Internal Reaction to Tomohiro Ishii’s Performance Amidst Controversy Over ‘No-Sell’ Spot

Wrestling fans have different preferences when it comes to their favorite promotions. AEW, unlike WWE with its ongoing storylines, focuses on pure wrestling. This focus has been both advantageous and challenging for Tony Khan’s company over the past five years. Tomohiro Ishii recently drew attention with a controversial no-sell spot, and now AEW’s internal response to his performance has been revealed.

On August 10th, 2024, AEW Collision aired a World Title Eliminator match featuring world champion Swerve Strickland and Tomohiro Ishii. A particular video from the match went viral, showing Ishii’s no-sell reaction to Swerve’s strikes, which sparked widespread discussion.

The no-sell moment drew mixed reactions from fans and wrestling personalities alike. One fan criticized the segment harshly, calling it “dog sh*t,” and WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam, known for his blunt opinions, responded by saying, “I want my money back,” reflecting the unconventional nature of the spot.

Despite the online debate, Tomohiro Ishii’s performance in AEW has been well-received. According to a report from PWInsider, Ishii’s in-ring work has garnered considerable praise, with several younger wrestlers taking the opportunity to study his techniques while he is in the company.

“There’s been a lot of praise for Tomohiro Ishii’s work and we are told quite a few younger talents have been studying his work while he’s around.”

Tomohiro Ishii has spent the Summer wrestling in AEW as he opted not to compete in the G1 Climax tournament this year. Regardless, the Japanese pitbull will always be appreciated by many people and that’s unlikely to ever change.

What do you think of AEW’s reaction to Tomohiro Ishii despite the controversy over his no-sell spot? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!