AEW in June 2023: Two shows, one thread

[crandamaniac]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1671909498880151554

Nice Tribute

 

[geniusMoment]

TK media call notes:

• Tony Khan says Jack Perry was the top choice to face Sanada for the IWGP Heavyweight Title in his mind. He puts over Perry's development and the fact that Perry just had a PPV world title match in May.
• Tony Khan tells Bill Pritchard that he tried to just put the best competitors in the Owen Hart Tournament he could when asked about the lack of Canadians.
• SRS asked Tony Khan about CM Punk and KENTA. He said that Kojima vs. Punk is a hard hitting match and the one he wants to see. He was very excited to bring back Kojima and has always wanted to see that match. He can't comment on anyone else who was rumored to face Punk. Tony also implies Punk vs. Kojima will open the PPV.
• Tony Khan told Ella Jay that he hopes to work with Stardom in the future. He said that he understands there is interest in Stardom working with AEW. It was something they talked about for this show as well. He couldn't include STARDOM in Forbidden Door because they're running a show the same day, but he has high praise for them, and mentions he'd love to work with them, and that the interest is mutual.
• Tony Khan said that last Summer between Double or Nothing or Forbidden Door was the most challenging time as it relates to injuries that he's experienced in any sport.
• Tony Khan tells Stephanie McChase that Sarah Stock and Madison Rayne are very involved in coaching and producing matches to give a woman's perspective. She said a lot of women's wrestlers also pitch ideas directly. Madison Rayne has been dealing with a foot injury.
• Tony Khan told Jim Varsallone he was surprised to see Ariel Hewani's report that he and his father were interested in Bellator. He said they've not had any conversations with Bellator MMA at all, much less about buying the company.
• Tony Khan talks about being highly inspired by CMLL and the Lucha libre culture and how it shaped current American wrestling style.
• Tony Khan on the dynamics of BCC/The Elite/Kingston/Ishii: Says, when Eddie said he had a partner, he meant it. He brought one of the top wrestlers in the world out with Ishii. Says that Eddie Kingston and Jon Moxley is a major emotional hook to this match. Says Mox's comments and demeanor at Dynamite added a lot of weight to what's to come at Forbidden Door.
• Are there plans to open the Forbidden Door to companies other than NJPW? Tony Khan says the relationship with New Japan is stronger than it is with any other company. Says it would be great if AEW worked with others, like lucha libre promotions. He also noted the AAA-CMLL logistical issues, and says he doesn't want to get in the middle of other people's promotional battles.
• Tony Khan says "one bill Phil" line by CM Punk on a Collision was a throwback line to 90s wrestling. He noted that he saw it as a call back to the WCW on TNT days when guys would reference Ted Turner on air. Says it was David Zaslav's idea to give AEW 2 hours on Saturdays and thought it was a cool reference.
• Tony Khan says he has had conversations with Bill Goldberg about being involved in AEW and that he is a legend and one of the biggest names in the sport. Has had "nice conversations" with him in the past. Tony Khan doesn't think Goldberg would be the ideal partner for Darby and Sting, however.
• Tony Khan on Owen Hart Brackets - Adam Cole won last year, but isn't on the bracket this year In addition to being involved in the title picture as a great contender. Adam Cole is in the blind eliminator World Tag Team Tournament. With this participation in the tournament, it would be very difficult for him to participate in both tournaments at the same time. Says there will be additional promotions for the tournaments coming forward, along with "Bracket Break Out" where fans can follow along with what happens to the brackets as each tournament progresses. Says the 30 minute draw match with MJF was spectacular, but now they're going to be partners in this tournament which is very exciting. They have a lot of differences, but some similarities too. Says there are a lot of places where Adam will be on TV, and there will be plenty of opportunities for Adam Cole in the future as well.
• Tony Khan dispels the rumor that CM Punk has some kind of ownership stake in AEW. Says he is a huge star for them, and he wants the company to do well.
• Tony Khan says revenue-wise, AEW generates nine figures and "are pushing to hit that magic number" for media rights that Punk referenced ($1 billion).
• Tony Khan on Collision viewership and Warner Bros Discovery viewership goals: Says this was considered a very successful debut, AEW beat estimations - it was a very successful debut for AEW Collision on Saturday night on TNT.
• Tony Khan on his set philosophy on how wrestlers come back to work, like Kris Statlander or CM Punk: It depends on the wrestler and the injury. Punk and Kris both had very serious injuries, but when they are available he wants them to be a big part of the show.
• The media call has wrapped up.

