Busy Week Hodgepodge (Wyatt Sicks, Dynamite Viewership, Jacob Fatu)

*By Request*

Final Monday afternoon, I posted my weekly column and instantly went to work on what was going to be this week’s column.

Then… large story after large story after large story came about.

By the point Friday night time rolled round, I had obtained three completely different subject requests for issues that occurred over the course of the week. After I get requests, a lot of them are about issues from the previous, or about some type of fantasy reserving and issues of that nature.

All three present subjects are so large, and so time-sensitive and related, that it could be silly to skip them and speak about one thing else. So, as a substitute of engaged on three separate columns, I’ve determined to mix the subjects into one. As a substitute of turning this into the longest column of all-time, I’ll minimize to the chase with every subject, and we’ll go from there.

I’ll be getting in chronological order, beginning with the large story from final Monday night time.

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Have I Modified My Opinion On The Wyatt Sicks?

“after seeing uncle howdy and the wyatt group debut on uncooked, i went again and browse the column you wrote a month or so in the past about your low expectations for the group. i used to be simply questioning if their debut was sufficient to vary your thoughts?”

First issues first, it’s value mentioning that the debut of the Wyatt Sicks was some of the unimaginable debuts in latest reminiscence, and a case could be made for it being some of the unimaginable debuts within the historical past of the enterprise. It was straight from a blockbuster horror film, and I imply that in the very best means.

In case you didn’t learn the aforementioned Wyatts column I posted final month, it was all about me attempting to curb everybody’s expectations with the entire rumors that have been floating round concerning the group’s upcoming debut. I talked about my very own private opinions of Bo Dallas, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, Nikki Cross, Alexa Bliss, Vince McMahon’s inventive thoughts, Paul Levesque’s inventive thoughts, and Windham Rotunda’s inventive thoughts.

It wasn’t one thing the place I used to be claiming the faction was going to be an enormous failure. I used to be merely utilizing it as a car to voice my considerations that followers the world over have been going to get their hopes up, solely to be let down and upset down the street.

Has my opinion modified?

To this point, no.

As wrestling followers, what number of issues have we seen that made a right away splash, solely to finish up petering out, for one motive or one other, and going away eternally? It’s nice that their debut as a full group went so effectively, however as I’ve stated a billion occasions in my columns via the years, it’s all concerning the comply with up and the comply with via. The place the group goes from right here is extremely necessary.

Whereas we’re right here… the place does the group go from right here?

In a single single section, the group members dismantled and destroyed what seemed to be at the least 15-20 folks, together with safety guards and a number of wrestlers. Not simply “these folks beat these different folks up” assaults, both. Every part was purposely staged to seem like a fucking homicide scene. Somebody within the Gorilla Place seemed like he took a rifle spherical to the top, blowing his brains everywhere in the wall behind him. Chad Gable seemed like he was hit within the temple with a small caliber pistol spherical.

How on the earth do you “prime” that? Drive-by shootings? Planting a bomb within the area? Trapping the Uncooked roster in a warehouse and setting hearth to stated warehouse?

I’d love for the Wyatt Sicks to achieve success. As a wrestling fan, why on the earth wouldn’t I wish to see extra superior issues within the sport I like? I stay extraordinarily cautious, although. Joe Gacy nonetheless isn’t somebody I notably care about in any means, form, or type. Erick Rowan and Dexter Lumis aren’t precisely folks that you just’re going to depend on for nice promos or matches which can be something past squashes. Bo Dallas is a step down from Bray Wyatt in virtually each attainable means, however that’s extra an announcement on how good Bray was than anything.

The debut was wonderful, however I want greater than that earlier than I declare that my opinions have modified and my worries have disappeared. “Hacking” Pat McAfee’s present on a number of events isn’t doing a lot of something for me. I shall be watching Uncooked and paying very shut consideration, although, I can inform you that a lot.

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What The Hell Is Taking place With AEW?

