What AEW's Second Show MUST Look Like

AEW would do well to take inspiration from a very unlikely source...

FTR Young Bucks
AEW

The deal struck in January, but withheld as a result of the ongoing/never-ending new world, Executive Vice President Cody recently confirmed to TV Insider that the "third hour" of AEW programming will "present itself soon," and that its imminent arrival explains AEW's recent recruitment drive.

AEW's third hour, as a minimum, must barely resemble Dynamite. This is imperative.

Dynamite, and recent trends indicate that viewership may very well follow the discourse one day, has become the most talked-about show of the week. NXT has declined and even before it did, Dynamite was too seismic to discuss within the parameters of a "War" for too long. SmackDown has quietly evolved into an actually worthy show - at points - but it's on the wrong night to light up the Twittersphere. Moreover, it remains a main roster WWE show with an attendant nihilism that renders deep investment all but pointless, to say nothing of the various tropes and scripted creative philosophies that will forever diminish a performer's ability to become a true superstar. These issues are amplified to the point of total parody over on Monday Night RAW which, to be frank but virtually objective, is a f*cking joke.

AEW Dynamite is special. It is appointment, must-see television that means something. Tony Khan in 2020 has perfected a superb blend of build and payoff, contriving to create immense anticipation for the pay-per-view matches and the weekly bouts alike.

Virtually everything you would want in a professional wrestling programme - great action, great promos, great storyline development - is folded into a vibrant and interconnected shared universe that spawns match combinations with breezy, immersive continuity. The range proves divisive, but that's the buffet.

CONT'D...(1 of 6)

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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!