Best year for AEW so far

[ChitownKnight]

I’m a big fan of 2022 so far.

[Lizuka #BLM]

I was most into the early days of the company and that tends to be the stuff I look back on with the most fondness.

[CeilingFan]

2021, especially from May to December.

[Cyno]

2019 had a lot of that energy of a brand new company, and a lot of mistakes that would probably be more picked on now were more easily overlooked outside of a handful of trolls who wanted to see it fail. There was also a chaotic, frantic energy to that first year that's missing from the more stable-feeling product now. Whether that's a good or bad thing is up to you, but it definitely made things more interesting.

2020 had to have been their toughest year because of the pandemic torpedoing a lot of their plans. It was probably their weakest in terms of overall product, but given the circumstances, it's impressive how they were able to persevere.

2021 was a big bounceback year. I think it was their strongest in terms of consistency. They had some goofy moments like the botched pyro at Revolution and the Cody-Ogogo weigh-in.But it featured some of their best shows yet.

2022 I don't think it's fair to judge yet. The year's still only 4 months old. Revolution was a strong show, though.

I voted for 2021 but I had a lot of fondness for 2019, too.

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

Can't really rate 2022 since we're not even halfway through it, I'd say 2021, came off a harsh pandemic year, crowds came back, a ton of new wrestlers changing the landscape there.

[Citizen Snips Has Left]

I don’t watch aside from clips and such but the fact that they were able to survive 2020 only a year after they started up is truly remarkable. I like to fun on that wacky Tony Khan but that showed real leadership.

["Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik]

2021 is the obvious answer for me. 2019 was very incomplete and 2022 is still ongoing. But while 2020 was the worst per se, it was better than it had any right to be given the pandemic. They produced some of my favorite moments in wrestling.

[Fade is a CodyCryBaby]

Apr 21, 2022 18:43:53 GMT -5 Cyno said:

2019 had a lot of that energy of a brand new company, and a lot of mistakes that would probably be more picked on now were more easily overlooked outside of a handful of trolls who wanted to see it fail. There was also a chaotic, frantic energy to that first year that's missing from the more stable-feeling product now. Whether that's a good or bad thing is up to you, but it definitely made things more interesting.

2020 had to have been their toughest year because of the pandemic torpedoing a lot of their plans. It was probably their weakest in terms of overall product, but given the circumstances, it's impressive how they were able to persevere.

2021 was a big bounceback year. I think it was their strongest in terms of consistency. They had some goofy moments like the botched pyro at Revolution and the Cody-Ogogo weigh-in.But it featured some of their best shows yet.

2022 I don't think it's fair to judge yet. The year's still only 4 months old. Revolution was a strong show, though.

I voted for 2021 but I had a lot of fondness for 2019, too.

Damn good job of describing each year. Probably in the same boat with you. 2021’s quality was undeniable but my heart says 2019.

[Hypnosis]

2021.  All Out was a magical night much like Rampage: First Dance, and Hangman finally got his crowning achievement at Full Gear.

[Dub H]

Yeh as much as I love the more creative and experimental era that was the first year and a half.

Kenny's Title Reign was peak AEW.

I do often say AEW should revisit some of the more chaotic and experimental aspects that launched their Success but hey, still good.

[Kalmia]

I think it's 2021 as it was the most consistent. Plus, it had the highest highs, such as Punk's debut (I don't think there's a debut left in wrestling that could top that) and the eventual crowning of Hangman Page. But, 2021 wouldn't have been as good without the groundwork laid in 2019 and 2020.

2022 has a chance of matching 2021 though, IMO. The MJF/Punk angle was excellent and hopefully, AEW sticks the landing with the MJF/Wardlow angle, too. BCC is one of the most intriguing stables to hit wrestling in years and the tighter working relationship with NJPW could produce some really interesting moments.

[CeilingFan]

If ROH is handled properly, the 2022 could be AEW's best year ever!

