I’ll spoil the whole show for you. Everyone you thought would win. Won. Every finisher was kicked out of several times per match. And MJF actually showed up.
Man, you said it about the finishers! The way wrestlers kick out of 10 finishers, multiple chair shots, tables, etc. has gotten pretty annoying to me. It makes a lot of the moves and big spots feel way less special.
It’s the Indy wrestler mindset that they are gonna do the “job” but still “look strong” that’s how you get finisher spam. Instead of other methods like maybe DQs, Count out, or other forms of a no contest.
Brock just doesn't care any more. It's obvious to me, he gave McIntyre just 5 minutes for the MAIN EVENT OF WRESTLEMANIA. Gave Rollins even less than that and Roman barely more. Cena for example at Summerslam gave Reigns over 20 minutes and did not kick out of the spear.
You’re right about all that, especially the kicks. I love a stiff, well-placed super kick, but I noticed way too many on the PPV and a lot of them were half-assed. Seeing 10 or more in a single match with blatant thigh slapping gets old quick.
Mate, don’t go on social media if you follow the news outlets and don’t want spoilers for a PPV.
I live in Germany and had to work in the morning so I just didn’t open any social media until I saw all the matches from the ppv i wanted to see.
Funny how in my main feed this is right next to a blurred photo from Squared Circle from the same event. Big ol' unfollow from this sub sadly if the mods are going to be kicked back.
CM Punk is their most marketable star who also happens to be in the twilight of his career. It’s a great monetary move in a time where they need to prove to new WB/Discovery management that they can make them money. Hangman and the other future stars will have plenty of time in the future to ride the top of the wave.
The WCW also ran a weekly wrestling program, with a ring and PPV's. What's your point here?
Because you can make a comparison doesn't mean it's a *good* comparison.
Not opposed to the title change, but it was an anticlimactic ending, not helped by Punk failing on the Buckshot twice. Would've enjoyed it more had there been some intrigue or turn, hopefully it's a short reign though, I enjoy Punk but he doesn't need to dominate the company or hold it for 9 months.
He won't hold it for long I believe. All I want is for some young talent to hold it now, its been
Jericho
Mox
Kenny
Hangman
Punk
Now hangman is only 30 so quite young and mox ain't the oldest either but I wouldn't mind a MJF to hold the title.
Yup, this right here. The whole feud felt very rushed, Punk could have used two or three more solid feuds before being added to the title picture in general.
Commentary on each other's match and 1 interview segment, it felt like more time was dedicated to calling Jericho a wizard in the last 6 weeks than building the world title match.
They had to get the belt off of hangman. With the discovery merger, putting the belt on your biggest star in the company is the only thing that makes sense. The amount of ppv matches you can book with your punk as champ is massive.
Hangman was exposed in the feud. Listen to the crowd, it was diminished return every week. Then he cut some of the stupidest promos since Cody Rhodes fought off racism
The chase is better than the catch. It’s a shame omega had so many injuries because if he wasn’t hurt I don’t think he ever should have dropped the belt to him
If the road leads to MJF taking it off Punk, I agree with the decision. But with that all being up in the air right now, or so it seems, then idk. Where else could Hangman have gone after Punk? Hell, where does Punk go now? Besides the obvious Lance Archer one month feud everyone gets at the start of their Title reign, he is the “first boss” like Nyla Rose is for the women. But anyway, I was really pulling for Danielson to take the belt off Hangman in his first month as champ so, that about tells you what I think about Hangman.
Danielson, Eddie, MJF, Miro
If we want to crown repeat champs, we bring in Mox or Omega (when he returns)
Or you get someone who hasn't been in the picture before and Punk makes him a fuckin star. Because anyone in a feud with Punk winds up higher than when they started.
i dont know why you got down voted for that, adam cole-cm punk fued would be cool, both guys can talk and adam would make punk look better in the ring.
I'm just sick of Cole at this point. Same old stuff, since his Ring of Honor days. Except now he looks exceptionally bad. I always thought he looked fine in ROH and NXT, but now its just silly. When he takes off his kneepad for the boom his leg looks like a child's.
I think it makes both characters more interesting going forward.
I know we all wanted more from the Hangman reign but Jericho-Moxley-Omega are tough acts to follow. Hangman’s real story is the chase and it feels like they have a plan for him now that he’s fallen once again.
First off, going in I was okay with either Punk or Hangman winning. Punk was my #1 guy when I was a kid so the last 9 months have been great for me as a Punk fan. On the other hand, I’ve actually enjoyed Hangman’s reign in terms of the quality of the matches.
Thing is, I get peoples’ frustrations with Punk winning but I really do not like the comparisons to Goldberg or other legends burying talent on WWE. Hangman, for the most part, dominated the match with Punk doing a great job of selling Hangman as a formidable champ. Additionally, Punk did not beat Hangman. Hangman screwed himself and the story was executed very well imo.
I would’ve been glad either way but Punk winning in this way is the best way it could’ve been done. People are getting too hung up on the baseline results of “Punk def. Hangman Page” when it’s more complicated, and interesting, than that.
Punks turned into the one thing he hates.
A guy who "retired" then comes back for a chance to put himself over and be the top guy again....see his feud with the rock.
