10 Moves Tony Khan Must Make To Save AEW

1. Cut The Sh*t

Tony Khan ROH
AEW

Belief in the AEW brand is fading.

The discourse is the discourse. Some people are always going to dislike AEW for what it is, and the exact same thing is true for those who like it for what it is. Tribalism isn't a new trend, nor will it ever go away. Pinning down a consensus is impossible - it slips between a collective of fans enjoying or not enjoying the show subjectively - but is anybody, truthfully and justifiably, calling this era the very best of AEW?

No chance, and if you somehow can't feel the mood through the screen - or can't face it, as is too often the case among grown adults - you can look at the objective, damning numbers.

Simply put: the same minor problems aren't going away, and it's time AEW cut the sh*t.

AEW Dynamite is the best show on TV, but it's too easy to take the piss out of. It's too easy to roll one's eyes at its foibles. Get rid of the sh*t that people bury every week, and AEW will do so much to rid itself of the stigma and convince its base that its back and that it is listening again.

Stop interrupting every backstage interview. Let ostensibly important developments breathe. Let Excalbur breathe.

Make the promotion less easy to meme, basically.

Be smarter than the smart alec critics.

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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!