{"id":124916,"date":"2024-06-14T08:00:06","date_gmt":"2024-06-14T12:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=124916"},"modified":"2024-06-13T20:58:10","modified_gmt":"2024-06-14T00:58:10","slug":"aews-polarising-present-the-limitations-of-where-the-best-wrestle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/06\/14\/aews-polarising-present-the-limitations-of-where-the-best-wrestle\/","title":{"rendered":"AEW\u2019s Polarising Present: The Limitations of \u201cWhere The Best Wrestle\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this series, James Staynings takes a deep dive into\u00a0<\/span><\/em>AEW<\/span><\/strong>\u2019s short but impactful history, <\/span>its present, and its<\/span> future. In part 1, James discussed how AEW changed the wrestling industry (<\/span>here<\/span><\/a>).\u00a0In Part 2, James discussed how AEW\u2019s continued existence benefits wrestlers and fans <\/span>alike<\/span> (<\/span><\/em>here<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

This part<\/span> 3 <\/span>section<\/span> is divided<\/span> into two articles to fully explore why and how AEW <\/span>creative<\/span> has experienced growing pains and has polarised fans (Part 3A <\/span><\/em>here<\/span><\/a>).<\/span> The final part will discuss AEW\u2019s future. <\/span>Including discussing <\/span>the problems that AEW faces<\/span> and <\/span>questions<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/em>Tony Khan<\/span><\/strong> will have to address.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

More Than a Slogan<\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201c<\/span>Where the Best Wrestle<\/span><\/em>,\u201d Tony Khan, AEW\u2019s tagline.<\/span><\/p>\n

AEW has set a high standard <\/span>for itself<\/span> in its short five years of history. In its back catalogue, I would argue that AEW has in its collection some of the <\/span>greatest<\/span> storylines and matches of the 21st century. AEW lived up to the promise for so long of giving wrestling fans what they wanted.<\/span><\/p>\n

The tagline, which the company has <\/span>adopted<\/span> helps not only<\/span> distinguish itself from <\/span>WWE<\/span><\/strong>, <\/span>makes clear <\/span>the company\u2019s<\/span> mission statement.<\/span> It makes it <\/span>clear<\/span> to fans what to expect. AEW puts wrestling first.<\/span><\/p>\n

As I\u2019ve written about <\/span>previously<\/span><\/a>, AEW at its peak has been<\/span> Nirvana.<\/span> In more recent years, that sense of transcendence has primarily occurred <\/span>in <\/span>the<\/span> wrestling<\/span> itself<\/span>.<\/span> Rather than in the storyline build or consistently in character development. WWE, its supporters and most industry insiders prioritize storytelling over in-ring excellence<\/span>. Especially<\/span> for generating both an emotional and financial investment.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the same time, to suggest <\/span>that the wrestling<\/span> itself is not part of the draw, part of the connection fans have with the product is to treat the in-ring aspects as <\/span>somehow<\/span> lesser. As some AEW fans rightly highlight, to complain or insult a wrestling show for having too much wrestling or making wrestling fun <\/span>missing<\/span> a <\/span>huge<\/span> part of what captures fans.<\/span><\/p>\n

Perhaps in part, it\u2019s a hang-up from <\/span>Vince McMahon’s<\/span><\/strong> psychology that\u2019s engrained in the wrestling business philosophy. Then again, until post-<\/span>Brawl Out<\/span><\/strong>, AEW had a balance between storytelling and in-ring action.<\/span><\/p>\n

Imbalance <\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Since there has been an imbalance between these two <\/span>important<\/span> factors. Its effect has been noticeable in both AEW\u2019s business and critical reception, including some fans\u2019 enjoyment of the product.<\/span><\/p>\n

More <\/span>often<\/span> it feels like Khan\u2019s increasing reliance on giving the fans excellent wrestling and giving fans more of the fantasy of what we\u2019ve always wanted has created a disparity. It\u2019s caused parts of AEW to break some of its promises and the core narrative framework will not fix wider issues. In places, it\u2019s led to diminishing returns.<\/span><\/p>\n

Overcompensating with genre-pushing and boundary redefining wrestling, contrasted against issues in <\/span>storytelling<\/span> have not recaptured the feeling the AEW of 2024 is striving for. The balance is wrong <\/span>and<\/span> for some AEW fans like myself, it’s only highlighted systematic issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

