The Secret Reason Why AEW Can Beat WWE
AEW still hasn't exhausted several much-anticipated rematches, much less several prospective PPV-calibre main events. Kenny Omega Vs. Hangman Page II is going to resonate with a grand heft informed by Page's failures and the fleeting, agonising nature of the successes crucial to his remaining a credible threat worthy of your support. Cody Vs. MJF II hasn't happened over a year later, and when it does, Cody is finally going to eat sh*t for telling the Revival to go f*ck themselves all those years ago.
The paths of MJF and Darby haven't yet intertwined because AEW has located a perfect balance between title programmes and grudge feuds by positioning various acts beyond one another in an elegant spiderweb. When an undefeated MJF was chasing the World Title, Allin was working through the last phase of an arc in which he suffered the narrowest of losses. Where he eventually realised the championship glory AEW had in mind for him from day one, MJF, having failed to dethrone Jon Moxley, was in the early stages of forming the Pinnacle in secret. He formed the Pinnacle - because wins and losses matter as much as cause-and-effect character development - knowing that he needed a stable to realise his own aspirations of championship success.
In general, it is staggering how AEW separates its key acts, and all the while, every single Dynamite - and this isn't hyperbole, it's an objective fact - still manages to present several brand new matches every week. AEW is a fusion of slow-burn patience and weekly over-delivery. Fans have waited months and months for AEW to strap up Dr. Britt Baker. It's only happening now after Tony Khan has effectively built a division. In addition to the Hikaru Shida rematch, Kris Statlander and Tay Conti have been positioned as chasers. Riho can challenge for the Women's Title upon her return. Ryo Mizunami was built well enough throughout February's Eliminator tournament that fans would buy the switch. Tony Khan knows what he is doing and when precisely to do it. This approach will win out. With each passing week, the approach itself builds trust in the process.
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