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Huh, that is really interesting.

Yeah, I used to never be on my phone during AEW. There have been lulls like this before, though, so I’m hoping it’s just an in between phase.

I looked it up and the winner has gotten an automatic buy in the past. If Okada is in it, I don’t see Takeshita not challenging. I could see the story being Takeshita winning over Okada symbolizing him eclipsing Okada as the tournament guy.

I’ve noticed a few things that feel like that is the case. There have been a lot more story recaps - sometimes even about what happened earlier in the night. The promos are mostly fine, but I’m tuning out during the video packages more and more. The Twitter feed also feels off in the same way.

I’d be happy with that, but I see a lot of complaints when there is a match that isn’t backed by story reasons. I don’t particularly need another belt (especially as quite a few already aren’t defended very regularly), but hopefully we get some good matches out of it. It’s definitely an odd choice.

My husband is now saying there are still two belts, but they had a unified champion which was not my understanding. If that is the case, then I agree that is kind of pointless. And shows it hasn’t come up enough to clarify it.

Yes to this! I liked that there wasn’t a huge divide between the top people and the mid card. I’m ok with repeating feuds when they make sense, but I don’t want to just watch the same circle of wrestlers facing each other continuously.

I would imagine the broadcaster would want the TNT belt and probably the World Championship to be on their channel - there might be some limitations there.

I really liked seeing PAC defend the International Championship in England. It made the belt stand out.

There is only the one belt - the belts got unified.

Agreed - at least one belt needs to be available for other promotions to win.

Tony Khan does go over to Eddie’s house to watch old tapes.

Doesn’t Okada get automatic entry as the previous winner?

I was thinking more that the story is heading to a title challenge, especially as the Continental Classic is coming up. With Takeshita winning the G1 and Okada being the best tournament wrestler as per Callis, that’s where I assumed it is heading.

Wrestling is the culmination of so many other nerdy things I love.

The only story I know about my great-grandmother was that she punched the tv while watching boxing (I imagine it is just a family legend, but I like to keep the kayfabe of it). I think she would have enjoyed AEW as well.

I don’t mind Okada’s belt not being challenged a lot, since the matches are always excellent when they happen. I’m also enjoying the build for Takeshita vs Okada for the belt. I’d prefer if the unified belt was a trophy won at the Continental Championship, though.

Interesting. I do enjoy their kayfabe importance, but I also know they are manufactured so I can’t see them in the same light as a MMA belt. I can definitely see why you’d feel that way, though. Would the belt providing an opportunity for a wrestler outside of AEW having it make a difference to you?

I’ve always liked Garcia, but this match stood out. He works better for me when he has a bit of an edge, and Darby is a great person to show that off.

There are quite a few CMLL people I’d love to see have a chance at having an AEW belt. Máscara Dorada, Mistico and Templario are high on my list.

I loved that Mone bit - great little bit of character work that set up for Stat to take her out.

I just listened to the Deadlock episode where they talk about Joe having the best mind for wrestling. He instantly makes me believe every feud he is in. I’ve been enjoying seeing a more unhinged, emotional Joe this heel turn - it feels like a different Joe than we’ve seen in AEW so far.

What is the importance of belts to you? I think of them more as storytelling tools/ motivation for matches, since they aren’t really ‘won’. I’m interested in another perspective.

Aren’t all wrestling belts just glorified props, though? They have importance in kayfabe, but they also aren’t won in the traditional sense. I think of them more as a storytelling tool than anything else.

Exactly. Persephone and Olympia were easily able to challenge Mone because she had the CMLL belt. I got to see two matches I enjoyed, and it provided a reason for the match to happen. If, say, Ricochet wins then we get a whole bunch of Ricochet matches that can just happen when schedules line up.

I am watching this match right now and the kid screamed just as I was reading your post.

Where have you heard Mone is a problem? I can understand not liking the gimmick, but I haven’t come across any shoot issues with her.

I think he is someone who would benefit from a fresh start somewhere else. The hatred of him seems to be so ingrained at this point I don’t know if he’ll be given a fair shot.

A wrestler said in an interview that a good wrestler takes the time they are given and makes use of it (Fletcher comes to mind as an example). Page was given lots of chances, he just wasn’t able to build anything with it himself. He seems more suited to WWE, where he has a lot more guidance.

For sure. My husband liked that match - just not for me.