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When WWE and WCW were trading wins in terms of ratings, I was just a fan watching both shows not knowing the figures that accompanied the history-making time. It is incredible to be a wrestling journalist when AEW squares off with NXT, considering the fact that our chat with blowing up with some saying 'Balor just showed up in NXT' or 'Jack Swagger just showed up in AEW'.
The most beautiful thing about being a wrestling fan in 2019 is that with technology, one can watch both shows, just not live. I chose to watch AEW this week and I was not disappointed at all with the offering.
In any case, here is the Best and Worst of this week's show, and to be honest, I thought there was a lot more good than bad. Please leave a comment and let me know what you thought of the show overall.
If AEW continues like this, we're going to be in for some exciting times.
#1 Best: Signing Jake Hager
I'm glad that Jake Hager has been lapped up by AEW because there's no certainty about there being another season of Lucha Underground at the moment. I do know that his Mixed Martial Arts career is going strong, but to be honest, he's always maintained that he loves the business of professional wrestling and I'm glad to report that he looked like he was right at home in this newly formed faction.
AEW may have one of the more talented rosters in the world, but the fact of the matter is that a lot of their guys are smaller physically, and while people like Daniel Bryan have changed the notion that smaller guys can't be big stars, there's nothing like watching a big bull storm the ring. He's also a known name and will bring new eyeballs to the promotion.
#1 Worst: MJF vs. Brandon Cutler
I think the biggest issue with AEW right now is that when it comes to the athletic performers like PAC or Kenny Omega, they know that the key is to allow them to get a fair bit of screen time. But when it comes to a character-driven performer like MJF or even Brandon Cutler, their matches seem to take a back seat, unfortunately.
This should have been a fight between a spoiled brat and the common man, and if it was, it did not come across as it should on TV. I know that a backstory was told in the 'Road to AEW on TNT' series on social media but there was a new television audience that did not know the story at all, and had no chance to get into the match at all.
MJF is a star and he'll go far. I just hope that they do backstage segments or skits with him, down the line.
Cutler needed promo time to get his 'everyday working man' character across.
#2 Best: The return of Moxley
Sportskeeda's Gary Cassidy and I were part of a conference call not long ago with Cody Rhodes, and one of the questions that we emailed across to Cody concerned Jon Moxley's condition. He had the following to say about Moxley:
Right now, Moxley just tweeted. He's fully cleared from the MRSA infection. He went as far as getting an MRI to see if it was in his bone. It was a long existing infection that resurfaced and he's cleared. He's scheduled to compete the second week in Boston. He is cleared for that match with Shawn Spears.
Well, not only did Moxley return, he did so in a very big way indeed. He came out from behind Kenny Omega and engaged in a brawl that carried all the way to the backstage area making the main event a 2 on 3 man match, which went into utter chaos. This was the moment of the night, even overshadowing Jack Swagger's signing by a long shot.
#2 Worst: Nyla Rose' botch
There is a clear divide between the stars in the roster who are veterans like Chris Jericho and Jon Moxley and stars who have a lot of work to do before they get there, right to the top of the food chain. Nyla Rose is being given a big push, but her powerbomb botch was scary, I thought.
Schiavone rescued the whole segment by referring to her powerbomb as a double-clutch powerbomb but few were fooled. There are many easier ways for monsters to wrestle than to hit these big power moves and in my opinion, this is what Nyla Rose should have done.
It took away from what was a beautiful match with Riho and a great showing for the woman because everyone's going to remember the powerbomb spot. But truth be told, I think this was a learning experience and she will get better with time for sure.
#3 Best: Massive improvement in commentary
Maybe I am biased but Tony Schiavone was the voice of my childhood. I know as a journalist now, when I watch some WCW matches back, that he was no Mauro Ranallo or Nigel McGuinness when it came to calling the action, but there's something in his voice that makes everything seem much bigger than ever before.
I also know that he fumbled a few times, but he was a big improvement on Alex Marvez, I felt. Jim Ross and Excalibur also seemed a lot more comfortable than before with Schiavone behind the commentary desk.
The production was great and with Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone, arguably the two best known voices calling the action it felt like a big deal. NXT's production is fine for a smaller crowd, but this felt like an episode of Nitro, truth be told.
The pyro added a great touch to everything!
#3 Best/Worst: Riho as the inaugural Women's Champion
I loved the match between Riho and Nyla Rose, as I have mentioned before in this very article. I just wonder if the idea of having Riho as the inaugural Champion makes sense because they always say that the money is in the chase, don't they? More importantly, what good is a monster who can't squash her opponent?
If Nyla Rose has to be portrayed as a beast, she needs to run through her opponents, to set her apart, I feel. I mean imagine if Braun Strowman was booked to lose his first match on TV, in this manner. Would we be able to take him seriously then?
That said, this was a good show and I have very few complaints. Now, I'll sign off and watch NXT because from what I hear, it was a good show!
What a time to be a wrestling fan, right?
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
