📸: allynicole456 on twitter

darius martin x female reader? bc of the reader darius pops a boner at work and he suggests that she help with it and she does (female dom, praise kink and dirty talk kink)

Step into My Office, Baby

Darius Martin x f/Reader (18+)

Main Masterlist ♡ AEW Masterlist ♡ Darius Martin Masterlist

Warnings: Some swearing. Descriptive sexual acts. Minors do not read. Unprotected sex. Workplace sex. Praise & Dirty talk kink. NSFW under the cut

Just like all my other stories, this has not been proofread, but please enjoy.

Gifs and photos do not belong to me. 1st gif @junglehooks

I hope you like it.

WC: 1313

T.J - AR Fox.

Summary: Darius Martin gets turned on while at work, & it is all because of his woman and what she is wearing.

Darius Martin's POV:

"You look so good out there, baby," her tugging my hair, plus her sweet words, have my eyes roll to the back of my head. I closed my eyes as she ran her fingers through my hair once more, but I must have slowed down my movements.

"I didn't say stop, Darius."

My head was tugged away from the one spot I wanted to be, which was between her thighs. My mouth was covered in her juices, as were my fingers, which were still thrusting in and out of her.

"Take them out and clean your fingers for me, baby."

I quickly did as she asked, making sure to keep eye contact the entire time. I wrapped my lips around my fingers and I groaned at the taste of her, wanting once more to defy her wishes and make her cum on my tongue.

Her gaze made me feel like my body was on fire, but it has been ever since I saw her in her work outfit today.

Black pencil skirt, white lace blouse, her black, thigh-high stockings that alway always seem to drive me crazy, and her shoes, her purple heels with the bows on the back bringing the whole outfit together. It's just enough colour to make it pop.

And to make something else pop on me.

I have been rock-hard since I saw her walk past me this morning. My mouth practically fell open as I watched her ass in that skirt. Anthony was laughing quietly to himself when he saw my reaction to my girl.

I finally calmed down enough that I could actually wear my wrestling gear with no issue, but that was until she came to wish me good luck on my match against Sammy, Chris and Daniel. I could feel myself twitching.

She wrapped her arms around me and gave me a kiss, mumbling against my lips. "Good luck, baby," just like she always does, but I didn't kiss her back with as much enthusiasm as I normally did.

No, no. I was willing myself to calm the fuck down before I showed the crowd and fans at home my boner.

Dante and TJ ran out before me, but I was right behind him, thankful that I was wearing a jacket that was just long enough, that i could cover myself up.

I did the match, trying to focus on when all I could think about was bunching her skirt around her waist and I ripped open her shirt and bury face in her chest as I sunk into her warmth.

She was waiting in the back for me, and before she could even open her pretty mouth to speak, I grabbed her arm and dragged her around the corner.

"Darius,"

My mouth crashed against hers as my hands gripped her waist and pulled her flush against me. I ground my cock against her, muttering how much I need her. How I need her to help me with problem.

"Is that so, Darius?" She asked me as she ran her fingers through my hair, pulling her lips around from mine. "Yes, please."

I went to kiss her again when she gently pushed me away and grabbed my hand, and started to walk in front of me. She turned back to look at me, and all I could do was wimper when she said, "Step into my office, baby."

♥︎

And that is how I found myself on my knees with my lips sucking on her clit as I pushed a third finger inside of her, trying to get her stretched enough to take me.

"So good Darius, fuck!"

"Always know what I exactly need don't you big boy."

"Yes just like that Darius. Just like that." Her moans were breathy at this point. Her legs were shaking around my head, and her back was arching off of the table. Her hands were gripping my head as she ground her pussy against my mouth.

A groan of my name and she came, my eyes savouring the taste of her on my tongue and chin as she soaked my face.

I pulled my mouth and fingers away from her pussy as her breathing started to come back to normal.

YN sat up, looked down at me, and gripped my chin in her hand. Her eyes glanced down at my still hard, leaking cock in my wrestling pants and a small smile came over her face.

"You need to fuck me baby?"

"Yes." I am completely at her mercy and I am loving every single second of this.

"Do you want my mouth?" A nodded my head, yes.

"Or my pussy?" Another nod yes.

"Or my ass baby?" I closed my eyes at the thought of sliding into her ass, but I knew I wasn't going to last long if I did pick that one.

"Oh, can't pick? Let me help you decide, Darius."

♥︎

My mouth was hanging open as she slowly slid up and down my cock. She looked like perfection right now. Her skirt bunched around her waist, her blouse that she slowly unbuttoned, was open, and her beautiful tits caged behind the bra, and she still hard her heels on.

"Is this what you wanted, Darius? I bet you did. I knew what this outfit would do to you."

"So hot. So fucking sexy." I moaned out as I placed my hands on her hips, squeezing them as I wanted her to go faster.

"Faster. Need you to ride me gorgeous."

YN tutted at me and continued her slow pace. "Now remember what you agreed to baby, you don't come unless I say so."

I closed my eyes and groaned at my foolishness.

"Open your eyes and look at me. Yes, you always listen, don't you. You never let me down."

I couldn't help myself, as I bucked up into her at her sweet words, but I watched as her one hand moved down her body. First, groping her tits and pulling them out of her bra. Then down her belly and towards where our bodies were joined.

She cried out as she started to play with her clit as she picked up her pace, making sure to squeeze my cock. My name fell from her lips as she came around my cock, squeezing me even tighter if that was possible.

She collapsed against me, and I wrapped my arms around her waist to start thrusting into her when I heard her say, "I didn't say come."

♥︎

Two more times she came before I had enough. Not caring about the consequences to my actions later on.

I placed my hands on her ass and stood up before YN could even realise what the hell I was doing.

I placed her on her desk and pouded into her like I have wanted to all day. My face in her chest, sucking and biting at the skin there.

I was so close, but I wanted to make this good for her as I brought on her next orgasm, her pussy clenching around my cock as she moaned my name loudly.

My own pace began to falter as I was close.

"Come for me, Darius."

I stilled as I finally got to come. A low groan left my lips as it was my turn to collapse onto her, my face still buried in her chest.

Our post-bliss moment was ruined by a knock on the door. "Let's get cleaned up and head to the hotel." I sighed but agreed with her, pulling out of her.

I was just putting on my shoes when YN spoke up. "I think you need to learn some patience, baby."

"What do you mean love?"

"When we get back to the hotel, I will show you."

I knew by the glint in her eyes that I was completely and utterly fucked.

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Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Official Co-Op Gameplay - “No Matter the Cost”

Official Behind the Scenes - “Out of Arkham Asylum”

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam on May 26, 2023.

