion, and the ability to be a star, but now needs to prove that he isn't flash in the pan and can keep growing.
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Powerhouse Movement4/18/2021
Christian has slowly been trying to find his footing in his new home especially considering the fact that Christian has been out of the ring since 2014. From the start I thought it was better idea for them to find a young star to work with Christian first and they did exactly that starting him with Team Taz. I picked Kip Sabain as my choice to be his first short feud to bring him into the company, but Kip isn't exactly the most credible choice to give Christian his first feud in AEW so giving him someone else might be a better choice.
It is an understatement to say that Team Taz is currently a dumpster fire and is in need of resetting momentum. Tension seems to have been bubbling since Starks and Cage lost to Sting and Darby back at Revolution, but when egos clash that happens from time to time. In every faction they need to help establish themselves as they matter and it was Powerhouse Hobbs's turn to get attention. Cage and Starks were the focus in the Sting and Darby feud with Powerhouse being a background fixture, but now he's moved to front and center to feud with Christian.
In my opinion, the best way to allow a veteran to best help the roster is placing them with an unproven youngster to help establish the youngster as a new star. Powerhouse had the spotlight when he turned heel on Cody, but fell to the background when Sting became Darby's partner. From the get go I've said that AEW needs to invest time into developing the stars that fans aren't aware of to get attention on the unknown stars. Though Brian Cage and Ricky Starks gained attention they aren't fully established, but to get Powerhouse up another level a feud with Christian is needed for both men.
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Inner Circle is Back4/6/2021 On the night the Pinnacle debuted we were surprised to find that MJF not only turned on the Inner Circle, but totally destroyed the once dominate faction within AEW. Though the Pinnacle does draw comparisons to the Four Horsemen it is still early to tell for this faction, but there debut couldn't have gone down better. One note worthy part is that Sammy comes out of this smelling like a rose considering he was the only one that didn't trust MJF from the very start. It was unexpected to see Inner Circle behind door number one after MJF open the door, but it was also a question of why else would a restroom be in the locker room. Raising the intensity another step forward when Hager was reveled behind door number two and the fight was on from there with the Inner Circle. A fight in confined spaces is always tough to pull off, but they did it the best way possible by splitting everyone up right out of the gate. If this is the start of things to come and things will only get worse for the Pinnacle it will be a dangerous time on Dynamite for everyone with a war about to begin. Don't believe again it would be easier for me to let the video do the talking!!
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Marshall Split4/4/2021 At Revolution, QT Marshall turned and eliminated fellow Nightmare Family members the Gunn Brothers from the tag team battle royal. Then eliminated himself from the match to the surprise of his partner Dustin Rhodes. Marshall has been the faceless member of the family for months and at one point was given a chance to try and begin developing his own identity which is something he was unable to do. On a recent edition of AEW Dark fellow Nightmare family member Lee Johnson finally got his first AEW victory and would thank everyone in the family except QT Marshall which was what causes him to snap. The only thing is that we didn't know how crazy he went until this past week's edition of Dynamite when the exhibition match when s*** hit the fan. In my opinion, this was the best way they could've continued this feud and I didn't think there would be this much insanity. Marshall struck Arn Anderson which looked accidental at first, but it seems like it was apart of the plan. Intensity, unexpected and the bar was set high, because once blood is spilled everything changes. They definitely worked to push a lot of the talent and the announcers were tasked with making those trainees matter more and prove that they important enough to be included in this big turn. It is the best decision to split up the nightmare family and break some talent off from the group as a way to better develop more future stars instead of keeping them behind the shadow of Cody and Dustin.
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Omega's One Opponent4/2/2021 Considering AEW has left a lot on the table thus far due to there booking of his feud with Jon Moxley it has left a question on the table who is next for the World Champion. Omega has had a short program with Pac, and Fenix, but has had his focus on Moxley since his title win in December. Either way though after the deathmatch it is time to move on from Moxley and find a new challenger. It is possible that Omega could have smaller challengers wasting time in between Revolution and Double or Nothing. Looking at the rankings both Pac and Jungle Boy provide interesting challengers for the World Champion and both actually could give a bigger rivalry considering they have tag team partners in Lucha Brothers and Jurassic Express respectively.
