Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2021 22:23:39 GMT -5
We know a bit about the 2021 year for the AEW landscape, in that we know a second show is coming, it's very plausible that Dark gets split into 2 shows, and that the impact partnership will continue for at least part of the year. Beyond that stuff though, what are your predictions for the year? Will be neat to look back in December and see where we were at.
1) Live crowds and touring return in full by All Out. Perhaps they save the first full crowd for All Out, perhaps they're touring a bit prior to it. Depends a lot on vaccine production capacities, so I guess we'll see. I could be totally wrong and they could be in Jacksonville in partial crowds for all of 2021, but right now my educated guess is by All Out.
2) Marty Scurll leaves RoH, does not join AEW, rather heading for WWE. His status with ROH has been in jeopardy since speaking out, and given that he turned down AEW once already, I don't see TK trying to take on that rehab project for someone that didn't choose him in the first place.
3) Assuming touring etc, returns, the forbidden door gets opened and we see the first guest appearance in AEW from a New Japan exclusive wrestler. I'll absolutely lose my sh** if it's Suzuki.
4) Hangman Page becomes AEW champion at All Out over Omega.
5) Britt Baker takes the women's title from Shida @ DoN, capping a full 1 year reign for Shida bae.
6) TK makes his first round of real roster cuts (Bea & Sadie were pandemic cuts, I'm talking more performance based cuts). I already have a thread about speculating on who, so I'll just leave this as a broad prediction
7) Impact & AEW host a full on special crossover event ala supercard of honor style, cementing a more permanent style partnership like RoH & New Japan.
8) Chris Daniels retires. My guess is this stipulation with kaz about splitting up next time they lose is actually a Chris Daniels retirement tour. He'll move to a full time backstage role after retiring. That's already a big part of his job, afaik he's one of the ones with real full time employee status similar to Cutler, EVP's, etc.
9) The women receive a dedicated youtube show, and potentially tag team championships to go along with it. Not impacting their time on Dynamite or the 2nd show, but rather as a way to help them develop alternatively to just dark. Twitter was lit up with "more attention to the women" as the #1 suggestion by a landslide for what fans want in 2021.
10) Sexy Chuckie T, finally, finally, finally, gets to say the S word on TV.
I'm sure I could come up with more but 10 seems like a nice round number, and it's going to be bad enough to go like 0/10, no sense making it like 0/50 haha.
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Post by stc13 on Jan 2, 2021 12:15:31 GMT -5
A few thoughts, a lot of which echoes what was already said:
- We see a decent amount of roster turnover by late fall. I'm assuming most contracts were 2 year deals. I expect to see some people moving on, while there will be some additional talent from WWE who make the jump to AEW.
- Brian Pillman Jr. has a breakout year. The kid has loads of talent, and I think we'll see him become an established midcarder in 2021.
- Jungle Boy gets to shine. I think this will coincide with live crowds. Luchasaurus and Jungle Jack were getting big pops early on with crowds, but have seemed like an afterthought during pandemic era shows.
- We some one or more multi-promotion supershows late in the year, which *could* serve as a sort of Big Bang event that reshape the wrestling landscape longterm.
- AEW signs someone who the IWC crowd don't approve of - Tessa, Marty, or my wildcard of Enzo/Cass.
- AEW establishes a more structured developmental pipeline, involving The Nightmare Factory and other affiliated promotions. I'll go out on a limb and say we may even see a talent sharing situation with the NWA if/when they re-launch.
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Post by Yambag Jones on Jan 2, 2021 13:25:25 GMT -5
Hangman gets a huge push, loses to Omega. The third time is the charm and Page becomes champion by the end of 2021.
We get Omega vs Ibushi. If not the match, the build to it happening in '22.
Cody vs Sting
Okada shows up in AEW
An AEW supershow PPV including other promotions. Potential is there for a weekend of shows similar to WrestleMania.
Contracts get crazy. WWE will do everything they can to poach talent and in the mean time, AEW will get people tired of working in WWE.
