5 Things AEW Does Better Than NXT (And 5 NXT Does Better Than AEW)

2. The Empty Arena Era

Cody empty arena
AEW

A cluster of wrestlers gathered around ringside makes all the difference in the Empty Arena Era, which could continue for a long, long time as things currently stand.

Placing a group of heels on one side and a similar number of babyface on the other has given AEW's shows life. Sure, nothing can replace the roar of a packed building, but there's a big difference between the average empty arena Dynamite and WWE's deafening silence. Pops, jeers, and calls fill the gaps, easing the viewer through the journey and making this deeply weird period of pro-wrestling feel like less of a drag.

Social distancing concerns are noble but often misplaced. It is disingenuous to declare yourself against wrestlers gathering at ringside but for them competing in the ring, where they come into much closer contact with each other - albeit in smaller numbers. Stand against the gatherings, fine, but make sure you're standing against the sport continuing at the same time - anything else is poor form.

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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.