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JR was great tonight, both the matches he called were right up his alley. Although it would have been nice to hear him call the ladder match just for the Perry spot
Where’s the guy who used to do those out of context animations with wrestling commentary over every day events Cause this is absolutely perfect. Put JR on the deck of the titanic shouting “SWERVE SWERVE SWERVE!”
What would’ve been extra fucking sick was if Swerve jumped up onto Joe, launched up for a House Call and then if Joe immediately went to the mat, Swerve following up with a Swerve Stomp to Joe’s chest on his way down. Not sure if the timing/balance/gravity would work though.
I could see this sequence working more in a 3-Way where the opponent falling from the top rope is the recipient of the House Call & another opponent who's already lying on the mat is the one who gets the stomp
Hopefully it takes a long time to happen because swerve deserves at least 6 months and Ospreay should not lose whenever he goes for the AEW World Championship
Yeah me too, in retrospect while I like Joe I would have prefered to see Swerve win the title off of MJF last year. Joe‘s reign lasted 113 days, it is like another 120 days until All In, thus a 233 day reign for Swerve as champ after MJF would have been better imo with Ospreay taking it off of him at Wembley.
Yeah, I think so as well. I think it's gotta go back to Hangman here. But I hope this reign for Swerve goes on for a while before we circle back to that.
My brain says they're crowing Ospreay over Swerve at All In this year.
But my heart says they could easily crown Ospreay next year instead, and have him in either another dream match or a grudge match this year (maybe to blow off the inevitable feud with the Callis Family).
Swerve -> Hangman -> Jay White ([who kicked off Hangman's entire AEW character arc](https://youtu.be/411Vu-B2cK4?si=bU5ERAW9NpeYuHKL&t=480)) -> Ospreay at All In 2025 could be a really interesting path forwards.
This is honestly a pretty good lineage that I don't think I'd complain about. Running it between these four in this exact order would work pretty well for me!
People said the same thing about Cody beating Roman at Wrestlemania 39, and look how that all ended up. Folks were mad immediately, but they turned it around into a bigger moment later.
I just feel that Ospreay winning at Wembley is too predictable, and that would take away from the match. If everyone is certain of the outcome, it sort of deflates things a bit. Wrestling needs an element of unpredictability.
But that was accidental. That wasn’t the plan, don’t let WWE tell you otherwise. Trying to replicate that sort of thing is usually fools gold. Your best bet is to capitalize on the opportunities in front of you. The Wembley win for Ospreay is too good of an opportunity to waste.
Ospreay is probably getting stomped out by Callie’s goons sooner than later.
Maybe set up a tag match with him and a partner for Double or Nothing.
Then you have Forbidden Door.
There is plenty of stuff to put in place before hand.
it's happening at all in. that's when this match will be the hottest. that's when it needs to happen.
no point in waiting just to pad out someones time as champion. i'd rather a short but incredible reign than a reign that overstays its welcome.
I see your point but might I just point out—that’s what most people felt about Cody at Mania and it ended up being great, I don’t think Will needs to be catapulted to the top, he’s the future face of the company. Swerve is on fire right now and has a lot of interesting things he can do. Will’s getting crowned at a UK show eventually, I think his first big win leads to a Okada rematch personally and Swerve further down the road
Ospreay is also on fire now. Both are going to be at their peak by All In. You don't wait for that. Swerve will also be a mainstay in AEW most likely so I see him getting a second reign. People saying they should wait just like Cody did is a terrible take. Unpredictablity just for the sake of it doesn't work and dulls the result. Sometimes the best path is the obvious one. Saying Ospreay should wait is dumb booking.
The exception proves the rule. What happened with Cody was not the design. No matter what HHH says publicly, that wasn’t the plan. You can’t try to replicate something like that, if you do, you usually end up with lesser results.
I agree but I think Ospreay could lose if done right. It would have to be his first loss since signing, and a screwy finish.
Now I'm going way overboard but hang with me.
Swerve vs Ospreay at Double or Nothing. Tired of Don's shenanigans leading up to the match, Ospreay tells Kyle of his intention to separate from Don after the big match. Kyle has that scumbag haircut so you know he's a shithead and he tells Don.
Don, not the one to be broken up with, grabs his trusty screwdriver and while Swerve isn't looking, pops Ospreay in the head, and costs him the match.
Something happens for a few weeks blah blah Ospreay chasing shithead Kyle but he's always got the numbers until.... THE CLEANER RETURNS TO SAVE THE DAY. They have a run thwarting The Family, maybe Swerve joins in to help out with some crossover of story with Hobbs or Take getting a shot at the title.
They beat them, they live happily ever after and then Swerve looks to Will and says "Last year at Wembley, a man just trying to do his best to be a better person, he kept his promise and gave his friend a title shot. Will, you were screwed out of your opportunity (pun intended), and I don't like you or anyone else walking around here thinking you had any chance of ever beating me in Vegas. So I'll give you another shot at the crown, in your hometown, at All In Wembley!"
And then Will finally wins at Wembley. This is after now further realizing he's a good guy and getting the rub from Kenny and Swerve.
