10 Secrets Behind The Rise Of AEW

6. Delay, Preserve, Enrich

Becoming All Elite
AEW

Kenny Omega Vs. Hangman Page is set for Full Gear this Saturday. It is more than two years in the making; Page has finally, after an epic and profound chase, overcame his mental health struggles to do that which he failed to do at All Out 2019.

Kenny Omega Vs. CM Punk isn't close to happening. CM Punk Vs. MJF was the first feud on the minds of fantasy bookers in August; that isn't close to happening, either. There are countless awesome prospects that AEW have not yet explored: Bryan Danielson Vs. Adam Cole; Adam Cole Vs. Hangman Page; PAC Vs. Rey Fénix...

MJF Vs. Cody; Young Bucks Vs. FTR; Dr. Britt Baker Vs. Thunder Rosa: several landmark AEW programmes either only lasted for one match or delayed the blow-off for months and months down the line.

There are as many matches to look forward to as classics already committed to tape, and this is because Tony Khan has succeeded with his patient approach: to delay, preserve and thus enrich the premium matches and leave himself with much to play with on a platform - episodic TV - that never stops nor ends.

Wrestler versus stablemate of rival; exhilarating multi-man teases; feuds prolonged by the chase of the rankings system: AEW deploys several tropes to create a constant, vital sense of anticipation. The company that supposedly "relies on pops" in fact spaces them out with much restraint.

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!