Real Reason AEW Feels Like WCW

Tony Khan loves himself some WCW Nitro...

The real reason AEW Dynamite often feels like WCW isn't because of guys like Diamond Dallas Page and Arn Anderson showing up, Cody's fondness for the defunct promotion, or for the Vince Russo comparisons that inevitably arise whenever an angle like this week's Nightmare Collective shambles go down, but because Tony Khan is a student of Monday Nitro.

This is according to a new report from PWInsider offering a number of insights into AEW's creative process.

Advertisement

Per the writeup, Khan spent a long time looking at what made Nitro work before Dynamite's launch, looking to incorporate some of the old WCW's flagship's positive aspects into his own product.

PWInsider also note that the AEW President is the "driving force" behind creative in the company. The report cites Chris Jericho trying to recruit Jon Moxley as a specific example of a Khan-devised storyline, noting that Tony and Jericho, the locker-room leader, have worked together closely.

Advertisement

With regards to Cody, Kenny Omega, and The Young Bucks, AEW's Executive Vice Presidents have a great deal of creative control themselves, but as is the case with Vince McMahon in WWE, everything goes through Khan in the end.

In this post: 
WCW AEW
 
Posted On: 
Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.