Not sure if Pac is actually stuck travel-wise again, but it feels like they are building up to him vs Andrade.

Andrade vs Penta or Fenix as a backup could also happen. Maybe even Lucha Bros vs Andrade and Chavo?

Britt will face somebody too, not really sure who though.

I figured the “First Dance” was a play on “The Last Dance” documentary about Jordan/the Chicago Bulls.

I'd really like to see Lucha Bro's vs Andrade & Chavo, I'm not sure they are going to use Chavo in the ring, I'd assume he can still go but if they have someone else in mind that is from the roster that would be interesting as well.

You may be right. It's hard for me to imagine Punk not having a huge impact on this show in one way or another.

I'm not getting my hopes up on Tana NJPW names being at All Out, because they have their Wrestle Grand Slam event the same day and I'd assume they'd want Tana there. The NJPW guys will be in LA on August 14th but they need the time to re-quarantine in Japan based on the protocols over there.

I think we’re gonna see Punk v Darby at All Out. Christian v Omega also looks likely. Santana and Ortiz v FTR. Beyond that I have no idea. But, if my math is right, they’ve got 8 TV shows from now through All Out to build up the rest of the card.

4th week in a row over 1 million

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">AEW Dynamite's male 35-49 viewership last night exceeded that of WWE Smackdown on Friday: 300,000 to Smackdown's 273,000. <br><br>Raw and Smackdown this week were ahead of Dynamite in all other demos I have data for.<br><br>Read more: <a href="https://t.co/6zdFvzYAGE">https://t.co/6zdFvzYAGE</a> <a href="https://t.co/Nrj9BI256D">pic.twitter.com/Nrj9BI256D</a></p>&mdash; Brandon Thurston (@BrandonThurston) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandonThurston/status/1423379479691419648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

damn... thought they would be down to like 900k or something this week

Me too. Not many marquee matches. This week felt like it was written to try and introduce and/or help elevate younger talent, like Hersch and Lee Johnson. The Cody v Black match was the selling point and apparently that was more than good enough.

I’m more curious to see how well the first Rampage shows do. Britt obviously gonna be the main draw for the first show, and Punk possibly debuting the following week. Eager to see what kind numbers they can draw out the gate on a really tough night for TV.

Lol, I keep seeing 1.1 and I remember that being the tale of TNA.

Dammit, Noid. We don’t fight about new wrestling on Thursday nights anymore. We watch old school wrestling chronologically and step into a time machine to the good times. Please see my thread. Hope to see you there!

That sounds a lot better than seeing this shit. The business of wrestling has become more interesting than the actual wrestling.

Yeah, but the actual wrestling in that thread is better than both.

Ronnie Garvin just murders people with nothing but his hands. I’m avoiding spoilers so I can’t say that he will do it this week but he DEFINITELY did it last week.

Lol, good teaser.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Following an impressive debut on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEWDynamite?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEWDynamite</a> last night, <a href="https://twitter.com/GarciaWrestling?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GarciaWrestling</a> claims <a href="https://twitter.com/DarbyAllin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DarbyAllin</a> was only able to pin him with help from <a href="https://twitter.com/JonMoxley?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JonMoxley</a> + <a href="https://twitter.com/MadKing1981?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MadKing1981</a>; Garcia has challenged Darby to a one-on-one match next Wednesday, &amp; AEW GM <a href="https://twitter.com/TonyKhan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TonyKhan</a> has booked the match for Dynamite! <a href="https://t.co/HYMOvaDAAd">pic.twitter.com/HYMOvaDAAd</a></p>&mdash; All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) <a href="https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1423404970649456647?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

WWE stars signing with AEW, My Opinion
 

I have to put out my thoughts on one of the more exciting storylines running weekly through the news sites. Former WWE stars signing with AEW or WWE contracts coming to an end, and now a new place to land.

