The Problem With AEW That Nobody Wants To Talk About

AEW's approach has illuminated to western fans the formulaic quality of New Japan Pro Wrestling's booking. The promotion has withered in relevance as a result. In NJPW, it's become apparent and predictable that Wrestler X beats Wrestler Y in a big match, Wrestler Y wins bigger match subsequently, and Wrestler X then challenges Wrestler Y with the previous victory hanging over their head. The combinations have become worn and uninspiring in contrast, even if the match quality remains exceptional.

AEW's stable-heavy approach works long-term, and people, funnily enough, have the capacity to remember the preceding two hours of their lives.

There are other, actual problems, none of which are institutional nor irreversible. AEW has long desensitised its fanbase to the visual peril of bloodshed. You'll never feel, at this rate, the same anxious sensation that you did watching Dustin Rhodes leak pints of blood at the inaugural Double Or Nothing. The winning thread of emerging upstart narrowly losing a big match is fraying somewhat, since there's so little space in which to ascend now. Jungle Boy's fans, for example, may have expected him to reach another level at this point. Allocation of TV time isn't ideal in 2021, a tremendous run of Dynamites notwithstanding. Ricky Starks and MJF haven't wrestled anywhere near enough given their drawing power and entertainment value, where others have dominated screens without proving themselves capable of being truly Elite nor undeniable.

And yes, this has much to do with the bloated roster, the management of which has caused the odd lapse in continuity.

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