Is the situation backstage in AEW reaching a breaking point?: Wrestling Observer Radio

[@gmcuttin1727]

Even if its true, just because two guys don't like each other doesn't mean the whole company is in disarray. Good lord this has been blown out of proportion.

[@silverdarlin]

The WWF in 1997 had two guys (Bret and Shawn) who hated each others guts. The company also had one of it's most influential years, despite the backstage war between them

[@ManiacFitness]

What's the big deal? There's guys at alot of companies all the time that don't like each other and they still get up and go to work everyday without drama!

[@grey_f98]

no one actually thinks that, it's just the Cornette fans and Punk haters coming out of the woodworks, I believe Dave is being worked, but even if he wasn't and this beef is real, so what? people can hate each other, it's a fact of life

[@apjapki]

I think the locker room doesn't like their top star. It just means they have an issue with the top star. Does he get what he wants or do the mid card talent get fed up?

[@giancarlocrumps]

CM punk wasn't going to show up and he went into business for himself With HHH on the scene yeah this is a big deal

[@MrRyanlennie2005]

Hogan didn’t want to work with Bret. Austin didn’t want to work with Mero. Bret and HBK hated each other. Austin dropped the belt to Mick as he didn’t want to lose it to Triple H who won it a day later. These things happen.

[@altergeist5581]

exactly. Its normal to have differences anywhere, but since its AEW and many people wanna see it fail, they are making it look like it is the biggest thing ever.

[@michaelrivera8360]

I think people are making a big deal out of this because this sorta things kills momentunm for companies just look at WCW which Meltzer made the comparison too and he said Tony has to be careful

[@UFCWWE69]

The issue is that AEW prided itself as the company where shit like that didn’t happen though. It’s just showing the grass isn’t always greener on the other side

[@mervstash3692]

They all drew though.

[@MScal0316]

Dave Metlzer wants to see AEW fail? Pay attention!!!

[@wallynatale8812]

Dave never fails to amaze me with his ability to go off topic

[@RyanDMoore]

"Well, I mean, ya know, I-I-it's, I mean, well, yeah, like"

[@damiengasparini2976]

It’s fkn painful listening to him

[@IamSickCase]

@@damiengasparini2976 yet you listened to the whole thing.

[@PowerNGlory]

It's because he is spinning gears in his head to think of what to say to make the whole AEW backstage stuff sound like something minor. He can't accept that AEW is in deep crap right now and his boots are not high enough to get out of it.

[@DragonLinkIsOverrated]

Don't play the drinking game when he says "you know"

[@mdptg1990]

Hasn't CM Punk always been somewhat toxic? Never heard any stories about Mox, Hangman, Omega or any of the other maineventers in AEW being toxic

[@damndippindots560]

Yeah, he’s ‘that guy.’ We’ve all known one: thinks he’s better than everyone, has a chip on his shoulder, quick to anger, slow to forgive, and stirs shit due to his own insecurities and/or legitimate gripes that become much bigger because of all the above.

[@joshuajohnson979]

Mox, hangman, omega arent saints dude. Punk is a bigger star as well and a better talent.

[@zrizzoh9712]

You don’t hear anything about Kenny, or guys like that because Dave is too close to that group of people and won’t post anything bad about them, same thing he did for Konan in the 90’s and other people over time. Once more people start leaving AEW you’ll hear more and more about how shitty of people the “Elite” are and how little people besides their independent show buddies like them. Punk is trying to teach a group of children who don’t understand how the business works but think they know it all.

[@mdptg1990]

@@zrizzoh9712 touch grass g

[@zrizzoh9712]

Sure thing father my apologies

[@Y2Jared]

Tony reorganizing his backstage roles was probably something that should have existed when Cody left. Hopefully this get worked out.

[@michaelfarrow5817]

I do wonder how much of what we didn't hear about what Cody smoothing stuff over behind the scenes.

[@Krispen_Wah]

@@michaelfarrow5817 Cody probably wanted more Cody.

[@941zeke]

@@michaelfarrow5817 cody had a creative vision and tony wanted to go away from that. And cody felt he should of been paid more than what he was getting paid.

[@ronniejdio9411]

@@941zeke as much as I love Cody and his family Nothing that mfer did in his last 18 months in aew proved he deserved top money. If anything it proven he had too much power

[@michaelfarrow5817]

As vice-chairman and director of football operations of Fulham, Tony has a a full-time, 100-hour-per-week, no-life-whatsoever position on its own. Essentially, he's an NBA/NFL GM except it's a longer season, you can't EVER tank a season and you don't just scout colleges, you have to scout the entire world for players. Essentially, he either does the AEW job and his role at Fulham suffers (and to be fair, they finally seem to have got their act together on player/coaching recruitment) or vice versa. He needs a team behind him, of course, but he also needs his stars to not act like douchebags. I really doubt that Tony has to worry about Mitro chatting shit behind Marco Silva's back right now. CM Snowflake on the other hand...`

[@bugcatcherpaul]

the irony of CM Punk, a noted Bret Hart guy, pulling moves like HBK circa 1997 is delicious

[@PhantomFTW.]

How long till Punk "loses his smile"?

[@michaelrivera8360]

Punk being a hipocrite no he never defended his UFC salary when the other guys where complaning but he complained about part timer pays in WWE noooo never....

[@oqoahfl]

Bret Hart refused to job to HBK because he felt disrespected by him It's actually very similar

[@Khader1093]

what punk is saying and doing is compelling television if you can't see it . then it not worth commenting about it. wrestling has never been holding hands and singing kumbaya everyone from the 80s till now had issues with each other which gives compelling television. not some fake shit sports entertainment.

[@shredenvain7]

Punk is being everything you have always heard negative about him just out of nowhere huh? Over a hangman promo that happened 4 months ago. How petty huh? Funny during the 1st summer of punk in ROH he turned the fans on him by signing with WWE and spent the rest of his time there shitting on ROH. To bad it backfired and brought ROH alot of Fan attention and great content. Then he dropped that pipe and talked about people from the indies and ROH in glowing terms while shitting on WWE this time using it to go face and have a 2nd summer of punk. But this Aew thing is a real shoot. He has been home stewing in his ego and anger all because of a promo from hangman. In fact he was so angry when he had his surprise return he couldnt express his giant hate filled anger. He had to wait a week. This is the beginning of the 3rd summer of punk. What a coincidence hangman has been hanging in limbo while punk has been gone. Now Punk cuts a shoot promo on hangman and the company and all the top talent are hanging on by a thread.

[@splash8429]

Unless something big BIG happens, this is just reach. People love dramas so they secretly hope this situation gets worse and causes drama.

[@aliuniversal4100]

Sounds like a news network

[@savagecatgt]

Haha, yeah. I'm guilty if this, but that's why I watch TLC. I don't sow discord at my workplace/favorite place lol. I wonder who these informants are and their motivations. I know its not crazy to imagine punk being a punk, but it could easily be kayfabe. You know?

[@GoldCoastChuck]

Well, I think we've firmly established this wasn't a reach.

[@DethCoveredHoneyBuns]

Well, I'd say something big happened. Lol

[@MScal0316]

This aged like milk lol

[@cameronallen5043]

What’s dangerous is when people stark to take sides instead of staying out of it. The roster could be divided very soon over something like this

[@ThailandDantotherescue]

Over what, a clearly worked angle? If punk was toxic he would get hangman buried or fired... not challenge him to a rematch on television... come on.. don't drink the coolaid. Next you will think he really hates mox.. one of the guys he picked to be in the sheild.. a cm punk creation.