This is an all to familiar situation to those of us who lived through the 90's or earlier. Probably one of the most exciting things that used to happen that didn't happen for the longest time, competition in pro wrestling and wrestlers jumping ship from company to company. Sure we had a taste of it when TNA was at it's height but even then it was nothing like it is now.

So my opinion on AEW and their position if they should be signing up a large amount of former or current WWE stars is YES.

When AEW began they did have a solid enough roster to start of with a bang, sure. But there was many talents that "should have" been with AEW, but got swept up by WWE, or locked in with ROH or Impact. I'm thinking guys like Matt Riddle, Keith Lee, Bandido, Walter, Rey Misterio and even CM Punk. There was a lot of talent that WWE was able to scoop up or that was unfortunately signed to Impact or ROH that fit the idea of AEW much more.

So the result of this was AEW forced to take 2nd tier indy talent that only a select few die hards actually knew. I don't watch Dark/Elevation and the reason is because the cards are filled with skinny flip floppers who aren't even that good at being flip floppers. Some of these guys get "called" up for chances on Dynamite and to be honest it never interests me. I'm not aware of who AEW has under legit contracts that work mostly on Dark/Elevation but last weeks example for my argument is 2.0 and Shotty Lee. They just aren't ready for big time tv yet. They all need to improv their bodies they look smaller than most of the fans in the crowd and when it comes to the high flying element they aren't top enough to have deserved that spot.

But take for example Pete Dune or Tony Neese. Those dudes have awesome pro wrestler bodies and can work insanely good matches. It was reported that Neese was backstage at Dynamite and honestly, why not sign up this guy? He's ripped and awesome in the ring. We all know Dune is an ace. Then there are guys like Johnny Curtis or Tyler Breeze, those guys are 10x better than the majority of the Dark/Elevation cast, why not hire those guys to come in and play a mid card role? Give them a better spot than they had in WWE but have them put over the AEW stars that need putting over. Miro should be wrestling guys that are more talented than his is to make him look good, Shotty Lee isn't that guy pal.

In conclusion I think that AEW should definitely scoop up the talented WWE guys who in general look like actual wrestlers and can work a match without making botchamania every week. Continue to identify their developmental talent that are star bound like Agogo, Caster, Bowens, Top Flight make a plant to elevate them in compelling stories. For example, I know they set up Shotty Lee and Miro the week or two before Dynamite but I don't remember what they did, some backstage promo? It wasn't anything special and Lee was just set up to lose and nobody cared.

I say sign Bray, sign Dune, sign Cole. Fuck it, get to the top my any means but do make the proper plans to succeed the aging talent when their time comes. AEW has done well by Darby, he's going to be ready for a top spot when the opening is there. He can already main event any Dynamite and have a compelling show.

At this point they would have to make cuts to make room for the wwe cast-offs and I don't think Khan or the EVPs have enough RUTHLESS AGGRESSION to cut their indy buddies.

Even with the rumors of his contract being in flux I don't think Pete Dunne is gonna be leaving unless WWE actively doesn't try to keep him. Strikes me as someone who will agree to whatever terms WWE gives him.

You see it with a lot of British guys in Dunne's generation. Like Ben Carter. A lot of people who worked with him out on the British Isles said his singular goal was WWE. As he made a name for himself out there he got offers to come to the US to train at the ROH Dojo or Chikara Factory for free but instead he paid a shitload to train at Seth Rollins' wrestling school, figuring it'd give him a better chance to network his way into the company.

Goes to AEW last year, works some Dark matches that impress everyone. Gets offered a full-time AEW contract. WWE then offer him apparently a way cheaper contract to work NXT UK and he takes it because again, WWE was always his end game.

There's a lot of similar mindsets among the NXT UK roster. WWE is the goal regardless of money, position on the card, or status. And no matter how low on the totem pole NXT UK is, being there means they met their lifelong goal. And that's why most of them aren't bothered essentially being stored away in a factor in England somewhere.

