9 Ups & 3 Downs From AEW Collision (July 8)
1. Eliminators Are Forever Stupid
As a match, FTR vs. Jay White and Juice Robinson was a captivating example of why tag team wrestling can be so special. As a concept, AEW's eliminator matches will continue to be stupid.
WWE will often label such matches as something along the line of 'championship opportunities', but regardless, the same complaints are in place for these bouts - whether they take place in WWE or AEW.
By doing these eliminators, you end up in a lose-lose scenario. If the champion(s) lose, you've beaten your champion(s); something which should be an extreme rarity. Similarly, if a challenger comes up short, they're just another loser who has to head to the back of the line.
Simply put, there are far more suitable ways to crown a #1 contender for any title than by having a champion lose. A major part of the intrigue of any title match should be the possibility that the champion may somehow get beat. By using eliminator matches to get to a title shot, you've already shown your audience so much more than you needed to.
Yes, FTR vs. Bullet Club Gold in a two-out-of-three-falls bout should be magnificent. But did we have to have Dax and Cash lose to get this point? Asolutely not.