If the champion is unable to actually defeat a challenger, and can only get a draw, they haven't shown themselves to be the better wrestler. The challenger gets a second crack at them, because they haven't been defeated.

Also, this helps set up eventual title shots without the champ eating an L.

Taker's a jackass, but this isn't wholly incorrect or an insane stance. It's no different than saying 'A fight scene isn't just about the fighting.'

Unless the purpose of the match is 'insane fireworks show' there should be connective tissue and a logical approach to a wrestler's action and moves.

Oh, I loved their program back in the 2010s. But they're both on the dark side of 40, and Cena was obviously, genuinely cooked, and AJ is great for his age, but he's old, especially by the standards of his style. They over-achieved in 2025, and that's why in no small part it got so gassed up.

I enjoyed Cena/AJ well enough for what it was, but the response to it was greatly inflated because it was the first--second at a push--good match Cena had since his heel turn. Nothing close to a MoTYC

If AEW would like to finally start making all of the titles feel distinct from each other, now would be the time to (re)establish that the International title is right below the Worlds. Go ahead and give that to Hanger, and have him make all the guys who are on the main event cusp along with it.

Mediocre and toothless

A what-if does not absolve a shit finish in the moment.

Absolutely cursed PPV. Terrible start with that booking decision, to what was a great match. Terrible, just terrible.

Agreed, I still wasn't sure they'd even pull the trigger, but here they are doing it right off the hop, which makes me wonder exactly what plan they're running with. It will be interesting to see either way.

Nothing says they can't shift the rules as needs be. That said, I'd personally be disappointed in a draw for Takeshita/Okada, but they kind of are backed into several different corners however you slice it as far as outcomes.

Don't know if they changed it, but I'm pretty sure last year they had a whole 'must be a winner' thing going, meaning draws would be undone/restarted/whatever if they were to occur.

Not surprised about any of the semis besides Mox's appearance. More surprised by them being willing to burn Okada/Takeshita as a semi. I don't want to see the Unified belt vanish already, but god I want Takeshita to win.

I just don't want Okada or Mox to win, if I'm being honest. 🤼

I enjoyed OC/Mox, but man, I'm cold on Mox advancing. It feels like a pretty artificial extension of whatever they're doing with the Deathriders. We've been teasing a mutiny for a while, seeing discontent, but Mox is holding onto his position as the top Deathrider. Just do something. 🤼

Just realizing that Mox/OC is actually a more interesting match than I realized, points-wise. I doubt we'll get 2 draws in the same night, but if that did happen, OC, Mox and Claudio are all on 7, but Claudio should advance on tie-breaks with wins over both of them. 🤼

There needed to be a draw in the Gold League to avoid tie-breaks, so something going to a limit was expected. Still, good match. Knight's performed great in the C2, a great elevating that AEW tends to let pass by more often than not. 🤼

I like Roddy leaving with points, and Claudio being a bit of a never-converts is kinda his life in AEW, but idk how I feel. Guess I'll fully determine that based on how the Blue league resolves. I did like the match being a mad, short sprint, though. You need those in these tournaments. 🤼

I don't know how the triple-contract nature plays into Takeshita's booking, but goddamn it, pull the trigger. Turn him face, rocket him up the card, and put him in the world title scene where he fucking belongs. 🤼

Inherent in that phrasing is the belief that stories can't be told through the matches. Every half-decent match tells a story. It's just like how in an action movie, the fight scenes should be driving the plot forward. The two are not exclusive entities. Matches are vital to the story of wrestling.