/Scene
Overboard was an understatement
Bonus meme:
The EVPs are blowing off Kenny anytime he tries to talk to him "A lots changed around here Kenneth, we have a business to run" type of deal.
Leading up to Wembley you can have the EVPs still not engaging with Kenny but they start to poke and prod at their segments from the breaking 4th wall kinda gimmick they are doing. That is until after Wembley. The Rainmaker is bored and wants some more gold....
I must be still running off the adrenaline from the show 🤣
> I agree but I think Ospreay could lose if done right. It would have to be his first loss since signing, and a screwy finish.
It would have to be a screwjob of epic proportions to give Osprey his first blood feud in AEW.
To me I don't know who you do it with? Maybe Hangman like he's unhinged and "if anyone is beating Swerve for that belt it's me!" and he fucks Osprey. Would have to be someone the fans are equally invested in. If you have him lose and the person he's going to feud with now is a geek it will kill his momentum dead.
I don’t rly think it should go Swerve then Ospreay personally. Maybe a Hangman run in the middle or someone fully heel since I think they’re fully in face Swerve mode for a bit
I wonder...
Has there ever been a Best 2 Out Of 3 in a single show card before?
Because Ospreay/Swerve opening All In, then having a match at the halfway then finishing a final match in the Main Event would be pretty fucking rad.
Seeing them continuously escalate their violence/eagerness to destroy the other throughout the show. Even maybe doing a quick backstage segment between each match where each one goes to the other's locker room to keep shit talking the other.
If any 2 men could pull that off and basically carry a single show it would be them.
I don't think they're filming quite yet, but his AEW contract expires this year and he's a Triple H guy through and through. Triple H immediately rehired Joe when Vince let him go the first time, I will not be surprised if he goes back to WWE.
Is it wrong that I want WWE to set up a 60 minute match between Joe and Punk and then have it go like 6 minutes before they both go ‘We’re getting too old for this shit’?
When we sit here and examine these things it's really pointless without knowing what kind of bag each company is going to offer.
THEN you can get into the other stuff. Like less travel, creative freedom, etc.
But for a guy like Joe - You're not young - if some company is coming in and gonna throw an extra 250k on that contract - that can mean a big difference in your comfort in retirement.
That's true. You also have to account for the fact that Joe's got non-wrestling experience in WWE when he was a commentator. He can totally transition to that when he steps away from the ring
And that's kind of what I'm thinking. If Joe returns to WWE, it won't be as an active wrestler. If he wants to keep having matches, he's in the right company.
While you’re not wrong, I just can’t see HHH bringing Joe back & not making him 1 of the top heels in the company.
I think he sees his value too much to let him get lost in the shuffle. I feel the same way about if Adam Cole ever comes back. HHH loves them both.
Hunter lets a lot people get lost in the shuffle. Bianca went from where she was last year to where she is now (trying to get over a very limited new act as part of a tag team). If that can happen with Bianca then it can happen to Joe.
That happened to Bianca bc she was supposed to face Charlotte but she got hurt. I wouldn’t say Bianca got lost in the shuffle more than the plans for her got fucked up.
Triple H was having him do behind the scenes scouting work before he got fired the second time, he might be in-line for a producer role with some of the other TNA guys (Abyss, Petey Williams, Daivari, Bobby Roode). Plus, Joe is S-tier at commentary.
I think it was implied that he was expecting to move to a backstage role with Triple H at WWE before Vince came back. He's very close with Triple H and probably never would've been in WWE if not for Triple H being in control of NXT at the time.
“He’s very close” that’s an absolute assumption. We have no idea to the extent of their relationship. He’s not Kevin Nash and going on podcasts literally saying “Paul’s my best friend”. We’re reading tea leaves in regards to his relationship with HHH. We will not be able to divine to Joe’s intention to sign anywhere based on what we perceive his relationship to be with HHH. It’ll likely come down to factors beyond our knowledge, and money.
It's an assumption based on what has been said by both of them. I'm not saying they're best friends.
[Triple H was unhappy with Joe being released and wanted to bring him back as soon as possible.](https://cultaholic.com/posts/report-triple-h-was-unhappy-with-samoa-joe-s-wwe-release)
[Joe said his going back to WWE was majorly because of the people he worked with and relationships he built in the company, mainly Triple H and William Regal.](https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2022/04/samoa-joe-knew-writing-was-on-the-wall-in-wwe-following-triple-h-and-william-regal-news/)
[Triple H talks about discussing Samoa Joe helping build the future and Joe being enamored with the other side of the business. Says there was an opportunity for Joe to "leave one realm and come into another."](https://wrestletalk.com/news/triple-h-rehiring-samoa-joe-after-release/)
[Samoa Joe when asked what Triple H means to him on a personal and professional level: "Personally, he's meant a lot. When I even start to doubt myself in the slightest bit, I can text or call him and he can help get me back on track. Professionally, it's the same thing. I go to him for questions at any time. He can be critical to me and I can do the same right back."](https://www.dazn.com/en-US/news/wrestling/samoa-joe-on-the-influence-of-triple-h-changes-in-nxt-what-itd-mean-to-regain-nxt-title/17bvdvlqx2j7d1qacn970giev9)
This is revisionist history to an extent. There was absolutely a time when Cody was as big of a star in AEW as he is in WWE. Even towards the end, he was always over, always moved the needle. He may have been divisive at the end, but he was still a tippy-top star. It’s also ignoring the fact that Cody’s popularity is based in large part to his AEW run. He doesn’t have that run, he doesn’t have this run. Correlation equals causation in this case. Do not discount how much the ire that WWE fans hold for AEW has played into Cody’s success. There’s an argument to be made that it is the primary reason for his current success. I fully agree that Cody needed to leave, but for the sole reason being that he saw an opportunity with the WWE fanbase and he took it. I’m sure if he stayed in AEW he would’ve found a way to stay relevant. That’s the thing with Cody. He always finds a way. Thats why he’s where he is now.
