The John Report: AEW Dynamite 04/24/24 Review

This week’s AEW Dynamite featured new AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland in action, plus Jon Moxley’s IWGP World Title defense against Powerhouse Hobbs.

It’s the first Dynamite episode following the excellent AEW Dynasty PPV from last Sunday. The Will Ospreay-Bryan Danielson match really was one of the best matches I’ve ever seen and I’m so happy for Swerve Strickland becoming the AEW World Champion.

This was AEW Dynamite episode #238 from the Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis, Indiana. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

The Young Bucks and Kazuchika Okada aka The Elite were shown arriving earlier in the day. Jack Perry was with them. Security tried to stop Jack from going in, but The Young Bucks told security that Jack was with them.

It’s Wednesday and you know what that means. The commentary team was Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, and Taz.

Trent Beretta and Orange Cassidy Have Issues

Orange Cassidy was supposed to make his entrance, but Orange came tumbling out of the entrance area and it was because Trent Beretta beat him up. Trent worked over Orange with punches. Trent called out Chuck Taylor to get out there while the fans were booing this.

Chuck Taylor walked into the ring. Trent said that he was sorry that he didn’t do this a long time ago. Trent said he’s sorry they spent five years hugging this narcissistic prick. Trent spoke about how Orange would be their mascot, but they were his lackeys and Orange gave them nothing. Some fans chanted “freshly squeezed” for Orange. Trent told Chuck he cared about him, Trent is his friend and he loved him. Trent wanted Chuck to give the people what they want…a hug.

Chuck said he always thought Trent was a piece of shit and Chuck hit Trent with the microphone to knock Trent out of the ring. Trent stayed on the floor. Chuck said that he knows that they won’t clear him for a match in the ring, but he wants to fight Trent in the parking lot. Trent left while Chuck tried to help Orange back up to his feet.

Analysis: I don’t love the angle, but they’re trying anyway. It’s a long term alliance that fell apart due to Trent’s jealousy of Orange. This should lead to Trent facing Orange at Double or Nothing next month. Chuck siding with Orange is the right move because Trent should be on his own as a heel.

Jon Moxley did a backstage promo as the IWGP World Champion. Moxley said he knows what it takes to get to the top and what it takes to stay at the top. Moxley said he knows he’ll have to dela with Don Callis’ Family while facing Powerhouse Hobbs. Moxley said that he’s ready for a march through hell. Moxley claimed this was the greatest sport in the world and he would remind the world who he is in case they forget. Moxley said that the world will feel it when Hobbs’ carcass hits the mat whether they’re in Jacksonville or Tokyo. Moxley walked away.

The new AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland was introduced by his dancing manager Prince Nana. Big pop for Swerve with the AEW World Title around his waist while they showed replays of his win over Samoa Joe at Dynasty. Swerve was out there for a match.

Analysis: If it was up to me, I would have let Swerve talk for one or two minutes to thank the fans for their support. Let the fans show him the love he deserves.

Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) vs. Kyle Fletcher

Don Callis was on commentary since Kyle is in his group. Swerve is AEW World Champion while Kyle is ROH TV Champion since many people in this company have titles.

Swerve got a takedown leading to a pin attempt. Kyle got a forearm shot to the face. Swerve came back with a jumping side kick to the throat. Swerve hit an uppercut from the middle turnbuckle to the back. Kyle hit a running kick that knocked Swerve out of the ring to the floor. Nana distracted Kyle a bit leading to Swerve hitting a back body drop on the floor. Swerve kicked Kyle with a boot to the jaw leading to a break.

(Commercial)

Kyle got some offense going after Swerve had him in an armbar as Kyle hit some forearms to the face and a Michinoku Driver. The Elite group led by The Young Bucks went into Tony Khan’s office. Keep in mind that in the past they have shown Tony on the headsets during the show, so I guess we are to believe he could be in an office. Swerve nailed Kyle with a neckbreaker on the apron. Swerve went up top and hit a Swerve Stomp on the ring apron. Swerve rolled to the floor while selling a right foot/ankle injury. Back in the ring, Swerve went for a running kick, but Kyle avoided it and applied an Ankle Lock on the injured right foot of Swerve. Kyle took down Swerve on the mat while twisting the legs. Kyle let go of the submission, then Swerve fought back with strikes and they each tried moves, but there were counters. Swerve hit a double up kick along with a flatliner. Swerve hit a brainbuster leading toa two count. They exchanged holds again, Kyle lifted Swerve up and Kyle hit a spinning powerslam-type move for a two count. Kyle hit a running kick to the head. Kyle went for a superplex, but Swerve blocked that and punched Kyle down. While Kyle was upside down against the ropes, Swerve hit the Swerve Stomp off the top for just a two count. Swerve hit the running House Call kick to the head for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Swerve Strickland

