{"id":126910,"date":"2024-09-12T07:00:59","date_gmt":"2024-09-12T11:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=126910"},"modified":"2024-09-12T09:04:08","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T13:04:08","slug":"aew-violent-storytelling-and-its-disturbing-splendor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/09\/12\/aew-violent-storytelling-and-its-disturbing-splendor\/","title":{"rendered":"AEW: Violent Storytelling and Its Disturbing Splendour"},"content":{"rendered":"

AEW\u2019s<\/span> <\/strong>All Out <\/span><\/em>involved multiple (fictional) attempts of murder. For years, <\/span>the idea that the hatred and heat between rivals should convince fans that these men and women want to kill themselves was taken<\/span> to its furthest point.<\/span><\/p>\n

For some, like me, this was a watershed moment in modern wrestling. A return to something <\/span>old,<\/span> while also finding something new. For <\/span>others<\/span> it’s<\/span> garbage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Horror and violence <\/span>aren\u2019t<\/span> for everyone. Truly, Saturday night helped cement AEW as an alternative to <\/span>WWE <\/span><\/strong>in its storytelling philosophy. <\/span>This<\/span> is not to argue one is better than the other.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was not for everyone. <\/span>That\u2019s<\/span> understandable and acceptable.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, to dismiss the artistic value of this brutality and physical sacrifice has its limits. <\/span>I\u2019ll<\/span> discuss this in its article later this week. However, I am going to explain how <\/span>at<\/span> All Out<\/span><\/em> two<\/span> key acts of violence worked as storyline devices to progress characters, storylines, and bigger arcs. Some will say this is reaching because <\/span>that\u2019s<\/span> an easy <\/span>no-thinking<\/span> required reason <\/span>to not even debate<\/span> something they disagree with. Others have or will come to similar conclusions; it will be harder to dismiss. Especially whe<\/span>n\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Violence is More Than For The Sickos<\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

As human beings, our relationship with violence is complex and ever-present in our culture and world.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s<\/span> emotive and <\/span>depending<\/span> on <\/span>context<\/span> can inspire feelings as broad as excitement, catharsis, disgust, and retaliation. Our opinions <\/span>whether<\/span> individual or <\/span>collective<\/span> vary on <\/span>what\u2019s<\/span> right and wrong. <\/span>What\u2019s<\/span> defensive <\/span>and<\/span> what\u2019s<\/span> offensive? <\/span>What\u2019s<\/span> justified and inexcusable?<\/span><\/p>\n

And yet <\/span>it<\/span> is everywhere in our histories, present and future. <\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> defined history through wars and conflict. The right to bear arms, and<\/span> to react with possible violence, against oppression is written into <\/span>America\u2019s<\/span> constitution. It features religious iconography. The Christian symbol represents literal and metaphorical suffering. It seeps into our media and is inherent in wrestling.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s<\/span> not all fun. Even excess can have merit. Look at Shakespeare. The <\/span>greatest<\/span> similarity with wrestling is <\/span>the depiction of<\/span> violence to gain an emotional reaction. 2\/3s of <\/span>Bard\u2019s<\/span> plays explore a spectrum of violence and questions linked to human nature that are still relevant to our world today.<\/span><\/p>\n

People forget <\/span>likewise<\/span> Shakespeare was somewhat of a carny. They are writing to pack a house for the money with all members of society. Politicking for financial security and writing to please patrons. <\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> relevant because pro wrestling as an art form is often reduced to business terms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Violence sells. As pro wrestling fans, we pay for the performance of it, even when the risk of pain and hurt is real. <\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> not new, but a certain level of violence that threatens to cross the line has been absent since the end of <\/span>The Attitude Era<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

AEW<\/span><\/strong> brought that back to mainstream wrestling storytelling. <\/span>They\u2019ve<\/span> pushed the envelope not for the sake of <\/span>it,<\/span> but <\/span>to purposefully disturb<\/span>. Make us as fans feel something for the stories and characters they progressed. Makes some of us want to see what happens next.<\/span><\/p>\n

