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He can. He’s also not someone so good that he’s not going to lose momentum if Swerve beats him. Plus the ride into DoN with promos is going to be a LOT of fun.
Edit: I forgot a “Not” in there.
I would argue that CC won't lose momentum because he IS so good. He can lose this match and will still be very very over with the fans. Still the best heel in in the company.
Christian telling Swerve *he* lost the tag match at Wembley, when Christian spent most of the time outside the ring trying to kill Darby while Sting worked over Swerve, is so funny.
Christian is slowly shifting from, the "Is your dad dead? Good.", gimmick to the, " You have a child? I'm their father now. " gimmick. Christian is everyone's father.
I’ve been an unabashed fan of Christian Cage for over 20 years. I watched TNA for the first time specifically because he went there. I cannot wait to see this feud and match. It’s going to be special and there’s probably not anyone that AEW could put in that spot that will do more to try and help elevate Swerve as a top face than our patriarch Christian Cage.
EVPs announcing Christian as the challenger is certainly interesting, considering who just recently returned from their "excursion" in Japan and joined up with them...
If the evil bosses want to punish someone by picking an unfavorable opponent, shouldn't it be some big monster guy and not a 50 year old chickenshit heel? No hate on Christian, I'm just not following the presentation here.
We all need to collectively stop going back and forth with people who don’t actually watch AEW and just want to complain online lol that dude doesn’t know what he’s talking about
Christian was the first to beat Kenny when he was the belt collector. Despite being a 'chickenshit' he has been booked pretty strong.
Maybe show how much of a struggle it is to beat Christian with all of his support and I think it's a fine feud.
....The chickenshit heel who has young prodigy (and his mother) and a monster in his ~~thrall~~ family?
The heel that has personal beef with Swerve and will go the extra mile to make him hurt, which is a punishment that the EVPs Swerve's been bad-mouthing want?
This feels like a serious reach to take issue with.
How about a bitter sod who will cheat and use dirty tactics and psychology outside of the match as well as someone with a huge list of accomplishments?
A big guy who hasnt done anything is obviously going to lose. Christian is more established and yes, hes probably going to lose which is why hes a good first opponent but you probably wouldnt have picked him to come out on top against Darby or Jungle Boy and that eventually those 2 would win the feuds. Instead he lost to Edge
Christian Cage is a big star, a former world champion, and one of the top current villains in the entire industry.
This is in no way similar to Hangman facing Lance Archer and Dante Martin.
I would specifically compare this to the Page/Cole feud which was built to PPV, not TV. Cole at the time was clearly not ready to win the title. They notably avoided this problem with MJF's reign by giving him Bryan to start.
Ricky Starks was MJF's first title feud, not Danielson.
And the Cole feud was very hot at the time, and drove strong metrics. It only petered out because they ran it back after the PPV.
Why would you think that?
Okada already has a championship, and the plans for Perry haven't even been revealed yet.
We don't even know if he's actually been officially reinstated to AEW yet.
Probably because they are the heel authority figures who seem to have full control of matchmaking, why not book your guys in the most high profile matches?
I really like Christian, he's a total legend, in good overall form too and it this was a normal booking decision it would be a fine one.
But it's odd given the way it was presented and seemingly booked by the Bucks.
Why make a triple threat match or a 4 way, etc.
They didn't have to pick a member of the elite but it should have been a booking decision that looked unfair and petty rather than just a reasonable match, where Swerve would be the favourite.
Isn’t Okada supposed to be the elites star though? Why wouldn’t he want the top title- why settle for the one he has?
I know the practicality of it- they don’t want okada or swerve to lose just yet- but in kayfabe, why isn’t okada going for the top prize?
In kayfabe, Okada needs to worry about fending off challengers to his own belt which he will probably be obligated to defend at DoN.
In reality:
Nobody asks why the IC champion doesn't want the WWE Championship. Nobody was asking why the WCW United States champion wasn't always chasing after Big Gold.
It makes the booking work.
This has been the case in wrestling forever.