Analysis: ***1/2 A very good match that put over the AEW World Champion Swerve in a match that he was obviously going to win. It’s not like they are going to have Swerve lose to a guy like Kyle, who is solid, but not exactly a top guy. Swerve did a nice job of selling the right foot injury throughout the match, but then he kind of went away from it at the end. Swerve’s normal finisher is the Swerve Stomp although winning with the House Call kick sometimes is fine too because it shows he can win with multiple moves.

Next week on AEW Dynamite in Winnipeg is the return of Kenny Omega in his hometown. He won’t be cleared to wrestle, but it will be good to see him.

Thunder Rosa was interviewed by Renee Paquette. Thunder was proud of her performance at Dynasty, she mentioned Deonna Purrazzo and that led to Deonna getting in her face. Rosa shoved Deonna and security broke it up.

(Commercial)

There was a video showing highlights of the amazing Will Ospreay-Bryan Danielson match at AEW Dynasty. I went five stars for it. Some people might rate it higher and that’s fine, but five stars is as high as I go.

Mina Shirakawa (w/Mariah May) vs. Anna Jay

Mina is the former tag team partner of Mariah May, who walked out with Mina to the ring. Mina is from Stardom, which is associated with New Japan. Mina tripped up Jay followed by a dropkick to the back. Since Mina kissed May on the lips last week, Tony S said that they must be very close as tag team partners. Mina went after Jay’s left knee with a few moves followed by Mina hitting a kick to the head. Mina did a Russian leg sweep takedown. Jay got some offense with an eye rake and a neckbreaker across the middle rope for a two count.

(Commercial)

Jay and Mina exchanged strikes leading to Mina hitting a huge forearm along with a spinning back fist. Jay put Mina on the apron, but Mina came back with a knee drop to the face for a two count. Jay came back with a back kick and a slam off the back for a two count. Mina caught Jay’s right leg leading to a dragon screw leg whip followed by a Figure Four Leglock that lasted about five seconds since Jay made it to the ropes. Mina hit a missile dropkick off the top and an enziguri kick for two. Jay applied her Queen Slayer choke, but Mina got an armbar takedown and Mina rolled up Jay while hooking the legs for the pinfall win after nine minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Mina Shirakawa

Analysis: **3/4 It was okay for a random match. They tried to have some psychology in the match as Mina worked over Jay’s knee a bit, but Jay barely sold that and it was ignored as the match went on. Jay really doesn’t get meaningful wins, so having Mina win tells the audience that Mina is talented and maybe we’ll be seeing more of her in the future.

After the match, Mariah May brought champagne in the ring to celebrate with May. Jay wasn’t happy about that because she attacked both women from behind. Toni Storm, the AEW Women’s Champion, ran out there shoeless and checked on her friend May. Toni was cheered and the fans chanted “Toni” For the champion, who checked on May.

Serena Deeb made her entrance as Excalibur reminded us that she is undefeated this year. I don’t know how many matches she has had. Deeb spoke into the camera saying she could hold the AEW World Title, but instead, she said the next time she holds that tile, it will be when she becomes the AEW Women’s World Champion. Storm yelled at Serena from a distance.

Analysis: This might have been done to turn Toni Storm babyface since the fans have been cheering him, so they might as well embrace it and use her as a babyface. I like Serena a lot. If she is the next AEW Women’s Champion that would be cool with me. I just don’t think AEW has used her consistently for a long time, so I’m unsure if that will change moving forward.

(Commercial)

Willow Nightingale’s TBS Championship Celebration

The duo of Stokely Hathaway and Kris Statlander were in the ring welcoming us to Willow Nightingale’s TBS Championship. There were balloons around the ring. Caprice Coleman was on commentary dropping some lyrics during Willow’s entrance.

