10 Reasons Why The AEW Backlash Is Irrational

6. They Sorted Out The Tag Rules, Relax

FTR Dynamite
AEW

Inclination is inclination and inherently subjective - you are allowed a different opinion, just don't be a wilfully ignorant piggy about it, else nobody will accept it - but the early phase of AEW's tag team division posed an objective problem.

The commentary team and the talent - much like the squabbling, doomed tag team, or the NXT creative team and anybody under the age of 55 - weren't on the same page.

The Lucha Bros. and Private Party were out there working absolutely incredible lung-bursting bangers essentially worked under tornado rules, which would be fine, if they weren't strictly enforcing the rules and had made that clear, à la ECW or modern-day NJPW. But they were meant to be, as Jim Ross was very keen to point out with authority. And he knows a thing or two about holding a rope.

Chris Jericho had a word very early to sort that sh*t out, calming things down somewhat, and if to some fans the AEW tag team division still just multiplied the excess of modern wrestling, the Butcher and the Blade deepened its range, and are joined now by the exceptional, steadfast FTR, with whom they just worked a tremendous traditional tag on this week's Dynamite.

It's fine. Sorted. Good or bad faith take now irrelevant.

 
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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!