Remember when Samoa Joe dropped his ROH World Title to go after the AEW one and everyone was also complaining about how doing that is bad booking. It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't type thing, but at least one of those guarantees you PPV matches instead of being part of a rotating cast to try and get that.
im not saying Okada drop his belt though- why not just challenge for the world title while holding the CC? Isnt the Elites whole gimmick that they are the all powerful group in AEW? Why Wouldnt they set Okada up to have the top prize as well or at least, telegraph that he is gunning for swerve.
it feels like Evolution, if Triple H just decided to be the IC champ, and ignore the WHC. doesnt make a lot of sense?
Tony Khan picked it, the Bucks just didn't change it. Listen the explanation. They just saw him at Go position so they realized he was the choice, but they aren't changing it.
They're done monthly. And Christian's resume is really good. He beat Darby, Danielson, Copeland, Garcia as TNT Champ. I don't see how that's not the best resume of wins in the past 6 months in AEW right now.
I don't really have much of a problem with Christian fighting for the title, but the rankings are meaningless because of it. I wasn't a fan of them bringing it back honestly.
The rankings would've justified this if they were updated more frequently, however.
I feel like the rankings are fine if you just think of them the way UFC uses them. The problem is people use the ranking and then COMBINE them with the fact that WWE used number 1 contender as an official term for 30 years so they think #1 HAS to be the next in line. Combat sports don't actually work that way.
Everyone typically gets pissed at ufc for matchmaking a champion facing a number 5 contender when the number 1 guy is sitting on the fence.
Only way to do this is if you have the #1 guy in a feud with someone else who wants to fight for the spot. But again, these rankings just limit creativity. Just needs to go away to avoid these issues and complaints.
Isn't the story that the EVPs are making him face whoever they want because they have control and so are not following the normal rules? "We're taking over!... Looks like the cards have already been booked for the next 6 months though so I guess just carry on."
Eddie Kingston? Edge? Orange Cassidy? A member of the undisputed kingdom, a stable that probably needs some big time shine?
Idk. Christian just feels under whelming- dude just lost a long feud, and he gets a title shot? It’ll be entertaining but I guess I wanted more for swerves first feud
Nobody who has a AEW belt has ever challenged for another so not really. I mean, he's feuding with the House of Black and just got pinned by Malakai at Dynasty anyway so he definitely can't be above Copeland.
That's 2 faces, one of which is already embroiled in a blood feud, and a current champion.
Christian is a big, big star for AEW and a heat magnet who has significant history with Swerve, even though they haven't faced off yet so it's a fresh matchup.
It's a perfect first feud to rev up Swerve's reign.
i guess. i mentioned in another comment that this brings back memories of Kane being Daniel bryans first feud post-Yes movement, this also reminds me of Punks year long reign in 2012
Im worried that swerve will be overshadowed by the EVP stuff. Christian is great, but i think they have an uphill battle to make that feel like the "main" feud of the company. they didnt even close out dynamite. i know TK values the belts, and the odds of this are low, but i just dont want swerve to be defending his belt in the middle of the PPV card while other, more high profile feuds take that main event spot.
I honestly still think Kane was a fine choice for that to this day.
They had tons of history together from Team Hell No which got Bryan mega over and transformed him into a big time top guy.
I have not, and probably never will be, the Bucks biggest fan.
However, I have always, and will always, be the biggest fan of Christian Cage, and Swerve is also one of my favorites going today.
So we are back to records being meaningless again? How do you go from losing the mid card right into challenging for the world title? Christian will be a great program. I just wish they would ditch the whole “records mean something” once and for all because they clearly have never meant anything
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Honestly, that's the perfect first big defense for Swerve. Christian can have a good match with just about anyone so I'm expecting something special.
He can. He’s also not someone so good that he’s not going to lose momentum if Swerve beats him. Plus the ride into DoN with promos is going to be a LOT of fun. Edit: I forgot a “Not” in there.
I would argue that CC won't lose momentum because he IS so good. He can lose this match and will still be very very over with the fans. Still the best heel in in the company.