Homage in Plastic <\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Eddie Kingston<\/span><\/strong> cinematically walked to the ring covered in blood and carrying a petrol can at <\/span>Double or Nothing 2022<\/span><\/em>. <\/span>Like a horror film, <\/span>it was<\/span> what you <\/span>didn\u2019t<\/span> see <\/span>that<\/span> was captivating.<\/span> The imagination of what happened when Kingston disappeared off-screen made this image powerful. <\/span>The look of determination and hatred<\/span>, <\/span>the <\/span>real<\/span> feeling that <\/span>Chris Jericho<\/span><\/strong> was about to be torched.<\/span> What\u2019s<\/span> fiction felt like it would become (shoot) real.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kingston is the man some are thanking (others blaming) for the plastic bag spot with <\/span>Jon Moxley<\/span><\/strong> and <\/span>Bryan Danielson<\/span><\/strong>. This spot was grave robbed from <\/span>Clash of the Champions VIII<\/span><\/em>. <\/span>Terry Funk<\/span><\/strong> covered and choked <\/span>Ric Flair<\/span><\/strong> with a plastic bag in 1989. <\/span>This<\/span> was in the build-up to their classic I Quit match at <\/span>Clash of Champions IX<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

TBS<\/span><\/strong> came down hard on the spot and stopped replays <\/span>fearing<\/span> lawsuits and children copying the spot. Kingston pitched it several times, but<\/span> \u201c<\/span>I know how scared Turner was<\/span>\u201d <\/span>(<\/span>Fightful<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/strong>). <\/span>Instead, AEW waited until now <\/span>and<\/span> for PPV <\/span>for<\/span> maximum impact.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bryan Alverez<\/span><\/strong> reported that <\/span>Jon <\/span>Moxley\u2019s<\/span><\/strong> new gimmick <\/span>takes its inspiration from<\/span> the Australian cult <\/span>film,<\/span> Romper Stomper<\/span><\/strong>. You can find the <\/span>full<\/span> film<\/span> on <\/span>YouTube<\/span><\/strong>. <\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> about disenfranchised youth who find unity and purpose in skinhead Nazi ideology. <\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> an unflinching depiction of the uselessness and cycle of violence.<\/span><\/p>\n

Like <\/span>Russell Crowe<\/span><\/strong>, Moxley is no hero. Mox feels alienated (both by philosophy and choice) and different within the landscape of AEW.<\/span><\/p>\n

The All Out<\/span><\/em> spot was a homage to both. <\/span>Crowe\u2019s<\/span> character tries to asphyxiate someone they care about, just as Mox does.<\/span><\/p>\n

The intention was to shock and disturb.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s<\/span> Bryan Danielson. A man whose honesty and authenticity are well known and were fully displayed in the build for <\/span>All <\/span>In\u2019s<\/span><\/em> Final Countdown<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

If You <\/span>Won\u2019t<\/span> Go Gently <\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Memes tell us a lot. Those displaying the contrast between <\/span>All In<\/span><\/em> and <\/span>All Out<\/span><\/em> highlight the difference in emotional manipulation caused by the events. <\/span>Each stands separate but paired fit together <\/span>in<\/span> telling<\/span> an <\/span>interesting<\/span> story of Bryan <\/span>Danielson\u2019s<\/span> in-ring mortality<\/span>.<\/span> The<\/span> end of the American <\/span>Dragon\u2019s<\/span> career.<\/span><\/p>\n

The euphoric fairy-tale ending of <\/span>All In<\/span><\/em> recaptured a feeling for me that was akin to <\/span>Wrestlemania XX<\/span><\/em>, a pivotal moment in my fandom.<\/span> \u201c<\/span>Brittle<\/span>\u201d <\/span>Bryan overcame age, wear and tear<\/span>. The<\/span> power of love powered Bryan through torment. The ultimate underdog won in front of his wife and kids in a stadium Danielson missed performing in last year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Danielson refused to go gently into that good night. Then <\/span>at<\/span> All Out<\/span><\/em>, after beating <\/span>Jack Perry<\/span><\/strong>, Danielson and fans were greeted by the sickening reality. The nightmare is the approaching end.<\/span><\/p>\n

