10 Things AEW Stopped Doing That We Really Want To See Again

4. All-Star Matches

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AEW

This is perhaps another example of fans being spoiled - Bryan Danielson and Hangman Page only just delivered a pair of all-time great free TV matches - but a particular Tony Khan booking trend has started to lose its lustre in recent months.

Too many matches feature an established star versus an emerging or veteran talent that can withstand the loss, or an established star versus a lesser storyline associate of their main rival. The matches make sense as a result, and ensure that the real ticket-selling attractions are protected, but it can get predictable and uninspiring. Stack up any February 2020 Dynamite card against January 2022, and the difference is stark.

This is another byproduct of the bloated roster. Tony Khan would be daft not to sign exceptional, available talent, but there are simply too many acts he doesn't want to beat yet. As a result, we don't get CM Punk Vs. Miro, MJF Vs. Eddie Kingston, FTR Vs. ReDRagon.

But what's the use of one of wrestling's greatest rosters ever if it barely interacts with itself? Isn't that the very appeal? Otherwise, the effect is that fans are almost spoilt on star power and starved of true excitement.

Running a #1 contender's match like CM Punk Vs. Adam Cole on Dynamite, informing the two key main events at Revolution, is a February 2020-like flex. It felt like we had it all back then.

Is Tony Khan still that bullish?

 
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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!