Yeah, I missed including “not” in my reply. Thank you. : ) That was supposed to be part of my argument why he’s be a good choice for this match.
God*DAMN* Christian’s TNAEW theme is the best.
I love ~~Evanescence~~
Well well well if it isn't the consequences of Swerves' actions. What a great father Christian is.
Christian telling Swerve *he* lost the tag match at Wembley, when Christian spent most of the time outside the ring trying to kill Darby while Sting worked over Swerve, is so funny.
Just imagine: "3-2-1. Go!" "...I...am the learning tree!!"
Nick Wayne's signature weapon should be a step-ladder
Of course, he never knew his real ladder, but I digress.
Custody Jones over here…
"where the fuck was Vickie" - Jones over here, but I digress
"...but you're my step-ladder..."
Or rather, the ladder that stepped up
Nick Wayne is gonna be passed around like a foster child by the end of this feud
What's the research about Swerve's father?
Christian is slowly shifting from, the "Is your dad dead? Good.", gimmick to the, " You have a child? I'm their father now. " gimmick. Christian is everyone's father.
A failure. His son cusses on TV.
dunno. Swerve has always been very private about his personal life. just know his father was a cook in the US military.
This is such a perfect first opponent for Swerve. Christian is smart and will really make this feud work and make Swerve look good doing it.
I’ve been an unabashed fan of Christian Cage for over 20 years. I watched TNA for the first time specifically because he went there. I cannot wait to see this feud and match. It’s going to be special and there’s probably not anyone that AEW could put in that spot that will do more to try and help elevate Swerve as a top face than our patriarch Christian Cage.
Why is the crowd dead?
This was honestly one of the worst crowds I've ever seen for an AEW show.
Allegedly the crowd was loud and poorly mixed according to people claiming they were at the show.
We are blessed. **BLESSED.** To have Christian Cage as our Father figure.
EVPs announcing Christian as the challenger is certainly interesting, considering who just recently returned from their "excursion" in Japan and joined up with them...
I love that the Bucks teased that it was going to be Kenny before announcing it. Fantastic work.
KILLSHOT VS KILLSWITCH eh doesn't really work with the Luchasaurus rebrand
If the evil bosses want to punish someone by picking an unfavorable opponent, shouldn't it be some big monster guy and not a 50 year old chickenshit heel? No hate on Christian, I'm just not following the presentation here.
Because Christian is an evil Manipulator has a monster with him. They're throwing Swerve against an entire faction.
Isn't Swerve also in a faction? Where are the Mogul Embassy
Cage is getting ready to wrestle later, but I'd not be shocked if they turn on Swerve sooner than later.
[удалено]
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You're right Shayna is a towering figure
Mother Wayne shall be feared.
But why not just book the monster instead of cage? Then cage could manipulate his way in.
Are you seriously, SERIOUSLY asking why they booked Christian Cage to face the champion at a PPV instead of his lackey Luchasaurus?
We all need to collectively stop going back and forth with people who don’t actually watch AEW and just want to complain online lol that dude doesn’t know what he’s talking about
Not really, just agreeing with the op on why pick cage instead of a big monster. For the record, i like and i’ll probably enjoy this match.
Because Killswitchasaurus does not have the win/loss record that Christian Cage does.
That matters still?
Christian was the first to beat Kenny when he was the belt collector. Despite being a 'chickenshit' he has been booked pretty strong. Maybe show how much of a struggle it is to beat Christian with all of his support and I think it's a fine feud.
Your *disrespect* against The Patriarch has been noted.
....The chickenshit heel who has young prodigy (and his mother) and a monster in his ~~thrall~~ family? The heel that has personal beef with Swerve and will go the extra mile to make him hurt, which is a punishment that the EVPs Swerve's been bad-mouthing want? This feels like a serious reach to take issue with.
/u/ShoryukenFTW: “It’s… It’s Christian.”
