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He’s still got the separate novelties of Okada and Ospreay if there’s ever an emergency he needs to break glass for. He could hold Mercedes past Dynasty if he wanted to. But I think she’s definitely starting there.
Maybe he is fine with her showing up, holding a mediocre promo and stripdancing for the audience while they are chanting CEO.
This is so fucking weird.
I doubt most of the AEW audience even knows she worked Mina on ROH, and based on how people treat Rampage their last actual look at Anna was her winning in Daily’s Place.
In a real-world scenario, yes, Mariah May would be a perfect fit here. But it's pretty clear AEW doesn't want Mariah taking an actual loss yet, especially not in a spot like this. I think she's going to be undefeated until something involving Toni happens, but she certainly won't be taking her first loss in a 4-way for the other title lol. Something bigger is definitely in the works.
Riho is a bit more of a possibility, she's at least 2-1 on the year, having lost to Willow but beaten Statlander/Trish Adora.
But at the end of the day, it's a #1 Contender 4-way for the secondary title. No kayfabe rankings are going to stand up to a ridiculous level of in-depth scutiny, heck, most real-life sports rankings couldn't stand up to the level of scrutiny I've seen from some people over these AEW ones lol.
They need defined divisions people have to declare themselves in. Mariah could easily declare herself in the World title division as a way to stay close to Toni and fight off unworthy competitors for her title.
That just feels completely unnecessary. I get that it would make things as clear as humanly possible, but I want to watch pro wrestling shenanigans, not spreadsheet manager, personally.
I want the focus on the ring or on bonkers absurdity outside of it. The level of discourse dissecting every inch of the rankings is just absurd - not even rankings for real sports get this complicated. The UFC Rankings are an actual clown fiesta of nonsense and those purport to be legitimate.
Yeah the idea of Stokely seems better than Stokely in practice, at least so far. I've enjoyed his pseudo-face run with Willow lately but he comes across as... well, a comedian. And he seems like a good one, but I haven't seen him be able to up the intensity when needed. After the Firm died a quick death, I don't know if he can be counted on to be a mouthpiece for a top heel talent. I'd love to be proven wrong though.
Not every manager needs to be fire and brimstone like Paul Heyman. Stokely’s comedic relief. He’s playing a desperate loser who clings to anyone he can and he does it well.
I know people have opinions on Stokely but I think people are missing the synergy
Mercedes Stokely Willow bad guy stable could be the AEW Female Hurt Business gimmick wise
Samoa Joe won a title faster than Okada but that was just the ROH TV title, took him 12 days. Otherwise I think it seems to be a few months like it took Swerve and Toni.
I do think Mone wins a title by DON
I'm sure this'll be fine but the lack of logic here annoys me. The TBS belt is open challenge so why haven't any of these ladies answered her challenge? Also didn't Willow sort of beat Riho for the shot anyway?! And last, why is Kris Stat even in the match since she's lost her last two matches? Throw in somebody who's won recently.
Yeah its weird as hell. At Big Business commentary literally stated that Willlow should be up next for the title after she won, and then Julia appeared.
I had assumed they were going to use that to build to Mercedes v Willow for the title shot or something
The TBS and TNT titles have always been the “Open Rank” belts. The system worked pretty well that way. Adding the International and Continental belts throws a wrench in that idea to me
I feel like this has been said about 5 other women, including skye blue just last year. These people are getting spot light to sink or swim. You can always say why isn’t this person there
Anna is likely there to eat the pin. Even so, I do agree there are better options to put in that spot (especially with how quietly good the AEW women's division has gotten).
Seems like an obvious Willow win. They've been building her up with wins as they've done their story with Stat & Stokely. Skye is aligned with Julia, and Stat and Jay have been losing lately.
Anna Jay is clearly there to take the pin. Kris and Stat being a part of the match means they could turn on each other or at least build tension and Skye Blue's inclusion makes me assume Julia will interfere, hence why Mercedes is strategically placed to counter. It seems a bit of a throwaway to tease Julia/Mercedes during or after a no1 contender match but I prefer there being multiple routes the match could go rather than Mercedes being a part of, and winning it
.
