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

2. The Grim Protocol Element

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AEW

WWE:

The backstage area very likely belies WWE's surface-safe presentation, but essential staff only seemed right. Mostly - beyond the 205 Live 10-man tag - WWE has opted for a minimal approach, at least in terms of the onscreen presentation. A man of Jerry Lawler's age probably shouldn't be commentating, but really, to the detriment of the show, WWE mostly adhered to guidelines. RAW and SmackDown felt not at all disconcerting, and the decision to reduce Performance Centre traffic by ostensibly cancelling NXT was the correct one.

WWE, at least, won the optics battle.

AEW:

AEW pulled off a masterstroke on Dynamite last night, when they had no right to under the circumstances - but that might be because they actually didn't have any right to. The betting, bantering locker room were essential to the atmosphere - but were they essential in the definition that actually matters? It's one thing for the fit, young athletes to keep a reasonable <10 distance between the face and heel alignments - provided they were tested and volunteered - but the presence of Tully Blanchard and particularly Jake Roberts made for an uneasy sight.

And sound, in the case of Roberts; a man with his voice, and the recreational habits that make it that way, should be in isolation.

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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 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!