10 Reasons Why The AEW Backlash Is Irrational

5. You Can't Ignore Numbers

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This is a take unleashed by the J*m C*rnette acolytes. You know, the ones who despise cosplay wrasslers and express this sentiment to Jim using his exact same patter.

They'll claim that AEW exists on fumes powered by the residual star power of the former WWE talents, and won't last as long as "Kenny Olivier" et al. are at the forefront. This take was basically centred on the idea that wrestling fans want a more rough and tumble, less "goofy" alternative, not one that had...

...actually formed the genesis of the alternative, thus making the alternative viable, through the drawing power of its EVPs.

Cornette rates Cody's work, so will be nice about his appeal and drawing power even if Omega's is at the very least comparable, and far more impressive at most; their match was the featured attraction at Supercard Of Honor XII, which drew 6,100 fans to the Lakefront Arena in New Orleans. Omega has twice headlined the Tokyo Dome, drawing 30,000+, and was considered such a formidable draw that New Japan Pro Wrestling, in a very rare break from operational tradition, mounted a western expansion with him at the forefront.

You see this sh*te all over Twitter, too, and it's b*llocks. The Young Bucks drew more fans in ROH than anything under Cornette's purview.

 
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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!