WingedEagle

Wardlow actually looked "big" relative to the rest of the AEW roster early on. That's no longer really the case, so I'm not sure he's checking any boxes at this point.

You're missing the point. They'll be able to do great work and raise awareness about these vital issues thanks to all of those TKO greenbacks.

I happened to be in London for the show but was way too tired to grab a ticket that night. I saw Shad Khan having a lowkey dinner and he looked to be having a good time, as well as Chris Charlton walking through Heathrow but he was with his family so I didn't want to bug him. Tons of AEW ad wrestling shirts throughout downtown the day of the show. When I finally got around to watching it it was a great show but below the usual AEW PPV standard. That's all I got.

Was anything on the AAAWWE show remotely worthwhile?

I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected. Yes, they walked and brawled. But they bled and wailed each other with real hatred. The production issues were there but never lasted long enough that it really hampered my ability to get into and enjoy the match. I had a harder time sorting out everyone that got involved on the outside and just what was going on there.

Uemura vs. Oiwa today was probably the second best match of the tourney thus far behind Shingo/Takeshita. More importantly, it was the first time that a couple of the young lost boys looked great and fortunately against each other. They've already wasted a ton of time with them and Tsuji (and written off Narita entirely) but hopefully there's some effort to give them a meaningful push soon.

It felt like they just threw up their hands and decided to get it out of the way. I assume its legit because you know its coming and there's only so much time left to pull it off. Just strange all around. Curious if a Cody heel turn comes next.

Someone needs to remind Paul its called PW(SE?)O. Hope the Hulkster is saving him a seat.

Is this match available online?

Its absolutely fine. And as noted that is just not good enough after the run we've had for the last decade plus or so. I saw this as someone who considers Hiroshi Tanahashi one of the few greatest wrestlers to ever live, but Tanhashi is shot to the point that he can't draw much here as no one believes he's capable of working like GRADE 1 TANAHASHI anymore. The Dome should draw because of the moment, but that's one night in January. Here's hoping Tony Khan lets them strap the rocket to Takeshita. Not holding my breath but that's the most (only?) interesting scenario I can come up with.

Not just hot, but all of a sudden incredibly deep. Mistico and some other big names are away this Friday but they've got a stacked show with MJF the only outsider. Zandokan & crew are a breath of fresh air and outside of the Star Jr. match they haven't exactly been featured at the top of the card very much. Villano III Jr. just returned from a lengthy injury layoff and looked pretty damn good for night 1. It seems like they're relying on Mistico/MJF for Aniversario along with the apuestas mish mosh underneath rather than doing something hot and fresh, but I can't blame them.

Did you try messaging Charles on Twitter?

I was offered a free seat in a box for Slammiversary and turned it down without nary a thought. As appealing as a couple beers and dirty water dogs might be, Joe Hendry & co. are not a good reason to get home super late on a Sunday night. Maybe a couple years ago but if turns out that anything was worth watching I'll catch it the next day.

I usually can't handle that stuff but somehow it didn't bother me much here. Death matches in Japan are an absolute handwave for me and feel like snuff films.

What an absolutely incredible main event. The involvement of everyone was pitch perfect and Danielson being a part of it was just amazing. Couldn't love it more. I don't throw 5 stars at much but this is one was easy. Running a 6 hour show is a kick in the nuts no matter what, but if you're going to do that a least close it like this.