Why AEW Is Beating WWE At Its Own Game

AEW Vs. WWE is a tedious war online - but it's heating up where it truly matters...

by Michael Sidgwick
Anna Jay The Bunny
AEW
"If you look at the gory self-mutilation that bloodied several women in the December 31 event on TNT, it quickly becomes clear that these are very different businesses."

WWE statement to the Toronto Star, January 15, 2022

Are WWE and AEW very different businesses?

Yes and no. The definitions of sports entertainment and professional wrestling are debated endlessly, but they're effectively synonymous. One promotion uses the former in a harebrained bid to disassociate the general public from what it actually is, despite featuring the word 'Wrestling' in its company name, where the other promotion strategically embraces the definition of wrestling in a reaction to WWE disavowing it.

The above statement was complete bullsh*t, of course, because Vince McMahon is an inveterate hypocrite. He pissed and moaned about WCW using the blade when he felt the heat of competition, gigged himself f*cking stupid at Survivor Series 2003 when that promotion was cold in the ground, and is now pissing and moaning about AEW using the blade because he feels the heat of competition once again. The words in the statement were meaningless, but the defensive tone is beyond telling.

AEW squashed NXT 1.0 and is treating NXT 2.0 like it is Hiro Matsuda on Hulk Hogan's first day of training.

CONT'D...(1 of 6)

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!