AEW Talent Frustrated By Last-Minute Creative CHAOS - Jerry Lynn Responds

New report paints less-than-ideal image of AEW's creative process in 2023.

Tony Khan
AEW

AEW's creative process has slowed down to the extent that some wrestlers aren't informed of plans until the day of certain shows, reports Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio.

Company creative is now "... being decided at much later periods than previous," says Meltzer, adding that plans are being communicated and decisions are being made later than before. Sometimes, personnel will make it to show day without knowing what they'll be doing on the broadcast.

Meltzer drew a line between modern-day AEW and the WWE of a few years ago, calling the situation "very frustrating for talent."

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While some wrestlers are allowed input into their creative output, they aren't being given long-term direction. This means that talents can come up with ideas, though the lack of long-term direction means they are doing so week-to-week, not knowing where the "ultimate thing" is headed.

This, according to Meltzer, is why AEW's shows often feel chaotic.

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Responding to a WrestlePurists aggregation on X, AEW coach and producer Jerry Lynn addressed the story. He stated that Khan is trying to keep plans confidential due to wrestlers and other personnel leaking information to the media, damaging the AEW product:

Because wrestlers and God knows who else have and continue to leak info to the sheets, podcasts, etc. So Tony tries to keep things confidential. You wouldn’t want to know everything before you see a movie. Anyone who leaks info is doing damage to the product and the industry.

Lynn then clarified, in a couple of replies, that his movie line was related to fans not knowing plans in advance, not actors.

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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.