Memento mori. Remember <\/span>you<\/span> must die.<\/span><\/p>\n

Danielson <\/span>didn\u2019t<\/span> go gently, but Moxley <\/span>with<\/span> the stoicism of a man putting down an old <\/span>dog<\/span> took Danielson by force towards that light.<\/span><\/p>\n

The magnitude is more <\/span>powerful<\/span> because of who the target is and what Danielson stands for<\/span>. Attacking<\/span> Danielson, a rare wrestler who <\/span>in<\/span> and out of the ring is universally respected. To interject and try to destroy the <\/span>man\u2019s<\/span> ending and life was transgressive. Heinous. Cold.<\/span><\/p>\n

Danielson is not an innocent. The dragon kicks expletive heads in! <\/span>Yet a sacred GOAT who <\/span>weeks ago seemed invulnerable and who could it seems<\/span> go on forever<\/span>, <\/span>was shown to be weak.<\/span> The opposite of <\/span>Sting <\/span><\/strong>ended his career looking ageless.<\/span><\/p>\n

Danielson <\/span>isn\u2019t<\/span> an icon or superhero. <\/span>He\u2019s<\/span> a vulnerable man. <\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> selling the idea that soon <\/span>Danielson\u2019s<\/span> reign will end.<\/span><\/p>\n

Betrayal Building Issues<\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

The betrayal came from<\/span> \u201c<\/span>friends<\/span>\u201d <\/span>Danielson has known since the Indies and <\/span>ROH<\/span><\/strong>. That makes it personal. Add the plastic bag, gimmicked or not, and <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> viscerally<\/span> horrifying. Like <\/span>Julius Cesar<\/span><\/strong>, Danielson was stabbed in the back by men who he trusted.<\/span><\/p>\n

Never has Danielson suffered a beatdown as humiliating or as brutal. Although the wrestling clich\u00e9 is everyone, even your brother will betray you, it hit differently.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Blackpool Combat Club<\/span><\/strong> for<\/span> both better and worse has not been your standard faction. While on screen in recent <\/span>months<\/span> their relationship has seemed tenuous. The betrayal hits because all the men seem to share the same code and mutual respect.<\/span><\/p>\n

While the sight of <\/span>Wheeler Yuta<\/span><\/strong>, helplessly held back and crying for his <\/span>mentor<\/span> might have stung more if that bond with Danielson had been <\/span>more obvious<\/span>. Moxley was the one Yuta fought and bled against to join the group. Danielson <\/span>in<\/span> front of Yuta <\/span>thoughtlessly<\/span> proclaimed <\/span>Daniel Garcia<\/span><\/strong> was the future best<\/span> technician. <\/span>Besides a press conference <\/span>mention<\/span> of<\/span> mentoring Yuta to <\/span>get the victory in<\/span> the Anarchy in the Arena against <\/span>The<\/span> Elite<\/span><\/strong>, the relationship between Danielson and Wheeler seems thin.<\/span> It could have hit harder.<\/span><\/p>\n

It might still do. Depending on if the follow-up re-glosses and redefines this moment as it did for <\/span>Swerve Strickland<\/span><\/a><\/strong> breaking into <\/span><\/a>Hangman Adam <\/span>Page\u2019s<\/span><\/a><\/strong> house<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Like Moxley, the BCC has needed a change or to end. What an emphatic way for either. By demonstrating and being the cold-hearted fighters, the men always talked about being.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is a strange and perhaps unintended irony with <\/span>Justin Roberts<\/span><\/strong> ringside. Once <\/span>Danielson<\/span> choked Roberts with his tie to get over that his faction was taking over. Live by the code<\/span>, you<\/span> die by it.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Grey and Blindness of Vengeance\u00a0<\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

