We’re nonetheless using excessive, a mile within the sky on rye, from WrestleMania 40, which purposefully, strategically ushered in a “New Period” (official title tbd?) for WWE. It’s a Vince-free zone led by Hunter, who we’ve all needed to succeed Generalisimo Dickcheese for a decade now. Triple H has a HoF profession, simple, nevertheless it was his work in NXT that actually elevated him to indispensable. As a booker, mentor, and man who makes superb grilled cheese sandwiches (I’ve no proof to help this, he simply seems to be like he does).
All ships rise within the tide nevertheless it may also be very laborious to trip the wave of WWE once they’re in ‘Mania mode. Particularly after what many contemplate to be one among, if not the (which is WWE’s line), greatest WrestleMania ever. In each metric that will get metric’d. WWE’s Endgame, if you’ll. These previous three months have drawn a ton of casuals again to wrestling, as this time of 12 months usually does, however it might nonetheless be a problem to exist within the shadow of that mammoth inflow (my favourite Flaming Lips album).
The most effective factor you are able to do, as one other firm, is hold your head excessive, ship your greatest product, and possibly e book some exhibits in WrestleManiaCity throughout that week. Chances are you’ll be tempted to take swipes on the big, regardless of all of the mass consideration the large’s bringing to the business. You would possibly even really feel like making an attempt to take WWE down a peg or two, even once they’re on the tippy prime of Everest.
Properly, AEW — which had a superb exhibiting for itself again at Revolution, within the midst of ‘Mania season — determined to boop the dragon’s snoot.
This week, the corporate aired the controversial backstage footage from All In, that includes the skirmish between CM Punk and Jack Perry. In an try and… do what precisely? Draw rankings? Expose Punk? Save face? Be weirdos? The reply is complicat… wait. It’s not. It’s simply all 4. All 4 of these. And it felt like a chump transfer. A whole herb tactic. An utter s***child maneuver.
This previous Saturday, on AEW Collision, Adam Copeland got here out and gave a really passionate, gently awkward speech about how superior AEW is. How unbelievable the corporate is to work for and the way terrific it’s that it exists. And that’s all effectively and good, positive. But it surely appeared like a weird, defensive promo to chop, the addressing of imprecise issues floating, hovering on the market on the web. Like, this speech had nothing to do with AEW TV or any of the storylines at the moment occurring. It was all in protection of AEW, kind of, as a result of WrestleMania was occurring and persons are extra enthusiastic about WWE than AEW proper now. For those who weren’t chronically, detrimentally on-line, you’ll have been like, “Yeah yeah, Cope, we all know you’re having the time of your life. Can Mercedes Mone simply wrestle, please?”
I’ve little doubt Copeland is having a blast. Whether or not or not we’re having a blast is a unique story, nevertheless it’s good that he’s discovered his smile once more. And his match with Penta on Dynamite this week was a barnburner. However essentially the most fascinating factor about Adam’s promo was when he introduced up how wrestling firm tribalism, the poisonous AEW vs. WWE ingredient, is all fan-driven. The wrestlers themselves don’t have that beef. All of them help one another and need everybody to do effectively. We’re those who make issues terrible and petty. The calls are coming from inside our asses. Followers are the blind loyalists who do nothing however hurl the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.
…Till AEW decides to launch the Punk footage 4 days later. The second-hand embarrassment right here was unrelenting. It was like if cringe took the Tremendous Soldier Serum. Ooof, it was so so so lower than best. Greatest case situation for AEW? Punk was a liar. That the footage confirmed him doing issues counter to what he stated he did. After which… vindication? Validation? The entire world hates Punk? And due to this fact WWE? Whose angel dust-fueled science truthful undertaking was this?
Worst case? Properly, most likely what wound up occurring. Which was all of the egg on all of the faces. Heading into final night time, I hoped it was simply going to be a bit, plain and easy. A goof. Like, the Bucks would say “roll the footage” and it was clearly them dressed up as Punk and Perry after which it was a flash mob or what have you ever. One thing ridiculous. And, to be truthful, it was, in the long run, a half bit. It was used so as to add zest to the upcoming Bucks/FTR match because the Bucks claimed the Punk incident value them the All In match. So there was a tinge of silliness.
However that wasn’t sufficient to justify the corporate wanting like a parliament of dinks in entrance of the complete world. Punk followers weren’t going to care a technique or one other. Even when Punk had run as much as Perry and instantly sucker-punched him, it wouldn’t matter. Because it so occurs, he didn’t. And the combat performed out precisely the way in which Punk stated it did. No punches. There have been phrases, a dialogue, after which a shove and a choke. After which a pull-apart. Finished. The one factor that actually resonates right here is Punk’s now mostly-memed “I am harm and I am outdated and I am f***in drained and I work with f***in youngsters.” As a result of this, greater than something, greater than Punk’s self-sabotaging conduct or fast mood and impulse management points, has wound up being the takeaway. Youngsters. It was a baby’s choice to air this footage. All that stands now, within the wake of AEW wanting like a clown academy, is that there’s no level-headed boss in management. All of it feels just like the Emperor has terminal web mind.
I’ve talked about this earlier than nevertheless it most likely bears repeating – I watch each WWE and AEW. Each are good and dangerous. It’s all wrestling. WWE s**ts the mattress too. Neither firm is infallible. And WWE has a a lot bigger and longer legacy of beefing issues too. Hell, they virtually wonked up their enitre WrestleMania two months in the past when it was Rock vs. Roman. However they averted it. And this felt avoidable too. It was 100% Dangerous Thought Denims from the second it was introduced. And now that the footage turned out to be benign, and a lot lower than we’ve all been imagining since September, they seem like amateurs.
After which there was Will Ospreay making an attempt to dunk on Hunter with the bottom of all hanging fruits? That Paul slept with the boss’ daughter? An insult from 20 years in the past that now not rings true since Hunter and Steph have a loving, lasting marriage with youngsters? It’s like “Hahaha you discovered your soulmate, chump! Ya burnt!” It’s by no means, ever an excellent search for the second place firm to say the one forward of them. It all the time feels minor league.
The identical goes for WWE too, again once they had DX present up in tanks at a WCW present when WCW was forward of them within the rankings. It’s determined and churlish. It’s all the time higher to disregard the remark part. There’s an adage that gripes go up, not down. So once you gripe, in a manner, you routinely put the goal above you. It is like that elevator scene in Mad Males (I do know, tremendous particular) when Don’s like “I do not take into consideration you in any respect.” You realize the one. Aw, heck… to Google!
WWE is not infallible right here. An argument may be made that they began this, or brought about this, due to the pre-Mania interview rounds with Punk and Hunter and the s*** they stated (or alluded to) about AEW and Ospreay. After which there was among the snark from the commentators through the weekend itself. That was in poor kind. Completely. However everybody, besides AEW apparently, appeared to know that responding to any of this was solely going to finish in fireplace. AEW had each proper to take action, sure, and hopefully it introduced in good rankings for them. However the general value could have been too excessive. That being the truth that they now really feel like fish 4 days outdated.
It’s wrestling although. It by no means stops. For something. They’ll shake it off. We’ll shake it off. They seem like courtroom jesters at this time however subsequent week there will be another cascade of foolishness to cope with. And should you assume this was “bashing” AEW and ya really feel such as you need to yell at me, a complete stranger, on-line then that you must be taken again to method. It’s 2024. Don’t act just like the web is new and also you’re only a child who doesn’t know behave.
KNEELIFT!
Watch Wrestling
