AEW's Secret Weapon (You Won't Want To Watch)

Gunn Club
AEW

Should Dark itself feature more name acts in competition to renew interest in it? As funny as Taz is on commentary, the show could use an injection of star-power and stakes. If Jurassic Express Vs. Gunn Club is promoted on YouTube, the TV feels more like TV, and YouTube feels less like YouTube.

Or, Tony Khan could start beating more name acts. The peak towards a pay-per-view is often seminal pro wrestling television. The transitional periods however increasingly feel like AEW is losing momentum more than it is building anticipation. The aggressive recruitment drive has resulted in too many stars and too few meaningful jobs. The question becomes: is it better to put over a team like the Gunn Club, or job out a team like FTR?

Before it all went t*ts up, Gedo struck an ideal balance when NJPW was at its peak, and he had fewer hands to play with. Of course, the other extreme is WWE: a promotion in which so many all-star matches happen all of the time that, in the end, barely anybody shines. But just look at that roster page. Think of the matches AEW hasn't promoted. After well over two years, we've probably fantasised about more dream matches than we've actually seen. Is...is that the right way 'round?

This is the long-term booking promotion, but not everything is Kenny Omega Vs. Hangman Page.

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick (Creative Writing BA Hons) is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over a decade of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential UK institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!