The One Thing AEW MUST Do At Full Gear 2020

The next step in one man's star creation process.

Cody AEW
AEW

Star creation is a complex, misunderstood process that the more tribal sects of modern wrestling fandom rarely discuss with an appropriate level of nuance, leading to false conclusions on how this actually works.

AEW strapping the likes of Jon Moxley and Chris Jericho (established wrestlers who'd already built their reputations elsewhere) does not make the promotion TNA Light. Similarly, Cody Rhodes is not a modern-day Jeff Jarrett because he has a 27-7-2 record, headlines shows, and holds the TNT Championship. These assertions are usually thrown around in bad faith. They are inherently illogical, as AEW has never rocket-strapped an Orlando Jordan or Test (imagine a monster Rowan push on Dynamite this summer) and Jarrett never had Cody's popularity, drawing power, or crowd connection at any point in his long career.

Moxley, Jericho, and Cody are in these positions because for now, they pull the biggest numbers, draw the biggest pops, and attract the most interest. Not featuring them in spotlights appropriate to their star power would be the opposite of how to book a successful wrestling promotion.

The next step is using these readymade stars and their popularity to groom the generation who will hopefully usurp them someday. This is a long, drawn-out process requiring thoughtfulness, attention to detail, and the ability to read what is and isn't resonating with the audience. Typically, it takes years. MJF did not automatically become a star on Cody's level by besting him at Revolution. That result was a great leap forward, and 'The Salt Of The Earth' is a bigger name today than he was even a month ago, but Revolution was just one step along the road to S-tier status.

Heading into Full Gear 2020, MJF is one of several young talents ready to take the next step.

CONT'd...

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.