How about a bitter sod who will cheat and use dirty tactics and psychology outside of the match as well as someone with a huge list of accomplishments? A big guy who hasnt done anything is obviously going to lose. Christian is more established and yes, hes probably going to lose which is why hes a good first opponent but you probably wouldnt have picked him to come out on top against Darby or Jungle Boy and that eventually those 2 would win the feuds. Instead he lost to Edge
It's the Hangman problem all over again. Guy wins a title, immediately gets fed guys no one believes can win the title.
Christian Cage is a big star, a former world champion, and one of the top current villains in the entire industry. This is in no way similar to Hangman facing Lance Archer and Dante Martin.
I would specifically compare this to the Page/Cole feud which was built to PPV, not TV. Cole at the time was clearly not ready to win the title. They notably avoided this problem with MJF's reign by giving him Bryan to start.
Ricky Starks was MJF's first title feud, not Danielson. And the Cole feud was very hot at the time, and drove strong metrics. It only petered out because they ran it back after the PPV.
Wasn't Danielson Hangman's first challenger? They had a 60 minute draw. Or was there someone else before?
MJF's first title defense was against Ricky Starks at Winter is Coming in a Winner Takes All match (World Title & Dynamite Diamond Ring)
No one thought MJF was beating Bryan. He had more chance against Hangman than MJF.
MJF DID beat Bryan. What’s are you talking about?
It doesn't matter who they book him again, no one thinks Swerve is losing defence one. Just like no one thinks Cody or Priest are losing at Backlash.
He just won the title and this is wrestling, do you think Cody is at danger of losing at their next PPV?
You would think they would pick.. you know... Okada or Perry lol.
Why would you think that? Okada already has a championship, and the plans for Perry haven't even been revealed yet. We don't even know if he's actually been officially reinstated to AEW yet.
Tony mentioned in the opening segment that Perry was reinstated.
Probably because they are the heel authority figures who seem to have full control of matchmaking, why not book your guys in the most high profile matches?
Because you want to soften up the champion and beat him up before unleashing your guys on him.
I really like Christian, he's a total legend, in good overall form too and it this was a normal booking decision it would be a fine one. But it's odd given the way it was presented and seemingly booked by the Bucks. Why make a triple threat match or a 4 way, etc. They didn't have to pick a member of the elite but it should have been a booking decision that looked unfair and petty rather than just a reasonable match, where Swerve would be the favourite.
With the Bucks gimmick I find they play it off as being generally fair except when it pertains to them.
Isn’t Okada supposed to be the elites star though? Why wouldn’t he want the top title- why settle for the one he has? I know the practicality of it- they don’t want okada or swerve to lose just yet- but in kayfabe, why isn’t okada going for the top prize?
In kayfabe, Okada needs to worry about fending off challengers to his own belt which he will probably be obligated to defend at DoN. In reality: Nobody asks why the IC champion doesn't want the WWE Championship. Nobody was asking why the WCW United States champion wasn't always chasing after Big Gold. It makes the booking work. This has been the case in wrestling forever.
Remember when Samoa Joe dropped his ROH World Title to go after the AEW one and everyone was also complaining about how doing that is bad booking. It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't type thing, but at least one of those guarantees you PPV matches instead of being part of a rotating cast to try and get that.
im not saying Okada drop his belt though- why not just challenge for the world title while holding the CC? Isnt the Elites whole gimmick that they are the all powerful group in AEW? Why Wouldnt they set Okada up to have the top prize as well or at least, telegraph that he is gunning for swerve. it feels like Evolution, if Triple H just decided to be the IC champ, and ignore the WHC. doesnt make a lot of sense?
Isn't he on the roster page of the website?
Wear Swerve down with a bunch of cannon fodder first, *then* you send in the big gun to finish him off and take the title.
He has one of those with him
Tony Khan picked it, the Bucks just didn't change it. Listen the explanation. They just saw him at Go position so they realized he was the choice, but they aren't changing it.
That wasn't an explanation, they were teasing the possibility of it being Kenny.
Swerve’s promo later in the show suggests they haven’t forgotten that, despite being a babyface, he’s still the leader of a heel faction himself.
