Exposing The Absolute Dumbest Criticism Of AEW

by Michael Sidgwick
Mean Gene Okerlund Bobby Heenan
WWE.com

It's hypocritical or ignorant, depending on the knowledge of those who make it. Hulk Hogan in tandem with Vince McMahon, Jr. made WWE the monolith it exists as today. Vince McMahon did not make Hulk Hogan in a test tube with his semen. Hulk Hogan was a pro wrestling superstar in New Japan Pro Wrestling and the American Wrestling Association before he returned to the WWF. Mean Gene Okerlund was the voice of the WWF boom. He was also recruited from the AWA. Bobby Heenan also made the jump in the same year of 1984.

The AWA provided the star power, voice and wit of the WWF expansion, as the WWF moved away from the working class grit that built it and into a new era of slick glamour.

If there was a Twitter in 1983, some fans might have tweeted something to the effect of 'LOL WWE is just headlined by ex-AWA guys [cry laugh emoji].

It's as sad and as simple - and as easy! - as this: some of you might need to come to terms with the idea that a new pro wrestling company is generally received favourably by critics.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential 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 former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal 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!