10 Ups & 10 Downs For AEW In 2019

2. Changing The Universe?

AEW Double Or Nothing
All Elite Wrestling

The Jacksonville press conference promised much and while AEW has largely succeeded in delivering a televised product in-line with what was stated, you can’t “change the universe” with a good wrestling show alone.

“Changing the universe” suggests something bigger than wrestling. It suggests more than great matches and logical week-by-week storytelling. It means more than pushing the envelope between the ropes, and more than huge, crowd-popping angles.

It means things like employee healthcare, bigger paycheques in an underpaid industry, and a clearly-defined, transparent concussion protocol. We’re still waiting for AEW to unevil such things.

Granted, AEW was never going to come through and completely reconfigure pro-wrestling in a single year and they’ve absolutely changed the game by bringing competition back to the American market. They never promised healthcare, either. It’s important to point that out.

But you can’t “change the universe” without actually changing the universe.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.