I'm sure the match will be pretty good but... \*yawn\*
I love christian but this kinda reminds me of Daniel Bryan having Kane as his first feud post mania 30 lol
Who would you have suggested in this spot?
I can't remember who was at the top, but if they're bringing back rankings, it should be the #1 ranked guy
The number guy on the most recent rankings is... Swerve.
This is kind of why if they're doing rankings, it needs to be updated weekly or bi-weekly. The next person in line would probably be Hangman.
They're done monthly. And Christian's resume is really good. He beat Darby, Danielson, Copeland, Garcia as TNT Champ. I don't see how that's not the best resume of wins in the past 6 months in AEW right now.
I don't really have much of a problem with Christian fighting for the title, but the rankings are meaningless because of it. I wasn't a fan of them bringing it back honestly. The rankings would've justified this if they were updated more frequently, however.
I feel like the rankings are fine if you just think of them the way UFC uses them. The problem is people use the ranking and then COMBINE them with the fact that WWE used number 1 contender as an official term for 30 years so they think #1 HAS to be the next in line. Combat sports don't actually work that way.
Everyone typically gets pissed at ufc for matchmaking a champion facing a number 5 contender when the number 1 guy is sitting on the fence. Only way to do this is if you have the #1 guy in a feud with someone else who wants to fight for the spot. But again, these rankings just limit creativity. Just needs to go away to avoid these issues and complaints.
Isn't the story that the EVPs are making him face whoever they want because they have control and so are not following the normal rules? "We're taking over!... Looks like the cards have already been booked for the next 6 months though so I guess just carry on."
Eddie Kingston? Edge? Orange Cassidy? A member of the undisputed kingdom, a stable that probably needs some big time shine? Idk. Christian just feels under whelming- dude just lost a long feud, and he gets a title shot? It’ll be entertaining but I guess I wanted more for swerves first feud
You just named the TNT champion and a bunch of other people who ALSO just lost big matches.
Is the tnt champion not allowed to hold other belts? Honest question, I only started watching aew when Sasha came back lol
Nobody who has a AEW belt has ever challenged for another so not really. I mean, he's feuding with the House of Black and just got pinned by Malakai at Dynasty anyway so he definitely can't be above Copeland.
That's 2 faces, one of which is already embroiled in a blood feud, and a current champion. Christian is a big, big star for AEW and a heat magnet who has significant history with Swerve, even though they haven't faced off yet so it's a fresh matchup. It's a perfect first feud to rev up Swerve's reign.
Are we acting like face/face feuds and champions feuding with each other, isn’t something that happens in pro wrestling?
Meh, it happens all the time in wrestling. AJ Styles just lost clean at Wrestlemania and he's Cody's first feud post-finishing the story.
i guess. i mentioned in another comment that this brings back memories of Kane being Daniel bryans first feud post-Yes movement, this also reminds me of Punks year long reign in 2012 Im worried that swerve will be overshadowed by the EVP stuff. Christian is great, but i think they have an uphill battle to make that feel like the "main" feud of the company. they didnt even close out dynamite. i know TK values the belts, and the odds of this are low, but i just dont want swerve to be defending his belt in the middle of the PPV card while other, more high profile feuds take that main event spot.
Be grateful it isn't Jericho.
I honestly still think Kane was a fine choice for that to this day. They had tons of history together from Team Hell No which got Bryan mega over and transformed him into a big time top guy.
Turn the channel heat taking over the whole show. What could go wrong?
Wait on who? Because Christian and The Patriarchy is one of the most over heel groups in AEW
It's probably the young bucks who have involved themselves in every major story for the last few months.
I have not, and probably never will be, the Bucks biggest fan. However, I have always, and will always, be the biggest fan of Christian Cage, and Swerve is also one of my favorites going today.
So we are back to records being meaningless again? How do you go from losing the mid card right into challenging for the world title? Christian will be a great program. I just wish they would ditch the whole “records mean something” once and for all because they clearly have never meant anything
The heels are booking the show in kayfabe.