“I’m certain you’ve seen the viewership numbers for final week’s episode of AEW Dynamite by now. Do you assume something may help the corporate? I’ve by no means been a die-hard AEW fan, however I’ve watched each episode of tv they’ve delivered for the reason that starting. Over the previous few months, I’ve simply discovered myself missing the identical stage of pleasure that I used to have. Apparently I’m not the one one.”

In case you’re unaware of what’s being mentioned, final week’s episode of Dynamite pulled in 502,000 viewers and a 0.16 ranking within the coveted 18-49 12 months outdated demographic. Each of these numbers are all-time lows for Dynamite when it airs in its common time slot.

These numbers are u-g-l-y, with no alibi, particularly the general viewership quantity.

In fact, your opinion of these statistics in all probability depends upon your participation within the “WWE vs AEW” tribalism that continues to happen. In case you’re a WWE diehard, you’re in all probability laughing it up and making jokes about AEW’s race to chapter. On the opposite facet, in the event you’re an AEW diehard, you’ve in all probability posted on social media already about how the declining numbers aren’t an enormous deal, citing a laundry listing of causes that viewers are going elsewhere not too long ago.

I don’t play that tribalism bullshit, so I name issues the way in which I see them.

To me, it doesn’t matter what different choices are on tv whereas AEW programming is on… they’ve a really loyal fanbase that’s going to tune in and present help to the corporate. For almost all of AEW’s existence, although, they’ve had bother bringing in new followers, and the numbers don’t lie. They’d the curiosity issue working of their favor after they first started, then their numbers dwindled a bit. Then, the numbers settled, to the purpose the place it appeared like the identical quantity of individuals have been tuning in… week in, week out… month in, month out… 12 months in, 12 months out. It’s that loyal fanbase I simply talked about. As soon as the curious early viewers tuned out, these loyal followers remained.

When chunks of these followers at the moment are tuning out, there’s a significant drawback. Not “AEW shall be out of enterprise inside a 12 months” main, however main nonetheless.

So what could be completed?

With out turning this part into a ten,000-word essay by itself, the secret’s, has, and at all times shall be Tony Khan. He must go. Him and anybody concerned in any means with the reserving of AEW programming. TK can discuss all he desires about reserving the reveals for the “sickos” on the market, but it surely’s not working. In a traditional state of affairs, AEW passes on loads of long-term storytelling so as to ship the very best matches. In the case of Forbidden Door season, that technique is magnified by one million, because it’s at all times simply “random” names from Japan exhibiting as much as problem “random” AEW abilities or to be challenged by “random” AEW abilities. Then, as soon as Forbidden Door is over, it’s again to the common stuff once more.

Whereas I perceive the need, and the necessity, to be a real “various” to WWE, it wouldn’t be horrible to adapt extra long-term storytelling to their general product. There are greater than sufficient staff on the AEW roster to seek out the right combination of storytelling and “dream match” shows.

I’m not asking AEW to grow to be WWE. Once more, I get that there’s a large want for AEW to be completely different than what WWE is delivering. If I wished to observe WWE, I’d… … watch WWE.

The numbers don’t lie, although. Whenever you take a look at WWE’s tv viewership, they’re not precisely setting any data in the mean time, however Uncooked and Smackdown are usually holding regular. NXT has been on a roll, topping the 700,000 viewer mark in 4 consecutive weeks, which is the primary time they’ve completed that since final October. Rampage, when in its common time slot, struggles to prime 300,000 viewers, and so they have been frequently over 400,000 viewers at this level final 12 months. Collision was model new final 12 months, beginning with 816,000 viewers for the present’s debut episode, however the final two (as of the time I kind this) episodes have mixed to drag in 819,000 viewers.

Dynamite is AEW’s flagship, although, and it makes the 502,000 quantity further regarding. The present was frequently topping 900,000 viewers every week at this level final 12 months. Hell, it was frequently topping 800,000 viewers every week a pair months in the past, so it’s not tremendous loopy doom and gloom due to a long-running sample. The Might twenty ninth and June fifth episodes… just a few brief weeks in the past… each fell simply wanting the 800,000 viewers mark.