The expectation of violence was intrinsic in the year-old feud between<\/span> \u201c<\/span><\/strong>Hangman Adam Page and Swerve Strickland. <\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> violent history<\/span> I\u2019ve<\/span> reviewed <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span> The <\/span>rate of escalation<\/span> while<\/span> quick between their first match and the Texas Death <\/span>Match<\/span> was justified by the house invasion angle. This angle, like <\/span>All Out<\/span><\/em> and <\/span>All In<\/span><\/em>, had its contrast. Each man has played the role of the transgressor, going far and beyond the line of decency.<\/span><\/p>\n

Both have had justification <\/span>and<\/span> yet<\/span> both are right and wrong by societal standards contrasted with their code.<\/span> Human beings are exceptionalists. <\/span>As a teacher, if I had a penny for every time a student tried to excuse their behavior with reasoning, justification, pointing out what I got wrong or did not understand<\/span>, I could have retired before thirty<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s<\/span> be fair<\/span>, not<\/span> many folks grow out of that defense mechanism of a code of exceptionalism. \u00a0The ends justify the means. Swerve felt loss and anger after <\/span>his<\/span> childhood home was burnt down<\/span>. <\/span>Not<\/span> the same or equal to the hurt inflicted on Page. More than Old Testament vengeance. Both eyes for an eye.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fans cheered regardless for Swerve at times. Fans chanted when Page burned down <\/span>Swerve\u2019s<\/span> childhood home. As <\/span>I\u2019ve<\/span> discussed <\/span>elsewhere<\/span><\/a>, being a villain is attractive. <\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> not modern, <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> historic. See <\/span>Shakespeare\u2019s<\/span> most influential main characters from <\/span>Macbeth<\/span><\/strong> to <\/span>Richard III<\/span><\/strong>. See classics from <\/span>The Godfather<\/span><\/strong> to the hitman in <\/span>No Country For Old Men<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

As much as wrestling must have faces and heels, good guys and <\/span>bad<\/span>, the grey between them can blur. Switches occur. See <\/span>Bret Hart<\/span><\/strong> vs. <\/span>Steve Austin<\/span><\/strong>. Or Swerve vs. <\/span>Hangman\u2019s<\/span> time limit draw. When characters are clear, <\/span>the binary can be blurred<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Men Are Not Heroes<\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

In reality, there are not always clear-cut good guys and bad guys. Stories that reflect reality, like those of The Attitude <\/span>Era<\/span> were praised<\/span> for blurring these lines. <\/span>Here\u2019s<\/span> perhaps the <\/span>greatest<\/span> difference in <\/span>AEW\u2019s<\/span> history of violence. AEW can be gratuitous and liberal in terms of blood, plunder, and weapons, but its most vicious kill shots have made a point that there are levels of violence that <\/span>aren\u2019t<\/span> glorious. Rather are character-defining.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anyone who considers that Moxley or Danielson, Swerve, or Hangman were supposed to be accepted as <\/span>cool<\/span> characters to emulate like an Austin or <\/span>DX<\/span><\/strong> missed more than just the commentary <\/span>team\u2019s<\/span> disgust and shock.<\/span><\/p>\n

Swerve and Hangman went far because of hatred and their egos. Their justifications <\/span>in<\/span> Swerve\u2019s<\/span> case <\/span>wanting<\/span> glory, the spot, and the championship. For Page, for his family.<\/span><\/p>\n

As made clear by Hangman, Swerve <\/span>as<\/span> a <\/span>character<\/span> has nothing but success in his life. No wife, or<\/span> children elsewhere, Swerve has nothing but ambition and demons in his head. Page is similar to the demons, but the opposite with a wife and children to care for. Both men <\/span>in<\/span> some ways reflect issues of Imposter Syndrome <\/span>that\u2019s<\/span> been present in <\/span>Hanger\u2019s<\/span> character since <\/span>his first arc<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Their justification is about dealing with the empty holes in their psyches. <\/span>Page\u2019s<\/span> justifications are flimsy when you look back closely<\/span>, as <\/span>I\u2019ve<\/span> outlined <\/span>elsewhere<\/span><\/a>.<\/span> Choking Danielson with a belt in the <\/span>Owen Hart Cup<\/span><\/em> or threatening to hit <\/span>Karen Jarrett<\/span><\/strong> had nothing to do with Page protecting his family.<\/span><\/p>\n

