[5/15/24] AEW Dynamite: Swerve/Brian Cage, Okada/FTR Bald, BCC/United Empire, TnA Action and More

[Jmare007]

Bryan Danielson came into AEW drawing with Kenny Omega and losing to Hangman. Did it kill him on arrival? No. If Sasha is as big of a star as you claim she is, then she will have no problem elevating Willow in a long-term feud and not be "dead". Losing to Willow isn't "getting jobbed out to everyone" either. She hasn't wrestled in over a year. It's not unreasonable for her to lose. Don't be so fickle.

Danielson doing that immediately killed much of any chance of him having drawing power though. People like him or Mercedes aren't gonna see fans stop rooting for them but it's pretty common that not being promoted/presented as someone that wins a lot does not translate in drawing. The Rock is basically the only exception and that was 24 years ago, lol.

Making Mercedes lose makes no sense to me. She's too young to be putting people over right now, you have to treat her as a cornerstone of the company from the get go and at least try to see if she can draw for you once she starts doing what she's best at (wrestling and being an cocky heel).

 

[TheGreatShowtime]

Danielson doing that immediately killed much of any chance of him having drawing power though. People like him or Mercedes aren't gonna see fans stop rooting for them but it's pretty common that not being promoted/presented as someone that wins a lot does not translate in drawing. The Rock is basically the only exception and that was 24 years ago, lol.

Making Mercedes lose makes no sense to me. She's too young to be putting people over right now, you have to treat her as a cornerstone of the company from the get go and at least try to see if she can draw for you once she starts doing what she's best at (wrestling and being an cocky heel).

I disagree. Danielson is easily plug-and-play for whenever you want to put the title on him. No one is going to bat an eye at him drawing with Omega or losing to Hangman at the start of his run. It elevated both of those guys.

And I think cutting the legs out of Willow will hurt her far more long-term than any shortcomings from Mercedes losing her first match to her. But if I'm wrong, then I'm wrong.

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

Danielson doing that immediately killed much of any chance of him having drawing power though. People like him or Mercedes aren't gonna see fans stop rooting for them but it's pretty common that not being promoted/presented as someone that wins a lot does not translate in drawing. The Rock is basically the only exception and that was 24 years ago, lol.

Making Mercedes lose makes no sense to me. She's too young to be putting people over right now, you have to treat her as a cornerstone of the company from the get go and at least try to see if she can draw for you once she starts doing what she's best at (wrestling and being an cocky heel).

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

And I think cutting the legs out of Willow will hurt her far more long-term

People want to cheer for Willow.. she's very likable and gets over as an underdog despite not winning all that much. Do you think fans will check out on her if she loses this match? I feel like the argument is the same for her and Mercedes but in reverse.

 

[TheGreatShowtime]

People want to cheer for Willow.. she's very likable and gets over as an underdog despite not winning all that much. Do you think fans will check out on her if she loses this match? I feel like the argument is the same for her and Mercedes but in reverse.

No one is going to ever believe Willow is a legitimate threat if she keeps losing to the bigger names on the card. Mercedes beats her, and then what? Willow challenges again and loses again? Once she drops that title, she ain't winning it back. So what's next for Willow after? She ain't going to go beat Toni Storm. She's back fighting Sky Blue on Rampage and Collision.

 

[mannyrs13]

I don't know if you can compare Danielson & Mercedes. Both were already established stars before AEW but BD was more towards the end of his career so putting others over may not have the same effect. Especially if Mercedes there to help build up the women's division. BD was not brought in to do what Mercedes is expected to do.

 

[TheGreatShowtime]

I don't know if you can compare Danielson & Mercedes. Both were already established stars before AEW but BD was more towards the end of his career so putting others over may not have the same effect. Especially if Mercedes there to help build up the women's division. BD was not brought in to do what Mercedes is expected to do.

My point is Mercedes could survive a loss just like Danielson can for the exact reason you said, they are established stars. I'm not even remotely saying they're in the same boat/predicament

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

She ain't going to go beat Toni Storm.

Why not? I'm not sure Toni should be losing that title anytime soon either but it ain't like the AEW women's division has an overwhelming amount of depth to it. Serena Deeb ain't beating Toni so she needs to feud with someone after.