They’ve hit on Moxley, Brodie, Miro, PAC and FTR. Black seems like an instant success. Hardy and Christian have been ok. The only ex WWE guys who haven’t done much to me are Hager and Spears which doesn’t surprise anybody.

Also who a actually gives a shit if AEW does nothing but push WWE castoffs?

I’m old enough to remember when WCW castoffs Stunning Steve Austin, Mean Mark, Terra Ryzin, the Giant, Cactus Jack, Damon Striker, Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, and Eddie Guerrero created the biggest wrestling boom in history. I’m ok with it.

This post gives me great hope. Wednesday's haven't been half-bad either.:y:

AEW is finally doing what it should have done at the start. Use its money to get the stars to get the eyeballs. The problem is that you’ve got to be good on top of that. And that is where the whole thing turns to shit.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/GwMp5vJMsO">pic.twitter.com/GwMp5vJMsO</a></p>&mdash; Bobaruski (@Bobaruski232) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bobaruski232/status/1424769926628364294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are SHOOK by what <a href="https://twitter.com/JANELABABY?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JANELABABY</a> just did to <a href="https://twitter.com/SonnyKissXO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SonnyKissXO</a>!<br><br>Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEWDarkElevation?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEWDarkElevation</a> NOW: <a href="https://t.co/ZSNu4AjUpS">https://t.co/ZSNu4AjUpS</a> <a href="https://t.co/wS2nBlrFQ1">pic.twitter.com/wS2nBlrFQ1</a></p>&mdash; All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) <a href="https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1424872620546273282?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Joey Janela turning heel on the YouTube streamed AEW Dark

this company is wild sometimes

According to reports, Max Caster got hit with around a 2 month suspension as part of the fallout from his controversial pre-match rap at last week's Dark episode.

In a way not surprised since his rap insults had been straddling the line for a long while. Some weeks he'd have just a normal diss rap towards his opponent while other weeks he'd sneak in homophobic-like insults and other stuff that easily could get him into hot water.

Probably didn't help that his insults towards Julia Hart had been heading in a real mean spirited direction in recent weeks and not just typical heel style heat that just added more fuel to the fire of last week's controversy.

AEW's production shares a lot of the blame as well since they had a week to edit out the controversial rap before Dark aired and didn't so someone there screwed up big time.

That sucks and hopefully isn't true

Especially if he was never given a notice to "tone it down" before and they just suspended him without warning after they aired everything

Now will have to walk on egg shells and avoid saying anything "on the edge" because whiny people might get mad. "Make sure you don't say anything that might offend the whiniest people in our audience" is not good for his gimmick...

"sensitivity training" 😒

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Max Caster has been suspended from AEW for two months without pay. It is unknown if that pay will go to charity.<br><br>He will be forced to undergo sensitivity training and must pass as well. <br><br>This is similar to what they did with Sammy Guevara after his comments about Sasha Banks.</p>&mdash; H Jenkins Of Ringside News (@HJenkinsWrites) <a href="https://twitter.com/HJenkinsWrites/status/1425226668487188480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Best 21 minutes of wrestling all week.

Come on man the Duke lacrosse line wasn't even close to the edge.

It was about 3000 feet over it.

He earned that suspension, even if it's just bullshit so AEW can save face in the media.

nice timing, was about to search for random videos to watch and you delivered for me.

Is it bad that I find botch reels more entertaining than the actual product these days?

Watching him trying to pass sensitivity training would be very fun if wrestling had a sense of humor.

Yeah he should have known anything referencing rape was going to get outrage, but I mean it's going to suck for his gimmick in the future now that AEW overreacted with the punishment imo and he's going to be forced to walk on egg shells

Also after I realized they were in North Carolina when he said the Duke line (obviously to garner heel heat), it made more sense after my initial reaction of confusion thinking he was just randomly saying he was going to rape his opponents

What's really annoying to me is that lots of people seem to be more mad about his tame line about Simone Biles :roll:

he should actually do a corny safe rapper gimmick when returning . . .

https://i.imgur.com/iFk52ql.png

:lol::rofl::lol:

Good Lord...

