AEW Dynamite October 23rd, 2024: LADDER WAR!!

[Ricky Smarks]

I see @Samoa Looch is the only real one liking my undisputed kingdom mark out

 

[Comrade Khan]

no spoilers @Ricky Smarks but my predictions were correct about Penelope

 

[Ricky Smarks]

no spoilers @Ricky Smarks but my predictions were correct about Penelope

That’s fantastic to hear.

This show did a good job of explaining why Penelope is mad at Jamie and they use some legit history with them in her last match so I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes.

 

[Ricky Smarks]

I’m gonna say thinking further on the undisputed kingdom segment it feels like a hard pivot because Adam definitely came out and said he was gonna do it alone, probably because they wanted Adam to be a baby face and Tony probably didn’t want to turn the kingdom Babyface at the time, but like Adam must’ve said no I don’t wanna break up the group like right after the show because they have them essentially repeat the same segment from last week only this time the undispured kingdom changes his mind.

I can’t complain because the segment was really well done. I like the heartfelt pleas from his friends to stick together and to finish what they started.

I’ll also be honest that I would’ve still liked Adam Cole by himself, but it would’ve seriously diminished my excitement for following AEW moving forward if they had broken up my favorite act. Adam Cole isn’t hurt by the group even if you don’t like the rest of the group as Adam can still do whatever he needs to do whether he’s singles or he’s got a group behind him, especially now that the entire group is baby face. They have so many new avenues for stories.

 

[Ricky Smarks]

I also like that they realized that they had to switch it up a little bit if they were gonna change the dynamic of who was the bad guy and who was a good guy so having MJF make the friends compete against each other for a chance at him is really smart, and this gives me another thing to look forward to continuing my watch because I want to see Roddy and Adam both have matches every week and to see who wins

I’ve skipped a few shows here and there, but I don’t know what I’m gonna be able to skip now because I don’t wanna miss a single one of these matches.

 

[Comrade Khan]

I’m gonna say thinking further on the undisputed kingdom segment it feels like a hard pivot because Adam definitely came out and said he was gonna do it alone, probably because they wanted Adam to be a baby face and Tony probably didn’t want to turn the kingdom Babyface at the time, but like Adam must’ve said no I don’t wanna break up the group like right after the show because they have them essentially repeat the same segment from last week only this time the undispured kingdom changes his mind.

I can’t complain because the segment was really well done. I like the heartfelt pleas from his friends to stick together and to finish what they started.

I’ll also be honest that I would’ve still liked Adam Cole by himself, but it would’ve seriously diminished my excitement for following AEW moving forward if they had broken up my favorite act. Adam Cole isn’t hurt by the group even if you don’t like the rest of the group as Adam can still do whatever he needs to do whether he’s singles or he’s got a group behind him, especially now that the entire group is baby face. They have so many new avenues for stories.

given what we know now about Adams personal life and also his ring rust, I think in the end it was good (and still is) to have him i nthe trios doing midcard stuff. after seeing him wrestle immediately after coming back , I think it is clear he is gonmna need some time to rebuild the muscles, the speed and most importantly the confidence. I have all the faith he will get back to being a good solid singles guy but missing 2 years is a long ass time

 

[Ricky Smarks]

That segment was also so well done and I was so immersed in the group not breaking up, it only just now dawned on me that the entire Undisputed Kingdom is now a baby face act. Roderick Strong is now a babyface! Let’s fucking go!

With Jay White and the bang bang gang baby faces and Adam Cole and the undisputed kingdom be baby faces, all of my favorite stables are all baby faces for the first time in pretty much the history of ever. I still like some of the heel groups of course but like they have all my favorites as baby faces which is crazy.

 

[Comrade Khan]

not to mention the elephant in the room - the top tier end of the roster is fucking cracking at the seams on the men's side of ppl who can legit say they are next to be world champ. I think it is a bad idea to send Adam out there in that role when he has a real risk of looking outshined and outcheered through no fault of his own.

 

[Ricky Smarks]

given what we know now about Adams personal life and also his ring rust, I think in the end it was good (and still is) to have him i nthe trios doing midcard stuff. after seeing him wrestle immediately after coming back , I think it is clear he is gonmna need some time to rebuild the muscles, the speed and most importantly the confidence. I have all the faith he will get back to being a good solid singles guy but missing 2 years is a long ass time

I was beginning to get worried he wasn’t gonna make it back. He’s definitely gonna need some time for sure. Not only was he out for so long but when you have an ankle injury in particular, you really can’t do anything that you need to be able to do in the gym for a really long time so yeah I really hope that they take their time with him. Let him build that confidence back up because I need Adam Cole in the main event before he’s done. I do think you could sprinkle in singles matches here and there, but definitely hide his weaknesses in a group setting will be really good.

He’s only 35. He’s got time if AEW is willing to put in the work and give him the opportunity.

 

[Ricky Smarks]

I don’t ever want them to break up this group though. Even when he’s ready for a singles push again. I really think they can be the new day or any other act that basically doesn’t have to break up these days because you can still have any member of the group do singles stuff in the group.

 

[Ricky Smarks]

not to mention the elephant in the room - the top tier end of the roster is fucking cracking at the seams on the men's side of ppl who can legit say they are next to be world champ. I think it is a bad idea to send Adam out there in that role when he has a real risk of looking outshined and outcheered through no fault of his own.

I’m a bit biased in general when it comes to Adam Cole because if he was fully healthy, I would still pick him over most of those top guys, but I do agree right now he can take his time building back up there and we can give those other guys you mentioned a crack at the top first, but Adam needs to get there eventually and he’s only 35 so he should be able.

 

[Comrade Khan]

I was beginning to get worried he wasn’t gonna make it back. He’s definitely gonna need some time for sure. Not only was he out for so long but when you have an ankle injury in particular, you really can’t do anything that you need to be able to do in the gym for a really long time so yeah I really hope that they take their time with him. Let him build that confidence back up because I need Adam Cole in the main event before he’s done. I do think you could sprinkle in singles matches here and there, but definitely hide his weaknesses in a group setting will be really good.

He’s only 35. He’s got time if AEW is willing to put in the work and give him the opportunity.

losing the love of your life for over a decade on top of that is not gonna help too - I legit feel bad for Adam. Just seems like such a good dude and he got the most rotten luck last 2 years and he did not deserve that

 

[Comrade Khan]

I am glad I got to see him with MJF when he was at his most over live

 

[Ricky Smarks]

I am glad I got to see him with MJF when he was at his most over live

Same. Seeing them against the dark order in Chicago was hella fun.

 

[Comrade Khan]

I’m a bit biased in general when it comes to Adam Cole because if he was fully healthy, I would still pick him over most of those top guys, but I do agree right now he can take his time building back up there and we can give those other guys you mentioned a crack at the top first, but Adam needs to get there eventually and he’s only 35 so he should be able.

the thing for me is it is very difficult for me to say he deserves it over guys that have been working hard while he was gone, which like I said is not fault of Adam but thats the biz at times. Jay White needs it more for example. I think Kenny needs another run. Hangman and Swerve could use a run. Ospreay absolutely NEEDS a run within the year. then u have rising stars too knocking at the door, OC could make a case for earning a run too. MJF likely wants back on top. Hobbs star is rising, Protostar too. its fucking BUSY