Written by: Kevin Berge
Can you tell who AEW considers the stars of their product? The answer: the people at the head. I'm kind of joking, but I can't shake the worry. (Image Courtesy of: forbes.com)
I love professional wrestling. As much as I primarily watch WWE, I am blind to the alternatives. The leading companies has continued to monopolize the market, leaving little space for anyone else to step up.
That said, while I liked watching TNA/Impact Wrestling and have occasionally given an eye to New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Ring of Honor as well as lower level promotions that have often shown promise, no one has been able to stand out on a global level like WWE.
When people talk about wrestling, they aren't talking anymore about the many companies at play. They are focused on WWE, and that is entirely by design. Beyond Japan and Mexico where WWE will always be the outsider looking in, the McMahon dynasty has taken over the conversation of wrestling.
Luckily, it finally feels like a shift is coming. While NJPW attempted the first shots, it has been the rise of All Elite Wrestling that has changed the conversation particularly in WWE's primary country of focus, the United States of America.
That said, while I liked watching TNA/Impact Wrestling and have occasionally given an eye to New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Ring of Honor as well as lower level promotions that have often shown promise, no one has been able to stand out on a global level like WWE.
When people talk about wrestling, they aren't talking anymore about the many companies at play. They are focused on WWE, and that is entirely by design. Beyond Japan and Mexico where WWE will always be the outsider looking in, the McMahon dynasty has taken over the conversation of wrestling.
Luckily, it finally feels like a shift is coming. While NJPW attempted the first shots, it has been the rise of All Elite Wrestling that has changed the conversation particularly in WWE's primary country of focus, the United States of America.
Cody Rhodes (just Cody now because it's apparently difficult to get back your own name once you leave WWE) took a challenge and teamed up with The Young Bucks to start something special, finding an investor in Tony Khan, co-owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and one more important figurehead in Chris Jericho.
Together, they launched AEW, which has been to all accounts so far a rousing success. This small upstart has taken the world by storm and is selling out tickets so far it's almost unfair to those eagerly awaiting a chance to see the product begin to grow live.
While it is dangerous to use superlatives with any company, especially one in the earliest stages of its development, AEW has been remarkable. Both its prelude show All In as well as its true debut Double or Nothing were great both in quality and starting the conversation.
Together, they launched AEW, which has been to all accounts so far a rousing success. This small upstart has taken the world by storm and is selling out tickets so far it's almost unfair to those eagerly awaiting a chance to see the product begin to grow live.
While it is dangerous to use superlatives with any company, especially one in the earliest stages of its development, AEW has been remarkable. Both its prelude show All In as well as its true debut Double or Nothing were great both in quality and starting the conversation.
It's so nice seeing Jon Moxley back caring about professional wrestling again, and I guess it's cool to see Chris Jericho still being good despite his dad bod. (Image Courtesy of: lordsofpain.net)
I finally had a chance to sit down with Double or Nothing, and the whole show is worth watching even for those with no knowledge of AEW. In particular, Cody vs. Dustin Rhodes is a must-watch particularly for WWE fans, who know the journey they have been on to get to this point.
The Young Bucks vs. The Lucha Bros was also an absolute standout contest, and I was personally partial to Hikaru Shida, Riho, and Ryo Mizunami vs. Aja Kong, Yuka Sakazaki, and Emi Sakura though the entire rest of the main card is top notch.
It was not perfect though. The production issues along the way were noticeable and needed to be smoothed out. The commentary was a mixed bag beyond Excalibur. The booking felt a bit wonky occasionally leaning too heavily into establishing standouts rather than trying to build an overall brand.
This was particularly true of the Casino Battle Royale, which sadly underused a stellar set of talent. Finally, the main event was a disappointment mainly given the hype following the first match between Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega, and Jon Moxley could only do so much.
These are points that need to be made now while AEW is growing because these are the times where bad habits emerge. There was a time where TNA and ROH were seen as potential challengers in the US market to WWE, but they both failed by missing where they were making mistakes.
I want AEW to succeed. In some ways, I need AEW to succeed. My weekly recaps of WWE get more bleak by the week because I'm growing sick of the way this top company has handled its status at the top. It's not that WWE does not try but rather than the focus is not as much quality as getting people talking.
