10 Things AEW Can Learn From WCW Nitro's Debut
5. Present Something Totally Different To WWE
Between the Mall Of America setting, the clear focus on causing a stir and the emphasis on stars fans could only see in WCW, the first Nitro had a lot of elements that were exclusive to WCW. Although AEW can't claim the same (Jericho, Omega, PAC and others do wrestle elsewhere), they can make the most of what they do have.
They're nothing like WWE.
Wrestling and the actual matches themselves will be the priority in AEW. The volume of in-ring talent speaks for itself, and it won't be a surprise if All Elite bouts litter the top end of Dave Meltzer's star ratings for years to come. That will be a big contrast to WWE's reliance on soap opera storylines and larger-than-life characters.
If handled correctly, AEW could offer a product that tops NXT without the WWE machine behind it. Being honest, it has to. There's no point in being a watered-down version of WWE. TNA learned that the hard way, and they failed to take inspiration from Nitro's start.