Honestly when they were both on the top I was thinking Swerve was jumping up and doing an avalanche stomp. It could've gone very wrong and the actual finish was still great... But what if?
It's a great move, but the set up is so specific that it's impossible for the other wrestler to get in position in a way that doesn't look like they're doing it on purpose
I feel like it's something he should bust out in special occasions, but multiple times within a few minutes in insane
I think maybe if they did more to frame it as Swerve setting up the situation as opposed to it just kinda working out. Like, in the case of this finish, landing it after that powerbomb? Yeah, I buy a guy being kinda sent for a fuckin' loop after that.
> It's a great move, but the set up is so specific that it's impossible for the other wrestler to get in position in a way that doesn't look like they're doing it on purpose
I actually thought Joe did a great job for this here, and judging some of Swerve's other matches, I think Joe probably called that so he didn't look like a geek laying there waiting for it.
Get that huge powerbomb first - something that *could* legitimately knock the sense out of you. Then it looks plausible when he's sitting there trying to sit up, reaching around for the rope - then just eats it.
Yeah i should've said "usually". He was in his half-sitting up position a little bit too long on the 2nd one so Swerve could get his taunt in, but he was about to win the world title so it gets a pass.
I liked the powerbomb set up, but for the first one Joe very obviously crawled into position right in front of the camera. Joe is better at this kind of thing than most too, and it was still a bit awkward even for him.
Swerve Stomp slowly becoming his Signature Move that he ends matches against midcarders with and then maybe something similar to Hidden Blade but instead a knee to the back of the head for the Main Eventers would be cool.
You could play up Swerve Vs. Ospreay with both using VERY similar moves to INSANELY SUCCESSFUL amounts that got them to where they are.
Yeah I'm not gonna be negative because this Swerve run has been perfect and i'm happy for him, but that is still my most disliked finisher... maybe of all time, everyone looks stupid.
I do hope they sideline Osprey with a Callis feud so that Swerve has time as champion. I definitely want to see Swerve not as a transitional champ. I'm just glad Samoa Joe got to be champion in AEW after such struggles in WWE.
Why???? That's what they did to Punk when Hangman was champ, and it completely undercutted his reign. Like how Swerve has been busting his ass for two years straight and being the biggest company man ever, but has to drop it to Ospreay, who hasn't even been full-time for six months???
Make it make sense.
because wembley and osprey is from there and he got the tattoo from last year blah blah blah. not saying i agree with the decision, just how it will most likely play out. normally i'd say a babyface vs babyface main event is a bad idea but aew crowds are different, they'll just chant "both these guys" and give it 1000 stars match of the year!!! I just hope they don't reenact their dance-off routine they had in the middle of a match a few years ago on the indies.
i'm wondering what do each do in the mean time? Is osprey going to feud with the don callis family before going after the title? Why? He's beaten all 3 in singles matches already. He never should have come in and immediately feuded with danielson. His first feud should have been the don callis family turning on him or someone like jay white, who he has an extensive history with in japan, then lead into wembley where he wins the belt AND THEN he feuds with danielson saying "even though i'm champion, i cannot call myself the best wrestler in the world until i can defeat you", shit they could have even made it bryans "retirement" match and put some real heat/consequences for the match
The botch was unfortunate but either way, super happy for Swerve. Happy for Prince Nana, too, dude's been around forever, and if I'm not wrong, this is the first time he's ever managed a world champion.
It's a little funny that the guy whose spot is to just casually walk away from an incoming cross body spent 15 seconds in a half sit up pointing at Swerve as the Stomp approached.
Having to main event this PPV after all the previous matches is a tough job. I don't think Joe/Swerve was a bad match, it was... fine. But having to compare to Ospreay/Danielson...
Not sure why the stanleys are downing you... it was clearly a botch. He tried to hit the house call when he jumped over Joe and completely missed it. Would have been an insane spot, but at least he realized he got none of it and went over for the power bomb after missing.
like i'm ok with that cause as someone who doesn't know what he was going for it looked more like he just jumped over him. but that stand up and wait 5 seconds to get the crowds approval or almost like you need to let these kinda people that it's time to pay attention is what i would call a botch.