Depressing. I couldn't make it past 3 minutes. A lot of these botches are the exact performers that I really don't care for in AEW and wouldn't mind being replaced by released WWE and NXT talents. Some botches are bound to happen with this "suicide dive" lucha style but dayum.

AEW deserves criticism. Some of those landings were disturbing to watch.

You'd think that with agents like Malenko and Jerry Lynn that they'd have more control over the stupid attempts that a lot of the wrestlers make. Botches are going to happen, people will fall on their head from german's and lucha moves. But the amount of just shitty flip flop'n fly style is overboard. This is absolutely my biggest criticism of AEW and why I'm all for AEW hiring talent trained by WWE like Buddy Murphy, Johnny Curtis, Zack Ryder, Tyler Breeze, Killian Dain, Bollywood Boyz, Tony Neese and others.

Sure there will be the challenge of "how can we elevate this talent better their their previous employer?" Not everybody is going to be world champion. But I think that AEW can utilize a large amount of decently well known WWE releases to work on Dark/Elevation with the cream of their development crop. Meanwhile keeping these talents engaged will by-weekly matches on Dynamite/Rampage with those AEW consider "star" talent.

These skinny less than great "cruiserweight" style workers that AEW are bringing in for example Serpintico, Aaron Solo, Sean Dean and Shotty Lee are just not money. There are exceptions like Stu Grayson who is small yes but is an incredible worker. Jungle Boy, super small but also a superstar.

They have some dead weight they can choose to not rehire as well. We don't need the Sydal Brothers or The Gunn Club, they are bringing nothing to the table, Jack Evans and Angelico have filled the quota of what we can see from them, Alan Angels is not doing anything that Stu Grayson or Uno can't do and for the love of god please do not re-sign Jake Hager.

On another note, I'd be more than fine with Jericho "retiring" after losing to MJF at All Out. It needs to happen, maybe not forever but for a good long time until he decides to "reinvent" his body because the look of him is not good. Jericho on commentary may turn out to be a great thing, I can certainly see him being a success over Mark Henry or Paul Wight in that environment. But as far as in ring goes, I can't foresee any programs that we need from him going forward. He's worked with almost everyone on the roster and good for him for giving the rub to a lot of guys, he's a legend and helped build AEW into what it is today. But his body is a disaster and he's slipping further and further into embarrassment.

Yeah I get the sense that AEW is rarely ever gonna actually fire talents unless they fuck up like Jimmy Havoc.

But they might let contracts elapse like they did with Kong (who didn't seem like she had plans on returning anyway) and Shanna (hot but doesn't bring much to the table you can't get from others in the women's roster, plus some problematic social media posts)

Contract lengths vary but a lot of people got 3 year deals, 2022 would be 3 years since AEW started so I think by spring some talents on the Dark/Elevation brigade will be moving out. Jack Evans, Angelico, Peter Avalon, Janela, etc. Sonny Kiss will probably get re-signed for representation. Kip Sabian's fate probably depends on if they want to keep Penelope Ford.

Yeah that one was good imo, playing to current events and will get some ppl behind him while angering others. While I do think the whole Simone Biles thing is horribly over done at this point I do think it was a good play for Caster.

If Kip Sabian getting another contract keeps Penelope on board then give that man a long term deal.

According to Voices of Wrestling, Ringside News' report of Max Caster being suspended isn't true based on their sources.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are told there is no truth to a report circulating from Ringside News that Max Caster has been suspended for two months without pay. This was described to us as &quot;total fiction&quot;.</p>&mdash; Voices of Wrestling (@voiceswrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/voiceswrestling/status/1425261347118399488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

For some reference, one of their guys currently works in AEW although not sure if he still does stuff for VoW on the side. Likely the same guy who debunked the Dylan Bostic pay dispute story from last year.