[@thtsnico]

@@ThailandDantotherescue punk tried to get colt fired, and he was a background player for a midcard comedy act, and it’s causing world war 3. imagine what would happen with hangman

[@ThailandDantotherescue]

@@thtsnico no, he didn't. Cabana was already signed when punk joined AEW. If it was a problem punk would have stayed at home. He never once tried to get Cabana fired. They have a legit history outside of any promotion and they simply don't interact. I'm astounded that people believe these fake rumors. Tk would have paid Cabana his entire contract and released him with a non disclosure if punk made that a term of his employment. He didn't because it's never been an issue unless you listen to the bottom of the barrel dirt sheet click bait.

[@caiuscosades362]

@@ThailandDantotherescue If it's a work and people think it's a shoot, it's not because of anything we saw on Dynamite it will be solely on "a certain reputable wrestling journalist" insisting it wasn't a work.

[@milk_bath]

@@caiuscosades362 Exactly. This is unbelievably gullible behavior from F4W. I’d be surprised if Page doesn’t cause a DQ in the title match next week to set up a triple threat at All Out.

[@chief7684]

Honestly when you get accused of being a backstage cancer and your reaction to that is being a backstage cancer then thats probably not the smartest thing to do...

[@NL-fg6it]

Depends on your perspective. Are we talking about him? Yes. When you’re the main event of a promo, attention and good promos and solid matches are all that matter. Punk delivers on all 3 fronts. Something that nobody else other than MJF and Bryan can do.

[@thetribalist6923]

@@NL-fg6it gotta add Mox and Jericho to that list. Their title match last week got better ratings than Punk’s and MJF’s very first televised match. I’m a big MJF fan, but I think fans way over rate his ability to draw viewers and money.

[@NL-fg6it]

@@thetribalist6923 I personally don’t like Mox or modern Jericho matches. Often sloppy and don’t make sense.

[@thetribalist6923]

@@NL-fg6it Honestly I’d say they’re both less sloppy than punk is these days. I’m a fan of punk but he botches big time in every match. I think Jericho’s ‘s had a ton of great matches this year, but yeah some of his matches get a little too overthought for their own good, but I think Moxleys matches are pretty straightforward and logical. Guy wants to brutalize his opponent; guy succeeds in doing so. Mox was pretty sloppy in the pull apart brawl this past week, I’ll give you that.

[@keithjackewicz8423]

@@thetribalist6923 Mox goes way over the top in every single fucking match, there’s nothing “logical” about it. Punk is very sloppy, but he makes up for it by being a great psychologist.

[@THEWZRD1]

When they both joined AEW I always thought Bryan was telling the truth about helping younger guys. I don't know why but Punk came off disingenuous to me. He talks about standing up for your co-workers but doesn't even mention Cabana

[@gmcuttin1727]

Why would he and why should he?

[@gmcuttin1727]

@@wh2568 There is literally no proof of that.

[@philo2189]

Ok but when Bryan came in he literally said he doesn't want to help out younger guys so idk where you're getting this from lmao

[@spac18]

@@philo2189 that was a hell promo you fool, he's putting over guys after guys

[@gmcuttin1727]

@@spac18 He said that in interviews and podcasts too

[@donkeysaurusrex7881]

If it wasn’t for KZbin wrestling channels I never would have given a second thought to the Punk Hangman thing. Just seemed like a normal part of the show.

[@theognostus1829]

The world champion challenges the top babyface to a rematch and the face doesn't come out? This segment defied wrestling logic, nothing normal about it.

[@donkeysaurusrex7881]

@@theognostus1829 Page is supposed to be a face? He does nothing with his cowboy gimmick aside from the entrance video and a move name. Just another generic I AM WRESTLER character

[@thewindozer]

There are so many marks out there good Lord you guys literally are getting worked into a work that's at work come on man I mean you got to understand the guys that make these KZbin channels depend on you to be stupid and click on them for every little thing so they don't have to go get real jobs they can just go and play telephone

[@-The-Darkside]

It was part of the show... Punk trying to work the marks like Dave? say it aint so...

[@KairosObj]

Yea it was part of the show..Punk is lookin to get more heat. Peeps are fallin' for all of this hook, line and sinker.

[@jasonvecoli2607]

You know you know you know you know you know you know you know you know you know you know

[@TheWhiff12]

You know

[@RyanDMoore]

I mean, yeah, like, welllll, you know, I mean

[@bryanmahoney3434]

Eddie Kingston and MJF said so much worse to CM Punk to his face than Hangman did. Hangman did the job for him. He was smiling ear to ear the next night before getting injured. He cuts that never say die promo on Rampage after that. It is hard to believe he would come back and bury Hangman like that unless it was strategic because if Punk was that petty it proves everything Eddie Kingston said about not wanting him in the company. To me this is Punk just living up to his name to garner interest.

[@blablablaa14]

MJF and Kingston didn't allude to the real shit with CM Punk to the same degree

[@michaelrivera8360]

Punk doesn't like those guys either apparently for real

[@ltothemagain]

MJF was working. The whole I was your fan, photo of him with Punk thing. Eddie Kingston is a shoot because he thinks Punk looks down on him for being unprofessional and a screw up.

[@milk_bath]

@@michaelrivera8360 Stopped getting worked ya mark. SMDH

[@ronniejdio9411]

News flash. Eddie Kingston has heat with someone. Again.

[@Tlong]

People are almost more interested in the backstage aspect of wrestling than the in-ring. I think AEW is capitalizing on that by feeding this info to the people that will put the story out there (Dave, Bryan). Similar to the MJF situation, it creates a lot of buzz. I could be wrong but I’d say it’s a strong possibility.

[@mervstash3692]

Only problem is that stuff is only heard by a small minority. They already watch the show

[@starbreaker269]

That doesn't bring in more viewers The fans that follow sites like pwinsider already watch

[@TheJSexton24]

So you’re admitting they’re getting worked? Dave and Bryan that’s sad if so they Seam to find the truth on everything in WWE but they’re just going to write the story AEW tells them?? Journalists…

[@elitetalkin]

🤣🤣🤣 AEW's ship already sunk.

[@-The-Darkside]

Dave should have more integrity.

[@erick_solar]

I was never on Punk's side since he came back, I really don't go with his vibe, he seems like a somewhat toxic guy for sure. He calling Hangman a coward just makes himself look like a coward, he did that because he knows Hangman couldn't do anything because it was not a part of the segment. Very unprofessional.

[@TheJSexton24]

Hangman took a shot at him in the promo before their match it was just a receipt… The Elite are being the toxic ones cause they dont want to do what’s best for business that’s why the Bucks wouldn’t drop the titles to FTR and instead turned face

[@redzero1649]

You are spot on.

[@RyanDMoore]

Yeah Punk is a bit of a punk. A diva. I never liked him in WWE or earlier, never saw the hype. Dude had a big ego. Most straight edge guys do. Got a Pepsi tattoo to stick it to people who drink, lol, he thinks he's better than people. Arrogant. He's not really that cool. I liked him at the start of his run AEW but, jeez man he's a douche

[@ronniejdio9411]

Sawft

[@billywashere6965]

Yup, 100% agreed.

[@TVindustries5000]

"I think um... Theres a lot of perceptions of a lot of different things" - Dave Meltzer, 2022

[@byron7583]

I literally scrolled and saw your comment the second he said it 🤣🤣🤣

[@chrisradzion2148]

My new favorite Uncle Dave quote.

[@la3g462]

It's never been the same since the day the bunny did the splits on the thumbtacks

[@jedsithor]

I have to admit, there's a part of me that wonders if Punk and Page are going back and forth on the phone, laughing their asses off and trying to come up with something to do next to keep it going.

[@savagecatgt]

I think they are channelling Bret and Shawn who famously worked themselves into a shoot. I can see that happening here if they keep working the boys.