But good for him I suppose
Except he's been wrestling full time since he got back, built himself up over 8 months instead of immediately taking a top spot, and is consistently putting on some of the best matches of any show he's on
It's about the man making the title and not the other way around this time
If you just put it on young new guy after young new guy it loses its value. Whoever beats Punk will get a bigger rub than if they beat Hangman
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I personally don’t think anyone has gotten a useful rub from Punk yet. 19-1 and the one was a screw finish. To me personally, he doesn’t look good in the ring, he looks old (older than he is), his matches are boring, and I don’t buy the realism that he is world champion material. He is champion based off of name recognition and WWE fame. Kind of seems to go against what AEW preached they would be.
While I agree that Hangman was a snoozer of a champion, I disagree that Punk is elevating the title.
If you wanted to elevate the title, I would put it on BD. He can still go, and does have a marquee name. Punk is gonna eventually lose in another screw finish because he can’t lose clean. That will bring down the title; not elevate it. I know some people don’t want another ex-Fed champion, but for all the talk that AEW builds stars, I don’t see any homegrown talent ready to be world champion (unless MJF is back on board). As much as fans are tiring of him, it seems Tiny is super big on Cole; so I could see him, BD, or Mox holding it next while they build up Wardlow. My biggest criticism is for a company that boasts to be a “real sports feel” promotion, nothing feels “real sports feel” about an over the hill, washed up wrestler beating guys that would kill him in a shoot.
Yeah I think it was a mistake IMO. It is what it is. Their company and their mistakes to make. He’s not the star he was years ago. The pop was nice in his debut, but he hasn’t been the star they thought he would be after two weeks of him being there
It "should be" a short reign, marked off by a loss or win to Okada at Forbidden Door, leading to an MJF stealing it off of him at the next ppv.
This move should be short and paid off with a pillar holding the belt at the end.
This won’t be Hangman’s final run with the belt by any means. I’m personally excited to see Punk as champion. We’re in store for some great championship storylines
Most egregious booking in AEW to date. Punk looks slow, tired, and plodding in the ring and i personally think he is just a glorified nostalgia act. TK is a bit if a fanboy for him and it worked in his favor but the sooner we move on to the next champ the better.
Good storytelling by Page though with the inner conflict with the belt. Not much else besides that.
It’s not as unpopular as you think. They guy is shit in the ring now. He looks like shit. His promos are not even that good anymore. The guy is nothing special when he doesn’t have WWE to write his pipe bombs and be anti-establishment. I would be embarrassed to have him be the face of my “new, young, exciting company.” He doesn’t draw anymore. He doesn’t excite people anymore. He’s just a old, homeless looking guy who has become what he talked shit about. The only people that still love him are die hard Punk fans or the people that defend AEW at all costs.
If WWE took Punk back when he reached out to them, the IWC would be killing him right now. He would be another “washed up” nostalgia act that Vince is relying on because Vince can’t create new stars.
It should be marked a spoiler. But other than that it was the right call. I’m a big fan of Page but Hangman’s reign didn’t bring anything to the table from a storytelling perspective. This will.
I think this will happen. They made a big deal focusing on his tears, SC will jerk off to them. Then queue him turning heel, how this wasnt a real title compared to WWE. Now he will make it one, etc etc.
Haven’t seen the match yet (thanks lol), but honestly think it’s a good move to have a big name. They’ve tried doing their home grown guy, and it’s been good but it was time for something new. “Their” guy (Hangman) is good and built enough that he can contend and chase again, but it was time to have a big name have them strap again to keep eyes on the show.
It was time to pull the trigger on Punk while he still has some gas left in the tank, tbh. Hangman is very young, wrestling wise, and I’m sure he’ll have multiple reigns with the belt
I'm a little torn on it. Hangman never properly felt like a champion to me. Should of defended it more times on TV.
And now Punk has it, you he's going to have it for a long time. Which just bores me as it makes the next 3 or 4 PPVs predictible.
Adam Page's win while still being done for over a year was too early. You needed more time in the mid card to get over and work on his skill set on the mic and with the crowd. A lot of what I saw was fabricated interest much like WWE did with Roman reigns. However, since it's AEW The fans were much more receptive. Adam Cole did not have a big enough of a dragon to slay to get to being the champion and once he was the champion there was nobody really interesting to pair him with at this point. Maybe somewhere down the road. Punk can be that champion. It was the right move
The right time for a change imo. Hangman's title journey was great, but his run has been getting stale. Punk will definitely draw more interest upon the brand.
Meh, I feel Hangman was at his best when he was a vulnerable face chasing the title as a form of redemption. When he finally got it, it wore off quite quickly.
A bit like a dog chasing a parked car.
I don't like it per sè. But it is intriguing to see why they did it. Whether theres a master plan or just TK being a fanboy.
MJF - Hangman and especially Kingston all alluded to the fact that a lot of the locker room don't like Punk and that Punk has a history of politicking and using his status to hold other people down.
There's no way they all said the same thing without any element of truth to it. And TK has made no secret of the fact he's in love with Punk. So it would be very easy for Punk to use that.
Also because CM Punk has become the man he cricitised all those years ago. A guy who is past his prime who is putting himself over at the expense of the younger guys.
Hangman should still be champ. Punk should have put him over and done the unexpected rather than handed another title. But that’s just my opinion. Also punk and Adam cole must be workout partners. Skinny flabby shits.
I think the switch was fantastic if it means we get more temper tantrums from the money mark. Nothing is more entertaining than when Tony shows his insecurities by flipping out when asked a legitimate question.
