Fairly lately, an episode of AEW’s flagship present, Dynamite, got here and went, and I did not watch it.
That is unusual for me, since by all accounts, AEW received me again into being a weekly watcher of wrestling, which is one thing I actually hadn’t performed since WWE’s Ruthless Aggression period. That mentioned, AEW had been the spark that reignited my ardour for wrestling. And, as of late, I used to be really fairly looking forward to the model, even after a string of what I seen as poor selections.
However, after an episode of Dynamite wherein Jon Moxley actually received impaled by a spike board, I’m fairly certain I’m performed with the product now. Right here’s why.
I am Okay With Violence In Wrestling, However Not This Form Of Violence
I grew up watching ECW, so I do know a factor or two about violence. New Jack leaping from insane heights, barbed wire ropes, and piledrivers via chairs (OH, MY GEEEOD!) have been all par for the course, and I used to be there for it.
It wasn’t simply ECW although, because the WWE Perspective Period began to turn into extra recognized for its violence. The Rock as soon as delivered a number of unprotected chair pictures to Mick Foley. And, who might overlook when Foley received certainly one of his tooth lodged into his nostril (shivers)? All of that is to say that I’ve a sure tolerance for violence in pro-wrestling.
Nonetheless, I completely couldn’t take seeing Jon Moxley writhing in ache when he received impaled by that board. First off, the digital camera zoomed in, in order that we might see each gory element, and secondly, you would inform that one thing went fallacious since Mox actually was looking for aid, and Wheeler Yuta couldn’t present it.
However, my query is, why did we have now to see this? First off, yeah, okay, a spiked board. I’ve seen comparable issues prior to now with barbed-wire bats. Nonetheless, was it essential to DROP MOX ON THE BOARD? I perceive that wrestlers are all the time placing their our bodies on the road for our leisure, however why was this spot even obligatory?
I think about that the specified impact was to have the nails protruding of his again in order that it might current a ugly visible. However, every thing in regards to the spot simply looks like they didn’t suppose issues via, as a result of they received caught in his again. Plus, that is the sort of factor I completely don’t need to watch on a Wednesday evening. (Whereas I’m consuming, no much less!) As an OG wrestling fan who liked the Perspective Period, but in addition likes present day wrestling, I really feel like I’ve seen all of it. However this? No, this went too far.
Plus, As I Age, I Discover I am Extra Into The Precise Wrestling, And Much less Into Surprising Spots
Right here’s one other factor. The older I get, the much less I need to see ugly violence. Sure, I do know all wrestling storylines are scripted, however the ache these wrestlers endure may be very actual, and I believe it’s irresponsible of AEW to place their wrestlers via stunning spots like this.
I imply, it’s unhealthy sufficient watching Darby Allin seemingly put his life on the road for each single match, however to see one thing like this? Persons are all the time complaining that AEW is one large spot fest. I’ve defended AEW prior to now (Even to the purpose of claiming that it’s been good that so many WWE stars have come into the promotion), however I can’t defend a stunning spot like this.
Spots are, after all, one of the thrilling components of pro-wrestling. All of that build-up, after which, that devastating second. That is the stuff that makes informal followers into hardcore ones.
That mentioned, the older I get, the much less I need to see these “stunning spots.” Sadly, it looks like AEW is consistently attempting to up the ante, nearly prefer it needs to be the second coming of ECW. The issue although, is that instances have modified since then. Wrestling has turn into greater than ever, however a big a part of that’s as a result of the individuals who watched it within the ‘90s, and early ‘00s are adults now, and so you might have that viewers, however you even have the youthful technology.
Right this moment’s youngsters would possibly like watching as Mox is slammed onto spikes; I’m simply not into that stuff anymore. Sadly, AEW has been leaning extra into stunning spots, and distancing itself from precise wrestling, which is a disgrace. I miss watching “common” matches, and wrestlers like Kurt Angle, who might captivate with wrestling and storytelling alone. What occurred to that?
Not Solely That, However Spots Like This Additionally Make AEW Really feel Extra And Extra Determined For Consideration These Days, Which Is Unhappy
Bear in mind when AEW confirmed footage of the backstage struggle between CM Punk and Jack Perry, and all people thought it reeked of desperation? Properly, that is ten instances worse.
I imply, this spot was clearly meant to get individuals speaking, and guess what? I’m speaking. However, although I do know individuals all the time say that there’s no such factor as unhealthy publicity, I don’t agree with that assertion in any respect.
Simply suppose. Perhaps you by no means watched AEW earlier than. Perhaps you’ve been a diehard WWE fan, however you don’t like how WWE is burying Austin Idea, or how they’ve failed him prior to now.
Perhaps, you need one thing new. Properly, after watching this ugly spot, you would possibly determine to not watch one other second of it. As a result of there’s all the time TNA. Or New Japan. Or a myriad of different promotions that don’t appear so determined for consideration that they might really impale certainly one of their prime guys.
Who’s to say? However, no person likes desperation, and AEW seems to be determined as hell after that spot. Blatantly so.
The Product Is Simply Not As Thrilling, And Spots Like This Are Proof Of That For Me
It pains me to say this, however AEW is simply not as thrilling because it as soon as was. I finished watching AEW Collision awhile in the past, however I by no means – till lately – missed Dynamite. That mentioned, it’s been arduous to remain awake via current episodes, as I simply don’t care about lots of the storylines anymore.
Take MJF, as an example. As soon as he got here again, I assumed the promotion was going to soar once more, as he typically had the most effective storylines. However, artistic appears to have dropped the ball with him, as he hasn’t actually elevated himself, or any of the opposite wrestlers he’s gone up in opposition to since he returned.
In actual fact, for those who have been to ask me to call anyone storyline that has me excited proper now, I’d actually battle. I suppose the Damage Syndicate stuff is sort of attention-grabbing, however I’m already tired of them. I like Swerve Strickland, however I didn’t get something out of his feud with “Hangman” Adam Web page.
In each means, it simply looks like AEW must depend on outrageous spots like Moxley getting impaled to even keep related anymore, since the remainder of the product has gone stale, and once more, it is a disgrace.
You haven’t any concept how a lot I used to like watching Dynamite, and now I don’t even need to tune in as a result of I don’t need to watch any extra disgusting spots like that, which sucks! I need to love AEW once more!
Lastly, I Assume I Like The Extra Sanitized WWE These Days
Lastly, name me a sq. all you need, however I actually just like the sanitized facet of WWE as of late. Sure, typically they add blood, but it surely’s all the time there to advance a storyline. It’s not simply there for the sake of getting individuals to tune in, as WWE is not determined for individuals to tune in. For most individuals, WWE remains to be the one present on the town with regards to wrestling.
I do know I’ve mentioned prior to now that I would bail on AEW for WWE, however this time, I actually imply it. This previous week was the primary time that I’ve watched RAW, however not Dynamite. Sure, I do know they’re on two separate nights, and I might all the time watch the episode I missed on MAX. However…I don’t need to.
I haven’t even adopted as much as see what occurred on the next Dynamite, so I don’t know. Perhaps they toned it down. Perhaps sufficient individuals complained on-line that Tony Khan and Co. realized that they tousled.
Who’s to say? What I’ll say, although, is that AEW misplaced a fan on that one spot alone. WWE can nonetheless be corny at instances, and I nonetheless don’t perceive why they don’t push Sheamus to the moon one final time, however I nonetheless desire it now to AEW. At the very least on their product, I do know FOR CERTAIN that they might by no means pull off a reckless spot like AEW did on Jon Moxley.
However, what do you suppose? Did you just like the spot in query? I’d love to listen to your ideas.