That is kind of the whole issue. Tiny has essentially split a portion of his fanbase, because nobody has come out and said the obvious, they are all assholes. The whole thing, the lead up, the event, the aftermath, it could have all been dealt with if he just fired them all.

But since he did, ill go with the idiot video game cosplayers over the idiot Bret Hart cosplayers. I have an easier time believing all their flippy gymnastics then I do believing the worst MMA fighter ever and crybabies Bald and Hair are badasses.

And when I say Tiny's fanbase, I mean AEW's fanbase. I cannot believe Tiny has any fans personally :rofl:

Jokes are supposed to make sense, have a lick of contextual relevance, and be funny. You're a constant failure on these fronts. I'm offended by how much you suck more than anything else.

It is not my fault you do not understand sarcasm or irony. You thinking I was suggesting anything other than a ridiculous comparison and getting worked up is on you.

AEW firing a guy who beat and strangled his significant other is absolutely the correct response. Comparing that to Brawl Out on the same level was clearly a farcical comment.

You got worked over nothing worse than CM Punk did to Hangman Page saying workers rights :rofl:
https://media.tenor.com/XRJUgavcnC0AAAAC/la-knight.gif

AEW wastes no time in replacing BJ Whitmer

Jimmy Jacobs has joined as a producer

Dare I say it?

Game changer.

ESPN interview with Punk is scheduled to drop by Friday. Fightful with details:

Punk is very much online, has criticized fans for taking sides and having parasocial relationships with wrestlers, and he's also had beefs with a lot of the dirtsheet writers. So he's building buzz with the people he knows will blow this kind of stuff out of the water.

It is kinda funny though that Tony Khan, every time he's been asked about Punk in the last 2 weeks, has pivoted to stuff like "Yes, CM Punk has a lot to say at the debut of Collision about reigniting his rivalry with Samoa Joe and reuniting with FTR! :) " as if he's not even gonna make insider references and Punk's just ignoring that and leaning right into the drama lol

I'll just enjoy Punk while he's around. Would not be surprising in the least if there's another blowup where he actually quits before the end of the year.

Wait, you telling me Punk is a whiny bitch? SHOCKED!

I think it either goes that way, or they end up with a red hot feud that takes up summer and fall eventually leading to Punk v Omega at a ppv. I can’t see any middle ground just because of who Punk is.

I do love some shit stirring and if nothing else blurring the lines it’s only good for business.

You’re leaning pretty hard on the “It was just a joke! Can’t you see my emoji!” defense when people point out the terrible logic in your failed digs nowadays, huh?

xrod saying anyone else is too dumb to understand what words mean is fucking hilarious lol

As a fan of CM Punk at one time, I can genuinely say I have no desire in seeing him in a wrestling capacity. His last "run" was terrible.


He can still talk well, and perhaps even be a decent segment producer / writer.

Seems like the live crowd at Dynamite was super hyped for Punk to me

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ud9Q3_nveYc" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I don't care about the unwashed masses. I believe there will ALWAYS be marks for Punk because marks gonna mark (unless you're Undertaker).


Hopefully, he "trained" to be in better shape this go around. Otherwise, he might injure himself when he goes to sit down and talk in the center of the ring.

LOL Punk seriously went off and cried about Hangman again in an interview with ESPN. HANGMAN WAS BEING MEAN AND SHOOTING ON ME AND CHOPPING ME IN THE FACE WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.

The only real things in that interview I could see ruffling some feathers are

1) heavily implying The Elite are the reason there will be no angle on this and, likely, no reconciliation

2) the Hangman stuff

Openly admitting he was afraid that Hangman was gonna shoot on him is such an amazing self-own

The interview was a big nothing burger tbh

The Elite proving everything "out of touch" Jim Cornette said about them was right. So pathetic.

They're only interested in working with guys who'll kiss their feet and bow down.

I didn’t see the interview but if he did imply that, good. Shame them publicly for it. Not working with someone in wrestling because you don’t get along with them is fucking stupid.

And the same would have gone for Punk if he had backed out of that Hangman match. If he stiffs you, stiff him back and move on.

literally the best angle in years right at their feet. These guys don't care about AEW.

'Member when Edge had an affair with Lita, stealing her away from Matt Hardy.... and then they just turned it all into an on-screen feud/match?

The only "justification" I can find is that there might be a genuine legal quagmire the office has to work through if they were gonna get to the point of interacting at all, let alone on-screen. I'm an HR guy by trade so it's really not all that difficult to see that as being a possibility. I have literally seen no-contact agreements have to be signed in my line of work where two colleagues just flat out aren't allowed to interact any further after a complaint.