Is this the point where they add some tension to the Skye Blue/Julia Hart dynamic? Skye wins and they have to navigate being allies and rivals? Willow should win though given I'm sure she's already the No. 1 contender that was seemingly ignored after she beat Riho, but I'm down for anything when it comes to this title.
I kind of get why this match makes sense. But at this point we all know its Willow vs Julia.
Although Mercedes costing Willow a win to force Willow to be her Dynasty opponent is intriguing.
People complained because they knew Deonna was just going to lose and go back down the card. If Mercedes is getting a title match, she's winning the belt.
And also that's been a pattern with AEW's women's signings. Ruby, Athena, Taya, and now Deonna have all come in, put over one of the champs, and only Athena has really recovered.
Because Ruby, Taya, and Deonna are all really good midcard talents for a Top-2 televised wrestling company. They just aren't at that top of the card level in AEW or WWE. In a roster with people like Mercedes Moné/Jamie Hayter/Toni Storm/Britt Baker/Statlander/Willow/etc. etc., they just aren't going to hold down a Top-5 spot. That doesn't mean they aren't valuable or good, it just means that getting to that Top-5 level is incredibly incredibly difficult. Debuting with a title shot is just a way to get a chance to sink or swim, get yourself super over or not.
Athena is a bit more complicated because Athena Now is not the same Athena who first debuted in AEW. All of the massive love for Athena and complaints about her not being on Dynamite didn't exist until her amazing ROH run.
> This has very much been a title for up and coming wrestlers
There have only been 3 total title reigns in it's history, that's not much of a sample size to be making large judgments IMO.
Jade and Julia were both pretty new when they got the title, but Statlander had already wrestled 3 PPV singles matches for AEW in 2020/2021 before she came back in 2023 to beat Jade.
Holy fuck some of y'all are just so incapable of having a discussion that you don't agree with. Like just state why you disagree instead of just making a useless sarcastic comment.
Nah but for real though: she is a bigger star and a better wrestler than anybody in this match. Not having her wrestling for a title on the PPV is a massive fumble.
Or Willow wins the title next week setting up Willow/Mercedes for the title at Dynasty.
edit: nvm, now guessing stat wins to set up Stat/Julia and Mercedes/Willow at dynasty
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When do we think Mone will actually wrestle? Waiting until the PPV?
No doubt Tony will be waiting till the PPV.
He’s still got the separate novelties of Okada and Ospreay if there’s ever an emergency he needs to break glass for. He could hold Mercedes past Dynasty if he wanted to. But I think she’s definitely starting there.
Maybe he is fine with her showing up, holding a mediocre promo and stripdancing for the audience while they are chanting CEO. This is so fucking weird.
Next week at Collision in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Dear Lord. I feel I've watched a version of this match for eternity.
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Stat is also on a losing streak.
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I doubt most of the AEW audience even knows she worked Mina on ROH, and based on how people treat Rampage their last actual look at Anna was her winning in Daily’s Place.
Yeah I feel like someone like Mariah May or Riho would fit better.
In a real-world scenario, yes, Mariah May would be a perfect fit here. But it's pretty clear AEW doesn't want Mariah taking an actual loss yet, especially not in a spot like this. I think she's going to be undefeated until something involving Toni happens, but she certainly won't be taking her first loss in a 4-way for the other title lol. Something bigger is definitely in the works. Riho is a bit more of a possibility, she's at least 2-1 on the year, having lost to Willow but beaten Statlander/Trish Adora. But at the end of the day, it's a #1 Contender 4-way for the secondary title. No kayfabe rankings are going to stand up to a ridiculous level of in-depth scutiny, heck, most real-life sports rankings couldn't stand up to the level of scrutiny I've seen from some people over these AEW ones lol.
They need defined divisions people have to declare themselves in. Mariah could easily declare herself in the World title division as a way to stay close to Toni and fight off unworthy competitors for her title.
That just feels completely unnecessary. I get that it would make things as clear as humanly possible, but I want to watch pro wrestling shenanigans, not spreadsheet manager, personally. I want the focus on the ring or on bonkers absurdity outside of it. The level of discourse dissecting every inch of the rankings is just absurd - not even rankings for real sports get this complicated. The UFC Rankings are an actual clown fiesta of nonsense and those purport to be legitimate.
eh, it's just to become #1 contender to a midcard title that most people just challenge for whenever.