Until more companies come around to challenge WWE on its home turf, nothing about that strategy will change. Moreover, this company has attempted to dangerously monopolize the market, and, even more than fans needing an alternative, the wrestlers need an alternative.
The Young Bucks vs. The Lucha Bros was also an absolute standout contest, and I was personally partial to Hikaru Shida, Riho, and Ryo Mizunami vs. Aja Kong, Yuka Sakazaki, and Emi Sakura though the entire rest of the main card is top notch.
It was not perfect though. The production issues along the way were noticeable and needed to be smoothed out. The commentary was a mixed bag beyond Excalibur. The booking felt a bit wonky occasionally leaning too heavily into establishing standouts rather than trying to build an overall brand.
This was particularly true of the Casino Battle Royale, which sadly underused a stellar set of talent. Finally, the main event was a disappointment mainly given the hype following the first match between Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega, and Jon Moxley could only do so much.
These are points that need to be made now while AEW is growing because these are the times where bad habits emerge. There was a time where TNA and ROH were seen as potential challengers in the US market to WWE, but they both failed by missing where they were making mistakes.
I want AEW to succeed. In some ways, I need AEW to succeed. My weekly recaps of WWE get more bleak by the week because I'm growing sick of the way this top company has handled its status at the top. It's not that WWE does not try but rather than the focus is not as much quality as getting people talking.
Until more companies come around to challenge WWE on its home turf, nothing about that strategy will change. Moreover, this company has attempted to dangerously monopolize the market, and, even more than fans needing an alternative, the wrestlers need an alternative.
Wrestling symbolism isn't exactly subtle. (Image Courtesy of: sportskeeda.com)
I would like to quickly mention a few names: Shinsuke Nakamura, Bobby Roode, EC3, Eric Young, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, Harper, Killian Dain, Cedric Alexander, Mike Kanellis. What names all have in common with many others that I neglected, because I could be here all day, is misuse despite talent and status.
These guys are all potential stars with some establishing themselves as stars in other promotions. Almost none of them get screen time week to week, proving that they are currently not employed out of need but out of fear. While some are around thanks to stability, others just feel trapped.
Rumors fly every week that many stars want out of the company, and AEW has established a mainstream alternative that might actually be able to pay at WWE level. These guys can leave if they can escape their contracts or at least ride them out.
That said though, I don't think AEW should just take them all in. What matters more than anything is that the wrestling world at large takes them in. All Elite Wrestling must be more than the bounce back product for WWE guys, and there's plenty of others options out there.
NJPW is an obvious choice for those willing to locate to Japan with the talent to hand with the grueling schedule. Impact Wrestling is currently on a creative high though reports about low compensation are troubling. I have not even mentioned that AAA and CMLL dominate Mexico.
We need this business challenged. We need alternatives. Monopolies sterilize the business. I welcome AEW as the potential premiere alternative. I hope WWE starts paying attention as they continue to build stories and embrace diversity. This business needs that badly.
For those interested, AEW will not be on television for several more months, but the product is telling its stories in impressive fashion on the Nightmare Family YouTube channel, and the first official major show, which is well worth watching, is available to stream on replay on B/R Live.
These guys are all potential stars with some establishing themselves as stars in other promotions. Almost none of them get screen time week to week, proving that they are currently not employed out of need but out of fear. While some are around thanks to stability, others just feel trapped.
Rumors fly every week that many stars want out of the company, and AEW has established a mainstream alternative that might actually be able to pay at WWE level. These guys can leave if they can escape their contracts or at least ride them out.
That said though, I don't think AEW should just take them all in. What matters more than anything is that the wrestling world at large takes them in. All Elite Wrestling must be more than the bounce back product for WWE guys, and there's plenty of others options out there.
NJPW is an obvious choice for those willing to locate to Japan with the talent to hand with the grueling schedule. Impact Wrestling is currently on a creative high though reports about low compensation are troubling. I have not even mentioned that AAA and CMLL dominate Mexico.
We need this business challenged. We need alternatives. Monopolies sterilize the business. I welcome AEW as the potential premiere alternative. I hope WWE starts paying attention as they continue to build stories and embrace diversity. This business needs that badly.
For those interested, AEW will not be on television for several more months, but the product is telling its stories in impressive fashion on the Nightmare Family YouTube channel, and the first official major show, which is well worth watching, is available to stream on replay on B/R Live.
