The Post's Joseph Staszewski explores the world of professional wrestling in his weekly column, “Post Match Angle.'' Post Match Angle returns on October 15th
AEW did some weird things in the lead-up to and during the highly anticipated match between International Champion Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet that could have squandered a chance for a monumental moment.
Ospreay and Ricochet had a great interview segment with Renee Paquette that showed exactly the problems critics are pointing out with AEW's storytelling. The YouTube segment gave us a clear idea of their backstories and why their matches are important. But instead of having this eight-minute exchange (which has only garnered 59,000 views as of Wednesday) live in the ring or broadcast on Dynamite, it was aired on the low-rated Rampage and Collison. I watched some of it.
The way the match played out, with no clear winner, this choice made a little more sense. Therefore, AEW will continue to be able to present the story in a better way going forward.
But considering the route they took to get there, it made me wonder if Pittsburgh fans were booing Booking or Konosuke Takeshita, who AEW is targeting.
The match had already been stopped to boos and then restarted to cheers after Ospreay and Ricochet nailed each other at the same time. Fans were robbed of the winner shortly after by Takeshita's attack on Ospreay, which had been building up the storyline.
It was hard to tell if the fans were angry at losing the winner twice to AEW, or angry at Takeshita for finally taking out their unspeakable anger.
At least AEW is committed to finally pushing Takeshita, who faces the risk of ruining the atmosphere of a rematch between Ricochet and Ospreay for the title at Wrestle Dream.
Road Warriors?
NXT successfully launched the new CW era on Tuesday, but the new era is bound to come with changes.
The NXT 2.0 version of the product is clearly over, as the brand has new silver and black branding and a new World Championship with the colorful background removed.
But things have to go beyond the superficial.
Given what we saw on Tuesday night, and the energy at Allstate Arena in Chicago, and perhaps next week at The Factory in St. Louis, Missouri, I think WWE will continue to match NXT as regularly as possible. I felt it was urgent to find a way to continue participating in the tournament.
No final plans have been announced yet, but after two consecutive weeks of large crowds, imagine viewers returning to the Performance Center's studio wrestling atmosphere for the remainder of the non-premium live events. I want you to try it.
At the very least, you should start by making special TV shows like “New Year's Evil,” “Roadblock,” and “Spring Breakin'” feel even more special by taking them outside of your PC.
This should make it easier for WWE to get main roster talent on shows even if they have concerns about ticket sales.
With TKO cutting back on live events (house shows) in 2025, it should be easier to get the stars of the main lineup to participate. Perhaps those resources could be devoted to smaller NXT shows held around cities near those where the main members are already scheduled to perform, to make travel easier. NXT talent can appear on Raw or SmackDown to further the storyline.
Instead of house programming, which may not generate enough revenue for TKO's liking, NXT's touring programming could be considered as an investment to help grow the TV product.
ten count
Shane McMahon will need to make an appearance in AEW soon after The Young Bucks posted a previously leaked photo last week with Vince McMahon and one of AEW director Tony Khan's sons. We got our first possible on-screen tease when Jon Moxley hinted on Dynamite that there was another person behind the war he's waging in AEW.
The question fans should be asking is not when Kevin Owens will turn on Cody Rhodes, but when Owens will. and Will Randy Orton attack their friend? Orton just takes a more subtle approach than Owens, who goes head-on.
Cora Jade's surprise return may have overshadowed the initial showdown between NXT Women's Champion Roxanne Perez and Julia, but after Perez and Jade's seemingly feud with Julia and Stephanie Vaquere, we're left wanting more. I thought.
The great ending to “Monday Night Raw,” which featured a thrilling and explosive Last Monster Standing Match between Braun Strowman and Bronson Reed, ended with the old ring disintegration bit (completely disintegrating). They even revived it (even if it wasn't there). Seth Rollins' true surprise return to put the Stomp on Reed left Reed incapacitated storyline-wise, but in a very sneaky and appropriate way.
MVP has the opportunity to become the most dynamic and captivating manager in AEW history, and his potential is limitless. Using him could give the returning Swerve Strickland a sense of freshness. After Shelton Benjamin's appearance on Wednesday, he will likely serve as a conduit to the debuting Bobby Lashley, and possibly to the new Hurt Business faction feuding with Strickland. All eyes should be on him.
AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery both feel like they are winners in the new media rights deal. AEW will earn a fair price of more than $150 million annually and will be available simulcast and on-demand on Max's leading streaming platform. WBD trimmed the underperforming Rampage and Battle of the Belt shows, giving AEW fans (like it or not) discounted Max and pay-per-view rates in the US. By making them pay, they made AEW fans do a double-take. Media rights can be quite expensive if you have different providers.
WWE needs to redeem Naomi from being a heel, and her nervous reaction to losing to Bayley feels like the beginning. Triple H could easily do that while changing Tiffany Statton's babyface in one fell swoop. It seems to be phased in properly, similar to what's happening with Xavier Woods.
Hook needed to relieve himself of the FTW Championship in order to move forward, and having him re-retired in Queens, home of the famous Elks Lodge, was perfect. How dad Taz got “attacked in a parking lot” could be his most interesting story yet.
In TNA, you have to bet the world championship on Joe Hendry at Bound for Glory, right?
It was an understandable slow start considering it was Nigel McGuinness' first match in 13 years, but he and Bryan Danielson gave everything we could have hoped for in a dynamite Grand Slam. The pace settled and the drama built with each McGuinness lariat and Danielson kick. The level lock may have stunned McGuinness, but he thanked Danielson before giving the finish a unique feel that fit the closure story he was looking for.
Wrestler of the week
Trick Williams (AEW)
Trick Williams won the main event of a CW episode, especially towards the end, to become a two-time NXT Champion, even though his match against Ethan Page felt a little awkward. It was truly recognized as a rising star. Williams could use a strong TNA crossover match next, perhaps with Moose or Josh Alexander.
This week's social media posts
match to watch
Cody Rhodes & Roman Reigns vs. Solo Cicor & Jacob Fatu, WWE Bad Blood (Saturday, 6 p.m., Peacock)
While CM Punk and Drew McIntyre could be the main event at Hell in a Cell, this match should be the center of attention. This result could lead to different directions for Rose and Reigns next, and could even set up an Undisputed WWE Championship rematch. Teaming up for the first time, how well can these two actually coexist?