Latest details

Cooperative Gameplay: “No Matter the Cost”

The video shows off a new look at the game’s high-intensity combat set against the vast, explorable open-world of Metropolis, which is teeming with Brainiac’s hostile forces. Enjoyed as a solo or four-player online cooperative experience, the gameplay reveal provides an in-depth look at the multiplayer mayhem that can ensue, with each Squad member’s unique traversal abilities and attacks on full display. Whether players gravitate towards Harley Quinn’s wild acrobatics, King Shark’s powerful leaping, Deadshot’s aerial sharpshooting or Captain Boomerang’s lightning-fast speed force, each character delivers distinct skills specific to their brand of chaos.

Behind the Scenes: “Out of Arkham Asylum”

Furthermore, a behind-the-scenes featurette was released today with members of the Rocksteady Studios team expanding on the world of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and going deeper on core game elements and characters, along with commentary on the process of taking the Squad out of Arkham Asylum and into the dynamic city of tomorrow that is Metropolis. Additionally, the video touches on the studio’s plans for new content after launch. On top of the massive story-driven campaign, vibrant open-world and action–adventure shooter experience, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will have post-launch content updates to expand the story with new missions and earnable characters, available at no cost. The game will also have a cosmetics-only battle pass system to earn new outfits, emotes and other items to uniquely customize Squad members

F.A.Q.

WHAT TYPE OF GAME IS SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE?

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is a new genre-defying third-person action-adventure shooter videogame allowing players to take on the roles of Suicide Squad members Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang and King Shark

WHO IS DEVELOPING SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE?

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is developed by Rocksteady Studios, creators of the critically acclaimed, best-selling Batman: Arkham series.

WHO IS PUBLISHING SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is published by Warner Bros. Games.

WHEN WILL SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE RELEASE?

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will be released worldwide on May 26, 2023.

WHAT PLATFORMS WILL SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE BE AVAILABLE ON?

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will be available on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S consoles and PC.

WHICH PC PLATFORMS WILL SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE BE AVAILABLE ON?

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will be available on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store.

WHICH PLAYABLE CHARACTERS ARE FEATURED IN SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE?

Playable characters include Harley Quinn (a.k.a. Dr. Harleen Quinzel), the Clown Princess of Crime; Deadshot (a.k.a. Floyd Lawton), the most dangerous marksman alive; Captain Boomerang (a.k.a. Digger Harkness), Aussie assassin extraordinaire; and King Shark (a.k.a. Nanaue), the demigod humanoid shark and rightful ruler of the seas.

WHO IS THE VOICE TALENT FOR THE MAIN PLAYABLE CHARACTERS IN SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE?

Harley Quinn is voiced by Tara Strong, Deadshot is voiced by Bumper Robinson, Captain Boomerang is voiced by Daniel Lapaine and King Shark is voiced by Nuufolau Joel Seanoa, better known by his All Elite Wrestling (AEW) ring name, Samoa Joe.

DOES SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE FEATURE AN ORIGINAL STORY?

Yes, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League features an original story set in the DC Universe as the Squad must take on an impossible mission to save Earth and kill the world’s greatest DC Super Heroes, the Justice League.

IS SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE CONNECTED TO THE BATMAN: ARKHAM SERIES?

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is a new third-person action-adventure shooter featuring an original, narrative-driven experience that picks up the story five years after the events of Batman: Arkham Knight so players who are familiar with the Batman: Arkham series will see some related narrative elements pop up in the game.

CAN PLAYERS CUSTOMIZE THEIR CHARACTER IN SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE?

Yes, players can customize their character’s look with new outfits, gear, weapons and other cosmetic items as they progress through the Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League campaign.

DOES SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE HAVE A MULTIPLAYER MODE?

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League can be played solo or with up to four players in online co-op.

CAN PLAYERS SWAP BETWEEN CHARACTERS IN SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE?

Players may gravitate towards one Squad member, but they can switch characters when they are outside of active missions.

CAN PLAYERS GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE GAME AS THE SAME CHARACTER?

Yes, players can go through the entire game as any of the four main characters.

IS THE FULL GAME PLAYABLE SOLO AN IN CO-OP?

Yes, the full game can be enjoyed either solo or with up to four players in online co-op.

DOES SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE SUPPORT LOCAL CO-OP?

Co-op mode will only be available online with an internet connection. The game will not support local co-op.

DOES SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE SUPPORT CROSS-PLATFORM PLAY FOR ONLINE CO-OP?

Yes, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will support full cross-platform play for online co-op.

IS AN INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO PLAY SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE?

Yes, an internet connection is required to play Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League solo or via online co-op.

IS THE SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE GAME CONNECTED TO THE PREVIOUS FILMS?

The Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League game is an original story set in the DC Universe and is not connected to the previous films.

IS A PLAYSTATION®PLUS SUBSCRIPTION OR XBOX LIVE GOLD MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED TO PLAY SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE?

No, a PlayStation®Plus subscription or Xbox Live Gold membership will not be required to play Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League solo on PlayStation®5 or Xbox Series X|S consoles. However, PlayStation®Plus or Xbox Live Gold will be required to play the game via online co-op.

WHAT WILL THE FRAMERATE BE FOR SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE?

The PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X|S console versions of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will target 60 FPS (frames per second). PC specifications will be available closer to launch as the game is still in development.

WILL SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE HAVE NEW CONTENT AVAILABLE POST-LAUNCH?

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will have post-launch content updates to expand the story with new missions and earnable characters, available at no cost.

WILL SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE HAVE A BATTLE PASS?

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will have a post-launch cosmetics-only battle pass system to earn new outfits, emotes and other items to customize playable characters. Each battle pass will have free tiers available at no cost to all Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League players, along with premium tiers that will be available via an optional in-game purchase. All battle pass items will be cosmetic and will not affect gameplay in any way.

WILL SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE HAVE IN-GAME PURCHASES?

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will have cosmetic items available for optional in-game purchase that can be used to customize playable characters. Each cosmetics-only battle pass will also have premium tiers that will be available via an optional in-game purchase. All in-game purchases will be completely optional and will not affect gameplay in any way.

WILL SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE HAVE LOOT BOXES?

No, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will not have loot boxes.

WILL SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE HAVE A PREQUEL TIE-IN COMIC?

Suicide Squad: Kill Arkham Asylum is the official prequel tie-in comic, expanding on how this incarnation of Task Force X came together in the Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League game. The five-issue monthly series is scheduled to release on May 30 and will be available at participating comic book stores and digital platforms. Each print issue includes a code for a redeemable Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League in-game cosmetic item. Paying Annual or Ultra tier subscribers to the DC UNIVERSE INFINITE digital subscription platform will also receive a code for the in-game cosmetic item for each issue. Terms apply. For more information and a free trial (where applicable), check out DCUniverseInfinite.com. Please note, DC UNIVERSE INFINITE is not intended for children and is not available in all countries.