Fightful also reported that Caster was "put on ice for a couple of months" (and would have to undergo "sensitivity training") which is basically the same thing, except maybe he's still being paid at least

They did that with Sammy and it seems like the fans have already forgotten about it.

Yeah, VoW didn't dispute the sensitivity training part of Ringside News' report so its likely softer in terms of punishment than what Sammy got a while ago.

Sammy was only gone for a month for his suspension but all of his pay went to a charity instead.

Depending on how long Caster's sensitivity training actually lasts, could see the "on ice" part end up shifting more towards his pre-match rap routine and not him actually being gone for a few months.

Feel a bit bad for the Varsity Blonds since now their big feud with The Acclaimed that had been building up on Dark & Dark Elevation these past few weeks got dumped at least for the foreseeable future. That feud, the Janela & Kiss team breakup storyine with pervert Alex Marvez, and Big Swole vs. Diamante feud were the current big feuds on Dark & Dark Elevation.

Good TV interview with Britt and Jungle Jack

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What do you mean...

The running gag on Dark for a few weeks was that whenever Janela would be interviewed backstage, he'd invite Marvez to party with him at a go-go bar afterwards.

Whenever Janela would get in trouble with Sonny Kiss, he would try to put all the blame on Marvez claiming he was a pervert and a bad influence for why he was acting strange recently or hanging out at go-go bars instead of caring more for his tag buddy.

From the reports I've read it goes much deeper than that. The talks have said that many talents have had run-ins with Marvez behind the scenes that range from "bad" to "very bad". From what I can tell people thought at first that since he's of an older generation that he was just a bit touchy, but no harm. It has gotten to a point where backstage he was caught with an unnamed female talents tights in hand in an empty room. With the presumption that he was possibly sniffing or stroking the material in "privacy". I've read that Penelope Ford refuses to do promo's with him backstage because his hand slid too far down her back during a taping and that Dasha has been tasked with all Ford promo's going forward. Speaking of Dasha the rumor is that while she technically works under Marvez he had a habit of constantly looking for her approval, asking if he looks good tonight, if she can tell he's been losing weight, and does she think he's too short etc...

Something to keep an eye on.

Where'd you hear that? Can't find anything about it on Google

Darkweb wrestling sites. Do you want a link? :shifty:

u got me...

Isnt Marvez the one that beat up Jimmy Havoc? Or was that Excaliber?

Worried about Chris Jericho ruining next week's debut with his "commentary voice" :nono:

Yeah, that's definitely a moment where the commentary needs to shut up and let the moment speak for itself.

I still cringe thinking about aj styles debut.

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COULD IT BE!!!?? IT IS!!!

But yes, let the crowd do their thing and create the moment. I don’t mind an “OMG IT’S C.M. PUNK!!!” once he hits the entrance ramp, but leave it at that fit a bit. We have live crowds now so we don’t need the broadcast jabbering away.

Jericho's commentary was a detriment to the Impact world title bout from yesterday. It took the focus away from the match. He had a few moments here and there but overall it was too much. Needs to take the carnieness down a notch.

I'd really prefer if they just take him off the team entirely. It was that bad.

Definitely needs to tone it down, it's just too much, and having 4 guys on commentary doesn't help either. Having the hot crowd helped me to not focus on it as much and next week will be crazy too I'm sure, but for lesser crowds it'd be more noticeable and worse.

I'm in favor of this as well.

While Exaclibur is decent, they could really benefit from a seasoned commentator. I wouldn't mind if they used Schiavone or Ross for The First Dance.

I would love to see someone like Joey Styles or Kevin Kelly in AEW.

Joey Styles would be amazing.

What is he up to? Is he still in the business?

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No he left altogether after working for WWE online for a number of years. I believe he works in finance which was his side job during ECW.

Excalibur has grown on me and come a long way since the first ppv. I think he shouldbe the main play by play guy. JR needs to go. Jericho needs to go. I think Schiavone still has it, and I’m just fine with him being the least on Dynamite with Excalibur as the color man. Excalibur with either Taz Or Mark Henry on Fridays.

