The Rise Of Triple H | Wrestling Timelines

February 29, 2020 - Revolution

Hangman Page Kenny Omega the Young Bucks
AEW

Tony Khan’s All Elite Wrestling, after a minor early setback, establishes itself as the number one brand for the hardcore fan.

AEW is handily winning the head-to-head ratings war implemented by Vince McMahon in a bid to thwart the upstart league. NXT was competitive towards the end of 2019, and even won the December 18 battle with a very strong, eventful, feel-good episode - but burned too quickly through the various tricks employed in the short-term.

Big title changes, TakeOver-level TV matches, main roster guest appearances: by February 2020, NXT had shown its hand. Meanwhile, AEW celebrates the success of a patient long-term strategy by presenting the inaugural Revolution pay-per-view: the most well-built major US show in recent memory. MJF feels like the biggest heel in the world; the Elite saga is at its layered, gripping best; Jon Moxley’s rise to Ace status best exemplifies the idea that Vince McMahon has no clue what he’s doing anymore.

AEW renders the small studio NXT show stilted and formal in contrast. The existence of real competition highlights that NXT is a lot closer to the synthetic main roster approach that many fans were once prepared to admit. AEW boasts real creative flair, thousands of white-hot fans, and crazed concession stand brawls.

AEW brings back the true essence of real pro wrestling. The angles are electrifying, the promos more authentic, the range of action more eclectic.

Paul Levesque’s vision feels increasingly antiquated.

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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!