I really like AEW. It is what obtained me again into skilled wrestling after years of ignoring it.
That stated, I would be mendacity if I did not say I used to be rising uninterested in the model over the previous couple of years or so. I’ve written articles on what I felt was incorrect with AEW, however after latest weeks of being as enthralled with the product as ever, I need to write about the entire issues that I at present assume are superior about AEW!
As a result of truthfully, I am now tremendous again into all of the title belt adjustments, in addition to being all in (You see what I did there?) with regards to the upcoming PPVs. In different phrases, I’m so again into AEW! This is why.
First Off, Bobby Lashley And The Harm Syndicate Is A Massive Deal
, the final time I watched WWE, The Harm Enterprise have been tearing it up. That includes MVP, Shelton Benjamin, Bobby Lashley, and Cedric Alexander, The Harm Enterprise have been one in all my favourite factions again within the ThunderDome days.
After which, they weren’t. Shelton Benjamin was launched from WWE in 2023, and MVP’s and Bobby Lashley’s contracts expired in 2024. Cedric Alexander, however, remains to be with the corporate.
So, when Shelton Benjamin debuted in AEW with MVP in early October, the concept of Bobby Lashley reuniting together with his Harm Enterprise brothers appeared like an inevitability.
And goals turned a actuality when Lashley turned All Elite on the finish of October at Fright Night time Dynamite. When he attacked Swerve Strickland, I knew that the Harm Enterprise was again in… er, enterprise.
However now, they’re the Harm Syndicate. Even so, that is only a totally different identify for the same outfit.
And, I simply love this. I as soon as wrote about one of the best Tag Groups in AEW, and it might be actually cool if Lashley and Benjamin ran roughshod by means of AEW as a duo. They add an entire new electrical energy to AEW that I have never felt in an extended, very long time, and I am unable to wait to see what they’ve in retailer for Full Gear later this month.
Heel Moxley Is The Finest Moxley
Jim Cornette doesn’t like Jon Moxley, however I do. And, whereas I do not assume I would ever actually take into account Moxley a whole face (in the identical vein that I might by no means take into account “Stone Chilly” Steve Austin a whole face), I at all times want Mox when he is a whole heel, like he’s proper now.
Moxley shocked the followers at All Out when he turned on Bryan Danielson, placing a plastic bag over his head, which was a startling scene, to make certain. And now, he is taking the Dying Riders (Previously the Blackpool Fight Membership) to new heights, subtracting Danielson and including in Pac and Marina Shafir to go together with Wheeler Yuta and Claudio Castagnoli.
Which is completely badass. I do know there are individuals on the market who like to match AEW to latter day WCW (I don’t see it, however I do know these individuals exist), however one storyline I sort of do see AEW aping from WCW is the NWO saga, through which mainstay wrestlers attempt to overtake the promotion and reshape it of their picture. The Dying Riders have at all times been doing that, however Danielson as soon as supplied an anchor in that position as he needed to enhance the remainder of the locker room.
Mox, nonetheless, appears to have an agenda to usurp the model as he smells weak spot amongst its ranks. He makes for a very intimidating heel, and will probably be fascinating to see how the Dying Riders will go up in opposition to the likes of different heel factions like The Home of Black, and sure, the Harm Syndicate. Will they align? I don’t know, however I’ll be tuning in week after week to see simply how every thing pans out.
Personal Celebration Successful The Tag Crew Championship Is So Nicely Deserved
I really like the Younger Bucks. That is perhaps a bizarre approach to begin this off, however I discover that they’ve at all times been prepared to place over different wrestlers if it’s what’s finest for the corporate. Previously, we’ve seen some fascinating tag groups get the belts, however I don’t assume I ever thought-about Personal Celebration turning into the Tag Crew Champions.
And, I don’t know why that is, since they’ve at all times put within the work. Isiah Kassidy and Marq Quen have by no means placed on a foul efficiency, they usually’ve at all times been fascinating (and enjoyable!) to observe.
That stated, they’ve additionally form of been jobbers over the course of their careers on this promotion. For instance, when Keith Lee debuted in AEW (The place’s he been, by the way in which? I hope he’s okay), he manhandled Personal Celebration all by himself to be able to instantly put himself over with the gang.
Equally, there have been different examples of Personal Celebration simply being despatched out to be thrown to the wolves. So, it was a really nice shock to observe Personal Celebration not solely be put right into a feud with The Younger Bucks, however to really defeat them.
I used to be completely happy when The Acclaimed (whom everyone loves) turned the Tag Crew Champs, however I am even happier that Personal Celebration lastly will get their likelihood to shine. Identical to the gang chanted for his or her victory, they “deserve it.” Oh, and talking of the crowds…
The Crowds Are As Electrical As Ever
One factor that has sort of gotten me down about AEW is the web.
Sure, I do know, I do know. I ought to simply watch the product and never let naysayers and disbelievers dampen my temper, but it surely’s arduous when individuals publish photos of poorly populated arenas with loads of empty seats.
This has clearly psychologically sapped me of my enthusiasm, because it’s made me assume that AEW is on its final legs. It is simply one of many many the reason why I have been fearful concerning the model.
However truthfully, AEW is ostensibly in a greater place now than I assumed it was in. The promotion lately signed a take care of MAX, they usually do not seem like they’re shuttering their home windows anytime quickly.
That stated, it is the crowds themselves, diminished as they’re, that’s bringing again my hope.
The followers appear as enthusiastic as ever, and regardless that I haven’t been as charged up with the promotion as I as soon as was, the viewers looks like they by no means stopped being charged up. They’re nonetheless respiratory life into the corporate. All you must do is hear.
I Really feel Like AEW Lastly Realized That They Do not Want To Be In Competitors With WWE Anymore, And Are Now Doing Their Personal Factor
Lastly, and it is a large one for me, however I actually really feel like AEW is really coming into its personal. I do know this may sound unusual since AEW remains to be buying former WWE stars, however I don’t know. There’s something very totally different concerning the product now that I simply really feel is palpable.
It is perhaps the plastic bag-over-the-head spot to Bryan Danielson that led me to this conclusion. I lately watched the Vince McMahon documentary on Netflix, and whereas it took me again to recollections of simply how wild WWE as soon as was, I don’t assume there was ever a time the place WWE would have allowed a wrestler to do to Danielson what Moxley did.
Now, would I ever enable my kids to observe AEW? Completely not, as regardless that my youngsters are sensible, I wouldn’t ever need them to get the concept placing a plastic bag over someone’s head is protected in any method in any way. However, if something, it brings me again to the previous ECW days, the place each spot regarded prefer it may finish an individual’s profession (If not their life).
I actually do assume that AEW has lastly determined to shed the concept of being a substitute for WWE, and has as an alternative determined that it doesn’t should compete with their greatest competitor. Their core viewers remains to be right here, they usually seem like they’re sticking round for the long term.
However, what do you assume? Are you continue to into AEW? For extra information on all issues AEW-related, make sure you swing by right here usually.