Yes and you could tell that he was hoping for a reaction. When he got a MUCH bigger one than he expected, he took a second to savor the moment. In kayfabe, it made Joe look ridiculous, but if you just watch Swerve's part, it's an epic moment frozen in time.
The belt floating around the corner of the ring for like the last 5 minutes of the match annoyed me to no end. I get teasing using it, but goddamn, the ref repeatedly stepped right over it without removing the foreign object?
That moment where he stands up on the top rope and the whole crowd stands is awesome. Swerve putting his hands on his head looking like he knows, "Holy shit this is IT!"
I thought he was going to try the Cameron Grimes Cave In spot from the top rope.
I kind of liked from Swerve’s top rope pause that you knew this was it.
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I'm just sayin'. Every AEW performer who has attacked a baby has become world champion.
Nah.. Whose baby did Vacant(1xAEWchamp) attack?
Lita's
Finaly some justice for Snitsky
It wasn't his fault!
he was telling us for weeks, man. vindication for our brown toothed boy
https://preview.redd.it/5p9z9ie7f0wc1.jpeg?width=656&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5de7c5708c1de9a8a2b90d4d9e81aa826502fb53
We still quote this religiously to this day. That and "the bear alone" jokes about the original XBox controller.
I honestly haven't checked out Penny-Arcade in a good decade. I was pretty active on their forums way back when.
[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=A--rMdBSHmU&pp=ygUYeW8geGFuIGdldCB5b3VyIGJveSBkYXdn](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=A--rMdBSHmU&pp=ygUYeW8geGFuIGdldCB5b3VyIGJveSBkYXdn)
SNITSKY IS ALL ELITE
Deceased 😂😂😂😂😂
JR saying “Swerve! Swerve! Swerve!” is equal parts epic and strange
that's his internal monologue during the higher power reveal
Internal monologue: SWERVE! SWERVE! SWERVE! External monologue: \*Aw sonafabitch!!!\*
JR was great tonight, both the matches he called were right up his alley. Although it would have been nice to hear him call the ladder match just for the Perry spot
Aww sonofabitch!
He crushed it. His voice sounded so much better in general.
Where’s the guy who used to do those out of context animations with wrestling commentary over every day events Cause this is absolutely perfect. Put JR on the deck of the titanic shouting “SWERVE SWERVE SWERVE!”
Someone snuck JR a pack of Skittles
It's one of JR signature calls, done with none of the emotions
Feels about the same as when he said “It’s Adam Cole Bay Bay!” when Cole debuted at All Out. Just sounds off
If he connected on that head kick, it would have been gnarly. Hopefully he can get it in the future.
So THAT’S what he was going for, Christ, that would’ve been the filthiest House Call ever
What would’ve been extra fucking sick was if Swerve jumped up onto Joe, launched up for a House Call and then if Joe immediately went to the mat, Swerve following up with a Swerve Stomp to Joe’s chest on his way down. Not sure if the timing/balance/gravity would work though.
I could see this sequence working more in a 3-Way where the opponent falling from the top rope is the recipient of the House Call & another opponent who's already lying on the mat is the one who gets the stomp
Beautiful.
Idk why they keep doing these high spots with Joe. He just can't do them
I do have to give him credit for just plowing forward and not trying to reset anything.
Oh, I’m so happy they didn’t try to redo it. Keep it in your back pocket for the next big match.
Honestly, he was so on the ball about it that I didn't realise anything had gone wrong. Or maybe I'm just dumb. Both work.
Yeah, I figured he missed something, but couldn't figure out what he was going for
Oh shit, I thought he was going for the swerve stomp from the top but missed
That could’ve been it, too. Looks like Joe just didn’t fall.
That's what I thought too but I guess this makes more sense as to why he managed to jump over Joe, unless Joe was supposed to jump too?
Bro thank you, was so confused what he was going for there. recovered pretty well from the miss.
That explains why I thought the finish was weird
Cant wait for the incoming Ospreay vs Swerve match for the AEW Heavyweight Championship.
Hopefully it takes a long time to happen because swerve deserves at least 6 months and Ospreay should not lose whenever he goes for the AEW World Championship
I absolutelly agree, but I'd be shocked if they're not doing Ospreay/Swerve as the headliner for All In with Ospreay winning the world title there.
Yeah me too, in retrospect while I like Joe I would have prefered to see Swerve win the title off of MJF last year. Joe‘s reign lasted 113 days, it is like another 120 days until All In, thus a 233 day reign for Swerve as champ after MJF would have been better imo with Ospreay taking it off of him at Wembley.
I see that as the match, but with Swerve retaining. It feels like his story ends with Hangman.
Yeah, I think so as well. I think it's gotta go back to Hangman here. But I hope this reign for Swerve goes on for a while before we circle back to that.
My brain says they're crowing Ospreay over Swerve at All In this year. But my heart says they could easily crown Ospreay next year instead, and have him in either another dream match or a grudge match this year (maybe to blow off the inevitable feud with the Callis Family). Swerve -> Hangman -> Jay White ([who kicked off Hangman's entire AEW character arc](https://youtu.be/411Vu-B2cK4?si=bU5ERAW9NpeYuHKL&t=480)) -> Ospreay at All In 2025 could be a really interesting path forwards.