The First Annual WrestleMania Week 2024 Awards

The most interesting parts of WrestleMania Week 2024 were, as usual, in the shows that took place around Philadelphia this year. Though I didn't travel to Philadelphia for the shows, I tried to craft a path that covered as many of the most interesting shows that streamed as possible.

To start, let's acknowledge the shows that I was able to watch:

DEFY Wrestling: Can't Deny It

STARDOM: American Dream 2024 in the Keystone State

GCW Presents Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport X

The first half of the Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow

ACTION Wrestling & Segunda Caida: DEAN~!!

Jersey Championship Wrestling: JCW & GCW vs. The World

ROH Supercard of Honor 2024

CMLL Super Viernes (April 5, 2024)

Let's also provide the caveats on the shows that were on my radar that I was not able to watch due to timing conflicts:

The second half of the Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow

DDT Pro-Wrestling: DDT Goes Philadelphia

Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling: LIVE in Philly

Wrestling REVOLVER & Hog of Glory Wrestling

Game Changer Wrestling: Joey Janela's Spring Break 8

Expect the Unexpected: Unlock the Unexpected - ETU vs. Dragongate

The call to promoters who schedule shows around major AEW and WWE shows: I understand the need to schedule around those shows. I suspect the desire to competing against WWE SmackDown, ROH Supercard of Honor, WrestleMania XL Nights One and Two forced promoters to focus on Thursday night as the premier evening option of WrestleMania Week 2024. The point of the weekend is, presumably, to make money via ticket sales and through the streaming sales that a company would make. Forcing customers to choose your show over competing options limits the ticket and streaming sales and exposure that your company can get that week.

On Thursday night, I was able to give the Hitchcock Memorial Supershow about an hour of undivided attention before I switched to focus on DEAN~!!. I missed the DDT show completely, and given the pace of WrestleMania Week and wrestling in general, I will most likely never watch DDT's show (or any other show that I had to skip due to time conflict). That means that I won't even have the chance to forget about the widely praised KONOSUKE TAKESHITA vs. Shunma Katsumata and Mike Bailey vs. Yuki Ueno matches because I won't ever watch them. Had DDT's show taken place on Friday afternoon, it would have received undivided attention and possibly better ticket sales and more views on WrestleUniverse.

With that said, here are my reflections on this year's WrestleMania Week in the form of my supremely prestigious awards.

The "Best Pure Vibes" Award: ACTION Wrestling & Segunda Caida: DEAN~!!

I visited the Death Valley Driver Video Review Message Board fairly regularly when I was younger, but I never created an account or tried to participate because it seemed too intimidating. My horizons broadened by reading discussions and reviews on Segunda Caida, but I never felt like I had anything worthwhile to add because my wrestling viewing was limited to some syndicated WWF shows, some ECW, and mostly WWF and WCW. Nonetheless, I recognized the name "Dean Rasmussen" in the message board and SC reviews, and I was sorry to hear of his passing. DEAN~!! was held in Rasmussen's honor, and it was probably my favorite show of the week. It had a vision, and that vision was felt in the eclectic mix of matches on the card, the exuberant commentary from Dylan Hales and John Mosely. Wrestling promoters and fans will sometimes defend nonsensical character development and plots, cringeworthy comedy, and substandard wrestling by claiming that wrestling shows have to feel uneven because they're variety shows that offer a little something to everyone. DEAN~!! felt like a repudiation of that defense, a counterargument that wrestling itself can provide that buffet without relying on the tired tropes that companies trot out when they refuse to think of anything better.

These are a few of my favorite things from DEAN~!!:

Colby Corino's setup for and commitment to the headlock gimmick. He was a busy and tired man, so he tried to win using the basic move in his arsenal. That went fine for him until Alex Kane was able to use his dedication to worker smarter, not harder against him. The match combined comedy and action very well, and it's forced me to re-evaluate my impression of Corino from the days when he ran with Eddie Kingston, Joe Gacy, and Shane Strickland in Evolve as The Unwanted.

O'Shay Edwards for ending the match with a moonsault. When a man as large as Edwards lands on you, the match should be over, and it was, which meant that the match ended at the right time.

The Ugly Ducklings and Violence Is Forever for giving the crowd an unexpected sprint.

Tom Lawlor for his reticence to touch the disgusting, bloodstained canvas that was used for his match with One Called Manders against the Coven of the Goat. I wouldn't want to either.

Dr. Cerebro for having some of the best looking gear that I saw all weekend. The key details are the exposed brain and glasses sewn on his mask.

Avery Good, the IWTV Championship Committee, and ACTION for commissioning a slightly larger IWTV Independent World Championship belt. It's a good bit.

Krule and Jake Parnell for surpassing my low expectations for their match. It was overbooked, but it was overbooked in a good way, and Krule impressed the most since the show where he emerged from a cornfield.

Arez for being such an odd fellow. Master of the Strange Style indeed had a match with Chikara alumnus Matt Makowski that exceeded my expectations.

Slim J for refusing to go gentle into that good night. He and Adam Priest ripped off an exciting match days after Slim J was released from AEW, and it hopefully makes promoters reflect on how they misused someone this talented.

Marcus Mathers for making me reevaluate my opinion after writing him off as a scramble flippy guy.

Demus and Mad Dog Connelly for unleashing violence and mayhem. Connelly started the match by snapping the chain and hitting Demus with it, and he upped the ante by punching Demus with chain-wrapped fists.

Daniel Makabe and Timothy Thatcher for rewarding the attention that I was forced to pay their match due to their style. Grappling-focused matches don't have obvious moments of excitement for most viewers, so you're forced to watch closely for small shifts in angle and advantage. Makabe and Thatcher had a match where I felt like the attention that I paid to them after a long day of watching wrestling was worth the effort.

The "But Now You Have My Attention" Award: The Sovereign/Sinner & Saint

My major takeaway from DEFY's Can't Deny It was the fast-paced and tightly executed work from Judas Icarus, Travis Williams, and Evan Rivers in their match against the Dragongate team (more on one of them later) and C4XKC. Icarus and Williams, as Sinner & Saint truly caught my attention in their match against Marcus Mathers and Austin Luke at DEAN~!!, and I'll peek in on what they'll do in TNA now that they're signed there.