We don't know what was signed in September/October, and with these dudes being company executives, it might be complicated. If Punk really did try reaching out to them and was blocked by lawyers...yes most people would read that and say "they're hiding behind their lawyers!" but the lawyers have a duty to enforce the agreement. And I doubt AEW's legal department would be all, nah just go ahead and let these execs break their agreement it's fine. Shit is much more complicated than you'd think.

Having said all of that, I'd be stunned if there weren't a way to, eventually cancel the agreement and go back to business as usual. Again, it's probably complicated, but it's likely doable. And if Tony, The Elite, or anyone else aren't willing to even try to get to that point it's weaksauce.

If I were to hazard a guess here I feel like Omega would be fine with working with Punk. He's done gaming streams where people tried to ask and while he's always led with he can't talk about it, he sounded like someone who was at peace with the whole situation and wanted all parties to prosper moving forward.

The Bucks on the other hand feel like they probably won't ever drop it. Those guys are known to be super petty any time they have a beef with anyone.

And Tony probably wouldn't wanna deal with the headache unless everyone was on board with moving forward.

Omega vs. Punk is the only intriguing match possibility anyway. There's no way that match wouldn't be the tits.

I like the Bucks for what they are (spot monkeys) but they would be objectively terrible guys to have working a match where you're trying to put over that there's shoot heat

Collision announce team: Kevin Kelly, Nigel McGuinness, and JR

Gotta love all the nerd hype for this CM Punk ESPN article, just for it to be nothing shocking :lol:

Hangman would wreck that fragile bitch Phil, and even he knows it.

+1

Yeah. Was pretty fun for like 2 weeks and then they didn’t know what to do with it.

At least the promos and match would be better here.

Kev gonna be racking up those frequent flyer miles between NJPW and AEW in no time.

<iframe width="790" height="444" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DfZSZHWqW50" title="Become a High-Flying Legend with LADDERS in AEW Fight Forever on June 29!" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Wow :shifty:

Punk vs. Bucks feels like all time wrestling petty which is a big call.

I'm not that excited about Omega vs. Punk as a prospect. I want Omega vs. guys who can match his athleticsim and pace and I don't think thats Punk.

The theme song for Collision is “Saturday’s Alright for Fighting” by Elton John

Lol that is a fantastic choice

The Elite fucking suck and are only in wrestling to make as much money as they can for themselves, fuck off and leave wrestling in worse shape.

Saying someone is an unprofessional shit and being scared of them are two different things. I would be calling for Page to be exiled from the company if I were in Punk’s shoes. It’s incredible how many people get to get away with sabotaging the company there. He’s been WAY too gracious with The Elite and co.

LolAEW. I can’t believe wrestling has gotten to this point.

that will be a good team

That’s outstanding.

When I tried to give NJPW Strong a chance a year or so ago (maybe longer, I dunno), Kevin Kelly was the best part of the show. Fantastic commentator who completely understands his job. No problem with him as a hire at all. I hope the team has got some good content to call. JR is getting older, but the biggest problem with him is that he had bullshit to call and he’s not going to bury himself or insult the audience.

Even if they just use JR for sit-downs and main events, that would be cool.

The main event for the first show looks like a good one. My fantasy booking was Jeff Jarrett, Jay Lethal & Samoa Joe vs. Mark Briscoe & FTR announced. Punk does an opening promo. Mark Briscoe is taken out backstage with guitar shards around him. Jarrett denies it was him. Scorpio Sky offers to replace Mark, FTR say they already have a partner. Punk teams with FTR, Mark runs out and foils a guitar shot on Punk allowing the GTS to win the faces the match.

From that you can move onto Punk vs. Joe and Scorpio Sky can have issues with being brushed over (with both Punk and FTR). That can lead to stuff with The Firm, SCU or a new team/group with Sky. Eventually Punk can reveal he took Mark Briscoe out with the guitar.

This is kind of like that without the story, but the match is probably a better choice because it doesn’t have the potential Jarrett stink. But it’s not a bad start.

Wish it was just Wardlow vs. Christian Cage though. Luchasaurus sucks. Have Brock Anderson & Brian Pillman cancel out Luchasaurus and do the Arn spinebuster spot and have Wardlow retain before being challenged by God’s Chosen TNT Champion, Miro.

Was also hoping for Willow Nightingale & Skye Blue vs. Mercedes Martinez & Serena Deeb in Chicago. And Andrade vs. Christopher Daniels with Andrade coming out in a Sammy Guevara shirt.

Sir Elton John is All Elite

Video Proof of the best thing Hair Buck ever did in his career.