The Dark Order disbands. Probably my boldest prediction. I could see them also rebranding or having a new leader, but I'm going with split.
Jericho gets kicked from the Inner Circle and takes some time off.
MJF is TNT champion.
AEW works with ROH.
3rd hour of AEW on TNT is a fun Saturday show that feels like high end Dark.
Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy win the AEW Tag Titles.
Trios titles are introduced, immediately don't feel special.
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Post by stc13 on Jan 2, 2021 13:56:56 GMT -5
An AEW supershow PPV including other promotions. Potential is there for a weekend of shows similar to WrestleMania. To me this is the potential golden ticket. WWE does everything it can to stifle other shows Mania weekend, or at least make them as far away as possible. Imagine a weekend loaded with headlined by an multi-promotion super show with other independent, promotion, and smaller cross-promotional shows with some level of cooperation. I don't think it's crazy to think that they could do a 20k seat arena which...would be historic. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2021 14:25:41 GMT -5
A few thoughts, a lot of which echoes what was already said: - We see a decent amount of roster turnover by late fall. I'm assuming most contracts were 2 year deals. I expect to see some people moving on, while there will be some additional talent from WWE who make the jump to AEW.- Brian Pillman Jr. has a breakout year. The kid has loads of talent, and I think we'll see him become an established midcarder in 2021.- Jungle Boy gets to shine. I think this will coincide with live crowds. Luchasaurus and Jungle Jack were getting big pops early on with crowds, but have seemed like an afterthought during pandemic era shows. - We some one or more multi-promotion supershows late in the year, which *could* serve as a sort of Big Bang event that reshape the wrestling landscape longterm. - AEW signs someone who the IWC crowd don't approve of - Tessa, Marty, or my wildcard of Enzo/Cass.- AEW establishes a more structured developmental pipeline, involving The Nightmare Factory and other affiliated promotions. I'll go out on a limb and say we may even see a talent sharing situation with the NWA if/when they re-launch. I think you're dead on about these. (I actually think every prediction of yours is going to be correct, but those 3 in particular stick out). You're correct that the majority were 2 year deals. BPJ is 100% primed to break out, but it will be in the 2nd half of 2021 unless he can get out of his MLW contract. (I believe it expires in the summer of 2021). I think it is in tag team form with Griff though, that kid has so much potential as well. Great team. While I don't think it's going to be Marty (just because I think he's burned his bridge with them) I definitely think they're going to make a controversial hire this year. |
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Post by stc13 on Jan 2, 2021 15:21:09 GMT -5
A few thoughts, a lot of which echoes what was already said: - We see a decent amount of roster turnover by late fall. I'm assuming most contracts were 2 year deals. I expect to see some people moving on, while there will be some additional talent from WWE who make the jump to AEW.- Brian Pillman Jr. has a breakout year. The kid has loads of talent, and I think we'll see him become an established midcarder in 2021.- Jungle Boy gets to shine. I think this will coincide with live crowds. Luchasaurus and Jungle Jack were getting big pops early on with crowds, but have seemed like an afterthought during pandemic era shows. - We some one or more multi-promotion supershows late in the year, which *could* serve as a sort of Big Bang event that reshape the wrestling landscape longterm. - AEW signs someone who the IWC crowd don't approve of - Tessa, Marty, or my wildcard of Enzo/Cass.- AEW establishes a more structured developmental pipeline, involving The Nightmare Factory and other affiliated promotions. I'll go out on a limb and say we may even see a talent sharing situation with the NWA if/when they re-launch. I think you're dead on about these. (I actually think every prediction of yours is going to be correct, but those 3 in particular stick out). You're correct that the majority were 2 year deals. BPJ is 100% primed to break out, but it will be in the 2nd half of 2021 unless he can get out of his MLW contract. (I believe it expires in the summer of 2021). I think it is in tag team form with Griff though, that kid has so much potential as well. Great team. While I don't think it's going to be Marty (just because I think he's burned his bridge with them) I definitely think they're going to make a controversial hire this year. I couldn't agree more on BPJ. I'd love to see him follow the build of guys like Bret and Shawn had - let him and Griff grow in a tag team for a few years, break out as a mid-card singles with a blow-off angle, and let the chips fall where they may from there. I think we've become very conditioned to the WWE's booking of tag teams over the past 20-some years where tag teams rise and split in a matter of months. AEW has shown patience with long-term storytelling so far, but I think this will really be a test of their ability to keep their finger off the trigger. But I think by late '21 the Blondes will really be making some people take notice. |
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BaLoR RoLLiNS
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Post by BaLoR RoLLiNS on Jan 2, 2021 16:14:16 GMT -5
I'm hoping to see Darby finally get away from this team Taz feud and him and MJF head into a monster feud over the TNT title.
