I've soured a bit on CM Punk recently due to some of his real life antics rubbing me the wrong way, as well as something he did on an AEW show not long ago. I'm NOT happy that he is the new AEW champion, especially after the embarrassing botches he had in his title match with The Hangman. Paige has had incredible matches during his title run, and this was probably his worst one and that's entirely because Punk couldn't carry through on his end. He tried to use Paige's finisher against him and botched it TWICE. That wasn't his only slip ups either
I actually didn't order the pay per view this Sunday because I didn't want to see Punk win the title. I found...other ways of watching it. First AEW pay per view I didn't spend money on
And since I'm talking about Punk, Tony Kahn is not ingratiating himself to people. In response to a reporter criticizing CM Punk, Tony went off on a wild crazy rant, dropping F bombs and acting like CM Punk was the greatest star in the history of pro wrestling. It was truly bizarre. He also had a weird social media post weeks ago claiming than anyone on the internet who criticizes AEW is just a bot. Dude's losing it. He needs to get some sleep or lay off the cocaine. I'm pretty sure Punk will have little effect on the ratings now that he's champ. He's lost some of his luster quite honestly and I wouldn't have said this months ago, but I don't think him as champ is a good look for AEW right now. Anyways, here's Kahn's crazy rant. He sounds like such a mark.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/nuYCmOJFgWISo the MJF situation is fascinating. After Cody Rhodes recently left AEW for WWE (where he is being treated like a big star so far), now MJF is apparently not happy in AEW and seems to have a bone to pick with Tony Kahn. Reportedly, MJF no showed an AEW meet and greet event, and nearly no showed their biggest pay per view of the year this past Sunday. He literally arrived at the arena at the last possible minute, prompting a "He showed up!" chant from the crowd during his match. Some view MJF as the best heel in AEW and someone who'd be a hot free agent if he left the company, but he is still under contract.
He's been part of one of the best angles in AEW involving him and Wardlow. Wardlow has become massively popular through his feud with MJF and their match this past Sunday was the blow off to that feud and MJF almost didn't show up. Interestingly enough, he was destroyed by Wardlow in a way I've never seen from an MJF match. Maybe Tony Kahn was punishing MJF? He got ZERO offense in that match and was stretchered out afterward. AEW completely buried MJF in this match, despite him being one of their top stars. It works in Wardlow's favor though, as he looks like even more of a beast now.
I don't know if the comparison is completely warranted, but every time Wardlow has a match the crowd does Goldberg style chants for him. Wardlow's arguably the best thing going in pro wrestling right now and MJF had a lot to do with getting him there. Wardlow in recent weeks has had the best entrance in pro wrestling. He would come out in handcuffs with armed security and NO entrance music while the crowd chanted his name Goldberg style. It's like watching a scary prison inmate walk into the arena
Anyway, this past Sunday's show was one of AEW's weaker pay per views, but had some good moments. The match involving the Jericho appreciation society, the Blackpool Combat Club, and Eddie KIngston and his cronies Santana and Ortiz was violent, bloody, and great even though the feud itself has been a mess of horrible story telling. I enjoyed it despite how much I hate Eddie Kingston. He plays such a heelish character yet people always cheer for him. It's weird.
I've said many times how much I can't stand WWE, but I kind of have to begrudgingly admit, there's no better champ in pro wrestling right now than Roman Reigns. AEW has this guy now:
and WWE has this guy:
Problem is, WWE realistically has no one who is a big enough star to take the title off him, unless they go with Cody Rhodes. That would be the ultimate fuck you from Cody to AEW I guess. I don't know if it'll happen though, Reigns has been champ for like almost two years now. All hail the tribal chief. Acknowledge him