5 Ways AEW Is More Effective With Their Roster Than WWE
2. Unscripted Promos
Take a minute to reflect on the promos that wrestling fans have been spoiled with since AEW Dynamite kicked off last October: Chris Jericho's introduction of The Inner Circle, Cody's babyface masterpiece in the build up to his title fight at Full Gear, Jericho telling Marko Stunt he is short for any age, anything MJF has touched, and, did I mention, Chris Jericho?
Following Jon Moxley's blistering interview on Talk Is Jericho this past May, it became evident that WWE wrestlers have little to no input in their promos. Frankly, scripting is evident by simply watching WWE promos; from Ricochet's desire to prove superheroes exist, to Braun Strowman's nonsensical inclusion of "get these hands" in every other sentence, it is incredibly difficult to suspend your disbelief and buy into a wrestler's motivations.
In contrast, the freedom AEW has given its performers has been a breath of fresh air. It is easy to believe what a wrestler is saying when they are using their own words and developing their own character. It is easy to believe the level of disdain Le Champion has for the rest of the locker-room. The ire and hatred was palpable in every segment during the Moxley-Omega feud. Need I mention the very real tears shed by both the wrestlers and audience in the aftermath of Cody vs. Dustin, at Double Or Nothing?
Unscripted promos have been the catalyst for bringing believable wrestling characters back to television for the first time in a while.