The reality is that Punk refused to take a risk with AEW when it was a risk, came in right as everyone else's pandemic work paid off, big-leagued everyone backstage, and went over all their young homegrown talent.
One of the big reasons AEW “restoring the feeling” is going to be so hard is two foundational parts of that feeling in the first place - CM Punk and Cody Rhodes - now work for their competitor.
Women don't deserve sexual abuse and harassment because they're someone's daughter, or wife, or mother. We don't deserve it because we're human beings. Our value should never be defined by our relationships to men.
Nicholas and Matthew Jackson are ready to arduously climb the ranks to face Sting and Darby Allin for the
#AEW
World Tag Team Championship!
Watch
#AEWRampage
on TNT!
@youngbucks
It's been a rough week in wrestling, and we are in no mood for BS. We talk about the facts of the lawsuit against WWE, and discuss the culpability of not just Vince but the other executives and partners involved.
New Ep! And it's a weighty one. First up-the Janel Grant lawsuit. Then the WWE Backlash scrum, the Drew Gulak situation, wrestling media reaction and challenges of a changing media landscape. Finally- WWE business and AEW's TV Deal Summer. (
New Episode! We cover Mania Weekend, potential risks for WWE, AEW's decision to air The Footage (and it's fallout in-story and out, and the Fallout from Windy City Riot for both AEW and NJPW. Plus listener questions!
Episode 16! We talk all things AEW Dynasty, including Swerve's big win. Then it's over to the Elite and their attack on Tony Khan. We answer listener questions about AEW before we check in on WWE and the culture of pro wrestling.
With the AEW + WBD data teams back after the holiday weekend,
a fun thing we're researching:
Is last Wednesday, 7/3 the first time
@AEWonTV
on TBS/TNT has ever been the
#1
show on ALL tv in viewers age 18-34?
Not sure if it's our first but great stat for AEW Wednesday either way!
Holy shit, Jack Perry just appeared for the first time since
#AEWAllIn
.....at
#NJPW
Battle In The Valley to attack Shota Umino and rip up his
#AEW
contract.
#njbitv
We posted about this last week, but the folks at VoW have brought the clip out from behind their paywall and we strongly encourage everyone to give it a listen.
In this clip from a recent episode of The Flagship Podcast, you'll learn how and why WWE has a massive public relations edge over AEW, how it happened, and what AEW can do to combat it.
New Ep! An update on the Janel Grant case and the Liv Morgan and Dom Mysterio storyline. Then WWE's live event strategy and Summerslam. An AEW stadium show in the US? Finally- AEW's successes and failures with the builds to Blood and Guts and All In.
Episode 21! And a quick review of Forbidden Door. Then developments in the title scene as we head towards Wembley, Mox vs Naito 2, and the returns of Britt and Hangman. Finally, WWE's recent documentary release and their business outlook.
New Ep! Why you can't look at any one rating in isolation, and what could have contributed to Dynamite's loss in viewers. Plus- what makes AEW unique & how can that counter moves from WWE. Then it's G1 and Owen talk and we end with listener questions!
Ep 18! Double or Nothing and our reaction to the reaction. Plus Dynamite and Viewers 18-34, Summer Booking and All In, Collision's TX residency, NJPW and listener questions!
Episode 12! We reviewed Revolution and the success of Sting's final match, Hangman's heel turn, and Ospreay's debut. Then we discuss the hiring of Jennifer Pepperman, wrestling journalism, and WWE's Elimination Chamber.
New Ep! We tackle developments in the WWE sex abuse scandal and new details in the Ashley Massaro case, recent free agents and the impacts of these moves on AEW, NJPW and WWE. Then AEW's recent ticket sales and comparisons with the historical data.
Ep 23! TKO/UFC lawsuit, Summer Slam, Logan Paul's transphobic comments, Shane McMahon, the Collision residency. Then- Face vs Face matches & the role of traditional wrestling dynamics. Wrestlemania in London? And a surprise from the gals at Tunnel Talk
We are back! First is a review of Worlds End and AEW, then Wrestle Kingdom and satisfying conclusions. Then it's over to WWE personnel changes and the Rock returning to Raw. Finally, we discuss the recent Nick Hausman comments regarding Chris Jericho.
Episode 19! First, the fallout from NJPW's Dominion show, the Forbidden Door card and a talking point that is driving us insane. Then- AAA & CMLL, WWE updates and finally listener questions and... banter?
Episode 24! The Janel Grant lawsuit, and a change to how WWE counters AEW. TNA & WWE vs TNA & AEW, contract tampering, AEW's history of adding time for injury, and which wrestlers are heading where. Then- All In 2025, All In 2024, and a wrap up of the G1!
We walk you through some of the basics of ratings, interpreting ratings data, and what its used for, as well as how it impacts the perception of AEW. Then: How Often Should a Champion Wrestle? Finally, we talk about WWE and the impact of worked shoots.
From Episode 11: AEW has rebounded from their low ticket sales and the pricing and release strategy seem to be much improved- Big Business is doing… Big Business. How does that compare with Collision’s debut sales? Can we call Mercedes Mone a big draw?