Business or Pleasure?<\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Criticism of Tony Khan\u2019s approach from wrestling insiders and podcasters has trickled down into the general online conversation on social media. Khan <\/span>as<\/span> a fan, books matches that appeal to some wrestling fans.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some other fans have an issue with this approach. I\u2019m not one of them. Other fans are more inclined to talk about wrestling from the standpoint of business rather than focus on their subjective enjoyment. Can we acknowledge the strangeness of this?<\/span><\/p>\n

As both a sports fan and theatre lover, I rarely factor economics into my enjoyment of these pursuits. I\u2019d be lying if I said <\/span>at<\/span> times, it wasn\u2019t a concern given the number of UK rugby teams that have gone bust or the declining attendance of theatres. <\/span>This<\/span> is a concern. Just not when <\/span>as<\/span> a fan, I am focusing on being immersed and entertained.<\/span><\/p>\n

Perhaps it\u2019s a consequence of so many insider podcasts and shoot interviews over the years discussing the business side of wrestling. <\/span>Even <\/span>CM Punk <\/span><\/strong>himself <\/span>in<\/span> his <\/span>MMA Hour <\/span>Interview<\/span><\/a><\/strong> talked about what the wrestling business should be and how he thought AEW had its priorities wrong.<\/span><\/p>\n

For some fans,<\/span> talking about metrics has been an easy way to target, insult and assert AEW\u2019s inferiority.<\/span> Attendance, ratings, etc, to justify saying the promotion is in a <\/span>bad<\/span> place. It parrots much of what the anti-AEW cottage industry peddles.<\/span><\/p>\n

The reality is some fans have stopped watching AEW because they <\/span>don\u2019t enjoy the product anymore<\/span>.<\/span> This<\/span> is my <\/span>metric of focus<\/span> in this series rather than the sacred cow that is \u201cthis business\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

We’re Spoilt<\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

When earlier this month <\/span>Tony<\/span> Khan joked using a Tommy Boy reference that he books for the \u201csickos\u201d, social media was divided as usual.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the one hand, some AEW fans read this as further proof that Tony Khan is a fan at heart. Those <\/span>on<\/span> the other <\/span>hand<\/span> used the phrase \u201cmark\u201d unironically. As alongside a swear word or two to insult the AEW owner and millionaire.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unironic because given the meaning of the word is a \u201cfan\u201d, aren\u2019t we all marks? Then again, folks always find justification for othering and stating why another human is not as human as they are. Regardless, it tells us a lot about Khan\u2019s mentality. As <\/span>Cultaholic\u2019s Andrew Kelly<\/span><\/strong> wrote: \u201c<\/span>Let\u2019s be honest though, being a wrestling sicko is part of the fun\u201d. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

For me, Khan\u2019s statement highlights <\/span>both<\/span> Tony\u2019s strengths and weaknesses as a booker: giving fans what we want.<\/span><\/p>\n

AEW as a promotion brought back importance and value to various old and misused <\/span>concepts<\/span> as discussed in my first article<\/span>.<\/span> From tournaments to wins and losses mattering to long-term storyline development and a sports-orientated framework built around rankings<\/span>. Even<\/span> revamping old concepts into something new <\/span>like<\/span> the <\/span>Forbidden Door<\/span><\/strong> with<\/span> promotions working together to share talent.<\/span><\/p>\n

And we have been spoilt with the things we have enjoyed to the detriment of the balance. Imbalance has impacted another part of AEW\u2019s USP: coherent and logical storytelling that treats fans\u2019 intellect with respect.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s created a twofold issue. First, too much of any good thing becomes less impactful over time. Second, high standards and achievement lead to the normalisation of the in-ring product.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lessening Impact<\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

AEW made tournaments significant again. Conversely, in 2023, reliance on this trope multiple times to varying success (which you can read about <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

The Lights Out match,<\/span> after several initial classics with <\/span>Kenny Omega<\/span><\/strong> vs. <\/span>Jon Moxley<\/span><\/strong> and <\/span>Britt Baker<\/span><\/strong> vs. <\/span>Thunder Rosa<\/span><\/strong> was reduced in stature.<\/span> Orange Cassidy<\/span><\/strong> vs.<\/span> Adam Cole<\/span><\/strong> used the gimmick as a story device to allow Cassidy to beat Cole while not harming the latter in chasing the AEW World Championship. <\/span>This<\/span> made the match also a concession to protect Cassidy. Side-stepping the significance of wins and losses.<\/span><\/p>\n

At other times, an overreliance on open challenges or contenders getting multiple title shots undermined unpredictability <\/span>also, as well as<\/span> the narrative framework of how AEW should work.<\/span><\/p>\n

Repeating Tropes <\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n