This has been a topic I've been contemplating to write for some time. For the past few years, tribalism has played a major role when it comes to the pro wrestling landscape. The birth of All Elite Wrestling has brought new life in North America that hadn't been felt before since the demise of World Championship Wrestling. While there had been alternative wrestling companies that came (and some that went) since, hardly any of them ever felt as grandiose. From their successful launch campaign in early 2019 to a string of critically acclaimed pay-per-views later that summer, it was around that time when Turner networks would bring professional wrestling back to their stations. On October 2, 2019, AEW premiered its weekly series Dynamite for 2 hours every Wednesday.
Ever since the launching of the company has left a major impact in the wrestling community. It allowed folks to explore other opportunities that did not involve the backing of one wrestling powerhouse company (WWE) to publicly showcase their talent. As a lifelong follower, the product felt very uninspired with its formulaic booking that has agitated their fandom. With the birth of AEW, I would think it would help new generation of wrestling fans experience another major wrestling company in North America the way previous generations (myself included) experienced when WCW was in business. What soon followed resulted in the creation of a new camp in the community that detested the presentation that made AEW stand out from its competition.
AEW's biggest strength was its core emphasis on in-ring action made up of a youthful roster possessing various wrestling styles both technically mat sound mixed with fast paced, high flying acrobatics. While they have had their share of effective storytelling behind the ropes, most of it is told inside the ring where it mattered. On the other station, WWE's presentation comprises of a larger than life atmosphere consisting of competitors expressing themselves through their promos on a grander scale. Its their concrete narrative is what drives their loyal viewers to go out their way to pay a ticket when their favorite wrestlers collide. Although they may have different philosophical approach, at the same time, its the beauty behind having multiple wrestling companies exist at once.
Whenever I go online to find these share of naysayers coming up with misconceptions or blind hate towards something I love, I get peeved. Granted they have their flaws and we are all entitled to our opinions. Most of the algorithm that creeps up on Social Media is filled with hate or what has been referred to as rage-baiting. In recent years, it has reached a fever pitch. The best option I could do would be to either mute them or take a break from the platform to cool down my blood pressure. After all, there is more to life than getting agitated over a hobby.
How did this came to be, you ask? During the All Out 2022 post show, CM Punk delivered a scathing rant on the AEW management, namely the EVPs of Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks. It got completely out of hand that, once he left the scrum, a backstage fight broke out between him alongside Ace Steele and the Elite. This altercation resulted in Punk sustaining a torn bicep which would sideline him over the next nine months. Meanwhile, Omega and the Bucks would be suspended for two months before making their return at Full Gear. Since the incident, the wrestling fandom were divided with each party supporting one over the other. Dirt sheets spewed throughout the community regarding "he said/she said" in the months that followed.
I was torn by the news. As someone who was very supportive of both parties, things started to get shaky behind the scenes of AEW. Whether if it was a lack of effective communication by the HR representatives or how the CEO Tony Khan handled things, it left a dark cloud hanging above the company. It was an unfortunate incident that could have been prevented. Even despite the major hiccup, I've been willing to give the company another chance.
Coincidentally enough, it was around the time in WWE when a major shakeup in management. After Vince McMahon relieved his duties as the chairman due to a series of sexual activities, Triple H took over the mantle as their company's head of creative. The product improved tremendously at the tail end of 2022 going into 2023 and beyond. They began to embrace themselves as a professional wrestling promotion while still maintaining its larger than life presentation that the company had been known for since the 20th century. It was received with much praise that the shift slowly began to turn from AEW to WWE.
In recent years, with the Brawl Out incident coinciding with the firing of CM Punk combined with the roster shakeups and poor ticket sales, AEW has been going through a rebuilding phase. Talent that had been around since its inception has either left the company in giving away to make room for new or established wrestlers from another promotion. The venues have been downsized after struggling to fill in seats due to expensive ticket prices and lack of promotion. There have been a number of attempts at a big angle to turn the tide, namely the takeover arc involving the Elite and (later) the Death Riders; Groups using their authority to discipline talent that have struggled to make any progress in the company. As of the date of this post, the story has been met with universally negative reviews due to its unclear narrative and unremarkable matches from the heel faction.
I'll admit I'm not a huge fan of the direction. I have enjoyed the Blackpool Combat Club since they formed in 2022 with William Regal managing the group. But the recent repackaging of the group just feels as though they have been sucked out of any personality they once had. Each time they come out, the crowd goes awkwardly silent with each passing moment. The initial start of the angle was promising when the BCC turned on Bryan Danielson except for Wheeler Yuta who was torn between the two sides. They could have made a potential star making moment for him, a fan favorite if you will. Eventually, Yuta showed his true colors and betrayed Danielson very similar to Daniel Garcia during his conflict with the Jericho Appreciation Society. Along with Claudio & Pac, the three have been the Trios Champions since All In and have barely defended the belts in any meaningful way. The best case solution to come out of this would be a title change with reigning World Champion Jon Moxley dropping the title to any beloved fan favorite at the moment.
Despite my grievances with the main storyline, not everything is all doom and gloom. I've been digging Ricochet's heel turn thus far and his ongoing feud with former World Champion Swerve Strickland. They should have a star stellar match this coming Wednesday on Dynamite. Kenny Omega made his recent return after fighting through illness and has not lost a step in the ring. Rising talent such as Kyle Fletcher, Ricochet, and Powerhouse Hobbs are being spotlighted while established talent consisting the likes of Will Ospreay, Hangman Adam Page, Toni Storm, Mercedes Mone, the Hurt Syndicate, and more have continued to entertain me as a viewer. Their recent small sized shows have their share of unique venues that make AEW's weekly TV stand out from one another. Also, their vignette promos known to hype up rising wrestlers have gotten me invested in seeing them perform. A prime example would be Bandido's Wild West promo where he was fending off the criminals. Another one that comes to mind is the recent vignette involving the return of Hologram with his mystical powers similar to a superhero character like The Flash. Those are some positive aspects of AEW I can think of in recent memory.
It's not so much the criticism in itself I have a problem with (some have been valid). It's the hyperbole surrounding criticism where I have an issue with. This is a case in which fans exaggerate things to where they believe the company is going out of business or that they've witnessed the worst moment or match they've seen ever.
The negativity is blown out of proportion!
While there is nothing wrong with expressing opinions, some may come across ignorant or just a matter of blind hate. Tribalism runs rampant in every fandom and pro wrestling is no exception. Rage baiting is a common trend on social media. Any topic that spills any sort of bad faith, doom posting, and all things negativity is bound to get massive attention. For instance, if you stumble upon a title of a YouTube video involving a rant, chances are it will receive massive attention. It's an unfortunate side effect that can make an online user feel down or bitter about themselves. The best case scenarios would be to either:
1. Take a step back by logging out of Social Media, turn off your phone or computer, and get some fresh air.
2. Mute or block any trolls in your feed with the click of a button.
3. Unsubscribe to any online users that aren't worth your time as you thought.
Going through these has helped me alleviate stress when it comes to appreciating my areas of interests. If there is an instance that you aren't enjoying what you once loved, find something else that makes you happy. Unless there is an aspect of something you have fondness for despite its detractors, is hate worth the energy? Those are my few cents and I thought I get my points across to the best of my ability. As long as Warner Bros and AEW continues to invest time and money in their product, the company is not going anywhere. Only time will tell the day AEW starts booming again. Anything is possible in the world of wrestling.
JimmytheTVFanatic
