The Secret Genius Behind AEW’s Talent Roster

by Michael Sidgwick
Jungle Boy
Twitter, @boy_myth_legend

Wins and losses will matter within and shape the narrative, but will not adversely impact on the integrity of the characters. This all makes sense, as a long-term promotional strategy and a creative endeavour: a Jungle Boy win over Kenny Omega would not ring true, in 2019. AEW’s talent roster holds the potential to yield coherent, long-term storytelling.

It is a potential Young Lions system of sorts, integrated into the fabric of the TV show to create a tiered, mutually-beneficial system—only, the youth movement of AEW is distinct and full of unique character that, if Double Or Nothing is a reliable indicator, is capable of getting over at the ground level.

What follows isn’t a criticism of WWE, but a direct comparison that strengthens the argument: the greed and spite inherent to the company’s recruitment strategy, in tandem with Vince McMahon’s erratic whims, has resulted in a relentless churn of Championship-calibre characters trading arbitrary wins. It is an all-star league that produces very few stars because stars, by definition, are special—not the norm.

AEW has assembled a talent roster that can absorb losses—and benefit from defeat more than they would in victory. In AEW, wins and losses will matter, in the short-term. In the long-term, tracking the development of those who get over will, ideally, make for a rich and rewarding journey.

AEW has invested in a youth movement—astutely, given the Super ShowDown fallout—the genius of which will compel you to invest in turn.

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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 surefire Undisputed WWE Universal 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!