10 Secrets Behind The Rise Of AEW

7. AEW Had Its Own Developmental Promotion (Sort Of)

Becoming All Elite
PWG

Much is made of AEW signing "WWE guys".

In reality, there's no such thing. It's just something that bad faith trolls say because they're defensive about their favourite promotion - one that wouldn't exist without a megastar of an "AWA guy" in Hulk Hogan, or one that wouldn't have thrived beyond the turbulent 1990s without a "WCW guy" in Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Every wrestler of name value, regardless of which promotion contracts their services, started out in a training school whether that training school was financed by WWE or otherwise. The argument that WWE "makes" its own guys while very strictly accurate, in the case of dual World Champions Roman Reigns and Big E, doesn't really mean anything.

Beyond his awesome run in the Shield, it took WWE six long years to get Roman right. He hardly got over as the intimidating, ice-cool heel that he is on the strength of his Florida Championship Wrestling run. He's a guy, just like every guy, who got over as a result of his own skill in collaboration with favourable booking.

In reality, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla was a far more productive talent developmental system than FCW; an outlet of pure expression whether you enjoyed the irreverence or not, countless mainstream wrestling stars learned what connects and what doesn't in the sweltering heat of the American Legion Post building.

Find out who and how by clicking that pre-order button.

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!