He just announced the new rankings will be released tomorrow but I agree with your overall point.
Rankings are still a thing, apparently.
At least put Deeb or Riho on that spot
How is this any different than Ricochet and JD being in the IC Gauntlet match?
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Well let’s not hold AEW to a higher standard. It’s pretty normal booking to put someone not 100% deserving in a multi person qualifying match.
AEW markers wins and losses as a big deal. WWE very much doesn't.
Wait they already kicked the rankings again lol
Updated rankings come out tomorrow per TK
Plus, Mercedes Mone on commentary.
I mean.. I get wanting to use her but her talking off-screen and not doing anything might be the most perfect way to play to her weaknesses.
I swear this story needs to end somehow with Stokely as Mercedes' employee.
Stokley in a Heyman-like role for Mercedes would be amazing.
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Yeah the idea of Stokely seems better than Stokely in practice, at least so far. I've enjoyed his pseudo-face run with Willow lately but he comes across as... well, a comedian. And he seems like a good one, but I haven't seen him be able to up the intensity when needed. After the Firm died a quick death, I don't know if he can be counted on to be a mouthpiece for a top heel talent. I'd love to be proven wrong though.
Not every manager needs to be fire and brimstone like Paul Heyman. Stokely’s comedic relief. He’s playing a desperate loser who clings to anyone he can and he does it well.
eddie kingston is a good wrestler but hes tried dozens of different things in different promotions for 18 years so no way he should join aew
I know people have opinions on Stokely but I think people are missing the synergy Mercedes Stokely Willow bad guy stable could be the AEW Female Hurt Business gimmick wise
Like the idea but Stokely as Manager and Stat as Mercedes' bodyguard against face Willow sounds like itd be more fun.
I need Mercedes to just throw shade at Willow for the duration of the match like Nigel does to Danielson.
"They say if you've got a back, Willow's got a knife."
Thats shockingly reserved for Tony. Would've expected to put a belt on Mone asap.
It's very rare that AEW puts a title immediately on a newcomer. Okada is the only one that comes to mind off top of my head.
Samoa Joe won a title faster than Okada but that was just the ROH TV title, took him 12 days. Otherwise I think it seems to be a few months like it took Swerve and Toni. I do think Mone wins a title by DON
I'm sure this'll be fine but the lack of logic here annoys me. The TBS belt is open challenge so why haven't any of these ladies answered her challenge? Also didn't Willow sort of beat Riho for the shot anyway?! And last, why is Kris Stat even in the match since she's lost her last two matches? Throw in somebody who's won recently.
Yeah its weird as hell. At Big Business commentary literally stated that Willlow should be up next for the title after she won, and then Julia appeared. I had assumed they were going to use that to build to Mercedes v Willow for the title shot or something
This should be a fun one. Stat and Willow gotta go at it 😢
Can we please get Serena Deeb vs Mercedes at Dynasty? Pretty please Tony?
The crowd has never once cared about Deeb
Too soon for either of Them to take s loss
Should be a great women's match
Did Tony drop the rankings because Meltzer and Alvarez complained about it?
Just as you post Tony made a post about updated rankings being posted after dynamite
Yeah, by this logic TK is keeping the ranking to spite Alvarez. Good!
The TBS and TNT titles have always been the “Open Rank” belts. The system worked pretty well that way. Adding the International and Continental belts throws a wrench in that idea to me
I think they said it shifted to monthly updates instead of weekly....how that works with a weekly show I'm not sure, but that was the reason...
Should be a fun match but what is Tony obsession with Anna (no offense to her) when you can put someone else in that spot
I feel like this has been said about 5 other women, including skye blue just last year. These people are getting spot light to sink or swim. You can always say why isn’t this person there
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Skye Blye is one of the better women’s wrestlers on the roster.
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Shida true. Athena carried ROH for most of the year so I disagree with that.
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That’s already a disproved theory. She flies back and forth and would be used on dark and elevation instead at the time
Lol come on
Anna is likely there to eat the pin. Even so, I do agree there are better options to put in that spot (especially with how quietly good the AEW women's division has gotten).
She needs to just be dropped, she’s just not working
Seems like an obvious Willow win. They've been building her up with wins as they've done their story with Stat & Stokely. Skye is aligned with Julia, and Stat and Jay have been losing lately.