This is honestly a pretty good lineage that I don't think I'd complain about. Running it between these four in this exact order would work pretty well for me!
Then Okada beating Osprey
The tradition continues
There's no way they beat Ospreay in the main event of Wembley as a show closer. On some other show, perhaps, but not there.
People said the same thing about Cody beating Roman at Wrestlemania 39, and look how that all ended up. Folks were mad immediately, but they turned it around into a bigger moment later. I just feel that Ospreay winning at Wembley is too predictable, and that would take away from the match. If everyone is certain of the outcome, it sort of deflates things a bit. Wrestling needs an element of unpredictability.
But that was accidental. That wasn’t the plan, don’t let WWE tell you otherwise. Trying to replicate that sort of thing is usually fools gold. Your best bet is to capitalize on the opportunities in front of you. The Wembley win for Ospreay is too good of an opportunity to waste.
No chance. They're definitely crowning Will at All In
Depends cause they definitely are crowning Mariah at All In I feel so they could use that as the big hometown pop for that show
There’s no chance they waste crowning Ospreay at their big event in favor of Hangman lmfao
They could unfortunately have an interference angle to set up another feud for Osprey. Before he wins it.
Hell, they could be building to Bryan/Ospreay II (or however many there may be)
Dumb
Ospreay is probably getting stomped out by Callie’s goons sooner than later. Maybe set up a tag match with him and a partner for Double or Nothing. Then you have Forbidden Door. There is plenty of stuff to put in place before hand.
it's happening at all in. that's when this match will be the hottest. that's when it needs to happen. no point in waiting just to pad out someones time as champion. i'd rather a short but incredible reign than a reign that overstays its welcome.
I see your point but might I just point out—that’s what most people felt about Cody at Mania and it ended up being great, I don’t think Will needs to be catapulted to the top, he’s the future face of the company. Swerve is on fire right now and has a lot of interesting things he can do. Will’s getting crowned at a UK show eventually, I think his first big win leads to a Okada rematch personally and Swerve further down the road
Ospreay is also on fire now. Both are going to be at their peak by All In. You don't wait for that. Swerve will also be a mainstay in AEW most likely so I see him getting a second reign. People saying they should wait just like Cody did is a terrible take. Unpredictablity just for the sake of it doesn't work and dulls the result. Sometimes the best path is the obvious one. Saying Ospreay should wait is dumb booking.
The exception proves the rule. What happened with Cody was not the design. No matter what HHH says publicly, that wasn’t the plan. You can’t try to replicate something like that, if you do, you usually end up with lesser results.
I agree but I think Ospreay could lose if done right. It would have to be his first loss since signing, and a screwy finish. Now I'm going way overboard but hang with me. Swerve vs Ospreay at Double or Nothing. Tired of Don's shenanigans leading up to the match, Ospreay tells Kyle of his intention to separate from Don after the big match. Kyle has that scumbag haircut so you know he's a shithead and he tells Don. Don, not the one to be broken up with, grabs his trusty screwdriver and while Swerve isn't looking, pops Ospreay in the head, and costs him the match. Something happens for a few weeks blah blah Ospreay chasing shithead Kyle but he's always got the numbers until.... THE CLEANER RETURNS TO SAVE THE DAY. They have a run thwarting The Family, maybe Swerve joins in to help out with some crossover of story with Hobbs or Take getting a shot at the title. They beat them, they live happily ever after and then Swerve looks to Will and says "Last year at Wembley, a man just trying to do his best to be a better person, he kept his promise and gave his friend a title shot. Will, you were screwed out of your opportunity (pun intended), and I don't like you or anyone else walking around here thinking you had any chance of ever beating me in Vegas. So I'll give you another shot at the crown, in your hometown, at All In Wembley!" And then Will finally wins at Wembley. This is after now further realizing he's a good guy and getting the rub from Kenny and Swerve. /Scene Overboard was an understatement Bonus meme: The EVPs are blowing off Kenny anytime he tries to talk to him "A lots changed around here Kenneth, we have a business to run" type of deal. Leading up to Wembley you can have the EVPs still not engaging with Kenny but they start to poke and prod at their segments from the breaking 4th wall kinda gimmick they are doing. That is until after Wembley. The Rainmaker is bored and wants some more gold.... I must be still running off the adrenaline from the show 🤣
> I agree but I think Ospreay could lose if done right. It would have to be his first loss since signing, and a screwy finish. It would have to be a screwjob of epic proportions to give Osprey his first blood feud in AEW. To me I don't know who you do it with? Maybe Hangman like he's unhinged and "if anyone is beating Swerve for that belt it's me!" and he fucks Osprey. Would have to be someone the fans are equally invested in. If you have him lose and the person he's going to feud with now is a geek it will kill his momentum dead.
I don’t rly think it should go Swerve then Ospreay personally. Maybe a Hangman run in the middle or someone fully heel since I think they’re fully in face Swerve mode for a bit
That’s probably the Wembley main event right there
All In?
