AEW Vs. WWE: Head To Head
5. Storytelling
On last night’s WWE RAW, The Miz and Dolph Ziggler accurately pointed out one another’s flaws.
The segment epitomised everything wrong with WWE’s storytelling mechanisms. The mudslinging was typical of the sitcom zinger approach, which betrays the very idea of promoting acts within a wrestling promotion, and the segment brought into focus just how disposable everything is. The Miz was a featured player at WrestleMania 35; Dolph Ziggler just wrestled two consecutive PPV World Title matches. And there they were, two struggling midcard acts with little value, dragging each other down in a tired trope of a segment.
In the meantime, Seth Rollins sidestepped the automatic rematch clause—which is still in effect, in that WWE defaults to it via a number one contender’s bout—in an ‘All Star’ match that also involved Bobby Lashley. Lashley, in the span of 24 hours, evolved from destroyed loser to unscathed “champion opportunist”. He wore a bandage, yes, but it was literally dressing. Baron Corbin also lost at Extreme Rules, in a development that hardly mattered. He had the same opportunity to win as his victorious opponent 24 hours earlier.
In AEW, Cody antagonised Shawn Spears into a heinous attack with a throwaway line the former Tye Dillinger interpreted as a gesture of disrespect, setting up a programme rich in backstory. Spears has also drawn the ire of MJF in his (feigned) defence of Cody. This is absorbing, shared universe stuff, in which the characters interact with differing, hidden motives. Cody Vs. Shawn Spears is set for ALL OUT. MJF Vs. Shawn Spears is an anticipated prospect for the imminent TV show. Once MJF’s fiendish motives are established, Shawn Spears & MJF Vs. The Brotherhood is a natural blowoff.
This method of intricate world-building breeds narrative, where WWE ritually retcons it.
SCORECARD: AEW 4-1 WWE