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Post by JTG on Jan 3, 2021 12:03:10 GMT -5
Lots of solid predictions in this thread. I'll try my best not to reiterate some of the predictions already mentioned, but there's likely some overlap.
- MJF wins his first championship in AEW (either Tag Team with Jericho or Wardlow, or the TNT Championship).
- Wardlow gets fed up with MJF ala Batista in 2005, breaking out on his own as an upper mid-carder on his way to main event status going into 2022.
- The Inner Circle disbands by the end of 2021.
- Britt Baker wins the AEW Women's Championship...possibly the NWA Women's Championship.
- The AEW women's division garners traction with new stars being made from their current roster (Tay Conti, Big Swole, Serena Deeb, Abadon) as well as new talent signings (perhaps Tessa Blanchard, Thea Trinidad and cross-over appeal from the Impact women's roster).
- The FTW title becomes an officially recognized championship. It would be cool if they could strap a stipulation for this championship's defences like street fight rules to tie into the ECW origins of the belt.
- Ricky Starks breaks away from Team Taz and feuds with Brian Cage over the FTW Championship.
- Kenny Omega wins the Impact Wrestling Championship, which could lead into (as others are also predicting) some sort of supercard cross-over PPV at some point throughout the year. I would guess likely sometime in spring/summer.
- Sting creates a stable with up and coming talent to help give them exposure.
- AEW announces their second show on TNT.
- More talent jumping ship from WWE to AEW and vice versa. WWE guys will likely be mid-card talent that WWE isn't doing anything with, and WWE's signings will likely be talent predominately seen on AEW Dark.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2021 14:21:34 GMT -5
- More talent jumping ship from WWE to AEW and vice versa. WWE guys will likely be mid-card talent that WWE isn't doing anything with, and WWE's signings will likely be talent predominately seen on AEW Dark. Signing a lot of the dark talent is actually going to be relatively difficult for WWE. The guys who are appearing on Dark regularly get put on tier 0 'paid to appear' contracts. Essentially they work like tryout contracts, so they're only getting paid when they get booked, and they're guaranteed x dates. They also have it written into the contract that AEW gets first signing rights in terms of upgrading that to a part time or full time contract. I.e. if WWE tries to swoop in on the dark talent, AEW gets first chance. So anyone WWE gets out of dark will necessarily be people AEW decided to pass on. I still think you're right that some of them will get signed, just mentioning that the ones that do will be people AEW decided to not sign, not people who got swooped up ala Ben Carter. (His being a very different situation. He wasn't getting officially paid at all on his USA appearances because he had no working visa. Though I'm guessing he got some under the table cash). |
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Post by stc13 on Jan 3, 2021 15:16:16 GMT -5
- More talent jumping ship from WWE to AEW and vice versa. WWE guys will likely be mid-card talent that WWE isn't doing anything with, and WWE's signings will likely be talent predominately seen on AEW Dark. Signing a lot of the dark talent is actually going to be relatively difficult for WWE. The guys who are appearing on Dark regularly get put on tier 0 'paid to appear' contracts. Essentially they work like tryout contracts, so they're only getting paid when they get booked, and they're guaranteed x dates. They also have it written into the contract that AEW gets first signing rights in terms of upgrading that to a part time or full time contract. I.e. if WWE tries to swoop in on the dark talent, AEW gets first chance. So anyone WWE gets out of dark will necessarily be people AEW decided to pass on. I still think you're right that some of them will get signed, just mentioning that the ones that do will be people AEW decided to not sign, not people who got swooped up ala Ben Carter. (His being a very different situation. He wasn't getting officially paid at all on his USA appearances because he had no working visa. Though I'm guessing he got some under the table cash). It's also worth noting that going back to late 2019/early 2020 the reporting was that the PC was essentially at max capacity. Not that WWE would let that stand in the way. But the PC classes have become smaller and smaller in 2020. They have an absurd number of people signed, to the point that acts that could get over like Eric Bugenhagen or Brandi Lauren aren't even on tv, and folks like Santana Garrett are barely used. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2021 18:20:40 GMT -5
