10 Ups & 10 Downs For AEW In 2019

Downs…

10. Lacklustre Entrance Music

While AEW’s entrance music situation isn’t as dire as harsher critics may profess (Kenny Omega, Cody, Hangman Page, Chris Jericho, and more all sport slick, professional-sounding joints), many of AEW’s stars walk out to lacklustre tracks.

Pride & Powerful’s music is too light and bouncy to fit a grimy heel tandem. The Lucha Brothers’ unimaginative trap farts around the dopy, dopy “Lucha Brothers, MexiKings / Cero Miedo, meet us in the ring” refrain. Jimmy Havoc’s track is a Jimmy Hart version of AFI’s “I Hope You Suffer” lacking in the original’s venom. Hybrid 2’s electronic beats sound like they were downloaded from a free production music website, as does Britt Baker’s synth-led butt rock. Brandon Cutler’s is way too imposing for someone whose appeal is that he’s an overmatched, unthreatening everyman who digs Dungeons and Dragons. The list goes on.

Entrance music is one of the most important parts of a wrestler’s presentation so while AEW’s isn’t as dire as it’s often made out to be, it’s a definite area for improvement. WWE remain the market leaders in this department. It’s up to AEW to catch up.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.