[@shredenvain7]

This is silly talk. Everything Dave is saying he goes right back 5 mins later and says the exact opposite. Aew is doomed but they are doing great on Wednesday finishing on the top of the cable charts which is awesome for a company so young. Aew was beating raw in the demo a year ago so they are doomed. Aew isn't in trying to beat raw. These journalist do everything in their power to feed into the social media fan wars and dramatic statements that barely make sense. I swear it was 5 weeks ago WWE was going to sell. Now they are doing just fine. Now CM punk shows up on dynamite and drops a receipt for Hangman over some shit that happened 4 months ago and all the top stars are reaching their breaking points. Punk has done interviews and been apart of Aew panels while injured as well as page and neither one of them started any shit. Punk came back last week and saved Moxley. Yet somehow this week shit escalated so much that punk claimed to think about not showing up? 2 weeks before the ppv? C'mon this was video was like two school girls gossiping by the lockers before school.

[@ManiacFitness]

Ya Dave's a clown and he always does that so then he can say nes never wrong

[@thtsnico]

why would they promote the biggest match in company history for the ppv, where people will willingly give them $50 a pop, only to change their minds a couple hours later & randomly announce that it’ll happen on free television, 2 weeks before the event it was originally planned for? so they can blow off this mysterious angle you guys think it is, in 1 week? stop with the cope. it’s not a work

[@gmcuttin1727]

@@thtsnico ​ They've had plenty of big matches on free TV. Hangman/Danielson was on free TV two weeks in a row, Kenny/Danielson was another.

[@thtsnico]

@@gmcuttin1727 neither of those matches were promoted for a ppv, only to change plans 2 weeks before the show. also, neither of those matches were within weeks of ppv’s

[@antoniocassano9837]

@@thtsnico It was hardly promoted, CM Punk only returned one week prior. They didn't want this match to happen yet, they got stuck with it because of Punks injury. So how do you protect two wrestlers that you don't want to lose? You turn it into a triple threat match.

[@om3ga511]

I think Tony khan didn't know it was like this when u run a wrestling company and being a friend of the wrestlers will prevent from having problems, does not work like that

[@WillS724]

Yep. He thought everything there is to do in the wrestling business happens IN the ring. He's a failure backstage and a laughing stock

[@coke8045]

@@WillS724 No he's not. You're toxic as hell.

[@JusRed48]

I think Tony Khan's biggest test will be the ability to be the boss of his roster instead of their buddy. If he isn't able to diffuse these situations it'll be bad long-term for AEW. It's possible that in a matter of weeks as many as five of their championships will be held by people who were all established as stars in WWE. Now I don't believe in "WWE guys" as a concept and it would be foolish not to capitalize on stars who were eventually misused and can be better used in AEW, however at the same time you don't want the people established in your company to feel like fillers and placeholders.

[@ronniejdio9411]

Agreed. Right or wrong if guys are causing drama over cabana then I'd let cabana go. He'd be a sacrificial lamb. It would show everyone hey khan means business. And you'd lose a dude who sells very few tickets . Gotta cut out the cancer with a steak knife

[@Matt-cr4vv]

I think it could be ok for “WWE guys” to hold titles IF the company uses AEW guys in storylines to build their previous roster with that talent. If they only keep WWE established guys at the top and don’t weave in AEW guys to be at their level than they run the risk of what happened with WCW and TNA people and becoming “WWE light”.

[@riddlerguy4599]

But didn't fans bash TNA for this same problem for years? Pushing every single hot ex WWE act that walks In?

[@MrSircharles05]

@@riddlerguy4599 yes they did, but for some reason it's ok when AEW does it.

[@TerrelLism]

Colt Cabana was a non existent entity within the Dark Order and on screen period BEFORE Punk got there.

[@volodymyrbilyk555]

He was a nonentity even before brodie got on board which over a year before Punk came back

[@Copperstoned]

Punk is trying to make the whole roster relevant again and bah gawd, it’s working!

[@MyChannel-ol1zz]

So therefore he deserves to lose his job

[@TerrelLism]

@@MyChannel-ol1zz No one can say if Punk was a catalyst when Tony was considering releasing him based on his total AEW booking. Tony wasn't going to keep him whether Punk was there or not.

[@MyChannel-ol1zz]

@@TerrelLism Those that actually work there and know Cabana can say and they have.

[@OscillatorCollective]

I’m still gonna blame CODY for the problems in AEW, when he left, all this crap started…lol

[@RafaelTorres-mb5hf]

Well actually is true. I think once Cody left Tony lost the locker.

[@NL-fg6it]

@@RafaelTorres-mb5hf it left a bigger gap between the in ring psychology type wrestlers and the gymnasts. Cody bridged that gap at the beginning because he was in with the gymnasts.

[@paulm4711]

AEW never beat WWE at anything

[@UFCWWE69]

What is Dave’s obsession with bringing Goldberg into AEW? He wouldn’t fit in at all not to mention it’s just a stupid idea and he keeps talking about it

[@TheJSexton24]

Yes bringing in one of the biggest stars of all time for a one off would be terrible… I hate you people

[@-The-Darkside]

He brings it up like once a month, it's the last thing they should do. Goldberg is not a draw anymore.

[@kurgerbing826]

Because GOATberg is a draw.

[@starbreaker269]

@@-The-Darkside what proof do you have that he's not

[@kingslayer2999]

I would rather see Kevin Nash come into AEW to Bury some of the young guys who will Never Draw a Damn Dime in the Wrestling Business.

[@AkamoriRivals]

I have always been a huge fan of CM Punk, but this has happened so many times with him, it is becoming habit.

[@TheMrAlgoh]

He makes AEW watchable and unpredictable. Now this will lead to character development for Hangman.

[@hiddensword9387]

dude it's just reporters sensationalising lol they've done it for forever almost. Take one issue and blow it up into something more, gets us talking lol

[@billywashere6965]

@@TheMrAlgoh Or people getting suspended.

[@ruiarruda5987]

Wait, 2 wrestlers don’t like each other?? WOW, never heard about that!

[@shredenvain7]

In fact I think Meltzer is getting worked cuz none of this shit between Punk and Hangman makes sense. 1st off Hangman has been in a holding pattern since Punk left. Punk has had plenty of chances to voice his dissatisfaction with Hangman in interviews or panels. Hangman as well. 2nd Punk came back last week and had no issues. Nothing was reported by anyone. It seems awfully strange that a week goes by and Punk comes out to the ring playing a side of his character that he got famous for full of anger over a promo that happened 5 months ago. 3 AEW hasnt been able to properly build All OUT Do to waiting on injured stars to return. This drama punk is creating is the exact same kind of shit he pulled in ROH as a heel as well as in WWE as a face during the summers of punk. This "backstage breaking point" has snow balled in the wrestling press super fast drawing a shit load of attention as well as anticipation for Dynamite and the Punk Moxley match. Punk even said in the ring Wednesday You be the heart and soul and I'll be the dollars and cents. Every word out of punks mouth was "shoot shit" about Hangman and Moxley. You people really believe that a dude crying over Tony Kahn buying ROH is mad enough about a line from a promo that now he wants to quit? Dave and the rest of you are playing right in to Punks hands. I literally just saw a news story where Wade Keller said the word backstage is Punk and Tony had a long meeting before this weeks Dynamite and the word is Punk was happy go lucky backstage the entire time before dynamite went on air. Punk is being everything bad you heard about him in the past out in the open out of nowhere while being all the things that made him a household name at the same time.

[@cesarisasalad]

OMG the copium from this comment lol ask yourself this, why would aew pull this at the same time that Kenny Omega came back? Why would aew put Kenny Omega's return in the background while this silly shit goes on?

[@rj_chili]

I think you're right, but when it all plays out I think Dave will still try to claim it was not a work by some stupid technicality..

