10 Creeping Problems AEW MUST Fix

1. The Feeling That It's Not ALL Elite

Andrade AEW
AEW

It shouldn't be All Elite because you can't by definition normalise greatness.

A promotion needs young, green talent the stars can beat. A promotion needs (several) predictable matches per show for the tier system to work. A promotion needs some of those matches to be functional, and not blow-away great, to preserve the premium destination.

But is Matt Hardy always working some programme or other really a particularly productive use of television time? Outside of a genre masterwork opposite Darby Allin, and the escapist fun of Stadium Stampede, Hardy hasn't left AEW better than he found it.

Were certain talents who have headlined AEW Dynamite recently really worthy of the spot?

There are contributing factors to this period of inessential experimentation. Dustin Rhodes Vs. Nick Comoroto was hardly going to headline a touring Dynamite show in front of a packed house on a Wednesday. AEW have taken certain scenic routes that stretch long-term storytelling to its most elastic point, with the idea that it's senseless to waste too many key matches in front of the paid extra Chris Jericho appreciation society.

It's time now to test whether that's bargaining, or if Dynamite is feeling that bit less premium than it once did.

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!