10 All Out Mistakes AEW Can't Afford To Repeat At Full Gear

4. Insert An Intermission

AEW Full Gear Set
AEW

Early forecast warns of not inconsiderable humidity. These shows always run long.

Why isn't the intermission commonplace in pro wrestling, anyway?

It is exceptionally difficult to sequence the perfect card. New Japan Pro Wrestling is the benchmark. The shows almost invariably peak at the main event, which is arrived at after an undercard that gradually intensifies in star power, stakes and match duration. The undercard and serious business is often separated by an intermission.

An intermission would function as a reset, allowing the fans to make a coffee, check Twitter, and for the performative wrestling audience to catch a break in the sweltering Florida heat. There's much AEW can do with that time to enhance the show in some way, so long as that content is inessential.

The commentary team can recap the undercard, selling the gravity of what has just happened and exploring the potential ramifications on Dynamite. Screen video packages mapping the stories on the business end of the show can to up the anticipation. Run some adverts for Heels, the action figure line. Banter with some predictions.

Make sure to clue the audience on how long it will last, obviously.

Contributor
Contributor

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 current Undisputed WWE 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!