10 Growing Pains AEW Is Already Having

8. Indy Or Big Time?

AEW Jungle Boy Marko Stunt
AEW

This will be a sensitive issue for some.

When done well, independent wrestling is a credit to the medium. Traditionally, it's where fans could get more bang for their buck in-ring through companies like ROH, PWG and beyond, and it didn't rely on the big production, pyrotechnics and glistening bodies of WWE fare.

In AEW, there's a bit of a war going on. Daily's Place in Jacksonville looked resplendent at Fight For The Fallen, just as the MGM Grand did for Double Or Nothing. There's a unique look to the group's shows, and that will only stand them in good stead. Then, some of the roster burl dash through the curtain and it's like every indy show ever from 10 years ago.

This isn't a great thing in a company that's trying to push wrestling forwards. AEW must decide on an identity. As admirable as it is that they're trying to be everything to everyone, that's not sustainable. They don't need to appeal to every single fan type, only those that are sick of WWE.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.