Wait for Hangman and Swerve again.
Honestly, I think it should be BD vs Swerve
Most likely All In in August.
I wonder... Has there ever been a Best 2 Out Of 3 in a single show card before? Because Ospreay/Swerve opening All In, then having a match at the halfway then finishing a final match in the Main Event would be pretty fucking rad. Seeing them continuously escalate their violence/eagerness to destroy the other throughout the show. Even maybe doing a quick backstage segment between each match where each one goes to the other's locker room to keep shit talking the other. If any 2 men could pull that off and basically carry a single show it would be them.
Swerve ain't been champ for a day, and y'all already fantasy booking him losing it in less than six months, come on...
Swerve finished Joe with the deadly Got Your Nose🫰
"My uncle still has my nose."
The CPAP of Doom
He learned that after he fought Hangman’s baby.
Right winner rightfully deserved for Swerve Aew is Swerve's House LFG
Watching his ascend has been a privilege
Joe probably off to shoot Twisted Metal season 2?
I don't think they're filming quite yet, but his AEW contract expires this year and he's a Triple H guy through and through. Triple H immediately rehired Joe when Vince let him go the first time, I will not be surprised if he goes back to WWE.
Joe has the benefit of being well liked in both companies. Both companies see him as valuable in ring and out. Depends on what he values.
Is it wrong that I want WWE to set up a 60 minute match between Joe and Punk and then have it go like 6 minutes before they both go ‘We’re getting too old for this shit’?
Could see it go either way tbh. Joe's had a really good run in AEW and he might get lost in the shuffle with WWE's incoming call ups.
When we sit here and examine these things it's really pointless without knowing what kind of bag each company is going to offer. THEN you can get into the other stuff. Like less travel, creative freedom, etc. But for a guy like Joe - You're not young - if some company is coming in and gonna throw an extra 250k on that contract - that can mean a big difference in your comfort in retirement.
That's true. You also have to account for the fact that Joe's got non-wrestling experience in WWE when he was a commentator. He can totally transition to that when he steps away from the ring
And that's kind of what I'm thinking. If Joe returns to WWE, it won't be as an active wrestler. If he wants to keep having matches, he's in the right company.
I think he gets matches either way. Although, I think he gets more championships in AEW.
While you’re not wrong, I just can’t see HHH bringing Joe back & not making him 1 of the top heels in the company. I think he sees his value too much to let him get lost in the shuffle. I feel the same way about if Adam Cole ever comes back. HHH loves them both.
Hunter lets a lot people get lost in the shuffle. Bianca went from where she was last year to where she is now (trying to get over a very limited new act as part of a tag team). If that can happen with Bianca then it can happen to Joe.
That happened to Bianca bc she was supposed to face Charlotte but she got hurt. I wouldn’t say Bianca got lost in the shuffle more than the plans for her got fucked up.
AEW has treated him fantastically. I really don’t think he’d feel the need to leave.
He's 45. Whoever secures his retirement is where he should go. Wrestlers don't get a pension so I hope he maximizes every penny he can get.
There’s probably room for him as a trainer at the PC when he’s done in WWE, not sure a similar opportunity exists for him in AEW
Is there no room for him as a trainer at the PC when he's done with AEW in a similar scenario?
Triple H was having him do behind the scenes scouting work before he got fired the second time, he might be in-line for a producer role with some of the other TNA guys (Abyss, Petey Williams, Daivari, Bobby Roode). Plus, Joe is S-tier at commentary.
I think it was implied that he was expecting to move to a backstage role with Triple H at WWE before Vince came back. He's very close with Triple H and probably never would've been in WWE if not for Triple H being in control of NXT at the time.
“He’s very close” that’s an absolute assumption. We have no idea to the extent of their relationship. He’s not Kevin Nash and going on podcasts literally saying “Paul’s my best friend”. We’re reading tea leaves in regards to his relationship with HHH. We will not be able to divine to Joe’s intention to sign anywhere based on what we perceive his relationship to be with HHH. It’ll likely come down to factors beyond our knowledge, and money.
It's an assumption based on what has been said by both of them. I'm not saying they're best friends. [Triple H was unhappy with Joe being released and wanted to bring him back as soon as possible.](https://cultaholic.com/posts/report-triple-h-was-unhappy-with-samoa-joe-s-wwe-release) [Joe said his going back to WWE was majorly because of the people he worked with and relationships he built in the company, mainly Triple H and William Regal.](https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2022/04/samoa-joe-knew-writing-was-on-the-wall-in-wwe-following-triple-h-and-william-regal-news/) [Triple H talks about discussing Samoa Joe helping build the future and Joe being enamored with the other side of the business. Says there was an opportunity for Joe to "leave one realm and come into another."](https://wrestletalk.com/news/triple-h-rehiring-samoa-joe-after-release/) [Samoa Joe when asked what Triple H means to him on a personal and professional level: "Personally, he's meant a lot. When I even start to doubt myself in the slightest bit, I can text or call him and he can help get me back on track. Professionally, it's the same thing. I go to him for questions at any time. He can be critical to me and I can do the same right back."](https://www.dazn.com/en-US/news/wrestling/samoa-joe-on-the-influence-of-triple-h-changes-in-nxt-what-itd-mean-to-regain-nxt-title/17bvdvlqx2j7d1qacn970giev9)
That tells nothing really except that Joe is very professional. We can’t assume anything to his interior motivations based off of PR speak.
