10 Secrets Behind The Rise Of AEW
The story of AEW is fascinating. Somebody really ought to write a book about it...
Michael Sidgwick's new book - Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW - is available to pre-order right now at WhatCulture.BigCartel.com.
Priced at a bargain £13.99 (£19.99 for a signed edition!), Becoming All Elite chronicles the story behind the formation of All Elite Wrestling and its unprecedented success as a start-up.
Across 120,000 words, the tale of how artistry and expression mounted a thrilling comeback against the heel hoss monster of scripted promos and mean-spirited booking is covered in passionate, analytical depth.
Throughout the 21st century, WWE lost a major number of fans disillusioned by its synthetic, formulaic TV shows and active resentment of what they vocally wanted. It didn't seem to matter how loudly they chanted for CM Punk, or Daniel Bryan. When it became apparent that fans sought a different outlet, through the increased stateside presence of an Elite-driven New Japan Pro Wrestling, one member of the stable, Cody, reckoned that the movement was big enough to reach the major arena. A lifelong wrestling fan and son of a billionaire reckoned it was big enough to compete.
Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW is available to pre-order now - and that's not all!
10. It Was Almost Really Bad!
AEW television is mostly fantastic.
The format lends itself to an immersive, energetic live experience in which insulting exposition and convenient plotting is not required. With every match announced in advance, and worked across a glorious, unimpeded stylistic range, Dynamite and Rampage advance storylines with electrifying angles, unscripted promos and an intricate, patient booking philosophy that dovetails across itself to preserve the premium attractions. AEW's first forays into episodic storytelling were less successful.
AEW's first forays into episodic storytelling bizarrely resembled the promotion they formed in defiance of.
On the Road to Double Or Nothing 2019 YouTube series, Chris Jericho and Cody developed a rivalry premised on Jericho's household name hubris and Cody's weary opinion of it. Jericho was adamant that he was responsible for AEW's existence, demanded a "Thank you," and resented Cody's lack of earnest appreciation and EVP status. Invisible cameras captured this authority figure storyline. A lively updated emulation of peak WCW Nitro it was not. It wasn't terrible. Jericho was priceless as the childish prima donna.
But it wasn't at all dissimilar to WWE.
Mercifully, Cody's backstage role was phased out of the narrative when the battle for AEW's soul heated up ahead of Full Gear 2019 as the promotion discovered its own storytelling identity.