AEW feels like it's getting back to itself

[Chiral]

It really hit me tonight that AEW already feels like it's becoming closer to how it used to be. While it obviously isn't going back to 2019 style completely, I feel like we're back to the style and heart of the early days, with big characters, interpersonal drama, a smorgasbord of match styles, and lots of fun silliness.

For a lot of reasons I think 2022 is the year where AEW drifted away from their own style. Getting bigger, picking up names from the big release spree, acquiring ROH, injuries, Punk drama, etc. Obviously it wasn't all from things they could control, but I think picking up maybe too many of the released talent at once, the ROH acquisition, and a more Punk focused product overall are the big factors they chose that left AEW feeling kinda off for a long while there. 2022 just felt different, like a more serious business kind of show overall. In hindsight, pretty much all of 2022, the later Codyverse, and Punk's run are sagas in AEW that have me looking back and analyzing in a fascinated "how did things go like this" kind of way.

I think it's been trending back to a more "normal" AEW for a bit with stuff like the Cole/MJF storyline, but with Punk leaving it really feels like a weight was totally lifted of the roster and they've slammed the pedal on getting AEW back to more of its own style.

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

It's been refreshing, and is likely to only continue feeling this way as time goes on and we distance ourselves from well... the anchor that seemed to be holding the company down for the last year

[kingoftheindies]

Like I mentioned in a couple other threads. While AEW has been pretty consistently good since Revolution (a few missteps here and there) the last couple weeks without Punk has made ya realize that many likely have a weight off their shoulders right now.

I think AEW had some things they had to do to grow. Presentation being one and honestly it did grow. But I think between injuries, Tony Khan just stalling on storylines, the backstage drama, and some angles just not clicking for various reasons it felt like AEW had gotten stale in a lot of ways. And admittedly some of this is also looking back and just realizing some things seemed to lack energy.

Some of it is absolutely because Punk is gone, but I think Tony adding a proper support system both with people in the front office and with producers is starting to pay dividends

[Some Guy]

It feels like there's some sort of hybrid 2019 AEW/2023 AEW at this point and it's definitely better to a degree than it was for a lot of this year, at least in terms of just pure repetitive and meandering stuff. I still don't really think AEW is ever going to reach it's Summer 2021-early 2022 apex though, because even when it's good now (which it mostly still is) it isn't the same in terms of constant crowd reactions, actually making Rampage count every week, and using the talents to the best of their abilities.

[clifford]

Said this in the Dynamite rating thread but will reiterate it here.

I can't remember a time watching AEW where so much interested me. There's SO many feuds going on right now that I'm invested in.

Amid all the Punk and ratings/demo discourse in regards to Collision, people are overlooking it's greatest positive in that its given AEW two extra hours of tv a week and everything now seems like it has room to BREATHE.

We're not constantly whiplashing from moment to moment, squeezing in as much as possible, and more people are getting a chance to shine- we don't have people dissappearing for months at a time, and lately it feels that when someone is gaining momentum, they actually get focused on. Rampage has improved too because its no longer the 'and here's everything we couldn't fit on Dynamite' show.

It's promising for sure, I'm really enjoying their output at the moment.

[LiamMcDuggle]

Their TV storylines still are not drawing that well.

The Elite/Hangman implosion was great long term story telling, but since then, it just seems rather aimless. MJF/Cole story has been good, but friendships don't typically draw a lot.

[Kalmia]

It does feel like AEW is going through a period of renewal. Many of the standout characters are new and do feel more like AEW of old.

I don't think the on screen product is anywhere near the level of AEW at its best, but after several months of just plugging along, I have more hope it'll get there again.

As always, Khan needs to cool it with the tournaments and eliminators though. They need to be used more sparingly.

[Chiral]

Sept 14, 2023 13:03:56 GMT -5 LiamMcDuggle said:

Their TV storylines still are not drawing that well.

The Elite/Hangman implosion was great long term story telling, but since then, it just seems rather aimless. MJF/Cole story has been good, but friendships don't typically draw a lot.

I'm personally just talking about enjoying the onscreen stuff not any business-y business.

(Also I'm pretty sure there are plenty of friendship angles that drew a lot?)

[LiamMcDuggle]

Sept 14, 2023 13:22:42 GMT -5 Chiral said:

Sept 14, 2023 13:03:56 GMT -5 LiamMcDuggle said:

Their TV storylines still are not drawing that well.

The Elite/Hangman implosion was great long term story telling, but since then, it just seems rather aimless. MJF/Cole story has been good, but friendships don't typically draw a lot.