The "Champagne Problems" Award: Mariah May

In the grand scope, AEW's insistence on continuing with Timeless Toni won't determine whether they sign a profitable TV deal or whether their ticket sales or TV ratings will reach new heights or depths. On a personal level, the combination of Timeless Toni and the Brochachos drove me away from AEW, and it took months before I could trust the company to not focus so heavily on crappy content. I'm willing to stomach a few minutes of Timeless Toni every week in recognition that nothing can be perfect. Nonetheless, watching Mariah May wrestle with Mina Shirakawa and Xia Brookside against Mayu Iwatani, Momo Kohgo, and Tam Nakano at STARDOM's show and against Kohgo during the ROH Zero Hour preshow highlighted how fresh and exciting she feels and how tired and mortifying watching Toni Storm play Timeless Toni feels.

The "Indifference Is Worse Than Hate" Award: Shun Skywalker

I gave Dragongate a chance to capture my heart in 2023, and it failed to attach. So, I wanted to give Dragongate another chance in a setting that piqued my interest in Dragon Gate back in 2006. Instead, the Dragongate team of Kzy, Shun Skywalker, and Ho Ho Lun seemed to disappear during their match in the DEFY show. I had hoped that it was an aberration, but the Dragongate group of YAMATO, Dragon Kid, and Shun Skywalker underwhelmed in the tag match against Los Desperados in JCW & GCW vs. The World. Then, the whole Dragongate group had an underwhelming performance in the much hyped match against Team CMLL during the Hitchcock Memorial Supershow. I want to give them one more chance with the ETU vs. Dragongate show, but the Dragongate showing this trip did not inspire me to give the company another chance in 2024.

The "Half-Hearted Efforts Produce Half-Hearted Results" Award: ROH Supercard of Honor 2024

Crowning Mark Briscoe as the ROH World Champion on the anniversary of his brother's ascension should have felt triumphant. Instead, it felt perfunctory, which seems deeply wrong. Other than the knowledge that it was Jay Briscoe's championship anniversary, viewers received no cues for the emotional stakes of the match, and pitting Mark Briscoe against fan favorite Eddie Kingston seemed misguided.

The "That Sure Is A Decision That You Can Make" Award: Syuri, Masha Slamovich, JCW, GCW

I was looking forward to Syuri vs. Masha Slamovich at JCW & GCW vs. The World when it was announced, and it was one of the matches that kept me going through the fatigue from the grueling activity of watching wrestling for hours on end on Thursday. My spirit deflated when ring announcer Emil Jay announced a 30 minute time limit for the match since he announced no time limit for the other matches on the show. It was also billed as a JCW Championship match, and since Syuri wasn't going to win the title from Slamovich this weekend, my expectations joined my spirit in a state of deflation. The fact that they wrestled to a 30 minute time limit draw at 1:00 am Eastern in front of a listless crowd probably contributed to my dissatisfaction with the match; it felt like a slowly paced collection of moves rather than a coherent story told through the medium of professional wrestling.

The Best Match of the Weekend, Leyenda Division: Bryan Danielson vs. Blue Panther

Bryan Danielson is my favorite wrestler, and I've greatly enjoyed his post-WWE run. He's made it clear for years to anyone who would listen that he greatly admired Blue Panther and wanted desperately to wrestle him, and we were served an appetizer when they faced each other at CMLL Homenaje A Dos Leyendas 2024 on March 29. We got the full course when Danielson and Panther wrestled at Super Viernes on April 5, and it was what I, as a Danielson fan, would have wanted from this match. Both men defied age and expectations and challenged each other's technical skills and indomitable wills. Danielson tried to play rudo by hitting the aged Panther with brutal kicks and dives and by showing off with the Santo Escape several times, but Danielson is too delightful for any attendee at Arena Mexico on April 5 to truly despise.

The Best Match of the Weekend, Non-Leyenda Division

The finalists are:

World of Stardom Championship: Maika (c) vs. Megan Bayne (STARDOM: American Dream 2024 in the Keystone State)

Fuminori Abe vs. Takuya Nomura (GCW Presents Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport X)

Matt Makowski vs. Charlie Dempsey (GCW Presents Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport X)

Slim J vs. Adam Priest (ACTION Wrestling & Segunda Caida: DEAN~!!)

Daniel Makabe vs. Timothy Thatcher (ACTION Wrestling & Segunda Caida: DEAN~!!)

Dog Collar Match: Mad Dog Connelly vs. Demus el Demonio (ACTION Wrestling & Segunda Caida: DEAN~!!)

Jordan Oliver vs. Aigle Blanc (JCW & GCW vs. The World)

Limited to what I saw, my pick is Connelly vs. Demus, which was the most fun of these great matches. I was hooting and hollering as they bludgeoned each other with garbage cans, chained fists, and possibly fans, and the experience was heightened by the very game crowd at DEAN~!!.

My second pick would be Maika vs. Megan Bayne, which featured a great story of Maika, usually the bully, finding herself unable to bully the bigger and stronger Bayne. Maika's absurd Michinoku Driver from the second rope on Bayne looked absolutely reckless and devastating, and it felt unique among the many watches from the past week.

AEW All Out 2020 Review

Okay...lot to unpack there All Out is in the books but not all of it was positive vibes, but there was still a lot of good stuff here that I’m gonna run down So Obviously, Spoilers for All Out

