14 Ups & 4 Downs For AEW In 2020

2. Defeating WWE RAW In 18-49 WITH Competition

Kenny Omega Face
AEW

This incredible victory - the December 9 Dynamite (with competition) defeated the December 14 WWE RAW in 18-49 across all three hours - was the culmination of everything. AEW promised a revolution. They promised to be a pro wrestling company ran by pro wrestlers that serves the pro wrestling fan.

And they did it. They defeated the flagship and were #1 on cable because they did the work.

They recognised WWE's bizarre persistence with the scripted promo model and put a live mic in the hands of expert promos, so many of whom sold the big fight with their own words and personalities.

They recognised WWE's regulated approach to match layouts and encouraged the roster to go ham and express themselves. There's no house show loop demanding too much of their bodies, nor is there one old man with a chinlock fetish controlling everybody like puppets.

They recognised WWE's hideous lack of continuity and immersion and didn't put some authority figure all over the show to discipline the children by making them carry out their job role.

They didn't f*ck you in the ear with mid-to-late 20th century DQ carny bullsh*t because you are intelligent and everything has to mean something.

AEW set the standard in 2020. This was reflected in the late, and improbable, paradigm shift.

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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!