Why would you do that in a wrestling match? Fuck those guys.

zomg...who coul ddo such a thing in a wrestling match :eek:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ouch... that seems like such an odd oversight. I'm used to this back from Showdown LOW, No Mercy but the lack of actual useful attire parts will kill the mode. <br>No one is going to use 100 caw slots if we can't even make 1 real world person. <a href="https://t.co/Zc0kBguekD">pic.twitter.com/Zc0kBguekD</a></p>&mdash; KRadiation (@KRadiation) <a href="https://twitter.com/KRadiation/status/1670823483821944832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

That's going to make it dead on arrival for a lot of people.

Not surprised about the face paint options being limited since other than Sting and Danhausen, nobody else can afford to paint their whole face :rofl:

It’s all about fun, right? Are we having fun yet?

For me at least it's not a big deal. Being able to add really good looking CAWs in 2k23 via Community Creations is nice but there's always little things that will still remind me that I'm using a CAW. Plus the way that game tracks parts means you will have a nightmare of a time if you ever want to delete people.

I had no interest in returning to the days of having to follow a complicated formula to get a good CAW. At one point during those games I just said fuck it and made half-assed CAWs and just accepted that they were only gonna bear a passing resemblance to the wrestler I was trying to portray, but I was OK with it. Remember in HCTP making most of the TNA X-Division and giving them the most batshit movesets and having a blast.

But the CAW creation community is a big one, so I can see how this is gonna piss a lot of people off and lead to a lot of people in that circle not bothering.

For me personally the more alarming part of that AMA is about the Road to the Elite mode. The guy said the mode lasts one calendar year in-game which is fine, but he found it to get repetitive and boring within 2-3 months.

He used MJF in the mode and claimed that winning a title meant nothing in terms of the stories he was presented. His title win wasn't ever acknowledged again. At one point he was in an angle with Dark Order (even though Brodie Lee and John Silver are the only members in the game) and he was asked if he wanted to join. He said no and yet the next week the story continued as if he said yes.

To me, this signals that the branching elements are bunk, and that the game might just force you into a linear path no matter what. This guy hasn't done a second playthrough as someone else, so maybe you're given other choices or things change if you lose certain matches.

But if it really is the same shit every time you play the mode then that kills replayability dead.

Yeah limited create a player options sucks. It’s not a killer for me as far as getting the game but it does lower my interest in it.

The AMA was also very complimentary of the actual gameplay itself, which of course is the most important part of it all. But the early sense I'm getting is if you're not gonna be playing with friends or online then you're gonna get bored quickly.

I'm not writing the game off yet by any stretch, but there's no chance I'm buying this day one. It would probably be a late summer/early fall buy at earliest. I need more reviews, more first-hand accounts and seeing if people get bored after a month or two. If the online play is fun and the servers don't blow ass I'd probably get it eventually.

hahahahaha Fight Forever exploding barbwire death match looks so deadly

Wait....so Ace Steel is back and they put him in creative? Ahahahahahaha

"The Taste Of Counterfeit Bucks: A Cannibal's Rise To The Top Of AEW Creative."

Jake Roberts is trying to get Tiny to let him be the Booker lol

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LMFAOOOO THE EXPLOSION IN EXPLODING BARB WIRE DEATH MATCH IS ODE <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEWFightForever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEWFightForever</a> <br><br> <a href="https://t.co/gU1FHdRyDy">pic.twitter.com/gU1FHdRyDy</a></p>&mdash; 🅰️🅾️ (@KXNGAO) <a href="https://twitter.com/KXNGAO/status/1671361440001794049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Worth noting the explosion happens 120 seconds into the match with no way to change it

Which is another example that this is full an arcade/fighting game. Matches are not designed to be long, especially against the CPU.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">CM PUNK INSANE FINISH TO THE MATCH!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEWFightForever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEWFightForever</a> <a href="https://t.co/qCfNA7LXW4">pic.twitter.com/qCfNA7LXW4</a></p>&mdash; eric. (@ericherreraa) <a href="https://twitter.com/ericherreraa/status/1671403785217011712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEWFightForever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEWFightForever</a> here’s riho getting sent to the shadow realm, courtesy of <a href="https://twitter.com/HaangEmHiigh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HaangEmHiigh</a> <a href="https://t.co/2Gu8VwtCNJ">pic.twitter.com/2Gu8VwtCNJ</a></p>&mdash; Momentum (@MomentumTLCM) <a href="https://twitter.com/MomentumTLCM/status/1671376189926039554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

:lol:

During this stream the guy was kicking the CPU's ass on Elite difficulty, even though creators a couple of weeks ago said they'd lost matches on Normal.