Hangman gets a huge push, loses to Omega. The third time is the charm and Page becomes champion by the end of 2021. We get Omega vs Ibushi. If not the match, the build to it happening in '22. Cody vs Sting Okada shows up in AEW An AEW supershow PPV including other promotions. Potential is there for a weekend of shows similar to WrestleMania. Contracts get crazy. WWE will do everything they can to poach talent and in the mean time, AEW will get people tired of working in WWE. The Dark Order disbands. Probably my boldest prediction. I could see them also rebranding or having a new leader, but I'm going with split. Jericho gets kicked from the Inner Circle and takes some time off. MJF is TNT champion. AEW works with ROH. 3rd hour of AEW on TNT is a fun Saturday show that feels like high end Dark. Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy win the AEW Tag Titles. Trios titles are introduced, immediately don't feel special. I like all of these ideas. I’ve been wanting trios titles but at the same time they barely have time to book the women’s champion lol |
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Post by vampiroporvida on Jan 4, 2021 9:36:09 GMT -5
I'd like there to be a ton of cross promotion between all worldwide brands, including the E, but baring that miracle, just give me a yearly Brodie Lee tourney, Larry Rivera and Joel Gertner pop-ins, and Marty in AEW. Whoop whoop!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2021 18:32:51 GMT -5
So uh, Marty and ROH officially parted ways today. One of us in here is going to be right very soon.
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Post by LK3 on Jan 4, 2021 18:53:26 GMT -5
I would love for Marty to finally come in!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2021 18:57:11 GMT -5
What was the story with Marty? I know he was either accused or did something crappy
Always liked him though in new japan
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Post by LK3 on Jan 4, 2021 19:01:01 GMT -5
I’m no expert on the situation, but what I recall reading was that he hooked up with a 16-year old. How long ago I don’t remember. Mind you in England that is equal to 18 in the US, I believe. I don’t really know/remember other details than that.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2021 19:08:12 GMT -5
What was the story with Marty? I know he was either accused or did something crappy Always liked him though in new japan PM'ing you, since I'm not sure the story can be described abiding by forum rules. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2021 19:11:09 GMT -5
I’m no expert on the situation, but what I recall reading was that he hooked up with a 16-year old. How long ago I don’t remember. Mind you in England that is equal to 18 in the US, I believe. I don’t really know/remember other details than that. That's essentially correct. If you want a link to her actual statement DM me and I'll send you the link. The only thing that could make it a crime in England is level of intoxication, which is relatively complex to determine given her description. |
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Post by sonstuds on Jan 4, 2021 19:17:24 GMT -5
I still want Marty unless there's more to the story I'm not aware of.
(hopefully that's a sentence that doesn't age poorly)
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2021 19:21:34 GMT -5
I still want Marty unless there's more to the story I'm not aware of. (hopefully that's a sentence that doesn't age poorly) Hahahaha I gotta imagine if there was more we would have heard it already. I also fully support the Marty in AEW agenda with the exact same asterisk you have, I'm just not getting my hopes up given Sammy and Jimmy's situations and Marty having turned AEW down already. |
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