[@shredenvain7]

@@cesarisasalad If you think this is me coping you don't understand how story telling works. You must not have seen Punk do this in ROH before he left or when he did it in WWE. My post wasn't implying that there aren't your normal work place issues backstage at Aew. My point is that the circumstances surrounding this situation dont make sense. Punk didn't make a name for himself being the baby face that all the fans love while being a model employee. Why would a grown ass man get angry at a promo and not say anything about it for months conveniently only mentioning it his 2nd week back from work? Go back and watch the opening segment of Dynamite and compare it to Punks pipe bomb in WWE. In WWE punk glorified ROH and Indie wrestling using his past as a positive example to shit on WWE. Wednesday he did the same thing. He also did it before in ROH. Somehow though it is real this time? C'mon this is Punk doing what Punk is good at instead of being a nostalgia act. This is a work. What the fuck does any of this have to do with Kenny? Punks "incident" wouldn't help draw attention to last week's show but it will help next week's show and if played right it could help the ppv.

[@philo2189]

@@cesarisasalad because this is a way bigger story than omega returning sorry it is and they know that that's a very easy question to answer lmao

[@philo2189]

@@rj_chili Dave will do the same BS Sean Ross Sapp did when that mjf situation he's been reporting on for months turned out to be a work he said "it was a shoot that turned into a work" bro cope and seethe you got worked lmao the fact that these reporter's really think aew won't purposely feed them information knowing that they'll leak it is baffling to me. Oh yeah the workers in the work place are definitely going to tell you something is a shoot and not a work and you're just gunna believe that? Lmao these guys can't be serious man

[@stuartmills3005]

I expect Punk is fed up with the amateur, whinging indy loolipop guild of gymnasts and tumblers who dont like it that real wrestlers and stars have arrived and rightfully getting the limelight. If The young *****, WEirDo Omega, Hangman Page, Cassidy and the pudding gang dont like it, they can always leave.

[@eldrow]

I don't know if Tony has the personality to deal with all of those egos. It seems like he'd get walked on by some of them.

[@Guy4318]

Heck, he started a company with their kliq in-group right there in the name. Considering how many of the original AEW hires connected with them produced diddly-to-squat, and who was likely the most reasonable EVP is already gone, I’m hoping they realize they need to be putting up comparable numbers and entertainment fast.

[@Mr.Quinnn]

You guys in the wrestling media are so jaded, you dont even see an organic, fantastic angle, when you see one.

[@thtsnico]

why would they promote the biggest match in company history for the ppv, where people will willingly give them $50 a pop, only to change their minds a couple hours later & randomly announce that it’ll happen on free television, 2 weeks before the event it was originally planned for? so they can blow off this mysterious angle you guys think it is, in 1 week? stop with the cope. it’s not a work

[@thtsnico]

@@MeMe-td1ye there is literally no match they can book that would be bigger than the 2 biggest stars in the company wrestling for the title, which is what they’re giving away on free television. i wouldn’t be surprised if they’re giving it away 2 weeks early because punk wants out

[@philo2189]

@@thtsnico because that match isn't the biggest match on ppv. Mjf vs Punk in Chicago is. Stop with the cope it's a work.

[@thtsnico]

@@MeMe-td1ye if i am, cool. i don’t think so though. guess we’ll find out wednesday if some “big angle” goes down. but if the show goes off the air with a clean winner and nothing else .. 🤷‍♂️

[@thtsnico]

@@philo2189 to think mjf vs. punk will do the same business as punk vs. mox is hilariously delusional. way too in the iwc bubble.

[@blablablaa14]

TK buys ROH, and immediately AEW started taking a downturn in quality

[@michaelrivera8360]

AEW has going down turn in quality a bit before Double or Nothing and ROH stuff ever since then AEW doesn't feel like the same company at all

[@blablablaa14]

@@michaelrivera8360 I felt Full Gear, Hangmans win was the peak

[@michaelrivera8360]

@@blablablaa14 true that is good point although we were getting MJF vs Punk and the start of Jericho vs Kingston which was good in the start tho

[@Ceiling_Gato]

Why he doesn't give ROH to Regal or someone else is beyond me

[@blablablaa14]

@@michaelrivera8360 Yeah that's tough to cut those out, I might say Punk/MJF was peak, but the rest of the show around Punk/MJF was showing a decline. Once Britt wasn't champion Women's wrestling became a 3 minute a week thing to them

[@pieceofgosa]

I have severe difficulty believing this & I'm going to just walk through the chronology to try and explain why: - Eddie Kingston intimates in promos that Punk is a fraud & a phoney, nobody in the media tries to say these promos were a shoot - Hangman Page cuts basically the same promo on Punk, nobody in the media tries to say this was a shoot - Punk gets injured, only stories coming out are about his rehab - Punk returns cuts promo on Hangman, you all lose your goddamn minds & the last shred of your credibility with them What am I missing here ? Where were your sources months ago ? Is it not at all curious to you that since Punk arrived in the company that the three babyfaces who most exemplify honesty & honour (Kingston, Hangman, Mox) have all said THE SAME DAMN THING about Punk, almost as if it was scripted or something... It seems like you guys in the media are being worked, perhaps some of you are even in on it, but the facts as they are do not add up to the conclusion you are asking us to buy.

[@Orpheusftw]

I _also_ firmly believe it's a work, though I've been wrong before. (Cody. 😂) The only thing that makes me even _wonder,_ is if you watch their face to face promo from a couple months back, Hangman legitimately decks Punk in the face. That is NOT a working punch, and it doesn't look like an accident, either. 🤔 If there is some real beef, Punk could have just been at home salting his nuts over it ever since.

[@mrmdmpofficial2]

BINGO

[@hipjo]

@@Orpheusftw don't put too much stock into that either, guys will often tag each other legit but safely for a better visual

[@shotguhn]

@@Orpheusftw is that THE internet funnyman orpheusftw? Good videos but I feel like people are missing the point. Who are page and and punk working? Why? What’s the payoff? They’re not having a match at the ppv, hangman has a different, better, more interesting story for at least the next 6 months and punk is the world champion about to be having a match with the best brawler who’s ever lived. It doesn’t make any sense to come up with a massive complicated work like this for no reason

[@Orpheusftw]

@@shotguhn Well, I don't know how much _sense_ it makes, (I haven't had much respect for crazy Tony's booking in general this year) but the story has absolutely been dominating the wrestling news cycle for a few days now. It feels like he's trying to recreate the success of the MJF drama to me, but I guess we'll see. If Punk straight up drops the belt Wednesday and the PPV main event changes, I'll believe it was real. 👌

[@pete8475]

I'm 1:30 into this and Dave says "you know" far too much.

[@focusinc]

Hangmam said he pities him because he doesn't know what it means to be a champion. That being a champion is what you do when the red light goes off. He basically said punk had no integrity amd he was protecting aew from punk. Of course he feels disrespected.

[@zlanath]

which is pretty much what Eddie Kingston said about him

[@billywashere6965]

And he wasn't wrong. CM Punk is not John Cena. Love him or hate him, John Cena carried himself in the ring and out of the ring like a champion.

[@charongold6532]

@@billywashere6965 Lol Punk never wanted to be Cena... the whole point was to be anti cena because he knew that there was a place for him Who where brutaly tired of everything Super Cena... he was able to do what Cena could not...to be a batman to his superman .. hence why MITB was one of best PPVS in 2010's... Nothing could touch him

[@chriskelly4316]

I wonder what Cody thinks about all this and if he’s glad he got out when he did??

[@blackjack23able]

He's got other stuff to worry about mainly whether or not Triple H is going to be Petty towards him or not when he returns

[@gregthegroove]

@@blackjack23able Cody’s love and admiration for HHH has always been noted. They have a very good relationship. Cody def has his critics, but interestingly enough, he has kinda decent relationships with no real beef.

