Hey everyone!
This week, Courtney and I sit down to talk about all things AEW. Here are three big main ideas and three small main ideas from the conversation!
Drop your opinions!
Thanks!
THREE BIG MAIN IDEAS from the livestream:
1. Darby Allin's Return and AEW World Title Picture
Darby Allin, after scaling Mount Everest, is now part of major fantasy booking discussions for AEW’s World Heavyweight Championship. Fans speculate his surprise return at the Seattle show could ignite a feud with Hangman Page or even lead to a championship run. Courtney and Marie discuss how Darby’s reckless in-ring style aligns well with Japan’s House of Torture faction (especially EVIL and Sho), creating potential matchups for Forbidden Door. His unpredictable energy offers AEW a fresh angle, but Marie cautions that reckless storytelling could hinder long-term planning.
2. AEW’s Inconsistent Storytelling and Title Confusion
Both hosts criticize AEW’s narrative direction, comparing it to walking without a map—throwing ideas out with no commitment. The new “unified title” has no name and feels like another confusing prop. Kenny Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada is set for All In Texas, but Marie expresses concern due to Kenny’s health (diverticulitis). The match relies too heavily on nostalgia without guaranteeing a payoff. Courtney praises the video packages that explain their history, but both agree AEW must stop relying on legacy without building forward.
3. The State of AEW's Women's Division
AEW had three women's matches on a recent four-hour block of Dynamite + Collision, but both hosts argue it's not enough. They highlight missed opportunities with stars like Thekla, Queen Aminata, and Thunder Rosa. While Mercedes Moné is AEW's marquee women’s name, her dominance and lack of title defenses (e.g., TBS title) frustrate fans. There’s a call to better structure heel/babyface roles and give women creative direction. RJ City, who helped develop Toni Storm and Mariah May’s angle, is praised—but questioned: why isn’t he helping others?
THREE SMALL MAIN IDEAS from the livestream:
1. Use YouTube as a Content Anchor
Marie suggests AEW return to its roots by reviving vlogs and maximizing YouTube. In the early days, AEW’s storytelling through YouTube content built fan investment and character depth. Given Warner Bros. Discovery’s vague direction and declining sports emphasis, YouTube could offer AEW direct monetization and exposure. AEW must empower its talent to create consistent side stories outside of TV.
2. Influencer Integration: Missed Potential
The hosts vent about influencer usage in both WWE and AEW. WWE hires influencers who don’t understand the product, leading to awkward moments. AEW, while more organic, lacks structured PR. Wrestlers like Deonna Purrazzo or Anthony Bowens do cool things (like celebrity poker or Pride parades), but AEW fails to capitalize or publicize them. Properly informed influencers and dedicated PR reps could boost AEW’s reach and credibility.
3. Why Women's Booking Needs a Cohesive Vision
There’s an ongoing frustration over AEW’s failure to elevate women. Matches and feuds feel directionless. Willow Nightingale vs. Marina Shafir has build, but lacks narrative payoff. Thekla’s presence is strong, but underutilized. Mercedes Moné’s dominance means other women feel ducked or stalled. AEW needs a dedicated women's creative team, more TV time, and backstage segments to flesh out character arcs like WWE does—even if it means borrowing production techniques.
Timestamps
[00:00 - 02:00] Opening banter; technical setup; intro to AEW discussion
[02:00 - 06:00] Darby Allin’s possible return and fantasy booking scenarios for the AEW World Title
[06:00 - 10:00] Forbidden Door booking ideas, NJPW crossover, Darby vs House of Torture
[10:00 - 15:00] AEW storytelling inconsistencies, frustration over directionless titles
[15:00 - 20:00] Kenny Omega vs Okada analysis; concerns over health and creative stakes
[20:00 - 26:00] AEW women’s division discussion: Mercedes Moné, Toni Storm, and more
[26:00 - 30:00] How WWE books influencers vs AEW; YouTube, media potential, PR missteps
[30:00 - 36:00] AEW still operates like an indie; talents like Thunder Rosa left behind
[36:00 - 43:00] More on women's roster mismanagement, Willow, Marina, Thekla, Queen Aminata
[43:00+] End of discussion (cut off mid-thought)
Topics Covered:
Darby Allin fantasy booking and NJPW crossover potential
Concerns about Omega vs Okada at All In Texas
Why the unified title is confusing and unnecessary
AEW’s lack of story structure and clear booking direction
How AEW can fix the women’s division
The importance of PR, influencers, and vlogs in wrestling today
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