Bryan Alvarez on the B&V show today revealed that it was CM Punk's idea to get rid of AEW rankings in 2022.
"I was told it was CM Punk. He talked Tony into getting rid of the rankings."
New Episode! Slight disclaimer- we recorded this on Sunday night, before the most recent news about the WWE lawsuit, before the AEW releases, and before the Punk interview.
Ep 9! Big Okada news and we discuss a positive outlook both have for AEW. The RANKINGS ARE BACK! What did they used to look like and how they can work now? The Young Bucks are back, mustaches and all! Finally, we dive into some interesting ratings data!
Ep 6, and we are unleashed! Punk debuts at WWE. Then we turn their attention to Full Gear and discuss the booking and the potential consequences. If you take one thing away from this discussion, make it this: Women Are Not Frightened of Blood.
TONIGHT, 1/13/24
Saturday Night
#AEWCollision
Live on
@TNTdrama
8pm ET/7pm CT
Hangman Page vs
@RealJDDrake
TONIGHT one of AEW's greatest stars Adam Page returns to his home state Virginia looking to collide!
Hangman makes his Collision debut vs Workhorseman JD Drake TONIGHT!
While not a direct comment, the "perception" section of the episode is relevant to both the Punk interview as well as the recent releases. We hope you enjoy listening, and keep your eyes peeled as we may return a little earlier than scheduled...
Ep 13! We start with the WWE lawsuit, the name reveals & what WWE knew & when. Trish reports back on her trip to Japan & we answer a question about the State of NJPW. We check in on AEW. What does it mean to elevate someone, and is anyone doing it well?
Happy Birthday Tunnel Talk! We literally would not exist without you! You paved the way and inspired us to feel free to talk about wrestling the way we want to. We are so incredibly grateful.
guys, it’s tunnel talk’s 3rd birthday!!!!!! we would not have predicted that we’d make it here in one million years when Producer M prodded us into hopping on a zoom w/ the built-in mac mics just to ramble about shit we didn’t really understand, trying only to pop our friends
Episode 2! Trish and Sarah are back in the studio to discuss WrestleDream—the tickets, the PPV buys, the matches and the arrival of Adam Copeland! Plus all the latest WWE merger news and how the new Smackdown rights deal may affect both major companies.
TONIGHT
#AEWDynamite
LIVE | 8pm ET/7pm CT |
@TBSNetwork
Last week in Jacksonville
#HangmanPage
made his intentions clear that he wants to be
#AEW
World Champ again. On Collision he picked up the win making him 2-0 in 2024.
TONIGHT We'll hear from Hangman on Dynamite!
We also take a hard look at wrestling media and the failures in how this has been covered, not just this week but long term. After wrapping up with WWE, we move over to AEW (1:32:00) with speculation about Mercedes Mone, Okada, and the new partnership with CMLL.
From Ep 13: Bryan Danielson wants to use his time in AEW to elevate new stars, but what's the value of a Danielson loss these days? Who's at the top of the card and who is stuck a level down?
"We're covered in your DNA now." 😂
Matthew/Nicholas Jackson in their $5,000 bloody suits say that Sting and Darby forced their hands but as EVPs, they have to make tough decisions.
AEW IS THEIR BABY, DAMMIT.
What part of this promo hearkens back to the foundational spirit of AEW? This entire thing is him complaining about not being at the top of WWE.
If you think this is what AEW is about, then you are the one who is being very silly.
This is a fantastic and thoughtful conversation. Pollack and Thurston have great questions and Marksman has some thoughtful answers. Please give it a listen.
Ep 7 and we decide that it's time to Correct the Record on what we got wrong last week! Punk's return promo, checking in on All In Ticket sales and the success of the Continental Classic. We also discuss the rumors swirling around NJPW and Okada.
It's exciting to have Hangman Page making his
#AEWCollision
debut right NOW live on
@TNTdrama
against one of pro wrestling's hardest hitters Workhorseman
@RealJDDrake
!
Thank you all watching
@AEWonTV
live on TNT right NOW!
Don't go anywhere
#AEWBOTB9
is coming up NEXT tonight!
As announced on tonight’s
@PoisonranaPod
. I’ll be doing a 12 hour charity stream raising money for the
@MC8_Foundation
on the 29th of June.
3pm-3am (BST) 10am-10pm (EST)
Tons of great guests raising for a great cause.
More info soon.
New pod!
@TrevorDame
returns to the show to talk about the last month in wrestling media, the pressure applied to media members to ask questions about the Vince lawsuit, progress being made on serious conduct at press events and a lot more. Check it out!
I still wanna know why 20 bodies tried to stop Max from getting in the ring but the dude with crutches from TWO ankle surgeries got a whole ass unbothered entrance?!
#AEWFullGear
Thanks to everyone that tuned in, donated, came on as a guest and supported.
12 hour marathon completed!
Donation page will remain open until 1pm BST tomorrow!
Jon Moxley on the value of AEW Homegrown wrestlers: (via Bleacher Report)
"There's a few guys like that who are sort of AEW homegrown guys. Orange Cassidy, Hangman Page I think is another one. Darby Allin. There's a certain kind of connection with our audience at AEW where they