The cash-in heard 'round the world
AEW Redemption just ended, and if your social media feed isn't a dumpster fire, you aren't looking closely enough. Speedball Mike Bailey walked out with a golden ticket to the International Championship, and he didn't wait for the dust to settle to let the world know his plans. We went from a barn-burner of a main event to a backstage promo that basically put the entire division on notice.
Speedball is a momentum merchant. You can see why he thinks striking while the iron is hot is the move. He just put on a clinic, and the crowd was eating out of the palm of his hand. When he looks into the camera and calls his shot, it feels earned, not forced. That specific kind of confidence is what makes the difference between an underdog and a champion.
The skeptics are sharpening their knives
Of course, not everyone on the forums is singing his praises. Some of the long-time watchers are calling this a booking shortcut. The argument here is simple: if you hold a title opportunity for five months, the tension builds. If you cash it in before the sweat is dry on your gear, you lose the psychological warfare aspect that made rivalries like Danielson vs. MJF feel like high-stakes chess.
You have fans pointing out that Speedball is burning his best card way too early in the cycle. There is a very real fear that he gets the strap and then has nowhere to go but down. It’s the classic booking mistake of peaking with the chase and lacking a plan for the reign. I’ve seen this movie before, and it usually ends with a quiet title change on a random Wednesday in Des Moines.
The enthusiast corner
On the flip side, the hype train is moving at full speed. These folks argue that the product acts too slowly. They are tired of the months of meandering storytelling where promos go in circles while the ring work suffers. To them, a fast-paced, aggressive move like Bailey’s is exactly the shot of adrenaline the show needed.
One user on the main wrestling sub put it best: why wait for a perfect storm when you can create a hurricane today? They are right to an extent. If Bailey can work the schedule, we get a fresh set of challengers immediately. The Ringside News report makes it clear Bailey is looking to make this a statement, not a slow burn.
My take: The reality check
Here is the truth: both sides are looking at the same coin but ignoring the edges. The booking isn't perfect, but it is decisive. Watching Bailey navigate the aftermath of the AEW Redemption results is going to be the real test. If he cuts a promo and then works a 22-minute technical masterpiece next week, the skeptics go quiet.
If he just runs out there, misses a flamingo driver, and eats a rollup pin at the 14-minute mark, the critics had the right call all along. Performance matters more than the timeline of the contract. Wrestlers get obsessed with the optics of the cash-in, but the audience really just wants to see someone get hit with a stiff kick. We are looking at a potential 3-month reign that could redefine the mid-card.
Ultimately, AEW is leaning into the chaos. Whether it’s brilliant or reckless, you are going to be watching. You aren't going to turn off the TV when Bailey pulls his strings. That means the booking did exactly what it was meant to do—it kept your eyes glued to the screen on a Saturday night. Call me when we see the first title defense so we can stop guessing and start grading.
