8 Things That Could Trigger AEW’s Downfall

8. Growing Pains

A new report from The Flagship Wrestling Podcast suggests that current contract rebel MJF isn't the only frustrated person in the AEW locker room.

"Every single one of us is pulling our hair out," a source commented. Another painted a "chaotic" backstage picture of AEW, which apparently suffers from a lack of structure. Match outcomes and angles not being communicated until the last minute and redundant finishes are reportedly chief amongst concerns that have left multiple wrestlers feeling "very frustrated."

Such problems are typical of young start-up companies. Fast growth means increased stresses and demands on operational staff and executives. With an expanding personnel pool, more output to produce, and the associated challenges that come with these situations, companies frequently find that the systems established earlier on, when they were smaller, are no longer fit for purpose.

This sounds like the case with AEW. Now boasting a roster of over 100 wrestlers, all of whom have unique needs and wants that need to be satisfied, and with three hours of weekly cable television, an impending ROH relaunch, and working relationships with multiple promotions to balance, it appears AEW's current support systems are buckling. The promotion's circumstances have changed - now, too, must the way it runs.