However, speaking of rankings there is one name that catches my eye and it's the number one ranked wrestler Hangman Page. Since the end of his tag team with Omega it has seemed like Page started associating with the Dark Order. Pulling an interesting picture into perspective with the Dark Order, The former Elite and Bullet Club all under the same banner. Also the former longest reining tag team champions. Page has really found his own way in the last year since taking his own path away from Young Bucks and Omega. I mean who else could get drinking over like Adam Page has in the last few months. Think about this an announcement of a battle royal on Dynamite winner gets a title shot against Kenny Omega at Double or Nothing. It can be one of those situations where Kenny is focused on his recent challengers and making sure Christian Cage doesn't win further planting seeds for a feud. Christian doesn't need to challenge for the World Title this soon and we can wait on this feud for a little while. Imagine Don Callis and Omega on commentary for the battle royal and their surprise when they see Adam Page is victorious and laughed at because of his recent association with Dark Order. Page has shown that he can have fun and Omega has gotten a lot more serious in recent months which could lead to the line you will never World Champion, because this is a business not a funhouse your a joke Kenny Omega is your punchline. In my opinion, I don't think that Page needs a long feud with Omega and that this feud could be more like a space saver instead of a big deal. It could also set the stage for a bigger feud down the road instead of rushing into something now. Either way a feud with Page would revisit a past rivalry and give us a break from Moxley vs Omega. In that same battle royal it could set up other matches for Double or Nothing focusing on Moxley & Kingston against Good Brothers, and Christian Cage vs Kip Sabian setting up a small quick feud for Christian and touching on the unspoken other side of Moxley's feud with Omega.
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Paul Wight's First Feud3/31/2021 With Double or Nothing coming up in May it's time to start talking about who might be a part of the big event for AEW. In the last few months we have seen two legends from WWE jump ship to greener pastures in All Elite namely Christian Cage and Paul Wight. Recently, it seems like Christian might have his first feud ready to go with his former rival in Kazarian, but that leaves what happens first for Paul Wight. Now I know Paul is also a part of the broadcast team on Elevation so he doesn't need to be a featured part of the main show, but having him compete here and there should be something that is considered as I don't think Wight is here just to commentate at least not yet.
In my opinion, I think dream matches are something that should be worked on first and then move toward other matches that fans didn't know they wanted to see. I would think based on guessing that Paul Wight will likely have at least a year or maybe two before calling it a career as I believe going to AEW was more about going out on his terms instead of just prolonging his career. Looking at the AEW roster there are two names that jump out at me for the first people to dance with Paul Wight in AEW they are Lance Archer and Powerhouse Hobbs. Outside of his feud a few months ago with Eddie Kingston things have been quite for the "Muderhawk Monster" and Jake Roberts. I have enjoyed the work Roberts has done since arriving in AEW giving him more of the spotlight would be a nice way to shake things up especially giving them a feud with Wight. As for Powerhouse Hobbs he has a position in Team Taz as the third string quarterback behind Starks and Brian Cage. Giving him the spotlight against Paul Wight would be a nice opportunity for Hobbs to prove himself and stick out from his stablemates. Also after planting seeds of descension among Team Taz when Cage said he respected Sting you could have Taz shift his focus from Cage to Hobbs as a way to continue the descension in the group. Hobbs is one of those names that have been consistently featured on Dark or Elevation, but isn't always given the Dynamite spotlight. This means that there is plenty of footage of him dominating his opponents and could set up an interesting rivalry with Paul Wight and Brian Cage down the road. Hobbs is a future big man and has potential to be a great signing for AEW, but it's a bad time to test a wrestler to see what they should be working on. I think Hobbs would the right choice to give Wight the opportunity to win his first feud and establish himself in AEW as oppose to lose his first feud and rest on his name, winning his first feud would make him look better. |