I’m done with AEW after that shocking Moxley spot! Here’s why!

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Quite recently, an episode of AEW’s flagship show, Dynamite, came and went, and I didn’t watch it.

It’s unusual because after many years without regularly watching wrestling, except during WWE’s Ruthless Aggression period, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) rekindled my interest in it. In fact, AEW lit the flame that revived my love for wrestling. Recently, despite what I perceived as a series of questionable choices, I was still quite optimistic about the brand.

However, following a particularly gruesome scene on Dynamite where Jon Moxley was impaled by a spike board, I believe I’ve had enough of this show for now. Let me explain my reasons.

I’m Okay With Violence In Wrestling, But Not This Kind Of Violence

As a child, I frequently watched Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), which means I’ve got some insight into physical confrontations. Stunts like New Jack jumping from great heights, using barbed wire ropes, and piledrivers through chairs were common occurrences, and I was fortunate enough to witness them.

Instead of just ECW, it was also during the WWE Attitude Era that violence gained more prominence. For instance, The Rock gave some unprotected chair shots to Mick Foley. Moreover, who can forget about the time when one of Foley’s teeth got lodged into his nose (shivers)? This just shows that I have a certain level of acceptance for violence in professional wrestling.

Frankly, it was a sight I simply couldn’t bear to watch – Jon Moxley being impaled by that board. Firstly, the camera focused in closely, leaving no detail spared, which only intensified the gruesome spectacle. Secondly, it was evident something had gone awry, as Moxley’s obvious discomfort suggested, and Wheeler Yuta seemed unable to alleviate his distress.

Instead of asking “But, my question is, why did we have to see this?”, you could rephrase it as “To be honest, I’m curious as to why they felt the need to include that spiked board in their routine?” Then, to clarify your next point about the unusual move involving Mox and the board, you might say something like: “Now, I’ve seen my fair share of wrestling matches, often featuring dangerous moves with barbed wire and other sharp objects. But what I don’t understand is why they had to DROP MOX ONTO THE BOARD in this specific instance? While I appreciate the risks these athletes take for our enjoyment, I can’t help but wonder if that particular move was really necessary.

It seems they intended to portray a gruesome image with nails protruding from his back, yet the depiction appears hasty and poorly planned, as if they accidentally embedded them in his back. Watching something like this on a casual Wednesday night, especially during dinner, is not appealing at all. As an avid wrestling fan who appreciates both the OG era and modern day, I find this step too far over the line of acceptability.

Plus, As I Age, I Find I’m More Into The Actual Wrestling, And Less Into Shocking Spots

Another point to consider: As I grow older, my preference for witnessing intense violence wanes significantly. Granted, professional wrestling narratives are pre-planned, but the genuine pain these athletes experience during high-impact moves is undeniable. In my opinion, AEW should reconsider such extreme stunts, as they seem to be taking unnecessary risks with their performers’ wellbeing.

It’s troubling indeed, especially considering Darby Allin’s risky performances in every match. People often criticize AEW as being overly focused on impressive moves. I’ve previously supported AEW, even arguing that the influx of WWE stars has been beneficial. However, a stunt like this one pushes me to question my stance. It’s hard to justify such a shocking move.

Without a doubt, one of the thrilling aspects of professional wrestling lies in the anticipation and climactic instances it provides. These intense, dramatic moments are what transforms ordinary spectators into dedicated enthusiasts.

As I grow older, I find myself less interested in extreme wrestling matches. Regrettably, AEW appears to be consistently pushing boundaries, as if aiming to replicate the spirit of ECW. However, times have significantly shifted since then. Wrestling has grown immensely, and this is partly due to the fact that the fans who were around in the ’90s and early 2000s have matured into adults, forming a substantial audience. Yet, there’s also a new generation of viewers.

Modern children might enjoy seeing Mox being hurled onto spikes; however, I’ve moved away from such violent content. Regrettably, AEW has been gravitating towards extreme stunts, veering away from traditional wrestling, which is disheartening. I yearn for the return of standard matches and wrestlers like Kurt Angle who could enthrall with both wrestling skills and compelling narratives. Where did that go?

