Five reasons why AEW will dominate the wrestling industry
- Frederick Quinn
- Jul 10
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 11
All Elite Wrestling continues its trajectory to become the premier wrestling home for die-hard wrestling fans
All Elite Wrestling, better known as AEW, continues to make significant progress in the world of sports entertainment. Since it started, the company has brought a fresh look and feel to professional wrestling. AEW's debut in 2019 featured a strong mix of industry veterans and up-and-coming talent. Memorable moments such as CM Punk's emotional return to the ring after a seven-year break, the reemergence of Chris Jericho, "Hangman" Adam Page's explosive arrival, and a hard-hitting match between Cody Rhodes and Darby Allin all factor in its success. Six years later, fans are still filing in to enjoy some good 'ol wrasslin'. The company continues to grow and shake up the professional wrestling scene, firing back at rival promotions such as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and TNA Impact. The landscape at AEW continues to evolve, giving hardcore wrestling fans what they want.
Here are five reasons why AEW is steadily climbing to the top of the wrestling industry.
#1 — Riveting Rivalries
One of the most interesting and important aspects of professional wrestling is the feud. The feuds demonstrate just how far wrestlers are willing to go to not only defeat their opponents but also to assert their dominance over them. Historic feuds such as The Rock and Steve Austin fighting to be the face of the company, Bryan Danielson (FKA Daniel Bryan) proving to The Authority that he is a worthy champion, Jeff Jarrett and Kurt Angle going to war over personal affairs, Bret and Owen Hart battling to see just who is the better brother, and The Four Horsewomen vying to put women's wrestling on the map all enticed the audience to become invested. Yes, AEW captivates its audience through its wrestling, but the meaning behind the chaos is something the promotion tackles well. Blockbuster rivalries such as the battle of the real champion between CM Punk and Adam Page, the Toni Storm and Mariah May saga, Swerve Strickland and Adam Page's fight to the death, and Kris Statlander going head-to-head with Mercedes Moné are all special and leave fans wanting more.
#2 — Cross Promotion Battles
Compelling and fresh matchups are everything in this magnificent world of wrestling. Unpredictability and the art of surprise are what pique the intrigue of fans, forcing them to wonder, what's next? Watching the best of the best in one promotion is amazing, but seeing them battle stars of other budding promotions is spectacular. AEW has been no stranger to working with other companies to create magic inside the squared circle. Throughout its tenure, the company aligned with the notable independent wrestling promotion, Ring of Honor, eventually acquiring the promotion. This sparked a new home for ROH talent and an opportunity for exciting matchups, like Athena versus Mercedes Moné or The Briscoes versus FTR. Since then, AEW has opened its locker room to wrestlers from New Japan Pro Wrestling and even the Lucha Libre promotion CMLL.
#3 — Diverse Roster
The roster of wrestlers is just as important as the wrestling. If the fans don't care about the talent, then they won't buy into the product. A promotion chooses very carefully what stars bring the fight and represent the company. All Elite Wrestling capitalizes on enlisting a roster that has a little bit of something for everybody. Whether it is a death-defying champion in Jon Moxley, a swagged-out awesome supervillain in Swerve Strickland, or a beautiful powerhouse in Willow Nightingale. The roster features a diverse array of talent, blending wrestling legends such as Chris Jericho, Dustin Rhodes, and Jeff Jarrett with emerging stars like MJF, Sammy Guevara, and Daniel Garcia.
#4 — Creative Chaos
When wrestlers go toe-to-toe with each other, destruction is sure to follow. The payoff to any bout is when an opponent is left looking up at the lights in defeat. What matters on the road to this payoff is how the matchup is contested: is it a wrestling match or is it a fight?
AEW caters to hardcore fans with quick, gritty non-stop action inside the ropes. Stars like Kenny Omega, Thunder Rosa, and Will Ospreay rock the crowd with high-octane offense while fighters like Mark Briscoe, Lance Archer, and Darby Allin built their name on carnage and chaos. Fans leave the arena wowed after experiencing absolute destruction amidst Exploding Barbed Wire and Texas Death matches. Mirroring that classic anarchy of the original ECW days.
#5 — Scintillating Sports Feel
Big matches, rambunctious crowds, and undeniable energy are the makeup of a wrestling show. Wrestling is a rather unique sport, and every detail, big or small, matters. Lighting, location, and commentary all play a huge role in delivering an entertaining event. However, AEW doesn't just produce wrestling shows instead they host spectacles. Entrances alone move the audience, whether it's the heavy pyro accompanying the Young Bucks, the crowd singing along to Chris Jericho's theme song, Private Party dancing down the aisle, or deafening "We hurt people!" chants as the Hurt Syndicate vow to decimate their opponent. Grand stage events such as Double or Nothing 2019 in Las Vegas, Forbidden Door 2022 in Chicago, and the iconic All In 2023 at Wembley Stadium in England, garnered high praise. These spectacles all have something in common: a big sports feel. The bright lights, the music, the celebrities, and the culture are a part of the AEW formula, and make for an engaging show!
Support Wrestling
While AEW has only been around for 6 years, it continues to elevate year after year. The dedication of the executives and staff, the will of the wrestlers to put their bodies on the line, and the commitment of the fans to support the business doesn't go unnoticed. AEW has the potential to become a leader in the industry. But it's important to remember that wrestling is a great sport; this wave of tribalism kills the business because it takes away from simply enjoying the product. So, watch the company you want, support your favorites, and remain a fan because wrestling is cool!
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