10 Ways AEW Is Better Than WWE
6. Stylistic Range
The "WWE style" is less broad than it is often stigmatised to be - Chad Gable's sublime technical work, albeit in short bursts, is just as accomplished as the more fashionable workers in his field - but there is nonetheless a patterned and homogenised quality to the vast majority of WWE's in-ring output. The mid rhythm is often identical, the structure basic and repetitive. WWE doesn't embrace different genres.
They do bloody love a trope, mind.
AEW is literally impossible to dislike because it is a hub for every genre. As it has been since 1997, the wrestling fandom is split between the divergent philosophies of Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. Between CM Punk, FTR and Adam Cole, the legacy of each man is curated in the promotion. Years later, it was split between the Revival's pulsating southern tag update and the twist-heavy acrobatic exhilaration festival perfected by the Young Bucks. Both acts are featured stars in AEW, and they worked an incredible main event less than a month ago.
Bryan Danielson works a technical style made gruesome through his mastery of pure wrestling violence. Fénix has redefined the limits of traditional lucha's mind-blowing balletic grace. Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston aren't just brawlers as defined by the style; they make every second of their performances feel like they aren't performances at all, but fights. MJF works a timeless North American every-move-matters style. Rival Wardlow brings the irresistible primal energy of a power-based meathead sh*t-kicker. When the occasion calls for it, and the imported talent is available, undiluted death match and strong style is presented. On cable television.
If you like WWE, it's just as well. It's mostly all they do.
If you like WWE, Wardlow is the best WWE guy to have emerged in years.