[@gmcuttin1727]

@@gregthegroove He was talking trash about HHH for years.

[@C666O]

He was also rumoured to have trashed talked HHH before he left WWE and gone independent so when he gets cleared is going to be interesting for the IWC to figure out what HHH is going to do with him.

[@kevinr8579]

@@blackjack23able Are you stupid? Triple H and Cody have a good relationship. Cody praised him in interviews.

[@medicinemansworld6462]

Until there is a hair pulling fight backstage like Bret and Shawn, and Page storms into Tony's office slams his hair on the desk and threatens to quit this is a total waste of time.

[@HAL1138]

You Know. You Know. You Know. You Know. You Know. You Know. You Know. You Know. You Know. You Know You Know. You Know. You Know. You Know. You Know……….

[@dogred431]

I don't believe it personally. I think they are trying to rebuild some kind of kayfabe and are working everyone.

[@michaelrivera8360]

That is prob could be true but like every work...what is the end goal because this doesn't do anyone good.

[@thecreatoroflaziness]

@@michaelrivera8360 Heat

[@HakunonMatata]

Remember the last company that tried to do that?

[@alokpandey8317]

WWE started gaining momentum after WrestleMania. Hence proved, Cody Rhodes is the real needle mover.

[@savagecatgt]

I'm not saying you're right, but Cody has to be feeling pretty good right about now.

[@alokpandey8317]

@@savagecatgt Cody Rhodes has become God of Monday night Raw. He would main event next year WrestleMania. He has everything to be next John Cena

[@stevenblakesley]

Don't try to paint this like Scott Hall and Kevin Nash running wild all over the WCW booking. This is being exaggerated a LOT in my opinion

[@user-nc1wu2nm3i]

This is what happens in any company when there's a lack of top-down leadership. TK seems like a great guy and I admire his genuine love and passion for wrestling, but he's not cut out for managing a roster. He needs to cede authority to someone with credibility. He has Jim Ross, Arn Anderson, and William Regal on his payroll. Any one of them is capable of the task.

[@EdoCFH]

Imagine Dave and Vince Russo talking about a topic: "I mean" "bro" "You know, I mean" "yeah bro" "I mean" "I know bro"

[@stacymirba1433]

Don't forget after he rambles on for 3 minutes but never gets to his point and then says, "Whatever."

[@henrygvidonas9573]

You forgot "bro... c'moooooon, bro" and "Y'know...uuuhh, y'know". Other than that, pretty acurate description.

[@jithinjithin7110]

Calm down, It's just a work.

[@dazalttheory8965]

2:36 If, Tony Khan has any intellectual talent he needs to get Colt Cabana to deliver a promo on CM Punk live on Rampage thus a new attitude plus faction with Adam Page. A sinister Dark Order that's leaving the stupid stuff behind.

[@zerozeeros]

I'd love that idea. Smart thinking buddy

[@mdjcsmith]

That's brilliant.

[@robertkelly3698]

I’m dubious. All of the Bret Hart mimicry, and now this?

[@redzero1649]

He's a Shawn Michaels guy at heart 😂

[@Jeffway24]

The tone of AEWs presentation seems to shift a lot imo. It’s difficult for me to get a pulse on their identity anymore.

[@Khader1093]

simple punk and FTR is trying to elevate the company with compelling television vs the fake Indy darlings Kenny adam Paige and young bucks who wanna keep the show as it is which has no growth at all.

[@Khader1093]

Also never believe in Dave points when it comes to young bucks or Kenny he is like their spokes person. if you want an example take the 6 star match at all out last year.

[@mrmdmpofficial2]

@@Khader1093 you silly. The injuries stalled AEW, all the top stories were built around the guys that got hurt. AEW was doing 700k a week in 2019, they do around a million + in 2022. That is growth slap nuts. And don't tell me what they debuted at. A debute of anything is ALWAYS inflated. I'm talking about the weekly, consistent viewership. It's grown tremendously and so has the company as a whole

[@philo2189]

@@mrmdmpofficial2 I mean they're not doing a million plus they're doing 900k plus but regardless yeah they have grown even from last year the ratings are public and people could see that yet everyone chooses to lie and act like they didn't grow their audience lmao

[@mrmdmpofficial2]

@@philo2189 EXACTLY. Plus when you add in the dvr numbers they're definitely a million +. Any show created in 2019 would want those numbers. They're doing fine and with everyone back only going to do better

[@EchoMirage72]

AEW have a really unique position right now. They've got guys who were brought up or worked for WWE, and they have guys who came up through the independents. The storyline writes itself. "The Corporation" vs "The Rebels" idk rename them how you want but you get the idea. There'd obviously be some issues with working out how faces and heels would work together, but seriously if they can't or won't capitalize on this then idk. What the end prize is idk either, but it seems to me this is something that should absolutely be incorporated into the programming.

[@KairosObj]

The story is there but will they take advantage..who knows. Fun doesn't seem to register much with TK as of late when it comes to these grippin' storylines.

[@christopherolivarez4887]

Jericho kind of took the fun out of it by calling his group sport entertainers…. The real sports entertainers shouldve been all the wwe guys vs the wrestlers aew guys

[@ronniejdio9411]

Not sure khan wants to tell that story. But a verison of tje BPCC vs the elite is better than what we have now

[@WillReacts]

it doesn't work because literally all the "WWE" guys are literally sloppy seconds. Really its Punk and Adam Cole as the only guys who actively chose AEW over WWE in the grand scheme of things.

[@christopherolivarez4887]

@@WillReacts bro mostly everyone in aew asked for there wwe release or chose not to sign a new contract so how are they sloppy seconds?

[@MyChannel-ol1zz]

Some, no actually many of these comments are so laughably stupid. Making the stereotype of wrestling fans look very accurate.

[@wrestlingp]

Cope harder mate, you're embarrassing yourself 🤭

[@MyChannel-ol1zz]

@@wrestlingp Proving my point crybaby🤣

[@wrestlingp]

@@MyChannel-ol1zz Oh dear, such a poor attempt at being self-righteous. So cringeworthy 🤣

[@MyChannel-ol1zz]

@@wrestlingp Look at you all shaken so easily! The little guy can’t handle being exposed, hang in there kid 😂😂😂

[@wrestlingp]

@@MyChannel-ol1zz You're the one whose cage has been shook by all these 'LaUgHaBlY sTuPiD' comments from others, now you're back nibbling at all my bait, getting all in a huff. All you have are cringeworthy insults and obnoxiousness. Go on mate, have the last word, I know you're begging for it 🤣

[@WillReacts]

"AEW beat RAW"....NO they did not Dave. They did not beat RAW in the ratings lmao. Dynamite has never beaten RAW or Smackdown. (here comes bUt tHe kEy dEmO comments as if that was ever a thing used before AEW became a thing)

[@keni95851]

AEW can't beat house flippers 🤣

[@goomerdoctor9479]

And the housewives of whatever

[@kevinr8579]

Punk's ego has always been out of control. He made it seem like wrestling The Undertaker at Wrestlemania was beneath him. Dude Isn't a good person and this is well known.

[@Dementia55372]

Being fed to the Undertaker's streak is not an accolade for Punk, it's just another notch in Undertaker's belt.

[@ChrisWolff2013]

Punk is far better a human being than guys like Hogan and Flair. Those guys are guys with out of control egos and shit personalities.

[@kevinr8579]

@@Dementia55372 Look at you trying to downplay facing The Undertaker at Wrestlemania. Embarrassing. Who is history going to remember as one of the all time greats? The Undertaker. Not knocking Punk's accomplishments but you legitimately down played The Undertaker whose on many mount Rushmore. Go get your head check out.

[@kevinr8579]

@@ChrisWolff2013 Yes. The guy who walks out when he doesn't get his way and throws emotional tantrums like a child is a great A plus person. Dude is full of himself that's why he got humbled in the UFC.