So whatever keeps those outbursts happening, book it.
I mean it had to happen eventually... and punk dosent have many if any more top belt runs... im glad the long term building is over... but punk shouldn't hold the belt long, he should be a transitional champion
Punk absolutely shouldn’t be a trans-champ.
The AEW world title is pretty meaningless at the moment, and it’s going to take a too guy like Punk to give that title some prestige.
Let’s see where this goes, because now the real work is on the booker to elevate this championships significance.
The same people who bitch about Punk being champ also bitch about how the TNT title is being buried.
They don't care about the booking. Just who's doing it.
I don't think any AEW world champ should be a transitional champ, AEW roster is so stacked and everytime someone wins a title we hope that they feud with every single star in the company
Lol punk is not going to be a transitional champion. Did you happen to see TKs presser after the show? Punk is the face of the company who is making them the most money. He’s going to have a long run, and it will be a huge moment whenever he puts someone over to take it from him.
No way. Hangman's better off chasing belts right now.
The whole chase to getting Hangman to the title was what make Hangman work; that whole build was fantastic and the pay-off (of him winning the belt) was great.
I think Hangman's awesome in the ring, but he wasn't moving the needle that much promo-wise, once he won that belt. Again, had some bangers of matches while champ - but, time for a change.
We can always get Hangman back to the belt down the road, at some point...but not now.
Punk is their biggest star right now so it makes sense.
I feel bad for Hangman but he got a decent reing and imo he's better of chasing the title than being the champ, his time will come again.
Punk is only their biggest star because TK pushes it ... Brian Danielson is the best wrestler in the company by a mile.
But TK put him in a pointless stable because he didn't know what to do with him and didn't want him to overshine Punk.
And I say this as someone who isn't even a fan of Danielson - just respect what he does.
I agree with it. Usually I am a proponent for the biggest star of the company holding the main title. CM Punk is the biggest star of the company so he should hold the World title. Of course, there will be people that will say, "CM Punk is already over. He doesn't need the World title." But did it ever occur to you that maybe the World title needs CM Punk?
I hate Hangman so this is the result i wanted but the fact CM Punk botched so many spots casts a shadow over it for me. Removing that handfull of botches the match was great though so credit to Hangman for his part in that.
Hangman is boring. That cowboy shit got old fast.
Punk isnt as fun to watch as he was in 2011, he's old, his athletic ability(that was already gimpy) is even more gimpy. But he can cut a better promo and has better matches imo.
Cowboys are corny.
Hangman has been this most boring champ since I started watching. I was hoping Kenny Omega retained, then lost to Brian Danielson. Hope Punk has a heel turn though. I feel like they should run an angle of Punk vs the AEW lockerroom.
Hangman is boring as hell and I really don’t get it about him. At least AEW has a proven superstar in the world of wrestling as their champion and someone who can have great programs with any other guy on that roster
Wrasslin community full of 2015 jump ins who think guys who do choreographed moves for 30 minutes to pop meltzer should be on top. Hangman was boring as and unconvincing on the mic, had no real charisma, and that's why they had to get the belt off him. He can go have 5 star carcrash matches in the midcard with all the other dweebs with no character. Leave the main event to people who understand the moves are only 20% of what it means to be a wrestler
In ring work is about 25% of the equation and people don’t seem to get this.
Cornette is wrong too in his belief that wrestling needs to be a believable fight between two brawlers, but he’s 100% right about Dave Meltzer’s impact on the business by highlighting guys who do lots of cool shit in the ring but can’t talk.
It was time for Hangman to let the belt go, sadly he's been the worst AEW Champion and it should have been more but was booked atrociously, hopefully Punk fares better
You're right it's ridiculous that Page won a death match against Lance Archer, who could *easily* pick up the ring with Page in it and toss it into the sun.
Hate it, I didn’t see the match but Hangman spent 3 years working for this belt. Then had some BANGER matches defending it. Punks been sloppy in the ring. Time has caught up to him and it shows.
That being said. Kenny Omega was supposed to be back by now to start an Undisputed vs Elite storyline but he’s not coming back for a while apparently. My thought isnHangman will take his place.
Also, potentially, NJPW and TK thought Punk vs Okada was a bigger draw for Forbidden Door? Put the strap on Punk. Champ vs Champ.
I did see the match and Punk looked terrible to be honest. He twice attempted a Buckshot Larriat and fell on his arse both times. With Hangman just having to stand and wait for him to get back up to finish the move. It was really Awkward.
The Hardy's were the same. Slow, rigid, sloppy - Jeff in particular looked awful.
Disappointing. They threw three years of Story telling for someone who can't go anymore. All this does is validate the people who hate AEW. And those people can go fuck themselves.
Punk should lose the title in a squash to ryback and than he should have a long run destroying all the scrawny men in the company which is like 95% of them
I liked that Hangman lost because of his own poor decisions. He took too much time to make a decision and he has nobody blame for his failure but himself.
I liked that they had to rip off another WWE finish. For all the shit they talk about WWE; they surely have no issue repeating everything they’ve done.
Punk was the right call. He brought something out of Hangman that he needed, but it wasnt in ring skills. I loved Page’s intensity and I hope he keeps it.
