10 Upcoming Wrestling Stories That Are Already Doomed
WWE and AEW's creative nightmares that could come true very, very soon.
It's extremely difficult to feel cynical about mainstream wrestling in 2024.
WWE's product is connecting with its audience in a way not seen since the Attitude Era's pomp. Karrion Kross' Final Testament aside, if Triple H spotlights something, it tends to get over. The Chief Content Officer's simple, logical booking focused on multi-arc storylines and long-term payoffs has turned buildings with less atmosphere than the Moon under Vince McMahon into cauldrons of noise. Business is booming, too, and onscreen, the vibes are great. Creative and audience are in perfect sync.
AEW, meanwhile, has struggled at the box office, but its outrageous talent roster continually delivers cutting-edge in-ring action. Pay-per-views the calibre of All In and All Out have reignited enthusiasm around the brand and with a new television deal imminent, Tony Khan's promotion is about to enter a new era of prosperity, securing its future.
The future looks good for both. AEW Dynamite is consistently a top-five cable show and the new television deal will push the challenger brand into profitability. WWE, meanwhile, seemingly breaks a new business record each week.
So yes. It is extremely difficult to feel cynical about mainstream wrestling in 2024.
But if anyone can find a way to do so...
10. Shane McMahon In AEW
Shane McMahon to AEW isn't an entirely horrible idea. If he were to come in for a cup of coffee, take a completely insane bump for somebody half his age, putting that talent over before immediately disappearing again, it'd work. The guy is entertaining. Never has there been a rich nepo baby who takes such physical risks inside the ring and out and there isn't a funnier botcher in the sport. WrestleMania 39 king of ruled.
Nothing more than a short trainwreck run should be considered.
We're doomed if Shane and Tony Khan discussed more substantial plans during the infamous meeting. Shane is antithetical to what AEW should be. Yes, the idea of a McMahon appearing for WWE's direct competition sounds like a fun idea, but the reality would likely be another Sports Entertainment-heavy story that pulls AEW further and further from its original sports-centric blueprint.
The idea that Shane would "help" AEW behind the scenes is laughable, too. This is a man fired by his own father after the 2022 Royal Rumble, having wanted to book much of WWE's signature around himself, sparking a clash with Brock Lesnar, of all people. But while most of his ideas were rejected, Shane, as lead producer, still booked himself to go strike-for-strike with Matt Riddle, a former UFC fighter. He is a 54-year-old billionaire's son who thinks he's Superman. What smart, logical ideas can he possibly bring to AEW's table?