Willow talked about how in 2020, she was in the crowd supporting the talent and then she got signed to an AEW contract. Willow said she’s not a rookie anymore because tonight she stands here as the face of TBS since she’s the TBS Champion.

Mercedes Mone made her entrance in a colorful outfit as usual along with her repetitive “CEO” song. Mone got into the ring with the champion. There were “CEO” chants for Mercedes.

Mone told Jacksonville to say hello to your CEO. Willow said this was like the fourth time that Mercedes has interrupted her, so if you have something to say then say it. Mone said she was there to congratulate Willow. Mone said that in 32 days at Double or Nothing, you’re looking at the new face and the new TBS Champion. Mone asked if Willow who attacked her in the dark and Kris said that it may have been somebody else. Stokely said we all know it was probably Julia Hart.

Willow asked Mone if she thinks that Willow intentionally injured her in their NJPW match last year. Mone spoke about how she lost wrestling for a year. Willow said she felt so awful that it happened to Mone. Willow said she should have smiled with that championship and then she wondered if she could have beaten Mone at 100%. Willow said that championship reign has an asterisk next to it. Willow said that this championship has no asterisk. Willow said she wants Mone at 100% at Double or Nothing so Willow can show that she can beat Mone and why Willow is the TBS Champion. Mone told Willow to enjoy this while you can because at Double or Nothing, you know you can’t beat Mone. Some fans booed that. Kris grabbed Mone’s arm and Mone slapped Willow in the face because she thought it was Willow who did it, but it was Kris who did it. Willow was held back by her friends while referee Bryce Remsburg made Mone leave the ring.

The graphic made it official that at Double or Nothing on May 26th, Willow Nightingale will defend the TBS Title against Mercedes Mone.

Analysis: That segment made Mercedes Mone come across as a heel because of how she interrupted Willow and some of the things she said. At least they have the backstory of Mone getting hurt with the ankle injury one year ago against Willow, so Mone is looking for revenge after that.

They showed Jack Perry, Kazuchika Okada and The Young Bucks leaving Tony Khan’s office. Matt Jackson said that things are still uncertain, but Tony Khan has agreed to meet Jack Perry in the ring later in the show.

Analysis: I like Tony as a person, but I don’t think he’s a good TV character. Just because you are the boss doesn’t mean you should be in segments. They need to get a good talker person to be the on-screen authority figure.

There were entrances for some battle royal. The announcers said they had no idea who was coming out there.

Casino Gauntlet Match

It’s a sudden-death match where the first pinfall or submission wins. The winner gets an International Title match at Double or Nothing. Wrestlers will get added to the match until it ends.

Jay White and Dante Martin started the match. Dante hit a dropkick to knock Jay out of the ring. Dante hit a jumping knee to the jaw. Back in the ring, White launched Dante over the top to the floor. Penta El Zero Miedo was the next man in the match. Penta jumped off the top with a cross body block on White. Penta hit a slam off the shoulders on Dante and that led to a PIP break.

(Commercial)

The match returned with Kyle O’Reilly joining the match. There was no clock or anything like that. People are just joining the match until it ends. Kyle did armbars to all three guys. Kyle hit a running knee to White and slapped Kenny in the face. Kyle applied a kneebar submission on White, who got to the ropes.

Will Ospreay was the fifth man to join the match with his 10-0 singles record. The fans popped big for Will. Kyle and Will exchanged forearm strikes. Will hit a boot to the face of Kyle followed by a springboard elbow smash. Will hit an impressive backflip kick on Martin and Penta. Will faced off with White in a staredown between former IWGP World Champions. Will sent White into the ropes and White bailed to the floor. Will caught a charging Dante with a Spanish Fly.

It was Lance Archer as the sixth man in the match as Excalibur mentioned his history with Ospreay in NJPW. Archer nailed Will with a forearm. Archer gave White a Chokeslam onto Dante to show off his power. Archer ran over Penta with a shoulder tackle. Kyle went for a front guillotine submission, but Archer powered out of it. Archer hit a jumping knee lift on Will and then launched Will over the top to the floor onto a bunch of wrestlers on the floor.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Komander as the seventh guy in the match. The announcers claimed they had no idea this match was happening. Komander gave Archer a hurricanrana onto a couple of tables on the floor. Komander hit an amazing DDT on Will. White hit a uranage slam for two. Will countered a White move leading to a Powerbomb for two count.

