Wrestling Thread
- Thread starter Laparkafan
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I'd say he'll be cut before that contract expires, but they might just keep him around to keep Iyo happy. Guy is widely regarded as one of the worst IWGP champions of all time.
Giulia will get another year but her creative sucks and she doesn't seem comfortable, whereas Vaquer has embraced everything and appears to be enjoying it. Giulia might've needed more time in NXT. I know some will think that's an atrocity but that third brand has created a lot of what we're seeing today, from Rollins to Reigns and Charlotte to Becky. It's not a curse to spend a year there.
They've added Ruca, Fatal Influence, Ethan Page, Danhausen, the other Bella, Grace and Keys in Jan., Saints debuts next week, Monroe will follow, and Paige returned. I'll add EVIL even though no one seems excited about it and who knows when he'll debut. They released like 20+ for 13 and they'll add more to Evolve and NXT throughout the year. That's just what they do every year. Some thrive, some don't.
They've added Ruca, Fatal Influence, Ethan Page, Danhausen, the other Bella, Grace and Keys in Jan., Saints debuts next week, Monroe will follow, and Paige returned. I'll add EVIL even though no one seems excited about it and who knows when he'll debut. They released like 20+ for 13 and they'll add more to Evolve and NXT throughout the year. That's just what they do every year. Some thrive, some don't.
Yup it’s sink or swim I mean Black was supposed to be involved with Orton and Kairi was involved with Asuka but the others could barely tread water.
Yep the men's roster has a ton of depth but no one that feels like a future main roster star. Meanwhile the women's side has very little depth but quite a few people that could be future main roster stars.
And as far as I know (with that phrase carrying a lot of weight), the only person that could be a ready made star from them with a contract expiring within the next year from AEW is Britt Baker. And that's only because of her mic work. She'd be one of the worst women in NXT as far as the ring work goes and obviously she'd rank even lower on the main roster. But it's one you sign for sure if you're WWE.
Anna Jay and Queen Aminata are the other two. Anna Jay's expires this spring if no time is added. But she is dreadful on the mic and is mediocre in the ring. I'm sure Booker T will advocate heavily for signing her so he can goon out over her *** on national TV.
Queen Aminata would be an incredible signing but she likely won't actually be available within a year because there will surely be time added on to her contract. She would be someone you'd have to be a complete idiot not to offer a contract to. I do wonder how well she'd adapt from an in-ring perspective as her stiff style is more akin to something you'd see in Japan and they dial that way back in WWE.
But there's no Ricky Saints or Ethan Page caliber talent in AEW they can pluck this time around to shore up the ranks just based on wrestlers with a known contract expiration date. Most of that roster we do not know when their contracts expire.
Of course that's just of the people with a known expiration date. Most of that roster we do not know when their contracts expire. We could find out that some major name's contract is expiring next month and it would be news to all of us.
I don't wish ill on EVIL even though I find him to be an abysmal wrestler and one of the worst IWGP champions of all time, but I don't see what WWE sees in him. It feels like a move you make to keep Iyo happy since they are engaged and to convince her to stay around instead of going back to Japan or leaving for AEW whenever her contract expires. I know I read that WWE wants him to start on the main roster, but unless there is strong creative behind him - which is questionable these days - I see that bombing. He'd be far more useful as a veteran presence in NXT.
There's always a lot of mid carders (or tag teams given WWE's dis like of tag wrestling) every year that I am surprised aren't released. They must make so little that WWE would rather keep them around to have them job out on the main roster until they can eventually be replaced by NXT talent callups.
I'm talking like
- The Creeds
- Otis
- Tozawa
- Basically any main roster luchador other than Penta, Rey, and Dom since those are the only three they care to do anything with
- War Raiders
- Rusev
- Ivy Nile
- Fraxiom
- Any member of the MFT other than Solo, but especially JC Mateo
- Matt Cardona
- Nakamura
- Michin
- Piper Niven
- Sheamus
- New Day
- Numerous people that have been in NXT way longer than anyone ever should be. I feel like if you are relegated to NXT for 4+ years then there's likely not much of a future for you in WWE. Kind of like how in college basketball, if you are playing college ball for 4 or more years then chances are there's not much of a future for you in the NBA. Always exceptions but rarely.
- Anyone in Evolve that got demoted from NXT - Brooks Jensen, Karmen Petrovic, Nikita Lyons, Wendy Choo. What's even the point in keeping these people if you think this lowly of them?
Most of those wouldn’t surprise me but cardona being married to Chelsea
So apparently Iyo and EVIL broke up years ago. This makes the signing even more baffling. EVIL isn't even liked in Japan. What do they think that signing is going to accomplish for them? It's just taking minutes away from someone younger who actually has potential.
MJF shared Max Caster’s tweet saying they don’t want Aleister Black back in AEW.
And it doesn’t stop there.
Shawn Dean, who worked closely backstage during Black’s time in AEW, also made it clear he’s not interested in seeing him return.
That’s interesting.
Back when Malakai Black was in AEW, there were rumors about him refusing to lose matches. Nothing was ever confirmed.
But when AEW talent publicly say they don’t want him back, you can’t help but wonder.
Do you think there was more going on behind the scenes?
And it doesn’t stop there.
Shawn Dean, who worked closely backstage during Black’s time in AEW, also made it clear he’s not interested in seeing him return.
That’s interesting.
Back when Malakai Black was in AEW, there were rumors about him refusing to lose matches. Nothing was ever confirmed.
But when AEW talent publicly say they don’t want him back, you can’t help but wonder.
Do you think there was more going on behind the scenes?
There was a lot of talk about TK being run over by guys back during that time, like he and Rusev. Just my guess, but I’d assume the locker room is much better now and they don’t want to chance it getting bad again.
Black isn't needed in either company. Maybe he can finish out his career in TNA or Japan. From a looks pov, I think he's terrible. Tall and somewhat lanky with random tats all over his body and a giant face on his back, a bad looking haircut, and I think he wears one contact lens just because. It's an awkward, sloppy look. He also comes from the school of Wyatt promos. Everything is dark and spooky with no actual point. It doesn't work in 2026. I'm really not sure if the Undertaker from 1992 would work now.
Me and my wife used to laugh uncontrollably at every House of Black promo. Cringiest garbage I’ve ever seen in my life. Aleister or Malakai Black is a solid hand in the ring. He’s also nowhere near as interesting or good as he thinks he is and he’s best staying as far away from AEW as possible IMO.
True but taker also evolved and knew he couldn’t pull off the undertaker gimmick for 25 years so he pivoted so the American bad *** biker gimmick.
He was Texas red then mean mark callous then wwf stuff.
Heck even hogan pivoted to nwo Hollywood.
A lot of guys nowadays don’t evolve and just stick to whatever they are.
Cardona isn’t getting released he’s so happy to be on wwe tv and is married to Chelsea and they are both on sd so obv wwe loves Chelsea and they did her a solid bringing him in and doubt he costs much.
Every company needs jobbers that are somewhat recognizable - look at Barry Horowitz and Brooklyn brawler.
I don’t think Penta gets enough credit for how awesome he’s been as a singles star - he’s really come into his own and that ladder match was awesome.
Best AEW signing by WWE
Cody
Punk
Penta 3rd?
Best WWE signing by AEW
Mox
Jericho - does that count?
Andrade
Best AEW signing by WWE
Cody
Punk
Penta 3rd?
Best WWE signing by AEW
Mox
Jericho - does that count?
Andrade