I’d like to preface that this has not been AEW’s best PPV, but parts of it was not AEW’s fault, I also have to add that the card took some heavy shuffles, starting with moving the Casino Battle Royale and Tooth and Nail match to the main card, quickly adding two new Buy In shows. The Buy In Joey Janela (w/Sonny Kiss) vs Serpentico (w/Luther) - Winner: Janela (Pinfall via Elbow Drop) A nice fun opener, Luther doesn’t do it for me but Serpentico definitely does, Janela looked very solid as Serpentico sold for him, some pretty decent athleticism and some solid heelish brutality from the Snakeman. Kiss got a hit in on Luther’s interfering and the result was fine, Janela then put over Kiss on the hard cam saying he’d win the Battle Royale. Private Party vs Dark Order Members John ‘3′ Silver and Alex ‘4′ Reynolds - Winner: Private Party (Pinfall via Gin n Juice) Another fun opening tag match, the kind of energetic tag you get from Pre-Shows really. Both teams were solid but it was the Dark Order who had the better share of the tag synergy. That being said, Marq Quen literally ignored gravity for a moment with a Moonsault and Silver rocked Quen with a Burning Hammer F-5 (I think it’s called the Spin Doctor) for a near fall. Many fans would be convinced that Dark Order should’ve won, and in hindsight they probably should have, but a small flurry got them the Gin n Juice for the win. Main Card Tooth and Nail Match, Britt Baker (w/Rebel ‘Reba’ Tanea) vs Big Swole - Winner: Big Swole (KO) After heavy fan demand, Tony Khan decided to move the match onto the main card as the opener. Swole rolled up with a BLM armband and a fancy car into Baker’s office, met by ‘Reba’ acting as the receptionist. After hitting her with a clipboard Swole was mentally tormented a little by blood in the sink and chattering teeth as Baker quietly stalked her and then hit Swole (kinda lightly really) with her diploma. Baker looked to torture Swole for most of the match with dentistry equipment, some solid landings on the unprotected floor did sell a bit of intensity, when Swole rallied they went to the back where Reba also returned, she was dunked into a nearby bin via Britt’s ‘Role’s Royce’. Britt returned to the advantage as she looked to inject Swole with something (I think it’d be a numbing agent), but ended up taking it into the leg herself as Reba funnily screamed ‘You Stabbed Her!’, a dazed Swole then used another Diploma to do ‘Dirty Dancing’ through the diploma on Reba, another Dirty Dancing on Britt knocked her into the Doctor’s chair as Swole finished Baker with some anesthetic. As cinematic matches go it was a mixed bag, some bits were funny but some of it was just ‘silly bobbins’, a theme with AEW’s women’s matches sadly is that JR really can’t commentate on Women without saying something wrong or outdated (more on that later), it probably should’ve stayed on the Buy In where it would’ve been afforded more time and less seriousness, also odd that Baker took the loss on her return. The Young Bucks vs Jurassic Express (w/ Marko Stunt) - Winner: The Young Bucks (Pinfall via BTE Trigger on Jungle Boy) A PPV-quality tag match, Jurassic Express and the Bucks started with a lot of energy as the Bucks started leaning into their asshole heel attitudes. Isolating Jungle Boy and infuriating Luchasaurus, there was a fair amount of Back and Forth which usually ended with the Bucks once more doubling on the Big Man to focus on JB. At one point, Marko Stunt (in a crutch after being demolished by Jake Hager on a prior AEW Dark match) pulled Matt off the ring apron as he mocked JB to tag him in. Eventually Luchasaurus did what he does best: the Hot Tag, taking both on with his unique offence, he also added what I could only call a ‘Chokesault’ since he chokeslammed Nick so hard onto Matt that he basically moonsaulted onto his prone brother. Jurassic Express wowed with their airborne abilities with JB using Luchasaurus to hop over the top rope onto Nick for a perfect crossbody but were again undone when the rana setup led to JB being powerbombed on the apron and Luchasaurus hit with a destroyer. The Boy and his Dinosaur almost got the win by reversing a Meltzer Driver setup into an Extinction Level Event but the pin was broken. Marko’s action before came to haunt him as Matt kicked away Marko’s crutch in torment, then murdered him with a superkick that wrote him out of interference. After the Bucks were set over the guard rail, Luchasaurus took himself out by launching from the ring over the barricade to the group of uncarded wrestlers (including Griff Garrison, Brandon Cutler - who was on the opposite end of the ring to Peter Avalon who split from him on Dark, and the Gunn Club) in a gravity-defying dive. But this left Jungle Boy at the mercy of the Bucks, eating a superkick for 2, then a Superkick Party also for 2 but then being destroyed by a BTE trigger for 3. A great birds eye shot of a limp Jungle Boy encapsulated the match as once again Jack Perry (and Luchasaurus) light up AEW’s card even in defeat, tremendous resilience as we see a much more heelish Bucks come about. Casino Battle Royale - Winner: Lance Archer (eliminated Eddie Kingston) The Casino Battle Royale started strong with Trent, Hager, Fénix, Blade and Christopher Daniels. No eliminations took place until the next bunch came out; Kazarian, Santana & Ortiz, Taylor and happy surprise Will Hobbs! And Hobbs was the first to get an elimination, taking out the Blade, CD was taken by Hager until the next group came about, Best Friends renewing hostilities with Santana and Ortiz. The third group was Billy Gunn, Penta El Zero M, Ricky Starks, Brian Cage and Darby Allin. The Latter quickly went for Team Tazz as Gunn went for the bigger fish, only to be eliminated by Cage, Allin then surprisingly eliminated Fenix as Santana and Ortiz doubled to take out Chuck. The final group of entrants came with Sonny Kiss, Eddie Kingston, the Butcher, Lance Archer and Shawn Spears - who lingered on the sides for a bit to cut a promo. Sonny Kiss made a quick impact by eliminating Hager, but was then eliminated by Cage and left prone to Hager’s wrath. Trent overcame the double team by eliminating Santana and almost got Ortiz until Archer through Trent over as Ortiz ducked...then Archer dumped Ortiz. Kazarian also got a surprise elimination of Penta as the Butcher then avenged him, Allin got some payback on Team Tazz by eliminating Starks to Tazz’s dismay, but this led to a brutal beatdown on Allin, with Starks pulling out a body bag for Cage and Cage ‘filled’ it with Thumbtacks, stuffed Allin in it completely then brutally dumped the bagged (and thus blind to impact) Allin out of the match. The Joker would soon arrive and it was someone nobody expected: Matt Sydal. The former Evan Bourne looked to make headlines and he did...for the wrong reasons. Unfortunately as he set up his beautiful shooting star press, he botched the jump and didn’t make the rotation, falling flat on his back (Props to Hobbs though who quickly rolled to check on him). A soured taste to a decent royale, Sydal did manage to rally by eliminating Spears before eating a Spinebuster from Hobbs, Kingston sticking in the corner with the Butcher as his shield while Cage began to clean up house. Cage and Archer had an exchange as the Machine went to deal with Hobbs, but Hobbs pulled Cage over with him leaving Archer to dropkick both of them off. Sydal then managed to take the Butcher out but was thrown out by Kingston in his decimation by Archer. This left some head scratching though, because Kingston went under the bottom rope in his exchange with Archer to the apron, but as he pulled the Murderhawk Monster over with him, it looked like there might be a double fall, Kingston was put onto the top turnbuckle but looked to knock away Archer, it’s only when Jake the Snake used his bag with a ‘snake’ (we never saw it) in it that Kingston was distracted for Archer to chokeslam him into his gang for the win. A good winner, still would’ve preferred Kingston, but the finish was weird, he went to the apron under the bottom rope so he should’ve still been legal, but I guess when he sat on the top turnbuckle that counted as in-ring? A fun royale though marred slightly by Sydal’s botch and that finish, Will Hobbs as well impressing many on a big stage. Broken Rules Match, Matt Hardy vs Sammy Guevara - Winner, Matt Hardy (via Sammy not answering the 10-Count) Ho boy. This one. So it started out very good, outside the stadium Matt called out Sammy, who had commondeered a golf cart of his