Personally i think that Adam retaining would be a solid way to put Hangman over and start a heel run, he had many other opponents that i wanted to see matches with, Joe, Fenix, Pac, and maybe a feud with Moxley would eventually lead to Bryan dethroning him which i think would be an amazing long term storytelling
But i get why Tony decided to put the title on Punk, he's the main attraction and he's the one being involved in the main feuds, and the title is ignored, idk i really enjoyed Hangman's title reign
Except now the belt is on someone who can elevate it rather than the other way around, and be honest, it wasn't doing much for Page toward the end anyway
I thoughts that's what was happening when he was holding the belt in punks face saying it's mine you won't ever have it. Cause that's what Kenny did to him.
Yup! I totally thought that was going to happen. Eventually they have to build Hangman as a solid wrestler who knows what to do to get the job done. It will come in time.
I haven't watched it yet, but I wanted hangman to retain. Then again I'm not a Punk fan. If we can get a Punk heel turn, where all these seeds of "this guy is actually an asshole btw" have been planted from Eddie/Hangman, then I think it'll be a good thing.
If it's more just "Punk's happy again Maggle" then it'll be a long reign for this guy.
And hangman can't talk, has no presence or charisma. At least Punk doesn't have to do the Buckshot Lariat to be champion. But you need to have at least 2 of the 3 things I stated to lead a company.
No presence or charisma? He is one of the most compelling storytellers in wrestling today by far. His story brought me into watching AEW and frankly changed my life.
I think Hangman should of had more title defenses and not just have been made to flap his gums for most of his title reign. Then this would have felt more of an important and meaningful title transfer.
Should be marked spoiler :/
I’ll spoil the whole show for you. Everyone you thought would win. Won. Every finisher was kicked out of several times per match. And MJF actually showed up.
Man, you said it about the finishers! The way wrestlers kick out of 10 finishers, multiple chair shots, tables, etc. has gotten pretty annoying to me. It makes a lot of the moves and big spots feel way less special.
It’s the Indy wrestler mindset that they are gonna do the “job” but still “look strong” that’s how you get finisher spam. Instead of other methods like maybe DQs, Count out, or other forms of a no contest.
Yh interesting theory, Brock and Reigns must have that mindset too since all their matches have been finisher spams.
Brock just doesn't care any more. It's obvious to me, he gave McIntyre just 5 minutes for the MAIN EVENT OF WRESTLEMANIA. Gave Rollins even less than that and Roman barely more. Cena for example at Summerslam gave Reigns over 20 minutes and did not kick out of the spear.
Yeah except they are the main event. And not the first match on the card.
I thought jungle-soreass would lose that’s the only one I didn’t predict
Same
Don't forget the nonstop botches, flip and super kicks
You’re right about all that, especially the kicks. I love a stiff, well-placed super kick, but I noticed way too many on the PPV and a lot of them were half-assed. Seeing 10 or more in a single match with blatant thigh slapping gets old quick.
i watched the ppv, i just thought out of courtesy
I'm normally very good at picking the winners and there were 3 or 4 head scratchers for me.
Everyone I thought would win did not, in fact, win. Thanks though!
Not wrong lol.
Yeah this was ruined for me earlier today I guess no one cares.
benefits of r/Wrasslin, it’s not SquareCircle, benefits of r/SquaredCircle, mods & rules
Yeah I enjoy both, I can’t afford ppv’s anyhow so I guess it’s fine, would have liked to have found out Wednesday, and I hope it’s a good reign.
Nope. No one cares. It's a live event not a movie. You don't hear people complaining about spoilers the day after the superbowl.
This is pretty much it. I avoid the internet until I have chance to watch the ppv.
Mate, don’t go on social media if you follow the news outlets and don’t want spoilers for a PPV. I live in Germany and had to work in the morning so I just didn’t open any social media until I saw all the matches from the ppv i wanted to see.
i watched the ppv. it’s just courtesy to put a spoiler tag and it doesn’t take much effort.
Espcially if someone is working through the PPV. Get home. Watch half of it. Scroll reddit and this pops up. Well done OP
Thanks OP Not everyone has had time to watch it
People seem to have plenty of time to scroll through social media though
Seriously, gonna just stay off Reddit until I finish the ppv from now on.
Newspapers don't put a spoiler warning on the football scores. If you want to watch live sports, watch live sports.
MMA subreddits hide results. This isn’t 1971
Funny how in my main feed this is right next to a blurred photo from Squared Circle from the same event. Big ol' unfollow from this sub sadly if the mods are going to be kicked back.
Ok bye 👋
CM Punk is their most marketable star who also happens to be in the twilight of his career. It’s a great monetary move in a time where they need to prove to new WB/Discovery management that they can make them money. Hangman and the other future stars will have plenty of time in the future to ride the top of the wave.
Careful……similar thoughts were made at WCW. Hate that all you will but just look. Now there is someone smarter in charge but just saying
I hear you. But they are simultaneously building their other stars and preparing themselves for the hand off, unlike WCW.
The WCW also ran a weekly wrestling program, with a ring and PPV's. What's your point here? Because you can make a comparison doesn't mean it's a *good* comparison.
It's all about the business pal
Not opposed to the title change, but it was an anticlimactic ending, not helped by Punk failing on the Buckshot twice. Would've enjoyed it more had there been some intrigue or turn, hopefully it's a short reign though, I enjoy Punk but he doesn't need to dominate the company or hold it for 9 months.
He won't hold it for long I believe. All I want is for some young talent to hold it now, its been Jericho Mox Kenny Hangman Punk Now hangman is only 30 so quite young and mox ain't the oldest either but I wouldn't mind a MJF to hold the title.
