How AEW Just Taught WWE How To Build A Star

Jake Roberts
AEW

Say it's the best at the start of the broadcast - "The World Wrestling Federation, for over 50 years, the revolutionary force in sports entertainment..." - and then allow the talent to prove it's the best. The talent should be concerned with how they are going to alter the face of the company, not what the benevolent, all-knowing company can do for them. Can you imagine the Rock putting over his time with Dr. Tom Prichard in 1997?

The WWE system has Michael Jordan glorify Jerry Krause. Who drew the fans? Who won the championships?

Lance Archer's arrival in All Elite Wrestling was foretold, ominously, by Jake Roberts on the March 4, 2020 Dynamite.

Before the genius inspiration of the pairing is explored, consider the method by which Archer was introduced. Roberts interrupted Cody's promo. The arena was bathed in a green light, instantly setting him apart as a unique and special presence. "I'm not here to praise you; I'm here to slay you," Roberts said. "The only reason I'm here, is I have a client. The dark side will be coming to AEW, and once our roots have taken hold, it'll be like a phoenix rising from the ashes."

This was a phenomenal, sinister promo delivered by an old master, the mystical quality of which threatened the arrival of an urban legend. The monster was scary before you even saw him. There's a reason they drag out the first kill in a horror movie; the feeling is more powerful than the action. That's wrestling and indeed fiction, distilled.

CONT'D...(3 of 6)

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Contributor
Contributor

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 current 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!