WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray has offered a scathing critique of All Elite Wrestling’s creative direction following the WrestleDream pay-per-view, specifically targeting the company’s handling of the main event “I Quit” match between Darby Allin and Jon Moxley. Speaking on a recent episode of Busted Open Radio, Bully Ray expressed his frustration with what he perceives as a “lack of follow-up” and “glaring holes” in AEW’s storytelling. He argued that the company is “forced” to continue the feud between Allin and the Death Riders simply because they have a lack of other compelling storylines and available star power.
Bully also pointed out a significant logical flaw in the finish of the WrestleDream main event. Although Darby Allin won the match after the returning Sting interfered and locked Moxley in a Scorpion Death Lock, Bully noted that Moxley never actually spoke the words “I quit.”
“Did he say the words ‘I quit?’ Did you hear ‘I quit’ come out of his mouth?”
The Hall of Famer explained how AEW could use this loophole to continue the feud, comparing it to his own “I Quit” match against Flip Gordon in Ring of Honor.
“One of the things that I did in Ring of Honor is when I wrestled Flip Gordon at Final Battle in an I Quit match. The referee asked me at the end of the match ‘Bully, do you give up?’ And I said yes. And then what did I come back the next week and say? I never said ‘I quit.’ So Jon Moxley can always say ‘I never said I quit.’”
Bully also mocked the idea that Moxley tapping out would be enough to keep him off television, suggesting that the finish was not strong enough to warrant a break for the character. He stated he would rather see a storyline involving Moxley’s real-life wife, AEW broadcaster Renee Paquette, than a continuation of the Death Riders angle.
H/T to Wrestling Inc for the transcription