10 Reasons Why The AEW Backlash Is Irrational

They tag now and everything!

by Michael Sidgwick
FTR Dynamite
AEW

The tribalism thing is so weird, and if you think that's rich, coming from this source, consider that AEW has yet to annihilate the intelligence and emotional investment of its audience for two solid decades.

Also consider this, and this, and then also please lastly consider this.

Certain WWE fans - the deranged ultras - despise All Elite Wrestling for either daring to exist or existing as a defiant (and yes, at times pious) alternative. That AEW even exists in the first place is as a result of WWE's staggering incompetence. This is a fact; WWE's visibility and deep financial resources should have made such a development impossible, had they used even barely any of it to appeal to the professional wrestling fan in the last five years. They did not; beyond NXT and its electric, uncharacteristic in-ring pace, WWE stubbornly persisted with its scripted sports entertainment model, discouraging the creativity and expression and embrace of old school values that have lured lapsed fans to Jacksonville.

WWE won. There can be no wrasslin' alternative, and when one arrived, it was buried for its spot pygmy marmosets doing more (sigh) dives than chinlocks.

This burial is officially irrational - as if it were reasonable in the first place - because many of those early complaints have now been answered.

10. Because Seriously Get A Load Of This Take

FTR Dynamite
WWE

Log on to Twitter.

Search the terms 'Jericho,' 'WWE,' and 'Reject'.

You will find takes - and you can find them in comments sections, too - claiming that Chris Jericho is a WWE reject. Chris Jericho. Chris Jericho, former multi-time WWE World Champion. Chris Jericho, one part of the greatest feud in modern WWE history. Chris Jericho, one of the greatest polymath talents ever. Chris Jericho, who was so valued and coveted that he was given carte blanche to come and go whenever he pleases by notorious meat grinder Vince McMahon, was actually rejected by WWE.

Chris Jericho, the performer you really rather enjoyed watching and respected when he worked for a wrestling promotion with a different acronym.

Can you imagine applying this take to another legendary WWE performer who hasn't made the move to AEW, just to underscore how demented it is?

The Undertaker can't even move. Old man bitch is scared of cucumbers! *Cry-laugh emoji*

Triple H had to book himself into main events to get over! *Cry-laugh emoji*

Shawn Michaels spent more time looking at his hands than he did drawing money! *Cry-laugh emoji*

None of these things are false, they'd just be very hypocritical coming from a WWE ultra.

 
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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!