10 Big Improvements AEW MUST Make Before All Out

7. Ditch The Goofy Gimmicks

Hangman Page Chris Jericho
AEW

All Elite Wrestling was always going to be a proving ground. Much of the roster is untested, especially at a mainstream level, and not every character was going to resonate. Failures were (and still are inevitable) and every Luchasaurus would be flanked by a flop, with several emerging at this early stage in the promotion's lifespan.

The Librarians - Leva Bates and Peter Avalon - are at the forefront. Bates wrestled a wretched bout with Allie at Fyter and while Avalon fared better against Sonny Kiss, they're way too gimmicky for a product sold on a "real sport" feel. Turning their backlash into a meta angle on Being the Elite won't save them, either.

The same applies to the Dark Order of Stu Grayson and Evil Uno, who, like Bates and Avalon, are way too talented to be cast with one-note gimmicks. Entering a wonderful tandem performance at Fight for the Fallen, their efforts were undermined by "creepers" and Grayson's Baby Kratos look.

Such failures are fine. They were inevitable, but the onus is now on AEW to act accordingly and right the performers' courses.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. 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.