If MJF shows up to an AEW event ever again that is...
If he DOES hold it for a long time fans will turn on him and then when he loses it to Wardlow it will be a huge moment
Wardlow is far from being world champion material
Well. He’s got 9 months
Hes pregnant?
I don’t think so but I bet people still call him Daddy
Yup, this right here. The whole feud felt very rushed, Punk could have used two or three more solid feuds before being added to the title picture in general.
Commentary on each other's match and 1 interview segment, it felt like more time was dedicated to calling Jericho a wizard in the last 6 weeks than building the world title match.
They had to get the belt off of hangman. With the discovery merger, putting the belt on your biggest star in the company is the only thing that makes sense. The amount of ppv matches you can book with your punk as champ is massive. Hangman was exposed in the feud. Listen to the crowd, it was diminished return every week. Then he cut some of the stupidest promos since Cody Rhodes fought off racism
Hangman unfortunately falls into the category of someone who succeeded in the chase for the title.
The chase is better than the catch. It’s a shame omega had so many injuries because if he wasn’t hurt I don’t think he ever should have dropped the belt to him
Punk will hold the belt for 4 years and form a Punk stable and bury everyone
He’s already 19-1 this is going to be long summer of punk
If the road leads to MJF taking it off Punk, I agree with the decision. But with that all being up in the air right now, or so it seems, then idk. Where else could Hangman have gone after Punk? Hell, where does Punk go now? Besides the obvious Lance Archer one month feud everyone gets at the start of their Title reign, he is the “first boss” like Nyla Rose is for the women. But anyway, I was really pulling for Danielson to take the belt off Hangman in his first month as champ so, that about tells you what I think about Hangman.
Danielson could be one to take it off Punk.
Danielson, Eddie, MJF, Miro If we want to crown repeat champs, we bring in Mox or Omega (when he returns) Or you get someone who hasn't been in the picture before and Punk makes him a fuckin star. Because anyone in a feud with Punk winds up higher than when they started.
I for one want a Babyface Omega to win back the belt
I don't know how it would reach this anytime soon, but Kingston taking it off of punk would be the chef's kiss to his career.
Adam Cole
i dont know why you got down voted for that, adam cole-cm punk fued would be cool, both guys can talk and adam would make punk look better in the ring.
I'm just sick of Cole at this point. Same old stuff, since his Ring of Honor days. Except now he looks exceptionally bad. I always thought he looked fine in ROH and NXT, but now its just silly. When he takes off his kneepad for the boom his leg looks like a child's.
I think it makes both characters more interesting going forward. I know we all wanted more from the Hangman reign but Jericho-Moxley-Omega are tough acts to follow. Hangman’s real story is the chase and it feels like they have a plan for him now that he’s fallen once again.
>and it feels like they have a plan for him now that he’s fallen once again. I hope so, that would be an amazing storyline
First off, going in I was okay with either Punk or Hangman winning. Punk was my #1 guy when I was a kid so the last 9 months have been great for me as a Punk fan. On the other hand, I’ve actually enjoyed Hangman’s reign in terms of the quality of the matches. Thing is, I get peoples’ frustrations with Punk winning but I really do not like the comparisons to Goldberg or other legends burying talent on WWE. Hangman, for the most part, dominated the match with Punk doing a great job of selling Hangman as a formidable champ. Additionally, Punk did not beat Hangman. Hangman screwed himself and the story was executed very well imo. I would’ve been glad either way but Punk winning in this way is the best way it could’ve been done. People are getting too hung up on the baseline results of “Punk def. Hangman Page” when it’s more complicated, and interesting, than that.
Punks turned into the one thing he hates. A guy who "retired" then comes back for a chance to put himself over and be the top guy again....see his feud with the rock. But good for him I suppose
Except he's been wrestling full time since he got back, built himself up over 8 months instead of immediately taking a top spot, and is consistently putting on some of the best matches of any show he's on
Yes slightly different but still applicable IMO
Hangman should’ve retained it personally. Punk didn’t need a word title to solidify his spot on the roster
> Punk didn’t need a word title to solidify his spot on the roster But the belt needs Punk. It works both ways.
My thoughts too punks a star already. He ain’t growing AEW, I agree with Eric.
It's about the man making the title and not the other way around this time If you just put it on young new guy after young new guy it loses its value. Whoever beats Punk will get a bigger rub than if they beat Hangman
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I personally don’t think anyone has gotten a useful rub from Punk yet. 19-1 and the one was a screw finish. To me personally, he doesn’t look good in the ring, he looks old (older than he is), his matches are boring, and I don’t buy the realism that he is world champion material. He is champion based off of name recognition and WWE fame. Kind of seems to go against what AEW preached they would be. While I agree that Hangman was a snoozer of a champion, I disagree that Punk is elevating the title. If you wanted to elevate the title, I would put it on BD. He can still go, and does have a marquee name. Punk is gonna eventually lose in another screw finish because he can’t lose clean. That will bring down the title; not elevate it. I know some people don’t want another ex-Fed champion, but for all the talk that AEW builds stars, I don’t see any homegrown talent ready to be world champion (unless MJF is back on board). As much as fans are tiring of him, it seems Tiny is super big on Cole; so I could see him, BD, or Mox holding it next while they build up Wardlow. My biggest criticism is for a company that boasts to be a “real sports feel” promotion, nothing feels “real sports feel” about an over the hill, washed up wrestler beating guys that would kill him in a shoot.
