How The Oldest Wrestling Lie JUST Got Exposed

AEW operates under a strict no-disqualification finish policy.

This is wrestling. Obviously, the heel will at times play the heel, but only the referees are cheated; not the fans. This creates a sense of trust and immersion - he's not doing sh*t to trick you into watching next week, like you're a mark, he does it to persuade you - while also creating, quite literally, a tier of talent. A win is framed as a star-making moment, and is rewarded. Of equal importance is the loss; there's a gravity to defeat that has informed the drive of a Cody, or the kindred relationship shared by Kenny Omega and Hangman Page. Wins and losses matter, and because they matter, the big wins matter and the top guys feel like top guys. This clean wins-only policy is inspired by the critically adored All Japan Pro Wrestling product of the 1990s.

There's a clear and sorely welcome southern territory flavour to his episodic story building, the beats of (and angles in) which are indebted to peak Mid-South wrestling. The Inner Circle Vs. The Elite programme was a tremendous modern update on the stable-based narratives innovated in Memphis and popularised - perfected - in Jim Crockett Promotions. The ominous, mystical warnings delivered to SCU and Cody, and the destructive arrivals of Lance Archer and Brodie Lee, were based on Dusty Rhodes' old genius in Florida. He created a sense of fear, of grim inevitability, before showing you the monster.

Khan isn't afraid of blood and guts, and the loose rule enforcement at times is reminiscent of ECW - but he takes both the shortcuts and the patient, winding roads most difficult to navigate and stay on the map.

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