[@ChrisWolff2013]

@@kevinr8579 Far, far worse guys in the business.

[@bushysowavvey]

Dave is always right in the end lol

[@Am71919]

I don't know man, Philip Brooks seems like a pretty toxic guy

[@homelandertv1789]

The Young bucks and kenny mad that CM PUNK and FTR are getting over more so than them, let's be real Punk is a draw and FTR are tge best tag team in the world 🌎

[@OkLetsPlayTv]

MJF was right. I don’t think he went about it the right way but he was right.

[@juniorn8279]

Cody Rhodes was the baclstage leader

[@rl318]

The funny thing about this is that when people talk about it, they focus on the Hangman comments and gloss over the fact Punk went out of his way to bury Eddie Kingston, too, for no reason while name-dropping WWE people again just because he can't let anything go.

[@WhelmedButReady]

That's because that wasnt anything at all. It was part of the promo to get a rise out of Moxley. He has zero issue that we know of with either of those guys. The name drops were just to pop the crowd nothing more.

[@rl318]

@@WhelmedButReady Well, unless Kingston is getting in on whatever angle Punk thinks he is doing, the comments he made about Punk did not seem like it was meant to pop the crowd.

[@Basillikos]

I wish more people would bring attention to the fact that in Moxley's part of the promo battle he actually put over how significant the upcoming match is and how upset he is it's taken this long to finally fight Punk and legitimize his current title reign. Moxley didn't go for references or cheap pops, he stayed focused on the storyline instead of burying his opponent.

[@rl318]

@@Basillikos This whole thing is weird and makes no sense unless Page is going to fight Punk at the PPV if this is a work. And Moxley is not my favorite wrestler in the world, but this whole conversation has gotten away from him being in the match.

[@uncouthliyouth4486]

@@Basillikos Yea he's a pro. Punk is well a fuckin punk.

[@sreekanthch2182]

I feel AEW are trying to heat up their product , next weeks viewership will be the starting point

[@blablablaa14]

They literally had their biggest show last week and didn't break a million. Name a bigger show than a Punk/Mox promo to open and an Omega return Bucks trios match to close. It was as big as they could but they might be stuck around a million for now

[@brianfinn6800]

The desperation

[@michaelrivera8360]

If they are doing this for attention ask Russo and WCW how that worked out for them

[@philo2189]

@@blablablaa14 look at next week's dynamite this week is no where near as big as next weeks

[@philo2189]

@@blablablaa14 and stop the "they still didn't break a million" Stop this obsession you e drones have with aew breaking a million just because WWE who's 50 years older breaks a million every week. They're doing 900k plus every week and are number one on cable almost every week. It's a three year company and they're accomplishing that. That's very good stop this one million viewership obsession.

[@jackforster7783]

My initial question, based on Dave’s quote, is: “why has Dave spent all this time writing about how there are no problems backstage at AEW (“it’s all blown out of proportion”, “it’s all internet rumour”), knowing full-well that that isn’t true? Wouldn’t be to protect his little buddies, would it?

[@Ludzig]

Damn your Smart, u should start a podcast

[@Khader1093]

oops you found out the truth my friend 🤣. they are scared that TK would finally see their segments are the utter shit that is holding back the show. since TK initially wanted Punk to be the person AEW based upon before signing the Indy trampoline cowboys.

[@shredenvain7]

It is a work!!!! This is Punk doing what he did in ROH and WWE during the previous 2 summer of Punks. Meltzer is either helping them draw attention or he is getting worked. The facts of this sudden locker room in chaos don't make sense. This is exactly what Punk got famous for doing everywhere he has been. Wade Keller just did a report on how Punk and Kahn had an hour long meeting the day of dynamite and Punk was reported to be going about business as usual in a great mood. Funny how no one has to give you any details of anything that was said backstage during this breaking point moment for you to buy into it. Of course disputes backstage happen. This is Aew building attention for their product by allowing Punk to do what he does best. Being controversial and pissing people off.

[@grey_f98]

man you think you're so smart, but you're not, the reason Dave's story has changed is because before he was reporting it truthfully, then recently AEW started feeding him this work, and Dave likes clicks, just like SRS, so he started reporting on it even though he knows it's a work, by clicking on this false news of backstage heat, you're only helping Dave's bottomline, you're better off going back to the Jim Cornette corner you came from

[@mattsands161]

Yeah, I remember hearing Meltzer say that the reports of backstage issues between Cody Rhodes and AEW were being blown out of proportion. Apparently not.

[@belgiquenba]

In my opinion it’s one of the best WOR segments in a long time. Great insight into the state of AEW as a whole along with historical perspective. Giving creative freedom to so much wrestlers is a bigger challenge than we could have thought of. I hope lessons will be learned

[@Gullyman23]

Don't ratings always get better after Mania?

[@prajwalthakare7305]

Nope

[@michaelrivera8360]

Historically actually no then they pick up in July around Summerslam

[@doodguy]

5:57 please someone tell me how WWE is doing “great”

[@ltothemagain]

Business.

[@al1sttv235]

At the moment I rather watch WWE than AEW.

[@keni95851]

Saudi blood money, selling your back catalog, and massive cuts make for record profits

[@unplayedpiano7039]

Things That Have Affected AEW: 1) TK Talking Too Much, Spotlighting 2) Moving To TBS 3) Cody Leaving 4) So. Many. Signings. 5) Storylines Dying Out 6) Injuries Galore 7) Backstage Drama, Airing Laundry 8) Ratings Dipping 9) TV Rights Contract Lowballed? 10) Rampage Time Slot Is Terrible 11) Wrestling Tribalism 12) WWE Surging

[@bobbywrtm]

seems all hell break loose in AEW once Triple H on charges of WWE lol

[@wrestlingp]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@jayjaymontes9172]

It’s funny how AEW was making fun of Vince McMahon drama in WWE and now AEW has its own drama with CM Punk and how other wrestlers backstage feel about him , that’s what AEW gets for signing all these ex WWE wrestlers instead of just calling up people from ROH and other indie wrestling companies.

[@savagecatgt]

Most wrestlers have egos larger than they need. Indie wrestlers can become the same monsters as former WWE guys. I wonder what can be done though.

[@riddlerguy4599]

AEW had drama with Indie people already like Ivelisse and that's why I heard AEW never signed Joey Ryan.

[@Martijn_Steinpatz]

The trolls and haters are sure coming out of the woodwork for this one...

[@starbreaker269]

Criticism is "hating" apparently

[@jeffong503]

I hope they can fix it

[@BadstreetMI]

Please. AEW was never beating a relevant WWF product. They beat the development TV show. Whoopty doo!

[@AntonChigurh989]

Weird how this lines up perfectly with the House of the dragon story

[@toddbrown242]

You mean a man and a woman fighting over a throne with dragons and people taking sides is like Punk and Page cutting promos on each other? I mean, sure. Pretty much the exact same thing.

[@blablablaa14]

Hangman: "CM Punk is a cancer in the locker room" CM Punk: **gets mad** Also CM Punk: **takes the first opportunity to show everyone he is in it for himself, and that he is a cancer in the locker room**

[@ec5018]

also CM punk * buries Hangman and then gets injured and keeps the title somehow "

[@gmcuttin1727]

@@ec5018 TK said in many interviews that Punk wanted to give up the belt but TK wouldn't allow it. You guys just be making shit up.

[@antoniocassano9837]

@@gmcuttin1727 lol exactly.

[@sepiarain]

Chick Magnet Phil is a pathetic man child.

[@Khader1093]

wow such a good point. too bad all the people your supporting either if it's fake cowboy or Kenny Oliver or the hardly boys nor the plummer will make this show must watch. just look at the last two months it's been a shit show.