I have no memory of this

https://twitter.com/hjenkinswrites/s...966273027?s=21

Sorry don’t know how to embed, but Ringside news says Punk is signed for 10-12 matches a year and will likely be a weekly presence on tv.

Sheeeeeeeeeesh

I doubt if there's anyone on the AEW roster who can match his intensity on the mic. Maybe Eddie?

I've had this thought about Kenny. He's just lost the Impact World Championship to Christian and likely to lose the AAA Mega Championship tonight to Andrade, why not add Andrade to the main event of all out and make it a triple threat for Kenny's most prized belt the AEW World Championship?

I know we are all excited for Pac and Andrade but that can wait, and it's not actually been made official as in it's not on the AEW website yet. Thoughts?

I like the idea of all three champions colliding at All Out. I've also been very underwhelmed by the buildup for Andrade and PAC.

Because Christian is likely to eat the pin, adding Andrade would be rko outta nowhere and not make sense for the AEW side of things, and they’ve been building the PAC match already. Andrade doesn’t need to jump into the main event immediately. Let him simmer and build some momentum first.

If Kenny loses the title tonight it will have to be acknowledged on Dynamite. Kenny is going to really be losing it after losing dos of his tres titles. It would be very last minute but I can see them working a big enough angle out of it to make it work on a weeks notice.

I think it’ll just play into whatever heel move he does to beat Christian at All Out. I’d be stunned if Omega won clean at the POV. I think he escapes and his gimmick involves being paranoid about not losing his only title.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This guy on NFL network is all elite with the CM Punk namedrop <a href="https://t.co/yCGMZ8j2bt">pic.twitter.com/yCGMZ8j2bt</a></p>&mdash; Playoff P Regular SNZ MVP 2022 Tour Stan Account (@ItsTy_ok) <a href="https://twitter.com/ItsTy_ok/status/1426709545057931266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Punk also dropped an All elite reference doing mma commentary. Ready for it to be Friday.

Moxley vs. Will Ospreay at All Out? Meltzer said the plan was for Moxley to wrestle a major NJPW wrestler at the PPV...

Meltzer also still hinting that it could be Tanahashi. Either way it's pretty exciting.

Was just thinking about Omega. His belt collector gimmick is pretty sweet and I hope they keep it up. He was supposed to drop the AAA Belt to Andrade tonight but apparently AEW stepping in and asked AAA to hold off because they didn't want Omega to lose two night in a row. Eventually he will lose but wouldn't it be pretty cool to see the gimmick continue? AEW have strong ties to NWA and PWG, I'd love to see Kenny help out NWA by doing a run there and holding the title. PWG could be good for that company, they will sell out their shows without him but he could be a good head piece for their streaming service that is rumored to be opening up soon.

After resurgence and AAA last night there is an obvious web being weaved between some of the biggest companies in the world. I think that the one that has been left out is ROH. They have claimed to still have a deal with NJPW but it hasn't been utilized in a long time. ROH needs to open up and get in on the AEW action. If they did and were able to get some matches with AEW guys as well as NJPW guys that would be such a huge help for them.

Mox called out Tanahashi after it was annulled Archer was Gonna go against him for the US title. I could see it being Tanahashi v Moxley at All Out, which would be amazing.

Tanahashi is so good. Still to this day the best new japan has to offer when it comes to great in ring story tellers.

Crazy stuff being reported today. What do you guys make of the Matt Hardy stuff?

I couldn't find anything regarding Matt Hardy. What's going on?

Apparently Matt Hardy is in for a big mega push and will be added to the main event of All Out to capitalize on his decades long feud with Christian and the match will be turned into a ladder match. Sources say that Hardy will then win the AEW Championship and begin to dawn Omega's interpromotional champion gimmick. Report says that first he will enter a main event interpromotional feud with Will Ospreay for the legit IWGP Heavyweight Championship to eventually become a double champion and then at some point he will begin to work the NWA tapings and hold the World's Heavyweight belt along with his other hardware.