I'm personally just talking about enjoying the onscreen stuff not any business-y business.

(Also I'm pretty sure there are plenty of friendship angles that drew a lot?)

Their attendance is down 30% from a year ago. They are set to get their smallest TV crowd yet this week

[06vwgti]

Sept 14, 2023 15:42:34 GMT -5 LiamMcDuggle said:

Sept 14, 2023 13:22:42 GMT -5 Chiral said:

I'm personally just talking about enjoying the onscreen stuff not any business-y business.

(Also I'm pretty sure there are plenty of friendship angles that drew a lot?)

Their attendance is down 30% from a year ago. They are set to get their smallest TV crowd yet this week

Ok? But the post wasn't about the business side of things which this thread didn't seem to be about.

Either way even if the numbers are down I'm also enjoying what I see more on TV. And other posters feel similar

[Cyno]

Sept 14, 2023 13:03:56 GMT -5 LiamMcDuggle said:

Their TV storylines still are not drawing that well.

The Elite/Hangman implosion was great long term story telling, but since then, it just seems rather aimless. MJF/Cole story has been good, but friendships don't typically draw a lot.

I don't usually put much stock into what quarter hours do what, but the qh's with MJF/Cole segments consistently do some of the highest numbers in both 18-49 and P2+ viewership.

[discoelysium]

Last two weeks have been so much better. There's a sense of direction and a bit of a reset that's been lack for a while.

Theres plenty that still need improving (Jericho, over reliance on tourneys and open challenges etc etc). But the MJF/cole/Joe/Strong stuff since all out has been great, an actual potential fire feud with Page/Swerve. There's movement forward after a few months of feeling stagnant.

[HMARK Center]

Sept 14, 2023 15:47:23 GMT -5 06vwgti said:

Sept 14, 2023 15:42:34 GMT -5 LiamMcDuggle said:

Their attendance is down 30% from a year ago. They are set to get their smallest TV crowd yet this week

Ok? But the post wasn't about the business side of things which this thread didn't seem to be about.

Either way even if the numbers are down I'm also enjoying what I see more on TV. And other posters feel similar

Plus, stuff like that is often a pretty lagging indicator; show quality dips and rises, but ticket sales or even just general TV viewing patterns move at a different pace. You'll get some people popping back up over time because they hear good word of mouth, some new fans sometimes, whatever the combination is, but you're not likely to see consistent big time falls or jumps in numbers like that until after a little while and some consistency in either direction.

[Bo Rida]

It felt like they were in a permanent holding position for a long time. Moving things into place for something that never came.

Certainly feels like they're back to advancing storylines and characters again.

[chazraps]

Nature is healing.

[Cyno]

It does feel like without the Punk-shaped elephant in the room, the company as a whole can finally move on instead of being in booking limbo awaiting his return.

[Dub H]

Yeh even ignoring the Punk situation, AEW has been more consistent, has been focusing more on the talent that helped create AEW while building into the future. And trying to make character-developing storylines.

[kingoftheindies]

Sept 14, 2023 16:18:29 GMT -5 HMARK Center said:

Sept 14, 2023 15:47:23 GMT -5 06vwgti said:

Ok? But the post wasn't about the business side of things which this thread didn't seem to be about.

Either way even if the numbers are down I'm also enjoying what I see more on TV. And other posters feel similar

Plus, stuff like that is often a pretty lagging indicator; show quality dips and rises, but ticket sales or even just general TV viewing patterns move at a different pace. You'll get some people popping back up over time because they hear good word of mouth, some new fans sometimes, whatever the combination is, but you're not likely to see consistent big time falls or jumps in numbers like that until after a little while and some consistency in either direction.

mentioned it before, unless something earth shattering happens/gets insanely hot, ticket sales usually are effected 6 months to a year later.

[Mr Mario Mario]

I still feel like they are off a step but I’m hopeful things will pick up and click. I think they just need to get a few storylines cooking at the same time and get hot to stir things up again

Step one: Release a Roderick Strong ADAMMMMMMMMMMM! T-Shirt

[Deleted]

AEW (at least Dynamite and Collision, don't have time for the other shows) have been fun recently. Tons of stuff to like and the talent seem to be pretty free in their creativity which tends to make for a fun time. My major complain remains camera work and shot calling. The amount of shit they miss because they're trying to cut to random people in the crowd or whatever is way too much. They have world class talent, they should have good enough production to be able to showcase them well.

I also feel they're moving closer to WWE's style of rapid cuts which concerns me as that's a bit of a turnoff for me. It's kind of frustrating that the product is great, but the way they deliver it to me takes away from it somewhat.