Welcome to our weekly look at pro wrestling with Dave Simon and Pro Wrestler Genesis Johnny North. This time, we’re zeroing in on AEW World’s End 2024 and breaking down how AEW Dynamite, WWE Raw, and WWE SmackDown shaped the build for the future.
Fans in the chat had lots to say about the biggest matches on deck, and the conversation covered not only the final matches of AEW’s 2024 calendar year but also what WWE might do when it moves to Netflix in 2025, along with SmackDown’s upcoming shift to a three-hour runtime. A new TV deal in Canada: TNA is stepping in for WWE on SportsNet. Stick around for direct quotes from our hosts, viewer insights, and honest opinions that might change how you see the pro wrestling scene. For anyone wanting more after the show, check out the video replay on YouTube, Rumble, Twitch, or Kick, or grab the audio podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
Table of Contents
AEW World’s End 2024: Tournament Drama and Major Title Matches
Continental Classic & Main Event Hopes
Dave Simon:
“Okada is the best. He should win. Looking at all four guys in the Continental Classic, he’s the top pick.”
The Continental Classic got a lot of airtime on AEW Dynamite. The final four are Kazuchika Okada, Will Ospreay, Kyle Fletcher, and Rick O’Shea (Ricochet in a storyline name twist). The semi-final brackets feature Okada vs. Rick O’Shea and Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher, with the winners meeting on the same night to crown the overall tournament winner. Dave and Johnny debated whether Okada should come out on top or if Ospreay might claim the spot.
Johnny North:
“I got Ospreay… I think they’re giving it to Ospreay. He barely got in, but he’ll pull it off.”
For Johnny, the drama of Ospreay squeaking into the semi-finals sets the stage for a possible pay-per-view victory. Dave argued that Okada will likely win, although he could see Kyle Fletcher advancing if AEW wants to cement Fletcher as a future star by beating Ospreay again. Fletcher already has a win over Ospreay so that a second victory would suggest a serious push. Dave felt strongly that Okada’s star power should eventually land him the trophy, stating that a final with Okada raising another title would push AEW’s plans for big showdowns down the line.
AEW World Title Fatal 4-Way
Jon Moxley is defending the AEW World Championship in a four-way clash against Orange Cassidy, Hangman Adam Page, and Jay White. Moxley’s “Death Riders” group has been a focal point all winter. On Dynamite, Moxley’s crew continued attacking anyone who crossed them. Hangman, Orange Cassidy, and Jay White each have a claim, but Dave suggested the real draw is a possible future one-on-one with Hangman vs. Moxley, leaving Orange Cassidy and Jay White as side figures.
Dave Simon:
“I think it’d be better if it were just Hangman vs. Moxley. Orange and Jay White seem like they’re just in the way.”
Johnny predicted Moxley wouldn’t lose here because of upcoming AEW events like “Maximum Carnage.” Moxley is set to headline more major shows, so he’ll remain champion for now.
MJF, Adam Cole, and the Diamond Ring
Maxwell Jacob Friedman wrestles Adam Cole for the AEW Dynamite Diamond Ring. MJF remains one of the biggest names in AEW, and the hosts voiced clear support for his top status:
Dave Simon:
“He’s the king of AEW… The show’s better when he’s running the show.”
Johnny North sees MJF outlasting Adam Cole, especially after tensions with the “Undisputed Kingdom.” He predicted a swerve where Cole’s allies finally turn on him, allowing MJF to keep his prized ring. Viewers in the chat also seemed eager for MJF to move back into the AEW World Title scene once this Diamond Ring business is behind him.
Women’s Title Bouts: Mariah May & Mercedes
The AEW Women’s Championship sees Mariah May defending against Thunder Rosa in a Tijuana Street Fight. Meanwhile, Mercedes Moné defends the TBS Championship against Chris Statlander in a rematch. Both stories have progressed quickly.
Dave Simon:
“I think Mariah wins. She’s not losing until she circles back to Toni Storm, who’s gone completely into her own world right now.”
As for Mercedes Moné vs. Statlander, there’s a hint that AEW might be ready to shift the belt to Statlander. Johnny played devil’s advocate, seeing Mercedes might keep it to stay relevant before her New Japan schedule picks up again. Still, Dave pointed out how AEW sometimes sets up surprise changes when they book sudden matches.
Johnny North:
“I’m leaning towards Mercedes, but I could be wrong. Statlander is always a good pick.”
Tournaments and the Audience Takes
Leor chimed in from the live chat, declaring that AEW needs to stop running too many tournaments. Dave disagreed, praising the “Continental Classic” as a highlight. He especially liked how close the point standings were right up to the final bracket. Johnny agreed, noting the final episodes of Dynamite showcased tight races in multiple groups, boosting interest and crowd reactions.
Dave Simon:
“I don’t hate the Continental Classic—this is the one tournament that works for them. They pulled it off very nicely.”
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WWE on Netflix in 2025 and SmackDown’s Three-Hour Expansion
Major Changes to WWE TV
Come January 6th, 2025, WWE Raw will move to Netflix in the United States (with SmackDown’s new deal rolling out internationally on Netflix). SmackDown will also expand to three hours, shifting the usual weekly structure. Dave joked that he might cut cable since “everything is on Netflix.” The big question is how Friday nights will change with that additional hour.
Dave Simon:
“We’ll be coming on the air each Friday at around 10 PM while SmackDown is still running. It’s going three hours, so that will be a new routine for us.”
The Future of the Main Roster
Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, and CM Punk appear to anchor Monday nights on Netflix, along with top-level stars. Meanwhile, SmackDown at three hours might see different talents step up. Dave suspects the “A show” label will return to Raw, reversing a trend from when SmackDown was on a major broadcast network. This shift will probably shuffle storylines, rosters, and more, especially since a transfer window was briefly mentioned on TV.