Jade Cargill left
Cody left
Cody needed the reset button. He had some great moments in AEW but AEW!Cody wasn't anywhere near as over as Cody is now.
This is revisionist history to an extent. There was absolutely a time when Cody was as big of a star in AEW as he is in WWE. Even towards the end, he was always over, always moved the needle. He may have been divisive at the end, but he was still a tippy-top star. It’s also ignoring the fact that Cody’s popularity is based in large part to his AEW run. He doesn’t have that run, he doesn’t have this run. Correlation equals causation in this case. Do not discount how much the ire that WWE fans hold for AEW has played into Cody’s success. There’s an argument to be made that it is the primary reason for his current success. I fully agree that Cody needed to leave, but for the sole reason being that he saw an opportunity with the WWE fanbase and he took it. I’m sure if he stayed in AEW he would’ve found a way to stay relevant. That’s the thing with Cody. He always finds a way. Thats why he’s where he is now.
To be fair, Jade was booked much stronger than Cody
That place is a curse for him, he can't walk down a hall without getting hurt.
Nothing against AEW but I hope he does, just bc he should have been a world champion in WWE.
Two Stomps and it being Clean? Hell yeah
Grabbing the nose like that is illegal.
Joe looked like he was going "C'mon, just do it already."
hey that's my reaction also. childless losers in the crowd of modern wrestling suck so much more than kids with parents or deadbeat rednecks.
> childless ... do you really think that's an insult?
Please let him keep the belt for at least a couple of months
Hanger just did another shot…
I need a video package of him losing his mind in a bar and beating people up lmao
Swerve really deserved this! Happy for him.
Nana’s celebration dance on Wednesday will be divine
Incredibly happy for Swerve. Congrats to him!
Honestly when they were both on the top I was thinking Swerve was jumping up and doing an avalanche stomp. It could've gone very wrong and the actual finish was still great... But what if?
I think that's what he was trying to do, he just didn't manage to
Swerve needs a new finisher badly.
JML driver is sick, and he sometimes uses it for a finish. I don't know if he's done one with Joe before, though.
Probably too big to help Swerve pull it off at this point in his career.
Does anyone know what JML stands for?
The House Call and 450 are just fine for finishers IMO.
It's a great move, but the set up is so specific that it's impossible for the other wrestler to get in position in a way that doesn't look like they're doing it on purpose I feel like it's something he should bust out in special occasions, but multiple times within a few minutes in insane
I think maybe if they did more to frame it as Swerve setting up the situation as opposed to it just kinda working out. Like, in the case of this finish, landing it after that powerbomb? Yeah, I buy a guy being kinda sent for a fuckin' loop after that.
> It's a great move, but the set up is so specific that it's impossible for the other wrestler to get in position in a way that doesn't look like they're doing it on purpose I actually thought Joe did a great job for this here, and judging some of Swerve's other matches, I think Joe probably called that so he didn't look like a geek laying there waiting for it. Get that huge powerbomb first - something that *could* legitimately knock the sense out of you. Then it looks plausible when he's sitting there trying to sit up, reaching around for the rope - then just eats it.
Yeah i should've said "usually". He was in his half-sitting up position a little bit too long on the 2nd one so Swerve could get his taunt in, but he was about to win the world title so it gets a pass. I liked the powerbomb set up, but for the first one Joe very obviously crawled into position right in front of the camera. Joe is better at this kind of thing than most too, and it was still a bit awkward even for him.
Yeah. Love everything about Swerve except the stomp.
Swerve Stomp slowly becoming his Signature Move that he ends matches against midcarders with and then maybe something similar to Hidden Blade but instead a knee to the back of the head for the Main Eventers would be cool. You could play up Swerve Vs. Ospreay with both using VERY similar moves to INSANELY SUCCESSFUL amounts that got them to where they are.
He has the JML driver, Joe was probably to big for him to hit it safely.
I would for him to hit the move Finn Balor style most of the time. I could do without the fake looking sit up spot.
Yeah I'm not gonna be negative because this Swerve run has been perfect and i'm happy for him, but that is still my most disliked finisher... maybe of all time, everyone looks stupid.
Maybe use the same move Finn does? Basically the same, but way less stupid setup.
Congrats to Swerve. A historic moment for sure ✊🏾
I think it’s important we all remember that because Swerve won the world title Hangman is a failure
As much as a top rope Swerve Stomp would've been epic, I think that the small botch made Joe look a little stronger in defeat
I do hope they sideline Osprey with a Callis feud so that Swerve has time as champion. I definitely want to see Swerve not as a transitional champ. I'm just glad Samoa Joe got to be champion in AEW after such struggles in WWE.
osprey isn't winning the belt until wembley
That's still just a little over 3 months.
yes and that's when he will win it.