Might or not it’s a blip? In fact. I don’t anticipate 500,000 to be the brand new regular for Dynamite. Is it nonetheless a priority? It rattling effectively must be. Not all that way back, Tony Khan was THRILLED to have Dynamite beat NXT each week, even when the reveals stopped airing head-to-head. Now, we’ve reached some extent the place an episode of NXT noticed 222,000 extra viewers than an episode of Dynamite acquired the next night time. For the amount of cash that AEW is spending on expertise, there isn’t a situation the place that ought to ever occur.

So long as Tony Khan stays in control of the inventive facet of issues, I feel we’ll proceed to see issues with AEW not solely failing to achieve new followers, however struggling to retain all of their outdated ones. Exterior of Will Washington, I’m undecided that we’ve formally heard of anybody else concerned within the inventive facet of AEW. It’s clear that the wrestlers themselves have a say in what goes on with their characters, however at the least on the floor, it doesn’t look like AEW has a WWE-like “committee” to deal with the inventive facet. Even with Washington within the combine, nothing has modified in AEW, creatively, for higher or worse. Does that imply he has no actual say in something, or does it imply that he views issues precisely the identical as Tony Khan?

Fuck it. No matter the issue is, TK is the place the buck stops. When issues are going nice, he will get the credit score, whether or not he deserves it or not. On the flip facet, when issues are going poorly, he will get the blame, whether or not he deserves it or not. That’s how wrestling (and virtually each different stroll of life) works for bosses. Get a inventive staff concerned. Do one thing. Something. Names like Dustin Rhodes, Bryan Danielson, Adam Copeland, Jeff Jarrett, Jake Roberts, Chris Hero, Jimmy Jacobs, Christopher Daniels, and lots of extra are already below contract, and so they may all be helpful to enhancing the inventive facet of the corporate.

Once more, I would like AEW to be one of the best it may be, as a result of it advantages me as a fan of professional wrestling. I simply wish to see them attain their immense potential, and I don’t assume that’s attainable with Tony Khan stepping throughout his personal ft and getting in the way in which.

In case you wished to make a listing of issues that AEW may do higher, it could be a prolonged one. Nonetheless, the identical could be stated about WWE, Affect, New Japan, AAA, NOAH, or no matter different wrestling promotion you possibly can consider. If Tony Khan have been to step to the facet and let another person deal with the inventive facet of the corporate, although, I feel another dominoes would fall in line fairly shortly.

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What Ought to We Anticipate From Jacob Fatu In The Bloodline?

“I keep in mind if you first began speaking about Jacob Fatu and the way he could possibly be a significant participant within the enterprise in the future. Now that he lastly debuted for the WWE, what do you assume we should always anticipate from him?”

It actually does look like a long time since I first began holding observe of Jacob Fatu and his potential to be an enormous star.

When information first broke that he signed with WWE, everybody knew he could be concerned with The Bloodline. Positive sufficient, he made his debut as the most recent member of the group, saving Solo Sikoa from an assault by the hands of Randy Orton, Kevin Owens, and Cody Rhodes.

I’m not 100% certain what to anticipate from him, to be trustworthy. I do know what he’s able to, each within the ring and on the mic. That’s not the difficulty.

As a substitute, the difficulty is now Solo Sikoa. To be particular, it’s how Solo Sikoa goes to look. I say this as a fan of Solo from his days in NXT, however he’s not on Jacob Fatu’s stage. Jacob seems like extra of a star, he’s higher within the ring, and he cuts higher promos. When you could have that within the background, as nothing greater than a henchman, how does that make the chief look? This isn’t one thing that The Bloodline needed to cope with when Roman Reigns was round. Roman seems like an absolute famous person as quickly as he steps off of the bus, because the saying goes, and he was by no means outshined, even with the nice expertise working behind him.

I’ve seen folks predict that Jacob Fatu received’t be a talking character, at the least for some time. That’s a method to assist make Solo look higher. It simply appears bizarre to convey somebody with the entire obligatory star qualities to make it in WWE, and to instantly handicap them by taking away one in all their finest qualities.

