I’m not one of those people who pisses and moans about AEW, treats any NJPW talent losing to an AEW talent like the end of the world, or gets mad when they sign guys out of NJPW (more money is more money, can’t blame them). Funny thing is I’m not even the biggest Ricochet fan.
But once a guy is set up for a (likely) IWGP title match at the Dome on a show AEW is promoting (aka their fans will be watching), you must at least make him look strong and believable enough for the role. If he needs to lose the Continental Classic, then just don’t put him in it and have him do something else, and that goes double when the person he’s losing to is an NJPW legend who famously didn’t put over a future talent prior to exiting.
I loved the Swerve toilet paper segment, but it leaves Ricochet in a place where he’s looking like a gigantic loser who isn’t fit for a shot at a prestigious belt. It makes the forthcoming match result far too obvious which a Tokyo Dome IWGP match should never be.
If AEW is truly meant to be for the “sickos” who watch a lot of wrestling, then AEW X NJPW show buildups should have aligned booking. These crossovers are ultimately most exciting for people who are fans of both promotions. If this was going to be Ricochet’s booking then the title match should have gone to a different AEW talent, and if Tony is scared of having a top talent lose a major title match then the simple answer should be “too fucking bad.” There’s no shame or power-loss in losing to the IWGP champion at the Dome as long as the match was great and that person fought hard.
Just my angry nerd vent
by officerliger