10 Reasons AEW Fans Should Be Worried

Right from the start AEW has been seen as the listening company, in direct contrast to rivals WWE. Where WWE seems to wilfully ignore its fanbase, AEW were apparently happy to take criticism on board and course correct accordingly.

Increasingly however, it feels like Tony Khan is only really listening when it suits him. There are several persistent problems with AEW that, if fixed, would vastly improve the product but there’s no sign of it happening.

Take for example the mile-a-minute pacing that often doesn’t allow moments to resonate. SCU’s split after defeat by The Young Bucks being the most notorious example.

Then there’s the overlong midcard feuds. Not everything needs to be a saga. Most of these feuds are saved in the end by a banger like Arcade Anarchy or a Parking Lot Brawl, but it doesn’t excuse weeks of mid TV segments.

Then there’s the incessant backstage interruptions. These are so overdone that even CM Punk called them out on air, before delivering a superlative version of the trope with Eddie Kingston. This should have sent a message but the problem remains.

Perhaps worst of all is the strand of misogyny that runs through the shows on occasion. Sure, main offender Dan Lambert is presented as a heel. The trouble is, he’s then either paired with a babyface who sinks to his level (Chris Jericho at his worst) or performers so divisive that the audience are practically driven to side with him and his sexist jibes.