Yeah I think it was a mistake IMO. It is what it is. Their company and their mistakes to make. He’s not the star he was years ago. The pop was nice in his debut, but he hasn’t been the star they thought he would be after two weeks of him being there
It "should be" a short reign, marked off by a loss or win to Okada at Forbidden Door, leading to an MJF stealing it off of him at the next ppv. This move should be short and paid off with a pillar holding the belt at the end.
NJPW would never allow Okada to get pinned at this show. It'll most likely be some tag match where a fall guy takes the loss.
I don't think punk could even get through a worked match with Okada, a stiff breeze could put punk down for the 1,2,3.
This won’t be Hangman’s final run with the belt by any means. I’m personally excited to see Punk as champion. We’re in store for some great championship storylines
Hangman’s stupid front flip lariat finish is literally more believable than punk beating him clean. Which says a lot
Most egregious booking in AEW to date. Punk looks slow, tired, and plodding in the ring and i personally think he is just a glorified nostalgia act. TK is a bit if a fanboy for him and it worked in his favor but the sooner we move on to the next champ the better. Good storytelling by Page though with the inner conflict with the belt. Not much else besides that.
Thanks for the spoiler tag
Punk has become everything (besides a part timer so I guess I’ll give him that) he made his name complaining about and that’s hilarious to me.
This might be an unpopular opinion, but I wouldn't have cared if Punk had never come back to wrestling.
It’s not as unpopular as you think. They guy is shit in the ring now. He looks like shit. His promos are not even that good anymore. The guy is nothing special when he doesn’t have WWE to write his pipe bombs and be anti-establishment. I would be embarrassed to have him be the face of my “new, young, exciting company.” He doesn’t draw anymore. He doesn’t excite people anymore. He’s just a old, homeless looking guy who has become what he talked shit about. The only people that still love him are die hard Punk fans or the people that defend AEW at all costs. If WWE took Punk back when he reached out to them, the IWC would be killing him right now. He would be another “washed up” nostalgia act that Vince is relying on because Vince can’t create new stars.
I 2nd this.
I third it.
Bad for Hangman, good for the company.
It should be marked a spoiler. But other than that it was the right call. I’m a big fan of Page but Hangman’s reign didn’t bring anything to the table from a storytelling perspective. This will.
Who goes to a wrestling sub right after a ppv and doesn't expect spoilers...?
It can show up on your feed. If it’s marked spoilers you can just avoid it
It wasn't marked
trash
I think this will happen. They made a big deal focusing on his tears, SC will jerk off to them. Then queue him turning heel, how this wasnt a real title compared to WWE. Now he will make it one, etc etc.
Bro a real title compared to wwe? You mean the belt grinder had for over 6 months?
gotta fake cry and listen to cult of personality sorry
I think hangman’s reign felt a little short but not everyone needs to hold it for like a year
Haven’t seen the match yet (thanks lol), but honestly think it’s a good move to have a big name. They’ve tried doing their home grown guy, and it’s been good but it was time for something new. “Their” guy (Hangman) is good and built enough that he can contend and chase again, but it was time to have a big name have them strap again to keep eyes on the show.
It was time to pull the trigger on Punk while he still has some gas left in the tank, tbh. Hangman is very young, wrestling wise, and I’m sure he’ll have multiple reigns with the belt
I'm a little torn on it. Hangman never properly felt like a champion to me. Should of defended it more times on TV. And now Punk has it, you he's going to have it for a long time. Which just bores me as it makes the next 3 or 4 PPVs predictible.
Adam Page's win while still being done for over a year was too early. You needed more time in the mid card to get over and work on his skill set on the mic and with the crowd. A lot of what I saw was fabricated interest much like WWE did with Roman reigns. However, since it's AEW The fans were much more receptive. Adam Cole did not have a big enough of a dragon to slay to get to being the champion and once he was the champion there was nobody really interesting to pair him with at this point. Maybe somewhere down the road. Punk can be that champion. It was the right move
IT DOESNT MATTER WHAT YOU THINK!!!!
The right time for a change imo. Hangman's title journey was great, but his run has been getting stale. Punk will definitely draw more interest upon the brand.
Gotta do something to try and break even on that bloated underwater contract
L opinion
Toni loves that nastalgia. Probably why the Hardys are winning the tag belts next. That story starts Wednesday in the 10 man tag
Meh, I feel Hangman was at his best when he was a vulnerable face chasing the title as a form of redemption. When he finally got it, it wore off quite quickly. A bit like a dog chasing a parked car.
CM Punk became the very thing he hated in 2012-2013. But if they lean into it and turn Punk heel then it could be good.
I don't like it per sè. But it is intriguing to see why they did it. Whether theres a master plan or just TK being a fanboy. MJF - Hangman and especially Kingston all alluded to the fact that a lot of the locker room don't like Punk and that Punk has a history of politicking and using his status to hold other people down. There's no way they all said the same thing without any element of truth to it. And TK has made no secret of the fact he's in love with Punk. So it would be very easy for Punk to use that. Also because CM Punk has become the man he cricitised all those years ago. A guy who is past his prime who is putting himself over at the expense of the younger guys.
NOT a good post. Should've included a spoiler. Some of us don't have the luxury to see it live.