own to chase Matt with, Matt weaved him to have Sammy crash into some boxes and bins as the fighting continued. The controversy began with a table spot involving a Scissor Lift, Matt looking to throw Sammy off it onto two merch tables below only to have Sammy Spear them both. Unfortunately, the trajectory was a bit over, Matt’s feet hit the first table which meant his landing onto the second was overshot and Matt landed head-first into the ground. Aubrey quickly checked on him and pulled up the X, but Matt seemed adamant to continue so they started the 10 count. Sammy noticed that Matt wasn’t going to stand for 10 so ‘attacked’ him to keep the match going but Matt continued to lose footing as fans felt unease on whether it was a work or shoot. The X was called again and the bell rang as Commentary noted the risks in wrestling, but by then Matt was walking on his feet and Sammy pulled nearer to the ring, the match controversially restarted with Matt blindsiding Sammy from the side, sprawling to the stage as they climbed scaffolding and dumped Sammy into the floor for the 10 Count. Concussed, AEW has gotten criticism for letting Matt continue, even to a rushed finish so that the storyline remained intact. I’m 50/50 myself, Khan later noted that the Doctor felt he could continue enough and they did limit his movement, they didn’t climb as high as they intended and Hardy was quickly rushed to hospital. Despite his wife’s fuming and angry fans looking to smear AEW like a shark in bloody water, they did as much as they could without ending the match super abruptly, and if anyone says ‘we’d be slaughtering them if WWE did this’, WWE did do this, memory serves me right Becky Lynch was concussed and kept going with the iconic ‘bloody Becky’ moment, Undertaker was concussed and kept going when the streak ended, Kairi Sane had 2 concussions in 2 different matches and finished both matches. It’s a shame, because the two did look like they had a lot of ideas, but this match did very much taint the first half of All Out and will overshadow a lot of positive vibes that came from the show as a whole. AEW Women’s Championship, Hikaru Shida (c) vs NWA Women’s Champion & TJPW International Princess Champion Thunder Rosa - Winner: Hikaru Shida (Pinfall via ‘Three Count’ Knee Strike) With a sour taste in the mouth, the anticipated Women’s match was just what fans needed to regain some excitement - though I personally questioned the card structure from here since Mimosa Mayhem and an 8 Man tag was still to come. Before the match I also popped for Shida getting streamers for her entrance, I fucking love streamers it’s a great way to involve the crowd. Shida and Rosa put on a strike and technical show which demonstrated why they were at the top of their divisions, Rosa proved to have scouted Shida’s movesets a lot by counter moves and cutting Shida off when she was getting momentum. But Shida would also pull out counters of her own, a great backbreaker and knee strike flowed with the back and forth nature of both champions, Rosa rocking Shida with a DVD on the apron but Shida wasting Rosa with a Meteora on the ramp. Both women also wore the other down with submissions, Rosa working the back with various stretches as Shida locked in the Stretch Muffler. Rosa looked to rally again as she kicked out of a Falcon Arrow at 1 and reversed a second attempt, but like lightning Shida struck with the Three Count, wiping her out for the win. This was the solid bout we needed to start the second half, both women looked strong and tough, Rosa lost nothing from the defeat and Shida was thoroughly challenged by her, it definitely met the expectations set out for it and hopefully we can see more of Rosa in AEW’s future. The only real criticism I can give for this match is commentary again, JR just can’t commentate a good women’s match anymore, and frankly I think for these matches we should really look towards having Veda Scott, Renee or Mauro be brought in, at least for these matches, let JR commentate matches that are more his speed or genre but that is the only criticism, and it’s not against the women. Segment: Interview with Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford A short, oddly-placed, segment came next as Penelope announced that she and Kip were getting married. Selling a wedding segment for Dynamite, Kip noted that first must come a Bachelor Party and he’s found a perfect best man for it. Kip notes that he’ll reveal who on Dynamite. Expect a debut or a faction formation, is my TH2 x Kip/Penelope faction hopes coming true? There was also a slight dig at WWE’s controversial edict to not approve third party monetization as Kip promoted his twitch channel with a disclaimer beneath saying that AEW approve it. The Dark Order (TNT Champion Mr Brodie Lee, Colt Cabana, Evil Uno and Stu Grayson) vs The Natural Nightmares (w/ Brandi Rhodes and Allie), Matt Cardona and Scorpio Sky - Winner: Nightmare Family (Pinfall via Rollup on Cabana by Dustin) A match that seemed a dead cert for the Dark Order to win especially since they failed on the Buy In, the 8-Man had a steady as each member showed off their athleticism, Sky and Cardona also getting some impressive moves on Uno and Grayson, but Lee was always prepared to clean up house as he also mocked Brandi at ringside. Dustin - appearing jarringly in blue this time - was the surprising speedster of the match, upping the pace was his hot tag as he set up the energy of the match. As Sky and Brodie confronted with the latter the illegal man, Anna Jay snuck up from behind but was blocked by Sky and booted out of her heels by Brandi before being pulled apart by Grayson (JR joking that she had a wardrobe malfunction did not sit well for many, including me). Grayson managed to rally for the Dark Order as QT Marshall was isolated by the Quartet, but Brodie stared a hole in Dustin in some solid storytelling, telling Cabana to tag him in despite a sure win, Brodie goaded Dustin into the match by throwing QT to tag Dustin in as they brawled. It was a bit of a hoss but it was great and well-timed, with Brodie wiping Dustin out with a delayed Discus Clothesline. Content, Brodie offered the pin to Cabana and tagged him in, but Cabana then made the misstep by missing the Moonsault, the Nightmare family pulled the Dark Order away as Dustin rolled up the hurt Cabana for 3. As the Nightmare Family praised Dustin, Brodie fumed at Cabana for going for the Moonsault when Dustin was already finished, shoving Cabana as he walked his frustrations off. Evil Uno proved to be the Good Cop as he helped Cabana up after Brodie left. Dustin was interviewed by Tony in a very 80s esque promo as Dustin kinda felt like he was jacked on ‘vitamins’, it was entertaining at the least and set up Brodie vs Dustin for the TNT Title. A surprise outcome for booking but not one I hated, this pushes a TNT title match and the Cabana story, I am upset we didn’t see Tay Conti show but maybe they’re saving it for later, Allie didn’t really involve herself at all with the match after all. AEW World Tag Team Championship, Kenny Omega & ‘Hangman’ Adam Page (c) vs FTR (w/ Tully Blanchard) - Winner: And NEW Tag Champions, FTR (via Pinfall by Dax on Page after a Spike Piledriver) The story of one of the more anticipated matches on the card was clear: the challengers, one of the best purist tag wrestlers in the world arrived together with little showmanship, and the champions, two of the most talented singles wrestlers in the world with their solo entrances, including the name plate guy having Hangman’s as ‘I don’t care what the graphic says anymore’. The match showed off the duality of both teams but it was the champions who started well, a hesitant high 10 from Kenny sowing the small seeds within the match as it became a war of Talent vs Cohesion. FTR worked their pace of isolating the legal man (mainly Hangman) as the solo wrestlers would look for their opening. For a while Kenny showed his Best Bout Machine talents to handle FTR but would be thwarted by their tandem offense of catch wrestling and lifts. Hangman would return to equalize at points including stopping a Goodnight Express on Kenny, but miscommunication was often in the air on Kenny’s part, one time even knocking Hangman off the apron in his attack. Hangman got a pop from a swanton onto FTR and Tully onto the outside while FTR wiped both men out individually with a Tower-of-Doom-esque Bulldog, Kenny’s outside the ring but Hangman’s inside. Hangman once again pushed back, getting his Fallaway Moonsault Slam