[@zlanath]

"it's all people are talking about" Job done!

[@bigtango]

Dave is on some heavy shock-journalism right now. The video has 10x as many views so its working..

[@montana01]

Direct result or not… Cody leaving AEW and Joining WWE, correlates with WWE doing better and AEW staying the same or declining.

[@dominicandrew4863]

Dave is getting worked

[@jayjayboy3000]

Aew better get it together soon because Triple H ain’t playing around.

[@gttrmgc3284]

lol

[@staticcharm3808]

Because he brought back Hit Row and Karion Kross LOL?

[@williammcguire130]

I don't know why but it really feels like Cody's exit switched the momentum of both companies

[@keithjackewicz8423]

Absolutely hilarious if Cody was the one holding things together backstage in AEW, considering all we heard was what an egomaniac primadonna he was being.

[@Matt-cr4vv]

I think the shock of Cody’s exit was almost a perfect storm of factors that made it such a surprise. Cody was the first big AEW name to move to the other side since the tide has been essentially all WWE to AEW. Akin to X-PAC being one of the first bigger names to move to WWF during the time period that it seemed all the defections were WWF to WCW in a sense. But further was the shock in terms of how he left there so I think many never realistically thought he’d make his way back. But I think the biggest thing was it really reinforced for any who doubted it or forgot that WWE is still the major leagues. It was shocking to see someone who was an EVP, likely making a lot of money and a likely job for life, to leave and state how important it was to him and his legacy to go back to WWE. I think it also demonstrated that WWE still has that appeal and that there’s a real chance that bigger name AEW guys may make the move to the other side once their deals are done in AEW. For awhile so many people were speaking about how much they hated their tenure in WWE, including guys like Mox or Jericho. But after seeing someone as well set as Cody making that move, and being used well, it isn’t out of the question that guys will decide to make that move. That’s even further enhanced now that Vince is gone and HHH is in place because so many enjoyed their time in NXT with him.

[@Matt-cr4vv]

And further shocking about backstage news has been people seeing that AEW is normal of all things. For so long AEW painted the picture that it was all sunshine there. I think anybody realistically knew that couldn’t be the case but Cody leaving and subsequent rumors are showing that AEW is a normal company, which may detract future WWE people who would’ve left. Because they may think that they’re gonna deal with BS at either place so there’s no reason to leave. It will also be discouraging for people to leave considering that AEW has been doing what WWE was doing and keep stockpiling talent. There are so many people who left WWE because they weren’t getting used to go to AEW and the same thing is happening to them there. I’m not sure how comparable the money is, and the schedule has to be pretty nice compared to the WWE schedule, but if you’re likely to sit on the bench either place then it may be more appealing to stay with what you know than risk the move just to have the same thing happen for I would think less money.

[@guilhemherisson3254]

This narrative spewing out of Dave's mouth about WWE post mania is nonsense

[@WhelmedButReady]

And you know this how?

[@zxcvbnm35125]

I agree with Jim Cornette. The Elite aren't mad about Colt Cabana getting sidelined, they're just upset that the ex-WWE guys are overshadowing them (because they're better in every way)

[@hiddensword9387]

WWE has better wrestlers through out the roster , AEW has some great ones but many many outlaw un trained sloppy ones. Dave is such a bad journalist it's incredible people take him seriously. The guy can't even slow his mind down enough to get out a point coherently.

[@Crtd920]

Take a drink every time Dave says “you know.”

[@savagecatgt]

No. That's how people die.

[@fives.]

I’m pretty sure they’re working everyone, but only because Punk got the Michael Jordan bug from the Last Dance and was like “ohhhhh, everybody thinks I’m an asshole, I could do that too.” and there’s no better locker room to lean into that idea than a locker room filled with indy guys who wrestled undercards with Punk in the mid-to-late 2000’s

[@caiuscosades362]

That's the genius of it, they only need to work Unca' Dave to call it a shoot then watch 99% of wrestling media and fandom follow suit.

[@billywashere6965]

@@caiuscosades362 For all the people who rag on Dave and his reporting, they sure do follow suit whenever he breaks a big story.

[@Mr.Majestic77]

This is only growing pains of a new promotion. Tony Khan's All Elite Wrestling (AEW) was launched January 1, 2019. The predecessor to the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Capitol Wrestling Corporation (CWC) was established January 5, 1953. That is a 66 year head start lol. CWC/WWWF/WWF(WWE) as a promotion has their fair share of trials & tribulations, scandals as well as current controversies to say the least. People should keep in mind AEW is still a baby of a promotion compared to the WWE. Hell, AEW is a baby promotion compared to the oldest active promotion, the National Wrestling Alliance and even a "baby" promotion compared to Impact Wrestling and Major League Wrestling. To add the fact that Tony Khan has the double duties of being the owner two different promotions in All Elite Wrestling & Ring of Honor (that has a 20 year legacy). Tony Khan just needs a Creative Booking Committee for AEW & ROH.

[@wrestlingp]

Fucking hell talk about moving the goalposts, bet you'll say 'come back in 60 years and see how AEW are doing then!'

[@philo2189]

@@wrestlingp that's not moving the goal post that's literally facts lmao

[@Mr.Majestic77]

@@wrestlingp yeah. That is a great analogy. MANY thought Impact Wrestling (TNA) would fail as well as the National Wrestling Alliance, when Shane Douglas declared that the NWA was dead when he was one of the main talent to help start the now defunct ECW, but as we see Impact Wrestling & the National Wrestling Alliance is still around and doing well. Let AEW grow. Give it 60 years.

[@wrestlingp]

@@Mr.Majestic77 WWE had a 66 year head start, let's give AEW 63 years, they'll be as big as the fed then! 😂

[@Mr.Majestic77]

@@wrestlingp actually you are correct. We really can not compare the infrastructure of the WWE to AEW. AEW us still a startup promotion. Yes the new car smell is fading, but as a company you have to realize their will always be profits & losses as well a many mistakes Tony Khan may make and learn from along the way. Same with William "Billy" Corgan's National Wrestling Alliance, Court Bauer's Major League Wrestling & Leonard Asper's Impact Wrestling (via Anthem Sports Entertainment).

[@jerryldavis3944]

I think at the end of the day, wwe is very lucky and aew is very unlucky and I also agree with what Dave said today. After mania, wwe definitely had an up swing whereas aew became complacent and had bad bookings and after that, aew never picked up. Even though, if we look at the AEW product, they have good matches and better booking as compared to WWE. If WWE did the same stuff that AEW did, better promos and matches, they would get good ratings because they have been very lucky as they were the only players in the market. WWE was shit for a lot of time, I think they had a good time in 2011 then 2013 and then 2016 but in between, it's been consistently bad but aew was only bad for 2-3 months and they are struggling now. Aew needs to believe in themselves and start putting a better product consistently because wwe can get away with it but aew cannog

[@philo2189]

The last couple of weeks were really great idk where ya getting this narrative from

[@jerryldavis3944]

@@philo2189 no dude last 3 weeks have been great episodes but I was talking about double or nothing and the forbidden door ppv even though these were great shows, the booking was not that good. I think the booking till full gear and revolution were awesome but after that it's been bad, not terrible but bad and the last 3 weeks, the booking has been really good.

[@TheAc550]

Fans withstood 20yrs of a bad product from Vince. They can definitely get away with it

[@jerryldavis3944]

@@TheAc550 exactly bro

[@staticcharm3808]

@@jerryldavis3944 Explain what you think is "good booking"?

[@ch3wyboy]

This can only be settled with a Tony Khan on a Pole match

[@nelsoncep7379]

I have to ask, I get these inexperienced guys jumping on the story but Dave… Is Dave well?

[@caiuscosades362]

Dave saying this isn't a work is the main reason anyone is saying it's a shoot.

