Why AEW Must Take The Nuclear Option
AEW has addressed the mundane feeling that affected far too many editions of the Dynamite flagship throughout 2022, during which patient and slow-burn hovered dangerously close to predictable and inessential. Big, unpredictable matches are promoted more frequently. The live gates are improving. Every week yields a fantastic, red-hot episode. Maybe AEW just needs that one big publicity stunt to draw fans back in.
The thing is: does AEW actually want this? Is it important? Is there any shame in being the number two, particularly when AEW's very appeal is that of a cool, hipster "challenger brand"?
It might be time to reevaluate AEW's success outside of the parameters of "war" and "competition". This is the real crux of the article, since the suggestion, while not as stupid as it may seem, is quite facetious.
AEW doesn't not want to be the #1 wrestling promotion. They've talked bullishly about changing the world, of going to the moon. But what has the company actually done in its recent history to make that happen?
If Tony Khan wants that, truly, he's doing it on his own terms.
The promotion is uncompromising in its vision. If AEW wanted to compete, Tony Khan would have compromised his values a long time ago. He wouldn't book Katsuyori Shibata to work Rampage against Orange Cassidy; he'd have booked a rematch between two name stars. He wouldn't use acts like Shibata or Timothy Thatcher - wrestlers that, yes, hardcore fans revere - at all; he'd stop using one-off imports at not inconsiderable expense and simply use names with which the majority of the audience are familiar. He wouldn't allow Taz and Excalibur to really drill into the strategies employed by various wrestlers; he'd order his commentary team to drive home overarching story beats to placate those who don't get it. He wouldn't allow Kenny Omega to work in the Trios division; he'd work him to the bone in main events.
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