Chaotic fun no doubt, but this still points me to thinking that there is not going to be any replayability to this unless you like to game online.

KENTA: *spends years openly saying he doesn’t want to work with CM Punk*

IWC: “he’s working this match so hard, it’s gonna rule!”

KENTA: *refuses a plan to wrestle Punk at Forbidden Door, forcing AEW/NJPW to work out other plans*

IWC: *shocked Pikachu face*

If I get the game, it’ll simply be to play with my kids. So if it’s got replay value from that standpoint, it’ll be a win. Still, limited at best CAW features drops my interest in it greatly. That’s half the fun for me. Especially because I thought they’d at least offer the option to graph your face onto a CAW like WWE 2K does. Ah well.

Is there any reason why KENTA won’t do it? Like, that’s a huge match for him to have, on a big stage in the US.

At this point I don't think Phil is brave enough to wrestle anybody he thinks might shoot on him, and Kenta would absolutely whoop his ass.

CM Punk when he's hitting fans

https://media0.giphy.com/media/OP7Uu...giphy.gif&ct=v


CM Punk when he's in the cage with an actual fighter

https://i.redd.it/aqp3f1gkkx001.gif

I imagine the female wrestling trainee whom he and Cabana used during the infamous Gold Bond Mafia days felt vindicated.

KENTA's said repeatedly that he hates Punk for stealing the GTS. He doesn't care that other guys use it, but Punk lifted it and brought it to US television. To me it's kinda silly because most moves are lifted at one time or another. But that does always seem to be the crux of it. Maybe that and Punk openly saying he hated working in Zero-One, and really never went back to Japan again.

Anyway, KENTA's always said he'd do the match only if he was paid big money. Presumably wanting a Punk-level payday to do it. Clearly his asking price wasn't met lol

In all fairness, why would he even want to associate himself with someone as toxic as Punk :o

CM cheap shotted a guy who was pushed by the guy that smacked Phil's neck. That also happened before it was proven Phil is such an inept fighter. Today that guy would have know what a bitch Phil is, and would have decimated him on live TV, then Phil would sue the guy and probably the guy's mother too.

CM Punk is a US main eventer. KENTA is a Japan mid-carder. Why would you do that match? Who is it for?

I haven’t seen the actual numbers, but Punk is moving tickets at enough of a rate that even Dave Meltzer has to acknowledge it.

Dollar bill Phil!

There is no way Punk/Tiny would let Punk lose at Forbidden door. Why would Kenta want to do the favors for the guy that stole his move?

So Punk cleared the "counterfeit Bucks" line with AEW, and Fightful confirmed with people in the Bucks' camp that they liked the line. They even referenced it in their Twitter bio. Kenny encouraged Punk chants in his post-Dynamite speech last week. Locker room environment at both shows sounded positive. Hell, on BTE Kenny cracked a joke about the "toxic locker room" in what seemed to be a joke on Meltzer/Alvarez, with Hangman and the Bucks laughing it off.

At least from what I've seen and heard it seems to me like even if the Elite and Punk aren't/never will be friends, everyone's content to just move on.

And yet Meltzer today still insisted there's still a gigantic divide in the locker room and that Punk is driving everyone apart.

Lol, it's gone beyond an Elite bias thing. Dave just flat out has a vendetta toward Punk and is gonna keep peddling this bullshit.

Who would be the 4th or even 5th guy, say Ibushi debuts, for CMFTR? Guess you don’t need it to be even.

Takeshita? WARDLOW?

Just thinking out loud. Don’t mind me.

Controversy creates cash.

Trying to sell more subscriptions.

Not having a television deal doesn't discourage Tony Khan from commissioning a new ROH "World" Television Championship belt.

Dave Meltzer has rated more Luchasaurus and Lars Sullivan matches as 5 Stars then he has for Kurt Angle.

its a worked shoot of a work while shooting.




someone's gonna get shot

I saw this and (for some reason) was gobsmacked.

Like--I'm sure there will forever be a divide. But Punk's promo will have nothing to do with it. He legally can't just go out there and talk about the Bucks. He could've only dropped those lines (and not been immediately suspended) if they were approved.

Plus, I enjoyed the Counterfeit Bucks line, but it was cute. He specifically was playing ball and towing the company line while addressing the elephant in the room. There was nothing even slightly controversial about it, and it's become increasingly sad that Dave isn't even trying to be reliable anymore.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SANADA: &quot;I have no knowledge of Jack Perry. It's sad to see someone like that challenge for the IWGP. Is an open challenge really that easy to decide? It's the IWGP, I think it's worth more than the AEW Championship.&quot;<a href="https://t.co/MCEzIQ4dmZ">https://t.co/MCEzIQ4dmZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/AiQJzxvTJO">pic.twitter.com/AiQJzxvTJO</a></p>&mdash; Ciarán (@CiaranRH93) <a href="https://twitter.com/CiaranRH93/status/1671805223839363072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Given what a flop jungle boy is, I can't tell if he's working or not.

