WWE Vs. AEW: How Do The Empty Arena Shows Compare?

6. Angles

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This is where sh*t gets weird across both shows.

WWE:

WWE tried to build the AJ Styles Vs. Undertaker feud via contract signing, thus totally no-selling reality in order to meet a mandated trope criteria, which is the only explanation. This new reality requires a certain creativity to render everything less farcical. It's daft enough that supernatural acts can control lighting systems in arenas, but gyms? Oh Christ. You could hear 'Taker creak as he did his old parlour trick, you could hear the stage hand confirm everything was in place, you could see the sausage getting made. It's like watching that leaked footage of the NXT UK rehearsals, only there are stars on your screen. Not that they appear much like stars in this lazy context that steadfastly and weirdly refuses to acknowledge itself.

AEW:

The Exalted One reveal got over online in no small part as a result of the interest factor and the stirring idea that we might yet see the best of Brodie Lee. They tried, which was refreshing, but this looked weird. Brodie's vignette promo was excellent, his gear awful, the in-ring reveal transparently theatrical (and telegraphed by production) - this was a noble, uneven effort hauled over the line by the spirit of the moment.

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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!