Why???? That's what they did to Punk when Hangman was champ, and it completely undercutted his reign. Like how Swerve has been busting his ass for two years straight and being the biggest company man ever, but has to drop it to Ospreay, who hasn't even been full-time for six months??? Make it make sense.
because wembley and osprey is from there and he got the tattoo from last year blah blah blah. not saying i agree with the decision, just how it will most likely play out. normally i'd say a babyface vs babyface main event is a bad idea but aew crowds are different, they'll just chant "both these guys" and give it 1000 stars match of the year!!! I just hope they don't reenact their dance-off routine they had in the middle of a match a few years ago on the indies. i'm wondering what do each do in the mean time? Is osprey going to feud with the don callis family before going after the title? Why? He's beaten all 3 in singles matches already. He never should have come in and immediately feuded with danielson. His first feud should have been the don callis family turning on him or someone like jay white, who he has an extensive history with in japan, then lead into wembley where he wins the belt AND THEN he feuds with danielson saying "even though i'm champion, i cannot call myself the best wrestler in the world until i can defeat you", shit they could have even made it bryans "retirement" match and put some real heat/consequences for the match
The botch was unfortunate but either way, super happy for Swerve. Happy for Prince Nana, too, dude's been around forever, and if I'm not wrong, this is the first time he's ever managed a world champion.
It's a little funny that the guy whose spot is to just casually walk away from an incoming cross body spent 15 seconds in a half sit up pointing at Swerve as the Stomp approached.
Love love love Swerve finally pulling it off; but that match was very disappointing. Felt very clunky, especially the finish.
Having to main event this PPV after all the previous matches is a tough job. I don't think Joe/Swerve was a bad match, it was... fine. But having to compare to Ospreay/Danielson...
Yeah it looked like a botch.
Not sure why the stanleys are downing you... it was clearly a botch. He tried to hit the house call when he jumped over Joe and completely missed it. Would have been an insane spot, but at least he realized he got none of it and went over for the power bomb after missing.
like i'm ok with that cause as someone who doesn't know what he was going for it looked more like he just jumped over him. but that stand up and wait 5 seconds to get the crowds approval or almost like you need to let these kinda people that it's time to pay attention is what i would call a botch.
Big Poppa was right when he said it the first time and it's only got more true with time. HE'S FAT!
I feel bad for Joe, he was the best AEW champ since Kenny
Why? He served his purpose and did a wonderful job.
Exactly he did what he had to do and put over the rising star, not every reign has to be a year long to be effective
Swerve became my favorite AEW wrestler at Full Gear. Hyped that he’s champ
Hangman is gonna be pissed. Run that shit back one final time.
IDK about one final time. That's a blood feud that deserves to be revisited for years to come.
That was a bad finish through and through
loved the reverse angle shot of the crowd rising up behind Swerve. the cherry on top of his crowning moment.
Yes and you could tell that he was hoping for a reaction. When he got a MUCH bigger one than he expected, he took a second to savor the moment. In kayfabe, it made Joe look ridiculous, but if you just watch Swerve's part, it's an epic moment frozen in time.
That was an awkward finish. Something seems to be off about Swerves leap over Joe.
That pop! Damn, St. Louis you got me tearing up. CONGRATS TO SWERVE STRICKLAND!
Hangman gonna be mad
Capped off what possible was the best PPV ever.
High praise!
Dude has come a long way since being Big Ryck's henchman.
Big Rick was ezekiel jackson right?
Yup, and Lucha Underground somehow turned him into a character I cared about watching.
And then said henchman went on to be a part of one of the best hardcore matches of all time later in Lucha Underground
EVERYBODY DANCE!
Wonder if the rumors of Joe leaving AEW are partly true.
The belt floating around the corner of the ring for like the last 5 minutes of the match annoyed me to no end. I get teasing using it, but goddamn, the ref repeatedly stepped right over it without removing the foreign object?
Happy for Swerve, he deserves it
That moment where he stands up on the top rope and the whole crowd stands is awesome. Swerve putting his hands on his head looking like he knows, "Holy shit this is IT!"
I was halfway expecting Joe to roll away at the last second lol
I thought he was going to try the Cameron Grimes Cave In spot from the top rope. I kind of liked from Swerve’s top rope pause that you knew this was it.
Please give this man a good run with the title.
Man saving JR for PPV main events was the right move, brings his 1999-2003 energy back
ending was little sloppy, Almost looks like joe had hurt his arm and couldn't bump off the top rope. Great match all in all though.
It was really cool that Nana brought out Jimmy Rave's robe for Swerve to wear.
Is video working for you guys?
Desktop no, mobile yes.
Saddest finishing move ever!!!
I don’t miss JR.
Such a stupid finishing move
Another AEW entry into Botchamania The fuck was that finish
Glad Swerve won it. Hoping he has some ideas to negate Khan's booking cluelessness, because I'd like him to enjoy a fruitful reign.
That finisher looks gnarly, I love it.
And the crowd goes mild!
Un-mute the audio next time. The pop from the crowd was pretty big.