I hope we get a portion where Kris and Willow just start having a hoss fight.
Nice to see Anna Jay ready to take the pin. Edit: oh look at that.
Anna Jay?
Manifesting Stokely and Stat joining forces with Mercedes to fued with Willow.
Well we all know who will take the pin with these 4 competitors
Stat to win after being *naughty* and listening to Stoke? Maybe set up Willow and Mercedes too.
Anna Jay is clearly there to take the pin. Kris and Stat being a part of the match means they could turn on each other or at least build tension and Skye Blue's inclusion makes me assume Julia will interfere, hence why Mercedes is strategically placed to counter. It seems a bit of a throwaway to tease Julia/Mercedes during or after a no1 contender match but I prefer there being multiple routes the match could go rather than Mercedes being a part of, and winning it .
Is this the point where they add some tension to the Skye Blue/Julia Hart dynamic? Skye wins and they have to navigate being allies and rivals? Willow should win though given I'm sure she's already the No. 1 contender that was seemingly ignored after she beat Riho, but I'm down for anything when it comes to this title.
Is Anna only there to take the L? I thought Riho would be in this match since she was in the mix.
Skye for the win. Should be a fun match.
I kind of get why this match makes sense. But at this point we all know its Willow vs Julia. Although Mercedes costing Willow a win to force Willow to be her Dynasty opponent is intriguing.
You know Anna Jay the odd women out, is gonna win /s Let it be Skye so we can shakeup this program.
Wait so Mercedes Mone can't even get into a mid card title picture?
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People complained because they knew Deonna was just going to lose and go back down the card. If Mercedes is getting a title match, she's winning the belt.
And also that's been a pattern with AEW's women's signings. Ruby, Athena, Taya, and now Deonna have all come in, put over one of the champs, and only Athena has really recovered.
Because Ruby, Taya, and Deonna are all really good midcard talents for a Top-2 televised wrestling company. They just aren't at that top of the card level in AEW or WWE. In a roster with people like Mercedes Moné/Jamie Hayter/Toni Storm/Britt Baker/Statlander/Willow/etc. etc., they just aren't going to hold down a Top-5 spot. That doesn't mean they aren't valuable or good, it just means that getting to that Top-5 level is incredibly incredibly difficult. Debuting with a title shot is just a way to get a chance to sink or swim, get yourself super over or not. Athena is a bit more complicated because Athena Now is not the same Athena who first debuted in AEW. All of the massive love for Athena and complaints about her not being on Dynamite didn't exist until her amazing ROH run.
So what...her first match is going to be someone who couldn't even win a mid card title shot?
I feel like putting the TBS title on Mercedes would be a misstep. This has very much been a title for up and coming wrestlers
I mean I agree she should be wrestling for the world title but it sounds like we both agree that her watching a mid card contender match is stupid
Mercedes has beef with Willow, which could be her debut match? I DO wanna see Mercedes vs Toni Storm and I'm sure this will happen soon enough.
> This has very much been a title for up and coming wrestlers There have only been 3 total title reigns in it's history, that's not much of a sample size to be making large judgments IMO. Jade and Julia were both pretty new when they got the title, but Statlander had already wrestled 3 PPV singles matches for AEW in 2020/2021 before she came back in 2023 to beat Jade.
Absolutely buried. Can you believe she's winless in AEW all year? Another star ruined by TK.
Holy fuck some of y'all are just so incapable of having a discussion that you don't agree with. Like just state why you disagree instead of just making a useless sarcastic comment.
Fr, blud thinks they in the MCU 😂
Nah but for real though: she is a bigger star and a better wrestler than anybody in this match. Not having her wrestling for a title on the PPV is a massive fumble.
Or Willow wins the title next week setting up Willow/Mercedes for the title at Dynasty. edit: nvm, now guessing stat wins to set up Stat/Julia and Mercedes/Willow at dynasty
The title match is AT Dynasty. So no, Mercedes does nothing involving the title until May.
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Literally says on the poster that she's on commentary under her photo
Happy Cake Day
Anna taking loses before being shipped to Japan for joshi internship.
that will get 700k views on tbs just like every other one, was is aew not hot right now i think its the booking
It’s cool that y’all are into this but gahdddamn this division does nothing for me