10 Things Everybody Gets Wrong About AEW

AEW is pro wrestling's version of the White Album.

Brandi Rhodes AEW
Lee South/AEW

There are problems with AEW Dynamite.

The TV audience unfamiliar with Kenny Omega must be somewhat puzzled about the constant talk of how great he is, or was. He has shown glimpses of his spellbinding brilliance - his absolute banger with PAC, one of his greatest V-Triggers, his knack of telling stories with subtle body language - but his upper midcard role hasn't been articulated enough. He is exceptional at promos, and he's cut just one in 12 weeks.

The commentary is wonky at times. Jim Ross, still tremendous when he's dialled in, can't contain his disconnect to (some of) modern wrestling, and while Tony Schiavone is charming when he reins him in, he shouldn't have to. The picture-in-picture strive to retain viewers only serves to mystify them. The lack of big-time experience cultivated by certain talent and referees has manifested in too many glaring botches. The discrepancy between roster size and the time slot creates something of a rushed quality, and too many acts get lost within that divide. Shanna impressed a month or so back, but that seems pointless in retrospect.

Broadly, AEW are much too concerned with getting concepts over than stars in this early phase - but those concepts aren't praised enough...

10. "Kenny Omega Is A Geek"

Brandi Rhodes AEW
AEW

Kenny Omega isn't resonating as the megastar he was in New Japan Pro Wrestling - by design.

That version of Kenny Omega cannot exist, yet, while Chris Jericho reigns as Le Champion. Under the win/loss ranking framework, that version of Kenny Omega would find himself in immediate contention for the AEW World Championship, and the key is that this version of Chris Jericho must exist now. His presence on the show as Champion legitimises the entire enterprise, he's in bravura form as the single most entertaining act in the entire industry, and the the chase to vanquish him is the most compelling long-term storyline.

This Le Champion character is so powerful because he has arrested a career-long narrative that has undermined the argument that he is an all-timer. He is a true World Champion, as credible as he is entertaining, and the bit works so well because he is the best, immediately, in canon. That glorious, boy-popping arrogance has genuine heft.

Omega therefore has to exist in an upper midcard role, though that doesn't excuse the specific portrayal of it. He needs to cut more promos. He needs to project his character, or his quest to recover it, to get himself over with the TV audience.

But he isn't failing. He is building.

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 surefire Undisputed WWE Universal 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!