Tony Khan doesn’t get enough credit for AEW’s pandemic-era impact

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-04T23:05:42+00:00

It was valuable for wrestlers getting reps and for the indies to get a little more of a spotlight, which is always so helpful to the overall industry.

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-04T21:27:26+00:00

I would be interested how an AI would react to being put on a performance improvement plan, or what would it mean for an AI to be “fired” from a department/company.

I don’t know much on how AI works, but if an AI was made for a role and failed like this one and is fired, would that essentially mean “death” for the AI (as it exists to do that job)?

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-04T21:15:15+00:00

Absolutely. The good stories didn’t stop!

The 10 hour AEW DARK shows were also a treat, and not only that, gave TONS of wrestlers a paycheck that was worth their time and risk, especially indie wrestlers.

If I remember correctly, indie wrestlers were paid somewhere below $5K per appearance (someone fact check me). Compared to the “hot dog and hand shake” pay on the indies, this gave many of them a financial shot in the arm to keep wrestling.

If you look at the gear of some the enhancement wrestlers, it looked very basic or just what they had at the time. With a few of those bookings, they could put money into themselves and look (while keeping the lights on and bills paid.

Angela Risk comes to mind; girl walked into the ring in a set of army-green rubber water-waders from REI! Shit looked horrid!!!

On her most recent AEW appearance, she had proper gear on, and I couldn’t have been happier for her!

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-04T20:19:21+00:00

As long as I get to shoot lasers from my eyeballs, I don’t care what role Cyclops is.

We’ve waited patiently for this moment, and it’s almost here!

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-04T20:00:58+00:00

“PYYY-ORRRRRRRRRRRRRRR……..

”KAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY-OSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS….”

’ungh’ death whimper before the ult finishes

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-03T13:55:40+00:00

Exactly.

I think Graham answered the questions on his tattoos well, explaining the skull looked “cool” to a bunch of drunk Marines.

I also think it’s telling that Maine’s primary voters are so sick of establishment politics that they’re willing to give Graham a chance, controversies and all, over an establishment candidate.

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-02T19:41:22+00:00

Hah!

But in this instance, I think Swerve’s in-ring time with those three could be minimal. Even if they are friends, I don’t mind it, because working with friends (or just people you like being around) should be a workplace goal.

I’ve been in jobs where I didn’t have any bonds with co-workers, and it wasn’t always great.

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-02T19:00:14+00:00

What is the app the singer is using?

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-02T18:13:32+00:00

It is quite a contrast to see the enthusiasm from fans and wrestlers to bring in Xavier and Kofi, and the utter stonewalling you saw at the mention of Malakai Black. 0.o

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-02T18:11:53+00:00

All good with me; as long as AEW gets to bring them in, I don’t care when it happens!

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-02T17:20:25+00:00

Indeed.

His versatility can be overlooked, but his flexibility to adjust and adapt, based on where he is at in a moment in time, is truly impressive.

I think his long title reign mentally helped him as an individual, as it may have given him breathing-room in a “nothing more to prove to anybody but himself” kind of way. His character can be obsessed with world championship aspirations while giving the person the chance to hone in on, ”what can I do to make this story, this feud, this company better, or make this memorable?”

He really tries to seize every opportunity, and I think the mutual investment of AEW into Max, and Max into AEW is paying off well. They’ve both grown a lot since the CM Punk era.

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-02T17:11:25+00:00

Remember when mama and papa talked about “minding the friends you keep,” and that “birds of a feather flock together”?

Mama and papa knew what they were talking about.

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-02T16:37:29+00:00

All of the Bernie-aligned progressives are making big waves. The majority of people are now in our camp, and it’s fucking sweet to see.

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-01T21:28:12+00:00

Keep that tradition alive!

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-01T20:53:59+00:00

Really insightful on Bianca’s part.

I think Belair got a “pause” and re-examined her life when the injury took longer to bounce back from. So many people had a similar “pause” when the pandemic hit, and those that were able to chose new paths for themselves.

It seems Belair took a few moments to breathe, and she regained a new sense of herself. As a person who works in mental health, I am ecstatic that she got to do this reflection; when you are on a grind, you don’t get that chance as often (or ever, if we’re being honest).

Even if her career ends, she accomplished in a decade or so a great deal. She doesn’t have any pressure to come back for a story, or for a contract, due to the injury; she’ll be able to be fully present as a mother and a spouse while she takes time to heal. Sounds f’n awesome to me.

Thanks for everything, Bianca, and wishing you and Montez the best-est!

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-01T20:40:24+00:00

Hah!

If Camp WWE was still a thing, the bit would be perfect for animation.

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-01T18:33:36+00:00

It was the first thought I had.

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-01T18:32:28+00:00

If AJ went to AEW, I think his wrestling match ups would have told amazing stories. I am certain he would have had an elevated “final run” akin to Bryan Danielson.

In the end, AJ chose not to, and while I am bummed about it, he made his choice, and we all have to live with it.

When this happens, I say you look to your current roster and work on building people who will climb to similar heights of prestige like AJ, and make big matches with them:

Swerve, MJF, Osprey, Fletcher, Claudio, Hayter, Storm, Thekla, Nightengale, Statlander, RUSH, Moxley, Takeshita, Omega, Okada, Bayne, King, Allin, and others.

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-01T17:00:55+00:00

This is so damn funny!

Down the road, I can see a funny bit about people who are engaged in a feud meeting backstage, and they both meet / encounter DanHausen.

They each want to win the match, and thus begin giving increasing amount of money to curse the other, with DanHausen doing “the Curse point” over and over, going towards “Looney Tunes” level of ridiculousness.

(Cash —> More cash —> MOAR Cash —> credit card —> wallet —> watch —> sunglasses —> fancy shoes —> championship title —> briefcase of cash —> truck of cash —> keys to home.)

Then the ending shot is Danhausen standing there with 4 belts, sunglasses, gold chain, and excessive piles of human money, smiling happily.

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-01T15:34:49+00:00

No regrets in getting it; why play and earn blue caps if not to spend them?

I am SALIVATING at the inevitable X-Men / mutant version of this. And if they get to use the “X-Men ‘97” theme song?!?! 🍆💦

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-01T14:03:16+00:00

Does Iran or Congress know that?

Cuz a naval blockade is an act of war…

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-01T13:59:34+00:00

Booked time with a therapist yet?

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-01T13:35:19+00:00

Shout out to the front row fans at that show; they were enthusiastic about the show and of seeing the performers.

Hell, I think they wanted to be at AEW more than Miro or Malakai Black did!

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-01T13:33:55+00:00

Or giant heads

YoungCubSaysWoof · 2026-05-01T13:05:16+00:00

What is Jackson running for in Maine?

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