14 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (16 Oct)

9. They Fixed The Music!

AEW Stage
AEW

One of the most common AEW production complaints thus far relates to their audio mixing; specifically, how they handle entrance music for TV viewers.

Rather than plugging themes straight through the audio board a la WWE, AEW usually give us the arena mics. This creates situations where some themes are barely audible over the announcers and crowd noise. It's a different approach likely designed to mirror the live experience at home, though many (this writer included) would prefer more of a balance. What value does Jon Moxley's amped-up banger of a track have when you can only hear the drums, after all?

Things were a lot better on last night's Dynamite. While the music wasn't as clear as it'd be on Raw or SmackDown, it was a lot louder in the mix, with none of the arena's ambience lost on the process. This might be the sweet spot for AEW, whose crowds are hotter than WWE's and therefore don't need loud entrance music to mask the lack of noise.

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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.