from the top rope, but this led to the finish as Kenny motioned for the ‘Last Call’, Hangman had hesitations but went with it and got V-Triggered for his troubles, FTR threw Kenny out and landed the Spike Piledriver. But Hangman kicked out at 2! Bafflement on his face, Dax looked to an exhausted Kenny and then to Tully and went for the Spike Piledriver again, after nudging Kenny away it landed as Dax stared gladly at Kenny in great psychology; FTR let Kenny knew that they won, not just physically but mentally too. A bit of an abrupt end led into the aftermath of the match, Kenny rolled to grab what looked like a small coffee table from under the ring. After considering laying into Hangman, he threw the weapon away to the revenant Hangman’s relief, but as he went to embrace Kenny, Kenny side steps him as Hangman collapses. Some poetic storytelling there as Kenny just seems to give up on Hangman, a switch gone in his head as the camera follows him out, venting to the Bucks as he leaves and hints that they need a ‘clean break’. The saga continues, but the Cleaner is still kept in arm’s reach. So the match was a great wrestling match, and the end was good storytelling, but this would miss the mark with many since people were expecting the Cleaner, for the trigger to be pulled and for it to have the same emotional weight as the Bucks match. But at least for the latter, it is a tall ask, and it still was the correct booking decision. Mimosa Mayhem Match, Chris Jericho vs Orange Cassidy - Winner: Orange Cassidy (via Submerging Jericho into a pool of Mimosa with two Superman Punches) So the setup and positioning of this was weird, it was clear that AEW wanted a palatte cleanser between the heavy storylines but the match already looked super gimmicky. Two pools of Mimosa either side like a kids gameshow with tables of Bubbly, it wasn’t what I imagined at least. Jericho and Cassidy came out uncharacteristically alone and without their stablemates as they went for their rubber match, starting with an excellent opener as Cassidy’s charge was met with a codebreaker. Jericho controlled a lot of the match as he tried to dip Cassidy in Mimosa, getting a foot and his hair in there at different times and smashing a plate over Cassidy on the left side. Cassidy came to life a few times with some solid counters as he mostly looked for a pin, but he would often be caught by Jericho in tense situations, at one point being at the mercy of a powerbomb drop as he hammered at Jericho’s head, only to be sent through a table which still had the Bubbly, Glasses and Plates on it. Welted on his back, Cassidy wiped Jericho out but the Birds Eye shot conspicuously showed Aubrey adjust a glass. This unfortunately telegraphed its use later as Cassidy got caught in the Walls of Jericho, with no rope breaks Cassidy used the glass to throw Mimosa in Cassidy’s eyes, a Superman Punch led to a near fall as both looked to put the other away. Having to tightrope around the pool of Mimosa, Cassidy caught Jericho with a Superman Punch after escaping a suplex, Jericho lingered but the second did the trick, with Jericho soaking in this pool of Mimosa. Frankly I wasn’t all invested in this match, it was a bit too much especially since at this point it was 4am, but both men did good and OC gets very over as Jericho soaks in another ‘moment’. I was very surprised that the Inner Circle didn’t get involved at all, why were there two pools? Why was Hager wearing white? Something tells me that plans led to this match being condensed a little. AEW World Championship Match (If Moxley uses the Paradigm Shift he will be Disqualified and forfeit the title), Jon Moxley (c) vs MJF (w/ Wardlow) - Winner, Jon Moxley (Pinfall via Paradigm Shift) Unfortunately, the 5th hour of AEW was met with a lot of fatigue from the audience, to the point where the Main Event was hoped to be a short affair. MJF continued his Presidential Homages by wearing Red, White and Blue tights as Moxley appeared in his usual camo rogue uniform, Wardlow also had the a MJF scarf-styled tie. The Psychology of this match though was good, MJF frustrated Moxley with quick counters, pins and rest holds. After cooling off a bit, Moxley played smarter by baiting MJF into his offense, while reminding Wardlow that he was in the ref’s eyeshot. Moxley was twice enticed to use the Paradigm Shift but had to fight against his instincts, as MJF looked to quickly sneak advantages in, Wardlow would prove to gift him a big opening as his lingering gave MJF time to drop Moxley’s shoulder hard on the apron. Fighting with one arm now, MJF focused in as he groomed Moxley for the Salt of the Earth, but Moxley’s rabid offence would hit back, locking in the rear naked choke, but MJF would then counter himself and get the cross armbreaker on the hurt shoulder. MJF sold the idea that he could win by a pretty big blade job when Moxley took things to the outside, attacking with the guardrail as he has often done in his defenses, a third Paradigm Shift was shifted to a Money Clip but the arm gave out on the Gotch Piledriver, the two hammered at each other back and forth as Moxley scrapped him, even resorting to biting, MJF would return the favour after locking in a brutal-looking armbar after a vicious top rope double stomp on Moxley’s arm, biting the fingers in the process. Adrenaline proved Moxley’s fiend as his landed the Gotch Piledriver, swiftly knocking MJF down with suplexes and clotheslines, but only getting 2 because his injured arm prevented him from hooking the leg. MJF’s violent side looked to finish the champion as he used a rope-assisted facebuster but only got one, attempting the second granted Moxley the Air Raid Crash for 2, the two hit each other as they got to their feet, Moxley seeming immune of pain or caring as MJF seemed driven by blood and fury. The finish was how I predicted though, MJF’s usual last resort is the diamond ring, which would be handed to him by Wardlow as he makes a distraction. Only this time, when Wardlow threw the ring at MJF, he wasn’t ready. A brief stare ensued between Champion and Challenger as Moxley added up the numbers, MJF giving his ‘oh shit’ look as he realised in telling Moxley that the ref is distracted, he gave him an opening. A Paradigm Shift followed as Moxley then beckoned the distracted ref to count the fall, Moxley retains with a secret Silver Bullet. After the match Jake and Archer watch on with smiles as Moxley gives them the finger.  A great title match that did what it intended to do, look MJF look a million bucks. The schism between MJF and Wardlow will be the story that drives him forward until he is ready to lead the division, this also continues to sell the protection of the Paradigm Shift, through this match we are highlighted that while Moxley can win by other means he struggles without it, which can be a telling weak point in the future. For now though Moxley continues to prove himself to be a survivor, but how do you survive when Everybody Dies? Conclusion AEW All Out 2020 was not AEW’s best PPV. But it was still a very good PPV, outside of the Sydal Botch, the Hardy injury and the mixed response of the Tooth and Nail match (which really is the fault of fan demand forcing Khan’s hand, you got what you wished for and now you see why Khan was right all along) we got some great progression of storylines, great matches, and several talent got over. Will Hobbs had an impressive PPV debut making it into the final stages of the battle royale, Rosa and Shida were excellent and successfully brought the fans back into the match, Bucks, JE, Kenny, Hangman, FTR, Moxley, Archer, Kingston and MJF were all excellent in their matches too, it’s a little unfair that Hardy’s injury overshadows all that. Of course I hope he’s okay, but Wrestling comes with risk and they finished the match without having Matt take any serious bumps after.  Living in the UK the card was a bit long for me, the card shuffling did seem to upset the pace because of how abruptly the Buy In was changed again due to fan demand, I do feel like the card structure was a little off and that Tony and JR probably need to be talked about with their commentary of women. A lot of the energy got sapped out by their lack of enthusiasm. But despite what people may tell you, All Out was good. The matches were good, the wrestlers got over, the character directions all look promising and we have storyline progression which entices people to want to watch the next Dynamite Overall, 7/10 - which is also how many I got right in predictions (well 7/11)