 

[geniusMoment]

I know pretty much everyone here is gonna hate it. But, I think there is a decent chance Goldberg does something with AEW (probably All In) after listening to Tony talk about him.

He was making 1 million plus per match with WWE. So, I'm not sure of the financial fit. That is the only reason I could see it not happening.

 

[Tino Standard]

• SRS asked Tony Khan about CM Punk and KENTA. He said that Kojima vs. Punk is a hard hitting match and the one he wants to see. He was very excited to bring back Kojima and has always wanted to see that match. He can't comment on anyone else who was rumored to face Punk. Tony also implies Punk vs. Kojima will open the PPV.

And you all thought I was kidding.

 

[crandamaniac]

I know pretty much everyone here is gonna hate it. But, I think there is a decent chance Goldberg does something with AEW (probably All In) after listening to Tony talk about him.

He was making 1 million plus per match with WWE. So, I'm not sure of the financial fit. That is the only reason I could see it not happening.

I don't see a billionaire having a problem paying Goldberg $1Million.

 

[909]

I don’t have a problem with bringing him in as a heel. Otherwise not interested.

 

[Fall of Epic]

Goldberg coming in to spear someone to a huge pop in London or working a short squash with a rising heel is fine with me. I don't want to see him stick around more than that. Certainly don't want him chasing any world titles.

 

[Valeyard]

No. Fuck him. Best case is he comes in and FTR confront him about Bret or something and that would never happen. If you held a title during the Monday Night Wars I don't want them whatsoever.

 

[Valeyard]

Also Punk/Kojima does nothing for me the more I think about it. That should be Hobbs and honestly I'd be way more into Punk/Nagata.

 

[Hawk 34]

No. Fuck him. Best case is he comes in and FTR confront him about Bret or something and that would never happen. If you held a title during the Monday Night Wars I don't want them whatsoever.

Damn. Even Kenny Kaos?

 

[Valeyard]

Janela only.

 

[Valeyard]

Sting and Jericho are of course outliers.

 

[claydude14]

As someone who’s NJPW viewing history is purely limited to Jericho-Omega 1, like literally that match only, I’m not as hyped as most of you who follow or have followed both.

The build has been much better this year and the whole idea of the show is gonna lend itself to some haphazard matchups like Jungle Boy v NJPW champ.

The fact that they just throw Eddie back into the main storyline tells me they got plans for my man that’s great.

 

[cobainwasmurdered]

Eddie will be leaving to do the G1 in a couple weeks but I assume after that he'll be involved with Moxley.

 

[cobainwasmurdered]

IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship Match Kenny Omega VS Will Ospreay_哔哩哔哩_bilibili

YouTubeOspreay生日快乐, 视频播放量 4213、弹幕量 0、点赞数 39、投硬币枚数 7、收藏人数 49、转发人数 21, 视频作者 铃木军Suzuki-Gun, 作者简介 ，相关视频：IWGP Heavyweight Title / IWGP Intercontinental Title Match Okada VS Naito，【WWE SmackDown】第1310期，WWE NXT 第816期，【WWE RAW】第1636期，【AEW】2024年AEW × NJPW禁忌之门，AEW世界冠军赛，Will Ospreay vs Swerve...

www.bilibili.com

Omega Vs Ospreay 1 with english commentary

 

[Valeyard]

What does TK see in Jungle Boy?

 

[cobainwasmurdered]

no idea. jungle boy vs sanada is the one match im really let down by. sanada deserves way way better.

 

[Brocklock]

TK became a Luke Perry superfan because of his role on Oz and that explains this push.

 

[Valeyard]

Sanada shouldn't be the one match you blow. Even if you just said fuck it and had him against White or something on American soil to build to something else for White when he loses it makes a million times more sense than Jungle Boy.

O-Khan needs a prominent role on this show.

 

[Big Papa Paegan]

IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship Match Kenny Omega VS Will Ospreay_哔哩哔哩_bilibili

YouTubeOspreay生日快乐, 视频播放量 4213、弹幕量 0、点赞数 39、投硬币枚数 7、收藏人数 49、转发人数 21, 视频作者 铃木军Suzuki-Gun, 作者简介 ，相关视频：IWGP Heavyweight Title / IWGP Intercontinental Title Match Okada VS Naito，【WWE SmackDown】第1310期，WWE NXT 第816期，【WWE RAW】第1636期，【AEW】2024年AEW × NJPW禁忌之门，AEW世界冠军赛，Will Ospreay vs Swerve...

www.bilibili.com

Omega Vs Ospreay 1 with english commentary

I've said it before, but NJPW turned Ospreay from one of the best possible babyfaces of the modern era into another generic forced epic machine. I tried watching and liking this, but he's picked up all of the bad habits that modern NJPW doubles down on.

