(Yeah, I couldn’t fix up a proper banner for this show, so you’re stuck with the Bots banner.)
Quick change of plans regarding video reviews, which are somewhat lagging due to a variety of factors… not the least of which is that we got hit with a couple hefty snowstorms and I’ve spent most of my days clearing out nature’s own white stuff that people snort whenever they’re on the wheel. That, and I’m going to be busy with stuff… so we’re reducing things down to a 2-vids-a-week schedule (Tuesdays and Fridays) for the next c ouple weeks at most.
I also got a chance to sample the recent AEW Grand Slam show from Australia that took place this past weekend, thanks to a timely DVR recording that I wasn’t aware that I made, but it was there. Long story short; if you were an Aussie wrestler challenging for a championship and your name isn’t Toni Storm, you weren’t winning the match. That’s the case with both Buddy Matthews and Harley Cameron, hometown kids who challenged for titles and lost while the “real” star of the show, Timeless Toni, got both her win and her title back from Mariah May.
I’m somewhat dismayed by this show, which is the usual great wrestling hampered by poor booking or creative choices. You have a Mox/Cope title match and your big idea to push this thing is to have Mox choke Cope out during a six-man brawl. You have Harley Cameron, who is literally one of the most entertaining character on the shows in recent weeks and someone who put in the work to improve her stuff, catch on with the crowd who generally seem to like here… and you have her lose in a nothing match against the walking drywall that is Mercedes. I felt like that could’ve been a match where you pulled a swerve and give Harley the shock title win… you know, something to keep the crowd happy after all the rigmarole with the promotion and arena switches.
And then there’s Kenny Omega, who challenged that Takeshita guy for his International World All-Atlantic American Western States Heritage Championship belt at the PPV… but first, we need to have a tournament to crown a contender to challenge Takeshita for the title at some random TV taping before facing off against Kenny at the next PPV… why?
And so, once again, we’ve got an AEW show that’s high on the quality wrestling matches, but the booking leaves VERY MUCH to be desired. This isn’t exactly enticing me to fork over money for the next PPV and while I’m sure it’ll feature the usual fantastic wrestling, I feel compelled to re-iterate that we’re in a day and age where you can get great wrestling pretty much anywhere and everywhere these days. You need more – MUCH MORE – than great wrestling to stand out. And that’s where AEW is struggling right now.
Anywhoo, this week, TNA will hold a live edition of Impact at Full Sail, which is where NXT used to reside. The show will open with a concert played by that one fellow there…
Alright, who said his name? I want answers, dammit.
dtm666 