10 Ups & 7 Downs For AEW In 2020 (So Far)

3. A Total Nightmare

Nightmare Collective
AEW

Though much of The Nightmare Collective's run went down in late 2019, that their misgivings bled over into 2020 warrants their inclusion here.

This was easily one of the worst things AEW has done since its inception. Brand Rhodes was rebranded with a theatrical goth-like gimmick out of nowhere, continuing her alliance with a past-her-best Awesome Kong. The duo starred in creepy vignettes too ham-fisted to be taken seriously, claiming locks of hair from unfortunate members of AEW's women's division, before adding Mel and Dr. Luther to the fold, expecting the audience to care about two performers many of them had never seen before without giving any good reason.

A complete disaster, the Collective's every act was panned by fans and critics alike, leading to the stable being ditched without proper explanation a few weeks into the year. Rhodes claimed that she "wasn't feeling it" during an interview on Wrestling Observer Live, though other sources claimed the reinvention was actually her idea.

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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.