The source also says that Matt Hardy will get a 6 month to a year run at the top and while working AEW will have programs with CM Punk (to capitalize on his abusive feud in WWE with Jeff), Jungle Boy (one of the top programs slated for Boy to get over to main event caliber) and likely Chris Jericho which is expected to be Jericho's retirement program.

The leaked information also details how Matt Hardy will at some point become "Broken" again and begin to interdeminsionally transport from promotion to promotion sometimes ever on the same night, but realistically that may just be accomplished with tapings.

This sounds very farfetched.

It's been leaked from Gavin on Reddit who has been breaking a lot of the big AEW news lately like Punk, Bryan, Henry and the Max Castor drama. Apparently Hardy had a Championship clause in his contract and the feeling is that he's ready for the top spot. AEW legal made notice to creative that they should begin to work the story in because Hardy has tacked up a lot of notches on his bump card and they don't want to get into a pickle where they can't fulfill their side of the contract due to his health.

Is he doing a bit? It seems like he’s doing a bit. It’s a terrible bit.

Well some people found The Broken gimmick to be a bit much but the fact is in the finances and that gimmick not only moves merch but it moves numbers. Don't shoot the messenger. I'm not Gavin, but he has been right about a lot of things coming from backstage in AEW.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wild tattoo. <a href="https://t.co/r1hC8S8ShN">pic.twitter.com/r1hC8S8ShN</a></p>&mdash; DARBY ALLIN (@DarbyAllin) <a href="https://twitter.com/DarbyAllin/status/1427010554636423170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Hardy doesn't need to be anywhere near the title picture. He's tried the broken thing a few times and it kinda worked once.

I agree. Hit the bricks.

I know people knock Tony Khan as a money mark but that Hardy stuff can’t be true. They can’t have been so desperate to get Matt Hardy in that they gave him a “Championship Clause”.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Max Caster is now selling AEW worn gear on eBay! �� <a href="https://t.co/KkQhgO3kU8">pic.twitter.com/KkQhgO3kU8</a></p>&mdash; The Macho Beard (@Machobeard4life) <a href="https://twitter.com/Machobeard4life/status/1427331858149298178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Wow, Tony Khan is worse than Vince McMahon. Kills Brodie Lee and then bankrupts wrestlers who cross him

R.I P

They gave Andrade creative control, and his career is far less decorated than Matt Hardy's. But really it is just a matter of how much the wrestler can swoon the money mark.

Everything we have heard about Tony since day one certainly seems like fanboy Tony, assuming he was a huge fan of Broken Matt in Impact, would give away his house and whatever else Matt asked for to get him in his "collection" of wrestlers.

It's also why he is so bad at handling criticism and why he buckles under outside pressure almost immediately to any kind of backlash (see Max Caster).

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">AEW Rampage on Friday was watched by 740,000 viewers on average. 396,000 were aged 18-49 (0.30 rating).<br><br>Smackdown on Fox was watched by 2,084,000. In 18-49, 746,000 (0.58 rating) watched.<br><br>More details soon at <a href="https://t.co/1SscdBCpr8">https://t.co/1SscdBCpr8</a></p>&mdash; Brandon Thurston (@BrandonThurston) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandonThurston/status/1427359283537223684?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Wow big win for Rampage, that's a good sign. I know this coming week should be even bigger, hopefully they keep it steady going forward.

Hmmm @ Caster... hope he's "trolling"

Wouldn't be surprised if he quit over it. Sure it was tasteless, but it was also a taped show. Absolutely not his fault it aired.

Completely agree, I dont buy for one second that they just missed it. They knew it was in there, they just did not think it would be received negatively. As soon as it was, AEW and Tony Khan threw some "unknown" editor and Max Caster under the bus.

If I was Caster i'd be pissed too.