Jay Lethal joined the match as the eighth entrant. Lethal nailed Will with a dropkick and Lethal Combination on Martin. Lethal hit Lethal Injection on Penta. White suplexed Lethal on his head. Dante hit a missile dropkick off the top. Kyle kicked Dante and knocked him out of the ring. Will and Kyle exchanged moves leading to Will hitting a running elbow smash for a two. Will thought about the Tiger Driver 91 and then he stopped himself since he said he was going to stop doing that move. Komander jumped off the top with a Shooting Star Press on Kyle. Will hit a Hidden Blade elbow on Komander for the pinfall win after 19 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Will Ospreay

Analysis: ***1/4 That was wild. It had some fun moments, but it was weird hearing the announcers saying they had no idea about how many wrestlers would be in the match and all they knew is that it would end by pinfall or submission. As soon as Ospreay was in the match, I figured he would win since AEW has booked him as an undefeated wrestler since his debut.

After the match, a graphic was shown confirming that at Double or Nothing, Will Ospreay will challenge mustache man Roderick Strong for the International Championship at Double or Nothing.

Roderick Strong walked out with the International Title and held it in Ospreay’s face. The rest of the Undisputed Kingdom were standing behind Strong.

Analysis: I am picking Will Ospreay to win that match. I thought Ospreay’s first title win in AEW would be the World Title at All In, but it looks like the International will be his first title.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho made his entrance as the FTW Champion. Jericho has some new generic theme song that starts out saying “I am the Learning Tree.” The graphic calls him “The Learning Tree” Chris Jericho as well.

Jericho claimed that FTW means For The World to him because this is “for all of you.” Taz: “Oh get the hell out of here!” Jericho claimed they won this together. Jericho said that Terry Funk told him years ago that it was his responsibility to teach the younger generation and Jericho said that’s what he is doing. Jericho said Hook was a great champion and a tough competitor. Jericho said that there are still certain things he needs to learn. Jericho also said that Hook needs to move on from Taz (his father) and Shibata. Jericho told Hook to listen to him. Jericho said that Hook kept getting back up after two Judas Effects and that forced Jericho to hit him in the head with a baseball bat. Jericho claimed so many stars worked with him and became bigger stars. Jericho said he’s so excited to see who the…and here’s Big Bill.

Big Bill confronted Jericho saying he’s been in the back listening to him and he only has one thing to say. Bill said he needs the guidance of The Learning Tree. Jericho nodded at him. Bill said Jericho is the Socrates of professional wrestling who is always willing to give advice, willing to lend a hand and take a less-established guy to build them up with Jericho. Bill said he knows there are a lot of guys in the back who want to be a part of The Learning Tree. Bill said there’s nobody bigger than him and better fit for him. Bill said that he’s the very best fit for The Learning Tree.

Jericho said he was a big fan of Big Bill and one of the reasons why Bill is in AEW. Jericho said he’ll be watching him. Bill told him to do that. Jericho said they’ll continue to celebrate together.

Analysis: I don’t think this Learning Tree thing is good. I realize it’s Jericho trying to be this over the top heel character with a big ego. There’s a lot of fake smiling by Jericho almost like he’s a politician campaigning for votes and it’s very sarcastic, so the fans see through it, which is why there’s booing. I’m just not sure if it’s going to be some great angle long term. As much as I like Jericho historically, the last year or two hasn’t been as good for him in AEW compared to the first couple of years. Big Bill wanting Jericho’s help suggests that this is going to be yet another heel Jericho stable with Bill being a part of it.

Will Ospreay was interviewed backstage by Renee Paquette while Don Callis and Kyle Fletcher were standing by. Callis mentioned Will not doing the Tiger Driver. Will said that the move has to go. Callis didn’t care about guys having broken necks. Callis said he had to go main event Hobbs so they can win a title tonight and Will’s going to win the International Title at the pay-per-view as well.

Analysis: It’s only a matter of time until Ospreay breaks free from the Don Callis Family group. Don’s group are heels and Will is obviously very popular, so he really needs to be on his own without being associated with Callis.

