SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
We are on the cusp of another AEW PPV with a go-home show in Cleveland setting the stage. I’m handling the first two hours of the three hour broadcast here so let’s go!
HITS
– A solid hard-hitting matchup between The Death Riders and The Callis Family opened the show. The physicality got the crowd going and they stayed engaged throughout. I’ll be very curious down the line to find out what the original plan was for the Death Riders if not for the tragic passing of Pac. It was a pleasant surprise to see Mark Davis pin Jon Moxley because the show seemed to be very predictable on paper. I like the finishes that can surprise the crowd, but also tell a story that I’m sure we’ll see the next chapter of on Saturday.
– There was NO surprise when Adam Copeland outlasted Josh Alexander in a good match. Copeland gave Alexander a lot before coming back to beat him. The main storyline came after the match when Cope announced that 2027 will be his last in the ring. That feels right for him. Over the years, AEW has done a great job setting up a legendary wrestler’s final run. I’m sure this will be no different.
– That’s a bummer about Christian injuring himself early in the tables match at All Out. What a warrior to continue that match with broken ribs and a collapsed lung and not miss a beat. I hope he has a speedy recovery and something big awaits him when he returns.
– Konosuke Takeshita had a predictable win over Brian Cage to qualify for the Clockwork Carnage match. That match went a little too long for me, but the announcers constantly mentioning the week of travel for Takeshita made it make sense. I think Takeshita should be in line for an AEW push unless he has to split time in Japan.
– We finally got something going for the Motor City Machine Guns! I was getting nervous that they would get lost in the tag division, but I was glad to see them set up what should be a fantastic series of matches with FTR. Sure, it’s giving both teams something to do, but the talent of those four can really make them all stand out and launch both teams to the top of the division.
– I love that Big Stoke oversells every one of his injuries when he takes a big bump in a match. I give him a lot of credit for being willing to do them in the first place and he is exceptional in making sure the viewers don’t forget what he put himself through.
– I very much enjoy watching Myron Reed wrestle. I’m hoping they can begin to give him a push where he wins more matches and it leads into a midcard title feud. I would love to see him in promos more so we can get to know the guy and hope that he does not play a “stoned” character, but one the fans can get behind, because he is special.
– The women’s trios match was very fun. I thought all six wrestlers did a great job and the crowd seemed into it from start to finish. Thekla getting the win seems to be a cookie-cutter way of giving her some shine before losing to Mercedes Mone on Saturday, but that match has a chance to be a show-stealer, so bring it on!
– The Dynamite main event delivered as well. The Andrade character is still not serious enough for me, but at least they avoided the “pants off” routine this week. Ospreay looks like he is having a blast as champion and embracing what that entails. Samoa Joe is special and I will never get tired of his “walk away” spot. I also have been a big fan of Tommaso Ciampa and, if it weren’t for the contract that Andrade has, I would love to see Ciampa win the National Title on Saturday. I’m just not sure they would have Andrade take a loss while he holds that contract for a World Title shot.
ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW…
Check out the latest episode of the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Post-show covering the latest episode of Dynamite: CLICK HERE (or search “wade keller” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other iOS or Android app to subscribe free)
MISSES
– Perhaps it’s because I’m old, but I’ve never heard of Mojo Brookzz, the guy who came out with the New Level. I looked him up and apparently he’s popular with the younger folk! Either way, he was way too over the top and looked like one of those celebrities that wants to play wrestler and talk trash in a way that almost seems disrespectful. Do you really think he’d be interested in picking a fight with Brody King? Who in their right mind would do that?
Please also check out the weekly free podcast I’m part of, “The All Elite Conversation Club” that drops on Fridays on the PWTorch Dailycast lineup. Joel Dehnel and I have a great time breaking down all things AEW and we’ll have a preview of WrestleDream this week. Search “pwtorch” on your podcast app to subscribe. Send questions and comments to allelitecc@gmail.com.
