10 Ways AEW Is Better Than WWE

Look at that title.

Since the comment section is always going to be horrendous regardless of a single word that follows, it was actually tempting to "choose violence" and include "Hype Videos" as an entry, since WWE is still perceived as the market leader in that department.

And not for "biased" or trolling reasons, either: the Dark Order video package that preceded their entrance for the shocking 10-man tag opposite the Elite at Fight For The Fallen 2021 was a stirring masterclass. Backed by an acoustic, western-influenced rendition of Hangman Page's theme, the movie-style narrator asked the audience "What does it take to be a cowboy?"

Spliced with footage of the Dark Order helping their friend, a short, goosebumps-raising story was told of Page's fall and his eventual rise assisted by his dorky, endearing support network. That the Order stuck with him after the surprise gut-punch of a loss only adds to the heft in retrospect.

But really, AEW tends not to do too many hype packages; this is WWE's domain, and they are tremendous at it. Miraculous even. If you watched WrestleMania 38 having failed to keep up with the TV, you'd think the product was red-hot.

Although, it's not the most optimal thing to be the best at, is it? WWE's video editors are acclaimed for their ability to polish a turd.

It's probably more effective to be better at...

Becky Lynch Vs. Bianca Belair at WrestleMania was a classic, but just because certain former WWE creative writers stuck up for their peers after the wrestlers did the good bit, it doesn't mean their rivalry was some incredible long-term storyline. The big angle ahead of the climactic show-down saw Bianca give Becky a rather stylish haircut.

AEW isn't perfect at storytelling - too often, the long-term philosophy is applied in places it really doesn't belong - but at its best, the promotion is incomparable at building conflict. MJF reaching new depths of manipulative sociopathy to constantly intensify his heat; CM Punk slowly rediscovering "who the f*ck he is" by first laughing MJF off as the new Miz before leaving something far more evil cowering in a pool of blood; Tony Khan sensing, through the Punk Vs. Eddie Kingston feud, that the most realistic and most relatable conflicts are incredibly petty: by allowing his performers to express themselves, there's an emotional core to most everything, whether it's a 15 year-old offhand remark or a bold exploration of mental health.

Even when it's basic, it's still fantastic. Hangman Page is the defending World Champion wrestling with more confidence than ever, and he'll need it, because he is about to face CM Punk: returning wrestling genius in the form of his life. That is as sports-oriented as it gets; the height of competition.

Meanwhile, on the other channel, WWE shoots angles for the next pay-per-view headline act before realising that, actually, they think Shinsuke Nakamura is a better lumberjack than a star. That's because they are hopeless at building them.

Unlike...