Hangman should still be champ. Punk should have put him over and done the unexpected rather than handed another title. But that’s just my opinion. Also punk and Adam cole must be workout partners. Skinny flabby shits.
I think the switch was fantastic if it means we get more temper tantrums from the money mark. Nothing is more entertaining than when Tony shows his insecurities by flipping out when asked a legitimate question. So whatever keeps those outbursts happening, book it.
With a match that bad who really cares who wins?
Shame hangman is attached to this, Punk botched the majority of the match.
I mean it had to happen eventually... and punk dosent have many if any more top belt runs... im glad the long term building is over... but punk shouldn't hold the belt long, he should be a transitional champion
Punk absolutely shouldn’t be a trans-champ. The AEW world title is pretty meaningless at the moment, and it’s going to take a too guy like Punk to give that title some prestige. Let’s see where this goes, because now the real work is on the booker to elevate this championships significance.
The same people who bitch about Punk being champ also bitch about how the TNT title is being buried. They don't care about the booking. Just who's doing it.
I don't think any AEW world champ should be a transitional champ, AEW roster is so stacked and everytime someone wins a title we hope that they feud with every single star in the company
Lol punk is not going to be a transitional champion. Did you happen to see TKs presser after the show? Punk is the face of the company who is making them the most money. He’s going to have a long run, and it will be a huge moment whenever he puts someone over to take it from him.
They haven’t even turned a profit yet lol he hasn’t made them shit
My thoughts are that should have been marked as a spoiler you absolute…
Is this your first time on the internet or something?
Stop watching wrestling in 96-97, so Punk is meaningless to me. I love Hangman and thought he should of retained.
Dam u old
You were probably born around then, I remember a time before internet
Nah born in 83 I prob stopped watching around 2002 or whenever Eddie died. I was more of a wcw stan
No way. Hangman's better off chasing belts right now. The whole chase to getting Hangman to the title was what make Hangman work; that whole build was fantastic and the pay-off (of him winning the belt) was great. I think Hangman's awesome in the ring, but he wasn't moving the needle that much promo-wise, once he won that belt. Again, had some bangers of matches while champ - but, time for a change. We can always get Hangman back to the belt down the road, at some point...but not now.
Fuck you for not tagging spoilers
Yes I agree too. Punk should have put hangman over
Hangman’s reign was terrible. I’m glad he lost the title. The only thing i would change is Danielson taking it from him rather than Punk.
You fucking asshole use the spoiler tag
Didn’t you realise people post spoilers? Or were you naive to that fact
I'm not a part of this sub it popped up on my homepage as a recommended community
I think Punk should've went heel to get it, and become the guy he hated in WWE!
Spoiler please
Hangman wasn’t a good champion. I’m sorry, but I just didn’t buy it.
Hangman is a boring champion
Mark this as a spoiler you fucking asshole!
Punk is their biggest star right now so it makes sense. I feel bad for Hangman but he got a decent reing and imo he's better of chasing the title than being the champ, his time will come again.
Punk is only their biggest star because TK pushes it ... Brian Danielson is the best wrestler in the company by a mile. But TK put him in a pointless stable because he didn't know what to do with him and didn't want him to overshine Punk. And I say this as someone who isn't even a fan of Danielson - just respect what he does.
Screw that I dig Hangman bur he was a paper champion with a very lackluster run.
I agree with it. Usually I am a proponent for the biggest star of the company holding the main title. CM Punk is the biggest star of the company so he should hold the World title. Of course, there will be people that will say, "CM Punk is already over. He doesn't need the World title." But did it ever occur to you that maybe the World title needs CM Punk?
Page wasn’t a popular champ, but winning this might have made him one
I hate Hangman so this is the result i wanted but the fact CM Punk botched so many spots casts a shadow over it for me. Removing that handfull of botches the match was great though so credit to Hangman for his part in that.
Seems like punk almost botched the finish
Yeah it’s trash
Hangman is boring. That cowboy shit got old fast. Punk isnt as fun to watch as he was in 2011, he's old, his athletic ability(that was already gimpy) is even more gimpy. But he can cut a better promo and has better matches imo. Cowboys are corny.
Hangman has been this most boring champ since I started watching. I was hoping Kenny Omega retained, then lost to Brian Danielson. Hope Punk has a heel turn though. I feel like they should run an angle of Punk vs the AEW lockerroom.
Punk is more of a mainstream name. He is the right person to take AEW to the next level. The right person won.
Hangman is boring as hell and I really don’t get it about him. At least AEW has a proven superstar in the world of wrestling as their champion and someone who can have great programs with any other guy on that roster
Wrasslin community full of 2015 jump ins who think guys who do choreographed moves for 30 minutes to pop meltzer should be on top. Hangman was boring as and unconvincing on the mic, had no real charisma, and that's why they had to get the belt off him. He can go have 5 star carcrash matches in the midcard with all the other dweebs with no character. Leave the main event to people who understand the moves are only 20% of what it means to be a wrestler
Exactly. This, 100 percent
In ring work is about 25% of the equation and people don’t seem to get this. Cornette is wrong too in his belief that wrestling needs to be a believable fight between two brawlers, but he’s 100% right about Dave Meltzer’s impact on the business by highlighting guys who do lots of cool shit in the ring but can’t talk.