 

[Finn Baller]

Sasha Banks with your title belt on her shoulder on talk shows or red carpets means more than anything Willow is capable now (and probably ever), this is the chance to make a statement (no pun intended) that the women's division is getting elevated to a new level. When Hogan showed up in WCW in 94 they didn't say "Now would be a great time to MAKE Dustin Rhodes!"

 

[TheGreatShowtime]

Why not? I'm not sure Toni should be losing that title anytime soon either but it ain't like the AEW women's division has an overwhelming amount of depth to it. Serena Deeb ain't beating Toni so she needs to feud with someone after.

So Willow, fresh off losing to Mercedes, and possibly losing to her again, will prance on over to Toni Storm & you believe she can beat her for the title she's been holding onto for close to a year?

 

[TheGreatShowtime]

Sasha Banks with your title belt on her shoulder on talk shows or red carpets means more than anything Willow is capable now (and probably ever), this is the chance to make a statement (no pun intended) that the women's division is getting elevated to a new level. When Hogan showed up in WCW in 94 they didn't say "Now would be a great time to MAKE Dustin Rhodes!"

What's the difference between her holding the belt two weeks from now than two months from now? Is AEW going to miss 1M+ viewers on Dynamite for those two extra months she's not champion? As much as you guys talk about her being a ratings draw, she barely moved the needle in terms of viewership so far. And you of all people should know that since you're posting numbers every week

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

So Willow, fresh off losing to Mercedes, and possibly losing to her again, will prance on over to Toni Storm & you believe she can beat her for the title she's been holding onto for close to a year?

If TK was booking the divisions the way they are supposed to be booked, the TBS title should be like the U.S. title was for WCW.... you are essentially the #1 contender to the world title and if you happen to lose your belt, it's a natural transition into a title program for the main belt.

I mean shyt... that's how the intercontinental title was once utilized as well..

But you already said you don't trust Snowman and I don't either which is why I think they need to course correct with Mercedes before they burn out any goodwill they had with their fans. The core fanbase is already going to have a hard time accepting her because she's a legitimate "sports entertainer" star from the company they hate.

 

[Finn Baller]

What's the difference between her holding the belt two weeks from now than two months from now? Is AEW going to miss 1M+ viewers on Dynamite for those two extra months she's not champion? As much as you guys talk about her being a ratings draw, she barely moved the needle in terms of viewership so far. And you of all people should know that since you're posting numbers every week

because AEW doesn't do a good job training their audience that some wrestlers are just a total level above the rest of the roster. We saw it tonight when Bryan and Mox went 15+ mins with 2 guys who never win on AEW TV. Or later in the show when Swerve went the same with Brian fukking Cage.

Obviously Sasha doesn't have the physical size/presence to be a "final boss" but she can and should be presented as a total level above the rest of the women's roster due to her track record of being a major champion in the big leagues and elsewhere.

She hasn't moved the needle yet because they haven't played to her strength (wrestling), if they built to a big Dynamite match with her against Toni or Britt or even Saraya (yuck) I bet you it would do a better number than what 98% of the men are capable of

she can afford a loss in the sense she wouldn't be buried or DOA if she loses at the PPV. But they got one chance out the gate of her feeling like the tippy top of the women's division and losing in your first match doesn't do that. Just like Bryan should've come in and won the world title 3 years ago.

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

she barely moved the needle in terms of viewership so far.

She did the week they made the show about her. Otherwise she's been doing random segments that most of the time haven't even been advertised.

Also... who is moving the needle right now? The company aside from the PPVs and a show like 'Big Business' has been in the dirt...

 

[TheGreatShowtime]

Willow beating Mercedes at Double or Nothing ain't a hill I'm willing to die on

So I'll just leave it with this. Willow has beaten her in the past. It's not farfetched for it to happen again. I know Snowman doesn't have the balls to pull off an upset, so I fully expect Mercedes to win. If Willow loses to Mercedes throughout the summer, I better not hear how Mercedes run is a flop because she has no one to feud with just like the excuses were there with Jade. Because they could've totally done something here. That's all I'm saying.