In case you’ve by no means seen or heard Jacob Fatu earlier than he debuted on Smackdown, you’re in for a deal with. On his personal, he’s the whole lot essential to be a World Champion by the tip of 2024. He seems like a monster, and wrestles like one, too. On the mic, he’s as plausible as they arrive, and that believability is an important a part of a wrestling promo. As a member of The Bloodline, he provides yet one more terrifying menace for the Smackdown roster to cope with.

How terrifying? Look no additional than the reactions on the faces of Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa after they joined Jacob and Solo within the ring. They each checked out Jacob virtually as if to query whether or not or not it was one of the best thought to unleash him on the remainder of the roster. That was an excellent contact.

He could be an absolute sport changer for WWE, and I feel he shall be. If the corporate can work out find out how to align him with Solo Sikoa with out ruining Solo and making him look dangerous, this transfer ought to restore a number of the luster that many individuals really feel The Bloodline has misplaced in latest weeks. In case you ask me, it received’t be lengthy till all of us blame Solo for the hell that he has unleashed on the WWE roster.

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Now, let’s transfer on to my Weekly Energy Rankings, adopted by wrapping issues up with the listing of songs I used to be listening to as I put this column collectively.

Weekly Energy Rankings

Jacob Fatu: Solo, what have you ever completed?!?

Wyatt Sicks: Simply among the best debuts in latest wrestling historical past. How WWE tries to maintain that loopy momentum up may be very, crucial now.

MJF vs Rush: It doesn’t look like MJF missed a step within the ring after being out of motion for practically six months.

Drew McIntyre: You simply knew that Drew’s revenge on CM Punk was going to be violently spectacular, and that’s precisely what it was. In entrance of Punk’s Chicago brethren, Drew left Punk in a bloody heap and seemed extra like a badass than he has in a very long time. When these two lastly have a match in opposition to one another, presumably at SummerSlam, it’s going to be epic.

Sheamus vs Bron Breakker: They each need the Intercontinental Title, however for various causes, and so they fought prefer it right here. Throw in a extremely motivated Ludwig Kaiser, and the title scene may characteristic a ton of shifting elements, with loads of enjoyable matches and feuds to observe unfold. Whereas we’re right here, that shot of Bron and Ludwig working on reverse sides of the ring, main as much as a depraved Spear from Mr. Breakker? Immaculate. Kevin Dunn isn’t useless, however he must be.

Seth Rollins: It was nice to see him make his shock return after some a lot wanted time without work. Instantly, he will get a shot at Damian Priest and the World Heavyweight Title, which is a really intriguing match.

CM Punk & Paul Heyman: Seeing the 2 of them in a hoop collectively as soon as once more introduced again some nice recollections. Rattling close to made me shed a thug tear.

Mark Briscoe, Kyle O’Reilly, Orange Cassidy & Dante Martin vs Konosuke Takeshita, Zack Sabre Jr, Roderick Sturdy & Kyle Fletcher: In case you’ve been studying my columns for some time, the routine by now. Six (or extra) males in the identical match for AEW? Test. Tons of fast-paced motion that may be tough to maintain observe of at occasions? Test. Loads of leisure? Test.

Jeff Jarrett: He had one helluva interview about being a participant within the Owen Hart Event, stuffed with actual, uncooked emotion. Nice work. Whereas we’re on the topic, although, I used to be shocked to see what number of AEW followers have been fast to hit up social media with the “WHY IS JEFF JARRETT IN THE TOURNEY? HE SUX” feedback when the brackets have been revealed. No, Jarrett isn’t precisely on the prime of the meals chain in AEW, however no one else within the match acquired to staff up with Owen and name Owen his finest pal like Double J did. Maybe that is the draw back to AEW assuming their followers know the whole lot and don’t must be launched to anyone or something.