Both are men. Insecure and driven and blinded by a goal. They are pretend heroes. Yet Swerve never promised or tried to be anything but himself. Page promised to be more. Saturday, he failed himself and the fans.<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s<\/span> No Going Back<\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Ends justify the means, right?<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s<\/span> clich\u00e9 to suggest that the hero might live long enough to be the villain. It has truth. How many liberators have become dictators? How can real-life<\/span> \u201c<\/span>good<\/span>\u201d <\/span>people slowly become evil without realizing it? <\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> not just fictional. No one sees themselves as the villain.<\/span><\/p>\n

The dilemma is whether can you live with the pain you caused. Swerve could. The terror Strickland caused was psychological and mental. <\/span>Page\u2019s<\/span> revenge in burning the house was likewise mental, and<\/span> psychological, but also financial and physical.<\/span><\/p>\n

Page stabbing Swerve with a syringe felt not sporting, low, even for an unsanctioned match. It was about torture and satisfying himself, not his family. That could have been it. Instead, the chair shot to the head narratively might have been a gunshot. Page is a cowboy.<\/span><\/p>\n

The discussion on safety <\/span>I\u2019ll<\/span> explore as part of the criticism of <\/span>AEW\u2019s<\/span> violence. There is no argument that it was somehow necessary. <\/span>That\u2019s<\/span> the point.<\/span><\/p>\n

Page went somewhere that many wrestlers talk about <\/span>that<\/span> feels corny. A dark place. Too far.<\/span><\/p>\n

Page <\/span>with<\/span> his <\/span>actions<\/span> went there. Now <\/span>there\u2019s<\/span> the hint that the cowboy <\/span>himself<\/span> believes there is no going back. <\/span>This<\/span> was seen<\/span> when post-match. Page looked to return to the ring and stopped. The <\/span>crowd’s<\/span> reaction felt genuine. The look on <\/span>Page\u2019s<\/span> face. The realization once the fog of war was gone. All <\/span>that\u2019s<\/span> left is what he did to another man.<\/span><\/p>\n

Art Leads to Buy In, Red Leads to Green <\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

And I <\/span>as<\/span> a fan of engaging <\/span>fiction<\/span> want to see <\/span>what\u2019s<\/span> next. If there are stories like this, feuds where the violence is not just justified but helps tell complex stories, take my money.<\/span><\/p>\n

Red leads to green. Blood for some draws money. <\/span>Not everyone.<\/span> Not everyone enjoys the thrill of horror. Yet <\/span>done<\/span> in the right ways, with the right emotional heft, and sparingly, just as great works of literature, plays, TV shows <\/span>and<\/span> films do, their audiences will invest.<\/span><\/p>\n

More From LWOS Pro Wrestling<\/h3>\n

Header photo \u2013 AEW \u2013 Stay tun<\/em>ed to the\u00a0Last Word on Pro Wrestling<\/a>\u00a0for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world. As well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.\u00a0 You can catch AEW Dynamite on Wednesday nights at 8 PM ET on TBS. AEW Rampage airs on TNT at 10 PM EST every Friday night. AEW Collision airs Saturday at 8pm Eastern on TNT. More AEW content available on their\u00a0YouTube<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

AEW\u2019s All Out involved multiple (fictional) attempts of murder. For years, the idea that the hatred and heat between rivals should convince fans that these men and women want to kill themselves was taken to its furthest point. For some, like me, this was a watershed moment in modern wrestling. A return to something old, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4960,"featured_media":126834,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4677,2192],"tags":[8232,5606,1634,4395,8520,8848],"class_list":["post-126910","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aew","category-wrestling","tag-hangman-adam-page","tag-aew-all-out","tag-bryan-danielson","tag-jon-moxley","tag-swerve-strickland","tag-the-blackpool-combat-club"],"modified_by":"Michael Joseph Sugue, Manager","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126910","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4960"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=126910"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126910\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/126834"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=126910"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=126910"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=126910"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}