Sanada should look at Jungle Boy and Jack Perry should turn to dust and blow into the wind as a finish.

I wanted Sanada/Punk. There’s probably some way to magic Punk into some sort of scenario with Sanada at FD.

On Dave/Elite:

Interesting. When I heard Dave talk about the line potentially driving the Elite off, I thought he must be getting that line from them. It wouldn’t be out there if he wasn’t getting it from them. I assumed it was The Elite were bothered and just acting cool but trying to get their angle out there. That still makes more sense to me than everyone actually being fine (dirt sheets tried to spin the ESPN interview that didn’t have comments from them).

I dunno, more will come out, but my gut tells me that The Elite, being the modern Hulk Hogans of professional wrestling, probably have no issue playing both sides. Possibly telling Dave they’re probably leaving, possibly telling Sapp they’re staying and fine.

No news about them signing new contracts though? If they’re manipulating Dave, legit, it will be funny to see if he goes crawling back to Cornette. I just wouldn’t put it past all parties to be in on this to drum up interest. Whatever.

Are there parties in AEW that The Elite want to win over that really don’t like Dave? Could see this being a triangulation tactic. Bury Dave, get new friends, keep yourself situated.

Owen tournaments are weird. I won’t complain too much, but it just seems weird how names are selected.

The women’s is easy to book. Feels like it should come down to Ruby Soho vs. Willow Nightingale to me. The men’s feels like it could work with Punk/Hobbs, Punk/Starks or even Joe/Starks as final. I’d actually be kind of okay with Joe going to the end and putting over Starks.

100% this is how the "work" of the post-kayfabe era works best. Make it hard to tell when it could be a shoot or not. I did tune in to hear what Punk had to say on Collision, and wondered myself if there were "inflammatory" statements made, or like you, if they are just working everyone.


When Punk did his run-in last night, 100% all a work.

Punk can just do Bret ‘93 KOTR run move for move.

Well it’s not like Punk and The Elite can’t be in the same building. Punk and The Hardys don’t like each other either. It doesn’t make sense to dilute your tensions if you are trying to build off them. Not that I think internet stories are the best anyway.

Sure, I’d be fine with that.

most people aren't thinking that hard about it tho, that's why it "works" the way it does.


i don't follow enough.. whatever, to know about the punk v hardy's IRL feud or whatever it might be.

this thread detailing Dave's story makes me hate Dave so much lololol I don't even know why but it does.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Punk cover story in the Observer is a-spicy.</p>&mdash; Trevor Dame (@TrevorDame) <a href="https://twitter.com/TrevorDame/status/1672195048174407680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

If the bucks were upset by the counterfeit bucks line, it'd be on brand. But it would be no less baffling.

The idea of a big name storming out of Dynamite in a bad mood just because Punk was there is kinda hilarious.

First off, The Elite literally weren't there that night so if it's not them, who?

The other two guys with known Punk beefs of course being Jericho and Mox.

Jericho - maybe Punk decided he didn't want to work with him. OK, now he is now entering a program that seems entirely possible that it'll result in him working Sting's first AEW singles match at their largest gate ever. the horror. what does he have to complain about?

Mox - he's all but been outed as a Meltzer source in the past year or so, but if he went to Meltzer to moan about this it would seem he's every bit as crusty and cranky as Phil. plus, Tony lets him do whatever the fuck he wants in matches so again, what does he have to complain about?

For these reasons I'm leaning much more toward Dave just talking out of his ass. Either he has an incredibly weird vendetta against Punk, or everyone has patched things up to the best degree they can with a common agreement to just feed Meltzer a line of shit.

the latter would be hilarious.

I think the most likely explanation is they are trying to keep Tiny moneymark happy, but still telling Dave how they really feel.

<a href="https://ibb.co/j6qhB6t"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/NVfxQVR/DaxTweet.png" alt="DaxTweet" border="0"></a>

I went to embed this tweet right as I saw it, but it was quickly deleted. LOL

Tiny moneymark is a good thing I think. By the standards of a moneymark he’s a tiny one. I don’t know if you can articulate that idea in two words without ambiguity, you might have to just write out that he’s physically small and also add in that he gets financially taken advantage of by people in the professional wrestling business. I’m not trying to increase your workload here, but at the same time I don’t want you to be complimenting this guy when that’s not your intention.