Johnny North:
“They’re gonna need a lot more talent on a three-hour SmackDown. That’s a lot to fill.”
Spotlight on Royal Rumble & Ladder Match
Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes are heading for a ladder match at the Royal Rumble to settle whose championship is real. Owens refuses to defend his “Winged Eagle” belt, while Cody claims it’s not legitimate. Nick Aldis stepped in on SmackDown to demand Owens return the belt or face termination, which led to a final challenge. The collision is set, and it’s a strong selling point for fans who want a decisive finish.
TNA Replacing WWE on SportsNet: Johnny’s Strong Opinion
Earlier in the show, a viewer named Alex asked if the hosts would check out TNA wrestling when it arrives on SportsNet in Canada, replacing WWE broadcasts. Dave and Johnny were unanimous that TNA’s presence isn’t enough to keep them glued to cable TV, especially with WWE moving to Netflix.
Dave Simon:
“TNA wrestling is not a reason to keep cable TV around. I don’t think I’d watch it even if I had the channel.”
But Johnny had a much stronger take based on firsthand stories:
Johnny North:
“I know from people who were extras there that they treat their extras like garbage… I think TNA is a scumbag promotion. I will not invest any money in TNA wrestling.”
He explained that folks he knows personally were made to do heavy labor (ring setup, security) for no compensation, leaving them unable to work elsewhere for days afterward. Johnny feels that reveals a deeper problem in TNA’s backstage culture. While he respects some talent like Tommy Dreamer, he can’t support a promotion he believes exploits unpaid workers or “extras.”
Dave Simon:
“It’s not like I was going to watch TNA to begin with, but I’ll watch it even less now.”
TNA’s upcoming push on SportsNet is a notable shift for Canadian viewers who were used to WWE content. For those curious about TNA’s brand, this might be their chance to watch it on a national network. Based on Johnny’s comments, though, the sour taste lingers for many who have heard negative backstage stories.
WWE Raw, SmackDown, and AEW Dynamite Storylines This Week
Key Highlights on AEW Dynamite
- Continental Classic: Okada, Fletcher, Ospreay, and Ricochet advanced after tight finishes.
- Commander vs. Claudio: Commander’s upset victory opened the door for Ospreay to claim his spot.
- Darby Allin & Ricochet: Time-limit draw that sealed Darby’s exit from the tournament, giving Rickochet the points he needed.
These matches drove home how AEW uses a round-robin format to keep fans invested. Dave praised the structure, calling it fun to follow.
This Week’s WWE Raw
Raw was pre-taped, so crowd reactions were sometimes altered. There wasn’t a ton of major progress in storylines. Johnny singled out the New Day’s new angle on the show, though producers edited down certain crowd interactions. Over on the women’s side, Natalya challenged for a shot at the Intercontinental Women’s bracket but came up short against IYO SKY. Many segments centered on repeated teases of Tiffy Time (Tiffany Stratton) possibly cashing in her briefcase on Nia Jax, but no actual finish happened.
WWE SmackDown: Ladder Match Announcement
On SmackDown, Nick Aldis forced Kevin Owens to return the Winged Eagle belt, or else. Cody Rhodes stepped in, persuading Aldis to set a decisive ladder match at the Royal Rumble. That was the evening’s biggest moment, as the show otherwise moved at a slow pace. Braun Strowman’s confrontation with Solo Sikoa looked significant, but it felt overshadowed by the ongoing shift in Roman’s focus to Raw in 2025.
Dave Simon:
“We’re all just waiting for January 6th… That’s when Raw moves to Netflix. Maybe that’s when real stuff picks up.”
SmackDown’s final bits included a typical six-woman tag, Tiffany Stratton again teasing a cash-in, and a mild build to future stories. Fans in the chat expressed frustration that everything feels like filler before the new year. Johnny agreed the brand seems to be coasting until rosters shuffle around.
Takeaways and Closing Thoughts
- AEW World’s End 2024 is shaping up with intense matches like Moxley’s title defense, the Continental Classic finals, and interesting women’s title fights.
- The hosts remain split on whether Okada or Ospreay wins the tournament.
- MJF is widely seen as the number one guy in AEW, and folks expect him back in the top title race soon.
- WWE’s biggest change is the move to Netflix in 2025, with a three-hour SmackDown and a star-heavy Raw. These changes might reshape each brand’s rosters and feuds.
- TNA replacing WWE on SportsNet rubs Johnny the wrong way due to backstage issues, while Dave has zero interest in watching.
- The future looks bright for new storylines, but the final weeks of 2024 have felt a bit slow, aside from AEW’s tournament run.
Dave Simon:
“Tune in tomorrow night for AEW World’s End. I’m actually looking forward to it… We survived last year’s ‘end of the world,’ but let’s see how this one goes.”
Viewers can catch the replay of our Wrestling Uncensored show on YouTube, Rumble, Twitch, or Kick or listen to the audio version below. The new year should bring fresh angles in both WWE and AEW, especially as Netflix steps in.
Conclusion
This week had plenty of chatter around AEW World’s End 2024, from Jon Moxley’s next move to the big Continental Classic finish. WWE delivered mild episodes of Raw and SmackDown, with the most hype going to Kevin Owens vs. Cody Rhodes for the Royal Rumble. SmackDown’s upcoming three-hour format and the Netflix deal in 2025 continue to loom large. Meanwhile, TNA’s new placement on SportsNet stirred controversy, with Johnny North voicing strong objections based on stories of unpaid labor. It all points to a fascinating period heading into 2025, as top-level changes in AEW and WWE will likely reshape the wrestling scene.
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