Music video legend Director X gets “Boundless” with All Elite Wrestling, TNT in new ad campaign

In Director X‘s own words, “this isn’t B.S. It’s real.”

Director X (left — holding sledgehammer) and Nyla Rose (right), posing on top of a car during filming of “The History of a Revolution” advert. Credit: Harv Glazer. Courtesy of AEW.

The newest collaborative partner for Director X: A bunch of wrestlers.

X, born as Julien Christian Lutz and formerly known as Little X, was the BET Director of the Year in 2016. The once “protégé of pioneering director Hype Williams,” X is known for his top-tier music videos that only the cream of the crop in pop and hip-hop seem to work with — including Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, Jay-Z, Ariana Grande and Kanye West — but outside of music, he has also put together commercials and ad campaigns for Apple Music, Ebay, Spotify, Alexander Wang and the Gap. He also won Best Feature at the Atlantic Film Festival 2015 with his feature film debut, Across the Line.

So what led him to partner with a new, up-and-coming sports entity?

“Like me, I think a lot of people will relate to the stories shared in this video,” the 45-year old said in a press release for the new #BOUNDLESS ad campaign. “I know what it’s like to be doubted, being told ‘you can’t do this,’ but AEW is proof that by believing in yourself and not listening to what the world is saying you can and will do it.

“This isn’t B.S. It’s real.”

“AEW” is All Elite Wrestling, a wrestling promotion started on January 1, 2019. They are about to complete their second full calendar year of competition, and their first year airing two-hour episodes on the cable network TNT, weekly on Wednesday nights.

More from The Renaissance: Apple is launching its latest innovation… a portable MTV? — Juwan J. Holmes

“Director X is the perfect partner to showcase the AEW brand with his distinct visual style that uniquely speaks to a new generation,” Melissa Chambless, EVP of Marketing for WarnerMedia, which encompasses TNT, said in a statement. “His ability to bring these wrestlers’ incredible stories to life in such an authentic way thoroughly manifests our Boundless campaign.”

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 — @AEWonTNT

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Reaching almost 60 million people a week, AEW is the first serious competition to the top promotion in the industry, the WWE. This revamped ad campaign with a branding genius such as X has a near-limitless upside.

X directed a two-minute ad entitled “The History of A Revolution” featuring how “boundless” the athletes in AEW really are, and how they defy all odds, individually and as a recent startup. Actor and wrestling personality Stuart Stone also worked alongside X.

In a sit down with TMZ Sports, Director X said the AEW “isn’t operating in the same way…at all” as its competition: “It’s really a special bunch.”

AEW currently stars Nyla Rose, the first transgender wrestler in a major sports promotion, who opens the commercial ad smashing the windshield of a Jaguar. It “just made sense,” X told TMZ. Former WWE veterans Cody Rhodes, Rusev, Matt and Nick Jackson (known as the Young Bucks), and Chris Jericho also star.

“In everyone’s scenes, we’re looking to give them something that spoke to them, who they are, their persona,” he explained.

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 — @TMZ_Sports

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X also had an extended sit down with The Nerds of Color’s Patrick Michael Strange and Maki Roll discussing the campaign, among other things. He says that he doesn’t know what will come next in the partnership, but there is likely to be further work coming, and he hopes to continue on with AEW.

“There’s a lot of footage,” he shared, “I don’t know what they have in mind, but they can make a much longer piece out of everything we shot.”

“Tweet and demand more,” he says later, “see what they put together for y’all.”

He also expressed hope that he “would love to get in there and do my style [in filming] on what [wrestlers] do” in-match one day.

Also: Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more insights on hip-hop like this!

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 — @stustone

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 — @AEWonTNT

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In September, X announced the start of his own content creation studio, FELA with business partner and fellow Toronto native Taj Critchlow and 2018 BET Director of the Year Karena Evans. He hopes to support Black, Indigenous and other marginalized-identifying storytellers in media and visual entertainment.

“Our core strength is having the innate ability to tell cultural stories authentically while being a voice for the unheard and underrepresented,” their website asserts.

Music video legend Director X gets “Boundless” with All Elite Wrestling, TNT in new ad campaign was originally published in The Renaissance Project on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

from Stories by Juwan J. Holmes on Medium https://medium.com/the-renaissance/music-video-legend-director-x-gets-boundless-with-all-elite-wrestling-tnt-in-new-ad-campaign-946b6f2439d?source=rss-3afaef324bdd------2

Seattle, I love ya! DEFY: Death Rider (2023)

“Talk about someone who never quit on me. Mox, we didn't talk for, like, ten years. Maybe we talked three times in ten years. And you know what? It was every WrestleMania for three years in a row. Every WrestleMania those three years was I would get a text, yo, I sent your stuff to Regal. Who's this? Mox. What's up? No answer. Next year. Hey, what's up, bro? I sent more stuff to Regal again. I didn't save his number. Yeah, who the fuck is this? Mox. Man! What's up? Nothing. Third year, same thing again, you know what I mean? He just always watched out without watching out, you know what I mean?”