[@nelsoncep7379]

@@caiuscosades362 Talking about the feud, that’s okay. Using as it as a bigger story as “backstage issues as a whole” is detrimental, not beneficial

[@Deadxman616]

..no he's not.

[@originalrkmorton]

Seems to be a pivot to telling the worst for AEW and depress their business. An instinctual reflex in the journalistic world, fulfill the worst prophecies to ensure they become the oppositional voice in a world dominated by an oppressive presence again.

[@gregory3499]

Gonna help with ratings. And won't even be an issue by next month.

[@ethanbradley2089]

I just know there's been a lot of bad creative, from a sloppy shop. It really has had WCW 98 vibes this year. Now an aside to the lunacy that Meltzer is spewing. WCW in 95 didn't need Hogan? Who was gonna turn and start the nwo? I adore Sting. But him turning wasn't going to do the same business. And this clown knows that. And why is Calis there? Every fan knew the Flair story for years! Meltzer refused to report on the Don Calis story. I wonder why?

[@-The-Darkside]

Spitting facts bro. Honestly I big hopes for AEW but this past year has been like WCW 2000, specifically Thunder. Another thing, why is Dave obssesed in bringing in Goldberg. My theory is Dave used to have Tonys ear but no longer, and now he's getting fed works as shoots.

[@RunDMG916]

Why disrespect CM Punk for jobber Colt, bad business

[@DeadmanInc336]

Probably because Punk is truly a miserable, malcontent twat-weasel. At least Colt still talks to his parents. 😏

[@stacymirba1433]

5:18 "A year ago they were on the verge of beating Raw, and they did a couple weeks in September, and they were not far off, and their house show business in quarter four beat wwe's in quarter four." This guy just loves lying. AEW has never beat Raw and even worse, AEW has run one house show ever, and it wasn't in quarter four of last year.

[@wrestlingp]

The sad thing is that Meltzer's followers and die hard Anti-WWE 'fans' will try to report these lies as facts for years to come.

[@spacemankad2108]

Exactly, at its worst raw was doing 1.4-1 6. Aew's peak was 1.14, how thats on the verge of beating is beyond me.

[@keni95851]

AEW can't outdraw house flippers and pimple poppers, but yeah they're gonna beat raw 🤣

[@KairosObj]

Ha u all are just fallin' for this work hook, line and sinker. Its marvelous.

[@lopy3984]

Dave's brain has rocks in it.

[@johnsweet96]

20 minutes of nothing really being said, just a tone of doom and gloom. Well done sir.

[@Cubeforc3]

Ahem

[@VrilWarrior]

I can never finish listening to a video that Dave is talking in man… give me more Bryan

[@charlieward5476]

I know people are saying every company has problems like this but don’t forget this was bad enough for Cody to leave

[@hokiebuddy]

Cody left for the money and a main event push

[@shriyut]

I hate Kenny's emotional return is maligned by all this, kayfabe or not. :/

[@sepiarain]

And that it was the final of the G1 Climax the same day, and an inter-promotional story was being told between Ospreay and Omega.

[@shriyut]

@@sepiarain yeah exactly... There's much more important things than what Punk thinks about Hangman but people love drama

[@Copperstoned]

@@shriyut It is with great regret that I must say, “Controversy creates cash.”

[@ThailandDantotherescue]

So stupid... punk is obviously setting up an angle with hangman... you don't do that if you have legit heat. Punk has made every opponent look credible. The only guy he ate up was Shawn spears. Everyone else had a great match with the veteran and star of the show. AEW hid the Brodie Lee situation just like they are feeling this fake heat to the dirt sheets... all these Marks that think punk was the problem at WWE after the horrific treatment they dished out to so many people... just enjoy the ride over the next few weeks.

[@muhamedcampara3383]

I love these types of videos. AEW can get back on track, them missing their 3 top guys obviously hurt them a lot. However, I agree that the grandiose of WWE Big 4 PPVs makes AEW look second rate. AEW should start doing stadiums for DoN and All Put, even if they’re smaller stadiums (30k-40k). Wrestlers care about these things too, they want to perform on the biggest stage and feel like they’re big time.

[@TheTruth-mv7hm]

Aew isn't popular like that

[@sebastianvella8992]

I like AEW, however they should have a cruiserweight division and their champion and his main opponents must be bigger. Maybe when Wardlow is better trained and has honed his in ring abilities better he can become the main man, but then you need to have big men as his opponents like Cesaro, Keith Lee, Luchasaurus, Hager (who should be better utilised). Maybe bring some bigger men to the company even if it is just for a few months to feud with your main man. Such man could be Paul Wight(Bigshow) or Braun Strauman. As good a wrestler as Punk is or Moxley or Omega or Page or MJF they cannot compare with the main men in WWE in terms of size. I mean nobody can believable think any of those four could beat Roman or Brock or Lashley or Mcintyre, however a good push and a more experienced Wardlow or Keith Lee could make for a believable AEW Champion.

[@Matt-cr4vv]

I’m not sure AEW would succeed in that. From my perspective they just have never really seemed to make decisions aimed at growing a more mainstream audience. It seems a lot more like they just repackaged the existing alternate promotions under a new banner and deliver a similar product. It’s also hard because to truly keep up with everything going on you can’t just watch the show you have to dig into their KZbin stuff as well. I’m not sure that strategy will ever be one that grows a casual audience to go along with their committed one. And to me that almost seems TNA-esque and how they would focus on getting everything they could from their dedicated base over trying to grow past just the dedicated base. In my opinion the dedicated base will stay there as you provide things that appeal to a wider audience. And what’s even more interesting is how much more seriously AEW is taken than TNA ever was when at their peak TNA drew double the viewing audience than AEW does. I’m worried that problem will be exacerbated further with the upcoming rights negotiations now that their network is in full cost slashing mode where previously Warner was very generous in extending them almost immediately, giving them an additional show, etc. It makes you wonder what happens to their trajectory if the network brass tries to either leave them at their current rate, or worse cancel or decline what they’re providing them. I wouldn’t think they’d cancel a show performing in the demo as AEW is but it’s always hard to say when a company goes into cost slashing mode. And if that did happen I’m sure they’d find a new network but you can’t really find a better exposure network than being on TBS/TNT which is so widely available. All that said, I want them to succeed.

[@sebastianvella8992]

@@Matt-cr4vv Thanks for the info Matt. I also hope AEW and all wrestling promotions thrive as it gives all wrestling fans better options to view not only their favourite wrestlers, but also there favourite type of wrestling.

[@LikeGodzzila]

Count how many "you know"s

[@MPOMusic88]

I agree with Dave as I too felt the tide turn after Wrestlemania. WWE TV has gotten better. Since WM Tony has exposed himself at weird press conferences. The Jeff Hardy thing which pretty much vindicated WWE for releasing him and made people question why Tony signed him in the first place. MJF did that promo which, like Dave said at the time, made it cool to bash AEW. Now Punk and Omega are back. It should be a big deal, but all we hear about is backstage drama and Punk is shooting on dudes in promos. AEW better get a handle on this.

[@staticcharm3808]

Dave is just mad Tony isn't talking his calls anymore

[@AGxAG]

The thing about CM Punk promos is that they all feel personal! Its excellent work and gets everyone talking and watching.

[@TrueRomance1993]

Anyone really paying attention already knew Tony has no control over his talent. The talent are pretty much allowed to say or do whatever they want in the ring regardless how reckless. The workers don’t see him as an authority figure so, they carry themselves accordingly.

[@wrestlingp]

Yeah but people begged AEW to do well and put their all in for it. Now it's breaking apart they are in denial.

[@wrestlingp]

@Karon Nuva Vince will tell a wrestler shit to their face, Khan seems like the kind of guy who would ghost you and not give a proper answer