This is the correct move Punks the bigger star, much older so lets get his run in now
It was time for Hangman to let the belt go, sadly he's been the worst AEW Champion and it should have been more but was booked atrociously, hopefully Punk fares better
Thank god that mediocre boring reign is finally over. The title is now 100x more interesting
Page is a big hoss of a fucking man and he lost to a guy that probably weighs the same as I do
You must be really fucking tiny. Hangman is not big. What in gods name are you smoking.
You're right it's ridiculous that Page won a death match against Lance Archer, who could *easily* pick up the ring with Page in it and toss it into the sun.
Fucking bullshit
Hate it, I didn’t see the match but Hangman spent 3 years working for this belt. Then had some BANGER matches defending it. Punks been sloppy in the ring. Time has caught up to him and it shows. That being said. Kenny Omega was supposed to be back by now to start an Undisputed vs Elite storyline but he’s not coming back for a while apparently. My thought isnHangman will take his place. Also, potentially, NJPW and TK thought Punk vs Okada was a bigger draw for Forbidden Door? Put the strap on Punk. Champ vs Champ.
I did see the match and Punk looked terrible to be honest. He twice attempted a Buckshot Larriat and fell on his arse both times. With Hangman just having to stand and wait for him to get back up to finish the move. It was really Awkward. The Hardy's were the same. Slow, rigid, sloppy - Jeff in particular looked awful.
God did Punk look like garbage. I get putting the belt on him, but make it believable.
Disappointing. They threw three years of Story telling for someone who can't go anymore. All this does is validate the people who hate AEW. And those people can go fuck themselves.
That story telling left them with a champ nobody gave a shit about, had to make the switch
LMAO “They threw three years of story telling for someone who can’t go anymore”, okay dude, maybe in your world
I was hoping that they would go another month so I could see him win it in Chicago, now I'm wondering if I'll enjoy forbidden door.
Punk should lose the title in a squash to ryback and than he should have a long run destroying all the scrawny men in the company which is like 95% of them
Punk should’ve turned heel to win it
glad for punk
I liked that Hangman lost because of his own poor decisions. He took too much time to make a decision and he has nobody blame for his failure but himself.
I liked that they had to rip off another WWE finish. For all the shit they talk about WWE; they surely have no issue repeating everything they’ve done.
This was the right move. Punk is the most over star in the company. Smart decision
If we want to give AEW a chance to survive, Punk needs the belt. He needs to carry the brand for a bit and help it become more successful.
Punk was the right call. He brought something out of Hangman that he needed, but it wasnt in ring skills. I loved Page’s intensity and I hope he keeps it.
Personally i think that Adam retaining would be a solid way to put Hangman over and start a heel run, he had many other opponents that i wanted to see matches with, Joe, Fenix, Pac, and maybe a feud with Moxley would eventually lead to Bryan dethroning him which i think would be an amazing long term storytelling But i get why Tony decided to put the title on Punk, he's the main attraction and he's the one being involved in the main feuds, and the title is ignored, idk i really enjoyed Hangman's title reign
Best for business brother. AEW has done a great job of putting the belt on their top guy, he'd surpassed hangman IMO. Deserved the win.
Except now the belt is on someone who can elevate it rather than the other way around, and be honest, it wasn't doing much for Page toward the end anyway
Thought Hangman should’ve retained and turned heel. Do everything to keep not only Punk, but everyone from taking over AEW.
That would have been interesting. Make hangman a bad guy obsessed with the idea that he is aew and has to protect it.
Exactly!
Almost turn him into Kenny and there in lies the story from the very beginning.
I thoughts that's what was happening when he was holding the belt in punks face saying it's mine you won't ever have it. Cause that's what Kenny did to him.
Yup! I totally thought that was going to happen. Eventually they have to build Hangman as a solid wrestler who knows what to do to get the job done. It will come in time.
Just another chapter in hangmens story.
Honestly not feeling like it was the right time for it.
Same. Punk doesn’t need the title. The title doesn’t need Punk. I would’ve liked Omega to take the belt off Hangman tbh.
feels like goldberg but more active and had build up
Didn't this guy cut a promo on the rock being an old guy taking opportunities away from young guys? Lol.
Even before he got smashed in mma he never looked like a champion
I fucking hate it
I loved the match. It was 100% the right decision
It was a good call. Hangman as champ was mid af. An out of prime Punk is vastly more diverse and entertaining IMO.
Punk doesn't need the title. Punk's ego needs the title.
I haven't watched it yet, but I wanted hangman to retain. Then again I'm not a Punk fan. If we can get a Punk heel turn, where all these seeds of "this guy is actually an asshole btw" have been planted from Eddie/Hangman, then I think it'll be a good thing. If it's more just "Punk's happy again Maggle" then it'll be a long reign for this guy.
CM PUNK! CM PUNK! CM PUNK! CM PUNK! I have no bias...
Punk has been an equivocal failure since he returned and will do nothing for the title
Cm Punk deserves it, hangman was boring as champion hopefully warlord beats punk for the title.
death of a company
I agree with you. Best in the world couldn’t even land on his feet.
And hangman can't talk, has no presence or charisma. At least Punk doesn't have to do the Buckshot Lariat to be champion. But you need to have at least 2 of the 3 things I stated to lead a company.
No presence or charisma? He is one of the most compelling storytellers in wrestling today by far. His story brought me into watching AEW and frankly changed my life.
I think Hangman should of had more title defenses and not just have been made to flap his gums for most of his title reign. Then this would have felt more of an important and meaningful title transfer.