(Commercial)

Jon Moxley made his entrance as the IWGP World Champion as the holder of the top prize in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Moxley is 9-0-1 this year. The announcers tried to put over how great the show is because they are big suck ups as usual. Powerhouse Hobbs was up next with a 5-2 record while he was joined by Don Callis, who went to commentary for this match. Moxley won the title 12 days earlier.

IWGP World Championship: Jon Moxley vs. Powerhouse Hobbs

Hobbs overpowered Moxley with punches and kicks against the turnbuckle. Moxley nailed a German Suplex, but Hobbs no sold it. Hobbs hit a T-Bone Suplex leading to Moxley rolling out of the ring to sell that. Hobbs went for a kick, Moxley avoided it and Moxley kicked Hobbs over the barricade to the floor. They went fighting into the crowd and obviously the referee wasn’t counting them out while Excalibur mentioned NJPW rules means there’s a 20 count on the floor. Taz covered for the poor refereeing by saying the referee was going to be liberal with the rules and wanting to see a winner. Hobbs sent Moxley back over the barricade. They were on the floor for over a minute at least. Back in the ring, Hobbs tried some trash talk, so Moxley slapped him and gave him a middle finger. Hobbs slammed Moxley onto the ring apron a couple of times.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Hobbs using his power to apply a bearhug. Hobbs sent Moxley into the turnbuckle. Moxley delivered a kick followed by a Cutter attempt, but Hobbs blocked it. Hobbs charged, Moxley moved and Hobbs went crashing into the turnbuckle. Moxley did a suicide dive onto Hobbs on the floor while Hobbs was grabbing his right knee. The referee was checking on Hobbs a lot. They were back in the ring where Moxley punched Hobbs repeatedly. Moxley hit the Paradigm Shift for a two count. Moxley applied the rear naked choke on the mat and Hobbs was out, so Moxley won by submission. It went 11 minutes.

Winner by submission: Jon Moxley

Analysis: **1/4 I like both guys, but it just seemed off and not at the level of most Moxley matches. There just wasn’t much chemistry between these guys. It happens sometimes. The right leg of Hobbs might be legit hurt, so that could be part of the reason why there were match issues, especially towards the end of it. Moxley winning was the obvious result since he just won this title and it’s not like Hobbs is going to win the IWGP World Title on an episode of Dynamite.

Jon Moxley celebrated the win. Powerhouse Hobbs was down in the knee while the doctor was checking on him. As Moxley celebrated, Konosuke Takeshita stood by the entrance and had a staredown with Moxley. Moxley left with the IWGP World Title through the crowd.

Analysis: A Moxley-Takeshita match will be amazing. Takeshita is one of my favorite wrestlers in this company and they need to keep pushing him.

There was a rundown of Collision and Rampage matches on Saturday.

Katsuyori Shibata was interviewed by Renee Paquette. Shibata did a promo with his phone saying that he was challenging Chris Jericho for the FTW Championship next week on Dynamite in Winnipeg (Jericho’s hometown).

Analysis: I assume Jericho won’t be booed in his hometown of Winnipeg, but you never know. It might happen.

Jack Perry Talks To Tony Khan

Jack Perry, with a beard, made his entrance for the main event promo segment. Tony Schiavone was in the ring. The fans chanted “oh cry me a river” for Perry. Jack said that he had some of the best nights of his entire life right here in Jacksonville. Jack said tonight they had business to handle and he wants to handle it face to face right now with Tony Khan.

The AEW Owner & CEO Tony Khan walked out to the ring and got in the ring with Jack. Tony is a short man who is about the same height as Jack. Jack claimed that in the last five years, AEW has gone on to change the world. Jack admitted they have had ups and downs, but he swears to God that all he’s ever wanted is what’s best for AEW. Tony applauded that. Jack asked Tony to shake his hand, reinstate Jack, and let’s go on to continue to change the world together. Tony shook Jack’s hand and they hugged. The announcers sucked up to Tony big time while Jack had a smile on his face during the hug. Tony was smiling like a dumbass during the whole thing.

Jack Perry punched Tony in the ribs with the microphone. The Elite’s Young Bucks and Kazuchika Okada went down to the ring to try to calm Jack down. The Young Bucks picked up Tony teasing the EVP Trigger, but then Okada pointed up. Matt Jackson held Tony in a Tombstone position and Nick jumped off the top for the Meltzer Driver spiked piledriver on Tony Khan. Referee Bryce Remsburg and other referees checked on Tony. Matt thanked Jacksonville and said they loved them. Some fans were chanting “Whoop That Trick” during this. The Elite posed on the stage as the fans booed them.

