The Wrestling Thread

[Markies]

It's funny, but somebody pointed out that a lot of face turns don't work because the wrestler changes personalities. They become somebody completely different to what made them enjoyable in the first place.

This one has worked, so far, because Christian didn't change anything. He is still the same person, but he is just doing his schtick to other bad guys. Also, Copeland will play a great straight guy and they can still bounce things off each other.

[prfsnl_gmr]

The best face turns are where the character is so good at being bad (e.g., Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kane, The Undertaker, Mankind, etc.), that the audience ends up loving them anyway.

[Reprise]

Yeah, that's why I feel many turns have never worked for me. I hate it when it feels forced and they seemingly have personality transplants overnight. Swerves just for the sake of swerves, so they can have "shocking" moments.

I think in AEW, FTRs heel turn kinda fell into that camp, although the run itself has been fine imo.

[RCBH928]

The best face turns are where the character is so good at being bad (e.g., Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kane, The Undertaker, Mankind, etc.), that the audience ends up loving them anyway.

Technically, if the fans turn out liking him, he failed at his job. As the heel's purpose is to make the fans despise him not like him.

[marurun]

The best face turns are where the character is so good at being bad (e.g., Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kane, The Undertaker, Mankind, etc.), that the audience ends up loving them anyway.

Technically, if the fans turn out liking him, he failed at his job. As the heel's purpose is to make the fans despise him not like him.

People like villains all the time. The best heels are the ones people LOVE to hate. They enjoy the campy bad guy nonsense.

[Markies]

Oh Man, I kind of regret not buying All Out because watching the highlights made it seem like an all time show.

With Ospreay, Omega and Swerve out for the foreseeable future, people were afraid that they wouldn't be able to have a good show. It blew all of my expectations out of the water and I love the fact that Tony booked many AEW originals to win and have big moments.

Loved that C&C/FTR match. Obviously, they have lost a step in the ring, but they can still have great matches. Also, all four of them are really close, so to have these kind of matches together is something very special to them. And the Beth Copeland appearance was really cool to see.

Was happy to see the Hurt Syndicate put over a smaller team. There was some online chatter of them not wanting to put over specific teams, but I am glad that is now done with. Ricochet's team needed that win and that will help them in the long run.

Those Allin/Moxley and MJF/Briscoe matches back to back were absolutely insane. Props to everybody involved. Some of those spots were brutal. And huge respect to MJF who did that big match in Mexico the night before to fly in and do that match as well.

LOVED Krist Statlander winning! Also, loved the shock value of Toni Storm losing because nobody expected that. Toni can still do her character without the belt, but it is time she stepped away for a bit. Kris winning is a big deal and she very much deserves it. I can also see a heel turn coming probably at this 5 Vs. 5 Women's War Games match they keep hinting at.

It was great to see Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus back together. Apparently, Luchasarurus almost died from his previous illness as it was incredibly serious. So, I am glad they have a moment together and a match with the Young Bucks will be fantastic.

And of course, the main event was incredible. That was to be expected and just a blast to watch.

All in All, it was a great show and one that I was sad to not have watched live.

[Reprise]

This is the first All Out I have bought since 2021 and I do not regret it. I had mild concerns going in, but somehow they managed to pull off a great show with what they had, despite many of their major stars being sidelined with injuries or whatever.

Copeland and Christian vs FTR was good fun. Although they aren't what they were, it's nice seeing them together. FTR's heel run has been great so far. I was genuinely shocked to see Beth Copeland debut.

The whole show was full of great moments and surprises. Kris Statlander picking up the shock win was amazing. I was so glad to see her win and it was even better that they made sure she pinned Toni. Jack Perry returning was already hinted at, but the moment was great, mostly for the reunion with Luchasaurus. I kinda wasn't expecting them to play the old school music and lean that hard into the Jungle Boy gimmick, but it was cool that they did.

Kyle Fletcher proved his critics wrong. He proved he has what he takes to hang in the main event and although he didn't win, I hope his time is soon. I wouldn't be opposed to these two having a rematch soon.

Other than Eddie and Big Bill, who unfortunately came close to stinking the place out (ooof that botch of an ending too), it was great match after great match and good decisions overall on who won each match.

Edit: Also, please keep counterprogramming, WWE. It's making AEW put on these shows at reasonable times for us in the UK and you keep failing anyways, because I heard Wrestlepalooza was Snoozepalooza

[Markies]

Yeah, I had completely forgotten about Bill Vs. Eddie Kingston. I almost give that match a pass because of Eddie being out for like almost a year and a half. Obviously, he had some ring rust and he almost retired because of the injury, so I am glad that he finally made it back. Even though I am not the biggest Eddie Kingston fan, that rough NYC attitude is very grating, he is all about heart and character compared to technical skills. Also, even though I don't like him, it's hard to hate on him. He is very easy to root for. I am looking forward to his pairing with Hook. Hook basically has no personality, so to have somebody with a ton of personality like Eddie would be a good matchup.

HAHA! I forgot about the time difference, so I am glad that you were able to enjoy the whole experience and being able to go to bed at a reasonable hour. I just feel so bad for Cena. Here is the guy that is your main character for years and years and years. He carried the company on his back for like almost two decades and this is his retirement party. All of it has been utter garbage.

[Reprise]

I am not a big Eddie fan either. I get his personality is endearing to a lot of people and so for many he is easy to root for, but I just don't really enjoy his matches or his character much. His chops look absolutely awful. My violent three year old daughter's hits look more brutal and devastating and his back hand finisher (can't remember its actual name) also looks bad even when he lands it.

But I almost give it a pass too, because it wasn't downright terrible and as you said, he had been out for around a year and a half I think. It might have been even longer than that.

Yeah, the show started at 8pm here and finished at about 12:30am, so much better than the usual middle of the night schedule. I usually just watch the following morning and don't log onto the internet until I am finished.

I think retirements are things that wrestling promotions have just started over-thinking way too much. The harder they seem to try, the worse they seem to be. It was nice to both Cena and Copeland do tributes to one another recently though.

[marurun]

Kenny Omega and Yuzo Koshiro cut some English and Japanese promo showing off gameplay and talking about Earthion. I don’t have links and haven’t seen them, but the folks on the 8-4 Play podcast were talking about it.