Not Only That, But Spots Like This Also Make AEW Feel More And More Desperate For Attention These Days, Which Is Sad

Recall the instance when AEW aired clips of the backstage altercation between CM Punk and Jack Perry, sparking widespread perceptions of desperation? This current situation surpasses that by an order of magnitude.

As a movie enthusiast, I must admit that the latest controversy surrounding this film has certainly sparked conversations – and I’m one of them. However, while it’s often said that any publicity is good publicity, I strongly disagree with that sentiment. In my opinion, quality discussion should stem from the merit of a movie itself, rather than its scandals or controversies.

Perhaps you haven’t seen All Elite Wrestling (AEW) yet, and maybe you’ve been an ardent World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) fan. But if you find WWE’s treatment of Austin Theory distasteful, or feel they haven’t given him the recognition he deserves in the past, then it might be worth checking out AEW as an alternative.

Perhaps, you’re looking for something fresh. Well, after witnessing such a gruesome advertisement, you might choose to avoid it entirely. Since there’s always an alternative like TNA or New Japan, or numerous other promotions that don’t seem so eager for spotlight that they would actually harm one of their top wrestlers.

It’s open for debate, but it seems clear that no one appreciates desperation. And after the recent incident, it appears that AEW is acting in a very desperate manner, leaving little room for doubt.

The Product Is Just Not As Exciting, And Spots Like This Are Evidence Of That For Me

Frankly speaking, AEW doesn’t seem as captivating as it used to be for me. I’ve been skipping AEW Collision for some time now, and until recently, I didn’t feel the need to catch up on Dynamite either. Lately, though, it’s become a struggle to stay engaged during the shows, since I find myself disconnected from most of the ongoing storylines.

Speaking as a movie reviewer, when Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) made his comeback, I had high expectations that the storylines would reach new heights, given his knack for captivating performances. However, it appears that creativity has fallen short, as MJF hasn’t quite managed to elevate himself or his opponents in the ring since returning.

Currently, if someone were to ask me to single out a storyline that has me truly thrilled at the moment, I’d find it quite challenging. The Hurt Syndicate narrative holds some appeal, but frankly, I’ve grown somewhat tired of them. As for Swerve Strickland, I’m a big fan, but his feud with “Hangman” Adam Page didn’t really resonate with me.

As a passionate moviegoer, I find myself yearning for more depth and substance from AEW, a company that once sparked my enthusiasm. Unfortunately, it appears they’ve become overly reliant on shocking, attention-grabbing stunts, such as Moxley’s impalement scene, to keep their name in the spotlight. The core of their product seems to have lost its freshness, which is truly disheartening.

I once couldn’t get enough of the show Dynamite, but now I can’t bear to turn it on due to distasteful moments like the one I recently witnessed. It’s a real shame because I long to appreciate AEW once more!

Finally, I Think I Like The More Sanitized WWE These Days

To wrap up, feel free to label me as conventional if you wish, but I must admit, I find the more polished aspect of WWE these days quite appealing. Sure, there may be instances where blood is involved, but it’s always used to progress a narrative, not merely for sensationalism. Contrary to popular belief, WWE isn’t struggling to maintain viewership; in fact, it remains the predominant show for wrestling enthusiasts worldwide.

Previously, I hinted at potentially switching from AEW to WWE, but this time, my intention is sincere. Last week marked the first instance where I chose to watch RAW instead of Dynamite, even though they air on different nights. Although I could catch up on the episode I missed through MAX, I have no interest in doing so.

I haven’t checked back to find out the outcome of the recent Dynamite episode, so I’m unsure about it. It’s possible that they made some adjustments. Perhaps a significant number of viewers expressed their concerns online, causing Tony Khan and his team to recognize their mistake.

It’s open for debate, but let me share my thoughts: That specific moment in AEW left one fan feeling disappointed. WWE can be cheesy occasionally, and I’m still puzzled as to why they don’t maximize Sheamus’ potential one final time, but at this point, I find myself leaning towards WWE over AEW. At least on their shows, I am confident they wouldn’t risk a dangerous stunt like the one AEW executed with Jon Moxley.

But, what do you think? Did you like the spot in question? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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2025-03-30 05:08