The camera focused on a fallen Tony Khan in the ring. The locker room emptied out with wrestlers checking on the boss. Where were all these people when he was beaten up? Even Tony’s billionaire dad Shad Khan, who gifted AEW to his son, arrived to check on Tony at the end. That’s how Dynamite ended.

Analysis: I mentioned earlier that I don’t think Tony Khan should be doing on-screen segments. I get why it’s done because he’s the boss and he is the one who has to reinstate Jack Perry, but then you see Tony trying to sell wrestling moves. It looks so cheesy. I guess it’s no different than most pro wrestling owners/promoters who want to be part of the show. The thing is that some of them are good at it while others simply shouldn’t do it. Tony isn’t a big guy, so seeing somebody as small as him getting beat up with a punch to the gut and the Meltzer Driver is almost comical to me. I know we’re supposed to feel angry about the mean heels beating up an innocent man. I just don’t think the execution was great.

Also, where are the babyface wrestlers in this company that should probably give a shit about the fact that their boss got beat up? Nobody tried to help the guy after taking a gut punch. They all came out after Tony had to take the Young Bucks double team move. It just comes across as being unrealistic. If you want to do “reality” angles involving the boss then at least try not to make your babyface roster look like losers who don’t give a shit about the boss. Adding Tony’s dad at the end was a nice touch to try to make it look more realistic, but that’s only if you want to forget that nobody tried to help this poor guy. I would call it a memorable angle. I just don’t think I’d call it memorable in a good way. I think people are going to mock AEW for this rather than think it was riveting television.

===

Three Stars of the Show

1. Will Ospreay
2. Swerve Strickland
3. The Young Bucks, Kazuchika Okada & Jack Perry

===

The Scoreboard

This Week: 6.75 out of 10

Last Week: 7.25

2024 Average: 7.45

===

Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite

I think it was a decent episode of Dynamite, but below what I would consider to be a very good show. The Swerve Strickland win over Kyle Fletcher was the best match. I just think they missed an opportunity to have Swerve talk, thank the fans for the support and get some cheers from the crowd as the new World Champion. They focus too much on matches sometimes. Swerve doesn’t need 13 minutes to beat Fletcher. Give him three minutes to do a promo too.

The Casino Gauntlet Match was 20 minutes of chaos with a bunch of guys running in randomly to be part of the match while the announcers kept saying “we have no idea what’s going on” throughout the match to try to push this idea that anything can happen. Will Ospreay got the win to earn an International Title match at Double or Nothing, which I assume he wins over Roderick Strong. The Jon Moxley-Powerhouse Hobbs match was disappointing. It wasn’t as good as the usual Moxley match. Hobbs also looked like he hurt his right knee in the final minute, so that’s brutal obviously. The in-ring action overall wasn’t at AEW’s usual high level. Regarding the Chris Jericho “Learning Tree” stuff, I get what he’s trying to do as this over-the-top almost preacher-like dude, but it’s just not entertaining television.

That main event angle with Jack Perry and The Elite (The Young Bucks & Kazuchika Okada – I assume Perry is in the group now) beating up AEW Owner Tony Khan was…interesting…maybe? I don’t know how I feel. Tony is a small man and I don’t think it’s a great idea to have him on screen trying to bump. The way he sold that microphone punch to the gut was more comical than anything. And then the Bucks doing the Meltzer Driver (lol) to him also made me laugh more than anything. It’s also silly how not a single person tried to help Tony their boss during this whole thing until after he took two moves. It even led to Tony’s billionare Shad Khan showing up to check on his son to try to put over how serious this was. I really hope somebody gets in Tony’s ear to convince him he shouldn’t be on camera match. He doesn’t have the acting skills or personality for it. Hire a wrestler to be an on-air authority figure instead. Simple enough. Anyway, this might generate some buzz for AEW (positive or negative, I don’t know) so I guess that’s what they are going for. From a performance standpoint, I thought The Elite guys came off as jerks so it worked in that sense.

===

Thanks for reading. Go Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Maple Leafs. You can contact me using any of the methods below.

John Canton

Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter/X: @johnreport