Why AEW Has Just Pulled Off The Mother Of All Game-Changers

CM Punk John Cena
WWE

Even if they were not going banana at the action, they were polite about it. There was absolutely no sense that they were waiting for some saviour figure in the wings, in contrast to recent protests for Becky Lynch on WWE shows. AEW doesn't necessarily need CM Punk or Daniel Bryan to satisfy their base because the base is incredibly enthusiastic about the existing product. Punk and Bryan are bonuses to a roster that has established itself as a legitimate #1 hit on cable. MJF, Darby Allin, Dr. Britt Baker: all are 'homegrown' AEW acts that have proven themselves capable of drawing quarter hours. Allin has generated three of AEW's best four quarters in 2021. CM Punk and Daniel Bryan aren't desperation signings; they are complement pieces to a puzzle WWE just can't seem to solve, irrespective of how much they counter-programme or how many part-time superstars they exhume.

Moreover, it was thought AEW needed something to pop ticket sales for the ambitious Grand Slam Dynamite at Arthur Ashe stadium. This wasn't the case; without a single match announced, with tickets going on sale weeks before these rumours emerged, a hot product sold a show on the strength of itself with the tacit promise of something big. That at time of writing 15,999 people trust AEW to deliver something big is a robust indicator of the company's brand value. This company is trending upwards.

Just to temper expectations somewhat: neither CM Punk nor Daniel Bryan were consistently strong, needle-moving TV draws when they "enjoyed" their maximum level of exposure. Punk, a massive merch-shifter who performed well on pay-per-view as WWE oversaturated the model, toiled against the imposition of the third RAW hour when it was introduced in 2012. Bryan in 2014 was resisted as the top guy, despite such overwhelming support from live crowds, because ratings actually dwindled on the road to WrestleMania XXX.

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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!