Will AEW Match WWE's Pro Wrestling Dominance?

For now, the answer seems to be no. WWE remains the titan in the wrestling industry, a beloved staple with a massive following. However, the tragic renaissance of AEW, though promising, still has a long way to go.

AEW: Another Fading Appeal

AEW (All Elite Wrestling) is often seen as another iteration of TNA (Total Nonstop Action), each presenting itself as a flashy, new crop in the wrestling world. But according to Britt Baker, it's a pattern they've seen before:

We have seen them come, and we have certainly seen them disappear.

The gap between AEW and WWE in terms of viewership and talent pool is stark. Despite claiming to compete with WWE, AEW's biggest triumphs come at the expense of NXT, the developmental brand of WWE. While AEW may be succeeding in poaching top talent, the cost is high both financially and in terms of viewer engagement.

ALEC vs NXT: A False Victory?

The claim that AEW beats NXT is perhaps a misnomer. AEW's victories come at a much higher cost. For instance, Jericho Christian, Omega Bryan, Adam Page, and Bucks Punk, among others, left NXT to join AEW. Their salaries in AEW are in the millions, which contrasts sharply with the under 300k salary for the best talent in NXT.

If AEW were to challenge SmackDown on Fridays, they'd likely find it difficult to negotiate deals with major networks due to the disparity in viewership. With 4 times more viewers watching WWE, a clash with SmackDown would be a 6:1 viewership ratio, making it financially daunting.

Tony Khan's Chaotic Booking

One of AEW's biggest challenges lies in its booking. Tony Khan's approach to event planning is often described as chaotic, inconsistent, and nonsensical. Take the recent PAC vs Trent Beretta match: PAC defended his All Atlantic Championship, despite recently defending his Trios titles. This inconsistency and lack of coherent storylines contribute to a disjointed viewing experience for fans.

Two Different Worlds: WWE and AEW

When it comes to fan demographics, WWE and AEW cater to different audiences. WWE represents a brand of sports entertainment, while AEW focuses on pro wrestling as a legitimate sport. The underlying differences are critical:

WWE is primarily a brand, not a wrestler. Fans pay to see the WWE brand, featuring famous figures like John Cena, Hulk Hogan, and Brock Lesnar, rather than a single wrestler. It operates more like a circus, where the emphasis is on the overall spectacle rather than the individual talent. AEW targets a more discerning audience, focusing on delivering high-quality pro wrestling. They want their audience to be involved, like cheering for favorites and booing adversaries, much like a real sports match.

The Hearts of the Fans

Evaluate your preference based on these differences, as both WWE and AEW are valuable experiences in the world of pro wrestling. Whether you prefer the grander spectacles of WWE or the more authentic, high-stakes atmosphere of AEW, both have their unique charms. The key is to understand what resonates with your personal taste in pro wrestling.

All in all, AEW is pro wrestling, and WWE is sports entertainment. Both have their place in the wrestling universe, each catering to different audiences. Enjoy your wrestling experience the way you like it best.