 

[Cackling Co Pilot Kamala]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1672217224571138048

Leopards don’t change their spots.

 

[Valeyard]

I just want a funny ending. The hissyfit that leads to another slapfight or someone running directly from the ring to their car or the one where TK grows balls and there's a walkout where no one actually walks out but talks about how they did for years.

I'm in the camp of just waiting out how this all falls apart and thus cannot invest in anything Punk related if I wanted to, I think.

 

[Cackling Co Pilot Kamala]

WON reporting that All In is at 66,500 paid and a $8.35 million gate, which is largest paid attendance for a pro wrestling show since WrestleMania 32 in 2016 (which has the all time record). Meltzer said it’s not likely but not impossible that AEW will break that record.

 

[cobainwasmurdered]

I've said it before, but NJPW turned Ospreay from one of the best possible babyfaces of the modern era into another generic forced epic machine. I tried watching and liking this, but he's picked up all of the bad habits that modern NJPW doubles down on.

I feel the exact opposite of course. I hated Ospreay pre/early NJPW and thought he was just another spot machine who couldn't work. Over the last year or two he's really developed his game though and is a great heel. He did nothing for me as a face whatsoever.

 

[cobainwasmurdered]

That said I do get tired of the long njpw main event style at times which is why I really loved Okada Vs Kiyomiya which was much shorter and felt like two guys who hated each other. I also really dig the recent Okada/Tana/Ishii Vs Umino/Narita/Partner old vs young guns feud for similiar reasons. But I don't want to sidetrack the thread.

 

[RedJed]

So there was alot of some weird shit in the Observer about Punk claiming he has tried reaching out to Elite to try to attempt to do business together, claims of being blocked communication by lawyers, and the other side claiming Punk has not initiated such attempts. Ultimately, if this all isn't a work (I'm wondering at this point if it actually is) its fucking time to sit all of these guys down together and move forward. It's way long overdue and it's pretty nuts it never happened yet. Maybe this happens at the ppv or even sometime over the weekend in Toronto but they sure are giving the impression that isn't happening. Khan publicly saying in the media call that Punk is likely opening the ppv tells me they still aren't attempting at some coming together moment and that they are literally going to keep Omega and Bucks out of the arena until Punk finishes his match and leaves. Talk about WTF if that's the plan. TK needs to grow a fucking pair and get a meeting together with all of em and put this shit to rest (again, assuming this isnt a work anymore) before we get who knows what. Punk is at least projecting he's willing to work a program but whether that is just bullshit, who knows. I feel like if the Elite are willing to move past this, lets get the fucking lawyers out of it finally.

There also was suggestions that what Punk said in his promo in Chicago actually wasn't approved ahead of time, even though earlier in the week the claim was that it was. I really think where things stand now is that Meltzer and others are actively being worked themselves with all of this by their sources within the company, who are also likely being worked by Khan and everyone in this situation.

 

[Cackling Co Pilot Kamala]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1672288353583263750

You know you’re in the wrong when Meltzer is scoring points off of you.

 

[cobainwasmurdered]

The problem was Punk didn't talk it out face to face though. He went on camera and cut a promo. He never had any intention of talking it out with anyone. If the people in AEW were mature than talking it out would be the right thing to do. Complaining to dave is immature. Going on twitter like Dax is immature. Maybe the whole thing is a work but if it is then it just makes the company look bad.

 

[Cackling Co Pilot Kamala]

Danhausen: I Will Face Pepsi Phil At Foreboding Door, But He Has To Lay Down And Let Danhausen Pin Him | Fightful News

Danhausen seemingly offers to be CM Punk's opponent at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door.

www.fightful.com

This is the way for CM Punk to win the fanbase back.

 

[Valeyard]

If this is in any way a work, TK deserves to lose the company.

It isn't, of course, or at least to everyone not with Punk. Punk needs media to exist. If he isn't being seen, heard, or otherwise documented he doesn't exist. He isn't a real person anymore, just a clout serpent who is a bigger mark for the version of himself he's cultivated than anyone in recent history. If Warrior had his peak in this modern mediascape he'd be what Punk is. Punk doesn't want to deal with anyone or any problem unless he can do it publicly and remind us he's CM Punk. I hate me some Elite but they're capable of acting like real people, by wrestling standards.

And lol at Dax trying to sound like he didn't spend his career not surrounded by petty sniping and bitching.