[msc]

2021 had the Omega story, the redemption arc for the Dark Order, Hangman Page as the Marshmallow Man, Bryan's debut, Punk returning. It was the coming out party as a major WWE competitor year that TNA always wanted but never had. And they managed it in the shadow of this bloody pandemic and the tragic death of one of their biggest stars.

[Bang Bang Bart]

2021 from May to December was just an incredible stretch of programming and moments.

[Blindkarevik]

2019 will always exist in this separate little section of time. It was fresh, exciting, as well as weird and a bit anxiety inducing just because you had no idea how long it would last.

2020 could've killed the company easily, and with the pandemic causing everyone to have to re-think things on a moments notice. It lead to them not being able to really construct long-term storylines due to not knowing if talent would even be available when needed. It really took until the Omega/Callis/IMPACT stuff for it to seem like they had gotten a handle on how to navigate the pandemic. That said, it was a great time to develop existing talent and show off new talent. So they really endured, thrived, and carved out their place in wrestling.

2021 was the kind of year all promotions dream of having. Were there missteps? Absolutely. But by and large, it was firing on all cylinders and every time you thought things couldn't get bigger and better, they did. AEW will have a hard time living up to 2021, but any year they don't isn't a decline, they just simple set the standard too high for themselves.

2022 they seem to be hitting more of a stride now. Not implying great things aren't happening, because every week there seems to be at least one or two moments (if not more) that make me fall in love with pro wrestling all over again. But, it feels like they're starting to realize they can let some of their talent and storylines breathe and aren't afraid of having more shows that exist as story beats, rather than nonstop blockbuster events. Which is cool. Even at the most exciting times during the Monday Night Wars, there were a LOT of blah shows with one or two cool things that may have happened. It's just pumping the brakes a bit and riding the wave, which may lead to this year feeling a little less than what we've gotten since its inception... but it's not a sign of trouble at all.

That said... it's only April. And if you asked me the same question last April, I would've probably given the same answer for last year, having no idea we still had Punk, Cole, Danielson, Black, etc,.. on the horizon. And with The Forbidden Door happening, this COULD be their biggest year yet. All I know is AEW is in a position where if they want to blow expectations out of the water again, I'm happy. But if they want to ride the wave a bit more, I'm still cool with it.

[CeilingFan]

Apr 25, 2022 12:50:46 GMT -5 Bang Bang Bart said:

2021 from May to December was just an incredible stretch of programming and moments.

I agree 100% . From the Blood And Guts match to Winter Is Coming, AEW was on fire!

[Tiffany Stratton's Daddy]

Personally, I think nothing can top 2021. Holy cow. Getting CM Punk to sign, along with Adam Cole and Bryan Danielson was incredible. Every PPV has built upon itself.

However... I voted 2019. Without the resources they now have, they still made AEW PPVs and the weekly show bangers. It's incredible thinking how much they've grown in 3 years time, but back then, the writing still made up for a lack of depth on the roster.

[smokinvokoun86]

2021 might just be one of the greatest years in terms of match quality and creative that any promotion ever had. So I voted for that.

2019 will always be nostalgic because that’s when everything was so new and alive. That year really got me excited for wrestling all over again. Even if some shows surpassed it, Double or Nothing 2019 will always be one of the greatest and most important shows ever. So that show will always have a soft spot with me.

And before 2021 came, 2020 was an outstanding year when you consider the challenges they had with Covid. That year will mean a lot to me for how it helped me get through that year.

And this year is still young, and it’s been great. I don’t know if it will reach the heights of specialness that last year did. But they continue to provide a consistent high quality. So it definitely has potential to be the second best year.

[EZ: Brainy Bae]

Voted for 2020. 2021 had bigger moments and will be more memorable in the long run, but 2020 was important too as it provided a needed, fun alternative during the pandemic.

It's also when I was most into the product/roster. Had Mox/Kenny as champs, an emerging MJF, the first Stadium Stampede, Cody as TNT champ, Brodie Lee debuting and being a big deal, etc.