10 Growing Pains AEW Is Already Having

5. Storytelling

Awesome Kong Brandi Rhodes
AEW

That problem with rebellious fans extends into AEW's storytelling style. They're more in tune with the modern audience than their contemporaries, and yet they're tripping up at totally avoidable points the same way. For proof, take a look at the presentation of Brandi Rhodes vs. Allie on Saturday. In the same segment, Brandi played both babyface and heel.

Who does that sound like? Why it's Stephanie McMahon and Triple H, of course.

During the hype vid for her match, Brandi spoke passionately about her love of pro wrestling and came across as a likeable, determined, independent woman. Then, before her match started, she was a grinning super-bitch who cackled as Awesome Kong gave her the numbers edge over her opponent. It was confusing, convoluted storytelling.

On Twitter after the show, Brandi posted, "Your best bet is to lie still while I step on your neck, otherwise, she’ll break it for me. Stay thirsty". That's heelish promo material, not the words of someone humble who wants fans to chart her journey as she improves as a worker.

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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.