10 Ways AEW Is Better Than WWE

8. Promos

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AEW

Cody Rhodes cuts distinctly Code Rhodes promos in WWE. Kevin Owens is clearly afforded latitude to play a Seinfeldian hothead prone to funny fits of rage. Roman Reigns does what he wants at this point, and his range is outstanding; menace, faux-flexing, defensive rage...

Everybody else is made to say sh*t like "ocean of inexperience", "mountain of omnipotence" and "clay of acceptance" because apparently, WWE recruits its writing staff from sixth form English. It is total nonsense that thinks itself profound and clever.

In AEW, the wrestlers are given free rein, and the best promos use it not to merely get over, but to establish legacy runs and sell pay-per-views - a revenue stream thought dead in 2014.

Eddie Kingston is a super aggressive, intense, yet vulnerable poet who makes it all feel real. MJF is his Black Lodge doppelgänger; a performative d*ckhead capable of generating earnest heat from a numbed audience with his callous insults and smug disposition. Jon Moxley is the best action movie screenwriter Hollywood is too dumb and ignorant to call. CM Punk is received as something between a hero and cult leader. Chris Jericho plays a jackass to perfection. He's very funny but also has the sense to deliver enough sh*tty, cringe material on purpose to stay heel.

But none of these men list their accomplishments like a live reading of their Wiki page, so how do we know they're good?

 
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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!