Joe Hendry: I consider in Joe Hendry. When his music hit to disclose him as a participant within the Battle Royal on NXT, the group pop shook the digicam. He didn’t final very lengthy within the match, however that crowd response proved he must be introduced again for one thing extra substantial.

Jey Uso vs Finn Balor vs Rey Mysterio: A Cash In The Financial institution qualifier the place all three males had a reliable shot to win. Enjoyable stuff.

Pac vs Claudio Castagnoli: I loved this match, however I additionally felt it ought to’ve gotten extra time to work with. They did loads of stuff in 11 minutes, however that is one thing that would’ve, and maybe ought to’ve, had 15+ minutes.

Kevin Owens vs Grayson Waller vs Andrade: One other good MITB qualifier, and it was a crowd pleaser. Generally, you don’t want way more than that.

Will Ospreay vs Brian Cage: I loved this, too, but it surely was the other of Pac vs Claudio. The match went practically 17:30, and I didn’t really feel that was obligatory in any respect. It’s good to see Brian Cage being constructed up, certain, however you might’ve made that occur in a 10-12 minute match. Proper now, making Ospreay look robust is much more necessary than making Cage look robust.

Mina Shirakawa: You noticed her. You realize why she’s right here.

Liv Morgan: You noticed her. You realize why she’s right here.

Je’Von Evans vs Ethan Web page: NXT continues to make Evans seem like he’s going to be a extremely large deal. Whether or not he wins or loses is sort of irrelevant at this stage, as a result of he seems like a star, it doesn’t matter what.

Shane McMahon: Phrase on the road is that Shane has been reaching out to completely different members of the AEW roster about what it’s wish to work for the corporate, in addition to the potential for making at the least an look in AEW down the street. Are you able to think about a member of the McMahon household making an look on AEW programming? That may be loopy.

WWE’s Continued Try At World Domination: The corporate retains having pay-per-view occasions in locations effectively outdoors of the USA, and so they additionally preserve constructing working relationships with different promotions world wide. With that in thoughts, the brand new phrase is that WWE is trying to construct extra of these working relationships with wrestling promotions in Mexico and/or Puerto Rico. Wild occasions.

Brisker Cash In The Financial institution Members: Jey Uso received a qualifying match, placing him in his very first MITB match, beating two opponents which have been concerned in MITB earlier than. Andrade received a qualifying match, stunning lots of people who felt Kevin Owens was the “favourite” within the match. Carmelo Hayes received a qualifying match, stunning lots of people who felt that Randy Orton or Tama Tonga have been the “favorites” as a result of their standing. Chelsea Inexperienced received a qualifying match, stunning virtually everybody that assumed Bianca Belair was the clear option to win. The matches appear loads brisker to date, and that’s an ideal factor.

This Week’s Playlist: “Huge Huge Cash” by Key Glock… “The Future Is A Overseas Land” by Ghost… “Heartbreaker” by Purple Disco Machine & Chromeo… “BLUR” by Wage Struggle… “Misplaced” by Acres… “Suffocate Metropolis” by The Funeral Portrait & Spencer Charnas… “I Consider In Joe Hendry” by Joe Hendry… “Serenade” by Shades… “My World” by Huge Pun… “A Lotta Ache” by Krayzie Bone & Dave Toliver… “Throw It Up” by Lil Jon & Pastor Troy… “I Don’t Give A…” by Lil Jon, Krayzie Bone & Mystikal… “What U Gon’ Do” by Lil Jon & Lil Scrappy… “Theme From Pink Flamingo” by Youngsters In Glass Homes… “Like A Stone” by Audioslave… “Private Jesus” by Depeche Mode… “Hail To The King” by Avenged Sevenfold… “Landmines” by Sum 41… “The Kill” by Thirty Seconds To Mars… “Persistence” by Chris Cornell… “Lonely Boy” by The Black Keys… “These Are The Occasions” by Dru Hill… “Final Time That I Checc’d” by Nipsey Hussle & YG… “Dedication” by Nipsey Hussle & Kendrick Lamar… “Grinding All My Life” by Nipsey Hussle